Here's the Scoop! Ten Tips for a Fantastic Day!

One week from this minute (7:34am) Cheryl and I will either be at the Hickory Point Mall in Forsyth or on our way. The weather will be beautiful. Beautiful for driving - but a little too cool to work out in the yard. All 179 (Yes - 179!) of our pre-registered Make a Blanket Day attendees will be healthy, happy and loading their cars - ready to spend a day at the Hickory Point Mall in Forsyth making blankets for children in need of some very special hugs! WE CAN'T WAIT!!!! We hope you feel the same!

Here are some updates and instructions for the day. PLEASE make note of the following changes and/or suggestions:

1. When you arrive at Make a Blanket Day, we will have helpers who will tote your supplies into the mall work area (in front of Bergner's). If you would like help - pull your car up to the mall entry door (the east side of the building next to Bergner's). A volunteer will unload your supplies for the day and take them to the work area while you are parking your car. When you come into the mall, simply locate your supplies and find a place to work. If you need help getting your supplies to your seat, we will have additional volunteers inside to help you get situated. It's so easy! Thank you so much to our supply toters!

2. Please note: Carol will NOT be attaching charms to bracelets at Make a Blanket Day. With 174 attendees and counting, we were afraid she would be blind by the end of the day - and she needs to drive home! So - we will still ask you to turn in your charm order form and Carol will put your new charms and connecting rings in a little bag. You can either attach them yourself when you get home or have someone else attach them. I'm sorry for this change, but Carol had so many charms to attach at our Fall event that during the entire day she never had a moment to look up. Our attendance will almost double at this event. Since she also takes care of the Project Linus items as well as the luncheon - we wanted to make sure that she comes back in the future! :-) Your understanding is most appreciated.

3. Don't forget to bring a Project Linus Project to work on. If you are not sure what to do - please bring a 1 1/2 yard piece of a kids print fleece and we have patterns with some finishing options. If you would like to learn to tie a quilt, please bring two 1 1/2 yard pieces of coordinating kid-friendly fabric and we have a simple envelope-style pattern you can make. We do have some bolts of fabric and batting that you are welcome to use. With 174 attendees, we are simply not able to supply everyone with a project.

4. We will be foundation piecing two blocks this year. One is our "Lotsa Pops" Quiltmaker Magazine block and the other is our Anniversary block. If you are not familiar with foundation piecing or just need some help getting started, Jana and Paula from Stewarts Sewing Machines will have an area located near the welcome table. They have an absolutely adorable quilt kit that they will have available if you are interested and they will teach you how to paper piece correctly - if you'd like some instructions. They have beautiful sewing machines that they will be bringing as well - so don't hesitate to visit their area and take a lesson!

5. Lunch will be served at 11:30am. We ask everyone to bring a snack, salad or dish to pass and we will provide the main dish, water and a few extra goodies. Our "lunch" will be served in the first store on your left as you enter the mall. You may leave your food there when you arrive or you can bring it in before 11:00am.

6. You will not go home empty-handed! :-) We have door prizes, special drawings, Boo-Boo Kids awards and welcome packets for those pre-registered. For everyone over 18 years old who pre-registered you will have the opportunity to enter a drawing for a Babylock Quilter's Choice Sewing Machine donated by Stewart's Sewing Machines!!!!! THANK YOU to Jana Wrigley and Stewart's for this GENEROUS donation!

7. We have seating for 200 attendees - first come, first served. Make a Blanket Day is from 9am - 3pm and you are welcome to arrive any time AFTER 8:30am.

8. Team 35 will be selling tickets for their gorgeous raffle quilt. Tickets are $1.00 each - and the proceeds will go toward the purchase of more blanketmaking supplies for our next event! THANK YOU TEAM 35!!!

9. Don't forget about our Boo-Boo Kids display. Invite your friends and family to visit the display on Friday or Saturday and vote for their favorite quilt! It's $1.00 per vote or 6 for $5.00. Again, all proceeds will go toward the purchase of more blanketmaking supplies! The quilts are absolutely beautiful again this year - with the theme "To the Rescue". 2010 kits will be available at Make a Blanket Day. The kit is $5.00 if you have never made a Boo-Boo Kids quilt. If you have, the kit is free. We have an adult category and a kids category - so everyone is welcome to make a quilt for 2010. The theme is... "Wish Upon a Star"!

10. When do we have an uninterrupted 6 hours that we can spend doing what we love to do! Be sure to leave all your troubles at home and join us for an exciting day of blanketmaking fun!

Cheryl and I want to thank each of you for all of your help! We would not have been able to serve the children of Central IL over the past 10 years without each of you.

Happy 10th Birthday Project Linus Central IL!

See you Saturday!
Mary

PS - if you are available at 8:45pm on Thursday evening February 26th, we could use some help hanging the Boo-Boo kids quilts. Please join us in front of Von Maur. The more help we have, the faster we get the job done! Thank you!

Set-up on Friday evening will begin at 9pm. If you can help, we would love to have you! Thank you!

"All You Need Is Love...

...But a little chocolate now and then doesn't hurt!"
Charles Schulz

Terry and I exchanged Valentine cards this morning and we gave each other nearly identical cards! I guess after 34 years of dating and 30 years of marriage - we really have become a lot alike! I love that - and I love him! I also had my absolutely delicious chocolate protein bar this morning as well...Clif 20g Chocolate Mint Builder's Bar...which is to say that I truly do have it all...love AND chocolate! :-)

I'm thrilled to report that we have 155 people pre-registered for Make a Blanket Day!!!! WOO HOO!!! If you haven't done so, please make sure that you pre-register. We want to make sure everyone gets a seat and enough to eat! (However, enough food has never been a problem at our MABDs thanks to Carol and Jane!) Also, don't forget to bring a Project Linus project to work on and a dish to pass or snack to share. When you enter the mall (the entrance near Bergner's) there is a store on your left - it used to be a bank - that we have been given permission to use for our "dining area". Food can be dropped off there when you arrive. It's going to be a fantastic day filled with fun, fellowship and the opportunity to serve some special children and families in our Central IL area!

Great News! We have a FINAL answer on Project Linus and the CPSIA. On February 9, 2009, CPSC staff issued a document called Guidance on the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) for Small Businesses, Resellers, Crafters and Charities and If you would like to read the text here's the link: http://www.cpsc.gov/about/cpsia/smbus/cpsiasbguide.html

Briefly, a portion of Question #13 in particular applies to Project Linus:
Q. “Can I donate the children’s products that I make to local charities and hospitals?
A. Yes, you can make and donate children’s products to local charities and hospitals, if they are made of exempted materials or materials that you feel confident do not contain lead (see Table B). Children’s products made of yarn, dyed or undyed fabrics and natural materials such as untreated wood or cotton do not contain lead at levels sufficient to exceed the new lead limits.
Also, on page 7 you will find a list of exempted materials, including:* Yarn, dyed or undyed * Dyed or undyed textiles (cotton, wool, hemp, nylon, etc.), including children’s fabric products, such as baby blankets, and non‐metallic thread and trim. This does not include products that have rhinestones or other ornaments that may contain lead or that have fasteners with possible lead content (such as buttons, metal snaps, zippers or grommets).
So, we have been given the green light to continue making blankets as usual. Thank you for the letters, e-mails etc. that were sent to our representatives. We do have a voice!

In our National "Blanket Beacon" newsletter, we have a section we call "Love Notes". Since this is Valentine's Day, I would like to share a love note that we received, addressed to each of you:

Dear Project Linus,
My name is Katie and I am 15 years old. I received a Project Linus blanket while in the hospital this past summer. Even though I am old enough were I don't need a blankey anymore your balnket gave me lots of confort and much needed warmth. I now sleep with it everynight, and when my friends ask I am proud and grateful to say that it came from Project Linus. I am hoping to make a blanket soon to give back to the kids who are now feeling as bad as I once did. Thank you so much!

So, I think I need to add to Charles Schulz's quote: "All You Need is Love...but a little chocolate and a blanket now and then doesn't hurt!"

Happy Valentine's Day! I hope that you all take a minute to wrap your favorite blanket around you and "feel the love".

Happy Blanketmaking!
Mary

Anniversaries

For some reason it seems as though we love to celebrate anniversaries. We mark the day we were born (I just celebrated the 12th anniversary of my 40th birthday), the day we got married (it was 30 years in July), the day our chapter started (we opened our chapter 10 years ago - January 1999), etc. Today is the 1st birthday of our little granddaughter Gracie - and I was there to see her come into the world. What a miraculous anniversary to celebrate! Today is also the 34th anniversary of our first date. We were in Iowa City, Iowa and Terry and I were both freshmen in college. We went to the movie "Freebie and the Bean" - I'm sure you remember it...??? There were only 2 theaters within walking distance of the dorm so our choices were VERY limited. I don't remember much from the movie other than car after car being demolished - but that's because my mind was preoccupied thinking about the gorgeous guy sitting next to me! Each year we love to celebrate this special day, simply because it was the day we fell madly in love. You may say that no one could fall madly in love after one date...but I'm here to tell you that we did and we still are!

Tomorrow is the anniversary of the date that we lost our precious grandson Luke. This is one of those anniversaries that we would prefer not to remember for many reasons, but we choose to remember and cherish it for one very special reason. It's the day we celebrate the gift that we have been given - "Families are Forever". We know that one day we will all be together again - and this is the day that we are reminded of that sweet promise. I'm sure you all have a "Families are Forever" anniversary that has brought you sadness in the past - but brings hope to you for the future. We can't escape the grief we experience from the parting, but the reunion will be glorious!

As we know, our service through Project Linus offers us a bitter-sweet experience as we cradle those in need of a hug. We love to make blankets and we know that we are able to bring comfort and security to a child going through a medical or emotional crisis through our handwork. This brings us joy. But we also know that in order to receive a blanket, this child must go through that crisis. This makes us sad. We know that we can offer hope to the parents of these children through the simple gesture of offering their child a handmade blanket. This keeps us making blankets. But we also know that these parents are suffering as well, as they watch their child suffer. This breaks our hearts. As blanketeers, we know that the efforts that we put forth to make a beautiful handmade treasure for a child in need of a hug are most appreciated. In addition, it gives us an opportunity to extend our hand in service allowing us to become a part of the healing process for all concerned. As a parent looks at the blanket given to their child, they will be reminded of that anniversary when their child received the blanket. Whether it commemorates a joyous victory or a sad reminder - either way, it lets them know that someone cared enough to offer their family comfort during a difficult time.

As I look at the anniversaries in my life I hope that each one helps to remind me to be grateful for what I have been given - and what is yet to be! We hope you'll join us on February 28th for our Make a Blanket Day at the Mall! Come and celebrate our 10th anniversary as we serve those in need of comfort, side by side!

Happy Blanketmaking!
Mary

The Results: CPSIA - Stay; Project Linus - Keep Moving Forward!

What a GREAT end to a very busy week! As of Friday, January 30th, 2009 the CPSC has issued a one year stay of enforcement on the Consumer Project Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) while the committee sorts out all of the requests for ammendments, clarifications, exclusions and exemptions, etc. that have been presented to them. From this new ruling and the letter written by Nancy Nord, the acting chairman of the committee - we are very happy to report that we do not anticipate that the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act will have an impact on our organization or its mission. You can feel Ms. Nord's frustration with the CPSIA as you read her letter.

Here is a link to the letter and the press release if you would like to read it:

Nancy Nord's Letter to the committee (Click on Link): http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml09/09115nord.pdf

Consumer Product Safety Commission Press release (Click on Link):
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml09/09115.html

I want to stress that in the letter and the press release, the charities mentioned were those who SELL their items (Goodwill, Salvation Army, thrift stores, etc.). As you all know, Project Linus does not sell or manufacture/import items for sale but the wording of the CPSIA posed many unanswered questions as to whether or not we would be affected by this Act. The conflicting answers we received from Washington and committee members as well as the concern of volunteers across the country compelled us to voice our concerns.

Thank you for your help! We know that the letter writing campaign has made a difference and we can't thank you enough for your support! We will continue to carry out our mission with the same dedication as we have for the past 13 years.

PRE-REGISTRATION FOR MABD
There's still time - just e-mail Mary

BOO BOO KIDS QUILTS
If you are making a Boo-Boo Kids quilt, please deliver them to Cheryl or Mary by February 14th. Since Make a Blanket Day is a week later, you have one more week to finish your quilt. Please call or e-mail Cheryl or Mary before you deliver your quilt to make sure that we are available.

MAKE A BLANKET DAY HELP
We still have a few spots open at the Boo-Boo Kids table. If you can help, please e-mail Cheryl and she will tell you what times are open.

SUPPLY TOTERS
If you know of an able-bodied person who can help bring in our blanketeers' supplies between 8:30am and 10:30am on Saturday morning, please let us know. In the past we have had members of scout troops, church groups, the Golden K's as well as family and friends. If you know of a group in need of service hours - we would love to help them out. :-)

Thank you again for all of your support and as always...

Happy Blanketmaking!
Mary

Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act May Improve Project Linus Out of Business

Yes, you read it correctly! We need your help to make sure that Project Linus is allowed to continue as a 501c3 nonprofit organization that donates handmade blankets as gifts to seriously ill and traumatized children and provides a tremendous service opportunity for members of our community for the benefit of children. Why would ANY act of government want to stop the good work that we are doing?

Well, on August 14, 2008, the Congress of the United States passed a law called the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act. It goes into effect on February 10, 2009. The purpose of this act is to establish consumer product safety standards following the high lead content that was found in children's toys imported from China. In response, Congress acted quickly to protect America's children by enacting the CPSIA. Unfortunately as with every law, many questions have arisen that are still unanswered. You can learn more about it at http://www.cpsc.gov/ .

Basically, the Act states that all products marketed or intended for children 12 or under must undergo testing by a certified laboratory to be CPSIA compliant. There are enormous costs to do so, and very substantial fines and penalties involved for non-compliance. As originally written, the Act potentially has far reaching consequences. The Act requires those who manufacture items for sale to have their products tested. Unfortunately the way the Act is worded, the term "distribute" is used, which could include any item made and GIVEN or SOLD to a child under 12 years old. At this time, we do not know how or if it will impact Project Linus and other charitable organizations but we know that the CPSIA needs clarification with regard to charities. The reality is that if the law is not clarified to exclude charitable organizations, or to define certain terms regarding “distribution” and remove the potential liability to organizations such as Project Linus, we will have no choice but to dissolve our beloved organization.

Project Linus has been working with representatives from Congress and the Consumer Product Safety Commission for clarification of how the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act may or may not affect our charity and others. We know that our specific circumstances are under discussion at this time but so far we have yet to receive a clarification from the committee. We believe, and have been specifically told, that we can have an impact on the interpretation of this law. We need the help of everyone and anyone who knows of or has been touched by Project Linus to write an e-mail or letter. You don't need to be a blanketeer in order to express your opinion with regard to this legislation.

Carol Babbitt (our National President) and I have drafted a letter that you are welcome to copy and paste (fill in the blanks as indicated) and send it to your congress person, senator, the Consumer Product Safety Commission or Committee on Energy and Commerce members. Some can be sent via e-mail, but if you are not in the district of the congress person or senator you may need to send your letter to them via snail mail.

To locate the contact information for your congress person go to https://writerep.house.gov/writerep/welcome.shtml
To locate the contact information for your US Senator go to http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm

HERE IS THE SAMPLE LETTER, if you would like to use it.
Bill Number H.R.4040 Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act
From: [your name and address]
To: [your congress person or senator, CPSIA or Committee on Energy and Commerce Members]
Re: The Consumer Product Improvement Act (CPSIA) clarification regarding charities requested

Dear [your congress person, senator, CPSC or Committee on Energy and Commerce members],
As a volunteer and supporter of Project Linus, a 501c3 National Non-profit organization, I am very concerned about the effect the Consumer Product Improvement Act (CPSIA) H.R. 4040 will have on our organization as of February 10, 2009. Like many people, I was deeply concerned by the dangerous and poisonous toys that large Chinese toy manufacturers have been selling to our families. I was pleased that Congress acted quickly to protect America's children by enacting the CPSIA. However, I am very concerned that the CPSIA's mandates for third party testing and labeling could have a dramatic and negative effect on our charity (Project Linus).

For your information, Project Linus distributes handmade blankets as gifts to seriously ill and traumatized children across the country. (See http://www.projectlinus.org/ for more information.) We have chapters in all 50 states, have donated almost 3,000,000 blankets and our safety record has always been exemplary. If charities such as ours are not exempt from this Act the closure of our organization will devastate the hospitals, shelters, police and fire departments and other social service agencies who give our blankets as gifts to children going through a crisis. In addition it will also take away the opportunity that our volunteers have been given, which is to offer service to these children through their blanketmaking skills.

Project Linus does not sell its blankets. They are all given as gifts to children ages 0-18. We are the consumer and not a retailer or seller however the current wording in the CPSIA can be interpreted to include organizations such as ours. We are a charity and would never have the funds to submit each blanket made by our volunteers to the expensive testing required. As our new President has encouraged us to volunteer and perform acts of service, it would be devastating to approximately 60,000 volunteers such as myself who have been making blankets for Project Linus, to have our organization closed due to the CPSIA.

I urge you to quickly request the Consumer Product Safety Commission and the Committee on Energy and Commerce to make some very reasonable exclusions in their interpretation of the law as they continue their rulemaking process. This would include exempting nonprofit organizations and charities who do not retail their products.

Thank you for your attention with regard to this matter.

Sincerely,
[your name]

Here are some additional contacts:
Contact the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission - (301)-504-7923
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
4330 East West Highway
Bethesda, MD 20814
http://www.cpsc.gov/about/contact.html

Contact the House Energy and Commerce Committee - (202)-225-2927
2125 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515

You are welcome to contact the personal offices of anyone on the following list, who are the members of the House Energy and Commerce Committee. There is not room here to post addresses, but a google search will give you their snail mail addresses.

Henry A. Waxman, CA , Chair
John Dingell, MI, Chair Emeritus
Joe Barton, TX Ranking Member
Edward Markey, MA
Rick Boucher, VA
Frank Pallone, Jr., NJ
Bart Gordon, TN
Bobby Rush, IL
Anna Eshoo, CA
Bart Stupak, MI
Eliot Engel, NY
Gene Green, TX
Diana DeGette, CO
Lois Capps, CA
Michael Doyle, PA
Jane Harman, CA
Janice Schakowsky, IL
Charles Gonzales, TX
Jay Inslee, WA
Tammy Baldwin, WI
Mike Ross, AR
Anthony Weiner, NY
Jim Matheson, UT
G.K. Butterfield, NC
Charlie Melancon, KA
John Barrow, GA
Baron Hill, IN
Doris Matsui, CA
Donna Christensen, VA
Kathy Castor, FL
John Sarbanes, MD
Christopher Murphy, CT
Zachary Space, OH
Jerry McNerney, CA
Betty Sutton, OH
Bruce Braley, IA
Peter Welch, VT
Ralph Hall, TX
Fred Upton, MI
Cliff Stearns, FL
Nathan Deal, GA
Ed Whitfield, KY
John Shimkus, IL
John Shadegg, AZ
Roy Blunt, MO
Steve Buyer, IN
George Radanovich, CA
Joseph Pitts, PA
Mary Bono Mack, CA
Greg Walden, OR
Lee Terry, NE
Mike Rogers, MI
Sue Wilkins Myrick, NC
John Sullivan, OK
Tim Murphy, PA
Michael Burgess, TX
Marsha Blackburn, TN
Phil Gingrey, GA

With our 60,000+ volunteers we can make a difference! Please help these legislators to understand that we are not a manufacturer. We are the consumer! We don’t manufacture or sell blankets! We don’t have a factory or any location anywhere in the country where blankets are assembled. These blankets are largely made by individuals, in their homes or in small private groups. Almost 3 MILLION blankets have been donated to almost 3 MILLION children under strict quality control standards. Speak from your heart, share your passion and help us to insure the future of Project Linus.

Thank you so much and long live Project Linus! :-)

Mary

Project Linus for Kids; the Shawl Ministry for Grown-ups

On Monday morning, we received a phone call telling us that dear friends of ours, Amy and Sean, lost their 19 month old daughter, suddenly. Immediately my mind took me back to 3 years ago when we lost our sweet little Luke, suddenly. Such tragedies initially take their toll on our minds, our bodies and our spirits. They rob us of our ability to be alone with our thoughts. They remove our desire to put one foot in front of the other. They can even cause us to question our faith for a time. From the moment we received the call, we knew that this was the beginning of a very rough road for our friends and my heart ached. Although it has been 3 years, it felt as if it was happening all over again. But...then we realized that it HAD been 3 years and in that length of time we have come a long way. We knew we now needed to take what we had learned and help our friends. We needed to serve them as we had been served.

As you all know, Project Linus blankets offer comfort and security to those going through a crisis. Through the events of this week, I have been reminded that Project Linus came to our family's rescue 3 years ago. Our lives fell apart a week before Make a Blanket Day (our busiest event of the year) yet volunteers came forward and made it all happen without a glitch. Luke's twin brother Logan received a Project Linus blanket when he lost his brother and another one when he was in the hospital having surgery to manage the condition that took the life of his brother. Then, our son Alex received a Project Linus blanket when he also had surgery for the same condition. They received comfort from these special blankets and we were comforted by the love and support offered by those who served us in such a very special way. In addition a dear blanketeer made a special gift for me - a shawl as part of the Prayer Shawl Ministry. In a nutshell - a person handmakes a prayer shawl, not knowing who the recipient will be. She prays for the recipient as she makes the shawl. Then, when the opportunity arises, she presents the shawl to someone in need.
(See http://www.shawlministry.com/).
I was the recipient of such a prayer shawl. As a Project Linus blanket recipient wraps the blanket around his or her shoulders and receives a hug of comfort - the same is true for a prayer shawl. The only difference is that Project Linus is for kids and a prayer shawl is for grown-ups. As I wrapped my shawl around my shoulders I felt the love, the prayers and the concern of the person who made the shawl. I truly felt it comfort me and heal me.

When our friends saw their sweet little daughter in the Emergency Room - she had been given a Project Linus blanket. They had the blanket on display at the funeral and placed it over her chair at home. I'm so glad that Project Linus was there for them in much the same way it was there for us. I believe it brought them comfort to know how much they are loved. Each brother and sister as well as five cousins received Project Linus blankets. One of Tori's sisters said that their Project Linus blankets are for them to wrap around their shoulders when they miss Tori. I know that the special hug of comfort that they feel brings them closer to little Tori for a moment. That's a good thing. As for the prayer shawls, I always have one shawl "ready to go" for a time when it's needed. For some reason, this time, I had two. I was able to give Mom - Amy and Grammy - Soni a shawl to comfort them as well. I hope that as it holds them, it eventually will help to heal them, as it did me.

I'm so grateful that Project Linus has given me the opportunity to serve others during times of crisis in such a personal way. We hear from parents all over the country how blessed they feel when their child receives a handmade treasure from someone they don't even know. They are grateful to know that others care about them and want to help ease their pain. Of course, we can't take away the pain, but I know that when we wrap a blanket or a shawl around our shoulders - the comforting hug we feel can take our thoughts to a better place, reestablish our desire to put one foot in front of the other and reminds us of our faith.

We can't change what has happened, but we can offer service to those going through such a difficult time. In addition, when we offer service we are able to forget ourselves and focus on others. I have found that when I am able to focus on the needs of others it helps to heal my own soul. I feel like I've reached some milestones in our "healing process" this week. That is also a good thing.

Our love to Amy and family and Soni and family.

Mary

My theme for 2009: "The Glass IS Half Full!"

Each year I have tried to come up with a "theme" or "mantra" for the year. 2008 was "Because Nice Matters". My daughter Cari made me a beautiful plaque with "Because Nice Matters" written on it. I have it proudly displayed in my sewing room, by my computer and I have honestly tried to be nice this year. It's not that I'm intentionally annoying or demanding or short tempered or insensitive or generally "not nice" but its seems as though I don't always "think before I speak or act" and that's what gets me into trouble. I tried my best to make a postive change in 2008. As I move on to a new theme for 2009, it doesn't mean that I'm finished being nice because that was an "old 2008 goal" ...I do plan to move on to my new "mantra"...but I still plan to be nice :-)

2009 brings a new "theme" to my year. "The glass IS half full." I have always been a "half empty kind of person". I know - how depressing. I did have a method to my madness, however. I felt that if I expected the worst, and ANYTHING less than the worst occurred, I wouldn't be disappointed. In fact - I found I could even find joy in most outcomes that didn't meet my negative expectations. Well - the anxiety, high blood pressure, insomnia, etc. that accompanies a doom and gloom attitude just isn't worth it. I have a wonderful husband and family, a GREAT "job" with Project Linus, tremendous friends and a strong faith. How could that glass possibly be half empty?

So, as 2009 begins with our 10th birthday celebration I want to let each of you know how much Cheryl and I appreciate you. As we prepare for Make a Blanket Day on February 28th and our Boo-Boo Kids display on the 27th and 28th I am simply overwhelmed by your kindness, generosity and giving spirits. Thank you for pre-registering. How exciting to have so many of our volunteers gather together and spend an entire day making blankets and socializing! Thank you for offering to help with Boo-Boo Kids set-up on Thursday evening, MABD set-up on Friday evening and MABD clean-up on Saturday. Thank you! At our first MABD at the mall in February of 2002, my husband Terry and I set up the event in an ice storm, all by ourselves. We were at the mall until almost 1am - and then back at 7am to finish. The next year, we decided to ask for help - and you responded to our call. Every year since, many of you have come to our rescue! We couldn't do it without you!

I want to remind you that Carol (our National President) will be hosting our luncheon as well as filling orders for the charms you earned for your bracelets. (THANK YOU CAROL!!!) Please bring a dish to pass (salad, snack or dessert) and we will provide the paper products, chicken and bottled water - along with a few other goodies. Don't forget to bring your charm bracelet with you if you would like Carol to attach the charms for you. We have an adorable "birthday balloons" charm for our 10th Anniversary Make a Blanket Day!

As I finish up my message for today, it just makes me realize that my glass isn't half full - it's OVERFLOWING!!! Maybe I need to change my theme to "The Glass is OVERFLOWING!"

Happy Blanketmaking!
Mary