Happy New Year

Good morning and happy 2008!

We're getting ready to watch some HGTV this morning--the making of the Rose Parade and then the parade itself. It's how we spend every New Year's Day...watching the parade and writing our thank you notes for the Christmas gifts we received.

As a kid, we did this every year and it seemed like a good tradition to continue. The girls are old enough to write thank you notes by themselves now--with a little spelling help. When they were smaller, I wrote the notes and they colored pictures or added stickers.

Writing thank you notes is something my mother taught me to do, and something I'm happy for the girls to learn as well. I can remember sitting in a Bible study once with a woman who told me that she thought thank you notes were a waste of time and never to expect one from her or her kids. "Don't expect any gifts from me," I thought.

Not that I give gifts in order to be thanked, but it seems that if someone goes to the trouble to buy or make something for me, wrap it, and then wait in line at the post office in December--well, they deserve some thanks!

Have you ever sent a gift to someone and then never heard a word about it? I've sent wedding gifts in the past and am still wondering if it ever arrived!

Really, it doesn't take much time and it's not that hard to sit down and say thanks.

The girls write pretty standard notes:

Dear ________,

Thank you for the __________. I like it because

_____________.

Love,

__________

See? Nothing to it!

I'll have to go take some pictures later and show you some of the lovely things I'm thankful for. Until then, happy parade watching!

Comments

[Amy @ By His Grace]

I too am a note writer (thank you's and just because). I believe that handwritten notes/letters are so lost in our day and time. Thanks for the sweet post, blessings for 2008 and Happy New Year! Enjoy the parade watching and I'll be enjoying me some Razorback football!

[Kate]

Dear Joanne,
Thank you for all your blog posts. I like them because they are uplifting, creative, and downright make me smile.
Love,
Kate

ps...I'm at work waiting for one of our business units to finish their tasks so I can have some fun...sure wish I was home watching HGTV...love that channel!

Have an awesome new year!

[Susan]

Yup...the darlings have been writing theirs today, too. Amongst much wailing and gnashing of teeth.

Another day of cleaning and laundry here. Cooking...ham and all the trimmings. The in-laws are coming for dinner. Also did some prep work for some slow cooker meals during the week. I'm thinkin' this will only last a few days, then I'll be over it and back to my same old, last minute self! But ya never know.

Love ya.

Susan

P.S. Again...so in awe of your knitting and sewing talents. Love the girls' sweaters. They are so blessed to have you for a mom and aunt. That little Ava...oh my...she's going to be a heart breaker, just like your two beauties!

S

[Helen]

Happy New Year Joanne...

I couldn't agree more...it is called in a word...MANNERS...

I have the tradition of writing my remaining thanks you on New Year's Day as well...otherwise,my mind is consumed with not having sent my gratitude in a timely fashion.

My girls do thank you's as well but I must say it is more of a battle with teens...but when they get down to writing...they always say more than just the basics and tend to be really creative...I think it is just the "balking" of being a teen...I have learned not to nag just set a deadline and it happens...

I love New Years Day...I tend to switch between football, parades and HGTV or the Food Channel...and filling in my new calendar...

Enough of my rambling...have a blessed day!

Helen

[Monica]

I am a thank-you note writer as well. It can be so discouraging to wonder if someone ever even GOT the gift we sent, much less enjoyed it! My Mom instilled this manner in us and I will be teaching my children as they get old enough to write and draw!

[Monica]

I am a thank-you note writer as well. It can be so discouraging to wonder if someone ever even GOT the gift we sent, much less enjoyed it! My Mom instilled this manner in us and I will be teaching my children as they get old enough to write and draw!

[Allison]

I am a thank you note writer myself. My daughter is only 13 months old, but she writes thank you notes for everything. It is a lost art....and with a previous comment....manners. It floors me when people not only do not write a note, nor do they say thank you via the phone, or in person for that matter.

[Karen]

"Thank you" for reminding us that it is important to tell those who have done a kindness or sent a special gift -- thank you. It's not hard and it can mean so much. Karen

[julie]

Happy New Year to you and your family... I love hearing about your memories of tradition!