Postcrossing

Back in February, I found a link to a project called "Postcrossing".  I have had so much fun and satisfaction participating in it.  I suggest you do it too, if you can afford it.  Most of the cards are going overseas and so it is $1.05 a card, plus the cost of the postcard.  I sent a lot out at first, but after the first bit of excitement and the cost, I backed off and send out cards a little slower now.

How it works:
You send a card to an address provided somewhere in the world.  It has a number that you put on the card and when the recipient gets it, they register the card number and that puts your name back in the system to have a card sent to you.

I have had cards from all over the globe.  The majority are Netherlands, China and Russia.  One of them must have started the project.  I have told friends at work about it and Terri, Adrienne and London and her daughter Amber, are all postcrossers now.  It is fun to compare with each other the cards that we received.  I just received one from Transylvannia!

You can direct swap with people also.  On the home page, it updates the users as they send or receive cards or if they just signed up to participate.  It has their user name and a flag of their country.  I get curious sometimes and click on them.  One day I clicked on the Australian flag because I have been to that country.  The person happened to be a man in his 50's from Melbourne.  I just wrote him and asked if he would like to swap cards.  It has been really fun.  I have about 3 from him so far and several messages back and forth.  I know I will never meet this man, but it has been fun to correspond with someone my own age.

It got me so excited, that I did something that I never said I would do.  I signed up on LDSSingles.com!  I got a message from someone and I thought I would reply until I found out you have to pay a monthly fee.  That stopped that real fast.  I can't see paying to reply to a person that only asked for a picture.  I think that is pretty lame.  First off, I would never like a guy that would only be interested in me if he had to have a picture first.  And second, I was looking for a penpal more than anything.  "And third....well one and two are good enough." (Quote taken from the movie Beautician and the Beast).

Retirement Incentive...Again???

It has been exactly 4 months since the last time a rumor went around the post office that a retirement incentive was going to happen.  It never did.  Well the buzz around work for the past 2 weeks is that an offer would more than likely be offered today.  Well what can I say.....it's just a rumor until you see it in print.

It has made me think very seriously about retiring though.  I would prefer it would be in a couple more years, but the direction the post office is heading, I don't see myself there that long.  I long for the days of the "Old Post Office."  They were fun.  I won't go into the stories, because most of my good memories are when I was working with my Mother.  She retired in 1983 and passed away in 1999.  That is what I want my retirement to be, long.  My health makes me want to retire right now and the benefits would be great if I did.  But of all the jobs in the post office, I have to have the best right now.  My co-workers and management make the job great.  I joke that I have almost 36 years in the post office and in my department, I am junior.  So if there is an incentive, some of them may take it also.

To update on my house hunting adventures.  If you can believe this or not, but I make too much money to qualify for a special condo loan that would save me $100 a month.  I make $328 a year too much!!!  The finance guy told me that it was almost a first that he had to tell someone that they made too much money.  I couldn't even take a couple of days without pay to make it work.  So I put everything on hold until I retire so that I would then qualify.

Well, the first of my nephew and neices kids are getting married in May.  Shawn is marrying Ashlee.  Boy do I feel super old.  But I hope they will be happy.  I have two more nephews left to get married.  Jacob is getting married in May..  I haven't met her yet, but he says he is super in love.  Jake has a girlfriend named Ann, and I have met her once and was very much impressed.  I am so lucky to have the family that I do.  Heavenly Father loves me very much to have put me where I am.  I am so grateful.

To be retired or not to be, that is the question!!

Another rumor at work is going around.  This one has a great big bundle of hope with it.  The post office has paid billions in advance for health benefits for people who haven't even been born yet.  The rumor of the day is this:  If congress passes a vote, the benefits would be paid over a 40 year span.  They would take the money that has been paid in advance and offer a money incentive and add three years on your retirement wages.  If that is the case, I AM OUT OF HERE.

Then the next day comes and the rumors are, well maybe some money but not years, then it is years and not money, and then it is, well maybe not yet but pretty soon and then, etc etc etc.

I guess that the dream still lives on until the rumors are facts and what will be the best for me.  So, life goes on as normal.  A few more gray hairs and another day closer to retirement.

Argh.......House Hunting

Anyone know of a VERY CHEAP condo for sale on the main floor?  I am looking to invest my money in a home rather than rent.  My parents always described rent as: Buying a dead horse.  I am tired of my dead horse and I want to move.  If I was going to work another 6 years, I wouldn't have a problem, but I want to retire soon and want to get settled in for the latter years in my life. 

Prices in Utah are outragous, but that is where the family lives and I want to be by family as I age.  Buying a condo on retirement wages is tricky.  I want to be able to leave the house if a friend says, do you want to go away for the weekend and get away, and the prices for homes are not condusive to my idea of cheap.  So the search continues.

It is a waiting game and I never did have a very long patience level.  It matches my attention span...short.  I have found one I like, but it isn't the perfect one yet.  I am still hoping for my lottery ticket to come through.  Don't hold your breath though.  As a joke, I have an area at work that I call my "Karma Zone".  It has a plant and a little fountain and I look at it and hold my fingers together and chant, "I'mmmm going to win the lottery, I'mmmm going to win the lottery."  What the heck, it at least amuses me.

Dang Jingle!!

When I get ready for work each morning, I watch channel 2 news.  Just before I leave, there is an advertisement for a soap opera.  I don't even know which one.  But it has the catchiest jingle.  The last 2 lines of the song say: "Two can keep a secret, as long as one of them is dead."  Then it shows a woman underwater staring at you.

I have been singing that song in my head for the past 3 days.  No matter what other song I try and sing, that one comes right out.  Jingle writers are very creative and talented.  Wish I could create one so I could sing a different tune.

Orbs.....And Me.

Have you ever researched Orbs?  Most of the articles say that they are spirits, most think evil, but I think they are refractions of light, of dust or pollen.  But look at the picture above.  (Click on the picture to enlarge) If you look at it close enough, I captured some of them moving.  If they are spirits, I know they are good ones.  Look at Kenny's little face.  No way would something bad be hanging around that sweet innocent little boy.  This was taken at West Jordan Park about 10:30 at night.  No street lights or car lights, just a flash from the camera.  I think it is a cool picture.  If nothing else, very interesting to discuss.

I am an official member of the KMA Club

Today is my birthday.  I had forgotten all about it until my sister called and invited me over.  I asked her if we could do it Friday because I have too many shows to watch that I can't tape.  I know, I am pathetic.  My life revolves around the TV Guide. :-(    I forgot they were going out of town this weekend so Dale is going to tape my shows for me.  That is the problem with reality TV and being to cheap to purchase the big cable package.  There are no reruns.

I haven't worried about my birthday coming up, because I have waited all my career to make it to retirement age.  My mother use to tell me to not wish my life away, but this is a major accomplishment.  I have worked for the Postal Service for 35 years and now I can retire any time I want.  Being financially ready to go is a whole different story.  Unless something happens, I will be here another 3-6 years.  It is kind of scary to think about it when it is staring you in the face.  But I have dreams of becoming a famous watercolorist.  It may be that I am the only one that loves my stuff, but that won't matter, I want to travel somewhere and paint.

I have been looking into a lot of options of where I will eventually retire to.  The world is mine right now and I hope I am brave enough to do the things I have waited to do all these years.  Happy Birthday Carla.