Sunday, November 16, 2008

Time to Celebrate!!!! Blog Candy Alert!

Woohooo!
Today marks my one year blogaversary! So this week we will be celebrating LOTS on MY BLOG! I am also celebrating 200,000 hits which just happened to fall close enough to this anniversary so I thought I would combine celebrations.

First of all, thank YOU to all of you who come back and have been visiting. It has been such a great year and I have made so many wonderful blogging friends.

I think the one thing I am most proud of is what a wonderful community the stamping world is. So, today I am going to share with you a letter and some pictures from the Artman Home. For those of you who are new to my blog, I organized a card drive (Heart to Heart) for the caretakers of Alzheimer's patients in September. I provided the address of the home that took such wonderful care of my grandmother, who passed away this summer. I wanted to let them feel appreciated for all of the hard work they do each day. Some sent cards to other people they knew who took care of someone suffering with Alzheimer's (which was GREAT!) and well over 200 cards were sent to the Artman home. I received this note from them:

Dear Carolyn,

On behalf of all the associates and caregivers at the Artman Lutheran Home, thank you from the bottom of our hearts for including us in your blog to have cards sent to our caregivers at Artman. In honor of National Alzheimer’s Month, we recently had a party where we gave out these beautiful handmade cards our staff. We received well over 200 cards from all parts of the world and United States. I need to express to you our sincere gratitude and thanks for the joy you brought our staff. The reactions we received were wonderful. There were smiles, tears, statements like “Look my card is from Australia, Switzerland, Hawaii, England, Ireland" etc, “These cards are so beautiful” and many more wonderful reactions. It was a tender moment for all our staff, they were extremely touched and thankful to be appreciated in such an kind way. We currently have the cards hanging in our main hallway for the residents, staff and visitors to enjoy. After which, we will distribute to the staff as a keepsake. I know that some of our staff are personally sending emails or notes of thanks to their card sender. We called your Mom, and she and your Dad were here earlier this week to look at the display.

Carolyn, this was a wonderful way to honor your grandmother, Clare Lyons, who we loved and cared for so much. We are so grateful for thinking of us, this was a memorable experience for all of us and Janet Lorenzon, Skilled Administrator, myself and all the Artman managers are so grateful for the joy you brought our staff. I am attaching some pictures, if there is any way you could mention in your blog the overwhelming success of your request and pass on our profound thanks to all who sent cards.

With heartfelt thanks, Nancy & Janet and all the Artman managers


And here are some of the pictures that she sent and my father sent for me to share:









So Thanks to all of you! You all rock! And, proceeds to donated to the Alzheimer's Association from my set, Whimsical Autumn, have reached $1566.61! (Yipee!!)
I wanted to start the week long celebration with this announcement. This is the first day of many to celebrate! So be sure to check back every day for your chance to win some great prizes!
Leave a comment on this post and Random.Cara will pick a winner tomorrow at 4 p.m. CST. The winner will get their choice of any stamp set from Gina K Designs ($19.95 or less). Thank you Gina for donating this prize! Check back tomorrow for the winner and for another chance to win!

Note: Most contests this week will run for one day. Winner's are responsible for contacting me after I announce his/her name. If I have not heard from the winner in three days, I will pick a new winner from the same post.
Thanks so much for stopping by! It has been a great year!

270 comments:

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Maria Matter said...

Cammie, when you stopped by my blog, you congratulated me on my 10,000 hit...now it's my turn to congratulate you! Happy one year blogaversary!!! Whoohoo! And 200,000 hits, what a wonderful testimony to your lovely spirit! And, of course, your encouragement for blessing caregivers at the Artman Home! Thank you for sharing this heart touching letter with all your readers, especially during November as National Family Caregivers Month and showing us it only takes one RAK to touch a heart!
Blessings, Maria

Anonymous said...

wow Cammie, I had tears in my eyes looking at the pics. I could even imagine their excitement when all the cards started piling in!
Big congrats on your Anniversary. Here's to another year and another 200,000 hits!!!!

Unknown said...

Wow...what an outpouring of appreciaction...and congrats to you on everything.

Patty Williams said...

OMgosh..doesn't that just bring a tear to the eye and a BIG smile to your face !! Beyond wonderful!

Jocelyn said...

Congratulations on your anniversary, the success of Heart to Heart, the Alzheimers donations, and 200,000 hits! WOW! Lots to celebrate! You continue to touch the hearts of so many people and I wish you continued success towards achieving your goals in life! :) Thanks always for sharing your wonderful talent with us; and thanks for the chance to win!

The Bug said...

Happy Blogaversary!! Thank you so much for sharing how appreciated all the cards were! I love your blog. Thanks for sharing your talent with us!

Cheryl B. said...

Thanks for sharing the pictures of the cards received by the Artman Home. And fabulous job on raising so much money for the Alzheimer's Association with the proceeds from your stamp set!

Anonymous said...

Wow! What blessing you are!

It's a good life!
Terri E.

Anonymous said...

That is really a great story about the cards. What a great job you've done honoring your grandmother.

Theresa Momber said...

Huge congrats on your blogaversary and so many hits!

Thanks for sharing that letter and pictures! Very touching to see. :)

Heather "Hev" said...

How beautiful Carolyn :)

I am sure your Grandmother is watching down at you beaming with pride!!

Congratulations on your achievemnets and more importantly being a truly wonderful person.

Hugs Heather

caseyshayne+3 said...

congrats on your blogaversary! THanks for having such a kind heart!

Lori said...

Congratulations Cammie!!! WOW!! I remember reading just before you started your blog that you wouldn't have one, I was so surprised when you did start one but have been with you from the beginning!!! I love it and visit daily!!!!! Thanks so much for all you do!!

Anonymous said...

congrats on raising so much for alxheimer's research! and on your anniversary! have the best week ever!

Margo said...

what a wonderful thing you have started here - keep up the great work and inspiration!

Anonymous said...

Congrats on your blogaversary!! I really enjoy your blog and all of your great ideas!! Thanks for sharing!!

Lynette said...

That was such an awesome thing you did, Cammie! Thanks so much for sharing these pictures with us!

A said...

It truly is amazing the joy something as simple as a card can give to someone.

Regan said...

CONGRATS!!! you did a great job of that card drive and whoa- that is a lot of cards!!

Happy blogaversary

Annabelle said...

Cammie, congrats on your anniversary. but, mostly I would love to congratulate on your kindness in honoring others. My grandmother passed away six years ago due to ALS (Lou Ghering's Disesase) and we know the importance og the caregivers and the relationship you grow to have with them. God bless.

Anonymous said...

Congratulations on your anniversary. I really enjoy visiting your blog. Thanks for the inspiration!

Anonymous said...

Congrats and keep up the great work!
Lisa V

TINA TURNER said...

Cammie,

As a fellow blogger it is nice to see who we can reach out to with just a simple card drive. I am thankful that I got to share in the joys of the caregivers with my card. Thanks again for all you do and congrats!

Tina

Anonymous said...

Congratulations on 200,000 hits in 1 year, your blogaversary, and the wonderful thing you did for Alzheimers!!! THANK YOU!
Loved seeing the cards at Artman Home. I had sent mine to the nursing home where my father had been with Alzheimers.
Thanks for sharing your talent with us. You are an inspiration.

Anonymous said...

That is SO awesome!! What a totally cool letter!! TFS that!! Congrats to you on your blogoversary!!! Yeah!!

Anonymous said...

thanks 4 sharing the letter & pics

Card Creations said...

Wow first of all Congratulations on the 1 year Blogaversary I have been here from the start....Second of all congratulations on the $$$ raised with Whimsical Autumn set! What a big accomplishment

Debby said...

thanks for sharing the letters and cards here .
Congratulations on your blog Anniversary and 200 000 hits, WTG!

Nancy L. said...

I enjoy everthing you post and check your blog often. Congrats on your anniversary and all the hits you've had! You are so generous!

Anonymous said...

Cammie, happy anniversary and congratulations on such a wonderful project and very successful accomplishment.

We all take so much for granted and it is always wise to look around and see if you can bless someone in need. You're a peach.

Blessings and thanks for the chance to win this great blog candy.

maiahs_momma said...

wow, what a nice letter you recieved and am glad I was able to help out by sending a card.

Hugs,
catherine
www.mystampinggrounds.blogspot.com
catlevy@eastlink.ca

Judi said...

Congratulations on your anniversary and 200,000 hits!!! That's wonderful to see so many cards were sent and so much has been raised. The saying that one person can make a difference is definately true!!! Way to go!!!

Chris Scrappin and Stampin in Texas said...

Amazing CAroloyn! I agree with you about stampers, they have the kindest hearts. Thanks for sharing your pictures. An honor indeed! Your grandmother would be so proud! hugs!chris

Anonymous said...

In today's day and age, it never ceases to amaze the geneosity of strangers. Congratulations on all that you've done to help make the world a better place.

Anonymous said...

what a wonderful tribute to your grandmother's memory. I have loved participating in these kinds of projects. Thanks for keeping us aware!

Erin... said...

Happy blogaversary and congrats on 200000 Hits WOW. Thank you so much for everything you're doing for alzheimer's and what a touching letter.

Jennifer said...

Wow! What a wonderful display of gratitude from the caregivers! This was truly a inspirational gesture on your part, Cammie! Thanks for the chance to win the candy today!

Jennifer

Steph said...

WOW! That's a lot of cards. Thanks for the chance at the blog candy.

Anonymous said...

This is just so awesome, Cammie! As someone that has worked specifically with Alzheimer patients as a caregiver myself, this really touched me. Thank you not only for doing it to begin with, but for sharing the outcome as well.

Congrats on your blogoversary. I really enjoy visiting your site. Today has been a very emotional day for me (already) and I'm in tears again! Have a fantastic day!

AJ said...

Such a great thing you are doing!! congrats to you!!!

Anonymous said...

Congratulations on this huge milestone! What a great letter to start off the celebration. Thank you for sharing with us. Your blog and your work are just over the top! Thank you for all of the great ideas!

Cathy

Anonymous said...

Wow, a year! I can't believe it has been a year! Congrats to you:) Thanks for sharing the pictures of the cards that were received...God bless you!

debb said...

Wow! congrats on the anniversary and sooo many hits! It is wonderful the way you organized the stamping community to lift spirits and recognize caregivers! Way to go! debb

Anonymous said...

I love seeing how appreciative the staff was about your card drive! Congratulations on the anniversary and 200,000 hits!

tyrymom29 said...

WoW, Congrats on all the accomplishments !!!

Alana said...

That truly was a wonderful drive! I was glad to have sent a card to them.

Congratulations on reaching the 1 year mark, Cammie!!

Mandy said...

Thank you for sharing your letter and all the pictures from your card drive. I truly am in awe of all the workers who can do this type of job as I would never be able to do it.

Congrats on your blog-versary!
- Mandy

Gina said...

Wow, that's so wonderful!!!! Thank you so much for allowing me to be a part of this!!! Congrats on your blogaversery!

Terri said...

Congratualtions on your 1 yr blogging anniversary. That is great news about the money raised and the cards.

Lee said...

OMGosh...........that is just amazing and touching!! And a very, very Happy Blogoversary to you!!!

Bee's Zen Garden said...

Waow! Congratulations on the 200 000 hits in just a year!! You are quite the celebrity! LOL! :-D
It was so nice to see this huge display of cards in the hallway.
I am sure your Grandma is looking down and smiling! :-)

Theresa Dagostino Forge said...

that was a wonderful sight to see all of those cards!!! happy blogaversary!!

Missy said...

Happy Blogaversary!!! So exciting. Thanks for sharing pictures of the cards too. Can you believe that I can't even remember the card that I sent. I love it though, it is so cool to see that something as small as a card can help others feel so much better. Thanks for the opportunity.

Tammy said...

Congrats on your 1 year blogaversary!! Also, thank you for sharing the letter and pictures from the Heart to Heart drive. I am so glad the cards brought a bright spot to the patients:).

Tammy

Bethany Paull said...

Oh Cammie! I'm so glad that you have been able to use your blog to help those who have touched your lives and make a difference in Alzheimer's research. HUGS! And keep it up.

Anonymous said...

Congratulations on your blogaversary and on the success of your Heart to Heart card drive! You are an amazing inspiration! ~Julie

Janet said...

Congratulations!

Sara Mac said...

Congratulations on your one year blogaversary! I cannot believe it's already ben a year. I read your blog everyday. Thanks for the update from the Artman home. It's great to see the pictures.

Anonymous said...

Happy Blogaversary!
What a great way to honour those who looked after your grandmother.

Susan W

milkshake007 said...

Awesome job Cammie!! What a wonderful tribute to your grandmother.
Congratulations on your anniversary! I so enjoy your blog!

Kris said...

Congrats on the blogaversary and the 200,000 hits...also like to say congrats on the alzheimer's proceeds reaching a high number...thanks for the chance to win blog candy weeeeeee...lol

Carin said...

Congrats on your blogaversary! Thanks for sharing with your readers!

Anonymous said...

What a great post and tribute. And congrats on your anniversary!!

Anonymous said...

Wow! Congrats on your Anniversary and 200,000 hits! Well deserved! And how wonderful that you were able to raise so much for the Alzheimer's Association...a cause near and dear to my heart!

Anonymous said...

What a wonderful tribute to your Grandmother. How kind you have been to the staff. Happy celebrating! Your blog is amazing.

Anonymous said...

Congratulations Cammie.
Thanks for the chance to win.
Karen R.

de said...

This is so amazing! I feel honored to have been a part of it, particularly since I have 2 relatives stricken with the debilitating disease. Thank you for this opportunity to give a little back...

Libby Hickson said...

I just got completely teary reading this post. I'm so proud to have had a small part in the joy the caregivers experienced! Thanks again for sharing the opportunity with us!

Kylah Marro said...

I just read this post and I would love to give you a HUGE AWESOME!!!!!! I am a caregiver for an alzheimer patient. She is 98 years old and I have been with her for 5 years. I love her so very much and I am NOT ready for the day I walk into her room and her not know me. I bought your set and I pray a cure can be found! I enjoy going to the nursing home everyday and bring some cheer in to their life when their family can not be there. can you tell I love my job and all the wonderful people I have met.
Thank you for what you do!

stampmonkey said...

Wow, Cammie! You must be sooo proud of what you've started here (and you should be!). ;) This is incredible, and I hope it continues to grow as more people are made aware. Your parents must be really proud of what you've done as well. Keep up the good work! The power of one really can make a difference.

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