| I can't
believe we are up to our 7th issue already :) I find myself looking
forward to putting together each issue and finding out more about the
person behind the name. This week my conversation with Ronni reveals
a woman of strength and character with an uncertain future. Having
been a military wife myself for 18 years before my husband's retirement, I
met countless numbers of military wives and I am proud to say that Ronni
epitomizes the best of the best.
Interview
- Ronni, I saw on your website that you are an Army wife (my husband is
retired Army) and I first want to ask how you are doing? Having gone thru
Desert Storm, I know you must be a wreck right now.
Yes, I am currently a Proud Army wife. My
husband is a Paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne Division at Ft. Bragg.
Although this is our (as a family) first real potential conflict, I am no
stranger to deployments. My sister and her husband (Retired Army, Desert
Storm Vet) are also living in this area and she has been a great example
of strength for me. I have great family support from my family and from my
husbands, from his unit and from God so we know we will get through this.
Are you active in any Army Wives groups? Can you give our readers an idea
of what it is like to be an Army wife? (NOTE>>>Ronni, if you prefer I
didn't go into this area let me know ok? I honestly do understand...this
is much worse than Desert Storm, but I would really like to give folks an
idea of the sacrifices that are made by those left behind)
I am not currently active in the NCO Wives
. They do great work behind the scenes for our troops, but right now I
have not made the time to be an active member. If a deployment does
happen, things will change. I would like to get more involvement in our
Family Support area. I know that many of the wives in my husband's unit
are "first" timers to the military lifestyle so they need extra support
during times of crisis. Being a military wife (spouse) is sometimes not an
easy job, we have to be there for our troops, we have to expect the
unexpected (deployments, training exercises that last a month in another
state, moves from one post to another on short notice). I have heard a lot
of people complain about the medical care they receive...maybe I am
different but I think the care we receive is excellent. I nor my children
have ever had a "bad" experience at any of the posts we have been
stationed at. I have heard a lot of civilians talk about how we (the
military) have it so good (free housing, free medical, etc.) I wish! Think
of like this...our husbands (wives) usually start their day at 4:00am and
sometimes work as late as 6:00 or 7:00pm with an hour lunch, no planned
breaks, they get one when they find time. This is 5 days a week. They also
pull extra duties (a 24 hr shift perhaps on the weekend with no sleep
break) and for all this they get no overtime...break it down and they
would be making below minimum wage for the hours they work. Now if you
live on post, the money that you would get if you live off-post is
deducted from your pay. This is just an example, but how many families of
4 let's say can live off of maybe $500 every two weeks? Some of these
families have children with special needs and without that extra perk of
our medical benefits they would be families in financial trouble. Let's
remember that we pay taxes too! Where do you think the money comes from to
help out the military families? Oops...a little off track there! Sorry
about that!
I know the whole country is behind our military right now, but if there
was something you could say to folks who have not lived this type of life,
what would it be?
Support your Troops! Support your National
Guard and Reservists! They didn't join the Military because it's an "easy"
job...it's not! In the world we live in today they join knowing that they
are doing their job in defending your rights and freedoms. Don't complain
that the government is spending too much on us...that money goes to pay
for the defenses we need in today's world.
Amen :) I salute you and all those who wait. Ronni, I loved your
tube site, what are your plans on that line since your server crashed?
Ah yes...I finally am the "victim" of a
site wiped out! I am rebuilding Original Ronni Designs right now. It is a
slow process though...my tubes tend to be rather large and slow on the ftp
time! Barb and Kitten (Prestigious Dames) have very graciously offered me
space for my tubes at our new Group site! Eventually my tubes will be
offered at Prestigious PSP...I will be sure to let the tube lovers know
just when!
I am so impressed with your Victorian Carriage House...how long did that
tutorial take you to write?
Two long days. I started off making it in
solid colors (like a color block puzzle) and then went back and saved the
selections, then made it again deciding on colors and fills. The third
time I made it I wrote the tutorial. Most of the time I will get an idea
and have it worked out and written the same day, but on those larger
houses, well even I have to take a sleep break!
I spent some time browsing your site before our interview and am really
impressed by the variety of tutorials that you offer, but am I right in
guessing you have a love of Victorian and beautiful things?
You are right! I do love the Victorian era!
And who doesn't love beautiful things? I try to offer a wide variety so
that anyone coming to my tutorial site will find something that appeals to
them. I don't do stationary nor do I do animation...there are other great
tutorial sites that offer those. I do take special requests, but can't
always do them...one that has me totally stumped right now is a ferret!
How long have you been a member of Prestigious Dames, and what made you
decide to join them?
I have been with Prestigious Dames since
June. I was having a lot of problems with my site at Original Ronni
Designs (people not being able to download my zip files or save jpg
images). I put up a mirror at Geocities. Barb and Kitten got together and
offered me a place at Prestigious Dames...I was floored of course! A brand
new site with 2 very Prestigious and talented ladies! I accepted just
thinking "Wow! Now I won't have any more download problems!" but they had
other plans for me. They decided right up front that they were not just
offering me space, but a "partnership" with them. So another Prestigious
Dame was born and it has been an incredible experience!
I truly think your site has something for everyone and I believe a few of
your tutorials will be turning up as a COW soon:) Is there anything you
are working on now?
Right now I am working on stuff for
Christmas. It is my absolute favorite
time of year. I am also working on the Visions of Creation series. This is
a joint effort with Sue of WebartBySue and Sherrie of Castlewoods
Creations. We are trying to write tutorials featuring different countries
of the world. This month is the Netherlands. I try to not limit myself to
just one "theme", if I did that you may not see anything from me except
Christmas all year round : )
Ronni, I just want to close and say that my prayers are with you, your
family and your husband as you go thru this trying time. I truly admire
the "Warrior Wives" who stay behind when their spouse is called upon to
serve.
Thanks! It has been my pleasure to be
interviewed for your wonderful newsletter!
Sites to visit:
Browsing the web this week I
ran into the inspirational and freebies and the best list of Plugins
around!
Never allow anyone to rain on your parade
and thus cast a pall of gloom and defeat on the entire day. Remember that
no talent, no self-denial, no brains, no character, are required to set up
in the fault-finding business. Nothing external can have any power over
you unless you permit it. .... read the rest at
17 Rules to Live
By
A really neat Freebie site from
About. If it is free, they have it listed:)
Think you have enough filters for PSP?? Don't decide too quickly until
you check it against this list from
Raving
Concepts!
Tip of the Week - Looking
for a graphic or file you just put in a folder and can't find it?
Try this...Choose File > Update Thumbnails or Press <F5>. You
might also have an Update Thumbnails button on your browser toolbar that
looks like this  that you can
click to find the newest images.
Looking forward...Next
week, my friend Tammie, or TLC as she is known will be featured. She
not only deals in PSP, but teaches many to make stationery. I am
sure you will enjoy visiting her
site and then meeting the lady who gives so much to so many.
From the Mailbox...A request for help.
Hello my name is Cindi, I have made a tribute page in the wake of the
attack on our country, I would like to make a memorial quilt on one of
my pages and was wondering if you would like to invite your members to
donate a 150x150 quilt piece to put on the memorial quilt. The quilt
piece can be linked back to their homepage or tribute pages if they have
one. If you decide you would like to participate please let me know.
The memorial quilt page is not there yet, as I am trying to get others
to make the quilt pieces.
This picture also showed up in my mail this week, curtsey of
Elizabeth...I can't quite make out the signature in the corner to give
them credit, but thought it seemed fitting to share this issue.
Questions, comments or if you would like to submit an article or special tutorial please
contact me,
If you would like to have this newsletter delivered to your in-box, please
sign up at
Behind the Tutorials. Please feel free to pass this to someone
who might enjoy it :) If you have missed an issue they may be found
at
www.pspmadeez.com/Newsletter#.htm (just insert the number of the issue
you wish to view).
Connie
www.pspmadeez.com
www.stacksplace.com
My Tribute Page
A Firefighter's Wish
Alone In My Heart
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