Hi Lupies~I'm still around! LOL..... Some of my thoughts and updates! :-)

[Guest guest]

I know....ever since I joined this group I haven't "said" too much because I'm so busy, but I do enjoy scanning through my digests everyday to see what you gals have to say and share. I feel like I know some of you just by reading what you post on here..... I laugh along with you and I cry along with you and believe me I certainly feel the pain you are experiencing! ;-)

I am keeping busy and luckily not been too ill lately which as allowed me more energy to devote to my passions - As I've stated in the past myself and my family started the "SI Yellow Ribbon Campaign" back last March to show support for our soldiers serving overseas by sending care packages, cards and letters. Well, our story hit the wire service the end of last year and we ended up in newspapers from East to West Coast, CNN, FoxNews, etc. What a thrill for us "hicks" here in small town Southern Illinois. So, as you can imagine after that kind of exposure we grew and grew and have been now sending to THOUSANDS of soldiers! whew... It's become a full-time job and I have to really be careful not to "over do" (I know this from first-hand experience of hospital visits, etc..LOL)... We have just launched our Easter Project "Operation: Jellybeans to Heroes Unseen" and I'm sinking my time into that one. (Speaking of which, if any of you ladies have any kids, school classrooms, Sunday School classes, 4-H groups, etc. etc. that would want to make Easter cards for the boxes, we would love to have them!!!!)

My Lupus Support group that I started last year has really grown and we had an excellent group at this last meeting, lots of new faces! :-) We are having a guest speaker next month and I've tried to have some really informational handouts and new info to give out every month. I just found out about the first ever "World Lupus Day" on May 10th and we are trying to decide what kind of awareness campaign our group can have during that time. Any ideas ladies?

So as you can see working "SI Yellow Ribbon" and being the Facilitator for the Lupus Foundation for this end of the state keeps me busy, then keeping up with my husband Jamal and his trips with the Reserve Unit all these different places, and then he works full time for the Department of Corrections (Illinois Youth Center), he's also an Auxiliary Police Officer and really active with the Lions Club here in town. Then Callie is always needing to go to Birthday Parties (I don't remember being this "popular" at 3 years old, ha!), then she's active in her gymnastics and just added soccer classes too. SO I feel like I meet myself coming and going at times,...but I love every minute of it! ;-) Just wish I could find a few more hours in the day at times.... I think keeping busy is what keeps me going, health-wise, seems on the down times where I have a little time to "sit and rest"...I have trouble getting back up and the pain gets so severe in my legs. I keep telling myself I just have too much to do to get down sick! ha!

Thanks again gals for all the encouragements you've given me when you didn't even know it, all the hints and ideas you've given me and didn't know it and all the laughs you've given me without even knowing. You are a "support group" even to us lurkers and I'm proud to be a part of this group!

*HUGS*

Amy

PS..... If you haven't ever done so, I would love for you all to check out my websites I created and maintained for the Campaign and Lupus Group! If you get a chance, sign the guestbooks before you leave!

"SI Yellow Ribbon Campaign" - www.siyellowribbon.com

"Southern Illinois Lupus Support" - www.southernillinoislupus.com

Amy Oxford, Co-CoordinatorSI Yellow Ribbon CampaignWebsite: www.siyellowribbon.comEmail: siyellowribbon@... or mom2callie@...315 East Poplar Street (PO Box 602)burg, Illinois 62946Phone: or cell Fax:

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