Random Act of Smiliness - J.J. from USA

J.J. is a big fan of Princess Diana and sent this card to me on the date of her death. The photo on the card dates back to 1985. The postmark is truly unique. The Smithsonian Postal Museum was one we were hoping to get to but just did not have the time to fit in on our recent trip. Thanks J.J.!

Random Act of Smiliness - J.J. from USA

Back in July I received this card from J.J. The stamps which I believe are part of a wedding series were being reissued and they were offering cancellations for collectors. The floral design is lovely, however I must say the very liner design of the cancellation doesn't quite match up for me. Either way, nice to be thought of. Thanks J.J.!

Random Act of Smiliness - Bermuda from J.J.

Lucky J.J. was travelling once again! Lucky me, she sent me a card!!! This time she headed to the island of Bermuda for her birthday. Lucky lady!

Random Act of Smiliness - J.J. from USA

My only Valentine's this year was sent to me by J.J. - thank you for thinking of me! This year it somehow got completely past me - no decorations up in the house, chocolates for the kids, etc Only remembered the day before to pick them up cards for their classmates. Must be getting less sentimental as the years go by. Fun card with an equally fun postmark from another friend's hometown of Loveland, Colorado. Thank you!!!

Random Act of Smiliness - J.J. from USA

Another example of better late than never.....

This package of goodies came to me this past Christmas from J.J. She included several postal goodies and stickers. Love it!!! Thank you again J.J.!

Random Act of Smiliness - J.J. from USA

In November J.J. treated herself to a day in New York. Must be nice to live that close! She even found time to send me this great card of Grand Central Terminal (or Station as I know it). Thanks!

Random Act of Smiliness - J.J. from USA

J.J. travelled to New Orleans for Hallowe'en and sent this card to me. I was "so young" when I visited that city. One thing that really struck me was the fact they poured your drink in a plastic take out cup when they were closing so you could leave with it. Drinking on the street?!?!?! I was barely legal to drink in Canada let along the US at the time, I was stunned. A great "large letter" card which you can read a bit more about here.

Random Act of Smiliness - J.J. from USA

Something a little different from my friend J.J. just because. This sea lion was photographed in Galapagos, Ecuador.

Happy Hallowe'en!

Happy Hallowe'en and a Happy Birthday to me! I have met some wonderful friends through Postcrossing and several shared birthday wishes with me. Today's post showcases the great birthday postcards I received this year.

Eileen in England sent this card which I could see in Diagon Alley!

I met Michelle at the Postcrossing Meet-up in July. Guess what? She too is born today! Stranger yet, one of the other participants is also a Hallowe'en baby. Three in one room is a little spooky! This is from an old Canadian TV show....so old I actually remember it! Love the stamp she used - thank you!

J.J. my friend from Washington D.C. sent this card of cards. The Puffin stamp is new to me - thanks!

Last but not least is from Alida another lady I've met through the Meet-ups. He birthday was earlier this week so another birthday shout out to you Alida! She used lots of really fun stickers to jazz up the back of the card. Alida always gets the neatest cancellations!

Random Act of Smiliness - J.J. from USA

I can't believe it has been a week since I have posted! Being able to schedule posts is both a good and bad thing at times. Did anyone miss me????

J.J. was travelling in July to Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. This area is known as "Amish Country". The card depicts a poster from the 1940's era promoting the state, I love the colours! She wrote that she was touring pretzel factories and breweries - a winning combination!

Random Act of Smiliness - J.J. from USA

This card arrived way back when.....who knows!?! It made it in the house but then kind of got lost in the end of school/summertime shuffle that occurs here every year. I try to get so many things done before the kids are out of school that I take on too much and regret it. You would think I would learn by now!

J.J. had asked if there were any stamps I was interested in and my husband being a huge, make that HUGE, Shelby Cobra fan I just had to ask. Lucky for me there is a fabulous and funky bird on the other side. Don't worry, we can share. Thank you J.J. for making us both smile!

Random Act of Smiliness - J.J. from USA

J.J. celebrated her birthday back in February. I put together a little parcel for her which I believe was well received. In March (yes, this was another card lost on my desk) she sent me this card of Lady Diana. Hands down this is one of my favourite dresses. Below, I have included a picture I took of it from when I last saw her dress collection. J.J. used wonderful Lady Bird Johnson stamps as well as including a quote from her "For the environment after all is where we all meet; where we all have a mutual interest; it is one thing that all of us share. It is not only a mirror of ourselves, but a focusing lens on what we can become."

Random Act of Smiliness - Pitcairn Island from J.J.

Last week to say I was surprised by this card was an understatement! My dear friend J.J. had somehow managed to have a card written and mailed to me from Pitcairn Island. Wowza!!!! And I know that doesn't do it justice! While I had heard of it I didn't not know much about so went to my trusty Wikipedia to learn more. I was really surprised to see how small the population is - 48 people! My extended family is bigger than that! The views on the card show - Bi-Centennial Plaque, Christian's Cove and Longboat, Bounty Bay. The stamps and cancellation are equally as wonderful. Thank you J.J. and I would really like to know how you managed this one?!?!?

Happy Valentine's Day - RAS from J.J.

Happy Valentine's Day!

J.J. had this card posted to me via the Loveland, Colorado post office. The cancellation used changes each year and this one is amazing. She also used some wonderful love themed stamps. Hard to say which one I like best. Not too sure why the post office but the big sticker across the front but it all just adds to the character of the card. Funny thing, I too arranged to have a card sent to her from Love, Saskatchewan which she received last week. Thank you J.J. this is my first (and possibly only) Valentine's this year.

Enjoy your Valentine's Day!!!

Bahamas from J.J.

My, my this one was a surprise when I got it last week -my first card from Bahamas! J.J. was in the Bahamas in the middle of November and sent me a wonderful map card of the Islands. I didn't even know she was going. I must admit I am very envious of her, she is lucky how she is able to travel so much. While she said she was enjoying her time she was looking forward to going home. Hope her trip overall was a good one! Super stamp, but sadly no stamp cancellation on this card for her to see.

Random Act of Smiliness - J.J. from USA

What did I ever do to deserve such a thoughtful person like J.J. in my life? Another wonderful card was in my mailbox this past Monday from her - thank you!!! She had travelled the week before to Richmond, Virginia to see an exhibit by glass artist Dale Chihuy, at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. She writes that she can't even find words to describe how amazing it was. I'll be honest, I've never heard of this artist but seeing his work on the card and the links I really hope J.J. send me the Flickr link when she posts her photos - hint hint!

Random Act of Smiliness - J.J. from USA

This super sweet Hallowe'en card came a few days after my birthday but the thought was all there! J.J. sent me this card which is based on a vintage postcard to wish me a Happy Birthday and Hallowe'en. So sweet of her to remember! I just love the stamps too. They look like they are weather vanes. Definitely going to have to do some research on that issue.

Random Act of Smiliness - J.J. from USA

Imagine my surprise when I received a second card from J.J. last week. She really is fortunate to be able to travel as much as she does. This time she spent Columbus Day weekend (same as Canadian Thanksgiving) in Cape May, New Jersey. She saw the lighthouse on the card, did some tours and even attended a cooper's hawk banding demonstration - that sounds really neat!

This stamp is a new one to me and really great! I now have at least one of each of the birds in this series.

As always, many thanks J.J.!!!

Random Act of Smiliness - J.J. from USA

Sometime during the summer I discovered that the Frazier Museum in Louisville, Kentucky was hosting an exhibit celebrating Diana, Princess of Wales and showcasing many personal items and clothing. Most importantly this travelling exhibit features her wedding dress. While I would love to go, having  already seen her wedding dress once, and various other dresses three times, it kind of made it a difficult sell to my husband.

Yet another nice surprise from J.J. arrived this week, this time from Louisville. I had mentioned it to her at the time and am glad she was able to make it across country to go. She was there for the weekend and it sounds like she had a great time and saw many different sights. She said while there were many highlights of the exhibit it was sad. I know exactly what she means. I personally find the photos of her in the dress to be, for lack of any other words, the most haunting. To see someone so alive and vibrant wearing something that is now lifeless is a very strong message.

Wonder where this exhibit will travel next, maybe somewhere closer to home.

Random Act of Smiliness - J.J. from USA

Here is another sweet treat found in my mailbox early September thanks to my friend J.J. This time she was at the National Postal Museum to see the exhibit, Systems at Work. This is the postcard that "travelled" the system - super fun! I'll be honest, I  haven't looked at the complete on-line link yet, however what I have skimmed through is fascinating. The cancellations are a bit on the light side so with my scan it isn't much better. She is probably right, they may not re-ink the stampers that often. As usual, J.J. always has something great to share with me - thank you!