Paying it Forward Beading

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Paying it Forward Beading This page was created in hopes of bringing awareness to the battles many veterans & military members deal with everyday. This is my story, my battle.

Visit my website for more information:
www.payingitforwardbeading.com My name is Anita and this is my story. Retired after 20 years of military service because my unit had no idea what to do with an E7 with severe/chronic PTSD. Losing my flight, my troops and my responsibilities within a year of diagnosis was terrible and left me without a purpose, so I did the only thing I could...retire. When I was receiving treatment for PTSD, I found that creating beaded items keep a lot of the symptoms at bay. So once I retired, it was the only thing that helped ground me. Especially since I stopped all meds and counseling. Now I craft and create in order to help me heal and to share the items with any and all. This allows me to share my story and bring awareness to PTSD and all the things that come with it. Thank you all

Not being able to use fabrics with glitter has been hard but since this year I have a pause on programs I can use fun fa...
10/09/2026

Not being able to use fabrics with glitter has been hard but since this year I have a pause on programs I can use fun fabrics like these. Aint this just pretty? The photo does not do it justice. Skull candy fabric is out for spooky season and the fact it is glittery makes it that much more fun.
Cutting this up for some mug rugs because why not, in a mug rug kinda mood. Gotta be in the studio because I am transferring photos from CDs and while that is working I may as well keep myself busy.
I think the back of this fabric can be any fun color and will have fun finding some great scraps for it.

Mug rugs have been delivered to Jumpin' Java Coffee Shop and placed in the bookmark bins. These were all the precut fabr...
10/09/2026

Mug rugs have been delivered to Jumpin' Java Coffee Shop and placed in the bookmark bins. These were all the precut fabrics I had set aside a while back to make mug rugs just never got to it but glad I did.
Hope the patrons at find these and get some use out of them. I know I love all the mug rugs I have all over the place in the house. I call them snack mats because I use them for snacks lol.
As much as I have not been in the studio I have actually used a lot of supplies. Later this month I will have to do a good inventory and figure out what I need to resupply for next year when I get back to normal operations.
Praying for all in the path of this weather coming in. Y'all stay safe, have a wonderful weekend and remember to check on your people.

Today's craft is to make mug rugs/snack mats. I have this amazing fabric I purchased a while ago for book sleeves but ne...
10/08/2026

Today's craft is to make mug rugs/snack mats. I have this amazing fabric I purchased a while ago for book sleeves but never really got around to making them. It took too much energy so I decided to cut it up and make these. I have a few made up and will do as much as I can today. These will get put up at the free library with the bookmarks. I think it will be a nice little surprise for the patrons at Jumpin' Java Coffee Shop when they go searching for bookmarks and find a mug rug. I have these all over the place.

Hey y'all. So just a post to remind y'all I am still here and to let some of the new folks know who I am, what I do and ...
10/08/2026

Hey y'all. So just a post to remind y'all I am still here and to let some of the new folks know who I am, what I do and why the nonprofit is not so active.
My name is Anita, go by Anna or those who know me from the military time I go by Sgt HJ. Retired USAF MSgt, married to an amazing man. We have been together for 28 years, married for 21 years and we have three awesome kids that are now grown young men. Three of the best grand kids and one amazing daughter in law.
I have been retired for 14 years and been doing this nonprofit thing for that many years as well. Took this year off to deal with medical issues and it has been a challenge but worth it.
Started PIFB so that I can continue to serve since my service to my country ended. Also want to bring awareness to PTSD and all that comes with it. Every day is a struggle but one I go through for all those who are no longer with us.
Even though the programs are on pause I am still doing some crafting because it is my therapy and keeps me from going off the rails. Coming into the studio helps even if I just turn the music loud and move the crafting supplies around.
Always willing to answer any questions and help where I can. Pain is my constant companion but I have learned to live with it and how far I can push myself.
My studio is bathed in lightness while I cover myself in black and darkness. There is a balance in this. Which is why I have to come in here every now and again to breathe and heal. Sharing my journey in hopes others don't feel so alone. I almost lost myself in silence so I will heal loudly.
My posts are sporadic this year because of all the issues we are tackling but know that I am still here for you. Thanks for all of you that have been here for years and for you just joining. Stay safe, stay awesome and remember to check on your people.

Hey y'all hope everyone is doing well. This morning I made and dropped off new bookmarks at Jumpin' Java Coffee Shop so ...
10/05/2026

Hey y'all hope everyone is doing well. This morning I made and dropped off new bookmarks at Jumpin' Java Coffee Shop so if you are local go get you some. As you can see some are for the 18+ crowd which means they have naughty words. There are also some Spooky Season ones. Later this week I will have some new book reader ones as well.
It is a gloomy day here so it is perfect reading weather. Been running errands since this morning and tomorrow is a scan day so hoping I can get some rest for that.
Hope y'all are having a good Monday. Enjoy the rest of your day and remember to check on your people.

Hey y'all. Today Ash and I are celebrating our 28th Meetaversary. Oh so many years ago in early 1998 we met online in a ...
10/02/2026

Hey y'all. Today Ash and I are celebrating our 28th Meetaversary. Oh so many years ago in early 1998 we met online in a chat room. Those were so popular in the days of dialup and new internet ways. We chatted, exchanged emails and in the months following eventually got to talking on the phone. At some point we wanted to meet but I was stationed in Alabama and he lived in Virginia.
Finally I had a half work day, someone to watch my son for the weekend and off I went with my printed out MapQuest directions, a road atlas, tons of snacks, full tank of gas and headed to meet Ash.
Now if you let his Momma tell the story, I kidnapped her baby boy. Y'all that story was retold too many times as a kidnapping at family gatherings over the years and that was that because Ash did not let me come in the house to introduce myself when we left that day. He came willingly, married a few years later, had our kids and now here we are today. Three kids, three grand kids an amazing daughter in law and a wonderful life together.
Thank you Ash for showing me what family is, what love is and what showing up every day looks like.
Love you babe and ready to spend many more years celebrating the year of your kidnapping.

Hey y'all. Two days of appointments, long wait times in waiting rooms, long wait times for labs and waiting for almost a...
10/01/2026

Hey y'all. Two days of appointments, long wait times in waiting rooms, long wait times for labs and waiting for almost an hour to see the doctor at the appointments is exhausting. Thankfully I am learning to crochet to be productive. Next week more appointments then we start the phone calls to push referrals.
Back to back appointments is exhausting. Bring on the anxiety of medical appointments plus driving into busy parts of town for one and I am just done. I did not sleep well and was not feeling good either.
Fingers crossed for good results. I have one appointment next week I hope goes easy.
Y'all have a great rest of your day and remember to check on your people.

Okay y'all......here we go with this. The nonprofit is not closed, I am not closing it and I am not finished with it or ...
09/29/2026

Okay y'all......here we go with this. The nonprofit is not closed, I am not closing it and I am not finished with it or ending operations. This year I have just put a pause on the programs. Yes, I am still making item and donating them locally. Yes, I am accepting donations. Yes I am still a certified and state valid nonprofit.
A nonprofit means I am a charitable institution that focuses on a mission rather than generating a financial profit. While I am authorized to accept donations I am not actively perusing them so most items that are purchased come out of pocket and I am okay with that because this is my therapy.
Y'all please understand that this is a year of attempting to get my health in a better place so I can do better to fulfill my mission of my nonprofit. I am only asking you to give me a bit of patience and understanding, a bit of time so I can do that.
If the fact that I am taking this time for me bothers you then this is not the place for you and your people. Unfollow this page and move along.
Thank you for your time and I wish you the best but this may not be the place for you.

Hey y'all. Just a bit of a check in. The weather was nice yesterday so I spent some time outside to work on the loom. Go...
09/27/2026

Hey y'all. Just a bit of a check in. The weather was nice yesterday so I spent some time outside to work on the loom. Got my hair chopped off in hopes of making life easier when no energy hits which is often but also hoping it will helps with the headaches.
With the weather changes ready to spend more time outside to loom, read or just relax. Energy still an issue as is the pain, thankful for the weather change.
Been doing a lot of resting with little time for crafts. I know posting has been sporadic, sorry for that. Just gonna post updates to let y'all know I am still here. Really wanted to be feelin better by this time just not there yet. Some days are better than others just hoping for better days strung together.
Hope everyone is doing well and staying safe. Have a great weekend y'all and remember to check on your people.

Hey y'all. In the studio today trying to get things cleaned up a bit. Excuse the mess around the desk. Thinking about up...
09/18/2026

Hey y'all. In the studio today trying to get things cleaned up a bit. Excuse the mess around the desk. Thinking about upgrading this area a bit. As you can see it is a few items thrown together to make a workable admin area. At some point I will need to find something suitable.
I want to spend more time in the studio this fall/winter. Sewing has taken a back burner with all the health issues. I want to be in here more. I miss it.
Hope y'all are all doing well. Have a great weekend and remember to check on your people.

Address

149 Eulon Loop
Raeford, NC
28376

Telephone

+19108184075

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