holiday shipping.
I spent a better portion of my day at the post office. I’m exaggerating really, but the place was totally a mad house. I have to say, though, the postal employees at the Coolidge Corner post office are all pretty amazing. I’m basically post office-illiterate and never know what boxes to use, how to prepare everything, etc. The line was pretty much out the door and right when I walked in an employee offered to help me. She got my box all ready, put my packages in, and taped it up. Everyone was cheerful and helped move things along efficiently. I had to resist the urge to have a throw-down with several elderly customers who thought it was OK to cut in line and look at me and say “I was here earlier.” Ummm sure. It’s the holiday season so I didn’t argue it, but it made the never-ending line even longer. I am also kind of annoyed by the holiday stamp offerings this year. It was either “mother and child” or “holiday knit sweater.” “Oh, and we have Kwanzaa, too” the post office worker told me. Sweet. I chose “holiday knit sweater,” and while I think it’s a really strange concept, I guess it’s kind of cute.
I pretty much finished up my Christmas cards tonight…better late than never. I spent so much time crafting them that I had absolutely no desire to write them out and address them. I also realized that I’m totally turning into my mother, except I’m not as talented as her. I freaked out because I didn’t make address labels for the envelopes and didn’t have the proper return labels. I never bought return labels because I didn’t know how long I’d be living in this apartment (if I had known it would be 3 years, I probably would have). So, my label choices were ugly doctors without borders labels, super gaudy and ugly puppies and kittens labels, and really cute winter labels from my hospital, in which my address was wrong. (Um, you’d think after all the money I dished over to my hospital this year, they could at least get my address right…somehow the bills still got to me obviously!) Anyway, after obsessing over it for a while, my roommate said, “umm why does it matter? Just write it on.” In ballpoint pen??? On a Christmas card?? Hell no!! I don’t know why I care so much, but I just kept picturing my mom’s picture perfect Christmas card envelopes and knew I couldn’t do it. She would be so disappointed in me. So I shamefully, edited the address on the free labels from my hospital with a black sharpie. Not so classy, but I don’t think it’s too noticeable, and it was my best option. I’m pretty sure the holidays will continue on, even with my horrendous envelope presentation.
I sent a holiday card to the ex’s family. Maybe not my most fabulous idea, but after thinking about it, I just decided I really don’t care. I love that family and think the least I can do is send a card saying happy holidays. Knowing the ex and his family, they’ll just look at it and say, “awww how nice,” and that will be that. They don’t make a big deal out of things; so why should I?
Only a week until Christmas is here. I’m a little less excited than usual considering my sister won’t be home this year. I don’t do well with changes in tradition and it’s going to feel so strange to have Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with just me and my parents. That girl needs to move her butt back to Boston, because I’m starting to feel like I have just a 3-person family. And I can’t remember the last time I spent time with just my sister, without some sort of boyfriend being there. Sad.
December 19th, 2007 at 9:05 am
You used a sharpie??
I… I don’t know if I can even comment on your blog anymore.
I’m terrible. I may send out Xmas e-mails. Possibly.
December 19th, 2007 at 9:06 am
those stamps are adorable
December 19th, 2007 at 10:26 am
i used a silver sharpie on my metallic blue envelopes. you’ll see. NBD.
December 19th, 2007 at 10:36 am
I used those holiday knit sweater stamps to send out my Christmas cards too. They’re pretty cute, I suppose…but it would have been better if they were pictures of really gaudy Christmas sweaters, with bells and glitter and ribbon all over the place. THAT would be cool!
December 19th, 2007 at 10:46 am
Yayy for getting holiday things done! I still need to get to the post office and mail out the last of it… hopefully today.
December 19th, 2007 at 11:01 am
Oof, I did the post office ordeal yesterday too. And the day before. I think I’m finally done THANK GOD.
I sent a card to my ex’s family last year. I think that is so hard, when you break up with someone, it’s not like you’re saying you don’t like the family anymore. Who you have grown so close to. This year I didn’t send them a card… because time has passed, and I mean, for how long do I let that go on for, really?
December 19th, 2007 at 11:02 am
Oh, I remember what this reminded me of too! Do you know the SATC episode where Carrie breaks up with the guy, but loves his mother? And then she feels like she’s breaking up with her too? Yeah, breakups remind me of that sometimes. When the family is so cool, but the guy?, not so much.
December 19th, 2007 at 11:14 am
I wondered why my boyfriend brought home those ugly stamps for our cards. Usually they have pretty stars or Santa Claus or something a little more bright and cheery. Oh well. Even the post office can hire designers without taste on occasion too.
December 19th, 2007 at 11:20 am
I don’t do well with changes in tradition either. It’s well-documented in the family. And I’m glad you’re coming to Chi BEFORE sister moves her butt back to Boston:)
Also- the SATC episode when Rhoda plays the mom? Yeah, love it.
December 19th, 2007 at 12:09 pm
The stamps are cute…I’m sure they’ll distract your card recipients from the Sharpie marks on the return labels
December 19th, 2007 at 3:16 pm
this post had me laughing so much. i think it’s because i get the same way about my christmas cards too! and the scene at the post office? sounds like madness.
awww, i’m sorry your sis wont be home for christmas though! christmas is wrapped in so many family memories and what not, it’s hard when it’s affected by us growing up and stuff.
i don’t want to leave this comment on a sad note though. so.. here: i had to page something over the intercoms at work just now, and maybe it was the italian our office served for our holiday lunch today, but i let out a little burp near the end and it echoed throughout the halls.
December 19th, 2007 at 3:40 pm
I still have 34 cent stamps, and I think the ones before those too….I guess I don’t mail many things…LOL.
December 19th, 2007 at 4:45 pm
I LOVE Christmas stamps.
December 19th, 2007 at 4:45 pm
those stamps are cute! i haven’t seen those ones. (which i guess proves i haven’t sent out any holiday cards this year)
and it’ll be my first xmas without a significant other in a very long time. i’m a little sad too.
December 19th, 2007 at 5:00 pm
How awesome would it have been if it was “tacky ugly Christmas sweater” instead. I would totally put that on my envelopes haha
December 19th, 2007 at 7:30 pm
I thnk it shows a lot of class that you sent a card to your ex’s family – you rock!
December 19th, 2007 at 10:11 pm
I like the sweater stamps, but I wish they had a wintery snowflake offering or something this year.