Before I get to today’s main blog, I have to take a moment to issue a big, enthusiastic CONGRATULATIONS to David Cook for winning American Idol! Whoo-hoo!!! 
As good a singer as David Archuleta is, I was rooting for Cook all the way and I’m thrilled he won the title and I can’t wait for his CD to hit store shelves! I have a feeling that this guy is going to make it BIG! :banana:
Now we can get back to our regularly scheduled blog. :grin1:
Since it isn’t even close to Thanksgiving time, you’re probably wondering what today’s topic is all about. During the holiday season we challenged our Plotmonkey readers to support our troops in Iraq, and I’m going to ask you to do that again today. And the best thing about your support for our troops is that it’s not going to cost you a penny and is absolutely FREE! So, please participate, because your support will undoubtedly touch some weary, lonely, and tired soldier’s life.
LET’S SAY THANKS is a website sponsored by Xerox and provides a way for individuals across the country to recognize U.S. troops stationed overseas. By submitting a message through this site you have the opportunity to send a free personalized postcard greeting to deployed servicemen and women. It’s quick and easy and will take only a few minutes out of your busy day, so there’s no reason not to do this!
All you have to do is go to LET’S SAY THANKS and click on your favorite postcard designs (and there are dozens to choose from, like the ones I’ve posted here at the blog!) and either select the message that best expresses your sentiment or you can even write your own personal note, which I think is very cool. The postcards are then printed on the Xerox iGen3 Digital Production Press and mailed in care packages by the military support organization “Give2TheTroops”.
How awesome is that? 
Just to give you an idea of some of the messages that have been sent, here are a few that are posted at the website:
“There will never be a way for Americans to accurately convey the admiration and gratitude that we have for people like you. I hope that this card finds you in good health, and that it brightens your day. Your courage and bravery for doing your job everyday allows students like me to have the ability to sleep safely at night. We are strangers to each other, but I want you to know that you are in my thoughts and prayers.” Cara, Washington, D.C.
“Thank you for heeding the call of duty from our country. You are helping to teach a generation of young children what it means to be brave. What it means to be free. What it means to be American! You are not only in our thoughts daily, but the prayers of my 5 year old daughter every night. Please keep yourself safe and know that you are appreciated.” Brian, PA
“Thank you for serving our country. I have two brothers who have served in Iraq. One did two tours and the other has done one and will be joining you again this fall for another tour of duty. Those of you who choose to put your lives on the line for freedom’s sake are my heroes. I pray for your safety every day and trust that soon you will be safely home with family and friends. Thanks again.” Ventura, DE
And then there’s the appreciative responses from the troops . . .
“I wanted to express my sincere gratitude for the many boxes Give2TheTroops has sent to this battalion. All of you have truly made a positive difference in our morale and spiritual well-being. This reinforces and definitely reminds us why America is so great.” An Army Major
“I just wanted to return the gratitude and appreciation on a personal level to all the men and women that put together “Let’s Say Thanks”. Sometimes it’s difficult to get up in the morning and put on the uniform, but receiving things like this reminds us why we serve. I appreciate those taking the time to send strangers a reminder of not only what we’re fighting for, but also who we’re fighting for. THANK YOU!” An Air Force Senior Sergeant
“I received a wonderful present today in the care package I received. The individuals who take the time to make these packages are the true heroes to me for keeping us in their thoughts and prayers. I have watched as these packages have been received by many onboard and the happiness that is felt is indefinable. Thank you all for the support you are providing to us.” A Navy lieutenant
So, what are you waiting for? Go to LET’S SAY THANKS and put a smile on some soldier’s face!
Janelle Denison finds it hard to believe that it’s been nearly 25 years since she first started writing romance novels. At first, it was a way to pass idle time while her husband worked swing shift, but before long it became an obsession to get published. Luckily, she kept at it (it took her over 5 years to get that first book published!) and is now a Waldenbooks, Barnes & Noble, and USA Today Bestselling author! Now, after selling over 45 plus novels, she finds that her Plotmonkey pals help to keep her stories fresh and unique, and she can’t imagine writing a story without their input. Janelle lives in Oregon with her husband, Don, along with two teenage daughters that keep life interesting.
Destiny
Dirty Little Secrets
Once Upon A Valentine
Through The Night
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I love this website. Thank you for the reminder. It’s always good to remember our wonderful troops and their families.
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Janelle, thanks for posting this blog today…as a former service member, it is highly appreciated….
I didn’t know about this organization…and who says you can’t learn anything from blogging on the internet…I will share this website with my coworkers too and maybe some of the students would want to send their thanks and appreciation as well…I have to go to work now…have a wonderful day all…catch you on the next vine…
Peace and love,
Paula R.
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what a wonderful website, i hadnt heard about this one. It touches my heart in so many ways to see things like this.. I am a former soldier and the wife of one, and it truly does touch them in more ways than a civilian will ever know.. Its a bit of a comfort knowing this fall or winter my hubby or his unit might recieve encouraging messages from home from efforts like this..
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Thanks for sharing this site with all of us Janelle. My cousin is on his 2nd tour in Iraq right now, and I know messages from home mean so much.
WooHoo to David Cook!!!
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Thanks for sharing this site with us, Janelle…I just ordered some freebies from you…
RE: American Idol…all I can say is I hope that Cook has a good career…I was hoping for Archie to win so that Cook could end up like Daughtry (neither needed the AI title…which I think is somewhat of a curse, personally). Artchie is so “Disney Channel” like…
We’re off to the beach today for two nights. Would have been longer, but I messed up.
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Janelle- thanks for the link. I had forgotten about this website. I was just on my HS class reunion site and one of my fellow classmates is stationed in Hawaii and just returned from Iraq. Maybe I should go visit her.
As for Simon apologizing for his comments on Tuesday night- did he know the outcome and was covering, or was he genuine in the fact he re-watched the show (which they do, and they have come back on other result nights and changed their opinions) and knew he was too strong? Or, on the other hand, did he gamble and decide that if he bashed DC enough the voters would come out for him, rather than just give up? hmmmm…..
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ev, I think that on Tuesday night, Simon knew that DC didn’t need the AI title to be big and tried to ‘sway’ the public to vote for DA (this does happen on AI and DWTS, so I know that the judges when they feel it will be a ‘runaway’ (Like Kristi on DWTS), they tend to ‘pump up’ or ‘inflate’ the next person who has some talent to sway voters to vote for somone else. Otherwise, we won’t watch, and if we don’t watch, no ratings and the show gets cancelled. Just my opinion, but hubby who watches the music industry, has said so, too. Just like the person who typically should be voted off is voted off the following week, because the public thinks the contestant needs their ‘help’ following Simon’s dissing…..It happens on both shows….not making this up.
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I’ve been a huge David Cook fan from the beginning and caught just the very end last night. I overvoted (I never vote) but wasn’t going to let that David Archuletta fan club beat out the clearer talent (IMO). So I think I prove Katie’s point.
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Good morning,
Thanks for putting up the link for that web site, Carly. It’s a great site. I’m going to pop over now and say Thanks. :-)
I’m on late today because Lilly didn’t have school today because of graduation stuff going on. We didn’t have to do the five o’clock shuffle.
She’s a sophomore. Tomorrow is her last day. Don’t know why they didn’t just make today the last day. But at least tomorrow is only a half day.
Have a wonderful day everyone.
Cher
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Carly…LOL on the overvoting…it’s like me overvoting for Kristi on DWTS! I never used to vote, but they were dissing her and so, I had to vote…
Have a terrific wekend, everyone….we are headed for the beach for a couple of nights….I will try to check in….we have a four day weekend…..
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Thanks for posting this link. What a wonderful way to remember the meaning of Memorial Day!
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Janelle, What a great website, thanks! I’ve emailed it to everyone I know!
I’m soooo excited David Cook won!! I stayed up till 1am voting my butt off
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Katie — have a fun, relaxing weekend! :grin1:
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Janelle…it’s supposed to be wet, cold and thundery….great PNW weather at the beach!
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Well dang it all, Katie! I guess that 95 degree heat wave that Oregon had last weekend while I was there is long gone! I left 100 degree Southern California weather and arrived in Oregon expecting COOL weather! I was NOT happy with that awful heat, LOL!
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Thanks for sharing the site. Very Cool.
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Thank you for sharing this website with us.
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very nice.
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OH did I say I love David Cook!!!!! :heart1: Lori