An Awesome Surprise

Yesterday I came home from a long day helping out at the school and working on some CHIC things to find a delivery slip in my mailbox. Usually the slips say who the package is from, but this time all it said was "USA".

I bribed Sami to walk with me by telling her I would let her pick out a treat from the grocery store near the post office. The post office is a little over a mile away from our house –– downhill there and uphill home.

I handed the worker my slip and she and came back laughing and carrying a huge box. The side of the box said it weighed 14 pounds and 12 ounces. I about fell over, especially knowing how much it costs to ship 15 pounds to Japan. So uphill I carried this just shy of 15 pound box home.


My super special, full-of-surprises friend Val sent me a taste of "home" package. I think she somehow knew I was a bit homesick. I was totally blown away and speechless.

Sami & I began to open the box. It was like Christmas in Japan.

Sitting at the top was a card and a bunch of pictures. Some of the pictures was of us from Christmas and of the kids from Christmas, and she even sent a few of Illinois and NC.

Noah sent Sami a "love" note and a photo of himself and Maia sent Sami a box of fruit snacks. She was so excited.

Next was a bag with relaxing candles, bath wash and some pretty matches, that as you can see in the note, Noah picked out for me.

Next was this Ohio State tumbler that included a note saying every time I use this Val hoped it reminded me of "home".


Then came the "goodies". Tons of "USA" type stuff from candy to dip and drink mixes to gravy to biscuits to Spanish rice to Chex Mix to almost every item Hostess makes.

I have to admit I was crying over a box full of Hostess King Dongs and Cupcakes. Not that I missed them, as to be honest I am not sure I have eaten them since college, but because I was just missing "home".


At the very bottom was a Mexican cooking magazine, as Mexican food is just not found here, an Illinois newspaper and a Real Simple magazine.

Here is all our stash spread out. The only thing missing is appetite suppresants to keep me from eating all this food.

Little things like this show me that proximity doesn't make a friendship, the heart does.

So thank you Val. Thank you for bringing a smile to not just me, but my whole family.

My Hate/Hate Relationship

I loathe the post office. I mean loathe. Kind of like how people who owe money hate commercial collection agencies. Just the idea of having to go to the post office makes me break out into a cold sweat. I have several "little gifts" sitting around my house that I have every intention of sending to the attended person, however my allergic reaction to the post office deters me from my good thoughts.

What is so bad about the post office one may ask? Honestly I don't know. Maybe it is something about the unknown lines, the lack of speed, the stupidity of some of the people in line (Doh! Was I supposed to address this letter before I got to the post office attendant?) or deciding whether to send something priority mail or first class.

I think much of my stress stems from enduring the PO with my kids. Long lines and long waits with 3 kids does not make for a happy or fun experience. Maybe if the post office had a drive thru window it would have kept me from loathing the PO as much as I do today.

But Monday I am going to have to put my fears and loathing behind me and head to the PO, ugh. The kids and I have a package to send to Matt. Actually we have had a package to send him for 2 weeks now. Oops.

Wish me luck.

Send Cookies to a Soldier

Cherylandco.com has a deal where if you are sending to a military address, you get some sweet deals, free shipping, and $10 off your order.

Here is a sample of one that's just $2.95 all in:
www.cherylandco.com

Regal Red Cookie Gift - 6 ct. - Create-Your-Own gift # 10771 $12.95
This gift includes:
6 cookies of your choice (choose up to 6 flavors)
Use code 7M at checkout to get $10 off the order, making the total only $2.95 SHIPPED

DISREGARD THE SHIPPING YOU SEE LISTED AS IT IS DEDUCTED AT CHECKOUT.

There's lots of other stuff to select. The 12 cookie deals are only $8.95 each shipped, after the 7M coupon.

If you don't have anyone personally, you can go to anysoldier.com to get names and addresses of men and women serving who would love to get goodies!

I believe this expires 3/31. Pretty nice for this company to do for our military. For those who have never had Cheryl cookies they are based in my home state (Go Buckeyes!) and they make the most awesome cookies.