MyMemoryJournals.com News

Free Memory Journals for You

2011-11-16T14:00:00.004-06:00

Whether you are giving or writing in a Memory Journal, it is going to be turned into something priceless! You can share this opportunity with your friends. These journals, when personally introduced to a group of people, practically sell themselves. If you would like to help spread the word that Linkages and ShoeStrings Memory Journals make wonderful gifts and keepsakes, take yours to your work, your family gathering, your club meeting, your book club, your health club, your salon – wherever people meet. Compile the orders you receive, and submit them as one order online (or call 888-815-9063) . You will receive a gift of 4 free journals for every 25 you order (any mix of titles).

The logistics of receiving your free books are:

-In the Comments box of the online order form , type this code – 4free2011.

-Also in the Comments box, type the titles of the 4 free books you would like to receive. Please DO NOT include them in the quantities outside the Comments box.

We are 2 sisters, former teachers, each mom to 2 grown sons, and the co-authors of the Memory Journals. We are small business owners and work out of our home offices. Our books are completely made in the USA, in Iowa where we were born and grew up. Your enthusiasm about our Journals is one of our great pleasures and best advertisements.

We hope you will join us in getting these journals into the hands of families who will treasure them!

Thanks, Peace, and Blessing…….

Kathy and Joanne

Free Memory Journals Coming Soon

2011-11-14T18:22:00.005-06:00

Greetings,

Yes, we are developing a way for you to earn free Memory Journals for yourself, AND give your friends and family the opportunity to record and share their lives, too. We know holiday music is playing in the stores, and Santa is getting his list in order, so we’ll have the info you need on this blog by Thursday.

First here is some “ketchup”, as overdue update emails are known in our family.

My sister Kathy and I want to sincerely (and belatedly) thank you for the letters and emails you’ve sent over the years. We have been awed and often brought to tears when reading of the ways in which our journals have touched your lives, saved precious memories and brought your families closer together. That is our mission!

Your appreciation has prompted us to form some New Fall’s Resolutions. (You’ll have to excuse the “fall” part. I know some of you are into the depths of winter already, but 7 years ago I escaped the frozen Northwoods and now live in Northcentral FL, so our “fall” has just been starting, with cool nights, no air-conditioning – yea!, and a little of that Up North fall leafy scent in the air.) As for the Fall Resolution part, we know most people pledge to renew, reorganize, and refresh their lives in January. Since my husband and I both taught during the time our kids were growing up and going to school, life at our home always revolved around the school year. Every fall we had new determination that, along with spending more family time together, everybody was going to pitch in more at home. If you’re a working parent, you know what I mean – keep your room cleaner, help more with dishes and laundry, do your jobs, etc.

Our resolutions include some new programs to help your friends and family share and preserve their memories, AND to keep in better contact with you through this blog.

Free Memory Journals? – As part of our new resolutions, and because the shopping days are flying by, we will post info on our blog in 2 days – we promise!

A Book by Every Bed? This is a program to help residents in assisted-living homes share their stories and childhood memories with their families. Kathy is piloting the program this week at a wonderful place in which our father lived. As soon as we have the details ironed out, we’ll be making it available to any facility that would like to incorporate it into their activities department.

So there you have it – a long but long overdue message from the authors. We resolve more frequent, and shorter, blogs in the future, along with more ideas about sharing memories with your loved ones.

Joanne

Finished Journals are Keepsakes

2009-10-17T11:59:00.003-05:00

Dear Kathleen,

In 1997 I gifted my mom "Mom Share Your Life With Me". I wrote a note inside the book and said, "Mom can you write in this throughout the year and wrap it up for me next Christmas in 1998." I never received it for Christmas that year, and frankly I had forgotten about it.

Last December 2009 my mom passed away of a massive heart attack. I was devastated! While going through her things, I came upon "Mom Share Your Life With Me" . I sat down and took a deep breath. She had written, little by little, on many of the pages. As tears streamed down my face, I realized what a blessing it was reading her kind words, funny stories and just love of life. It brings me comfort to this day ! And as the first anniversary of my beloved mom's passing approaches.....I will hold this journal close to my heart, the writings of my mom are true treasures!

It is my goal to gift one now to my father who was married to mom for over 52 years. He too has amazing stories that I would like to cherish. Thank you for creating the gift of a lifetime to honor our loved ones. A fan for life! Lynne S.

WE LOVE OPENING EMAIL !

2009-07-11T13:35:00.002-05:00

Those journals are wonderful...when I gave them to my sisters on Christmas my 5 brothers wanted one. I guess I could do the Best of my Recollection and give them to each of my brothers. They are wonderful and whenever I am at my sister's homes those journals are sitting out in a place of prominence. I pick them up and read what I wrote and sometimes I laugh so hard and others tears come to my eyes.

Thank you for creating such a wonderful, sentimental journal.

Janice C.

We Now Offer TWO Different Kinds of Sisters Books!

2009-07-09T16:12:00.003-05:00

We love our new Sisters Journal! It's fun and lively with wonderful quotes about sisters scattered throughout the colorful pages. It has fewer pages so is faster and easier to fill in.

Of course we will still offer our original Sisters journal. It has more room to write and more questions, has more of a sentimental vintage look, and features very special photos of sisters on many pages. The original Sisters is available from our website, and our new Sisters will be soon.

Why should YOU journal in a Linkages or a ShoeStrings Memory Journal?

2009-06-08T13:06:00.002-05:00

“Mom and I spent three hours writing, talking and laughing last night.
Thank you! Thank you!” Joan D, Roseville, MN

“I can’t wait to get started on mine and am planning on giving one to my Mother to fill out. Just wish I had had one for my Grandmother.” Carole M, Bristol, IN

“Thanks from a whole lot of succeeding generations who are much more closely tied to their roots because you wrote a little book.” Elaine H, Albuquerque, NM

“My friend’s mom died this year and at her funeral our preacher used her journal to read delightful passages that she had written. It made this sad event a poignant remembrance of her. We laughed and cried.” Gale C, Metter, GA

2009-05-09T15:06:00.006-05:00

WHAT OUR CUSTOMERS

ARE SAYING . . .

(We continue to hear from thrilled customers nearly every day,

through phone calls, emails and letters.

It's one of the most rewarding aspects of our

Memory Journal business!)

Monika C. writes:
Thank you so much for creating this wonderful gift! I had bought it for my grandma before she passed away, and decided not to nag her about whether or not she got around to filling it out. When she died I completely regretted not asking her about it, only to discover that she had written on almost every page, and put post-it notes to remind herself on the pages that she hadn't yet done. I cried the first time I read through, because it was her humor and honesty that touched me knowing she recognized the importance of this little book to me. I'm going to make a copy of this for my sisters and cousins so they can have a piece of our history as well. Great idea! You have blessed many families!

Monica C.
San Jose, California

Bring Those Memories Back with Memory Journals

2009-05-04T16:40:00.001-05:00

This is personal note from authors, Kathy & Joanne, about how much a completed Journal meant in the lives of their family.

Our dad died in 2007. He was a master story-teller, had a great sense of humor, and was quite the rascal as a young boy. Fortunately he had filled out a Memory Journal relating, and even sketching, many of his various adventures and misadventures. During the last years of dementia, one of the only ways we could get a response from him was by reading parts of his Journal to him. He would get a little of the old gleam in his eyes and a small smile on his face, and we'd see hints of the Dad we remembered coming through. This is one of the reasons we think it's so important for families to preserve memories.

Mother's Day Father's Day Gifts -- Keepsakes For UNDER $10 !!

2009-05-01T11:59:00.002-05:00

At the time of this writing, it's only

9 days until Mother's Day,
and 51 days until Father's Day!

By helping the generations in your family share their thoughts and memories,

our Mom and Dad Memory Journals can become

the most meaningful gift you'll ever give.

And, we're having our first-ever sale to help you get started.

Only $7 for Mom, Share Your Life With Me
or Dad, Share Your Life With Me

Both of these journals have a question-a-day

about Mom's or Dad's life and memories.

Only $9 for Mom, Tell Me One More Story -
Your Story of Raising Me

or Dad, Tell Me One More Story -
Your Story of Raising Me

The sub-title says it all. Moms and Dads answer questions

about raising one of their children - stories they forgot to tell,

"firsts" that shouldn't be forgotten.

Some new parents are even receiving it as a baby book

and saving memories as they happen.

Here are the details you need to save $2 a book -

>Sale ends at midnight on May 15, 2009.
>Order the Memory Journals you want on our website -
www.mymemoryjournals.com
>Enter this discount code in the COMMENTS section of the order blank - BLOGSPOT
>And - very important - when you fill out the order,

the sale price will not show up or be reflected in your total.

It WILL, however, be reflected in the amount charged to your credit card -

a $2 discount per book for the Mom and Dad books

and a $3 discount per book for the One More Story Journals.
>Heirloom Editions are not included in the sale.

Happy Memories. . .and Keep Writing!
Authors (and sisters) Joanne & Kathy

2009-02-21T09:45:00.005-06:00

Everyone Has A Story…..

What’s Yours?

“I wouldn’t know where to begin…..what to write!”
“Sounds like a lot of work to me….I’m not a good writer.”
“I had a pretty ordinary life.. I didn’t do anything exceptional…

who would want to read about MY memories?”

These are some of the MYTHS that Kathy Lashier, co-creator of the series, likes to dispel when she speaks to individuals and to groups.

“Everyone’s story is unique, interesting, even profound -- worthy to be told and preserved,” Kathy maintains. “Every large life story is actually a collection of hundreds of little stories that people love to tell about themselves."

READ WHAT PEOPLE SAY AFTER OWNING ONE OF OUR JOURNALS:
“I like how the journals have just one easy question on each page…..very doable.”
“I could not believe how the memories just came flooding back."
“I remembered things that I have not thought of in years.”
“My spouse and I had such fun as we each completed our journals,
sharing childhood stories that we have never even talked about!”
“My parent’s completed journal is the most precious thing I own.”

Children's Memory Journals are popular with Teachers. Grandparents, Parents & CHILDREN!

2009-01-10T11:51:00.008-06:00

Are you acquainted with our Children's Journals? Using the same general format as the widely popular Linkages Memory-A-Day series, Linkages' sister company, ShoeStrings, created memory books for 3 different age groups of children, also with covers that can be personalized by inserting a picture of the writer's choice.

Grandparents (who aren't always up on the latest technology gadget or popular toy) LOVE to give these to their grandchildren to encourage journaling and to help them create books that will become priceless keepsakes, both for them AND their parents.

Teachers find the children's memory journals helpful in classrooms as a daily journaling tool, convenient and so easy to use. These journals do not have 365 dated pages, but there is a space provided on each page for the writer to record the date, making them very flexible to use in the classroom and at home.

The Children's Journals were actually created by 3 elementary classroom teachers, so customers can be assured that the reading/writing levels and questions asked are all age-appropriate.

There is a drawing memory journal for 4 - 6 year olds. My Days....My Pictures
My Days....My Writings is a journal for early readers and writers 6 - 9 years old.
And My Life....My Thoughts is appropriate for children ages 9 and up.

Many parents have expressed how precious their children's completed journals are to them, EVEN within one year of completion because . . . as we all know . .

Children grow up so fast !

Who's In YOUR Family Tree?

2008-09-25T10:34:00.001-05:00

Years from now, imagine how could a Linkages & ShoeStrings Genealogy Book help your family members with their own family history and ancestor research!

www.MyMemoryJournals.com Redesigned!

2008-09-25T10:00:00.000-05:00

We're excited to announce that your favorite online spot for unique family gift ideas has gone online with a fresh new look!

www.MyMemoryJournals.com still offers the fun and inspirational gifts you've known and loved for over 5 years now, but with this website design update, we'll give you an even more enjoyable shopping experience and keep you updated with all the latest from Linkages & Shoestrings.

This blog is a great addition to the website and a current source of news, testimonials, specials, and announcements. Stay close, check it often, and let's hear about your experiences with any of the Linkages & ShoeStrings Memory Journals!