52 Weeks of Mail: Week 6

This was a good week for outgoing.  Incoming, not so much, but I have heard from several people saying they've sent things, so I'm sure the box will be full this week! :)

Incoming:
Just one, but it was good!  My first post from Canada!  Snailmailfan over at 100 Days of Snail Mail sent me this great "Where's Waldo?" postcard.  It took me a good 5 minutes to find him and the 4 other things on the list, but I finally found them all. :)

Outgoing:
8 pieces!  That's pretty good for this week, considering I did start my new job too! :)

A penpal intro to a girl in Japan, a thank you to Vicki over at 2 Bags Full for the lovely Vera Bradley purse I won in her giveaway, a penpal intro to a girl in Malaysia, a penpal letter plus goodies for a friend in Nashville, TN, part one of a long letter reply to my penpal friend in Ohio, a note to Pamela of Cappuccino and Art Journal (which, sadly, was not as artsy and creative as I would have liked.  I have an idea for next one, though.), a reply letter to Katie of The Marlowe Bookshelf, and last but not least, a letter to Misty of Confessions of a Pen Thief, which I decorated last minute in a mystery theme.  (For no apparent reason, other than making the little footprints like the ones that show up on Harry Potter's Marauder's Map was super fun and easy and cute!) :)

Partly Cloudy

It was drizzly and overcast yesterday.  So I thought this wonderful short fit just right for this week's Video Wednesday.  Enjoy.

Abundant Blessings

My Grandmother had hip surgery yesterday, and aside from the pain that any major surgery brings, she came through it very well.  I am blessed to have in-laws keeping Gremlin #4 for a week while we adjust to Gran's schedule when she gets home.  That means I can drop everything at a moment's notice and help, but mostly it means I can stay on top of the housework for everyone (there are 8 people living in the house, remember) without Gremlin #4 being underfoot/needing attention/turning my brain to oatmeal with her Barbie movies being played over and over and over.  :)

Last night, Cute Gremlins #1 and #2 asked to go play at a friend's house.  With Gremlin #4 gone, that left just Gremlin #3 and me to ourselves.  So I took him to eat pizza at Stevi B's.  The best part of the meal was when he wanted to "clink" our (plastic) cups of Coke together and have "cheers".  That's just pure 6 year old silliness and I have missed enjoying that when my attention is divided amongst 3 more Cute Gremlins.

After supper, we stopped by the office supply store.  While I was admiring some pens, he tried to sneak up on me from around the corner to the next aisle.  Of course I could hear him- because he's a first grader, he's about as stealthy as a dinosaur crossing a gravel parking lot that's been covered in bubble wrap.  So I turned around and he says the most awesome thing:

"Awww.  I was trying to sneak on you.  Did you hear my footprints?"

Yes, sweet baby.  I heard your "footprints".  LOL  I am so blessed to have him.

I was also blessed today when we went to the new library (that would be trip #6 in the space of a week and a half, for those of you who are keeping track. ;)) and got these books.

I know I've blogged about my stationery addiction, but I think this is coming in a close second!

Anyway, while we were on our way to the library, I got a call back from a job I had put in for a month ago and I'm hired!!! PRAISE GOD!!!  I report tomorrow morning at 8 a.m. to fill out paperwork and get acclimated to everything.  I already know where everything is, since I'm there all the time anyway. :)  So I'm VERY EXCITED!  It's part time seasonal, so I will still make time when I am home to post for you, dear readers.  I may have to make good use of the "schedule" feature in the post options!

And with that good news, I'm headed to bed!  Big day tomorrow!
Love to all.

52 Weeks of Mail: Week 5

As always, I'll start with what arrived!

On Monday, Nov 7th, I got a lovely long penpal letter from Laura over at the Daily Dodo.  I love ALL of the letters I get, but I just can't help it- seeing an address from my beloved England is my absolute favorite! :)  On Thursday, Nov 10th, I really had a good mail day: I won the Vera Bradley purse that sweet Vicki over at 2 Bags Full gave away on her facebook page!  Thank you, Vicki!!!!  I also got my newest issue of Tea Time magazine, a letter from one of my Ohio penpals, and a notecard from the peacock set that Misty of Confessions of a Pen Thief won, so that I got to keep one when all of my own set had been mailed out.  (I sent her one to keep out of my set in with her goody box.) :)

Back of letter from Ohio

The week didn't end there!  Today, after I'd gotten home from shooting a wedding for 7 beautiful hours (Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Raffety!  I love y'all!)  I got 6 wonderful pieces of mail!  3 catalogs/fliers to some of my favorite stores (Things Remembered, Family Christian Stores and Jo-Ann Fabrics), and 3 letters.  One is another letter from the Ohio Penpal who wrote the one pictured above, one is a wonderful avian themed letter from fellow blogger Katie over at The Marlowe Bookshelf and one is a gorgeous mail art from none other than Pamela Gerard, whose blog, Cappuccino and Art Journal, I found on the 52 Weeks of Mail page.

But wait- what's that, also in the photo?  It looks like an airmail envelope, doubling as a zippered pouch!  Could there be a giveaway coming up soon?! ;)

LOVE the owl! 

Gorgeous goodies from Pamela!

One sad thing did come in the mailbox: an introductory penpal letter that I'd sent a few months ago, that was unable to be delivered. :(

*sniffle* :(

Now on to outgoing!

On Monday, I sent out a bill and a letter to my Ohio penpal. (no, the bill did not go TO the Ohio penpal. Only the letter. lol)

And on Saturday:

Thanksgiving card to friend in TX, letter to Laura of Daily Dodo (link above), introductory letter to penpal in Japan, postcard to Bev Sykes of The Penpal Project and a postcard to Kate Kane of Birdcage Cards, whom I "met" on the 52 Weeks of Mail facebook page.  A modest offering, but I had been getting ready to work a wedding, get hired at another job for Christmas, tend to 4 kids, etc.  (I know, I know.  No excuses! lol)  If you sent me mail and haven't gotten a reply yet, just be patient- I always write back!

Still Alive

I did not die.

I have been SUPER BUSY this last week and there hasn't been time to do the posts that I wanted to do the way that I wanted to do them.  So here is a big ole "HI!!!" from over here, and I will do my best to start catching you up on all the latest goings on in a post (or 2) tomorrow.  

Love to all,

Jenny