Jolly Mr. Mailman

It is no secret to anyone I know that I love real mail.

Don't get me wrong any correspondance is nice, but there's nothing better than getting something other than junk or a bill in your mailbox.

I come from a family of letter writers, so my mailbox may be filled more regularly than most others. (Have I mentioned I am lucky?)

I try my best to continue that tradition by sending fun mail to friends, family and collegues at various times of the year. I always enjoy seeing a little envelope among the other junk.

And now it's Christmas time! It's time for Christmas cards. I love it!

Every day I open the mailbox and there is at least one envelope that is fun mail. It makes my heart happy.

Even more fun are unexpected packages! (well, let's be honest a long awaited order from Amazon.com at your door is pretty great too!). But an unexpected box tucked into the door jam is such a delight. Two days in a row that has happened at my house. It's just so fun!

Part of me thinks I should put them under the tree and wait until Christmas Eve to open them, but screw that! I open them almost as soon as I can get the scissors out from the kitchen drawer! And it's so good.

I know I am loved everyday. But today after opening packages and some Christmas cards, the words and thoughts of those I love are right in front of me. It's like getting a hug (in the mail).

If every person had one person who makes them feel this way, the world would be such a better place. I am so grateful.

quotable quotes

I will admit, I am a nerd. For years, my mom called me her "little egg head". I enjoy nerdy-type things. Not Star Wars, or Sci-fi-y things but brain tickler type things. Really, I love science (real not fiction) and words.

My love of words comes from a youth being given great books, including poetry probably beyond my years. But I loved it all. In fact, one of my favorite St. Nicholas Days*, I spent the better part of the eveing reading an American Girl book called Molly until my mom finally made me come upstairs for dinner. I literally felt like I could have read all night.

My love of words, phrases and books continued. I used words in my photo books (before scrapbooking was the THING to do), and cut out quotes and phrases that meant something to me and hung them on walls, and places to see. (I feel like that might be more a teenage girl rather than a nerdy thing, but whatevs). where my word enjoyment gets nerdy is in the purchase of quote books. (I still have several).

As youth turned into adulthood, I still find myself making notes about phrases in books, cards that have meaning, and general phrase merriment. And I think living in Seattle has only encouraged this love.

In my local hood, there are two businesses that place quotes on their outdoor signs. I honestly have NO idea what either business is, but I enjoy the posted quotes and phrases. Nine out of Ten times, the quote is somehow relatable to my life. And yesterday's was no exception.

I had a rather bleak day of news yesterday (long, unenjoyable story) and took a walk. On the way home, I drove past one of the quotable quotes and it read: Stress is what happens when your brain says no, but your mouth says Yes. It could not have been a more perfect quote for my life these days (just that time of year with my job and with my weird body). It made me laugh and think a little.

The walk and the giggle made me a much happier camper.

But what really changed my mood was a good chat with a good friend and then today some little things made me remember how little these stressful things matter in life. A note from a dear one filled with words changed my perspective. Just words made all the difference.

*So, for those that don't know. St. Nicholas day is celebrated on December 6. It was a Schulte family tradition that we embraced. Our tradition was to get our stockings (awesome in Elementary school to brag about to friends) in the morning and ours were filled with a chocolate orange, underwear, and I think a game (I may be mixing up easter basket & stocking). My grandma Schulte always sent books- mostly Christmas, but sometimes other kinds. It's fun to hear how my cousins celebrated and what they got compared to what we did. But we all woke up to the magic of Christmas a little early. We also shared the tradiditon with friends and classmates as we aged. You can find the real history here.