Gentle Readers . . . and Maxwell,
We all need help sometimes, and I need YOUR help right now. My (former) mother-in-law will celebrate her 80th birthday during December, and I want to send her 80 birthday cards. So I'm asking my neighbors and friends and lovers (well, lover) and all of you in the blogosphere to send me a birthday card to pass on to Margaret.
Some of you have already volunteered, but I need more help to get to 80.
Let me tell you a little bit about Margaret. She had an unusually difficult childhood, but she worked hard and earned a master's degree in education. For a long time I thought that she and my father-in-law hated me because X told me they did. It wasn't true. We could have had a great relationship for years if X hadn't messed it up.
A few days after X left me, I called my in-laws to tell them. They were very upset and immediately offered me financial help. My father-in-law has since passed away, but I stay in touch with Margaret. She has been unfailingly kind to me, and extremely generous with my children. I cry for the years of estrangement we experienced, yet I rejoice in having a good relationship with her now.
If you can't afford a card or a stamp, then please let me know and I will send you a birthday card and a stamp. You don't have to sign your full name. You don't have to put your return address on the envelope. You can maintain your privacy, but it would be nice if you'd write a short note, such as Happy Birthday, Margaret, or, Best Wishes to you on your special day, Margaret.
Margaret is the kind of person who likes sweet, sentimental cards–especially cards with a Christian theme. She is devoted to God and always prays for my friends when I ask her to do so.
Moreover, by sending a card to Margaret, you can earn ten entries in my giveaway. Yes, TEN entries. That's how important this is to me. I really want to honor Margaret on her birthday, and I think this is a cool way to do it.
Prizes in the giveaway are three books I edited, or assisted in editing; an Editor's Tip t-shirt, your choice of style, size, and color; two $25 Amazon gift cards; and $150 worth of editing performed by me. If you win a prize and don't want it, you can always give it to someone else.
The giveaway is open to residents of the U.S., Canada, the U.K., and Australia, and now extended to New Zealand. So c'mon and jump in. The water is fine. You might earn a prize, and you'll be doing a good deed.
Send birthday cards for Margaret to
Janie Goltz
PO Box 61371
Jacksonville FL 32236
Heeeeeeeelp! And thank you for your kind attention. You know, if you've already sent a card, please feel free to send another one. I have a long way to go to get to 80 cards, just as Margaret has walked a long path to reach 80 years of life.
Infinities of love,
Janie Junebug
Awesome. I'll see if I can't get a card out the door. ;)
ReplyDeleteIt will be appreciated!
DeleteThat's really sweet of you, Janie!!
ReplyDeleteYou know I'm just sweeter than sugar, fishducky.
DeleteI will be happy to do this Janie!
ReplyDeleteThank you very much, Beth.
DeleteI'd had better not. I'd tell her Happy Birthday and damn you for birthing Dr. X.
ReplyDeleteYou can do it without saying that! C'mon, Coffey. I'll tell you more about my bodacious ta-tas if you help me out.
DeleteWhat a lovely thing. I am so glad you and Margaret are able to have such a wonderful relationship now that X is out of the picture. And I think the good relationship says as much about you as it does Margaret.
ReplyDeleteI will happily do this!! Will have to go card shopping this week to find the perfect card for her.
Thank you, Kianwi. I love you!
DeleteJust written my card x
ReplyDeleteThanks, John. You're the best.
DeleteI'll put a card in the mail today.
ReplyDeleteI'm sending you kisses, but tell Mrs. C. they don't mean anything but thank you.
DeleteI'll mail mine tomorrow, Janie.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Peaches!
DeleteThat is so nice of you! I'll send a card!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Sherry!
DeleteThat is so nice of you! I'll send a card.
ReplyDeleteAw, Sherry, it's so nice of you to volunteer twice. Your daughter and Bubba could send cards, too. ; )
DeleteI would be delighted to add my name to the list of Margaret supporters. However, as I reside in New Zealand, and what with the Christmas mail etc ... I'm afraid it's going to take a while. I also won't be able to post it until the weekend. Will that still be okay?
ReplyDeleteOh, and does your competition extend to NZ - or just Australia?
I don't know what's wrong with me, leaving out New Zealand. The giveaway is extended to New Zealand as of this minute. I'm sure that if you send your card this weekend it will get here in time. If it's late, then I'll send her two shipments of cards.
DeleteOkee dokee artichokee.
ReplyDeleteI wuv oo.
DeleteI will send her a card! My Mom will be 89 so I can appreciate your sentiments.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Barb! You're great.
DeleteCount us in Janie! Ron and I will each send one. We miss having our mothers around and would love to make Margaret's birthday a memorable one.
ReplyDeletethey will be in the mail tomorrow.
Thank you so much, Jim. But I think Sophie should send one, too. She can sign with her paw print.
DeleteGood idea! Will do!
DeleteI LOVE YOU GUYS!
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI will do a card today and pop it in the post, how does that sound.................
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Jo-Anne!
DeleteI will do this.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful thing this is, and I'm happy to be a part of it!
ReplyDeleteI'm excited about all the positive response. I can't wait to send all these cards to her.
DeleteThat's a lovely idea, I'll join in!
ReplyDeleteI'd like to join in (not sure if my first comment vanished or not!)
ReplyDeleteA birthday card will be in the mail on Friday! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, dear friend.
DeleteI posted about it today. 80 is doable! I'm very glad you were able to establish a good relationship with this wonderful woman.
ReplyDeleteThank you very much, Nicki Elson.
ReplyDeleteIt's not too late, is it? I went to our company store on Wed and the cards there were crap. I haven't made it to another store yet but want to send you a card for her. I will do my damndest to get one out by Monday.
ReplyDeleteAndi
It's not too late.
DeleteI am putting two cards in the mail on Sunday. No, one will go in the mail tomorrow, one Monday.. I don't think one stamp I used is a Forever stamp.
ReplyDeleteHi Janie .. I posted Margaret's card last week - it's not a religious one I'm afraid .. I didn't spot your email - I hope it cheers the day though .. glad that you're in touch now and enjoying each other's company .. cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteThank you, Hilary. It's fine that it's not religious. I just mentioned that because some people asked about themes she might like.
ReplyDeleteCard sent - though not a religious one. I hope it has arrived safely, though mail from Oz can take a loooong time.
ReplyDeleteIf you signed by a name other than E.C., then I don't know if have yours because I don't know your name or where you live.
DeleteWhat a thoughtful idea for your xmil. And what a great giveaway. I sent a card so - extra 10 chances!
ReplyDeletesweetiesuzy@aol.com
You logged in on the Rafflecopter, didn't you? You have to enter for each part you've done.
ReplyDeleteYes, I will sent A B-card.
ReplyDeleteJust sent the card.
ReplyDeletePick me, pick me! Your next winner!!! Show me the money!!! It would be a dream come true and means more to me than anyone else to win. :( Starving artist here desperately needs the prize to have fun and feel alive and inspired again. A life changing experience. Top of my bucket list. Thank you for the awesomeness, the contest, and generousity.