Going Postal

I've always liked the post office.  I like sending and receiving personal mail, I like all the little numbered PO boxes on the wall, I like looking at all the stamp designs and picking the one I want; no run-of-the-mill liberty bell from the grocery store for me, boy howdy.  Now I'm not saying that I haven't had some less than ideal customer service situations, but WAY fewer than at a grocery store, restaurant or gas station, that's for sure.  And I'm not saying I haven't waited in some maddeningly long lines, but I've paid WAY more to wait longer (in the heat) for a ride at a theme park or sitting in a line of cars just to get to or from work.   And if you've ever mailed something in a foreign country (within that same country) you know we have really good prices here, too.

This must have been taken in the spring or autumn, but the sky is often just like this in December or January from what we can tell.  Photo from postofficefreak.com. 

Twice this week I've had nice, friendly chats at our local PO, where I have to go several times a week as that's how we get mail; a PO box.  First, was the lady behind me in line and the second was with our Postmaster who it turns out is also from Oregon!  She asked me how we were liking it here, just out of the blue.  I told her we liked it a lot, are getting used to the weather and dry air, and are enjoying the lack of traffic and how nice people were.  Then I added that I was hoping that I, too, could become nicer.  We'll see.

The pink (seen behind the note) is Betty's choice... she's at that age where it's all pink and princesses and who am I to force my tastes on her?

Of course, I was there today to (finally) mail off mine and the Beastie Grrrlz's thank you notes for Christmas gifts.  Even though the dogs are only 2.33 and 1.25 years old, they write thank you notes. It is never too early to teach your kids the most basic manners: saying please and thank you.

HEADS UP! The postal rates for First Class Mail go up on Sunday, January 27, 2013 so get in there and get your Forever Stamps (now available in LOTS of designs) soon! 

Surprise! The Good Kind

We finally got to go down to Florence to the Post Office today to get our PO box!  I was inordinately excited about that for some reason and I was not disappointed.  First off, it's a bright, shiny Post Office with ample parking.  Secondly, although it was bustling, the line was short-ish and quick.  Thirdly, the postal worker (who's name I didn't get, because she wasn't wearing a name tag and I forgot to ask like a jerk) was super nice and friendly (on top of being expeditious and efficient).  And finally, I/we got a bunch of fun mail!

Look at that pile o' mail!  Return addresses have been blurred to protect the awesome.

My friend, Tiffany over at Fizzy Party, contacted a bunch of my friends through Facebook to send me mail at my new address (which wasn't yet an address) and my friend, Ellen, contacted all my embroidery buddies!  I received letters, cards, postcards and little treats from Oregon, Idaho, California, Texas, Arkansas, North Carolina, Nevada, and Florida with well wishes to me, Eric and the Beastie Grrrlz for our new home and new life chapter.  I wasn't really expecting much mail at all since it was supposed to take 7-10 days to forward our mail from Portland and it had only 6 days, so to get fourteen (14) pieces of the good kind of mail was a great surprise!  I feel so loved and blessed.  THANK YOU!