Crafty things

[wiseheart]

What a surprise - NOT! Right? ;)

Anyway, I've made Page 3 of the baby book and started making the photo mats that will go into the side-loading pages. I've got quite a few postcard-sized white cardstock pieces. Mum supports various charities, and some of them - like the artists who paint with their mouths or feet - send her a bunch of double cards once a year. For some reason that I fail to understand, Mum doesn't want people to know where those cards came from, so she asks me to cut off half of them (where the name of the charity stays) and gives them away as single cards. I then use the remaining halves whenever I have to glue on one side of the cardstock, so that the charity names won't be seen.

Nothing gets wasted in this household! *g*

Other than that, we had a quiet day - just the way we like them. My friend Evie dropped by with a bag of apples, and we had the usual masked exchange in front of the building, much to the bafflement of any possible Secret Service agents that spy on the population.

The son of one of Mum's former colleagues (alas, no longer with us) has called last week and wanted to visit. At first Mum said okay, come - but then I pointed out that we don't even know if the guy is vaccinated or not and besides, he never visited or even called earlier, so Mum decided to cancel the visit, saying that I was ill. Which is true. I was - last week. I seem to be over the cold now, but the last thing I need is some guy I saw about three times in my entire life snowing in and sharing his germs with us.

He wanted to call again before coming - thank God, he hasn't called so far, and by now it would be way too late for a visit anyway. But I don't want him over here. And neither of us understands why would he want to come now. His mother has been dead for years, and we never had any particular contact with him, before or after her passing - save for the fact that he sometimes answered the phone for his mother.

Yes, I know it sounds uncharitable, but we have been missing friends and family for health considerations for almost two years. I don't think we should start socializing with a complete stranger now.

Comments

[noadvertising.livejournal.com]

I usually do not oppose having visits. But a person I have not been in contact with for a long time ? No, thanks!

[wiseheart.livejournal.com]

Exactly!

[aeris444.livejournal.com]

I completely understand your point of view! We need to be careful and like you say, familly and close friends come first!

[meathiel]

Doesn't make sense for sure to meet with an almost stranger these days.

[wiseheart.livejournal.com]

Exactly! And I find it a tad suspicious that he's pushing so much.

[adafrog.livejournal.com]

My friend Evie dropped by with a bag of apples, and we had the usual masked exchange in front of the building, much to the bafflement of any possible Secret Service agents that spy on the population.
lol

I agree, it sounds weird. I'd like to know what he wanted.

[wiseheart.livejournal.com]

So would I. He called today, after all, and Mum told him I was ill and we'd contact him when I get better. Then we'll conveniently forget doing so...

[adafrog.livejournal.com]

Exactly.

[elwenlj.livejournal.com]

How strange. I think you are right to say, "No". Not just for health reasons, but also because, why? Greetings card stock is lovely quality and I have been known to use chunks for matting etc.

[sister-raphael.livejournal.com]

I agree. It seems a bit out of the blue, and as you say, you've been missing actual friends, so...

[wiseheart.livejournal.com]

I don't want to be unjust to anyone, but I have the nagging feeling that he wanted to ask Mum for money. After all, he wanted to know if I'd be at home, too, very badly.

That, or he has something German he wants me to translate for him. But for that, he wouldn't need to come here in person. He could simply ask for my e-mail address and send it via internet.

[estelle.livejournal.com]

For some reason that I fail to understand, Mum doesn't want people to know where those cards came from, so she asks me to cut off half of them (where the name of the charity stays) and gives them away as single cards.

She doesn't want people to know that she got the cards for "free" but give the impression that she spent money on those people and thus must value them. She sees them as tacky to send to someone. (Like a promotional card that is branded with a company logo).

You could try talking to her. Tell her that the cards were not free, that she paid for them through her donations. That sending them out with the logo intact supports the charity in question. She wants to support the charity that is why she's donating in the first place, and sending out the cards with the logo is an easy way to do this. Everyone benefits. She gets to send a pretty card, which also tells people that she's charitable, people have the chance to discover an awesome charity your mother approves of, the charity has a chance to broaden their reach, the artists get well-deserved recognition for their work and a chance that someone who sees it has a way to contact/find them for more of their artwork/commissions which they would not get if the logo and "credits" are cut off.

[wiseheart.livejournal.com]

She's 90 years old. I doubt I'd be able to change her mind about things that aren't really of importance. She gets her will, I get the other half of the cards to use for my crafting — it is a win-win situation. She's stubborn, like most old people are; I have to choose my battles carefully, so that I can influence her in the really important things; like the ones regarding her health.

[estelle.livejournal.com]

Ah, I see. That makes sense.