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Cat Forum / Cat Anecdotes / December 2005Holiday cards
I am sending a few off day by day. It's really shocking how much overseas postage is for each card. 68p. I sent 10 today. I really wanted to send to everyone on the list especially those on receive only as I was on receive only last year because I'd been very ill. To be sensible, although I really want to do it I realise my budget won't allow me to send to everyone on the list. I've decided I'll send to everyone I know who posts on rpca. Plus BlueBird. Although I don't know her, she is ill, just like I was last year. And a few on receive only. Please excuse me if you don't get a card from us this year, I hope to do better next year. Sorry. Tweed > I am sending a few off day by day. It's really shocking how much > overseas postage is for each card. 68p. I sent 10 today. [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > > Tweed You see why I'm offering e-cards? It's very expensive to do all the postage. I sent a paper card to my parents who don't have a computer (and who wouldn't know what to do with one if they did!). Even for them I sent a card I'd bought a lot of back around the year 2001... they won't remember it! Cards and postage are expensive and they have other things to worry about. So don't you worry, Christine. I know your thoughts are here for the holidays. Take care. Jill & Persia & Peaches >> I am sending a few off day by day. It's really shocking how much >> overseas postage is for each card. 68p. I sent 10 today. [quoted text clipped - 23 lines] > > Jill & Persia & Peaches I feel in a sort of special situation regarding this. In 2004 I'd been off work for ages through eye ops, at Christmas I was in a no wage situation before getting back to work in January. I felt okay about being receive only that year. I was resolved to send to everyone this year to make up for it. Hmmm. I hadn't counted on getting ovarian cancer this year and being rushed into hospital in April :-( A major op in May, leading me again into a no wage situation.. I went back too early to work in August. My manager said to me only the other day "You were on Fuller's Earth rather than the real Earth when you came back!" Too many meds, I guess. I had so many get well cards from rpca, and flowers at that time, it really made a difference. So I will try to send all the holiday cards I can, and for any who miss out, I'll try and do better next year. Promise. Tweed (yours is on the way, Jill) > I am sending a few off day by day. It's really shocking how much > overseas postage is for each card. 68p. I sent 10 today. [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > > Tweed Postage cost was the reason I sent small cards to everyone, as they were under 10 grammes they only cost 47p for international and 42p for europe. It would have cost roughly another £8.00 if I'd sent bigger cards.  SignatureAdrian (Owned by Snoopy and Bagheera) A House is not a home, without a cat. http://community.webshots.com/user/clowderuk >I am sending a few off day by day. It's really shocking how much overseas >postage is for each card. 68p. I sent 10 today. [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > And a few on receive only. Please excuse me if you don't get a card from > us this year, I hope to do better next year. Sorry. Postage for as many international cards as on the list is a lot of money. From Sweden it's just as bad, even slightly more and no special Christmas card price either like we get for domestic cards. don't worry about not sending cards, it's not about making anyone feel bad - enjoy the cards you get, we understand. Best Lena Signaturelewe lewemi at yahoo dot se | cats' pics: photos.yahoo.com/lewemi > don't worry about not sending cards, it's not about making anyone feel bad - > enjoy the cards you get, we understand. Exactly. I've caught a lot of hell for not joining the list /last year/-- (I didn't because I was ill and either un-or under-employed all year, and knew I couldn't send anything)--you do what you can, you enjoy what you get, you are understanding to those who cannot send or cannot send to everyone. I caught a small break...In Canada, if you are sending more than $5 in cards out of the country and you bring the cards to point of mailing for stamps, you do not have to pay taxes on the stamps. (If you want to buy out of country stamps and put them on at home, you have to pay the taxes to take the stamps home with you...but if you put the stamps on the cards right there at the post office, no taxes for prices over $5.) --Fil > > don't worry about not sending cards, it's not about making anyone feel bad - > > enjoy the cards you get, we understand. [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > enjoy what you get, you are understanding to those who cannot send or > cannot send to everyone. *WHO*!??? Who gave you hell for not joining???! Never mind, I don't want to know. Hey, people do as they can, and not everyone is in the same situation at the same time and that's *NOBODY'S* fault! This time of year is about giving to those who haven't got - *NOT* about what you receive in return. Getting cards from all over the world is a kick. But the real reward for me is thinking up my "storyline", gathering pictures of my cats from the past year, creating the cards, and going to the post office with cards to over a *HUNDRED* friends (??!??) [forgive me, but having grown up as a shy geek, having even *ONE* friend is a big deal to me]. Those of us here who can't afford cards and postage, or who are in a situation where they can't get out to purchase cards or postage, well it seems to me that those are the people who most need the lift receiving cards can give. I applaud Tweed for recognizing that fact and sending first to those on the "receive only" part of the list first. I don't even keep track of who has not sent me a card, I just get a thrill out of each card I do get and looking at all those cards decorating my stair rail knowing that I've never had this many friends before or have ever felt such a sense of belonging and camaderie as I do in this group! Hugs, CatNipped > I caught a small break...In Canada, if you are sending more than $5 in > cards out of the country and you bring the cards to point of mailing [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > > --Fil >> > don't worry about not sending cards, it's not about making anyone feel > bad - [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > *WHO*!??? Who gave you hell for not joining???! Never mind, I don't want > to know. I was deeply surprised to hear that too. Its *very* un-RPCA like. However, I do hope that if it was a regular he or she was just having a bad day or something and wouldn't be saying such things if they were feeling more like themselves. > I don't even keep track of who has not sent me a card, I just get a thrill > out of each card I do get and looking at all those cards decorating my > stair > rail knowing that I've never had this many friends before or have ever > felt > such a sense of belonging and camaderie as I do in this group! Exactly. I too was a shy geek who was even teased at school for having no friends. I *love* getting the cards, but even more, I love sending the cards out, especially to people like Bluebird and Norma Munday who may not post here much, but aren't forgotten. Yowie > Exactly. I too was a shy geek who was even teased at school for having no > friends. I *love* getting the cards, but even more, I love sending the cards > out, especially to people like Bluebird and Norma Munday who may not post > here much, but aren't forgotten. > > Yowie I think I might be detecting a pattern here - I was a painfully shy geek. Was? My real-life friends are my wife, brother, and mom, and a couple other people I haven't seen in many years. The folks I've met through RPCA and RPCC are much closer friends than anyone else ever has been, aside from family. I don't generally get into the holiday spirit much, but I really do enjoy sending holiday cards to my fellow cat-lovers. ESPECIALLY to those who are in situations that make them unable to send cards themselves. It seems to me that the folks in more difficult situations are even more needing of a word of support and understanding. Dan > *WHO*!??? Who gave you hell for not joining???! Never mind, I don't want > to know. Not real hell, CN, fake hell...y'know, the strong encouragement that taking part is more important than "holding up my end of the bargain." I was raised in a family where it was expected that I never take assistance, charity, or ask for help from anyone. I was not allowed to take gifts or payment that I didn't "Earn" somehow. I was not allowed to have birthday parties because my parents thought it was inappropriate for me to be given gifts by friends (though I was permitted to attend the parties of others and give them gifts). I was not allowed to go to the doctor or the optician (my school had to arrange for eye testing for me and send a strong letter to my parents, because I could not see the board from a desk, not even a desk at the front of the room) because it was "Admitting weakness". I am trying to shed the more extremes of this thinking but I realized it last year when folks said they wished that I had joined the list last year...I, of course, declined because I could not afford to send cards and felt it was "Wrong" To take them in return... For some reason I think it is fine for other people to be on "Receive only" but not me... DP says I need to cure myself of this attitude, and I think he's right. I believe YOU were one of the people who "gave me hell" last year :) And good on you, too. I need to ditch this twisted, self-crucifying pride. --Fil > > *WHO*!??? Who gave you hell for not joining???! Never mind, I don't want > > to know. [quoted text clipped - 24 lines] > And good on you, too. I need to ditch this twisted, self-crucifying > pride. Did I??! Oh, um, never mind! ;> Seriously, Fil, sometimes letting someone do something for us is the hardest thing to do, but we have to do it. A lot of people, me included, grew up in a "prideful" household, and there is nothing wrong with that - it gives us the determination to make it on our own. [When I divorced my abusive-alcoholic ex, I refused food stamps, welfare, and legal aid and struggled along on a minimum wage, supporting two children (with *NO* child support) and putting myself through college so I could improve our lot.] However, when you refuse to let people help you, you are denying them the pleasure they may get in being able to extend a hand to a friend. After Katrina, a number of people - some from this group - sent offers of help for my family (clothes, band instruments, toys). I *SO* wanted to say, "No, that's OK, we'll manage on our own." The problem was that we really couldn't manage on our own and the help we received was not only materially valued, but the emotional connection we got from receiving that help boosted our spirits at a time when that was needed that even more than material things. And it also allowed others to be a "guardian angel" to us and get the spiritual and emotional satisfaction that *that* brings. Any way, off my soap box now. Just remember that when you love someone - even someone you may have never even met in person - *that* is more important than pride is. Hugs, CatNipped > --Fil > Any way, off my soap box now. Just remember that when you love someone - > even someone you may have never even met in person - *that* is more > important than pride is. Exactly. And...as I say about many things...it's all about balance. About avoiding the pitfalls that come from having /too much/ pride and isolating yourself, suffering needlessly when there are those more than willing to help you, AS WELL AS those that come from having /no/ pride, and simply scamming everything you can off those around you. DP gave me incredible hell during my underemployment when he realized I was skipping meals at noon instead of asking him for money to buy things to make lunches with, or to buy lunches out. I thought I was doing a good thing (not mooching) when in fact I was doing a bad thing (hurting myself, and making him watch it.) He sat me down and told me there was a big difference between asking him to buy me stuff I didn't need, and asking him to give me a hand with my half of the bills or to buy food. I now realize how strange my parents were to be proud of me for going on a 5 mile hike with an inflamed appendix instead of asking to stay behind. I grew up thinking that asking to stay behind and sleep was wrong and shameful, while gritting my teeth and going on the hike (while hiding the pain from those around me) was good and admirable. I grew up thinking that was "normal." When I finally did get that appendix out--two months after the hike, after my teacher drove me to the emergency department--the doctors were shocked at my constant apologies and at my parents' insistence that I was "weak" and "whiny." The doctor told my mom flat out that I was hard as nails. I still don't know why she--or I--is/am so proud of that comment. --Fil I really do hope you can change this way of thinking, Fil. You have every right to be here just the way you are AND get help if you need it. But I know that asking for it can be hard sometimes. We are sending lots of purrs and hugs just for you, Polonca and Soncek > I was raised in a family where it was expected that I never take > assistance, charity, or ask for help from anyone. I was not allowed to [quoted text clipped - 20 lines] > > --Fil >> *WHO*!??? Who gave you hell for not joining???! Never mind, I >> don't want to know. [quoted text clipped - 27 lines] > > --Fil Please join the list next year, Fil, even if it is recieve only. SignatureAdrian (Owned by Snoopy and Bagheera) A House is not a home, without a cat. http://community.webshots.com/user/clowderuk > Please join the list next year, Fil, even if it is recieve only. > -- I will do that :) This year, I'm in school on a scholarship, so I have, if not oodles of money, enough for occasional treats like postage, toys for my toy collection, new clothes. I've also laid away cards for next year, so that at least is done. I will finish my thesis in August, and then we will see what kind of work I can find. The odds are high that I will be able to teach another class (the way I am doing this year) and have some money that way...if I can find a second part time job to balance around teaching, I will be as well off as i am this year. Regardless, my name will be on that list. --Fil I send Email cards to friends far away or someone needing something to brighten their day. There is nothing wrong in recieving the cards even if you can't send any. Just enjoy the fact that you have friends that care. Ann Signatureread Sam's blog at http://kittens-3.blogspot.com/ see pictures of Sam at http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/ann791/my_photos >> Please join the list next year, Fil, even if it is recieve only. >> -- [quoted text clipped - 15 lines] > > --Fil > I am sending a few off day by day. It's really shocking how much overseas > postage is for each card. 68p. I sent 10 today. [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > > Tweed Actually I believe you are on the list as "receive only". You didn't respond to my call for the list but you've had a tough year and we thought you deserved cards from anyone who felt like sending them. There are a number of people that we add to the receive only list because we want to remember them. Personally, I save all of my lists and if someone falls off the list one year they get a card from me regardless. Julie <who is working on cards and hopes to have them sent this week> >> I am sending a few off day by day. It's really shocking how much >> overseas postage is for each card. 68p. I sent 10 today. [quoted text clipped - 14 lines] > respond to my call for the list but you've had a tough year and we thought > you deserved cards from anyone who felt like sending them. I did mail back to say to include me this year. I guess you didn't get it. I asked another member to send me the list. I did want to try and do it this year, it would be too embarrassing to be on receive only for a second year. There > are a number of people that we add to the receive only list because we > want to remember them. Personally, I save all of my lists and if someone > falls off the list one year they get a card from me regardless. > > Julie > <who is working on cards and hopes to have them sent this week> >I am sending a few off day by day. It's really shocking how much overseas >postage is for each card. 68p. I sent 10 today. [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > And a few on receive only. Please excuse me if you don't get a card from > us this year, I hope to do better next year. Sorry. Don't stress yourself about it, Tweed. If you wanted to, you could always send out the rest of hte cards during the year as you could afford it. Whilst getting holiday cards are lovely, getting a surprise card in the mail for no reason other than friendship is also very special. Just a thought, Yowie Who is doing the card list? I tried to send an email but the darn thing wouldn't go through. I'd like to be on the list and have an updated copy sent to me, please! Elizabeth & Louis Singh 4672 North Bailey Ave. Amherst NY 14226 > I am sending a few off day by day. It's really shocking how much overseas > postage is for each card. 68p. I sent 10 today. [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > > Tweed > Who is doing the card list? I tried to send an email but the darn > thing wouldn't go through. I'd like to be on the list and have an [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > 4672 North Bailey Ave. > Amherst NY 14226 List sent. SignatureAdrian (Owned by Snoopy and Bagheera) A House is not a home, without a cat. http://community.webshots.com/user/clowderuk I'll take care of it Baha. It appears I didn't get several email requests (primarily for the list from ppl included on the receive only list). For that I am very sorry. I don't know what happened. I'll send you the list immediately. Julie > Who is doing the card list? I tried to send an email but the darn thing wouldn't > go through. I'd like to be on the list and have an updated copy sent to me, [quoted text clipped - 16 lines] >> >>Tweed I think you may have to try the list again, Adrian and/or Julie; I had the return-email thing here set for on old email address that had to be deleted because I had too much spam and too little to cook it with. My proper email address is bahadur@localnet.com. Blessed be, Baha > I'll take care of it Baha. It appears I didn't get several email > requests (primarily for the list from ppl included on the receive only [quoted text clipped - 22 lines] > >> > >>Tweed |
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