Happy New Year, are you coming home soon?

I just wanted to wish you all a Happy 2013 and wondered how many service men and women will actually be coming home in 2013?
I know the UK is hoping to pull the majority of serving personnel out this year, and I bet their families and friends are glad of that.
What will you do on your return I wonder? Perhaps all ex military living within traveling distance of each other, should consider pooling their hard learned skills and starting up in business together.  That way, they can offer their skills and moral support to each other after being in a hostile world that only they can understand.
Let's hope it will be a more peaceful and safer year for us all.

An Afghanistan Christmas?

Happy Christmas and New Year to all serving in Afghanistan this year.
It must seem like the world has forgotten you sometimes, especially when you are
face to face with danger and injury.
People at home with their comfortable lives can't possible know the feelings that you go through, how can they?
That doesn't mean that each and every one of you serving in the military out there is forgotten. Far from it, we all owe you a huge debt of gratitude for the things that you do in order to try and keep sanity and peace in our world.
So, I, in my small way, send you hugs, thanks, and the hope that you will all be home very soon, safe and happy with your families and friends.
Happy Christmas.

Welcome Home Soldier ...

This Christmas holiday, many families will be welcoming home their loved ones who will be returning from conflicts around the globe.

Many of them will be from Afghanistan of course, but others will be coming home from lesser known operations, many of which will never be made public.

I would like to remember these serving personnel, wish them a safe finale to whatever operation they are on and to say they are not forgotten this holiday.

May you and four families have a happy, healthy and above all, peaceful Christmas together this year.

Until February, military wives will understand this ...

Zoey Peace is a military wife (girlfriend). Her husband is serving in Afghanistan and she has to wait until February, or possible longer now, until they are reunited.
She set up this blog for him, her family and their friends so that they could keep up with the events of normal life whilst apart.
The diary is now becoming a global phenomenon, and I want to take this opportunity of spreading the word so that military wives everywhere can share in her humorous diary.
She appeared on BBC breakfast this morning and came over as warm, funny and totally sincere.
Enjoy the blog and a Happy Christmas to serving military and their families everywhere.
Here's the link ...   Until February, the diary of a military wife (girlfriend)

Leaving the military services

With the troops being recalled from all over the fighting world just now, families and friends must be heaving a sigh of relief.
No matter how proud we all are of our fighting forces, the concern for relatives & friends must always be for the safe and intact return of their beloved soldier, sailor, airman etc.
Once you know that person is coming home for good, why not get a greeting card for the occasion?
Something they will be able to keep to remind them of the time they returned safely home.
I hope that all the serving forces will eventually reach home safely and happily. 
What a great day for everyone.

Just as you were, is that what you'll be?

Just like when you left, the same person to me?

You may well have changed,

We all do, it's true,

I just hope I'm me, and you are still you.

Time swiftly passes, the whole world moves on,

And it seems just like yesterday, since you were gone.

Yet deep in my heart, there's a truth I believe,

Your face may have changed, 

But your heart won't deceive.

It won't be too long now, our fingers will touch,

I can say face to face that I've missed you so much,

Well hug and we'll laugh and have much to discuss,

At the end of the day though, we'll still be just us.

 

© inkflo / chez inkflo

Hi everyone.
The weather is changing, the military are getting ready to come home from all parts of the globe, and let's hope many of them will be back with family and friends for the Christmas Holidays.
All rookies in whatever service and whatever country, will hopefully be embarking upon a more peaceful role in the years to come. Nothing can be certain, but war serves no purpose to this planet and humanity, so let's hope our brave boys, wherever they may be, will have less to do in the years to come.
Speaking of Christmas Holidays, there's only just over fourteen weeks to go to Christmas Day!
Hope you are planning early for gifts and cards.
Thank you to all the serving military personnel, all the military staff at home and of course to all the past military personnel in whatever capacity they are serving or have served their country.
Without them, many of us would not be here today, living the comfortable lives that we do.
Inkflo@ Chez Inkflo

Think about all serving military personnel

You know, I was watching the news yesterday, and it dawned on me that all over the world, whether it be East, West, North or South, a person serving in the military is still someone's loved one.
Here in the West, we tend to think about our military families and friends, but at any given time during the day or night, someone out there fighting, for whatever cause, is risking their life.
In Syria today, no matter which side they are fighting on, someone may lose his or her life too soon.
A mother, father, child, may be facing the horror of losing someone so dear to them at any time during the conflict.
Let's spare a thought for each and every man or woman at war in the world and hope that one day, it will all cease and we will see the utter futility of making war with one another.
Peace

Canada Day Cards From The Provinces
Canada day will soon be here, in fact it's celebrated on 1st July.
This year, I thought it would be a great idea to create some greeting cards for each of the Canadian provinces.
I decided to go very patriotic, and have used the Canadian Flag stripes and a Canada Goose with a maple leaf over its heart.
So if you live in any of the following places .....
Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland, Labrador, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec,  Saskatchewan, Northwest territories or Yukon, you can find your perfect Happy Canada Card here...
Canada cards from the province of...

Happy Canada Day

Memorial Day USA

Hi there,
Don't forget it's Memorial Day in America on Monday May 28th 2012.
It's always a day of mixed emotions, especially as each year, more of our brave service men & women have given their lives in the service of their country.
We will never forget them.
God Bless America
Memorial Day Cards
Chez Inkflo

Humor versus sentiment in a greeting card.

Well hello all,
Hope you all had a good Easter break & didn't make yourself too sick with the chocolate eggs!
I would really like to know, who prefers a sentimental greeting card and who prefers a humorous greeting card?
I try & make both, and for Mother's Day & Father's Day, I have included the two types.
It's impossible to read someone's mind when it comes to finding a paper
greeting card, as we all have such different tastes, but it would be nice to know what you think.
If you can find the time to visit my online card store here...
http://www.greetingcarduniverse.com/chezinkflo
and check out the ones that I made recently, it would be lovely to have your opinion in the comments section of my blog.
Best wishes
Inkflo
Chez Inkflo paper greeting cards

Cool Kids Cookware, get your children cooking, it's fun!

Cat & Dog relationship

If you have ever owned both a cat & a dog at the same time, you will know only too well what this card verse is all about!

Ice cool cat with stony glare,
Sits atop the bedroom stair,
Silent tail moves to and fro,
Eyes fixed on the dog below.
Cowering canine six treads down,
Knits his brow in wrinkled frown,
Never dares to move an inch,
The feline glare just makes him flinch.
A standoff, no negotiation,
His whine expresses his frustration,
And so he sits, too scared to climb,
She'll let him through ...
All in good time!
The card will be in my card store soon..
Cat & Dog relationship card...

Humor is the best remedy for most ills!

Laugh & the world laughs with you, so they say.
Well, to that end, I've been busy creating some humorous greetings cards which will hopefully suit all tastes.
Here's the link...
www.greetingcarduniverse.com/chezinkflo
I will be adding many more over the coming weeks, but I hope these give you a laugh, smile, chuckle, whatever!
Have a great day.

Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen

Serving in any branch of the military in any part of the world means being away from home and family at some point in the year.
Soldiers, sailors & air force personnel, all face this at some time in their career.
It's not easy on them, and it's not easy on their family and friends, but in these days of  mobile multi media, it's much easier to keep in touch.
However, when a special holiday arrives, such as birthday, wedding anniversary, easter, christmas, thanksgiving and July 4th, how great it is to be able to send a greeting card to let them know you're missing and thinking of them.
I think most people would be surprised just how many of these manly service folk keep hold of their greeting cards long after the event.
It's just nice to have something tangible to take a peek at from time to time isn't it!
Happy holidays

A card for a Partner in the Military

The days grow cold...When your loved one is away, it can be a sad time, lonely or difficult to cope with, but when your husband or wife is in the military, serving in a foreign country, it's doubly difficult.
You probably try & put your feelings into a letter without trying to sound whiney & selfish, but maybe you could enclose a card that will say it all for you.
Here's one I designed recently that I think fits the bill for serving personnel everywhere...
The days grow cold, message to a military partner

Snow, snow snow!

Hi everyone,
If like me, the snow is keeping you tied to the house right now, why not take the time to order your greeting cards for 2012?
Check out my store, there are some great deals if you order ten or more.
http://www.greetingcarduniverse.com/chezinkflo
As the snow is stopping me shopping right now, I'm busy making more cards & writing more free verses that you can get for nothing, totally free, here...
www.versesforcards4free.eu
Winter's a great time to sort out your stock of birthday cards, family occasion cards or holiday cards.
I have some new ones coming up, so why not bookmark my store & keep popping back to see the exciting new additions!
Have a lovely week, whatever you're up to.
Inkflo

Happy New Year to all service personnel

Hi,
I would like to take the time to say Happy new Year to you & yours.
Especially if you have a friend or relative serving in the armed forces this year.
Happily, many of the armed forces are now being pulled out of military war zones and thankfully, the loss of those precious lives will cease.
For those that have already lost dear ones in armed conflict though, I would like to say that their service and sacrifice should never be forgotten, and our prayers are now with those loved ones left to grieve.

So, Happy New Year seems rather an inadequate thing to wish you, but I do, because all life has to have hope and forgiveness and without it, we would all become bitter and twisted human beings, no better than the sad people that prefer to take a life than to save one.
I sincerely hope that 2012 will be better for us all.

Christmas Cards for forgotten friends.

Most of us buy cards at Christmas, barring your religion or Scrooge mentality, it's a nice thing to do.

I do it to remind folk that I don't have much contact with throughout the year, that although we may not see or speak to each other, I still like them, miss them, think about them.
I sometimes think that it's those people that I get on with the easiest!
I call these people, my forgotten friends. They aren't really forgotten, just not at the forefront of my mind every day. That's probably because they cause me the least hassle & worry, unlike family & close friends that may burden me with their troubles continuously throughout the year.
Don't get me wrong, I really don't mind this, and I will do all I can to help them, as they would for me ...  I hope!
No, it's just that my "forgotten" friends become far more interesting at holiday times, purely because we haven't had day to day or week to week contact and everything they tell me in a Christmas card or Easter card, is new and refreshing.
Likewise, I am able to unburden myself to them in the knowledge that they will read, sympathise & then forget it all until the next holiday greeting card from me.
Long live my forgotten friends!
No snow yet!
Oh, and a very Happy Christmas to you all.

Halloween Cards are popular.

Halloween will soon be here again and it seems to get more & more popular around the world.
Halloween parties, Halloween BB Q's and Halloween trick & treat nights are now something for all the family to enjoy.
Ghosts, ghouls, witches and goblins are all part of the fun and not really a sinister thing at all these days.
Greetings cards for Halloween are becoming increasingly more popular and a great way to suggest a Halloween get together, a Trick or Treat procession or just to say Happy Halloween to friends, family & neighbors.
There's always a bit of a lull after the summer, and thanksgiving is traditionally a family time, so why not send out those Happy Halloween Cards early and have a get together with those you love best.

Patriot Day USA

The time is fast approaching for us to remember all those who have given their lives for their country.
Whether we are remembering 9/11, the first or second world wars or indeed any conflict or act of terrorism, we should also think about the family and friends that remain to grieve.
Life can never be the same again, but it's better to remember our lost loved ones with pride than grief for our loss.
Patriot Day means that every citizen who gave their life for the United States Of America, will be remembered with such pride, even if no family members remain.
God Bless America. 

Rookies in the services, USA & UK

Do you have a young family member joining the services?
I can understand your worries and your pride at the moment.
It's a big bad world out there, that's for sure, but the armed services do everything in their power to look after their own, and it's probably the next best thing to a family that a rookie can have.
Army rookies in particular are having a hard time just now, but I see the look on these lads faces, even when they are returning for a tour of duty in Afghanistan or Iraq for the umpteenth time. It would take a mean parent to deprive them of the comradeship, pride and unity that they feel for their fellow soldiers.
Some have a short life, it's true, but what a life they lived, on high energy, with their mates and to the fullest that anyone could.
So, I feel for all those parents with sons and daughters on the front line, but be proud, be very proud, for you children are what the world needs now... and in the future.