tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32632232417819794662023-11-15T23:22:38.314-08:00Letter Writers Rock!And none will hear the postman's knock
Without a quickening of the heart.
For who can bear to feel himself forgotten? - W.H. Auden Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04246849787839149395noreply@blogger.comBlogger61125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3263223241781979466.post-7687349168062330062016-08-16T06:12:00.001-07:002016-08-16T06:31:15.388-07:00Why I've been AWOL from all letter writingI didn't get to do much at all with LetterMo this year. Again. I had great plans and I owe so many letters, postcards, and such it's sad. I'll get to them eventually but about 18 months ago I developed a skin issue that affects only my fingers.<br />
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My GP said it was contact dermatitis/eczema and prescribed a cream that helped for a few days but the problem came back with a vengeance. Two months ago I saw a dermatologist who refused to test for allergies, performed a biopsy that was fairly inconclusive, and believes the problem is eczema. All she will discuss with me is the expensive Xtrac laser procedure her office performs. I'm not necessarily opposed to that but I wanted to know with some certainty that the problem wasn't an allergic one so I initiated the visits with the specialist I'm now seeing.<br />
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At first the issue was simply minor irritation that interfered some days but not all. Now it's a constant problem. My fingers stay red and raw, bleeding almost daily. If I reach into my purse for something and bump a digit just right, it bleeds and I want to sob with the pain. Water is agonizing. I haven't been able to work much for the last two months and am currently out of town undergoing patch testing. I found out yesterday I'm allergic to <a href="https://www.smartpractice.com/dermatologyallergy/pdfs/allergens/p-tert-Butylphenol-Formaldehyde-Resin-Patient-Info.pdf" target="_blank">Para-tertiary butlyphenol formaldehyde resin</a> and see the specialist tomorrow for the final patch test reading and hopefully some guidance. </div>
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The specialist is pretty sure the allergy isn't the actual cause of the problem but thinks it might be a trigger for an underlying condition. I don't know just what condition that could be but the standard treatments of corticosteroids under occlusion, tar oil soaks, and such have made no difference in my skin.<br />
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My life has been turned upside down because of this skin issue! Most days I can't hold a pen or pencil without bleeding. Hell, I can't even zip and button my jeans anymore so I now wear pull on denim pants. Ridiculous. Holding a steering wheel might or might not cause existing fissures to widen and bleed. Cleaning my apartment is almost impossible and handwashing dishes is out of the question. I generally wear white cotton gloves when I leave my home and wear them at home many days. I've developed a fear of just about anything that might cause my skin to crack and bleed. Some days using my cell phone is doable but most days the computer is a no no. Simply touching the keys can cause real problems so I usually wear rubber gloves when I need to do something online. </div>
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Anyway, <a href="http://www.ohwriteme.com/" target="_blank">Limner's</a> comment on a previous post spurred me to create this entry. I truly am not ignoring my letter-writing friends. In fact, I miss the people, the paper, stamps, pens, markers, and the simple joy writing brings me but for now I'm at a loss.<br />
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Hopefully the near future will bring a solution and I can write again. Until then, no can do.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGsA9tFBcDGTQmzPR0kqh7T8HfjDGGI56kFUILseR_yqCpiUmIDhSjDu8T1mn16YRwjj51AL8B9lvB0FP8JcYqKFr8Q-PB8bW-daTMmUh-B4tUEZpoKvUC7sg-yoZ2bHaLXJEG_nFc69Z9/s1600/Right+thumb+Aug+8+16.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGsA9tFBcDGTQmzPR0kqh7T8HfjDGGI56kFUILseR_yqCpiUmIDhSjDu8T1mn16YRwjj51AL8B9lvB0FP8JcYqKFr8Q-PB8bW-daTMmUh-B4tUEZpoKvUC7sg-yoZ2bHaLXJEG_nFc69Z9/s320/Right+thumb+Aug+8+16.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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The above is a picture of my right thumb, taken on the 8th of this month. It's a little better now but the other digits are horrible.<br />
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So there you have it - the reason for my very long absence. I miss you all!</div>
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Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04246849787839149395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3263223241781979466.post-17552208507524201162016-01-25T09:53:00.000-08:002016-01-25T09:53:27.024-08:00Incoming mail, January 25I checked my mail today for the first time in a week and it's a good mail day.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgROHroK_woQHSrpNDTdBZ5V2ji4na2t4GcF9Rd898DKRD0_zWnL3V41SKAN2V1fFxqdIikEdYU4aZSzc7GRalynLCXVQiXuZ_V4wB4NNBIW6LGR9nF9nasYiY89irE4BzK0gqiyKvzDthk/s1600/1.25.16+incoming.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="257" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgROHroK_woQHSrpNDTdBZ5V2ji4na2t4GcF9Rd898DKRD0_zWnL3V41SKAN2V1fFxqdIikEdYU4aZSzc7GRalynLCXVQiXuZ_V4wB4NNBIW6LGR9nF9nasYiY89irE4BzK0gqiyKvzDthk/s320/1.25.16+incoming.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The mother of a young woman my son met during his 2014 through-hike of the Appalachian Trail sent me a lovely card and cat themed coloring book. The designs are very nice and I plan to color some of the pages and use them to make envelopes. I also received a sweet card from a sendsomething participant and a stack of postcards I ordered from <a href="http://postcardstop.com/" target="_blank">PostCardStop</a>. Just for good measure, my mailbox also held a medical bill but I'm ignoring that for today. Later, later.<br />
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I have no outgoing today but should have several items tomorrow, including thank you notes for lovely things lately sent to me.<br />
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Happy mail to all!Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04246849787839149395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3263223241781979466.post-56555354849553218422016-01-24T17:38:00.002-08:002016-01-25T14:00:33.221-08:00Amazing time in Galveston and all ready for LetterMo 2016!I got home from Galveston a few hours ago and man, am I tired!<br />
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Unfortunately, my computer wouldn't cooperate with the Wi-Fi where I stayed so I wasn't able to post an entry or share any photos until now. Other computers there functioned but mine simply wouldn't. Go figure!<br />
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Anyway, I'm home and resting this evening. I broke a couple of toes on my first morning there and that really slowed me down so now I'm resting my very bruised and pained foot in preparation for work. I go back Wednesday and plan to do as little as possible until then. Well, not quite but close. I'll do some grocery shopping and cooking for the week tomorrow and will probably spend time with my mother but that's about it. The vacation was a working one so although I did a few fun things there was only one piece of mail sent out (a birthday card to my sister) and each evening ended with me collapsing in exhaustion. I got little rest.<br />
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So, here are some pictures from the trip!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipWMD3zt2eEmgF6cqQmgeaMaqFVUXAO_twBeJWhxatEreGDotpEB8txTQQ1bAafMsa2sZu6rreerH-pN1moWlBhYjmejsbQrPF2FFCiXox7Lf44AIrZwqPsm_UbPPhJWPaOc6EWiRFZXm-/s1600/1-18-16+ocean.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipWMD3zt2eEmgF6cqQmgeaMaqFVUXAO_twBeJWhxatEreGDotpEB8txTQQ1bAafMsa2sZu6rreerH-pN1moWlBhYjmejsbQrPF2FFCiXox7Lf44AIrZwqPsm_UbPPhJWPaOc6EWiRFZXm-/s400/1-18-16+ocean.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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This was one of my first glimpses of the water as we drove down Seawall Blvd. The day was lovely - 70 degrees and almost cloudless. Twenty five years is just too long to go without seeing this and thanks to my sister now owning a home there, I won't have to again wait so long.<br />
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I was very pleased to see the 1900 Storm Memorial on Seawall Blvd. It was installed in 2000 and is a touching bronze sculpture by David W. Moore.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju1VZOzkHfmUFq8pUJxbi075FmOVvMzRucqf9FYWPJv1qC2uenpEkNWGAi5jD2J8mU2jmq74yhHo2yXRWErsYH3ZqFt5BeMorQv0612mhW1FdK-PD96BTtpM0XmvX86aY3UKJYArNFqxtv/s1600/1900+storm+memorial+front.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju1VZOzkHfmUFq8pUJxbi075FmOVvMzRucqf9FYWPJv1qC2uenpEkNWGAi5jD2J8mU2jmq74yhHo2yXRWErsYH3ZqFt5BeMorQv0612mhW1FdK-PD96BTtpM0XmvX86aY3UKJYArNFqxtv/s320/1900+storm+memorial+front.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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1900 storm memorial front</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxWqjEXWy4bsoRSk9fMB9l9CCtGhgZdeh1aJWupWml4R8urYdnjYSwC9ROt5VcyuTD9t2FuQQfw7jE-QU9qq35yyzF50BNvSmYOHzsY8Nn2NWWtkfRxTNizWD3DzZofGWmuGhcEUfVsMY2/s1600/1900+storm+memorial+back.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxWqjEXWy4bsoRSk9fMB9l9CCtGhgZdeh1aJWupWml4R8urYdnjYSwC9ROt5VcyuTD9t2FuQQfw7jE-QU9qq35yyzF50BNvSmYOHzsY8Nn2NWWtkfRxTNizWD3DzZofGWmuGhcEUfVsMY2/s320/1900+storm+memorial+back.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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1900 storm memorial back</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh39B8KYmCBj9I2pj33NIDjqTEFMS3iW4VmeKHb9DJwa8eS8V9qTGvN7SdLk-e1ozbpAH5pnGG4QRDMtsDPc1LgNB4tsyiFeV3Vb4iwxsQNbSnqDqh96Gt1gimIZnReZEOYnN_VPPyBHke9/s1600/1900+storm+memorial+plaque.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh39B8KYmCBj9I2pj33NIDjqTEFMS3iW4VmeKHb9DJwa8eS8V9qTGvN7SdLk-e1ozbpAH5pnGG4QRDMtsDPc1LgNB4tsyiFeV3Vb4iwxsQNbSnqDqh96Gt1gimIZnReZEOYnN_VPPyBHke9/s320/1900+storm+memorial+plaque.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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1900 storm memorial plaque</div>
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Galveston Island is not the island I remember. After the devastation of Hurricane Ike, the population is almost ten thousand lower (many people left and never returned), a lot of landmarks are gone and new ones are in place, and in middle class neighborhoods stand ramshackle houses that have definitely seen better days and are tagged for destruction. It's as though, with few exceptions, class in regard to housing has disappeared. I think that's a good thing but for someone whose last glimpse of the island was twenty five years ago, it's a very strange thing.<br />
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My sister's house is in a neighborhood that saw quite a bit of devastation. Her home withstood the storm of 1900 and Ike so it must be a sturdy piece of construction but some of the surrounding structures didn't fare so well. Directly across the street from hers is a house that's boarded up and destined to be torn down at some point.<br />
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The above is the wonderful wooden deck on the back of her house. There's seating for 20 to 25 people and the deck is surrounded by stunning vegetation.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrgYu8KU4_rAyc_MEYlocykcnFvjXZrEAti4ET98zT0hcpUvapzZAHbjVlwT-0H-384s6XkvjAnSkvmwgChEN5jacOeuGKzuBpF0lFNeDFSrqY9OOcwXUn9fs9RgCS1aMmNIeOlt3PnAVf/s1600/lovely+flower.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrgYu8KU4_rAyc_MEYlocykcnFvjXZrEAti4ET98zT0hcpUvapzZAHbjVlwT-0H-384s6XkvjAnSkvmwgChEN5jacOeuGKzuBpF0lFNeDFSrqY9OOcwXUn9fs9RgCS1aMmNIeOlt3PnAVf/s320/lovely+flower.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7JwkSI84bKxGOQ8T6S_9Oba0R-hGNu3V3zEUtEeDsFykZgbEo08UhSVDC55Gbli9AbK4gikJ9s_0Op_ejgsz1dvC8CwqfFKw6wRAsTA8D0MNBkfYcxv8dOewLfZseTfEpUJ9yHEUT7V5K/s1600/red+flower+in+back.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7JwkSI84bKxGOQ8T6S_9Oba0R-hGNu3V3zEUtEeDsFykZgbEo08UhSVDC55Gbli9AbK4gikJ9s_0Op_ejgsz1dvC8CwqfFKw6wRAsTA8D0MNBkfYcxv8dOewLfZseTfEpUJ9yHEUT7V5K/s320/red+flower+in+back.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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Just a couple of flowers by the deck</div>
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We drove down Ball Avenue where some of the loveliest houses I've ever seen are. Many were dressed for Mardi Gras.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUTL7AHVrX3Rp1esjqhGJlVAWgEqWPw89s1J6_OhK6zDOYOXeNj8WsB-nyuITOB0c-osmYcGBwtrzvDSzdYb8DNbl-IHtMXlBgpUmPyKpTFd9ycOCEjMuV_qrI2SISTgxHyg7nXIdUWmUc/s1600/Decorated+historic+house+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUTL7AHVrX3Rp1esjqhGJlVAWgEqWPw89s1J6_OhK6zDOYOXeNj8WsB-nyuITOB0c-osmYcGBwtrzvDSzdYb8DNbl-IHtMXlBgpUmPyKpTFd9ycOCEjMuV_qrI2SISTgxHyg7nXIdUWmUc/s320/Decorated+historic+house+2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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The blue line on the steps indicate the water level during Hurricane Ike. </div>
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One of the things on my list to see and do was the <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/05/us/galveston-trees-killed-by-hurricane-ike-are-carved-into-sculpture.html?_r=0" target="_blank">tree sculptures.</a> We found several and they didn't disappoint me. What a beautiful thing to do with something that would normally be hauled to the landfill.</div>
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One of my favorite tree statues. </div>
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Cute squirrel tree statue<br />
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We drove to the seawall every day, sometimes parking just to watch the loveliness of Mother Nature for a few minutes. The above photo was taken on a day when a storm appeared to be rolling in. The storm never developed but we did get a bit of rain and a few minutes of high wind.</div>
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Most of our time was spent finishing the rental season preparation of the house but we ate some great food at <a href="http://www.nicksgalveston.com/" target="_blank">Nick's</a> and <a href="http://shrimpnstuff.com/" target="_blank">Shrimp 'N Stuff.</a> We also went to the Rosenberg Library, which is truly amazing if you're a history buff. We didn't get around to a couple of things on my list but I'll go back soon for a real vacation and will hopefully have time and energy for those things.</div>
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For any of you who might be interested in renting a place on Galveston Island, check out Connie's house. She's listed on Airbnb, TripAdvisor and some other sites. You can rent the <a href="https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/8738105?s=OZEGI4Ar" target="_blank">downstairs unit</a>, the <a href="https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/9040961?s=OZEGI4Ar" target="_blank">upstairs unit</a>, or both if you have a larger group of people. </div>
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Oh, I found some neat postcards while I was on the island. They depict the Ursuline Academy of Galveston, a parochial school in operation from 1854 to 1961. I got 6 of the cards and will use a couple of them during LetterMo. Speaking of that, I'm ready to roll!</div>
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Lastly, I leave you with a photo of my sister's house, decorated for Mardi Gras!</div>
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Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04246849787839149395noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3263223241781979466.post-79613475175216496862016-01-17T10:03:00.001-08:002016-01-17T10:21:40.168-08:00Vacation begins, an exciting week ahead, but oh yeah, I'll still write. Today is the first of 10 days vacation. Ahhh, the relaxation, the joy!<br />
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A friend came over this morning and surprised me with a late Christmas gift of a lovely tea/coffee pot, 4 cups, and saucers.<br />
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She knows me so well. Cats and tea/coffee sets are among my favorite things. We drank our coffee from two of the cups (which is why there are only two in the photo) and enjoyed a bit of time together before my sister and I head to Galveston Island tomorrow. It's about a 4 hour drive and I don't relish that but we're in no rush and plan to stop anywhere and everywhere we want along the way.</div>
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Of course, I'm taking along a box with postcards, note cards, washi tape, pens, stamps, and such and will spend an evening or two writing. </div>
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While the primary purpose of the trip is to get my sister's rental ready for the upcoming season, vacation for me is for rest and relaxation and I plan to get plenty of both after mornings of work. We'll also do quite a bit of sightseeing.</div>
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Galveston Island is a beautiful and fascinating place with a rich history. Back in the late 80s/early 90s I lived in nearby Texas City and while it was the pits of this amazing state, the Island was a different matter. I was very broke and had young children and didn't get to spend much time in Galveston and haven't been back since moving away so I plan to make up for lost time. </div>
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<a href="http://www.moodygardens.com/" target="_blank">Moody Gardens</a> is on my list of places to go, along with <a href="http://www.galveston.com/downtowntour/" target="_blank">The Strand</a> and The Rosenberg Library and its <a href="http://rosenberg-library-museum.org/default.htm" target="_blank">museum</a>. Of course, I also want to ride the <a href="http://www.texasbob.com/travel/tbt_bolivar_ferry.html" target="_blank">ferry</a>. I did that a couple of times when I lived in the area but that was so long ago. I want to experience that again, hoping to see jumping porpoises. And then there are the <a href="http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g55879-d2188045-Reviews-Tree_Sculptures-Galveston_Galveston_Island_Texas.html" target="_blank">tree sculptures</a> to see! Last but definitely not least, <a href="http://houston.culturemap.com/news/travel/01-08-16-dining-on-the-island-galveston-restaurant-week-offers-deals-at-more-than-30-eateries/" target="_blank">Galveston Restaurant Week</a> is happening! For two foodies like us that's heaven! </div>
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All in all, it should be a fabulous week spent with one of my best friends who happens to also be one of my sisters. :-) </div>
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Until next time!</div>
Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04246849787839149395noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3263223241781979466.post-39576843679155489122016-01-14T17:47:00.002-08:002016-01-14T17:47:48.891-08:00Today's outgoingI forgot to get a picture but I sent out four items today - two postcards and two notecards. Two were to people on <a href="http://www.sendsomething.net/" target="_blank">Sendsomething</a> and two were to <a href="http://lettermo.com/" target="_blank">LetterMo</a> folks.<br />
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When I took the mail to the box, the mail hadn't run yet and I haven't been back so I don't know if I received anything today. Hopefully, if I did, it's more than junk mail!<br />
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I have a long shift at work tomorrow but plan to do a bit of letter writing in the evening.<br />
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Happy Friday eve, y'all. ;-)Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04246849787839149395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3263223241781979466.post-1706287003373709402016-01-08T19:42:00.003-08:002016-01-17T10:22:03.730-08:00V is for Victory....I ordered several of these for letter writing during February.<br />
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This is an original <a href="http://postalmuseum.si.edu/collections/object-spotlight/v-mail-service.html" target="_blank">V-mail form</a> and to say my heart did a flip flop when I opened the package is nothing short of a horrible understatement.<br />
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V is for Valentine. ;-)<br />
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<br />Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04246849787839149395noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3263223241781979466.post-36649859098630479002015-12-30T22:15:00.000-08:002016-01-17T10:22:26.358-08:00LetterMo 2016, anyone?I'm not sure if <a href="http://lettermo.com/" target="_blank">LetterMo</a> is on for 2016 but if it is I'll join and if it isn't, I'll still send out at least one piece of mail each day the postal service runs in the month of February. My hands are again causing issues so I don't guarantee long letters or beautifully decorated envelopes. In fact, some items sent might be post cards or just short notes. I'm okay with that, though, because I'll be writing again. I've missed it horribly.<br />
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To gear up for February, I sent out Christmas cards this year, something I haven't done in 20 or so years! A few months ago I finally joined the <a href="http://16sparrows.typepad.com/letterwritersalliance/" target="_blank">Letter Writers Alliance</a> so some of you might get a note written on one of their nifty products.<br />
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I've lost touch with so many of my pen pals and it saddens me but when my hands are at their worst I can barely open a door, much less hold a pen long enough to compose a letter. I know I could use my computer but really, why bother? If I'm going to do that I might just as well send email!<br />
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Anyway, I'm glad the holiday season is over and I look forward to a great new year starting soon.<br />
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Happy 2016!Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04246849787839149395noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3263223241781979466.post-89876582767480830192014-01-23T19:21:00.000-08:002014-01-23T19:30:43.128-08:00LetterMo 2014 - I'm in!I've been putting off the decision of whether or not to participate in <a href="http://lettermo.com/" target="_blank">LetterMo</a> this year. I have a lot going on but the biggest issue is my hands. For some time now I've been in a lot of pain with them, my forearms, and shoulders. In fact, that pain is one of the reasons I bombed last year during LetterMo.<br />
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For awhile I thought the pain was caused by Carpal Tunnel Syndrome then I started to think the cause might be something else. Finally, when the pain got to the point of keeping me up crying at night, I went to my physician. She diagnosed me with Diabetic Neuropathy and prescribed Lyrica. She suspects I may also have Fibromyalgia but we'll pursue that theory later.<br />
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I absolutely detest prescription drugs but as a Diabetic Type 1 I use insulin and some necessary medications and understand that not all are the devil. I wrestled with the Lyrica idea for awhile, about three minutes, but knew that without intervention I was doomed. Not only was I in agony a good deal of the time, I'd gotten to the point of dropping items and a small amount of muscle wasting had begun. I had to do something. It's been a little more than two weeks since starting Lyrica and the relief I've experienced is nothing short of amazing.<br />
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I have mild side effects, mainly Vertigo (something I had before Lyrica but that seems to be a bit aggravated by the new medication) and sleepiness not long after taking it. Those have improved in the last week, though. I still hurt at times, most often when I wake in the mornings and in the late evenings, but the pain is nothing compared to what it was. I actually sleep now, better than I have in years. I'm able to hold a book or my Kindle again, I can prepare a meal without discomfort or dropping a pan and best of all, I can write letters again!<br />
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I've only written a couple of short letters so far. My handwriting has suffered and I'm working on improving it but if you want to take a chance on me, send me a note or letter to the address on the right side of your screen.<br />
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Zeus willing and the creek don't rise I'll succeed at sending you a reply!Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04246849787839149395noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3263223241781979466.post-38290487697049278822013-11-06T10:18:00.002-08:002013-11-06T10:18:23.746-08:00My way too long absence....Wow, I've been a horrible letter writer and blogger and for that I apologize!<br />
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I've had a lot going on and between personal stuff and work I just haven't done much at all. Sad but true.<br />
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We're heading into the very busy season at my job but I'm going to try to get caught up on letters.<br />
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Thank you to all who've posted comments and/or sent me email checking on me. I really am okay and will try to get my letter-writing act together!<br />
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There's been some kind of mixup with my PO box. I'm not sure what the deal is as I was paid up for the year and will have to look into that further but in the meantime I have a new address you can send to. It's to the right of the blog.<br />
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I have a huge stack of mail to go through so expect to hear from me before too long! And thanks for hanging in there with me. :)Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04246849787839149395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3263223241781979466.post-70527188023996507382013-02-14T09:14:00.003-08:002013-02-14T09:14:45.271-08:00I'm still alive and writing letters!I've been sick for several days and am behind on my letter writing but catching up. Even with feeling cruddy, I've managed to send out at least one piece of mail every postal day, some days more. I just haven't been online much at all but since I'm starting to feel better I'll be back to reading y'alls blogs and posting more. Bear with me, please. <div>
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I hope your mailbox is full of loveliness today!</div>
Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04246849787839149395noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3263223241781979466.post-71943708325937276852013-02-06T04:27:00.004-08:002013-02-06T04:43:32.219-08:00Incoming for February 5thWow, just wow! I stopped at the post office on the way to work yesterday and my box was literally stuffed! As I pulled things out of it, I heard one of the workers in the back say, "Oh good, she's getting her stuff." I have to admit I giggled a little. I pulled out 16 letters and a key to one of the larger boxes which contained 2 parcels. Some of them were from LetterMo folks I'd not heard from before and several were from readers of the blog.<br />
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I took all the goodies to work with me and again, since I was there early, I read some of the letters while sitting at a table drinking an iced Americano. Two of my co-workers said something like, "Okay, I have to get in on this. I want letters, too!" Several others walked by and stopped to oooh and aaah over pretty envelopes, postcards, and stationery. Even a few customers had questions and said they'll check out <a href="http://lettermo.com/" target="_blank">LetterMo</a>. TMC, I really do feel like the Pied Piper of letter writing! ;)<br />
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So here you go, a photo of yesterday's incoming. Today I'm sending out just two letters but there should be many more going out in the next few days since I've taken several days off work and plan to get caught up.<br />
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Y'all are just nine kinds of awesome and don't let anyone tell you otherwise! This afternoon I'll post more about what I got yesterday. :-)<br />
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<br />Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04246849787839149395noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3263223241781979466.post-41354215603525134262013-02-05T04:26:00.001-08:002013-02-05T05:16:37.076-08:00I'm now the proud owner of a Coffee Master Journal and a new fountain pen!I started this entry last night but was too tired to finish it so here it is.<br />
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Happy Monday, 4th day of <a href="http://lettermo.com/" target="_blank">LetterMo</a>, to all!<br />
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Today's been a wonderful day. I didn't make it to the post office because I worked a long shift and was too tired to drive over there but I hope to go tomorrow. I did mail out a few things and have tomorrow's small bundle ready to go.<br />
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At work, our DM paid us a visit and it went well. He brought my new Coffee Master Journal and I'm so excited to have it and start training! What's a Coffee Master? Well, if you've ever been into a Starbucks store and seen a barista in a black apron, rather than green, you've seen a Coffee Master. Basically, they're baristas who have such passion for coffee that they undergo an intensive training program to be labeled "super barista". Okay, so the "super barista" part isn't factual but this interview with a <a href="http://www.bazaar-magazine.com/baz/bazaar/index.php?show=eIndex&show_filter=view&action=article&art_id=ART00000000874" target="_blank">CM in Kuwait</a> will give you an idea of what I'm about to undertake. I'm a little nervous at the thought of it all but eager to get started. The training is self-paced and there's no time limit so it shouldn't give any undue pressure. I hope. The journal itself is pretty slick and I meant to ask the DM if there's any prohibition against modifying it but since it's mine, I don't see how there could be. It's wonderful to have this little journal to guide me through learning more about coffee, how it's grown, roasted and such. Besides, I think I'll look great in that black apron! Ha!<br />
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While the DM was there, Mr. and Mrs. Moore came in. They're the lovely customers who <a href="http://custompenturning.net/" target="_blank">make pens</a>. I served their drinks and Mr. Moore told me several of you have called and/or ordered pens from them and he brought me a present;the Honduran rosewood fountain pen I admired! I was so surprised! So was the DM. I asked him if it was appropriate for me to accept a gift and he laughed and said it was okay. We chatted with the Moore's a bit and after they left the DM turned to me and said something like, "And that's the kind of connection I love to see!"<br />
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So, here you go, wonderful people, a photo of my new Coffee Master Journal and the rosewood fountain pen given to me by the Moore's. I haven't written my name on the journal yet but think I'll practice a bit with the new pen then write it with that. :-)<br />
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Happy Tuesday and may your mailbox bring many surprises!</div>
<br />Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04246849787839149395noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3263223241781979466.post-58637691569788522602013-02-03T05:54:00.001-08:002013-02-03T06:10:24.095-08:00Outgoing for the second day of LetterMoFriday night a friend of mine came over and brought stationery, note cards, stickers and such. We went out for Chinese food then came back here and spent the evening making envelopes and writing letters. We had a great time, made a lot of mess, and stayed up until close to 4 AM! I think we did more talking and laughing than actual work but that's okay.<br />
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I can't tell you the last time I stayed up that late and having someone to talk to and bounce ideas off of was great. I really wish I could find others interested in this stuff but so far no luck. Well, I posted an ad on CL recently looking for other fans of letter writing and got one response from a woman in a town an hour and a half from me. We're too far apart to meet often but have agreed to write one another and perhaps meet for coffee in the near future. It's a start and hopefully will lead to something similar to Jan's <a href="http://sgccwomensgroup.weebly.com/1/post/2013/01/write-to-delight-planning-meeting.html" target="_blank">Write To Delight</a> writing club. I would love to have a group like that in my area so I'm trying to think of ways to find others. Maybe it will work out. Who knows?<br />
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<span style="text-align: center;">I was so very tired Saturday after staying up late that I forgot to take a picture of my outgoing mail but I sent out two letters and two postcards that day. </span><br />
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<span style="text-align: center;">I have a very long work shift tomorrow so I doubt that I'll write any letters or postcards. I have some things ready to send out, though, and will try to remember to get a picture of those.</span><br />
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<span style="text-align: center;">I hope your Sunday is lovely!</span>Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04246849787839149395noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3263223241781979466.post-23638186977538279972013-02-01T15:12:00.000-08:002013-02-01T15:12:23.280-08:00On the first day of LetterMo....I sent out to my friends,<br />
One postcard and a letter that was<br />
A reply!<br />
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Okay, so it's sung to a tune we all know and love (?!) but I sent two items, not one so sing it as though it's the second day of LetterMo. ;-)<br />
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<br />Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04246849787839149395noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3263223241781979466.post-79156891426438219712013-01-31T04:15:00.000-08:002013-01-31T04:19:10.679-08:00Return of the pen makerOn the 23rd I <a href="http://letterwritersrock.blogspot.com/2013/01/how-oddi-met-pen-maker-on-national.html" target="_blank">posted about a customer</a> who is a penturner. He came back a couple of days ago and brought with him a rosewood fountain pen. We were a bit slow so I had a couple of minutes to chat with him and his wife and use the pen. Holy ink, Batman, I think I'm in love!<br />
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The pen was well balanced in my hand, wrote smoothly, and the Honduran rosewood had a lovely and rich color. I greatly admired it and Mr. Moore said something like, "Maybe I should hold on to this one for you, huh?" and I beamed and agreed. It isn't an expensive pen but a new fountain pen isn't in the budget right now so I hope he does hold onto it for me. I plan to get it as soon as finances allow.<br />
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He also told me that one of you readers had been in touch with him about his pens. I didn't know which of you it was then but I do now so thank you, Rusty! Mr. and Mrs. Moore are very nice people and from what I've been able to tell so far, the quality of their work is high.<br />
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I plan to go to their studio soon and hopefully they'll have time that day to help me make my own pen. I think having one I made would be awesome but I'll have to refrain from taking it to work as every pen or marker I've taken there has been "appropriated" by someone and never seen by me again.<br />
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Do you have a favorite pen? If so, please tell me about it.Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04246849787839149395noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3263223241781979466.post-38901039869333571732013-01-30T16:19:00.000-08:002013-01-30T16:19:26.150-08:00Incoming for January 30th After work today I went to the post office. I thought about asking if they have the new <a href="https://store.usps.com/store/browse/uspsProductDetailMultiSkuDropDown.jsp?categoryNavIds=catBuyStamps%3asubcatS_S_NewStamps&categoryNav=false&navAction=push&navCount=0&productId=S_578704&categoryId=subcatS_S_NewStamps" target="_blank">Sealed With Love</a> stamp but the line was very long so I just checked my box. There were seven letters waiting for me, five from LetterMo participants. A woman about my age was checking a box near mine and saw all the letters I pulled out and said, "Wow, I can't tell you the last time I got one letter, much less a box full!" I told her about LetterMo and some of the letter writing blogs I read and finally whipped out a page from my notepad and wrote URLs and my email address on it for her. She was overjoyed at the possibility of writing and receiving letters and I practically skipped out to my vehicle!<br />
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I'm not sure if I'll start replies tonight but if not tonight, then tomorrow. Yesterday I mailed five letters but still have a few more to write to folks from whom I've recently received. I haven't forgotten! Some of the outgoing will most likely be sent on the first so I can count them for LetterMo. Yeah, I'm taking advantage of that.<br />
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But for now, here's today's incoming along with my cup of Colombian from a pour-over. Now that I've had some coffee I feel refreshed and think I'll do a bit of letter writing.<br />
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I hope your mail day was lovely!Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04246849787839149395noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3263223241781979466.post-66929372288163974642013-01-28T19:30:00.002-08:002013-01-28T19:41:35.207-08:00Quiet days, no mail, and a visit by The Flying VI haven't been to the post office since Friday and hope to get there tomorrow but might not. Unfortunately, I have <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vertigo" target="_blank">vertigo</a> and while it can leave me alone for weeks or months, when it decides to make an appearance it usually stops me in my tracks. <br />
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For those of you who only know Vertigo as a <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0052357/" target="_blank">movie</a>, consider yourself blessed! Some people think the condition means a person is just a bit dizzy but it's so much more than that. For most of us, it's a very strong sensation of spinning. Some people feel like their body is spinning and others feel like their surroundings are spinning. Remember those 'fun houses' in carnivals where the walls and floors moved, there were dizzying patterns all around, and getting through the rotating tunnels was almost impossible? I never liked those as a kid. I didn't find them to be "fun" at all but rather confusing, nauseating, and anxiety-inducing. My vertigo feels physically, mentally, and emotionally like I'm in one of those fun houses. It's so "fun" that right after it first appeared in 2009, I gave it a nickname: The Flying V.<br />
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If The Flying V is severe, I can't properly do my job at work, drive, cook, and can barely move around my apartment. I've been known to run into walls and even fall when it's very bad. Luckily for me, it's generally not that bad but even at its best it's miserable. I've tried medications, vestibular therapy, and a few other treatments with little to no success. By the way, mine seems to be at least partially related to hypertension but I've been on blood pressure medication since it first showed up and my hypertension is well controlled so I'm not sure why the vertigo shows up now and then.<br />
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Anyway, I've been struggling with it off and on for a few weeks and the last few days I've spent more time than I desired on the couch, trying not to move and staving off panic attacks caused by the feeling of helplessness. I did manage to get a few letters written over the weekend and plan to drop those in the outgoing box tomorrow. If I feel up to it, I'll check my post office box, also.<br />
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I hope The Flying V won't interfere with my participation in the Month of Letters challenge, but I have Plan B in the works just in case.<br />
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So there you have it - the reason why I've been a bit quiet. I'll get back to scanning things from the tin box and posting about incoming and outgoing mail and hopefully that will be tomorrow. If not, bear with me, please.<br />
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I promise I haven't forgotten any of you!Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04246849787839149395noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3263223241781979466.post-58779963937974349722013-01-25T12:01:00.002-08:002013-01-25T12:08:14.784-08:00Fabulous mail Friday and an advance apology<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I just got home from my errands and of course, one of the stops was at the post office. It takes strength to not go there every day but it's a bit out of my way so I aim for two or three times a week and try to go while I'm already out and about. Some weeks I succeed and others I fail. This week I've succeeded. Go me! Anyway, I only had three pieces of outgoing mail and two were to South Korea and Vietnam. I forgot to ask the clerk how long it will take those to arrive but hopefully they won't take too long.<br />
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Incoming mail for today is fabulous, y'all! Each piece is so wonderful that I'm going to show them individually. I should probably do that all the time but....</div>
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From Alice in Peculiar, MO (what a great town name!) I received a wonderfully informative letter and a big brown envelope with two hand stitched kitchen towels! How cute they are! And the envelopes have some very cool stamps on them, a few of which I'd not seen before.</div>
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From Beth in Oregon, I got a very neat looking note card (it just screams "Spring!") with a lovely letter written inside. She did pretty doodles on the envelope and I love it, especially the band on the left side of the envelope and the colors in my name. </div>
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TMC, from <a href="http://www.returntorural.com/" target="_blank">Return to Rural</a>, is gearing up for <a href="http://lettermo.com/" target="_blank">LetterMo</a> and working on garland and such so she sent me a decorated postcard. T, I love this card, especially the color combination with that silver! Oh la la!</div>
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Limner, of <a href="http://ohwriteme.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Oh, Write Me!</a>, sent a blank postcard of a kitteh and she colored said feline's eyes green like Sammy's. Swoon! She also included a very sweet little note. I absolutely love this postcard, in part because of the "Curb Your Dog" sign! And the "db" on the envelope made my heart pound a bit faster. I just love everything about this.</div>
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And last but definitely not least, I received a beautiful handmade card from a very dear personal friend of mine. She doesn't have much experience with letter writing but is joining in LetterMo this year. I recently sent her a little card and note and this is what I received in return. Wow, that's pretty wonderful for someone who "doesn't write letters and isn't creative"! Those are her words, not mine. You can't tell by the picture but the word "Love" on the front is cut out. </div>
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Each of you has made today one absolutely marvelous mail day. Thank you so much!</div>
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Now for the apology. I've said before I'm not artistic and not creative and I mean that. I've spent hours looking at your blogs and photos and those of so many people who seem to have talent for this stuff. Some of what I see out there just makes me weak in the knees, it's so creative or beautiful or eye catching. I'm getting ideas here and there and have been practicing on plain paper. Today I graduated to real envelopes and postcard sized pieces of paper and some of you will soon be my guinea pigs. So, I apologize in advance for ugly envies and cards, paint that runs, edges that may be torn, and glitter that doesn't survive USPS. Please know my heart is in the right place. :)</div>
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Now I'm off to find ways to display some of these marvelous creations I've received!</div>
Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04246849787839149395noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3263223241781979466.post-22090161499003127222013-01-23T17:24:00.001-08:002013-01-23T18:11:42.832-08:00How odd...I met a pen maker on National Handwriting Day!Today, in honor of National Handwriting Day, I used my neatest and most elaborate <a href="http://www.history.com/news/a-brief-history-of-penmanship-on-national-handwriting-day" target="_blank">penmanship</a> to mark cups. Most of my customers were surprised to see the ornate script and more than a few asked where I learned to write in such a way. When I told them I learned it in elementary school they seemed a bit puzzled, even the older customers. It never entered my mind that the trend of lessening the importance of cursive writing isn't a new one but one that's been around awhile, at least in certain areas. Quite a few people around my age, 50, didn't learn cursive or if they did, it was a barely touched upon subject. They find printing to be easier and don't see the appeal of cursive. I confess that too often when I write a letter, especially a longer one, I don't take enough care to make my letters as well formed and graceful as I should. I get lazy and I'm going to try to improve that but it seems that I think in cursive and it comes quite naturally to me.<br />
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One of my customers today was an older gentleman who ordered a cup of brewed coffee and sat down at a table, pen and writing tablet before him. The morning was slow and as I cleaned the tables around him we got into a discussion about writing and how so many people don't send letters and cards now. It turns out he lives in a town not too far from me and makes pens! The pen he used was a <a href="http://shop.custompenturning.net/Bolt-Action-Bullet-Pens-3-011.htm" target="_blank">bolt action bullet pen</a>. It was very cool, indeed. We discussed his pen making shop and <a href="http://custompenturning.net/" target="_blank">website</a> and before long his wife showed up and let me try out the three pens she had in her purse. Each of them was nice and wrote well but I preferred the feel of the <a href="http://shop.custompenturning.net/Art-Deco-Pen-3-005.htm" target="_blank">Art Deco pen</a> as far as hand feel and weight. He even makes fountain pens and uses rosewood on request. Be still my rosewood fountain pen loving heart! I chatted with Mr. and Mrs. Moore for awhile and they invited me to visit their studio and said maybe when I visit they'll help me make my own pen. How cool is that, folks?? You can bet I plan to visit their studio soon. I really can't think of a lovelier way to spend a few hours. Mr. Moore told me that the prices for his pens are now lower than the website shows so if you find one there you like, I encourage you to contact him for current pricing.</div>
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Oh, and today I found some great deals in Target's One Spot. I bought several packages of note card sets for $1. Most contain 8 cards and envelopes but some have 10 of each. A couple of them are red and perfect for Valentine's Day and all are just plain every day cute! They also had packages of acid-free papers for $1 so I got a couple of those. With <a href="http://lettermo.com/" target="_blank">LetterMo</a> right around the corner, it doesn't hurt to have a nice stash of inexpensive note card sets and papers so if you need some more note cards check your local Target.<br />
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I've decided to wait until Friday to go again to the post office but my home mail brought me some goodies. I received the copy of "Stolen Sharpie Revolution" I recently bought and my order of stationery, postcards, and a pen from Missive Maven's <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/MissiveMaven?ref=seller_info" target="_blank">Etsy shop</a>. The postcards are wonderful and now I wish I'd ordered more!<br />
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Have a wonderful evening and I wish you the best of mail tomorrow!</div>
Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04246849787839149395noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3263223241781979466.post-46438453875214493652013-01-22T17:40:00.002-08:002013-01-22T17:40:39.087-08:00Incoming and outgoing for January 22<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Not a great picture since it was taken with my phone but here's my incoming and stamps for today. Oh, and my work apron. ;-)</div>
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On the way to work I went by the post office to check my box. Yeehaw, three letters greeted me!<br />
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I was so excited to see a sassy looking envelope from Jan over at <a href="http://sgccwomensgroup.weebly.com/" target="_blank">Of Bibles, books and letters</a>, one of those way cool (what can I say, I'm easily impressed) transparent envelopes from Limner of <a href="http://ohwriteme.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Oh, Write Me!</a>, and a letter from a new to me writer, Amber. Amber didn't say how she found me so I'm not sure if it was via this blog, the <a href="http://lettermo.com/" target="_blank">LetterMo</a> site, or some other place. Regardless, I'm thrilled she contacted me.<br />
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I forgot (again!) to get pictures of today's outgoing but that pretty blue envelope with the smash tape went out today, along with the postcards I adopted from <a href="http://postmuse.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">PostMuse</a>. Those were the postcards I found buried on the table last night!<br />
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While I was at the post office I decided to see what stamps they had. I ended up with two sheets of the new .33 apple stamps (I'm the eternal optimist), a sheet of Emancipation Proclamation, another sheet of Earthscapes (I <3 those so hard), a sheet of Year of the Snake, and another sheet of Lady Bird Johnson. I'm good to go for LetterMo and then some. They didn't have the others I wanted so I'll either wait until they do or order them online.<br />
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Since I got to work almost an hour early (don't hate, I have a serious issue with being late and I like to get a drink, relax, and see how things are before I start my shift) I read the letters right there at a table. One of my young co-workers was very interested, particularly in Limner's neat little bundle. She ooohd and aaahd over the letters and finally, hands on hips, said "Where do you find these people?" so I told her. She looked quite surprised. I guess she's easily impressed, too. ;)<br />
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And a bit of good news! This afternoon one of my customers told me a place where she thinks I can get postcards. She isn't sure about the variety but said they had a decent stock of them a few days ago. I know where I'm going Friday morning!<br />
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I work a short shift tomorrow and am then off for two days so I plan to spend tomorrow afternoon composing replies to today's incoming and a couple of others that need my attention. With all that time off I should have plenty of time to play with card stock, smash tape, and markers.<br />
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I hope your Wednesday is lovely and full of mail happiness!Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04246849787839149395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3263223241781979466.post-43642995371611179622013-01-22T08:53:00.002-08:002013-01-22T08:54:18.841-08:00A desperate plea for organization ideas!Okay, it's not really desperate but it is a plea. I need ideas for how to organize some things.<br />
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I think I have a handle on the stationery, envelopes, stickers, stamps, and such but it's the pens, cartridges, pencils, markers and massive amounts of paper that are making me nuts. The paper is the worst. You know, the pages torn from magazines because of the <i>I might use this </i>mentality<i>, </i>the scraps left from making an envelope or label, those little bits I don't seem to be able to throw away because they might come in handy soon.<br />
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Right now a good deal of it is sitting in a large box top on my pub table and the rest is in stacks around the living room but it's becoming an unsightly mess and I fear that if anyone sees it, they'll try to get me on <b>Hoarders</b>! I detest clutter and my little haven doesn't have much but if this continues, clutter will become a serious issue. I find myself trying to straighten it but as <a href="http://www.flylady.net/" target="_blank">Flylady</a> says, you can't clean clutter. I might not agree with everything Marla says but she's got that right!<br />
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I didn't think all of this was much of a problem until last night when I moved some papers and found a stack of letters and postcards I'd recently received! The letters were opened but I hadn't logged them and they got buried and forgotten. Gasp!<br />
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I don't have space for a shelf or cabinet of any sort. My apartment is less than 580 square feet so keep that in mind. I've considered giving away the love seat that gets used once or twice a year but haven't done that yet. If I do, that will free up space. In the meantime, I have to come up with solutions and I can't afford to spend much money on this problem. I'm thinking if I get some boxes from work, load them with stuff as neatly categorized as possible, and label them that might be sufficient for awhile. Meh, it isn't what I want but it would let me see the top of my table again!<br />
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<b>How do you organize it all? Enquiring minds want to know!</b>Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04246849787839149395noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3263223241781979466.post-15300089469878708632013-01-21T18:21:00.000-08:002013-01-21T18:25:07.555-08:00Card stock + smash sheets + smash tape = LOVEI just used some card stock in a pretty and bright color to make an envelope then decorated it with a sheet from one of the smash pads and some smash tape.<br />
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Can I just say...I think I'm in love! The smash sheet stuck well to the card stock with some simple glue and the smash tape seems to stick well on it's own. Wow, now I see what the fuss is all about! Okay, so I'm not the most creative envelope arteest but be patient with me...I'm working on it. ;)</div>
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Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04246849787839149395noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3263223241781979466.post-45948377475261679642013-01-21T15:46:00.000-08:002013-01-21T15:53:42.463-08:00Letters, pen pals & smash booksSmash books remind me of the crazy little journals I kept as a youngster and the supplies available for making this modern version of the scrap book/art journal are just too much for me to resist any longer. I've seen some very cool smash books and decided today that it was time to combine my curiosity of them with letter writing and pen pals. I have a small stash of Moleskines I haven't used yet and one of those will be my first smash book.<br />
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I think I might start a round robin sort of thing and send the smash book to others who are interested in adding to it then sending it on to the next person or back to me. If I do that, anyone would be welcome, even those who, like me, aren't very creative. Those interested in art/journaling would be welcome to add whatever they choose to it. I think it could be a neat project and a lot of fun.<br />
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I'm also going to use one of my larger Moleskines to create a new correspondence smash log. I'm not sure yet exactly how I'll do it but I think it would be wise to organize it by date rather than person. Perhaps a tab for the month then fill the pages with notes about what I received from whom, what I sent out and to whom, photos of the actual letters, my thoughts on them, etc. It would certainly be more interesting than the spiral notebooks I've used all these years! I don't think I'll switch entirely to that concept for keeping track of correspondence because that would be too time consuming for me. But to make one now and then would be fun, I think.<br />
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Today I picked up a few things for LetterMo, general correspondence and creating the small smash book. I just happened on them and had a few dollars on me so I bought what I could; stickers, three small booklets of pages, some smash tape, and a smash pen.<br />
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Be still, my heart!<br />
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<br />Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04246849787839149395noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3263223241781979466.post-38790404689260268672013-01-20T07:05:00.000-08:002013-01-20T07:06:51.328-08:00A letter from my grandmother to my grandfatherMy grandmother wrote this letter to my grandfather on November 28, 1927, a few days before their wedding. It's the letter I tried to read and couldn't on the day of my grandmother's funeral. The one Grandpa started to read to me but couldn't finish.<br />
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It's a very loving, sweet letter and every time I read it, my eyes tear up a bit. Just before her death, Grandma was unable to write letters but if she'd have been able to I think one to my grandfather would have read much the same as this. It seems as though they knew the secret to a happy marriage. I wish one of them had passed that secret on to me.<br />
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I just love the two cent stamp on the envelope. Those days are long gone but letter writing is still an inexpensive, fun, and wonderful thing. Well, it's inexpensive unless you're obsessed with stationery, pens, pencils, and the other stuff some of us seem to be. ;)<br />
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Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04246849787839149395noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3263223241781979466.post-8969805453133044432013-01-19T16:54:00.001-08:002013-01-20T07:07:07.922-08:00Miscellaneous photos from the tin box<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This is my grandfather's mother, Emma, when she was very young. The photo was taken in Sweden but I'm not sure in what year. It was buried in the tin box, under a lot of other photographs and documents, in a tiny envelope that also contained her obituary.</div>
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This is a photo of Emma and her husband, Gustav Larson. I know very little about them other than their names, that they immigrated to the United States from Sweden in 1892, that Gustav was a coal miner and died before 1910, and that their five children were all born in Iowa.</div>
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I really love these older photos. There's just something very charming about them.</div>
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Both of these are pictures of Emma taken after her husband, Gustav, had died. In the photo on the left, she's pictured with her sons Emil, Gustav, Ancel, and Earl. Looking at the photo, my grandfather Earl is on the bottom left. The photo on the right is of Emma in her later years.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3HNEI89LzMtjDXXGF3UcUUO29grWuEQP9ye5ykjDbJvfsqBHpkiObTrYn1bD6qK7_sHGZUP-lGfYK59rZHTZX68rAXqZeWL92cEp9IkIGh8IqwnFjFhmbGJedvJvK_-r-M4QcbNLsDGbV/s1600/Grandpa+and+other+youngsters.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3HNEI89LzMtjDXXGF3UcUUO29grWuEQP9ye5ykjDbJvfsqBHpkiObTrYn1bD6qK7_sHGZUP-lGfYK59rZHTZX68rAXqZeWL92cEp9IkIGh8IqwnFjFhmbGJedvJvK_-r-M4QcbNLsDGbV/s320/Grandpa+and+other+youngsters.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I'm not sure where this photo was taken but it looks as though the folks might be on the bank of a river. I noticed they're all on their knees and I wonder if this was after a baptism service of some sort. It might also be a sunday school class or some such thing. My grandfather on the bottom row, second from the left, with a penciled "x".</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR75HsFRe0BJ4uPyRF_yrhghlYUN-sctX35VeHaAl1sShRgqPf-jIuTWZNDNnhBovwv2_rSH72eQ80ovYjiM4YMwJSgkswxuGDjXm5JIrCc933WwV2Fatmp0YDXEdbPtklae3MoJYoStzZ/s1600/Older+Emma+Larson.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR75HsFRe0BJ4uPyRF_yrhghlYUN-sctX35VeHaAl1sShRgqPf-jIuTWZNDNnhBovwv2_rSH72eQ80ovYjiM4YMwJSgkswxuGDjXm5JIrCc933WwV2Fatmp0YDXEdbPtklae3MoJYoStzZ/s320/Older+Emma+Larson.jpg" width="194" /></a></div>
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Another photo of Emma in her later years. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwRXZsUvM0BjOADupzO_dIm9TLTLcfXGPu6LYdk0pr28x0qFg6jUTgI7frztYkYMSizAFjufHBTuKZ8kFhw3Gkx47uXNZ3Cw6AgXc1-tWx4_EqBUA5FWvFHT0X7G5e3gJICScdfui7nxlO/s1600/Letitia+and+Earl+Larson.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwRXZsUvM0BjOADupzO_dIm9TLTLcfXGPu6LYdk0pr28x0qFg6jUTgI7frztYkYMSizAFjufHBTuKZ8kFhw3Gkx47uXNZ3Cw6AgXc1-tWx4_EqBUA5FWvFHT0X7G5e3gJICScdfui7nxlO/s320/Letitia+and+Earl+Larson.jpg" width="232" /></a></div>
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And this is a photo of my mother's parents, Earl and Letitia. Grandpa called her "Letty", "Patty" and "My Sweet Irish Pat". Grandma called Grandpa "Daddy" most of the time. They were married a little later than most people of their time and stayed deeply in love. </div>
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Tonight I'm going to scan some of the letters and cards from the tin box and I'll share those with y'all tomorrow. </div>
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I hope your Sunday is lovely!</div>
Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04246849787839149395noreply@blogger.com2