the procrastinator

The other day, the weather was gloomy, so I worked on the holiday cards to be sent to family and friends overseas.

Then, over the weekend, I told Satoshi he should work on his.

Thought he might work on it on Saturday after his German class...nope, what a procrastinator...

Every year it is the same routine...

Digging his heels in, watching tv...anything than having to work on it.

He claims there is a "pace" to working on them...blah blah blah

Sunday it was a beautiful day but we didn't go anywhere because I wanted him to finish addressing his cards...but no, just more procrastinating and moaning.

Seriously thinking about not sending out cards to friends and relatives in Japan next year so I don't have to deal with all the whining and groaning...

merci beaucoup!

During this time of year, we enjoy receiving cards from family and friends.

I enjoy reading about what they have been up to during the past year. I also enjoy seeing their photos.

Big thanks to Carol, for this beautiful watercolor...merci beaucoup!

Thank you again everyone for brightening up our days!

'tis the season

It's supposed to rain all day today, so I've planned to stay indoors and work on our holiday cards...

There is a program we bought when we first came to Japan called "Fudeoh" (foo-day-oh)...similar to "Print Shop" where you can design various cards.

Whenever we changed computers another version had to be bought and I was getting kinda peeved with their scam.

So...this year, I came across a book version that has 2 CDs in it...880 yen (plus tax).

I had asked someone at the electronics store if the book version was similar to the box version....(the box version is 3300 yen (plus tax)).

The person I had asked was representing the box version, said that they were NOT similar and if we wanted to use Fudeoh we would need to purchase the box version...(of course she would say that!)

Well...

we bought the book version, uploaded it and it works JUST LIKE the box version...there aren't as many clip arts or fonts, but it works!

I now have to update our address database because our last back-ups were done in 2007...wish me luck!

p.s. it looks like Blogger has turned on the "captcha" thingy even if I have it "off" in my settings...sorry!

summer greetings

In Japan during the summer months after the rainy season has ended, we often send each other postcards called shochu omimai. Shochu literally means "during the heat". Omimai means "to visit" or "inquiry".

These cards are usually sent to family and friends whom maybe you haven't talked to or seen in awhile. We usually write these cards in different shades of blue. Why blue? Blue is supposed to give a cooling image similar to water.

After August 8th (which is risshu or the first day of autumn according to the lunar calendar), the greeting changes to zansho omimai or literally visit or inquiry for the remaining heat. The cards are still written in blue.

This photo is of the cards which I sent to Postcrossing members.

I hope you are keeping cool where you are.