No New Year's resolutions but I do have letter writing goals

I don't make New Year's Resolutions because I fall flat on my face within a very short time and I dislike setting myself up for failure. Also, although I understand the appeal of the "It's a chance for a fresh start" concept, the reality is that every day, every minute, every second of my life gives the opportunities for fresh starts.

For several years I pondered why I failed with the shiny, sparkly resolutions thing and finally decided knowing why I failed wasn't necessary. What mattered was that I failed so I set out to create a system for myself to make improvements with regular goal setting and evaluation. It took a few years but I eventually succeeded.

I set realistic goals for myself throughout the year then break down the steps needed to succeed into small bits, giving each bit a general time limit. I'm not too hard on myself in regard to the time because life really can, and does, get in the way. I even allow myself to slide on the minor details once in awhile and I don't punish myself for sliding.

I have several goals for the first quarter of the new year. None of them are impractical, impossible, or lofty. In fact, they're very simple goals. However, each one of them requires discipline and I see that as a good thing. They also require regular time outs to take note of where I stand on them and re-evaluate if needed. Again, I see this as a good thing.

My first letter writing goal is to improve my cursive handwriting. This is an ongoing project for me and it's one reason I write letters. I used to have beautiful handwriting but as I got older and busier and using a computer replaced or minimized time using pens, pencils, and paper my skills slipped. It's the old "use it or lose it" thing and now I try to focus on bettering my handwriting. Corresponding with others helps. I also use a practice sheet I found online.

This is very similar to what I learned in elementary school and it comes fairly easily to me, but I get sloppy. I print several sheets a week and when I have a few minutes to spare I work on them. Those of you who've received correspondence from me are probably very surprised that this is akin to what I was taught. I told you I get sloppy! ;-)

My second letter writing goal is to participate in and successfully complete the A Month of Letters Challenge. I send and receive quite a bit of mail but I want to follow the easier-said-than-done-in-my-mind guidelines of the challenge and I'll need a bit of discipline to do so. Sometimes the last thing I want to do after an eight hour shift on my feet is write a letter. This is where sliding a little will come in handy. I just have to keep from sliding into the abyss of not writing!

My third letter writing goal is to improve the quality of my letter content. Writing interesting letters, especially to strangers, isn't that easy for me. I sometimes feel stumped and find myself writing to just fill the page. I don't like that and I don't think the recipients like it, either. I'm capable of so much more and I know it.

Finally, my fourth letter writing goal is to make new friends. This one really needs no explanation, I think. I just enjoy communicating with people from places and lifestyles different than mine.

So there you have my letter writing goals for the first quarter of 2013. Each of the goals is achievable but will take "sticktoitiveness". I'll most likely chart my progress and share my self-evaluations here. I definitely would like feedback on the goals and on the progress I make or don't make.

Have you set letter writing goals for yourself? If so, what are they?

Enjoy your Monday and make it a wonderful last day of 2012!

New Year's Greetings

Since I'm off this weekend I've been working on a homemade desk organizer and writing my New Year's correspondence. This morning I have the base of the organizer almost finished and only three letters written because this here interwebz holds me captive!

There's always shiny bling calling to me from the web. Whether it's a newly found blog (this one makes me a bit misty-eyed), reading about or preparing for a writing project that's about to begin, or email from a friend I've missed, it seems distraction is usually afoot and I often fail at ignoring said distraction.

To help combat that on this, a rare-for-me weekend off, I've tried to ignore my computer. I've done fairly well but this morning I want to share links for a few of my favorite New Year's letters and greetings. These aren't things I've sent or received but are just pretties that make me smile.

I hope you enjoy them as much as I do.

A 1908 Austrian New Year's postcard

A Soldier's Illustrated New Year's Greeting - sent in 1917, this letter shows the artistic talent of a solder of World War I.

Postcard from the Past

Postcard from the Road - A very pretty vintage French New Year's postcard shared by Tara Bradford.

Vintage New Year's postcards from Russia... with love, of course!

Another vintage French postcard

For so many, 2012 has been a difficult year. The economy, job losses, and national tragedies break our hearts but we keep on keepin' on. Human beings are a very resilient bunch and we do what we can to not just manage but overcome and make our way to the top of the heap, looking forward to the good things a new year might bestow upon us.

My wish for all of you is that 2013 be a marvelous year that brings plenty of smiles, a lot of laughter, as little sadness as possible, and a very full mailbox!

Logging mail is a priority on my To Do list

I've never been one to log incoming or outgoing mail but from what I read on blogs, a lot of letter writers keep this practice.

I have quite a bit of mail coming in and going out and think it might be help me stay organized. I worry about dropping the ball and not replying in a timely fashion or, heaven forbid, forgetting to reply all together!

So, in light of that, do you log the letters/mail art you receive? If so, how do you do it? I'd love to know.

Teaching a child to use sealing wax

I was just about to seal the last of tomorrow's outgoing mail when there was a knock on the door. It was the daughter of one of my neighbors. Angela is 7 and comes by now and then to "play" with Sammy. He isn't wild about kids so there really isn't much playing. It's more like she chases him and tries to pet him and he runs and finally tolerates her for a couple of minutes.

When she saw the wax stick and lighter in my hand, Angela asked what I was doing. I told her and showed her the dried seals I did earlier this evening and a couple of broken seals on mail I'd received and she begged to try it. I had her practice a few times on scrap paper then let her seal the last envelope. Well, she didn't quite seal it as her aim was a tad off and she had a drip or two but hey, for her first attempt it's great! 

She had fun doing it and asked me if she can use my sealing wax on letters to her grandparents. Of course I said yes and she left quite excited. I heard her yelling as she went into her apartment in the next building, "Hey Mom, guess what I got to do!"

I hope her mother isn't upset and doesn't consider it dangerous because with proper supervision a child can learn to use sealing wax and create a very handsome seal. I learned when I was a little older than Angela and a good wax seal is a thing of beauty. Maybe I should go talk to her mother about it, though. :-)

A Christmas day picture

Before it started snowing on Tuesday I stepped outside with my camera. I didn't have anything in particular that I wanted to shoot but one never knows what or who might be out and about, right?

As I stood on the patio, shivering in my shorts and tee shirt, I noticed the drops of water hanging off the steps that run parallel to my patio fence. I moved in a bit closer and took a chance.

I think the result is quite nice for an amateur who knows very little about photography.

Snow! And today's mail

We had snow yesterday! It does happen now and then in this part of Texas but it's been a few years. I stayed home and watched "It's a Wonderful Life" in the afternoon and ate stir fried chicken and vegetables. Later I made oatmeal cookies and Sammy the cat and I snuggled on the couch and fell asleep listening to some lovely music. Several times during the night the power went off but it came back on quickly. Many in our area weren't so fortunate but I think most of the power has been restored by now.

I was concerned about driving to work this morning so I left earlier than usual but the roads were only wet. I had a long shift but checked my PO box after work and found a letter from Jan at Of Bibles, books and letters....

She wrote a very nice dispatch and even sealed the envelope with wax. I'm so excited to hear from someone other than family. I love the letters from my aunt but to get one from Jan just made my day.

Thank you, Jan, and keep an eye open for a reply.

I'm off tomorrow and will make another run to the post office to drop off some letters. I also need to replenish my supply of wax. Finding it locally has proven to be impossible but I hear there's a new store that carries it so I'll most likely check there to see if the rumor is true. ;-)

May your Thursday be full of wonder and your mailbox full of marvels! 

A very quiet Christmas day for me

I was supposed to go to my mother's house today. She and my stepfather are alone and I wanted to be with them but the weather isn't cooperating. A storm system is upon us and although it's 49 degrees right now, the weather gurus are predicting a very sharp drop in the temperature and perhaps some snow and ice later in the day. There's little chance for accumulation but it could happen and Mom doesn't want me traveling in inclement weather so she asked me to stay home and safe. I reluctantly agreed. So, it's just me and Sammy the cat on this cool and wet Christmas day.

I got to visit with my sons and daughter in law for a bit before they headed back to Austin. They surprised me with the wonderful gift of a Kindle! I haven't transferred the 200 something ebooks I have to the Kindle but will work on that today.

I also need to write some letters and cards so I'll do that and drop them off at the post office after work tomorrow. 

I hope you and yours have a wonderful day. Enjoy whatever you do and stay merry!