Special Days...

We can send cards for all kind of days and special occasions - whether they are store bought or  handmade...and we do (at least I do)...Mother's Day, Father's Day, Birthdays, Engagements, Weddings, Graduations...and many more. And I know some people who think that some of these are made up days or "hallmark" holidays. I love any excuse to send mail to someone and share my like/love/friendship with them.

That first kiss lead to this...yep, had a feeling.

But why not come up with your own special days - they often can be the most important and memorable. Every year I wish my husband a Happy First Kiss Day (not sure why I kept it in my mind but I remember it) - April 9th. I just realized as I am writing this blog post that this past one was actually our 10th First Kiss Anniversary. And really, I'm pretty sure that I kept track of the day because I had an inkling after that first kiss, that maybe, just maybe he might be a keeper (and yay, he was). I absolutely remember the day he proposed December 17th - a Friday - the last day of classes before Christmas Break (a happy day for two teachers...made even happier). He gets a lot of mail from us at work (Happy first week of classes, Happy last day of classes, We miss you/Love you...).

One of my sister-in-laws is a twin and in her family they celebrate Twin Day - the day their Mom found out she was having twins! Think about the fun you could have with this! The day someone you know gave up Diet Coke (okay that was me 106 days ago - going strong!) or the day someone you know made THE perfect cupcake/apple pie/_________ fill in your blank (a day that will go down in history perhaps or infamy). Or if you don't have a special day just yet send out a Happy Talk like a Pirate Day note (September 19th - marrrrrk it down on your calendarrrrr matey) or need something closer...Lollipop Day is July 20th...even closer...Go Barefoot Day on June 1st! See how fun this is.

Happy Thursday at least!

365/1000 - one today - a little celebration card just because :)

Operation Postcard

Quite a few years ago when I was teaching Creative Writing our school principal was off for a month after an operation, so as a class we all wrote postcards of encouragement and sent them off to her. She was thrilled.  I sent them all at once but I wish I'd staggered them a little bit so she would receive them little bit by little bit. Although I guess her mail box was flooded on that particular day. There were at least 30 in total and I dubbed the assignment "Operation Postcard." A few kids weren't too sure about the assignment but I think we need to give kids kindness opportunities often - then it becomes normal and easy.

I had a friend who recently organized something similar for a friend of ours who is going through chemo (she told us her idea about sending a postcard from our hometown with words of encouragement for our friend - whom I'm sure has been flooded with cards from around the world - facebook can definitely be a good thing). What a simple, sweet idea! Kindness and the written word go hand in hand! I know this friend is feeling the love!

Do you have a friend that could use some encouragement (because they are missing home or going through some struggles)? Gather up a group of people and create your own postcard blitz! Or maybe, you gather up a group of postcards and send them weekly to that someone who could use some lift to their week. I'm doing my own little blitz of postcards today (going to various people just to say hello). I bought these postcards below in the Ikea 'As Is' section - 5 cents for a package of 5! Woohoo - mail and a deal!

364/1000  **Postcard Blitz** That's 8 cards zipping around out there...now!

Have you had the opportunity to send an rsvp reply to a wedding invitation recently...do anything fun with it? I like adding my own writing/comments and playing around with the fill in the blanks. But it is also fun to put something in the envelope (a cool picture of you and the couple, some tea, a magnet of a cool quotation about love, a coffee gift card for a treat during the stress of wedding planning, an article you clipped about marriage tips...well you get the picture).

Mailboxes...

When I was growing up our mail came through a slot in the door - a little brass window into our lives. It was a handy little thing if someone other than the mailman needed to drop something off too (a key, an invitation, money...). If I was home I was immediately alerted that the mail had arrived by the banging of the metal on the door. And I imagine my childhood neighbours with dogs probably were alerted a few seconds faster that their mail had arrived.

I have fond memories of sitting on our stairs, with the sun warming me through the "windows"around the door (in quotations because they were yellow, textured glass that you couldn't see through and made the entrance way look yellow - ah the 70s and 80s), flipping through the mail.

But what I coveted as a child was a real honest to goodness mailbox...the kind you find at the end of a long driveway on top of a post. Something you might see in more rural areas I guess. The kind that has the little red flag that the mail carrier flips up once mail has been deposited inside - so fun!

My next few mailboxes at various homes all turned out to be cubbies with lock and key (around the corner, in the lobby and now, in a "gazebo" type locale)...and don't get me wrong - love my little cubby and especially when it fills up with fun mail (like a beautiful dress for my daughter from my aunt - just in case "she has the urge to dance." The chiffon even fans out when she twirls - it is precious).

What I dream of now is of the mailboxes I saw in Italy and England - gorgeous wrought iron beauties. I'm contemplating getting one for my house (even though we have a central mail pick up area) but maybe my friends would drop things off for me...I'm hoping to do a post of mailboxes I love (coming soon to a blog near you...well actually this blog, stay tuned).

356/1000 Three thank you notes, one wedding invite reply (yay) and one just for fun! 5 more into the great wide open.

And can I just add that I know lots of people send out email wedding invites (saves money, is convenient) but a mailed paper wedding invitation is a beautiful thing to receive! The design, the vellum and all the possible fun responses for the reply card. Love.

Pen Pals

Have you ever had one? Do you have one now? The bigger question may be...do they still exist...duh, duh, duh....

I remember with fondness my first penpal...she lived in Papua, New Guinea. I remember her paper thin envelopes and the beautiful stamps that graced the upper right corner. There was no chance that we were going to meet so we took our time and our letters to share our worlds with each other. It was a magical experience - writing discovery.

I've had many penpals over the course of my writing lifetime - many relatives (of all ages - cousins, aunts, uncles, nieces), people I worked with who live all over the world (thank you Disney) and a few through school trips/projects/assignments.  Of course this all started in an age before email/the Internet and texting. How would our relationships have been different if we just texted or messaged or emailed (if we didn't pour our hearts out on the page, send photos or wait an agonizing week or more for our letters to arrive)? Different, just different I guess.

So the cool thing is that my daughter has a penpal! Her name is Abby and she turns four on April 16th. They've only had two playdates (and one of those was just before we left for Cali because she lives quite far away) but they play wonderfully together. They send each other drawings, letters (with a little dictating to their Moms), little gifts and are building a friendship  in a really cool way. I'm so excited for the both of them. Abby is Piper's girl and Piper is Abby's girl. They love each other. This is how they talk.

Penpals!

We are sending a special girl (Abby), some special mail (it's her birthday), and maybe, just maybe Tinkerbell might be involved!

Penpals...rethink it. Maybe a new way to get to know an old friend or maybe, a new way for your kids to interact with others. I'd love to hear if anyone gives it a go. I can't tell you how excited my daughter gets when she has mail. It's a wonderful thing to see.

And looking for something different to send? I'm sending out two Sincerely Scent cards from Scentsy! They are so fun! As soon as I heard about them I knew I needed to get on board. Thanks for introducing them to me Penny. A card you can personalize with photos and text and a scent of your choosing! Check them out here and my girl Penny can hook you up with credits!

351/1000 One special package, two thank you notes, two Sincerely Scent cards, a postcard, something for fun and...that makes 7 for the count!

Wish You Were Here!

Yep, it was our turn to send postcards!  

My Beautiful Princess!

We were lucky enough to be able to take a trip to Disneyland and celebrate birthdays while we were there (Sam - 1 and Piper - 4). What a magical adventure! From favourite rides (Teacups, Jungle Cruise, Tiki Room) to becoming a princess, Rapunzel to be exact, (at the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique) it was amazing to see my daughter discover Disney for the first time.  We all enjoyed Carsland and Fantasy Faire - the imagineers do such an amazing job with all of their projects! We are big fans!

The Amazing Bus!

My son (who turned one) was really just along for the ride. And funnily enough his favourite ride was the bus that we rode to and from the airport and to and from the park - easy to please! He did grab a Winnie the Pooh off the shelf that was the size of him and wouldn't let it go. It was his birthday so we figured it was the perfect gift! And really who could say no?

As I mentioned we sent out some postcards from our lovely, warm, fun-filled spring break! And as one person has already mentioned - a little Disney magic in mailboxes here and there from us! Wishing you all could have been there or at least that you get to experience the magic with your own loved ones sometime soon.


Also, heading out into the world is a stack of thank you notes for birthday gifts and various other sundry reasons! Also, a couple other special pieces! I love the mystery and gift of mail!

Would love to hear some of your favourite Disney memories/moments!

344/1000 12 postcards, 24 heartfelt thank you cards & 2 mystery pieces of mail! On a roll!

Postcards

A postcard, a postcard, what a beautiful thing!

We received a postcard last week from New York! I've never been but would love to go! The sites, the sounds...the shopping! So what a lovely thought to send it our way.  I'm told it was the only postcard they sent - now I'm really feeling special! (They stayed at THE Waldorf Astoria - jealous!).

A postcard is indeed special mail  by all accounts! Such a little gift. A snapshot. A moment. A window.  Someone on an amazing adventure stopped for a moment to think of you and "wish you were (t)here." What a lovely gesture to forward you a small piece of their holiday self.

I used to have a postcard buddy from high school - whenever we went on a trip we sent each other postcards (sometimes silly ones that made me laugh). And even if we hadn't seen in each other in a long time it made me think fondly of him and that he remembered. Sadly we drifted like icebergs, as high school friends sometimes do, but it was a cool thing we had for a time. Get a postcard buddy!

You don't need to go on a trip to send a postcard either. Send postcards from your hometown to friends and relatives far away. Art cards. Cut out cereal boxes. Search around on Etsy for something fun! Write a heartfelt message on the back, a joke, a favourite quotation or draw a picture - your friend or loved one won't be disappointed!

306/1000 Four cereal box postcards and two letters going out!



Update:
Wow, I have to write a quick Post Script here...just picked up my mail about 5 minutes ago (it's just after 8pm) and what a mail day! I got a post card from someone that just said "Have a great week!" - how fitting for today's post! A very cool birthday gift came for my kids! And bridesmaid and flower girl mail arrived as well. Feeling blessed and loved!

Seven to Ponder...

Thought I'd throw some kindness possibilities your way this week...

1. I'm a big fan of the "pay for the person behind you" in the Starbucks drive through - this also works for Tim Horton's or any drive through where you pay and pick up at the same window. But for something different...buy a gift card from 'bucks or Tim's and put it under the windshield wiper of a parked car for someone to find later. Surprise!

2. Gather all those unwanted items in your household (de-cluttering feels great) and advertise a garage sale and make everything free - how fun would this be! Free Garage Sale! Early Birds Welcome!

3. When you are cooking or baking it is often easy to just double whatever you are making - do it and share it with someone who could use a treat or a night off from cooking. That might just be everyone you know!

4. Keep extra umbrellas in your car and on a rainy day pass them out to people waiting at bus stops without umbrellas/shelter or someone walking home without one. Stock up at the dollar store to make this one a go!

5. Bring treats to your local school, preschool, daycare, firehall, care home or maternity ward for the staff - these can be busy, crazy places where the adults could use a boost. And store bought isn't cheating by the way!

6. Take coupons that you don't need and place them on the shelves of the grocery store by those products. You will surely make someone's day! I posted briefly about this here in a post about sending cool things in the mail.

7. Writing encouraging words on post it notes (I like heart ones) and post them on lockers, bathroom stalls, bus shelters, and/or wherever you feel they will make a difference. Stick it!

These were posted on two bus shelters in Vancouver - at least 8 post its! Awesome!

 I've tried to share 7 ideas that might not be your regular go to ideas when you think of random acts or purposeful acts of kindness. Please add your brilliant ideas in the comments on this post.
I'd love to hear some more!

300/1000  Two pieces of facebook post pay it forward mail going local to make it a nice round number!