Family caregivers have the important job of caring for loved ones who have chronic illness, disabilities, disease, or old age.  They are unsung heroes!  This month is a great time to say thank you for their hard work.  There are a ton of great options at the shop, Senior Shower Project.

NOVEMBER 11 // VETERAN’S DAY
I am the granddaughter, daughter, sister and wife of veterans, so this holiday holds a special place in my heart.  Another great reason to say thank you, this time to the vets in your life for their selfless service.
A few cards created by small businesses:

• Thank You For Your Service Wood Card by Night Owl Paper Goods
• Embossed Star Card Set by DandA Cards
• Thank You Star Card by Jordyn Alison Designs

NOVEMBER 13 // WORLD KINDNESS DAY
World Kindness Day originally came about because of a Japanese conference in the ’90s.  The organization, known as the World Kindness Movement, brought together groups interested in promoting more kindness around the world.  In remembrance of this day, share a little kindness in your own community!  Maybe a baked good and note to the nurses at your local hospital, police station or nursing home?

NOVEMBER 28 // THANKSGIVING
A day of football, family, and lots of good food!  A few cards created by small businesses:

• Gobble Gobble Card by Mudsplash Studios
• Happy Thanksgiving Cards (Set of 8) by Phoebe and June
• Animal Thanksgiving Card by Fox & Bear Paper Co.

NOVEMBER 29 // ELECTRIC GREETING CARD DAY
This probably comes as no surprise, but this day was created by the electronic greeting card websites.  Now there’s no excuse not to send someone a note, hah!  Check out Hallmark and American Greetings for lots of options and for every occasion.

This post contains affiliate links.

1 // Share a poem or quote that inspires you.
“Let us carry our crosses with love; let us see that they do not become a burden to others, but let us help others carry theirs.” – St. John Bosco

2 // What is your typical morning routine?
I’m usually up early (around 6) and head straight for the coffee maker.  I fill a mug with coffee and unsweetened vanilla almond milk, say good morning to everyone awake and then sit down at the dining room table.  I’ve been working through the Chronological Bible Plan and my daily saint book. I also jot down a few things in my gratitude journal.  Making this prayer time a habit has been life-changing for me!  Then it’s breakfast and chores and off we go to start school.

3 // What is your favorite meal?
My favorite meal changes frequently.  Since I’m still fighting a sinus infection this week, I’d say pepperoni pizza that I didn’t have to make!

4 // If you could travel anywhere, where would you go?
Now that we’re in the dead of winter, I’d go anywhere warm!  Lounging on a beach somewhere reading a book sounds heavenly.

5 // What are three of your favorite books?
This is such a hard question!  Instead, I’ll share my five favorite books from last year:  Finish: Give Yourself the Gift of Done, Brain on Fire: My Month of Madness, Redwall (read aloud to the kids), Need to Know, and Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End.

6 // Name one of your pet peeves.
Have you ever been driving on the highway when someone puts their blinker on to move into your lane and then proceeds to keep it on for.ev.er?  Drives me crazy!

7 // When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
At different times, I wanted to become a doctor, a marine biologist or a teacher.

8 // What is the last movie you watched?
I watched Remember the Titans with my oldest.

9 // What brand are your favorite pair of jeans?
Right now I’m living in Kut from the Kloth’s skinny jeans.  I think I want to get a pair of boyfriend cut next.

10 // Share five things that make you smile.

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If you’ve read here for any length of time, you know that I am a passionate supporter of keeping snail mail alive!  This is a monthly series that I hope will inspire you to start putting thoughts on paper.  There’s nothing like finding a handwritten note among the piles of bills and junk mail.   

PREGNANCY AND INFANT LOSS AWARENESS MONTH
Sadly, we all seem to know someone who has lost a child through miscarriage, an ectopic pregnancy, a stillbirth, or SIDS.  October is a month dedicated to them, so it’s an appropriate time to jot a few words, letting them know you’re thinking of them and that you are remembering their sweet baby in heaven.

OCTOBER 7 // YOU MATTER TO ME DAY
You Matter To Me Day was created in 2010 by Linda Jew. A friend and his son passed away and she realized that she had never told them, “You matter to me.”  As she started telling people she knew that they mattered, she decided to start a day centered around the phrase. Write a letter to those people in your life who could use the reminder.  Only four words, but man, are they powerful.

OCTOBER 12 // UN SPANISH LANGUAGE DAY
Established in 2010 by the UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization), this day was created “to celebrate multilingualism and cultural diversity as well as to promote equal use of all six of its official working languages throughout the organization”. (source)  Brush up on your high school Spanish and write a card to a Spanish-speaking friend.  Better yet, send one to a non Spanish-speaking friend and have them work on the translation.  An educational challenge!

OCTOBER 29 // NATIONAL CAT DAY
National Cat Day was originally founded as a way to bring awareness to the number of homeless cats in the United States.  Today is a great time to thank your local animal shelter and cuddle those orphaned kitties.  Maybe you can bring along a card and a few donations.  Don’t forget about the obsessed cat ladies in your life too!

OCTOBER 31 // HALLOWEEN
We may be too old for trick-or-treating, but how fun would it be to surprise a friend with a card and a bag of her favorite sweets?

A few fun snail mail related links:

• I just bought a few cards from Hennel Paper Co. and they are so cute!  Highly recommend.
• The #snailmailrevolution hashtag on Instagram is ridiculously inspiring.
• On my wishlist: the USPS just got new Birds in Winter stamps!

If you’ve read here for any length of time, you know that I am a passionate supporter of keeping snail mail alive!  Starting a new monthly series today that I hope will inspire you to start putting thoughts on paper.  There’s nothing like finding a handwritten note among the piles of bills and junk mail.   

SEPTEMBER 9 // NATIONAL GRANDPARENTS DAY
Signed into law in 1978, National Grandparents Day is observed on the first Sunday in September after Labor Day.  While the observance may have more than one origin, I love the story about Marian Lucille Herndon McQuade, a housewife in West Virginia, the best.  She worked to educate people about “the important contributions senior citizens made and the contributions that they would be willing to make if asked. She also urged people to adopt a grandparent, not for one day a year and not for material giving, but for a lifetime of experience.” (source)
This is a great opportunity to send a heartfelt letter to Grandma and Grandpa.  How about having the kids draw a handful of pictures and dropping them off at the local nursing home?


SEPTEMBER 19 // INTERNATIONAL TALK LIKE A PIRATE DAY
International Talk Like a Pirate Day was created in 1995.  As an observer of this silly holiday, you greet others with a hearty, “Ahoy, maties!”  Send a letter to a friend who needs a smile, totally written in pirate-ese.  Be sure to include words like Arr, buccaneer, walk the plank, scallywag and the Jolly Roger.  This would make a fun writing assignment for kids too! 

SEPTEMBER 21 // WORLD GRATITUDE DAY
World Gratitude Day started in 1965 in Hawaii at an international meeting.  Afterward, the attendees spread the message to their own counties and the celebration has grown and grown.  September 21st is a great day to jot a thank you card to someone special in your life.  Your mom?  A teacher?  The mail lady who delivers your many Amazon packages?

SEPTEMBER 23 // THE FIRST DAY OF AUTUMN
I’m sure you have someone in your life that just loves fall.  You know the one: she counts the days until it’s cool enough to wear sweaters and boots, she bakes all the apple desserts and she drinks all the pumpkin spice lattes.  What better way to tell your friend you’re thinking of her than to send her a card celebrating the first day of her favorite season!  This is also a great day to snail mail an invitation for getting together for apple picking or wine tasting.

SEPTEMBER 28 // NATIONAL GOOD NEIGHBOR DAY
National Good Neighbor Day was created in the 1970s by Becky Mattson.  In 1978, United States President Jimmy Carter issued this proclamation: “As our Nation struggles to build friendship among the peoples of this world, we are mindful that the noblest human concern is concern for others. Understanding, love and respect build cohesive families and communities. The same bonds cement our Nation and the nations of the world. For most of us, this sense of community is nurtured and expressed in our neighborhoods where we give each other an opportunity to share and feel part of a larger family…I call upon the people of the United States and interested groups and organizations to observe such day with appropriate ceremonies and activities.” (source)
Look for ways to be a good neighbor today and maybe write a little note to the ones in your ‘hood.

A few fun snail mail related links:

• The Hi-Five is a stationery subscription from one of my favorites, 1canoe2.  Each month, you get five greeting cards, a pen and gold foil envelope seals.  So fun!
• Alexa Z Design is a new-to-me paper goods store that I just love!  I have my eye on this card and this one and this one too.
• This is such a fun (and simple!) way to decorate your envelopes.

• Pipsticks is a monthly sticker subscription pack that looks great!
• Turtle Soup has some adorable options for vinyl stickers (I love this one and this one)