Good intentions

I feel like in the last few years I've gone through a cleansing of sorts.  I only have and do things that really work for my family and for me.  I put us on the top of the list and things all fell into place.  I am lucky to be surrounded by loving people and I try my best to not offend anyone in the whole "No, that's not going to work for me anymore" process.  Do you know what I mean?  It's not selfishness, it's balance.  It's priorities.  I was never surrounded by bad people or negative things really but there were just a few things that I felt like I wanted to sort through and shed or enforce.  Anyway, we've found great balance in our house and it's made a tremendous difference in just feeling settled and happy. 

There is, however, one relationship I have that is really shitty.  Thank you notes.  UGH, gah.  We don't get along.  They hound me.  Then I rebel by not paying attention to them.  I mean I love them, I know how important they are, I know how meaningful they are to others, but because they nag me, I get all, "Yeah, well, then I'm just not going to DO you, then."  Isn't that mature of me?

Below is a picture of just a few of the thank you cards I've ordered over the last few years.  I find the perfect picture.  I add some generic words of thanks.  I order them.  They arrive and then sit on my kitchen counter for a month as they taunt me.  Then I get pissed at them and I put them in the cupboard where they die.  I'm not sure why I can't just sit and write a few sentences to each person who so generously thought of me (or us, or the kids) and send it off but the task seems too daunting.  Even if I vow to do only 5 each night, I just can't seem to do it.  What's that about?  It's just laziness because I really am ever so grateful to all who think of us.

I ordered 40 of each of these.  I still have 40 of each of these.

I am vowing to change that and this is my first step.  William's party was last week (I know, sorry I never mentioned it or didn't share it with you) and our friends and family were so generous and thoughtful.  They deserve thank you cards.  I didn't want to spend another $50 on cards that just sat so I took the WEEEEEENY way out.  I actually printed a message inside so that if it comes down to it, I can mail them as they are.  Mom will be horrified, I know, but I figure it's better than not sending anything at all.  Am I right?  I'm taking baby steps to get back into the thank you card game.

The front.  Thanks, Misty, for the picture!

I know.  Don't judge. 

Have you seen this blog?  I love it and I admire her.  I bet her thank you notes are beautifully handwritten and are sent for even the smallest of gestures.  I'll get there, too.  Someday.  I just need to put it on my list.