Why Small Town Post Offices Rock

I need a mailbox. That might not seem like a big deal, but how many times in your life will you get to be the one to have to install a brand new mailbox. I am not talking about replacing your existing mailbox, repairing a damaged one, or adding a pretty decal to your rusted old mailbox. No, I am talking about, "Hey, this is a brand new address and I need to get mail here eventually.

I have my perpetual checklist of things to accomplish for the Shouse. One of the items is deciding which address (I have two parcels of land with separate addresses) I will receive mail at and then I have to choose a mailbox to install.

Who knew there were so many options in mailboxes?

In Phoenix we have what we refer to as "banks of mailboxes." Large units that have thirty or more mailboxes are located just down the street. Each homeowner gets an assigned box and a key. It sucks because it isn't just out front of my house and, often, I don't retrieve my mail regularly and the box fills up with junk mail. At my new place I will have the luxury of a mailbox in front of my house again. Just a short trot down the drive in my nightie and muck boots, and that cable bill is mine.

So I took the time this weekend to research mailboxes and determine just how much it is going to set me back in my budget. Mailboxes for the US Postal Service run between $20 and upwards of $500, depending on quality and size. I want a rural box, which means it is quite a bit larger. Why a rural size mailbox? Because I can receive packages that way and they will be protected from the elements. Other considerations are set-backs, post type (allowing for a snow plow), and making sure the post securely holds the box.

In order to find out the expectations for my mailbox installation, I phoned my new local post office in Oklahoma. Now, I have been very frustrated at times with the US Postal System and its automated phone system. I have spent hours (I am not exaggerating) pressing one and following looping menu items, never able to speak with a human being to resolve mail-related issues. Not this time. Saturday I was pleasantly surprised to speak with a real live human being.

The Sparks, OK post office is a small operation and is only open for one hour on Saturdays to accommodate shipping needs and package pick up. I spoke to the very knowledgeable gal running it at length and she was awesome, spectacular, and, wait for it... actually helpful!

I learned that installing a mailbox is partially decided by the route the delivery person takes. For example, if they head west on my road then the mailbox would be across the street from my house. You have to set your mailbox back or on a special type of pole on streets that get plowed so as to avoid having the plow remove your mailbox along with the latest snowfall. I learned that my postal carrier ultimately gets to influence placement of my new box to make their job easier. I learned that when you are friendly to your local mailperson, they will go out of their way to give you information about a new town you plan to move to.

Tanya, the gal I spoke with, was wonderful! I asked her this question: "Should I buy a locking mailbox? Do ya'll have any problems with mail theft out in my area."

She said, "Hold on. Let me look up your address and see." Silence on the line for a moment before she said, "Oh, no. The worst we have out here is mailbox baseball on the paved road. You won't have that problem out in the country where you are. Most of the kids stick to the paved road for that."

I was so surprised and pleased. First of all the fact that mail theft isn't an issue out in sticks is a good thing. Mail theft in Phoenix is epidemic. Secondly, the town of Sparks has a population of 168, yet my property was referred to as "the country" makes me happy all over! I have finally found exactly what I was looking for!

I was equally pleased when she said, "We have a Walmart too. Just 8 miles up the road. Now that the road is paved and the bridges are fixed it is a quick trip."

Wow, one paved road! Yay!!! I can almost hear the whistling of Andy Griffith. Small town America does still exist!

I spoke with Tanya for quite a bit. She filled me in on where to shop, where the county seat is, and information about churches and community activities. She listed off surrounding towns and the distance to travel to them. She even recommended a well supply company where I can get the well pump at a good price. I hadn't considered where doctors and hospitals are located, but now I know that if there is an emergency on the weekend, the doctor will actually meet you up at his office or make an occasional house call!!!

I am so glad to know that small town rural America still exists. Oh, and the outcome of the mailbox you may ask. The mail carrier is going to check out if there is a box out on my property yet (there was once a mobile home on the land) and then give me a call today. Customer service is alive and well in the US Postal Service!

My faith in humanity has been restored. All is well in the world again.

Mason Insulated Cup Giveaway Winner Is...

Congrats to Jenny Hoang! Your insulated cups will be mailed out on Wednesday. Thank you for entering my very first give-away!!!

Oklahoma Ghost Towns

Can decay be beautiful?

I love to walk through abandoned places, old cemeteries, and the like. I find myself wondering about the people who once lived there. I wonder how a town that once thrived with businesses, schools, hospitals, and all the trappings of human life only to fade away slowly over time. How does that happen?

I was poking around on Youtube and came across a gentleman who travels all around Oklahoma to document some of the 2,000 "Ghost Towns" scattered near and far. Often he will co-mingle photos of buildings and people from the height of the towns occupancy with photos of the decay decades of abandonment and neglect bring upon man-made structures.

In his About section on his Youtube channel, D.W. Taylor describes his collection of ghost town videos:

I've always had a fascination with things abandoned and a love of history. I found it sad that so many of these places were forgotten..

The definition of a ghost town has always been controversial, and people often take offense having their town classified as such. I decided to use the definition of a ghost town as defined by Oklahoma University professor John Wesley Morris in his 1979 book, Ghost Towns of Oklahoma. According to John, a ghost town is defined as:

1) Hamlets, villages, towns, and cities that are no longer in existence, all buildings and indications of existence have been either destroyed or covered by water; 2) where the remains of business and/or residential structures still stand but are largely unused; 3) where the population has decreased at least 80 percent from its maximum.

Based on his definition, Oklahoma contains over 2,000 ghost towns. I decided to start posting short collections of these towns in an effort to preserve a small piece of history.

History is the best reminder of what works and what does not. Detroit is rapidly becoming one of our largest ghost towns in history. Thousands and thousands of houses and buildings that hold memories and secrets of lives gone past are rapidly falling to decay. I picture Detroit the way New York City was portrayed and as Will Smith's character found it in I Am Legend. Nature will eventually take back what man thought would stand forever. Soon a collection of foundations and crumbling walls will be over-run by trees, brush, and plants of every conceivable form. Only whispers of the greatness that once was will remain.

When we get to the end of our lives we are told material goods hold no value. We can't take it with us when we die is the mantra. Experiences and memories are all we really get to take on that final journey. If we don't share those memories and experiences with others, they will be lost with us. 

I adore watching these videos and taking a tour of the lives of proud people from long ago. I love the energy that still remains regardless of the condition of the houses and buildings. I get an amazing feeling when I try to imagine the pride that the homeowner felt upon taking occupancy of a newly built home so long ago. The feeling they must have had, that this home they labored to build would stand the test of time long after they had moved into the great unknown. I think it a good thing in many ways that enough time has passed that those who would have lived and worked in these great small towns would be long gone as well. What would they say if they could see that the foundation of their dream remains, but little else. 

Go check out some of these fascinating videos at Mr. Taylor's Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/dwtaylor999/videos  and take a fascinating glimpse into the land rushes of the 1890's through the Great Depression of the 1930's. Take a virtual tour down the streets of towns calling softly to you to remember that they once existed too. 

Old Is New Again

The beauty of the spray paint can. Ahhh, the stink of the fumes. The over-spray. The dust. Painting something using spray paint can be a hassle, but sometimes the hassle is well worth it.

This past weekend I spent some time debating my "vintage", i.e. really old, patio furniture. I really like it because it is comfortable, but it looked terrible. I have been trying to decide if I should just buy new or figure out how to jazz up the old. I found this cute bistro set in red (pictured on the left) but it was $199 for just the three pieces. I have a table with 4 chairs, two rockers, two bouncers and two side tables that match now. It would cost me my first-born and then some to purchase all those new. Ultimately the cost of 9 cans of spray paint prevailed and now I have made old new again.

Yellow/White is Old -
 Brown is New

Halfway finished

I am not well known for having great patience, however I tried my best to go slow, use thin coats, and get all the nooks and crannies. I managed to get all four chairs and a side table done before the wind kicked up and I felt I should stop. Over-spray would not be a good thing on the neighbors car!

I am quite pleased with the results and plan to finish the glass-top table this coming weekend. Hopefully this set will last a long while more. Painting the old set has saved me a substantial amount of cash. It took just over a can of paint per chair/item. I will need to buy more paint, but the cost of even 20 cans of paint is a fraction of replacing the entire set.

Updating the old to be new again. As Martha Stewart says, "It's a good thing."

5 Ways to Use Mason Jars for Valentines Day

Valentines day is rapidly approaching. It is hard to believe that we are already in the third week of January! With Valentines Day in just three weeks, I promised my procrastinating self that I would get things done in advance. Poking around the web, I found some very creative and fun ways to dress up my Valentine's gifts. Perhaps these might inspire some home-spun "Be My Valentine" goodness for you too.

1. Pucker Up: Keri over at Shaken Together Life, fills pint size jars with Lemon Drops and adds an adorable tag reading, "Pucker Up." Simple, yet adorable. I can taste the lemony goodness as I type this.

2. Hearts Wrapped Up: Beth at Beth-A-Palooza used her Cricut machine to make mini Mason tags to mimic the jar, added some shredded paper and valentine fabric to create a unique jar gift. Some candy or a trinket and, ta-da, you have a sweet Valentine gift for sure.

3.You're The Bomb: Mara of Joyful Mara came up with this clever way to blow-up Valentine's Day. Cute!

4. S'More Than You: Teacher's appreciate Valentines just like kids do. Here is a sweet gift for that favorite teacher from Kimberly at A Night Owl Blog. Kimberly even included the printable tags!

5. I Am A Sucker For You: Share and Remember has a great adaptation of the Valentine Card. Using a printable Mason Jar, a lolipop, and some Washi Tape, these cards are quick and easy, but oh so cute. Printed on bright card stock, these are sure to be a hit.

Valentines + Mason Jars = Can't go wrong.

Stress Free Moving the Rancho No Dinero Way

Ride along with me on my commute as I explain the Rancho No Dinero method of moving. Guaranteed to reduce stress and a sure-fire way to stay organized, this method is tried and true. Welcome to Rancho No Dinero!

Check out this episode!

Signs for each room (Put these on the doors/entry ways so those moving boxes and furniture in can easily identify each space)

Inspiration Found in Eleanor Roosevelt

"A Woman is like a tea bag - You can't tell how strong she is until you put her in hot water."
     --Eleanor Roosevelt

White House Portrait

Contemplating how I deal with being under pressure has made me realize that I fair pretty well, even when things look like they are so bleak and I can't see a way out. Let us consider Eleanor Roosevelt as some inspiration. First of all, Eleanor lost her parents at a very young age. Her mother died from Diptheria and her father from Alchoholism. She spent her youth with her maternal grandmother where she was starved for attention. Eleanor did not consider herself attractive and often suffered from depression. She eventually married her 5th cousin, Franklin Roosevelt, only to discover his mother, her Mother-in-Law, Sara, was a huge pain in the ass. Her husband then had a couple of very torrid and well publicized affairs, including the one with Lucy Mercer. Eleanor knew hot water, that is for certain.

Though widely respected in her later years, Roosevelt was a controversial First Lady for her outspokenness, particularly her stands on racial issues. She was the first presidential spouse to hold press conferences, write a syndicated newspaper column, and speak at a national convention. On a few occasions, she publicly disagreed with her husband's policies. She launched an experimental community at Arthurdale, West Virginia, for the families of unemployed miners, later widely regarded as a failure. She advocated for expanded roles for women in the workplace, the civil rights of African Americans and Asian Americans, and the rights of World War II refugees.

(Source: Wikipedia) 

 After her husband died, Eleanor continued to be active in politics. She encouraged the US to join the UN and was one of the first delegates. She fought for equality of women in both pay and position. She took part in the creation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. In 1999 she was listed by Gallup as one of the most influential women in America. She was a feminist at heart and a powerful, outspoken American.

Eleanor was the mother to 6 children, wife to a President, and went on to do many, many things to fight racial and sex discrimination, she fought for those less fortunate, and she inspired many women to take up a cause.

A brilliant woman with many great accomplishments, it is clear that Eleanor was a strong cup of tea!