Monday, January 28, 2013

Mr. Postman

It's a long cold and slippery walk to our mail box.  They used to deliver right by our drive way,  But the youngest son thought it would be funny to lay in the road in front of the mail lady when she came to deliver the mail when he was a young and wild child.  Yep, he did that and many other things when he came to live with us.  Now all the boxes are at the end of our little street.  This is my neighbor Amelia riding her little bike as her Mommy shovels the driveway.  If you look at the first picture in the top windows where the curtains are parted that would be where the dogs are looking out at me.  The hike to the mailbox is to retrieve the packages for the heart swap.  As I took the picture of our house Amelia's mom yelled at me twice, not once, twice that a car was coming.  Now, come on, I saw it, that weren't going to run over me.  She is kinda the principal of the neighborhood.  I asked her if she felt she had to take care of the seniors as well.  Yes, I did.
The first mess on the table is all the packages.  Oh my oh my, where do I start.  The last package is getting organized.  It looks a bit better.  I counted and counted to make sure every one had five hearts.  Some of the swappers were in other swaps with some of the same in this swap.  I wanted them to get to know new people so I tried to mix it up a little.  I mailed 12 packages today.  I am still waiting on two swappers.  One contacted me and said hers was on the way.....another hasn't.  I have hearts waiting.  This was my first swap that I did as a group where I mail them back.  I didn't know how much to charge for postage.  I charged $5 for each person.  I bought mailing packages.  I hope that everything arrives safely.  I had originally planned to send back the money if I charged too much.  That would have held the line up too much.  Once I had the packaged was weighed it had to stay behind the window.  So I may have over charged by about $1 per package.  I am sorry about that.  I will post pictures of the hearts in a couple of days.....I want them to be a surprise.  I just love how they all came out.  All of them are so different.   Thank you for joining in on all the fun this year.  Please let me know when you receive your packages. 
I am thinking we need a little bunny swap in a couple months.......maybe one on one this time.......what do you think?
Oh and.....thanks for all the special little gifts.  I wasn't expecting that.  Some made extra hearts for me and special gifts. So sweet of you.  ((((((HUGS)))))

34 comments:

Debby@Just Breathe said...

The snow looks beautiful and look at all those hearts! I don't ever remember riding my bike in the Winter in Illinois.

NanaDiana said...

I love that the neighbor yelled at YOU to get out of the road- did you feel like yelling back...Get out of my life?;>)

That is quite a job you created for yourself there with the heart packages. I'd say you earned your extra dollar per box...lol

Take good care and watch out for cars!!! xo Diana

Julia said...

Wow, I had no idea that you'd have so many package to take care of. I've never ben in a swap and now, I know why. lol
Enjoy your many hearts.
Have a great week and I agree with Debbie, a dollar for looking after all this is cheap. You've earned it.
Hugs,
JB

Jane said...

It looks so beautiful there with all that snow, but I do know how it can cause problems too.

I don't see my hearts there so hope you've received them. Mailed last Tues. morning.Don't worry one bit about any extra postage $. Usually some packages cost less and some more so it kinda evens out. Thanks for hosting this swap!

The Easter bunny swap sounds like fun, but I like this kind better than the one-to-one swaps. Maybe that's just me - ha! One year joined an Easter Egg swap - they were paper/cardstock about 4x6 or so - all decorated differently and hung as a banner. Still have them & love them. Just an idea!
Stay cosy! Jane

Jane said...

Oops, that should be COZY!!!

20 North Ora said...

The hearts are so pretty and so varied. The bunny swap sounds like fun - can anyone join in? I'd love to - sounds like so much fun.

Judy

PatC - All is Bright said...

I would not worry about charging too much. You had to do all the hard work. I can't wait to get my hearts! Thank you for all you do

Hugs
Pat

Art and Sand said...

Don't fret about the cost. $5 is more than fair for your work and for having to walk down the road in the snow. I am sitting here complaining because I am cold and it is in the low 60s.

I can't wait for my package to arrive.

Unknown said...

Debby, I would lay down in front of your mail lady for any one of those beautiful hearts you are teasing us with on your table!
We had so much snow this past Friday, and rain and 60* today. How about you?
What a pretty house nestled in the woods. It so reminds me of the type of home back East where I am from.
Have a lovely week. I'm off to spend the night with TSG. E

customteddys said...

Brrrrrr, looks about like it does here in Alaska. Nice to read your blog. It's kind of like visiting my childhood home. Hugs, Vicki

RetroSandie said...

Oh my goodness Debby!!! You certainly DO have a lot on your hands there!! It looks like a lot of work to keep all that straight! I can't wait to get my hearts. This Valentine swapping was really fun, I enjoyed all of it! Don't worry-you will see my hearts on my blog! Thank you for doing all of this!! Be careful out there walking in that slippery snow!!!
Hugs, Sandie

Michele Kovack said...

Love those little hearts!!

Susie said...

Debby, The hearts turned out wonderfully. You deserve a gift for doing your heart swap..I think. You be carful going out, shuffle your feet if you have too. Tell the little neighbor girl that she is precious trying to ride up hill in snow. That picture of her,just grabbed my heart.xoxo,Susie

Marissa said...

Amazing!!! I really had no idea the amount of work you had... but, the hearts look adorable! the snow is so beautiful I bet your town is gorgeous! keep posting pretty pictures like this it warms my heart..

Sweet Posy Dreams said...

Looks like you have quite a lot of snow. We have had one of the least snowiest winters on record here. I think we've had maybe 1 1/2 inches total all winter. Snow is predicted for tomorrow though. (Today it is 61 degrees!)

Edna B said...

Wow, that's a lot of snow. We only have a litte and that suits me just fine. It's beautiful to look at but I don't enjoy the shoveling any more. Today though, I have to work on my taxes, so shoveling some snow just might seem more fun. lol. You have a great day. Hugs, Edna B.

Dewena said...

The snow is so beautiful on the trees around your house. I know it's a lot of trouble but there is beauty too. I'm glad you neighbors watch out for each other. You be careful!

Sue said...

Too much work, girlfriend! I say just let everyone mail them off to their swap partners on their own next time. Bunnies.... that sounds good. Easy for me to understand and come up with an idea. Homemade or bought? I've seen loads of cute retail bunnies. You got as much snow as us, looks like. Of course, all that rain for the past few days melted it off. The creek behind me is high. But let me tell you what else is in the creek.... some delinquents tossed my old wicker into the water! The nerve. If I had seen them, you know I would have run after those brats. LOL

At Home in English Valley said...

Thank you Debby for all the work involved in organizing the swap. You are amazing my friend! I look forward to receiving my hearts, and showing them off. Rest, you deserve it! Love, Penny

Holly said...

Look at all that lovely snow!! We had a little teaser last week but it was just icy rain and today it was in the 70s in North Carolina! Short sleeves came out. I do know how dangerous and what a pain snow can be-we lived in Idaho for a while, but I am still jealous:) The hearts look amazing and thank you so much for putting your "heart" and soul into this. I am sure it was not an easy task.

Easter bunny swap sounds like fun! Count me in. One on one or group-what ever is easiest on you.

Don't worry at all about refunding any postage. I just appreciate you hosting this swap :)
Have a wonderful night, Holly

genie said...

I knew if you posted a photo of all the hearts it would be a funny one. OMG, Debby. What a job! You are just so good. Cannot wait to get my package. I have my Valentine "Christmas" tree up in my living room and it is sosososo cute. Can't wait for Eloise to see it next weekend. Will take a picture when the new hearts arrive so you can see how I have displayed all of the precious hearts. Hugs......genie

Kim Gillian said...

Hey Debby, I sent you an email with the conformation number, please let me know if you received it. Thanks!
Also, Thank You for hosting the Valentine Swap, wow, that's a lot of work! I bet it fun looking at all of the beauties!

Unknown said...

Debby, I had to come back and tell you that I was completely flabbergasted to receive five Valentines! It was the most wonderful time looking at each and being introduced to new women through their beautiful and blogs. I can't thank you enough for your heart especially. A nest with eggs, it's so Midwest, it's so us Debby! Elizabeth

Nan said...

I'm catching up with you here today. I'm behind making a couple hearts for my family I send to. I would however be interested in that bunny swap when you get there. BTW you have more snow that we do, so that is where it's all been going. Rain is predicted today. Love Nan

Suzanne said...

Your snowy home looks so magical:) Now, leave it to you to be the Valentine fairy, too! One of these days I'm going to have my act together and enter your swap.
Hugs, Suzanne

gin said...

your snow pictures are beautiful. there are going to be a lot of swappers getting their valentine packages.

E said...

Love seeing all the wonderful hearts from your swap! It is so interesting and fun to see each crafters style and design I cant imagine organizing a swap looks like it went really well ! xo Elaine

Lutka And Co. said...

Hi Debby,
I got my hearts today! They are just wonderful! Thank you again for organizing the swap and including me - I really enjoyed it. It's so nice to meet such a friendly and creative group of women. Looking forward to more swaps :-)
Linda

Tammy@T's Daily Treasures said...

I can't believe Amelia is riding her bike out in the ice and snow. You do have a ways to go to your mailbox. The heart swap looks like a big production. Sounds fun and I'm sure everyone will so enjoy receiving their heart-felt gifts! Best wishes, Tammy

Ceekay-THINKIN of HOME said...

Well you got some sunshine in packages to warm you from all the snow!!

genie said...

Debby...My valentines came are are so cute. I love the little white one from you. Precious. I do not know who the long brown cardboard key came from. It is really pretty. I went to Carol's site and figured out that she had made the little bag with the hearts in it and the LOVE banner. Somehow I did not have names attached for those two. Will you let me know who make the brown polka dotted key. Love ya...genie

Unknown said...

Hi Debbie, hope you feel better soon! Thanks for stopping by and your lovely comment. When I saw the pics of your home and all the hearts, etc...I couldn't believe it...I love red and blue! Pretty photos you posted! Thanks for sharing.

Warm Regards,
Loretta

Cristina Garay said...

How pretty all that snow around your house! So many cute hearts, how fun to have swaps!

Esther Bears said...

Lovely pics of snow and everything. Love your whole tables of treasures :)