Greetings all. I’m not sure if you noticed that I always start with “Greetings all”. I’ve decided that that is how you will know it is me, Jess, patting out the letters and not my hubby. So, I’ve had these thank you cards I’ve been meaning to get out for some time now. I am completely awful at doing the right thing when it comes to cards. Birthday, condolence, get well, thank you…all of them. If you have ever, in your life time, received a card from me – consider it a small miracle. I’m still trying to get out my high school graduation thank you’s. Thank You Mrs. Williams for the soft briefcase, I’ve yet to use it but I keep it anyway. Thank You to my Adams Central friends who came to Alma for the big day. Thank You Sista for the sapphire ring – I think it got sold at the auction along with the jewelry box I made in shop – always felt awful about that. Thank You parents for putting up with a volatile teenager.
Coming up is my dearest friend’s Birthday. Thank GOD her name is the same as the month – but I think I will always question is it the 4th or the 6th? It’s not that I don’t care, I do, but somehow I am wired special needs for special occasions. My family gets phone calls and I hope they are happy with the fact I remember…although my mom is ingrained to remind me. One time I called to wish my mom Happy Mothers Day, in September.
So, I’ve had these Thank You cards I’ve been meaning to get out. My mother knows me so well that she went ahead and purchased the cards for me because that thoughtful notion probably hadn’t crossed my mind yet, it would have eventually, but I have very poor follow through, a proven record I’m afraid. I have had the best intention to finish them in a timely manner. That didn’t happen, in fact it took my sweet mom to question me if she hadn’t raised me right. That did it, I felt like a complete dirt ball.
I sat down and began a card to my cousin that I hadn’t seen since he got married, like umpteen years ago. I got all emotional and tried unsuccessfully to hold back the tears as I scrawled out my appreciation. Every card I got verklempt. Thank You for the gift card…tears. Seriously.
I realize now that these cards are emotional triggers with terrible handwriting. Steve and I are in the midst of planning our “Jess and Steve’s Shot Gun Wedding We’re Having A Baby Celebration!”. I’ve already began the emotional prep work to make it through the invites, and the Thank You’s for this awesome occasion might put me in labor, but you must know I’ve got the best intentions and forgive me if my follow through is crap…it’s me, not you.
OMG – we are SO cut from the same cloth………
Sooo…what is “verklempt”? Is it contageous? Does it affect mother-in-laws? Or grandma’s? ;-)
Anyway, do you need anyone’s address yet for your invitations?
“verklempt” = choked up. And extremely contagious. I don’t have the invites done yet, still ironing out some details and I need to get area info to let the outta-towners know about Harlan County Reservoir – what an awesome place it is for a little vacation and info about camping sites, hotels and all the out doorsy things they can do in addition to our party. I’ll let you know soon!
I LOVE YOUR MOTHER. She is doing her best to teach you to show appreciation via the thank you cards. I cannot tell you how often I wonder if I should even bother sending so-and-so a gift, as they never respond, no thank you note, no phone call. Am I wasting my time (and money?) Did they not like it? I know, some will say you shouldn’t “expect” a thank you, but it really is just rude. So sorry Jess….(whip sound here: ka-ching!!) keep going on those notes…it will mean so much to the reciever that you took the time to write them, as they took the time to do whatever they did for you. Of course, I’m wishing ALL of the people I give gifts to would read this…but…whatever. Thanks for letting me spew off about such a thing that bothers me too!!!
Well, I think that hand written notes are pretty classy. Kind of like high heels, but it doesn’t mean I can walk straight in them. In other words I need to earn class. I’ll continue working on it, that’s the best I can do. Mental Note: Auntie Kim and mom are a lethal combo.