Naturally Optimistic

...in the form of a DVD going out which someone bought (yay), a bill (boo), a rebate (yay) and a silly postcard to my folks. Such is the exciting life of my mail....

I love that this year's "CAOK" theme is correspondence. Yay! I'm a big fan, myself. Always have been. I've recently been writing/receiving letters & postcards again from my penpal of 30 YEARS! Yes, that's right! We started writing to each other when we were 8. We got each other's info off a show on PBS called "The Big Blue Marble" - I don't remember anything about that show except it was on Sunday mornings & at the end you could write in for a pen pal. 30 years later & voila! Still writing. It's amazing. I've met him twice. It's been a cool experience - one that could use several blog posts of it's own! So this week I've written to my Grandma & dear Kelli who started this all. I also just wrote 6 postcards so I can continue my nerdy "Project Postcard" ...uh, project. I still have a lOT of postcards to unleash on the world! Are you doing any corresponding?

Wisconsin themed postcards going out today. Real posts...coming soon.

I'm still sending postcards and today have hit #60! Whohooo! The latest batch includes beauties from Cutty's campground in Des Moines, IA; some lovely lady divers from Korea; Cypress Gardens from my visit there in 1979 (!) and a totally random Model A (I think?) that I believe lived for a short time on the set of Riley. We took it down because, what the heck? Fear not...I am far from running out so if you haven't gotten one lately, it's likely that you will get one soon. IF I have your address, of course....

It must be because I get a bug every January to clean out (like the rest of the world...), but I get inspired this time of year to start sending out my postcards (again). I just can't seem to part with my postcard collection - no matter how lame they are! I have had some of them for...um, almost 30 years! I have sent most of the really old ones...but I have lots more! So far I've sent out 34 postcards. If you haven't received one, it's probably because I don't have your address. If you'd like one, send me an email at carrster(at)yahoo.com . If you think this is just silly - well, you'll probably still get a postcard anyway. I love getting 'fun' mail instead of bills & junk every day so there ya go.... The first batch left my house yesterday.

Project Postcard has been in effect for almost 3 months now. I've sent 13 postcards so far, not bad, but not great. If you haven't gotten a postcard yet (and I have your address) you probably will soon. If you'd like a totally random postcard from my traveling past, leave me a comment and I'd be happy to oblige. So far I've sent postcards from South Dakota, Wisconsin, New Orleans, NYC, the Tetons, the Ozarks and a few 'artsy' postcards too. Oh I haven't even scratched the surface of my San Francisco collection, my Yellowstone cards or the postcards from the South West. I have another batch ready to go - so maybe today's your lucky day! I remain, your TRULY dork-a-licious friend.

I think Kate's idea was great - get some postcard stamps, throw some postcards in my purse and send them willy nilly to people to let them know I'm thinking of them. So that's what I did. I bought 20 postcard stamps (just enough to BARELY get started) and threw some in my purse and we'll see what happens. Basically if you know me and I have your address, you can probably expect a TOTALLY RANDOM postcard from me at some point. Don't say I didn't warn you. I'm outta here. Steve & I are off for 2 NIGHTS AWAY sans baby which means 2 NIGHTS OF SLEEP (because let me tell you, after about 5 nights of GOOD in a row, last night SUCKED ASS). We are going up the shore to drink wine in our jacuzzi suite, ski the trails of the north shore, eat pizza & drink wine (did I mention that?). Later!

I am a BIG fan of real mail. Decorated envelopes, romantic stationary, newspaper clippings, photographs, doodles, etc. I got my first "Pen Pal" from the TV show "The Big Blue Marble" - anyone remember that one? That was when I was 8. We still write to each other - although more sparingly these days. I have met her twice. It is a unique and special relationship which I am glad to have. My mother is also a Pen Pal. She's had hers for well over 40 years (probably approaching 50 years!). I think the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. Corie over at Callalillie is partnering with Youngna to do a "Modern Letter Project." A throw back to written correspondence, the slow pace & art of something that was thoughtfully written and takes time to develop and to get to you. If you are interested pop over there to read the details and hopefully - sign up! I am very excited about this project and the return of decorated envelopes.