Doris' Blog

Repost w/New Address for Celebration of Life - May You Rest In Peace Tammy

Hello Bloggers!!  Perhaps not a final report but certainly an update on some of the details regarding a final farewell to our beloved Tammy Fox.  Details remain sketchy and could remain that way for sometime so the Fox's have provided details with a plan to help themselves, family, and many friends to bring some closure to the tragedy of losing their only daughter, Tammy, to unknown circumstances.  Tammy was at or near 30 years of age and was just beginning to excel in her career as an attorney and also in her spirited life that she shared with family and friends.  You will be sorely missed Tammy.  May you rest in peace.

The Fox's have set up a scholarship fund in her memory.  Supporters or anyone wishing to donate may do so.  The information is as follows:

                                                      

Tamara E Fox

Memorial Scholarship  

Skyline High School

Attn: Barb DeKruyf, ASB Bookkeeper

1122 228^th AVE SE

Sammamish, WA 98075

Checks can be made out to Skyline High School with a written memo in the memo field that indicates it is for Tammy’s scholarship.

Friends and Company also has a donation jar at it's front desk for anyone passing through and wishing to donate to help with expenses.  The Fox's may wish to donate these funds to their scholarship program but we are leaving that up to them.  While at the shop, please sign the card also located at the front desk.

A Celebration of Life

Additionally, the Fox's are hosting an Open House a family home for anyone who wishes to drop in for some friendship and to share and celebrate in Tammy's life.  The Open House is scheduled as follows:

12:00 Noon until 4:00 pm

Saturday, 2 April 2011

Address is:  Rob and Dalene Johnson, 14706 167th Place, SE, Renton, WA  98059-7936

Anyone needing additional information may call the shop at 425-391-1500.  Good night to all!!  nDoris

 

Goodbye Charleston Cafe

Hellow bloggers!!  As many of you may have already read in the West Seattle blog, the famous Charleston Cafe is closing its doors.  Another one bites the dust  after 32 years.  The ecomomy is quoted as the reason and I can surely relate to that one!!  It is my plan to have lunch there tomorrow and I even planned it before I knew that it would be closing on 4 April.  Now I am glad that I'm going.  It has been home to many meals with family and/or friends for more years than I have toes and fingers.  It will be missed!!

It's truly sad to see some of these businesses go.  From a business perspective, you gotta know that it is a tough decision on our part when we need to face the inevitable.  It was also really difficult to see Liberty Bell close its doors after nearly 38 years in business.  They closed just months after we moved our West Seattle shop after 13 years of having a store in West Seattle.  We dearly miss it but we had few choices when the time came.  I am facing a similar delima with our Issaquah shop.  What do we need to do to stay open and at least able to pay bills as a minimum.  If any of you have any suggestions, do let me know.  I'd love to hear from you.  I've been working many angles to make it appealing and a one stope shop so keep that in mind the next time you are thinking about purchasing any rubber stamps and/or accessories. 

Congratulations to Gero Wilgrus who won our cinnamon heart jar count in late February.  The count exceeded 2,100 but the number is at the shop and I am currently at home.... so don't have the exact number but if you need it for whatever reason, just call the shop.  Yvonne or I will be glad to give it to you.  Our current jar is full of jelly beans (but of course!!).  Stop in and take a shot.  No purchase is necessary.  It's worth a $25,00 gift certificate or $50.00 if you hit it head on!!  Just plain fun.

We are currently accepting registrations for our "Book Fest" scheduled for 30 April and 1 May.  Three of our instructors have been busy working on their projects and a fourth is soon to join the group.  Early registration is encouraged given that space is limited to only 16 so don't procrastinate!  Call today.  We'll have photos and pictures as soon as they are available.

Stop in and visit on Wednesday's between 1:00 pm an 3:00 when we conduct a FREE demo.  Takes anywhere from 10 to 20 mintues but they have been loads of fun.  Build a tag book full of techniques for 2011 most of which include directions.  We are raffling off one of our 2010 tag books with over 50 techniques in it.  Current bid is at $55.00.  Interested?  Call in your bid today.  It is also available for you to look at when visiting the shop.  100% percent of the proceeds go to Sweet Willey, our well known fundraiser recipeint from Friends and Company for over 6 years now. 

OK folks, I'm leaving you with a picture of Geri holding up a bag of cinnamon hearts.  I hope she did not eat them all in a single day.  They are HOT!!  Until the next time.... take care - Hugs - Doris

 

Oh crap!!  I guess someone is going to have to show me how to rotate a photo.  Tried but with no success.  One of these days, it will all come together.  In the meantime, call it exercise when rotating head to see photo.  Check out all the yummylicious Graphic 45 12" x 12" paper behind Geri!!  Delicious!!

 

Many Broken Hearts

Hello Bloggers!!  I'm here with not so good news this evening.  There are many broken hearts tonight as we all learn of the sudden death of Kathy and Ed Fox's daughter, Tammy.  Although a peaceful death it is one that was not anticipated at all and has shaken many of us down to the core.

Kathy knows many of you via the Make An Impression rubber stamp store followed by the Friends and Company rubber stamp store both located in Issaquah, WA.  She has taught tons of classes using her Fox photos and has a HUGE following of individuals who love her photographs and style.  Kathy's daughter, Tammy, was just beginning her career in this artful world with her first rubber stamp class scheduled for this past Sunday.  Tammy never made it to class only to find out that her death had already occurred.  Tragic and sad are the words that come to my mind.  I have shed many tears and continue to do so as I try to wrap my head around this very sudden loss of someone so young, vibrant, and full of life.   

It is not easy for any of us but please keep Kathy and her family in your thoughts and prayers as they work their way through this most difficult of times.  As details are made available, they will be passed on to you via the blog and/or an email.  Friends and Company has set up a fund for cash donations to help Kathy and Ed with expenses.  Our address is 1175 NW Gilman Blvd, Ste B-7, Issaquah, WA.  should you wish to contribute.  Once we have the green light, an address will also be provided for where cards, etc., can be forwarded.

Farewell Tammy.  You will be sorely missed!  May you rest in peace.

How's It Going??

Hello Bloggers!!  Well, it is nearly mid-March already so.... how is it going?  Just wanted to say hello mostly.  Just got my computer back this evening.  It had been in for repair.  I'm really hoping that by getting a new hard drive that the speed will pick up again.  It's been running very slow which is one of the reasons I have not enjoyed surfing, etc. on the internet.  We'll see.  Have not done much so far but tomorrow will tell all. 

One of the most exciting "things" going on at the shop is that our "Jelly Bean Count" is underway.  Stop in and take a shot at it.  A photo is below to peak your interest.  We have a winner in our candy heart count but of course the information is at the shop.  Will let you know on that one later.  There were over 2,000 cinnamon hearts in the jar.  That was fun to count!!  hee hee

I am working on the details for the "BookFest" event scheduled for 30 April and 1 May.  Details to follow but if you are even remotely interested, save the date and register early.  Spaces generally go fast and seating is limited.  The lineup so far includes Sherry Wilson, Rita Noble, and John Peterson.  Everyone is working on their projects and should be available for viewing soon.  It'll be a blast!!

As usual, it is late so I'll wrap it up for now.  Tomorrow is the DEX club monthly meeting.  I am looking forward to it and hope to be able to post some of our trade cards so stay tuned.  If you would like to get a club started for you and your friends, just let me know.  We'll help to get it off the ground for you.

Enjoy the pic - Hugs to All - Doris

 
Do I smell jelly beans??

 

Remembering Erma!!

Hello Bloggers!!  I do not generally pass this sort of thing on when I get them via email but I thought it was great with many points well made and much food for thought.  Enjoy - I will blog my update soon.  Hugs to all - Doris

Passing the Purple Hat to You
IN honour of women's history month and in memory of Erma Bombeck who lost her fight with cancer. Pass this on to five women that you want watched over. If you don't know five women to pass this on to, one will do just fine.


IF I HAD MY LIFE TO LIVE OVER - by Erma Bombeck
(written after she found out she was dying from cancer).

I would have gone to bed when I was sick instead of pretending the earth would go into a holding pattern if I weren't there for the day.

I would have burned the pink candle sculpted like a rose before it melted in storage.

I would have talked less and listened more.

I would have invited friends over to dinner even if the carpet was stained, or the sofa faded.

I would have eaten the popcorn in the 'good' living room and worried much less about the dirt when someone wanted to light a fire in the fireplace.

I would have taken the time to listen to my grandfather ramble about his youth.

I would have shared more of the responsibility carried by my husband.

I would never have insisted the car windows be rolled up on a summer day because my hair had just been teased and sprayed.

I would have sat on the lawn with my grass stains.

I would have cried and laughed less while watching television and more while watching life.

I would never have bought anything just because it was practical, wouldn't show soil, or was guaranteed to last a lifetime.

Instead of wishing away nine months of pregnancy, I'd have cherished every moment and realized that the wonderment growing inside me was the only chance in life to assist God in a miracle..

When my kids kissed me impetuously, I would never have said, 'Later... Now go get washed up for dinner.' There would have been more 'I love you's, more 'I'm sorry's.'

But mostly, given another shot at life, I would seize every minute; look at it and really see it; live it and never give it back. STOP SWEATING THE SMALL STUFF!

Don't worry about who doesn't like you, who has more, or who's doing what
Instead, let's cherish the relationships we have with those who do love us...


If you don't mind, send this on to all the women you are grateful to have as friends.
Maybe we should all grab that purple hat earlier.
Please send this to five phenomenal women today in celebration of Beautiful Women's Month.
If you do, something good will happen--you will boost another woman's self esteem.