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Leanne Shirtliffe

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I'm Sending You Snail Mail

I’ve always been a letter writer. When I was 8, I started scribing letters about which boy I liked, and I sent them to my cousin who lived 800 miles away. Over the decade my cousin and I wrote to each other, the boys changed, but the rest of the letters stayed pretty much the same.

When I left home to attend Queen’s University, 2300 miles away, my parents bought me a roll of 100 stamps. They were gone by Christmas. Because I wrote.

And now, years later, I write. Not letters, but words.

This holiday season, I want to write to you as a thank you: for reading, for encouraging me, for putting up with my sass. Even if this is your first time here (or your first time commenting), I’d love to mail you something.

In particular, I’d like to write you a postcard. You know, one of those things that arrives in your mailbox but is not a bill? One of those things that is written by hand?

And I’m going to make this a little fun. I’d like you to give me a word you’d like me to include in my postcard to you. It could be a new word, a difficult word, a bizarre word, a whatever word. I will somehow weave your chosen word into the tale I write to you.

So if you would like a postcard from me and you live on planet Earth, this is what you need to do:

  1. Tell me “yes” in your comment below and leave the word you want me to include.
  2. Email me (or DM or FB message) me your mailing address: IronicMom(at)gmail(dot)com. If you remember, put POSTCARD as the subject line (I lose my emails faster than brain cells).

That is all.

Around the web:

If you’re interested in reading some of the writing I’ve been doing around the web this week, feel free to check out the following:

  • An Obituary for Sex (at NickMom, Nickelodeon’s new edgy humor site)
  • Go Ahead: Surprise a Reader with a Note (at Wordbitches, the writing blog I co-author with Elena and Trish)

And please go check out what Thing 1 and Thing 2 have been up to in Saint Paul. Mike is keeping them entertained. The photos are priceless: One Thing Leads to Another.

Filed Under: Finding Humor Everywhere Tagged With: blog, funny, humor, Ironic Mom, Leanne Shirtliffe, mom, parenting, postcard, snail mail, twins

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. melsar93 says

    December 9, 2011 at 11:40 am

    I love getting real mail. Yes. Please use the word delicious.

    Reply
  2. writerwoman61 says

    December 9, 2011 at 11:52 am

    Yes! And the word is “cumberground”.

    Wendy

    Reply
    • educlaytion says

      December 9, 2011 at 1:48 pm

      That’s great Wendy!

      Reply
  3. hopefulleigh says

    December 9, 2011 at 11:53 am

    This is awesome. YOU are awesome! Please use “triumvirate.”

    Reply
  4. Jennifer England says

    December 9, 2011 at 12:10 pm

    Yes, please! The word is “unique”.

    Reply
  5. Marlene says

    December 9, 2011 at 12:18 pm

    I LOVE getting mail! Since I’m married to a minister and that takes being a little bizarre (or a lot) I have chosen a bizarre word for you. πŸ™‚ Please use Paralipomenon.
    Can’t wait!! Going to check the mailbox real soon!!

    Reply
  6. sportsjim81 says

    December 9, 2011 at 12:33 pm

    Yes please! And the word is “gnude”. It’s a word I’m trying to create, promote, and eventually make part of mainstream conversation. You are the perfect person to help in my quest!

    Reply
  7. educlaytion says

    December 9, 2011 at 1:50 pm

    Okay, so just when I have a moment of inspiration at J Butt’s you gotta go and upstage me. This is great. Letter carriers all over the world are going to be baffled. And I would like my word to be “pickleshoes”. And if you want to throw a “hornswoggled” in there then knock yourself out.

    Reply
  8. Jill Anderson (@jillian6475) says

    December 9, 2011 at 1:59 pm

    Yes. And “perspicacious,” because it’s fun to say.

    Reply
  9. julie gardner says

    December 9, 2011 at 2:31 pm

    I can’t believe you want to take on One. More. Thing.
    But since you do, I’m saying yes.

    And my word is panache. Because I’m a fan of things that aren’t spelled like they sound. Oh wait no. I hate them. Still, I like the word panache.

    So.

    Reply
  10. Marianne says

    December 9, 2011 at 2:41 pm

    I just made a pirate tree for a charity fundraiser. So the first word that came to mind is “Blackbeard.” It can be a proper noun, right?

    Reply
  11. Paige Roper Norman says

    December 9, 2011 at 3:07 pm

    Yes Please! And I’d like you to use the word “Spurfle”. Or Grungly. I’ll see if you get the appropriate Norman-ese definitions correct in your postcard.

    Merry Christmas!

    Reply
  12. Kim Wilson says

    December 9, 2011 at 3:39 pm

    Ooh, mail from Canada! Yes, please! πŸ™‚ Hmm, I’d like to read “pizzazz” because how many words can really be so cool as to have 4 z’s in them? And, if you want to drop some extra u’s, I’ll know it’s from you. I’ll even return the favor and send some mail from the U-S-of-A. Who knows where I’ll be when I send it… I’ve got a multi-state tour over the next month.

    Reply
  13. Cheryl says

    December 9, 2011 at 3:49 pm

    Yes please. My word is sa-wΓΉt dee kΓ’.

    Reply
  14. Mark says

    December 9, 2011 at 3:49 pm

    Yes Sternocleidomastoid longest muscle name in the human body

    Reply
  15. susielindau says

    December 9, 2011 at 4:00 pm

    I am on the computer right now avoiding the task of making my hand made Christmas cards…I’ll trade you!
    My word is “chocobabble”

    Reply
  16. Renee Schuls-Jacobson says

    December 9, 2011 at 4:04 pm

    The postage is going to clobber you on this one, Shirtsleeves! But I so want in.

    Please be sure to include “shizzle” and if possible make it be a wee bit naughty, #iykwim.

    Reply
  17. Liz McLennan says

    December 9, 2011 at 4:09 pm

    Yes, please!

    Word: Baileys. That was hard, eh? Love this idea – it’s very ambitious!

    Reply
  18. gojulesgo says

    December 9, 2011 at 4:20 pm

    Yes please! Oooh I love it! Great idea. My favorite word is “heinous.” I am sending you an email right now! πŸ™‚

    Reply
  19. Suniverse says

    December 9, 2011 at 4:34 pm

    Yes! I love this idea.

    My word is effervescent.

    Emailing you now.

    Reply
  20. mj monaghan says

    December 9, 2011 at 5:12 pm

    I say “yes.” Emphatically.
    Bless you Leanne!

    Reply
  21. K.B. Owen says

    December 9, 2011 at 5:44 pm

    This is fabulous, Leanne! Yes, please, send me a postcard to brighten my week. I think I’ve been guided lately by “serendipity” – but we shall see!

    Have a wonderful holiday!
    Kathy

    Reply
  22. Larry Hehn says

    December 9, 2011 at 7:25 pm

    Yes, please!
    The word of the day is…”constipated”.

    Reply
  23. Amber West says

    December 9, 2011 at 8:39 pm

    Hooray! I’ll return the favor if you like. πŸ™‚

    Let’s go with “pulchritude”.

    (PS – I don’t observe the Christmas holiday, but I wish you a fabulous end of 2011. πŸ™‚ )

    Reply
  24. Tyra (@MsNeonTyra) says

    December 9, 2011 at 9:02 pm

    Leanne,

    This is an amazing offer – sounds like so much fun! Absolutely I want to join in!

    My word is enigmatic :c)

    Thanks again!

    Reply
  25. mooremom523 says

    December 9, 2011 at 10:19 pm

    Glad I found your blog thanks to a post regarding search bombing.
    If I could, I would love to say Yes.
    Pleas use the word..Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious since my husband constantly reminds me I am the only person who uses this word on a regular basis.
    Happy Holidays.

    Reply
  26. singlehandedsanity says

    December 10, 2011 at 6:11 am

    Never heard of this idea before – you are special.
    My answer is Yes, because I love to get real mail.
    Any fun words will do, but a favorite around our household is “henway”
    As in when leaving on a trip I say to my husband, did we (I) remember to bring everything we need for this trip. And my DH always says Did you remember the henway? And I say, “What is a henway?” and he says A hen weighs about 2 pounds! Translation: if we don’t got it we don’t need it and if we do need it we will deal with it then.

    Reply
  27. The Hook says

    December 10, 2011 at 6:18 am

    Cool, “old school” concept! Not that YOU’RE old, but you have a funky retro vibe going on that rocks!

    Reply
  28. Christine says

    December 10, 2011 at 8:18 am

    Great idea. I love real mail. I feel bad adding to your workload, but…yes, please send me a postcard.

    Please use ‘claymation’ in my note. Yay!

    Happy holidays!

    Reply
  29. Greta @gfunkified says

    December 10, 2011 at 8:59 am

    Yes! “Bubble”

    Reply
  30. Carol says

    December 10, 2011 at 9:02 am

    YES! I miss snail mail! πŸ™ I use to have tons of pen pals before.
    The word is: Verklempt πŸ™‚

    Will email you my deets. Yay, can’t wait!

    Reply
  31. Annie says

    December 10, 2011 at 1:02 pm

    This is wonderful. What a fabulous idea! I love mail and never seem to get it anymore, although I definitely get my share of catalogs! So my word is “cumquat.” Thanks for the fun!

    Reply
  32. yogaleigh says

    December 10, 2011 at 9:51 pm

    Yes. My word is lovingkindness. Can’t wait to have something other than junk mail!

    Reply
  33. Arindam says

    December 11, 2011 at 3:20 am

    What an innovative idea! I hope lots of us do n’t even remember when the last someone has sent a handwritten postcard. it’s sounding really interesting.

    Reply
  34. eva626 says

    December 11, 2011 at 10:12 am

    new reader here!

    yes, the word is “awkward” lol.

    im enjoying your blog btw. nice to meet you! lol

    Reply
  35. A Novel Woman says

    December 11, 2011 at 11:24 am

    YES! I love snail mail. It’s like finding little gifts in the mailbox that aren’t spiders or earwigs. Will email address.

    The word I want is “haboobs” which, when it’s on a postcard, will definitely discombobulate my mailman.

    Reply
  36. Jamie says

    December 11, 2011 at 11:40 am

    Yes, please! My postcard word must be: flustrated. Because I like malapropisms the most at Christmastime.

    Reply
  37. Meet the Buttrams says

    December 11, 2011 at 12:17 pm

    I’m late, but yes! I would love to have a postcard from you!
    And the word would be “commode”. Because it just makes me laugh.

    Reply
  38. Tamara says

    December 11, 2011 at 1:50 pm

    You know I want it. And my word is “consensual.” Because I know you want to give it to me. πŸ˜‰

    Reply
  39. Michelle says

    December 11, 2011 at 2:53 pm

    Yes! the word is palindrome. Thanks!

    Reply
  40. Leanne Shirtliffe says

    December 11, 2011 at 7:49 pm

    Y’all are sending me to the dictionary…
    I can’t wait until my hand starts to cramp from this project. It’s not too late to add your name if you’d like a postcard. Warning: some of these I might not write until Christmas holidays.
    <3

    Reply
  41. Joy @ Joy In This Journey says

    December 12, 2011 at 4:56 am

    Yes! Flatulent, an epidemic in our neighborhood. πŸ˜€ (fantastic idea, Leanne)

    Reply
  42. sewcrazy&joe says

    December 12, 2011 at 9:04 am

    Yes! please include the word ‘ransom’. I haven’t received a postcard in years; what a great idea πŸ™‚

    Reply
  43. Jennifer says

    December 12, 2011 at 9:31 am

    Love the idea!
    Definitely love getting mail, I have blogged before about how no one gets any letters anymore.. At least, I remember writing something about it, I just don’t know if I can really find it since I have had a number of blogs that I actually combined to my one on here…

    Anyway, my word should be “S’Winter”

    Do you know the reference?
    Have a wonderful holiday!

    Reply
  44. The 1st Draft says

    December 12, 2011 at 10:34 am

    Yes please! My word is serendipitous.

    Reply
  45. Wendy Lawrence says

    December 12, 2011 at 3:02 pm

    Love this idea! And my word is “Eeyore.” Unless this is like scrabble and it can’t be a proper noun?

    Reply
  46. Bernie Pseudonymous says

    December 12, 2011 at 3:54 pm

    Yes. Please and Thank you! My word is Poop.

    Reply
  47. Dawn in NL says

    December 13, 2011 at 9:44 am

    Oh count me in too, please. Phenomenon.

    Reply
  48. Gigi says

    December 13, 2011 at 11:05 pm

    Love this idea Leanne…no rush though. I get the whole holiday thing with kids.

    Yes, I would love to get a postcard from you and the word is “weather or whether”…thinking of Dr. Suess…the Grinch and the magic of Christmas. I get called that from time to time during this festive season…heehee…and besides, Thing 1 and Thing 2…thought you might appreciate that.

    Hope you and yours have a good holiday!

    Gigi

    Reply
  49. Diana Trautwein says

    December 14, 2011 at 12:10 am

    Oh my, yes! Word? How’s about “outrageous?”

    Reply
  50. Nights says

    December 14, 2011 at 4:42 am

    Yes! Please. How does anaphylaxtic sound?

    Reply
  51. Jasmine says

    December 15, 2011 at 8:15 am

    Hello!
    Been a reader all along and would love to join in πŸ™‚ I am from Singapore and the word I would like to see in the postcard is ‘shiok’
    A truly Singaporean word

    Thanks!

    Reply
  52. mistyslaws says

    December 20, 2011 at 10:24 am

    Am I too late? I am just catching up on posts and saw this. I actually sent out xmas cards to all who requested this year on my blog as well, so I love this idea.

    Hmm, if you can still do it, I had originally wanted Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious, but someone already wanted that one and I don’t wanna be all copy cat and whatnot. How about “discomboobulated.” Intentional mispelling included. πŸ˜‰

    Reply

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