One of my favorite silly songs, written by Woody Guthrie and sung by Pete Seeger is the song “Imma gonna mail myself to you.” Since I am unable to do that, I have to resort to mailing packages to my dear friends on the other side of the United States. I procrastinate around mailing things, knowing I will face long lines at the post office. Of course the longer I put off the task, the longer the lines will be at the post office. So I put it off even longer. Eventually I realize that the gifts will be arriving for Valentines Day instead of Christmas if I don’t act.
Amazingly I learned today(during yet another session of avoiding going to the actual post office) that I could buy postage, print my own labels, put them on regulation packaging and leave them on the front porch to be picked up by the local mail carrier. I had the packaging gathered in bulk the last time I was at the actual office. I had only to fill out forms, use my printer, and stick the labels to the boxes. Above is the fruit of my work, a group of items ready for tomorrow’s collection.
For all I know I could have been doing this for years instead of endlessly whining about waiting in line to mail gifts. Christmas seems to be the only time that the people in front of me in line are mailing 50 items, all various sizes, needing custom’s declarations and insurance. Their partners in crime seem to have only one package, but when they get to the front of the line they say “the rest are outside–I’ll be right back.” And in come 20 more boxes.
Can’t say that I will miss the experience!
Saved By Words 
Glad you found a way to make it easier mailing gifts to friends 🙂
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I was delighted.
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Congratulations! You beat the long lines. : – ) (I had always wished to be one of those people with 50 packages because it would have meant that my business was thriving.)
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LOL!
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Going to the Post Office is never fun, and definitely not for the faint of heart during the holidays! This is a nice alternative.
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And it worked!
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Going to the post office this time of year ranks right up there with going to the DMV or having a root canal.
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I like my dentist better than I like the particular post office workers I have encountered.
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Interesting comment on the queue and lines for mailing. And an efficient arrangement for pickup and mail
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Thanks.
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You are welcome Elizabeth
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You are fortunate that you have a good mailing service, Elizabeth, and this innovation you describe above is wonderful. Our postal service is so unreliable with packages disappearing and mail being delivered four months late, that we have to use a courier service which is expensive. Amazon will not deliver to South Africa using our national postal service any more.
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That is so discouraging when national services are so dysfunctional.
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This is the first year that I have sent no cards or packages. The cost of postage in this country has become so high, it usually costs much more than whatever you are sending. I just said ‘No’. 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
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It is approaching that cost here too.
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Well done you!
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Thanks.
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