Although you may not agree based on the weather where you live, summer is nearing its end, based solely on the fact that children are returning to schools around the nation. How you ask is the start date for schools determined? Here are some interesting facts on that very subject.
Students headed back to school on Wednesday, July 29 in one county in Georgia while Philadelphia begins its school year on Tuesday, September 8. Why the differences? Money is the key consideration. From the cost of air conditioning school buildings to tourism dollars and parent’s childcare costs, each school system determines the academic school calendar that best fits their needs and budgets.
Studies have found that most adults prefer that school start just after Labor Day but there is really no consensus. Migrant worker families experience a loss in income with an early school start date. A shorter summer calendar means lost income for the travel industry, summer camps and amusement parks, and less opportunity for students to make money at summer jobs. Tulsa Public Schools saved approximately a half million dollars in utility costs by moving their start date from August 19 to the day after Labor Day.
Each state has their own questions and concerns and hotly debates this issue through state legislatures regularly. Regardless of when students in your area head back to school, why not tuck a nice Thinking of You Card in their backpack for an unexpected surprise!
What do you think? Should a nationwide school start date be imposed? When do students in your area return to class?
Obviously, I’m big into greeting cards. I send them through the mail, secretly leave them for friends, hand them off in person and attach them to presents. I send them for almost every holiday, personal milestone and often for no reason at all. I just personally feel a humorous or sometimes sentimental greeting with a hand written message is appreciated. Call me old fashioned, I don’t mind!
In this day and age of email and texting, greeting cards sent through the United States Postal Service are rarities. It is such fun though when one is unexpectedly received. I don’t think such a simple gesture will ever go out of style and know the effort used to send one is well worth the time invested.
What better way to let someone know they matter. Far better than a quickly dashed off email.
Do you send greeting cards? If not, why not?
Don’t forget your mom! Mother’s Day is this Sunday, May 10th. Your mom was there for you with a listening ear, helpful pointers and of course all those things taken for granted like keeping your clothes cleaned and pressed and healthy meals on the table, so don’t forget her on this annual day of recognition.
You may even want to remember other moms as well like your mother in law, the mom down the street that also helped raised you, your grandmothers, moms-to-be and fellow moms just for being who they are! Moms support everyone and now they are supporting each other more and more. A mom is a special thing to be even when the kids are grown.
If for some truly unavoidable reason you have forgotten to remember your mom this Sunday, make up for it by sending Thinking of You cards. In fact, it is a great idea to keep plenty of these on hand. You can send Thinking of You Cards all year long, and not just to moms!
Today is May 1, also known as May Day. This day holds special meaning in various parts of the world. In the U.S., tradition calls for dancing around a maypole tied with colorful ribbons and surprising people by leaving flowers at their doorsteps.
Not having a maypole handy, or the funds for distant flower deliveries, I like to use this day as a reminder to remember friends and family with a surprise “Thinking of You” greeting card. I have many friends I send Christmas Cards to and like to remember them midway through the year as well, which makes May Day the perfect mailing date for such an expression.
Sent for no particular reason, Thinking of You Cards are just opportunities to reconnect and surprise someone with a thoughtful gesture. This floral design printed on recycled paper is my choice this year.
Maybe you might like to start such a tradition yourself!
February 14th can be fun with a feeling of love all around but instead of Valentine’s Day, some have labeled this particular holiday Singles Appreciation Day or Singles Recognition Day. This is the day you watch others being romanced with flowers, candy and cards while you may be between significant others or even married to someone that just isn’t into the whole celebration. Not to worry though, there are many ways to celebrate this day that everyone can look forward to!
This year the holiday falls on a Saturday which opens up even more opportunities. Rather than rushing off to work, consider a “loving” breakfast celebration. Heart shaped pancakes and chocolate dipped strawberries will be fun for others or just for you on a lazy Saturday morning. If the weather is nice, take a long walk and “love” the outdoors. Use this day to treat yourself to something special, like a bubble bath, shopping spree or long afternoon nap. Say, “I love you” to someone who wouldn’t normally expect it. Plan a get-together with others for some group fun and laughter. Send Thinking of You cards to surprise someone. Plant a rose bush.
Love doesn’t have to be romantic; it can be a simple show of appreciation for someone who has been helpful or just plain nice. On this one day of the year, use this opportunity to spread some love of your own knowing that what goes around will eventually come back around. This same time next year may change from Singles Recognition Day to the Valentine’s Day of your dreams! Enjoy the possibilities and let me know how you plan to celebrate.
