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I'm still getting Christmas cards, and some of them

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Ilsa Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Dec-27-04 06:30 PM
Original message
I'm still getting Christmas cards, and some of them
have those "catching up" letters. I kept thinking as I was reading them that if I had been interested in these people during the year, I would have already known this shit. So why can't they figure it out?

I know that sounds harsh, but I actually do a decent job keeping up with friends and don't need those letters. One year a friend sent one that had a code built into it. I couldn't follow the secret message (or blessing) so I finally gave up and trashed it. I don't need more work to do!

Okay, flame away. I'm being a grouch today and I deserve it.
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Debi Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Dec-27-04 06:34 PM
Response to Original message
1. I am SO glad you posted here..
Because, since we haven't talked in a while, Timmy got a new bike and learned how to ride it all by himself (and at 15...wow!) and John and I are trying to get pregnant now, so we have SEX ALL THE TIME...you should come over and try some time! I still pole dance and make such good money that the new trailer will be connected to our old one by spring! That means the three of us will no long have to sleep in the same bed! You are such a wonderful friend. We REALLY MUST get together more often! :loveya:
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Shopaholic Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Dec-27-04 06:34 PM
Response to Original message
2. I got one in rhyme. . .
and you know what they were really proud of? That their son had gone to the Repug Nat'l Convention! Like I gave a shit?:puke:

At least my cousin finally stopped sending her annual missives out--you know, the one with the perfect husband, the perfect children, the perfect job. . .
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LiberalinNC Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Dec-27-04 06:40 PM
Response to Original message
3. I can't stand those "look us" letters
Honestly, I could give a shit about how "wonderful" your life is...

My joke every year is to make one up for our family - example

"In January Joe experienced the worst case of hemorrhoids the doctors have ever seen."

"In February Jacob had a boil on his ass that took over a week to pop".

:)
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MissBrooks Donating Member (614 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Dec-27-04 06:52 PM
Response to Original message
4. Why don't you send them a note back saying that...
I personally love to get those letters and the pictures of my friends kids.

I guess I'm nicer than you are.
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Ilsa Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Dec-27-04 07:56 PM
Response to Reply #4
5. Maybe you are.
Edited on Mon Dec-27-04 07:57 PM by Ilsa
Maybe you aren't. My point is that I don't learn ANYTHING NEW in those letters because, since they are my friends, I keep up with them through the year. I don't need an annual storyfest to understand what's going on in their lives. If I haven't bothered to keep up with them all year, then why the heck would I care for just one particular week?

Personally, I think they are writing to themselves. They are giving themselves closure or a diary entry for that year to post in the family album, which is where it belongs, IMO.

BTW, pics are always welcome, at any time of year.
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sbj405 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Dec-27-04 08:03 PM
Response to Original message
6. I got a card adressed to the people who last lived here in 1998
I'm sure they must be real good friends. lol.
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fortyfeetunder Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Dec-27-04 08:07 PM
Response to Original message
7. It all depends
At this stage in my life, my friends and I meet/call infrequently because of jobs, kids and the like. Most of my older friends do not have Internet, therefore I can't send e-mail to them, and I don't get time to write lengthy letters. The letters I exchange give me at least something to talk about when I see the individuals at an opportune time...

Sorry you feel that way.
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Skittles Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Dec-27-04 08:16 PM
Response to Original message
8. LOL.....Ilsa
I remember a lady writing to Ann Landers about those letters, supplying one of her own - talking about how her husband was unemployed, daughter preggers and not married, son in rehab, etc. A "REAL" catch-up letter!!! :D
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OhioBlue Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Dec-27-04 08:23 PM
Response to Original message
9. well, you don't have to read them
I personally enjoy the letters and photos. But, i am big into family trees too. I know what you mean about keeping up w/ the people that you really care about.... But, I am on the other end of the spectrum. I have family that live far away and like to hear their stories, kid's activities and cute things they have said, etc. Don't let the little, harmless things get you upset. Everyone that I know that sends the letters really mean no harm.
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Ilsa Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Dec-27-04 09:10 PM
Response to Reply #9
11. That's what I do...
I usually don't read them if it's someone I've been in touch with regularly. But I don't complain to them either. It's probably easier for them to stuff a letter into all cards versus certain ones.

I'm not trying to make anyone's life harder. I just don't get that friends who are in contact with one another need this. Besides, the lack of anything personal to me in the letter bugs me. I don't care much for the generic tone. If they were writing me, and not the other 101 people on the list, I might bother to read it. I'd rather read something like, "Ilsa, I'm starting menopause. How do you deal with the hot flashes?" versus the trivial stuff.
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OhioBlue Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Dec-27-04 09:16 PM
Response to Reply #11
14. I understand what you are saying
But w/ today's technology - most don't write letters, we call or e-mail. I think there is something romantic about old letters. Obviously, there is not anything romantic about form letters that are sent out to everyone, but that is really the only "letters" that I receive anymore.

But... If you receive a letter from a cousin that you haven't seen since you were kids playing barbies or hot-wheels, wouldn't you get a kick out of hearing what they're life is like now?
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Ilsa Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Dec-27-04 09:33 PM
Response to Reply #14
16. If it was intended for me, not for the world.
When I write letters to people, I ask them about things you can't ask in a mass mailout. I let them know I'm interested in them, not just that I expect them to be interested in me.
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OhioBlue Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Dec-27-04 09:57 PM
Response to Reply #16
17. I hear you.
you have a good point. I still like the letters tho - they are like little stories for me. maybe i need a life lol.
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Carson Donating Member (560 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Dec-27-04 08:42 PM
Response to Original message
10. Yes, you are being a grouch. But at least you recognize the fact.
It's a harmless letter. Big deal. Throw it away if it bothers you so much.

People's intentions are good. Try to keep that in mind.
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Ilsa Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Dec-27-04 09:12 PM
Response to Reply #10
12. I do. Otherwise I'd not be blowing off steam here, but asking them to
Edited on Mon Dec-27-04 09:13 PM by Ilsa
drop me off their card list. But I do like getting pics.

Still, I couldn't believe the ones that were encoded.
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shesemsmom Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Dec-27-04 09:15 PM
Response to Original message
13. I'm still getting Christmas cards
because the mail man couldn't deliver the mail for the snow since last Wednesday. I wish he'd bring my new box of CHECKS!!!!!!!!!
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Not_Giving_Up Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Dec-27-04 09:16 PM
Response to Original message
15. My husband's stepmom sends these out
We didn't get one this year, but then again, he hardly talks to them since his dad pretends like his first born doesn't exist most of the time. She has the perfect little family, her children are perfect, her husband is perfect, and they all do great and wonderful things. Gag me with a pitchfork!
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motely36 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Dec-27-04 10:02 PM
Response to Original message
18. my partner received one from some old acquantices
that went on and on about how wonderful their daughter was and then how much of a pain in the ass their son was. The kid is 9 1/2 and they are trashing him and his ADHD. Really pathetic. I feel bad for the kid.
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