I. Love. Mail.

Not the kind with windows (a.k.a. "bills"), but the kind that shows up to say something clever, funny, informative, or mushy and calls its job "done".
My family decided to conduct a card campaign for my 40th birthday (earlier this week) and every day my mailbox greeted me with dozens of brightly colored envelopes full of birthday wishes.


It was awesome. There were cards from family and friends, cards from people I haven't crossed paths with in years, and even some that I was supposed to have no idea who it was from...we'll get to that in a minute.
First off, when I was a little kid, I loved pop up books.
Someone remembered:

Then there's my kid. She's awesome. And weird. And I tell her so (both) every day.
She dropped this perfect card in the box so that I'd get it delivered with all the other cards.
Did I say she's weird? It's OK, she's awesome.

I have a favorite cousin who I've mentioned here before...I think she's my favorite because we share the same sense of humor and the same value system. She's one of the most giving and thoughtful people walking the planet. I think the thing that impresses me most about her, is that she has a flair for making the serious "not so serious" and her irreverence is always fitting and mostly proper (if it can be that!). We've spent our years playing these little back and forth games that most people would probably take offense to...but if we stopped, we'd each probably think there was something wrong with the other. That said, this is how she rolls (you can click the card to embiggenate it to read):

I love the special corrections:

Oh, here's one after my own ego...er, *heart*:

Now about the unsigned one...
Don't be fooled, person of interest. I'm not a handwriting analysis expert, but I'm still about 98.9% sure I know who you are!! I might even send you this blog link just to let you know that I know. So then you'll know that I know you know I know. you know?
Such an unassuming card. :-Þ

Anyway, Goodnight Mrs.Calabash! Wherever you are!! LOL!!
And I'm pretty I sure know where that is! :D

Thanks to JL for coming up with this idea and filling my birthday week with friends, family, and memories. You know that kind of thing means more than baubles and trinkets. Thank you to the people who took a few moments out of their busy days to remember me. It means so much. To the ones who will be showing up at the lodge to celebrate Christmas together, I'll see you very soon! Keep the cocoa hot and the toboggan run iced! Let the winter games begin!
Love,
Annie