Sunday, May 26, 2013
Memorial Day
As I sit here on Sunday evening I thought it might be nice to pay tribute to our armed forces on this Memorial Day weekend. Although my family was not a military one growing up, we lived in the Washington DC area and many of my friends growing up had parents that were in the military. Those families would come and go as the dad got stationed in our area and then again somewhere else 3 or 4 years later.
One of my closest friends growing up had a dad that was in the Air Force and he was MIA during the Vietnam war. Her mom raised her and her little brother as a single parent and I really didn't understand why she didn't have a dad until I got to high school. He made the ultimate sacrifice so that we could be safe and secure at home. I remember years later running into someone that had a metal MIA bracelet with his name on it. Small world. I know what they all wished for when they prayed at night was that their Dad would come home again.
I also know a family here in Nj that lost their oldest son in Afghanistan in July 2012. It was very difficult for them and still is to think he was killed doing his job. I know they are proud of him, but I can only bet that they would give anything to have just one more day with him and to tell him they love him and how proud they are of the man he proved to be as a soldier.
I know there are many veterans that came home from their overseas positions and found it difficult to get into the civilian life after serving in the military. I am disappointed in how little we do for them when they get out. We should do more. I personally make sure that my company does at least 1 charitable event every year for our active military? We want them to know that we know they are there, we are glad and grateful they are serving overseas for us and that we appreciate the hardships they face every day so that we can live in the Land of the Free. I always thank active duty personnel when I encounter them at the airport, shake their hand and tell them how much seeing them in uniform makes me proud to be an American.
Memorial Day isn't about picnics, shopping for bargain sales or having the day off. Our military never take the day off. Fly your flag, pray for their safe return and be thankful to those that wear uniforms, face combat, train regularly and leave the comforts of their homes and the loving sums of their families so that we can LIVE FREE and enjoy the USA. Hire a vet if you can. Go visit them or the place where they came to rest if they are no longer with us.
Tuesday, May 14, 2013
Sharing the Love for Quilting with Others
Last Friday evening I had the opportunity to 'teach' a workshop at a local girl scout troop meeting. There were 12 girls signed up and I had spent all day Saturday cutting out 12 kits to make a little Mother's Day Bouquet Wallhanging. It had to be colorful, easy, and pretty enough to keep the girls busy for a couple of hours.
I am lucky to have a wonderful colleague named Joyce that volunteered to help me on Friday to get the girls sewing. I am so glad that she did! I couldn't have done it without her.
It turned out that only 8 girls showed up. We had 4 sewing machines, 1 iron and 3 moms that didn't sew to help. With all of the pre-cut kits in zipper lock baggies, we started by showing them what they were going to make that evening before we dove into the creation process. See below.
We laid the different pieces out on the table and allowed them to select the flowers, stems, leaves, flower pot, background, backing and borders from what I had cut out already. They really enjoyed that part, looking carefully at each one to determine if they liked each piece and wanted to use it.
In hindsight, I should have had them add the borders to their background first, before putting all the smaller fused pieces out so they didn't end up on the floor. Then we taught each girl how to machine piece the seams to add the borders to their quilt tops. We did the sides first, got them pressed and then added the top and bottom borders. None of the girls had ever sewn before and it was fun teaching them how to run a machine and keep the pieces straight. My old 'MOLEFOAM' trick helped them to line up the pieces nicely with a little help from the adults.
Once the tops were pieced and pressed, we then took the pre-fused flowers, stems, leaves and flower pots and laid out each quilt. Each girl was allowed and expected to decide what her flower bouquet would look like. Once they had it laid out to their liking, they then peeled the paper backing off the pieces and pressed them down on the top to finish the 'applique'. Fusible applique is a great starter project for girls in the 6-8 year old range. They can pick up the pieces and move them around until they are ironed down to the top. One by one they took their tops over to the ironing station where the flowers were pressed into place. We then took the quilt tops and sandwiched them 'pillow case' style with batting and backing.
We were running a bit short on time, so the adults cut, pinned and sewed the quilts to get them finished. Joyce pinned, I sewed, another mom unpinned, trimmed and turned the quilts right side out, Janet ironed and then I closed the hole and finally Amy took their pictures with their finished quilts before they left the meeting.
It was fun, it was creative and I believe the girl scouts had a great time making something beautiful that they could take home. I suspect we even have a few future sewers and maybe a quilter or two in the group. The troop leaders have already asked if we would have a mommy how to sewing class sometime over the summer.
Note: If you look at the pictures closely, you will notice as I did after the fact that most of the girls selected border fabrics that matched the tops they were wearing, green, pink, stripes, flowers, etc. That was really cool!
I am lucky to have a wonderful colleague named Joyce that volunteered to help me on Friday to get the girls sewing. I am so glad that she did! I couldn't have done it without her.
It turned out that only 8 girls showed up. We had 4 sewing machines, 1 iron and 3 moms that didn't sew to help. With all of the pre-cut kits in zipper lock baggies, we started by showing them what they were going to make that evening before we dove into the creation process. See below.
We laid the different pieces out on the table and allowed them to select the flowers, stems, leaves, flower pot, background, backing and borders from what I had cut out already. They really enjoyed that part, looking carefully at each one to determine if they liked each piece and wanted to use it.
In hindsight, I should have had them add the borders to their background first, before putting all the smaller fused pieces out so they didn't end up on the floor. Then we taught each girl how to machine piece the seams to add the borders to their quilt tops. We did the sides first, got them pressed and then added the top and bottom borders. None of the girls had ever sewn before and it was fun teaching them how to run a machine and keep the pieces straight. My old 'MOLEFOAM' trick helped them to line up the pieces nicely with a little help from the adults.
Once the tops were pieced and pressed, we then took the pre-fused flowers, stems, leaves and flower pots and laid out each quilt. Each girl was allowed and expected to decide what her flower bouquet would look like. Once they had it laid out to their liking, they then peeled the paper backing off the pieces and pressed them down on the top to finish the 'applique'. Fusible applique is a great starter project for girls in the 6-8 year old range. They can pick up the pieces and move them around until they are ironed down to the top. One by one they took their tops over to the ironing station where the flowers were pressed into place. We then took the quilt tops and sandwiched them 'pillow case' style with batting and backing.
We were running a bit short on time, so the adults cut, pinned and sewed the quilts to get them finished. Joyce pinned, I sewed, another mom unpinned, trimmed and turned the quilts right side out, Janet ironed and then I closed the hole and finally Amy took their pictures with their finished quilts before they left the meeting.
It was fun, it was creative and I believe the girl scouts had a great time making something beautiful that they could take home. I suspect we even have a few future sewers and maybe a quilter or two in the group. The troop leaders have already asked if we would have a mommy how to sewing class sometime over the summer.
Note: If you look at the pictures closely, you will notice as I did after the fact that most of the girls selected border fabrics that matched the tops they were wearing, green, pink, stripes, flowers, etc. That was really cool!
Monday, April 29, 2013
Laundry Mishaps, the Tissue Issue and Clothing Hitchhikers
I am sure that most of you have experienced and can relate to what I am about to describe in this post. Pulling your wet laundry out of the washer only to find that someone (me) left a tissue in a pocket and it is now in a million tiny pieces all over your freshly washed clothes!
Having suffered with allergies most recently, it was bound to happen in my rush to get the laundry done, I had not carefully checked all the pockets to avoid it. It amazes me how much of a mess one little tissue can make and how difficult it is to get the particles off your wet and or dry clothing articles. I keep finding these little white 'tufts' everywhere.
I thought that when I dried them in the dryer, the majority of them would be caught in the lint trap.
Well, yes, some did, but still a good number of them were not caught and were still clinging to the clothes. I shook a lot of them off where they ended up on the rug and could be easily vacuumed up later. However, a lot of my clothes, I hang up to dry, to prevent shrinkage and misshaping that happens with certain fabrics in the dryer. I clip them to hangers and then place the hangers from the rafters in the basement near the furnace so they will dry naturally. Its economical, it saves energy, my clothes last longer, and likely don't require ironing as much. However, the Kleenex tidbits ended up sticking to these clothes and was not easy to remove. I tossed them in the dryer with no heat for a few minutes to try and rid my self of these nasty self inflicted lint bugs.
Another laundry disaster is one that my BFF reminded me of just this morning with a story she shared via email. How many of you have been at work, only to discover that your dryer sheet or other article of a delicate nature is secretly hiding inside your pants leg? You feel something moving around in there as you are walking or sitting in a meeting with the new vice president, only to realize that the dryer sheet, errant sock or 'seat cover' has hitched a ride and now decides to show themselves. While a dryer sheet isn't so embarrassing, other smaller pieces of hitchhiked clothing can prove to reveal themselves at the utmost inappropriate times. Let's just hope if its of the pantie variety that it happens to be a new, nice pair and not your old holey ones that your mother always told you not to wear in case you got into an accident!
Happy Rainy Monday!
Having suffered with allergies most recently, it was bound to happen in my rush to get the laundry done, I had not carefully checked all the pockets to avoid it. It amazes me how much of a mess one little tissue can make and how difficult it is to get the particles off your wet and or dry clothing articles. I keep finding these little white 'tufts' everywhere.
I thought that when I dried them in the dryer, the majority of them would be caught in the lint trap.
Well, yes, some did, but still a good number of them were not caught and were still clinging to the clothes. I shook a lot of them off where they ended up on the rug and could be easily vacuumed up later. However, a lot of my clothes, I hang up to dry, to prevent shrinkage and misshaping that happens with certain fabrics in the dryer. I clip them to hangers and then place the hangers from the rafters in the basement near the furnace so they will dry naturally. Its economical, it saves energy, my clothes last longer, and likely don't require ironing as much. However, the Kleenex tidbits ended up sticking to these clothes and was not easy to remove. I tossed them in the dryer with no heat for a few minutes to try and rid my self of these nasty self inflicted lint bugs.
Another laundry disaster is one that my BFF reminded me of just this morning with a story she shared via email. How many of you have been at work, only to discover that your dryer sheet or other article of a delicate nature is secretly hiding inside your pants leg? You feel something moving around in there as you are walking or sitting in a meeting with the new vice president, only to realize that the dryer sheet, errant sock or 'seat cover' has hitched a ride and now decides to show themselves. While a dryer sheet isn't so embarrassing, other smaller pieces of hitchhiked clothing can prove to reveal themselves at the utmost inappropriate times. Let's just hope if its of the pantie variety that it happens to be a new, nice pair and not your old holey ones that your mother always told you not to wear in case you got into an accident!
Happy Rainy Monday!
Friday, April 26, 2013
Do you belong to a quilt guild?
I am a believer that Quilting guilds can be a very positive experience. I believe that Quilt guilds can inspire and reward those that belong. I love that I can go to a quilt guild meeting and see wonderful things created by other quilters that may or may not be finished. I love to listen to the creator talk about the piece, why they made it, what inspired them, what they need help with, when it was finished and who is going to end up with their creation. The only part I don't like is when someone openly criticizes their own work in front of others. I wonder why do we do this?
As a teacher, I have to admit that its easier to try and find something wonderful about each and every student's work and much more rewarding and inspiring to share those positive thoughts with them. While sometimes I do not 'love' something, each and every piece of art has some merit and if one looks upon it with good intent, you can find the best in even the simpliest or less than perfect handmade item. I would rather inspire someone by pointing out the good, than to criticize the obvious flaws. I can only hope that we all try and do this to each other when we share quilts and works in progress. The world would certainly be a nicer place if we did, right?
I enjoy it when someone approaches me and asks my advice on how to quilt or finish their quilt. Its easier when you know the person well and have a good idea of their skills set and comfort zone. But I am always willing to try and offer a variety of suggestions to the curious, after all, I received plenty of help from more experienced quilters in my early sewing career and I was always grateful for that experience and their wonderful ideas. It really rocks my boat when I see they have actually executed a suggestion of mine and the idea works out well and enhances their finished item.
Just this week, I received two emails with photos from friends that tried a new binding technique I had shared with them. They were tickled pink with the finished quilt and I have to say I was proud of them for remembering to share their finished quilt with me so that I could see they had found the binding tips useful and workable for them. Sharing the joy, the ideas and pictures of the finished items is a nice way to say Thank you to the source of your inspiration. I think this is probably why I teach. I get alot out of it from each and every student. Being a inspiration to others is a really good feeling.
This is a partial picture of my latest super king size quilt top which I showed at the Modern Guild last night. I call it My Zipper Quilt.
As a teacher, I have to admit that its easier to try and find something wonderful about each and every student's work and much more rewarding and inspiring to share those positive thoughts with them. While sometimes I do not 'love' something, each and every piece of art has some merit and if one looks upon it with good intent, you can find the best in even the simpliest or less than perfect handmade item. I would rather inspire someone by pointing out the good, than to criticize the obvious flaws. I can only hope that we all try and do this to each other when we share quilts and works in progress. The world would certainly be a nicer place if we did, right?
I enjoy it when someone approaches me and asks my advice on how to quilt or finish their quilt. Its easier when you know the person well and have a good idea of their skills set and comfort zone. But I am always willing to try and offer a variety of suggestions to the curious, after all, I received plenty of help from more experienced quilters in my early sewing career and I was always grateful for that experience and their wonderful ideas. It really rocks my boat when I see they have actually executed a suggestion of mine and the idea works out well and enhances their finished item.
Just this week, I received two emails with photos from friends that tried a new binding technique I had shared with them. They were tickled pink with the finished quilt and I have to say I was proud of them for remembering to share their finished quilt with me so that I could see they had found the binding tips useful and workable for them. Sharing the joy, the ideas and pictures of the finished items is a nice way to say Thank you to the source of your inspiration. I think this is probably why I teach. I get alot out of it from each and every student. Being a inspiration to others is a really good feeling.
This is a partial picture of my latest super king size quilt top which I showed at the Modern Guild last night. I call it My Zipper Quilt.
Tuesday, April 2, 2013
Quilting Retreats
One week from today I will be madly packing my supplies and suitcase to attend our annual Quilting Retreat in Lititz, PA. I am happy to report that there has been a very excited and happy flurry of emails and instant messages between the attendees talking about what to pack, where to go, when to meet up and how busy they are planning their final preparations for this gathering.
We all look forward to the event from the date it is planned up until we all arrive and get settled into the house where we converge to sew, laugh, share, eat, sleep and be merry. The ladies that attend this gathering are all pretty much in their 50's and 60's. All are experienced quilters and each have a different style and favorite aspect to quilting that differ from the others. Some are best friends, sisters, sister-in-laws, most are moms or aunts, grandmas and great aunts. We leave behind the husbands, the kids, the jobs, the pets and the housework and cooking and come together to enjoy time doing what we love best.
We are lucky to have a nice group of 11 ladies that know each other through this event and everyone gets along very well. This year we will make some charity quilts using a jelly roll race format.
And the rest of the time will be spent working on our own projects that we want to finish. Some of us drag everything but the kitchen sink with us (the house has at least 2 of those) and others carefully cut everything ahead of time to expedite the sewing process. Most of us shop while in PA, because there are many shops that offer first quality quilting cottons and supplies at prices that are not available locally to us in our native NJ, CT, MA hometowns. We all try to leave a little space in our suitcases for treasures that we procure along the way.
On Saturday night, we gather together in one spot to do a show and tell. We typically share items that we created and most of the time, ones that we started at the retreat in prior years or finished during the retreat we are attending at the time. Its so much fun to see all of the items everyone else makes. Pictures are taken and stories are swapped. We memorialize the event in pictures that can be shared over the web and via email.
I love all the sharing of ideas and techniques that happen during this time together. Its a special bonding between friends and we are often in awe of each other's accomplishments big and small.
If you've not tried a retreat in the past, I highly recommend it. It is an experience that cannot be beat if the right people are involved. I feel extra lucky to be able to do this every year and to have a wonderful group of ladies with whom to enjoy spending this time of creativity.
Year #3 in April 2012-->
Keep on stitching - anywhere you can!
We all look forward to the event from the date it is planned up until we all arrive and get settled into the house where we converge to sew, laugh, share, eat, sleep and be merry. The ladies that attend this gathering are all pretty much in their 50's and 60's. All are experienced quilters and each have a different style and favorite aspect to quilting that differ from the others. Some are best friends, sisters, sister-in-laws, most are moms or aunts, grandmas and great aunts. We leave behind the husbands, the kids, the jobs, the pets and the housework and cooking and come together to enjoy time doing what we love best.
We are lucky to have a nice group of 11 ladies that know each other through this event and everyone gets along very well. This year we will make some charity quilts using a jelly roll race format.
And the rest of the time will be spent working on our own projects that we want to finish. Some of us drag everything but the kitchen sink with us (the house has at least 2 of those) and others carefully cut everything ahead of time to expedite the sewing process. Most of us shop while in PA, because there are many shops that offer first quality quilting cottons and supplies at prices that are not available locally to us in our native NJ, CT, MA hometowns. We all try to leave a little space in our suitcases for treasures that we procure along the way.
On Saturday night, we gather together in one spot to do a show and tell. We typically share items that we created and most of the time, ones that we started at the retreat in prior years or finished during the retreat we are attending at the time. Its so much fun to see all of the items everyone else makes. Pictures are taken and stories are swapped. We memorialize the event in pictures that can be shared over the web and via email.
I love all the sharing of ideas and techniques that happen during this time together. Its a special bonding between friends and we are often in awe of each other's accomplishments big and small.
If you've not tried a retreat in the past, I highly recommend it. It is an experience that cannot be beat if the right people are involved. I feel extra lucky to be able to do this every year and to have a wonderful group of ladies with whom to enjoy spending this time of creativity.
Year #3 in April 2012-->
and with my baskets on their heads in 2012.
Below - in April 2011 Year 2
Below - in April 2010 - Year 1
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
Create What You Love
I am wondering how many of you create what you love instead of creating what is popular at the moment? I recently joined this Quilting Board website, and I see many quilts that are clearly the creation of the quilter, instead of what the market currently has to offer. Its refreshing to see so many sewers out there creating quilts that reflect their own style and fabric choices, instead of quilts that are found in magazine and website advertisements. In particular was a very beautiful hankie quilt.
The maker had used her mothers vintage handkerchiefs that her sister had given to her with stunning results.
How many of you are using 'found' objects to create your quilts? Do you make Art Quilts? How many of you are trying to use up your stash to create quilts, instead of buying new fabrics to create them? Do you mix and match your existing fabrics with new to finish those quilts you are working on recently? Do you make quilts just for yourself, or only for others?
How many of you make quilts specifically for others? For example, if your granddaughter wanted a unicorn quilt, would you search for unicorn fabric and patterns to use , or would you get truly creative and find a unicorn image somewhere and go from there? I'm happy that most of the kids in my family are grown, so they get adult quilts now instead of ones with children themes. I am not a fan of making novelty or children's quilts with a specific theme anymore. Its not to say that I don't appreciate them, its just a matter of wish to pursue my sewing efforts in things that I want to make at this point in my life. I have made plenty of them over the last 30 years. In fact, baby quilts are how I got into quilting more than 35 years ago.
When you go to a quilt show, do you look at each and every quilt hanging in the show and study it closely to try and figure out how the quilter constructed it, what inspired them to create it? Or do you sometimes find yourself only gravitating towards certain types of quilts to look closer upon and maybe photograph so you can remember the quilt later? I like to read about the quilt either on the card that hangs on the quilt or in the program if available to try and understand the story behind each work of art.
I remember the first time I took my hubby to a quilt show, we found what I now know to be a 'modern quilt' hanging up. It was not an attractive quilt, it looked more like a moving blanket and something that had not been made with much skill involved. He asked me to take a picture of him standing next to it so that he could show it to his construction buddies at work and claim it as his own work because they had teased him about attending a quilt show. This particular quilt didn't hang straight and I noted this to him. Now whenever I make a quilt and show it to him, he comments on whether or not it hangs straight and if the corners edges are perfectly square! :-)
At that same show, we there was a display of antique quilts in a special exhibit. As we walked through with the hubbies, they showed particular interest in one quilt that Mike proclaimed looked like a toilet bowl rug. It was kinda U-shaped and upon closer examination, sure enough it looked like one of those little rugs you would put at the base of the ceramic throne. To this day, I often wonder what may have inspired the quilt maker all those years ago to make such an oddly shaped quilt. Perhaps its was used as an article of clothing or on furniture and certainly not as we had envisioned it!
I'd love to hear from you what types of quilts you enjoy making most of all and why. Comments and feedback encouraged.
The maker had used her mothers vintage handkerchiefs that her sister had given to her with stunning results.
How many of you are using 'found' objects to create your quilts? Do you make Art Quilts? How many of you are trying to use up your stash to create quilts, instead of buying new fabrics to create them? Do you mix and match your existing fabrics with new to finish those quilts you are working on recently? Do you make quilts just for yourself, or only for others?
How many of you make quilts specifically for others? For example, if your granddaughter wanted a unicorn quilt, would you search for unicorn fabric and patterns to use , or would you get truly creative and find a unicorn image somewhere and go from there? I'm happy that most of the kids in my family are grown, so they get adult quilts now instead of ones with children themes. I am not a fan of making novelty or children's quilts with a specific theme anymore. Its not to say that I don't appreciate them, its just a matter of wish to pursue my sewing efforts in things that I want to make at this point in my life. I have made plenty of them over the last 30 years. In fact, baby quilts are how I got into quilting more than 35 years ago.
When you go to a quilt show, do you look at each and every quilt hanging in the show and study it closely to try and figure out how the quilter constructed it, what inspired them to create it? Or do you sometimes find yourself only gravitating towards certain types of quilts to look closer upon and maybe photograph so you can remember the quilt later? I like to read about the quilt either on the card that hangs on the quilt or in the program if available to try and understand the story behind each work of art.
I remember the first time I took my hubby to a quilt show, we found what I now know to be a 'modern quilt' hanging up. It was not an attractive quilt, it looked more like a moving blanket and something that had not been made with much skill involved. He asked me to take a picture of him standing next to it so that he could show it to his construction buddies at work and claim it as his own work because they had teased him about attending a quilt show. This particular quilt didn't hang straight and I noted this to him. Now whenever I make a quilt and show it to him, he comments on whether or not it hangs straight and if the corners edges are perfectly square! :-)
At that same show, we there was a display of antique quilts in a special exhibit. As we walked through with the hubbies, they showed particular interest in one quilt that Mike proclaimed looked like a toilet bowl rug. It was kinda U-shaped and upon closer examination, sure enough it looked like one of those little rugs you would put at the base of the ceramic throne. To this day, I often wonder what may have inspired the quilt maker all those years ago to make such an oddly shaped quilt. Perhaps its was used as an article of clothing or on furniture and certainly not as we had envisioned it!
I'd love to hear from you what types of quilts you enjoy making most of all and why. Comments and feedback encouraged.
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
Social Media and Celebration Notations
Over the last 2-3 years I have noticed a trend that many people are using Facebook to send celebratory greetings to one another instead of mailing a card via the postal service. While I completely understand this practice and use it myself to those that I do not have a mailing address for in my address book, it makes me wonder several things.
1) Could this trend be contributing in part to the budgetary issues the USPS is having, because we no longer buy stamps and mail cards? I know I buy the stamps, those forever ones in bunches so they get my money whether or not I mail anything out. I know in my heart, however, that I do not buy as many stamps as I did 5 years ago because I pay my bills online every month instead of writing checks and mailing them. I also get a lot more of my statements electronically, so this again means less for USPS to handle every day.
2) What are people doing with all the extra time they have on their hands because they aren't selecting cards, writing them out and mailing them to individuals? Its much faster to post a note online to someones FB account that to drive to store, find the perfect card, take it home, address and stamp it and put it in the mailbox, isn't it Perhaps this leaves them more time to play computer games. I tend to buy cards well in advance of the event, and I personally enjoy reading the cards in the store and the time spent selecting just the right one. There is nothing better than giving or receiving a card from a loved one that is so appropriate for the occasion. I am grateful that my siblings and I still do this with each other for birthday and certain holidays. My parents, specifically my dear dad, make their cards on the computer themselves and send those. Its always fun to see what he comes up with to send. I know he takes great pride in these creations. This year, for my birthday they enclosed a baby picture of me that I had never seen. Its looks to be a christening photo because of the way I am dressed. The note scrawled on the back in my mother's familiar handwriting reads "guess who this is?" I love that my parents have stayed true to form for over 50+ years.
3) Does the impact of receiving a message on Facebook make one feel different than getting hard copy mail? I believe it does in two ways. First of all, I receive more Birthday greetings from people I haven't seen in years than I would through the post office. So there is an impact in the volume department based on the number of happy birthday greetings received online. Secondly, I like seeing how people write funny and inspirational messages on my Facebook page to inspire me to have a good birthday. Its easier for me to read and re-read these lovely notes and messages from friends and family than to open up a bunch of cards and pull the cards out and read them. My parents always include a check in my birthday greeting card, something that can't easily be done online by folks that don't trust putting their information out there on cyber space. Its not the gift that is important to me. Its the idea that they are in their 80s now and they are still here with us and able to remember that its my birthday. I know I am one lucky gal to be able to say that to everyone. Many of my friends do not have their parents around anymore and I am sure they wish they did, especially on birthdays and holidays and at special celebratory times.
I'd like to close with a suggestion. Rather than just send a BD greeting on FB to a friend on their birthday, why don't you also pick up the phone and give them a quick call, let them hear your voice? I think that is something that most people would enjoy even more than a FB message. I did this yesterday with a girlfriend whose birthday is easy to remember because its the day before mine. She was glad to talk to me and I know it meant a lot that I took the time out of my day to ring her up and let her know that I was thinking about her, yesterday and every day since she lost her husband a couple of months back. I knew in my heart that her first BD without him was going to be hard. I wanted to make sure that she was doing okay and to let her talk if she wanted to about how she is doing. When you have a good friend, you don't always have to talk with them often, but you should reach out to them when its important and sometimes when its not to just let them know you are there for them if they need you. With unlimited calling these days, why don't we do this more often?
1) Could this trend be contributing in part to the budgetary issues the USPS is having, because we no longer buy stamps and mail cards? I know I buy the stamps, those forever ones in bunches so they get my money whether or not I mail anything out. I know in my heart, however, that I do not buy as many stamps as I did 5 years ago because I pay my bills online every month instead of writing checks and mailing them. I also get a lot more of my statements electronically, so this again means less for USPS to handle every day.
2) What are people doing with all the extra time they have on their hands because they aren't selecting cards, writing them out and mailing them to individuals? Its much faster to post a note online to someones FB account that to drive to store, find the perfect card, take it home, address and stamp it and put it in the mailbox, isn't it Perhaps this leaves them more time to play computer games. I tend to buy cards well in advance of the event, and I personally enjoy reading the cards in the store and the time spent selecting just the right one. There is nothing better than giving or receiving a card from a loved one that is so appropriate for the occasion. I am grateful that my siblings and I still do this with each other for birthday and certain holidays. My parents, specifically my dear dad, make their cards on the computer themselves and send those. Its always fun to see what he comes up with to send. I know he takes great pride in these creations. This year, for my birthday they enclosed a baby picture of me that I had never seen. Its looks to be a christening photo because of the way I am dressed. The note scrawled on the back in my mother's familiar handwriting reads "guess who this is?" I love that my parents have stayed true to form for over 50+ years.
3) Does the impact of receiving a message on Facebook make one feel different than getting hard copy mail? I believe it does in two ways. First of all, I receive more Birthday greetings from people I haven't seen in years than I would through the post office. So there is an impact in the volume department based on the number of happy birthday greetings received online. Secondly, I like seeing how people write funny and inspirational messages on my Facebook page to inspire me to have a good birthday. Its easier for me to read and re-read these lovely notes and messages from friends and family than to open up a bunch of cards and pull the cards out and read them. My parents always include a check in my birthday greeting card, something that can't easily be done online by folks that don't trust putting their information out there on cyber space. Its not the gift that is important to me. Its the idea that they are in their 80s now and they are still here with us and able to remember that its my birthday. I know I am one lucky gal to be able to say that to everyone. Many of my friends do not have their parents around anymore and I am sure they wish they did, especially on birthdays and holidays and at special celebratory times.
I'd like to close with a suggestion. Rather than just send a BD greeting on FB to a friend on their birthday, why don't you also pick up the phone and give them a quick call, let them hear your voice? I think that is something that most people would enjoy even more than a FB message. I did this yesterday with a girlfriend whose birthday is easy to remember because its the day before mine. She was glad to talk to me and I know it meant a lot that I took the time out of my day to ring her up and let her know that I was thinking about her, yesterday and every day since she lost her husband a couple of months back. I knew in my heart that her first BD without him was going to be hard. I wanted to make sure that she was doing okay and to let her talk if she wanted to about how she is doing. When you have a good friend, you don't always have to talk with them often, but you should reach out to them when its important and sometimes when its not to just let them know you are there for them if they need you. With unlimited calling these days, why don't we do this more often?
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