Two Straight Lines

Summer is (more than) fading (it's over) and school is back in! And I'm back...in more ways than one. Back on the blog, back in the classroom (part-time), and back to meal-planning, baking, letters/notes/packages...

My daughter completed the Summer Reading Program through our local library and loved it! During the last week of August we had a great book that inspired me a little and I was so happy to think that it might inspire others as well (kids and parents alike). These two pages are from a Madeline book about politeness and manners (excuse these not so great phone pictures).

We also checked out a Curious George Thank You book where he writes thank you cards to everyone, including the mail carrier! I knew I loved that little monkey for a reason! My darling girls is selling mint chocolate GG cookies so she has a number of thank you cards to write as well. And suddenly we are in a season of fundraising - for school and activities. Funny how all of a sudden we are in that realm (no doubt frozen baked good and chocolate covered almonds ahead). So many thanks to our neighbours, friends, family and strangers as you support us in this new era of (school-aged kid) life. We'll do our best not to hound you.

Adding 12 to the count - which brings me to an even 800! Wow, only 200 to go. It's pumpkin month - enjoy all things autumn!

I'm so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers.
~Anne of Green Gables

Summer Days & Fall Nights

     Oh Summer how I love thee! Your long days filled with family and friends, sunshine, camping, swimming, cold drinks, roasted marshmallows, and that sense, that time, has simply slowed down.  But as the nights start to feel that familiar touch of damp I know, that very soon, I will miss you. The back-to-school shopping has already started (my sweet girl picked out an R2D2 backpack - oh yea!), I'm starting to think about making food for frozen meals/lunches, and I've started my new fridge calendar...yep, all sure signs that September is coming. There are three of us going to school this September...my daughter to kindergarten, my husband to work (as per usual...over a decade in), and me (after a 5 year break...feeling like it's not real yet). But I only have one foot out of summer's door. Still loving the sunshine and looking forward to more beach exploring, swimming, sunshine, marshmallows, and memories.

Lofoten, Norway

     Received a very cool postcard from one of my favourite Norwegian families yesterday! Thanks to Elias who did the writing (I think). I love it! I know I don't send as many postcards as I used to (sometimes it is hard to sit down and write when you have a couple of kids on vacation with you needing you every moment, or at least thinking they do) but wow, it was so nice to receive...I think I'll try harder - it was such a gift to see which postcard was picked out, imagining them there and reading their note to us! Wonderful. And doesn't it look like a beautiful place (hiking, swimming, viking museums - they had a lot of fun!).

Happy August, happy back-to-school, happy memory making, happy letter writing...

happy, happy, happy.

788/1000 My count is up by 10 - some packages, some notes, definitely some love.

P.S. working on a very cool pen pal project with a friend - stay tuned.

Beautiful Fall Day

I always thought that being a letter carrier would be a great job - good exercise, sense of accomplishment and being out and about on a day like today. It is a beautiful, crisp, sunny autumn day out there. The leaves are swirling and crunching under foot but I can still hear the odd lawn mower making the rounds. For me, fall is all about anticipation, things happen slowly and time stands still some days but big things are coming. We are on the cusp.

I've sent a few things over the past few months but not quite as much as I would have liked (thanks loyal fans for tuning in, even when updates looked like they may never come). Adding to the count: South Korea (6), Ontario (2), and the rest was either business or it has slipped my mind at this very moment. So that brings the count to:  125/1000

And what exactly was keeping me so busy you might ask? Well, this monkey to the right, among other things.

But wait there's more...I've been packing up a a rather large box, a Christmas package in fact, that I am sending to...South Korea (1) (note: I am sending the package by surface so it should come in 8 to 10 weeks) and since I am going to the post-office I may as well send a couple more little things to South Korea (2), and a thing or two or five to the rest of  my "little" world: Surrey (2); Yellowknife, NT (1); York, Ontario (1); and Hegra, Norway (1).

Some things are even being sent in my recycled magazine page envelopes (for something a little different).

Newest, most recentist, up-to-date-ist total: 132/1000