Christmas Cards

I have found a new use for the Jasper County Tax Assessors website…it’s a great resource for looking up addresses for those new to my Christmas card list.

Each year I send out Christmas cards…and receive quite a few, too. I love them. I know for many it is a habit that has passed by the wayside, but I still enjoy letting those I don’t talk to often know I’m thinking of them, and appreciate the same from them.

Each year I say I’m going to start in October, so I can get them done, because somehow once Thanksgiving comes, the next month flies by. Well, I didn’t start in October. But I did start Saturday.

It took me a while to find the box with the cards in them. Then, something was missing…my list from last year. I know I didn’t finish last year, meaning I meant to send more cards than I did. But, I know I got some in the mail. I just wanted to be sure to get ones this year to the people I left out last year.

Each year I keep a list of who I send cards to, and keep the envelopes from the cards I receive. Unfortunately, my lack of organization skills have caused me a few problems this year. Although I found my lists for who I sent cards to in 2008-2012, I can’t find 2013 or 2014. And, I can’t find anything from 2014. I do have envelopes from 2013, but I have located nothing from last year. I knew I didn’t finish, but I have no idea what I did get done since I can’t find my list.

(I suspect my last year’s stuff is in an entirely different place, and will probably turn up as I unpack various Christmas boxes and wrapping paper.)

But, it’s o.k. I’m just starting fresh. I have the old lists in case I need a reminder, and I’m thinking of my friends that I want to include. I’ll probably forget someone, but hopefully not many…maybe they’ll just think I didn’t get done.

For some recipients, I will have to seek harder to find the info I need. I hate to admit it, but I have a niece whose last name escapes me, and I certainly don’t know her new address.

And I have a nephew whose address was on my desk, but I think I wondered why I was saving the envelope and tossed it. Oops. I guess my sisters can be expecting texts requesting their kids’ addresses.

My distant relatives are easier…they haven’t moved or changed names in years. I do have a cousin who no longer has a wife, and does have a girlfriend (do I include her on the envelope?), but most of those folks in Virginia are easy to locate. No so much for those in Maryland, two have moved and I don’t have new addresses. Oh well, back to the search.

When I started, I mentioned the tax assessors website. If you’ve never used it, you’re missing a great resource. You can learn about your property, and your neighbor’s property. You can check whole neighborhoods. You can look up addresses. I use it all the time for curiosity sake. This time it came in really handy, and for good reason. Thanks, assessors; you’re doing a great job!