little notes are thoughtful . . .

Whenever I send out a card or letter lately, I like to include little business card-sized notes in the envelope along with it.  It's kind of like including a little gift in with the card--something the recipient can hold onto and use as a bookmark or tape up as a reminder somewhere (I stuck a few strips of washi tape to wax paper and included that with the little notes as well).

The notes were typed out on my typewriter and embellished just a little with a hand-drawn border and a ribbon stamp.

It's fun to add a little something extra to the envelope--and it's always nice to have encouraging reminders, I think! 

Have you sent any cards or letters lately?  If you are up for a challenge (I know prolific mailers out there who would not consider this a challenge, but . . . ), the 52 Weeks of Mail group on Facebook has started up again with another 52 weeks.  I tried to follow along for the last 52 but fell off the wagon sometime this summer.  There is nothing magical about sending a piece of mail once a week, but I think that's a very reasonable/doable goal.  I hope to send more than that!

What about you?  How often do you snail mail?  Does once a week sound like something you could attempt?  If you're looking for someone to write, my mailbox is always open!  :)

little ornaments are thoughtful

I am a fan of year-round ornaments.  I like to hang them from cabinet knobs or the mantle . . . or on a mirror in the bathroom.  Sometimes these ornaments are just for pretty, but a lot of times they have special meaning--as symbols or reminders of a special word or truth or, in this case, a person.

I made this ornament out of polymer clay and wrote the name of a special little girl on the back with a Sharpie.   I am hanging it up to remind myself to pray for her whenever I see it.

At our old house, I stamped a round clay ornament with a butterfly, put our friend Lindsey's initials on the back, and hung it from a cabinet just to the left of the kitchen sink, where I saw it all throughout the day and thought of Lindsey's family and prayed for them (I later gave the ornament to Lindsey's mom and sisters so I need to make another!).

I have been really challenged lately to pray more and pray for more people.  I have a good pen-and-paper list for this, but I like having these little reminders up all around the house as well.  They help to keep people on my mind and close to my heart.

summer postcards are thoughtful

While I was unpacking boxes the other night, I came across all of the postcards I have saved from my friends over the years (98% of which date back to high school and college), and summertime nostalgia just swept over me.

I used to love getting postcards (and I had friends that traveled more than I did and were pretty good about sending them).  Postcards over summer vacation meant that someone was thinking of you, even while they were far away on a really fun trip.  That has to be one of the simplest of thoughtful gestures--stopping to send a little note to say, "I am having a blast, but I miss you," or "I love it here, but I wish you were with me," or "I saw such-and-such the other day, and it made me think of you," and "I can't wait to see you again!!"

Now I love looking back over old postcards and reading the random details people chose to include in their messages and the references they made to life at the time--"Tell [boyfriend] hi for me!" "Tell everyone I am getting ridiculously dark!"

postcards from Paris, Las Vegas, Morocco, Alaska, Germany, St. Kitts, Mexico, Maryland, South Padre Island, 
Hawaii, North Carolina, New Hampshire, New England, and the Black Hills of South Dakota . . . 

I wish I still sent postcards any time I went somewhere . . . I always have good intentions because I love them so much . . . but I haven't sent one in a really long time.  But it just so happened that while this post was still in its draft stage, I came across this lovely one over on the LWA blog about--what else--postcards!   I think Donovan says it perfectly--"To be thought of in leisure is one of the biggest compliments."  If you are waxing nostalgic for postcards like I am, you will enjoy Donovan's post (and the article she links to).  And there are great tips in the comments section on how to follow through with your good postcard intentions.

I know the school year has started, but summer isn't officially over until September 21 . . . I'm thinking I might have to send out some summer postcards while there is still time.  They will have to say "Greetings from Texas," though, because after moving 1,350 miles a little over a month ago, I do not plan to go ANYwhere any time soon.  Still, doesn't all this make you want to send a postcard?  I am now on the lookout for a local one . . . and please send one my way if you go anywhere!  Or--even if you don't.  :)

 Recreating my high school bulletin board.  
One of my favorite lines of the bunch is by my friend Gina, 17 at the time and in Vegas:  
"I have yet to meet anyone my actual age--there seems to be an abundance of fat men in their 40s wearing speedos at the pool, though." 

Food for New Moms is Thoughtful

New Baby Taco Box from theKitchn

Someday I want to do a whole series of posts here about thoughtful gifts and gestures for new moms.  But rather than save this clever and awesomely packaged idea for when I get around to doing a whole series, I thought I would just go ahead and share it with you now.  Besides, judging from the large number of people who seem to be born in April and May (my birthday calendar is full!), the number of baby showers that have occurred in the past two months, and the number of people I know who are due this month or next, I think this is pretty timely.

Apartment Therapy's theKitchn blog shared this clever New Baby Taco Box, and I love it--the presentation, the thoughtful details, and the post itself, which shares "Tips for Feeding a New Family with a Baby" and even some recipe links.

This made me think of mi amiga Mexicana Monica, who is due in June . . . but I would want her to make the tacos, so I think that would defeat the point.  And I won't be in Texas to deliver a taco box to her at the appropriate time anyway (sadness--maybe I will send her a pizza!).  But--that brings me to my friend Erin who shared a great recipe for pork tacos with me--maybe she could take a taco box to Monica in my absence?  :)  She would do it up so well anyway.  She brought me the yummiest enchiladas after Linc was born, and she thought of everything--all the way down to the fresh homemade guacamole. (Ay!)

The taco box could be reinterpreted in so many ways--the main thing is that it's very thoughtful to feed new moms.  :)  What are your favorite new-baby meals to make for a friend?  If you're ever in need of food ideas, I have another friend (no, really) . . . Nikki's blog Pennies on a Platter has given me lots of great recipes over the years, and I bet it will inspire you too.  One of these days I am going to ask her to chime in here on the blog--I love taking meals to moms and sick friends, but I am not the best at coming up with ideas for what to make.  Nikki seems to have plenty, and she's helped me out several times when I've been inspiration-less.

Case in point:  Baked Creamy Chicken Taquitos (how about a taquito box!)

I hope this post leaves you inspiration-full.  :)  Go forth and feed your postpartum friends!

Now I am craving tacos/itos . . .

notes on pictures are thoughtful

I was going through some boxes of letters and photographs and was so excited to find these two pictures.

This is my sister Addy 12 years ago at age 6 checking the mail in her dress-up dress and gloves and purple high heels.  Checking the mailbox was a really big deal back then.  :) 

This is a picture of me and my dad at one of my bridal showers (hosted by my parents' neighbors) in 2002.  My dad was not in attendance at this shower--but he popped his head in after work to tease the ladies and grab a handful of peanuts.  Someone suggested he take a quick picture with me, so he did.  (That's little Addy on the left looking on with pride.)   

After the picture was developed, my mom told my dad he should write me a note on the back.  My dad doesn't really do notes--not serious ones, anyway.   He will gladly graffiti anything you hang on the refrigerator or leave lying around, but he doesn't do the sentimental stuff.   But I am really glad he took my mom's suggestion, because I will forever have this gem.  

This is as serious as it gets with him.  I am sure he was squirming writing some of that but was much more in his comfort zone adding " . . . so far" to the "proud of all you've done in your life" part.  And the P. S. --that is him at his finest.  I laugh every time I read it.  

I share all of this to say . . . never underestimate the meaningfulness of even the smallest note.  You don't have to be profound when you tell someone you care--just take the time to do it.  You can be yourself when you write.  If things start to get awkward, just add an appropriate post script.  :)

Dr. Pepper on your Doorstep is Thoughtful

One day last summer, I came home to a 12-pack of Cherry Dr. Pepper just sitting on my front porch.  A very wonderful thing to come home to, for sure.

This is not the original 12-pack or my real front porch, since we are away from home this year.
Just a little pic I staged for the purposes of this post . . . :) 

I had to think for a second--did I put groceries on the front porch earlier and forget to take in the Dr. Pepper?--but I soon realized it was from our awesome next door neighbors, Keith and Leslie (Leslie just happens to work for Dr. Pepper at their headquarters in Plano, Texas--how cool is that?).  

To date, this is one of the simplest, most thoughtful neighborly gestures I can think of, and I smile every time it comes to mind.  I am pretty sure Keith and Leslie knew from our first meeting a year-and-a-half earlier that I was a huge fan of D. P. ("You work for Dr. Pepper!??  I looove Dr. Pepper!!"), but I don't know if they knew that one anonymous 12-pack drop-off could make my whole day.  But it sure did.  (Thank you, Vespers!  You are the best neighbors, and we miss you!)

Eight years ago when I was in the hospital after having Caroline, my sweet brother-in-law dropped by to say congratulations and hold his new niece.  He brought along a balloon . . . tied to a two-liter of Dr. Pepper.  It was perfect.  It made me laugh to see him walking in with a pink congratulations balloon--a more conspicuous and girly gift than he would normally choose, I am sure.   But then he went that extra step and tied it to a 2-liter.  I smile to think that he brought anything in the first place--he was a just a 20-year-old guy, after all.  I loved it.  (Thank you, Dan--you have been such a thoughtful brother[-in-law] since the very beginning!)

A few days after we went home with Caroline, my friend Carissa called on her way to class to check on me.  She was going to be driving by our area, and she wanted to know if I needed anything.  And, well, since the 2-liter had already gone dry . . . I needed Dr. Pepper.  That's all my postpartum self could think of.  I knew it was a little pathetic, but I asked anyway.  She laughed at me--and then stopped and got me some.  Another special delivery I will not forget!  (Thanks, Carissa, for coming through in my time of "need.")  :)

All of this makes me want to keep a running mental list of all the favorite things of the people I know so I can just randomly make drop-offs on days I am out and think to pick up something . . . such an easy way to put a smile on someone's face.  Or--in my case--feed an addiction!

remembering birthdays is thoughtful

With my birthday last week, I was freshly reminded of just how nice it is to get sweet birthday wishes (thanks, everyone!).  I received cards in the mail (which I got when I returned home from New York), phone calls, emails, texts, and Facebook wishes.  All day long Tuesday my phone was abuzz with greetings, and it was so fun.  And all week long mail trickled in, and you know I love mail.  I think it's great that nowadays there are so many ways to wish someone a happy birthday.

I am trying this year to send everyone on my birthday list a greeting in some form or another.  I've done okay so far, and I think I might be getting my system down now that it's March.  For me, the key is my planner.  I have the birthday calendar up in my kitchen, and I see that everyday.  But if I don't also write in my planner, all I will do is look at those birthdays on the calendar and not really do anything about them.  So even though the idea of a perpetual calendar is that you don't necessarily have to write the birthdays over each year, I actually do.  And I use the perpetual calendar as a daily reminder and my master list.  I have just found that I work best with every little step spelled out for me.

Step 1  Write the birthdays in my planner.  It's become kind of a tradition for me in the last few years that I do this after Christmas, which means I have to have my new planner purchased by then.  For several years I have purchased a Blue Sky brand planner at Target, and it works great for me.  Writing all the birthdays takes time, but I really enjoy writing in my planner (nerd alert!).  And I like thinking of each person and the year ahead as I write down all the names and dates.  I use the previous year's planner to fill out the upcoming year's planner--that way I will be able to add in birthdays and important dates that were new to me last year.

Step 2  This step has been the turnaround for me.  I make little "send birthday card" notes in my planner--I go back a few days from the birthday listed and write a note to myself to get that person's birthday card in the mail.  For instance, this year my cousin Molly's birthday was on Thursday, March 8, so I made a note on Monday the 5th to send her card (I hope it got there on time, Moll?).

Step 3  The tricky part--have birthday cards on hand!  I could also write a "buy or make birthday card" note a few days before the "send birthday card" note in my planner, but I think that would be too many notes, even for me.  Recently, I have bought cards and mailed them on the same day.  I would love to have a routine of taking one day a month to shop for and/or make all the cards I want to send in that month, but I am not there yet.

Right now, this is my ideal--get a card in the mail.  If at some point I realize that this is not going to happen, then I will try to call, text, email, or Facebook the person . . . I just want them to know I am thinking of them on their day!

[Just a note, I choose sending cards as my ideal because of my love for mail and because the practice is becoming less common.  But I don't care how others tell me happy birthday--I just love it when they do!  But even if you don't send me a birthday card, please do send me mail.  :)]

So tell me--how do you remember birthdays?  Do you have a plan for getting greetings out?  Are you a card in the mail kind of person?  Or do you go the more technologically advanced route?  I love hearing what other people do to be thoughtful--please share!

thank you notes are thoughtful

thank you card by rifle paper co.

I saw this post on The Letter Writer's Alliance and was freshly motivated to stick with my Christmas thank you note writing (I know, sorely behind!).   The post linked to an essay featured on thisibelieve.org about the importance of writing thank you letters.

Michelle Lee, the woman who wrote the essay, says that, as children, she and her sister wrote their Christmas thank yous by December 26th at the latest.  Wow.  I will be doing well to get mine finished by January 26th.

I love the idea of writing thank you notes, and I love the actual act of writing thank you notes, so I am not sure where the breakdown occurs with me.  I think it's the right thing to do, and I enjoy doing it, so why do I take so long to write or sometimes do not write at all?

Perhaps I do not prioritize it by setting aside a certain time and place to do it.  Ms. Lee says that her childhood Christmas thank you writing was a day-after-Christmas ritual in her home.  She and her sister had their own pretty address books and received stationery as Christmas gifts.  I love this idea.  I think that if our thank you note writing was incorporated as part of a holiday tradition, it would get done more consistently.

Ms. Lee still writes thank you letters faithfully as an adult, too.  She writes a few notes (and not just for gifts!) almost every Monday morning and says it is the highlight of her week.

We need a thank you writing day around here.  And a proper address book.  And some pretty stationery and stamps.  And an inky pen!  If I had a basket of this kind of loveliness sitting out on the desk or side table, I might be a letter-writing fiend.  For me, that is probably key--I need things to be accessible and out in plain sight.

Be sure to read the essay--it is inspiring.  And help me out here--what do you do to stay on top of your thank you notes?  What's your process?

Off to gather my supplies (which would, ideally, be one of everything from Rifle Paper) . . .

banana splits are thoughtful

     real-life Braum's banana split via holly @creativeholly.com

It was my sophomore year of high school, and my friend Amy was waiting patiently for me to gather up my stuff after basketball practice so she could give me a ride home.  I was moving even slower than my usual distractedly slow pace because (1) I had had a bad practice, (2) I wasn't feeling well,  and (3) I was heartsick over my most recent break-up (item 3 very likely the cause of items 1 and 2).  I was on the verge of tears at every turn, and Amy could tell.   

By the time I was ready, she and a few other teammates were standing at the bottom of the gym stairs waiting for me.  "C'mon," she said, "we're going to Braum's."  

I was happy for the diversion, but I don't think I showed any excitement over the idea.  I remember riding silently in the car with my forehead pressed against the window while the rest of the girls sang along to the radio.  Once there, I stood in line with the group in front of the ice cream counter but didn't order anything.  We found a booth, and I slumped into it.  But Amy slid into the seat across from me, pushed the banana split she had paid for to the middle of the table, handed me a spoon and announced with a big grin, 

“It’s really hard to be sad while you’re eating a banana split.”  

Everyone nodded supportively and looked my way.  I realized then that they had planned this--that we had come here just for me.  For a moment I got over my melancholy self and smiled really, really big.  We shared the banana split, and they all talked about basketball and boys and about how much better off I was without the heartbreaker.  

It meant a lot that my friends were willing to put up with me and even indulge me for a little while (showing me this extra attention instead of being [understandably] annoyed with me).  I have thought back to that group of friends and that banana split many times with a smile.  

What I learned:  It's really hard to be sad while you're eating a banana split--I think that's really good advice.  

And:  Don't ask your friend what she wants to do--just do it.  Tell her you are going, take her there, order for her, give her a spoon, and make her smile.    

If it's a bummy time for your friend, Amy's direct approach is probably right-on.  If you are wanting to give comfort or cheer to someone who is struggling with something more serious, then you probably don't want to imply that a banana split can heal all wounds, because--of course--it can't.  But some good ice cream and some listening time might be a step in the right direction or a bright spot in a dark time for someone that just needs to know you are there.   For faraway friends, a handwritten note and a gift card or coupon to a favorite ice cream shop would be super kind.   Keep a little stash and some notecards handy to put in the mail at the right time.  

I think I will start a stash today . . . 

Who in your life needs some ice cream?  :)