Of Spring and baseball and giveaways

Well, the pitchers and catchers and everyone else have arrived at spring training and this means days and nights spent at the ball park are soon upon us.

So with that, here is the giveaway I have been speaking about.

In a shameless bid to increase followers and get general feedback, I am throwing up some mailing goodies.  Make no mistake folks, this will be a fun one.

Over the past 2 months I have been slowly acquiring some postcards.  Much like the black history month mailing I did.  I am sending out 80 of the cards below.

These will be going out to every person listed on Good Mail Day as of Feb 28, 2012.  As well as most of the people that received them on the last mailing.  Mainly the blogs that I follow.

So.. You ask, what's the catch to entering this fabulous giveaway and what's in it for moi??

Glad you asked!  Here's what you need to do.  The next time you hear Little orphan annie, get out your decoder rings.. OK, not that but something similar.  When you get the post cards I mailed.  Reply.  You know that whole send a letter get a letter.  Second, follow the site. Third - Make a comment. (this just lets me know your paying attention :)

Pretty simple eh? (threw that one in the the Canadians - being multi national and all).  I will be mailing the overseas cards by March 2 to allow for travel time and the local (US) by the 11th.

Now on to the goodies.

One full pack of 20 of stamped post cards.  Just like the ones I sent out (except pre stamped).

And what do we have behind door number 2 Johnny??

One Lapel Pin

And finally for the big prize..  Your choice of 1 FULL sheet of either

OR..

Now you say "well what if I'm not on the mailing?"  Glad you asked!  If you were not in the mailing and you would still like to enter, send me a postcard or letter, make a comment and follow the site. Just like the above description.  That's it.  

So there ya have it.  I will draw the winner by random number generator some time in MID APRIL.  This will or should allow enough time for stuff sent to get to me.  Is it good enough for the first giveaway.  What kind of things would you like to see?

In the words of Red Green " remember, If you can't be handsome, at least be handy"

Derrick

Of Sexy Backs, Killer Corn and Dragons

Well, it has been a LONG week so far.  Lots of mail and lots of Kaylee (reason for delay).

For some unknown reason, Kim decided it would be a good idea to let our 4 year old daughter watch Cowboys and Aliens before bedtime.  Now to those of you who haven't seen the movie, it basically involves aliens flying around and snatching people off the ground with cables and flying off.  Just the kind of thing you let your 4 year old watch before bed right??  So there have been many a sleepless night in the Dodson household this week and lots of trips to the middle of mom and dads bed.  So between the 7 month old puppy and the 4year old daughter it's been a bit hectic in the wee hours of the morning.

And with that out of the way.. On with the show.

This week has seen quite the breadth of incoming mail (<- trying to look smartish and I speak goodly as well).

 Our first for this post (see I didn't say tonight, what if you are reading this tomorrow.. Wouldn't make sense), is from no one.. I have no clue who this came from.  All the same.. Thank you.  wish I could return the favor of this lovely card.

Next up, is this very nice Van Gogh  (WHAT??), VAN GOGH!!..  The Red Vineyard:  1888, by Vincent Van Gogh (1853-1890), Oil on canvas.  From Gini in reply to my BHM mailing.  Thanks.

Our next contestant, is a Leila Chiles photo (I couldn't read the info on the card, was covered) from "the snail mailer"  in reply to my BHM mailing.  Thank you as well ma lady..

This next one is a United Nations Postal Administration card.  Reads: Economic Commision for Europe (ECE) :For a Better Environment" Designer: Carlos Ochagavia, Argentina.  This was from Amy D, (Good mail day)

In keeping with the year of the dragon theme I received a letter from a new pen-pal  Happy Day Mail, VERY nice texture and Kaylee loves her some dragons.. Big hit!

This next one blew e away when I opened the mail box.  Mainly that it actually made it intact.  The scanner does not do it justice. In reply to the BHM mailing.  THANK YOU Julia!

This was a new one for me from Sendsomething.net.  She found and liked my profile (thank you) and sent me this card.  Big hit with the youngin'.

My first card from Portugal (postcrossing)  Arco fo Triunfo /Triumh Arch and yellow tram.  Praca do Comércio - Lisboa.

This one reminds me of the beaches in Washington State (where I'm originally from.  You know.. Hatched).  Photography by Linda M. Barrett.  Thanks LR!  (BHM Mailing)

From Ms Black (GMD) in reply to my BHM mailing.  Action Comics No 13.  June 1939.

Still there??  I now bring you "The Corn Cob that ate IOWA"..  Well not really, I mean, I'm sure that would have made the news or something.  (swap-bot)

and now to my favorite girls.  That's right I said it Girls!! So put your hands together and give em' a big round of applause.  Limner and Misty... the dancing graphics type ladies, persons.. yea..

I see she broke out the transfers for me :)

and she did say she was bringing sexy backs, well back.

and Ms. Davis.  Thank Mr Carter for his great thank you note.  very appreciated.  Keep teaching that young man to be a man and say thank you and welcome.  It will take him far in this world.

The LAST ONE (and still you keep coming back, have you not noticed a pattern here?)

This one was TOTALLY unexpected. In my little dented mailbox today I found this.

71-73 Palace Gardens Terrace, London.  Now that is great and all but more importantly is whom it was from.  One of my FAVORITE authors Mr. Bill Bryson and a recent gift send to Ms. Limner.

Just proves that if you write someone a nice letter, you will more than likely get a response.  This one took 2 months to get to me, but I'm sure he is a busy man.  This is a keeper for me.

Now for those of you who are paying attention and actually made it this far, I would like to announce that I will be doing a giveaway next month.  Being that at the end of next month we are going into baseball season.  I will be giving away an entire sheet of stamps to one of my followers (sounds kind of cultish huh?  DON'T DRINK THE COOL-AID!!) to go along with the mass mailing I will be sending out at the end of March for opening day.

I have just received the last of the card sets I needed to get started. 80 in all and I'm going to start writing them a it earlier this time.  So with that I will be giving all of the info for the giveaway next week or when I actually have the stamps in hand.  

So till next time.  Don't forget to tip your waitress... 

Of Cows, ticks and hitchhikers

Card from Heather (BHM reply GMD) who thanks me for helping her go out and start sending some cards.  Your welcome!

And with that we are off and running.. Run Forrest.. Run..

Ok so been a bit since last post (apologies), but been over loaded with family drama and Valentines Day.

Do you have any idea how hard it is to arrange having something placed on your wife's desk when you don't work at the same place anymore and she gets there at 7:30 in the morning.

I wish I had picks of what I did for her.  What made this Valentines Day more fun was with all of the letter writing I have been doing, I was able to write all of her 20 valentines day cards in the same room with her back to me (our desks in the office are on opposite walls) and her non the wiser :)

So over the past weekend, I have been getting LOTS of postcards in reply to my mass mailing of the Black History Month postcard send.  So fun, and now have a ton of letters to write.

So on with the show.

This one is from china.  Now the card states this is for a road race, but for the life of me I don't see no road.  Check out the stamps.

This is from Keith (Good Mail Day) and is a really nice cartoon.  He draws them himself.  Send him something and see what toon you get.  Thanks Keith

On to Colorado, where men are men and the housing is cheap. (swap-bot).  Ashcroft Ghost Town, Aspen, Colorado.  Ashcroft ghost town can be found 10 miles south of Aspen.  Founded in 1879 at an elevation of 9500 feet, Ashcroft was one of the more substantial communities in the area.  Today the town offers a great example of the boom-and-bust cycles of the area's mining days.  There are several buildings still standing today that are open for visitors.

It's a Twister, It's  a Twister..  (Good Mail Day) Kimzoid sends this one in replay to BHM and warns of vacationing in a trailer park.  Kansas tornado - The awesome power of nature is unleashed as a tornado cuts a 500-yard path of destruction through western Sumner County the evening of March 13, 1990.  She tells me she saw one almost this big in Kansas while driving a truck.

From Maria (GMD), Greetings From Nebraska 1. Roundup time. 2. Small herds of Buffalo (pronounced BISON) may still be seen.

From Katie (GMD) in replay to BHM mailing loved the history card I sent and decided to send me one as well  (thank you).  Women Who Dared - Eleanor Roosevelt (1884-1962), American Humanitarian and diplomat.  She was an activist first lady who made the position one of great, if unofficial, influence.  As a delegate to the fledgling United Nations in 1948, she played a critical role in drafting and securing adoption of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights. (side note BHM was also a force in pushing black airmen - see Tuskegee).

Then there was this one from PostMuse: Near Lincoln Center, Manhattan, 2007

I don't know why, but all I could think of when I saw this card was "Villa Pianos" from the movie "that thing you do".

Now onto the winner of the week for most postcards sent from one person.  

Can you guess?

Who could it BE???

Ladies and Gentlemen!!  LIMNER!!!

With not 1, not 2, not 3 but 4 cards in 3 days!  Lovin You!!

Ok so the first one was in response to my BHM mailing.  and I also am a big fan of Maya.

This one was for the notebook (you're welcome).  and Kaylee saw it before I could even show her :)

Lay down limner, don't ya mean to be so cruel, I've.....  Ok enough Clapton, I am working on my letters lady.  Watch out!

and the last one from Ms. Cade.  Kaylee Loved it and we are working on her letters for a response. Maybe an art piece.  (and you were talking to me about card stock :p  (I'm sending you the stuff I'm using, while not thick, it's thicker than this.)

and the last 2 of the day (yea, yea, it's a long post.)  These 2 cards from Karen (GMD)

With a hitch hiker (see the title makes sense now huh)

She sent this as a backup not sure if the other would come through intact.  It did.  THANKS Karen.

Well it's closing time for tonight.  So remember to tip your waitress.  Good night.

Of Girls, Mail and Hope

This post is about a story I heard on our local public radio station in town (capradio.org).

The story was about a "charity" of sorts that is asking for handwritten letters.

From the website. "The goal of Girls Love Mail is to give the gift of a hand-written letter to a woman newly diagnosed with breast cancer. Anyone with a story to share or desire to encourage another woman can write a letter. You begin with “Dear Friend” or “Dear Sister” and write from the heart. Once your letter is ready, send it to Girls Love Mail. We will then distribute the letters via appropriate physician offices, support groups, and cancer centers."  


Now from my perspective, I cannot think of a more appropriate thing for the letter writing community to get involved with than something we all do on a daily basis.  


I personally have one immediate family member that just had a double mastectomy.  Kim just went through thyroid cancer, and a co-worker is currently going through hell trying to stay alive after being told she would be dead in 6 months 5 years ago.  It came back with a vengeance.  She is currently going through her 3rd round of Chemo getting ready for a bone marrow transplant.  She also is one of the strongest persons I have ever had the pleasure of knowing.


SO..  This is what I am asking of our community.  Go to this site -> http://www.ginamulligan.com/girls-love-mail/  do a little reading.  They even have some sample letters for you to peruse.  They get the letters and distribute them to patients through the Drs offices, support groups etc.


We all know the joy of getting real mail in the post box every day.  Imagine how your letter could lift the spirits of someone going through what could possibly be the worst times of their lives.  You never know, your letter could be the thing that gives them a little lift and respond.  Having something to read, absorb and respond to can be a changing thing for some folks.  An outside view if you will.


Thanks for taking the time to read this.  Now go and write some letters.

Of Busch and Ground Hog Stew

Well today was a very good mail day.  6 postcards, 1 circle journal and one long swap letter.

The letter received was from Mr. Sweeney (Swap-Bot) and was a Fountain Pen letter swap.  I feel really guilty now for sending out a bifold notecard (hey it's what I had handy at work.  I always keep some stationery there) after receiving an 8 page letter from Mr. Sweeney who and I quote "just researched Swap-Bot for straight california males, fountain pen loving dads who love their 4 legged kid as much as the skin kids, has daughters, postcard & pen pal writin' semi-nerds".  The letter was smart and funny, he wrote every page in different ink and included a bunch of links where I'm sure to get sucked in further and spend what's left of my dwindling retirement fund.

The Circle journal.  This is an interesting concept, and in between the sends of the journal I send off a few postcards just to make sure we haven't dropped off :)

Postcards.. And their off.  The first one comes to us, well the first 5 out of 6 from Swap-Bot.

This one is from the North Shore Animal League, reminding us to save a life and adopt a shelter dog.

From Washington.  An Orca makes its annual passage through Puget Sound.

St. Louis Missouri.. Mark McGwire bats with 66 home runs on his historic run to 70 (just before his visit to capital hill for his steroid testimony)

This was a response to the Good Day Mailing I  did for Black History Month (thank you Bean)

and the Hit Of The Day. (drum roll please) Kentucky Ground Hog Stew.

Check out the last line fellas.. If you want to impress the ladies.. GROUND HOG STEW.  Veggies available at Limners.

Of Pirates, Lambs, and Mavens

So I received 5 items in the post box today.  4 postcards and 1 delivery from The Missive Maven (an order I placed)

First the postcards:

The true hit of the day was a card from New Zealand (post crossing).  It was written in the point of view of the family heeler.  It also included some nice stickers along the bottom for Kaylee.  I love the expression on the lambs face.

Next up are 2 cards from Swap-Bot.  This first one is from North Carolina, which apparently had its dealing with some of the scurvy mates ARGHHH..

The next was from Arizona.  The card gives a bit of history on the state.  Arizona became the 48th state on Feb 14, 1912, and is the sixth largest state in the U.S. at 114,006 square miles.  The state also carries the distinction of leading the nation in copper production, all of which you can find at your local recyclers after the tweakers have ripped it out of all the foreclosed houses in your neighborhood.  (OK I added the last part)

and the last postcard today is a response to my massive Black History Month send out.  The card is a painting from Horace Pippin (1888-1946) titled: Sunday Morning Breakfast, 1943.

and the last piece of mail was from The Missive Maven.  Now I can't show the cards I ordered.  This is due to the fact that The Maven has these for sale on her Etsy site and I don't wish to deprive anyone of an income for designs they produced.  You can find the purchase I made here..

I do love her envelopes and the stamps she designed.  If you could, please take a few moments and take a look at her site.  You might also notice she does NOT charge for shipping (bonus).

There are a few people I have been following on their respective blogs that also have Etsy or Folk stores.  If you need something mail related, give these folks a look and if you can toss them some business.  You know "BUY LOCALLY".  In this case it means within our little community.

In that same vein, you also might want to check out Rins shop over at papered thoughts.

Remember when you support these folks you also support their ability to keep sending out really nice packages and letters to everyone.  It may even be coming to you..

And remember folks, if you send me something, anything.  Put a return address on it.  I will write/send something back to anyone that does.