Playbook 2.0

Before you read today’s story, I ask each of you to take a moment and say a silent “Thank You” to all our U.S. Postal Workers.  Better yet, next time you see one - actually thank them for what they do.  Over the years I have sent numerous greeting cards and small tokens to Sasha; he did not receive many of them.  Very frustrating.  This latest notebook was sent with 8-10 day Express Delivery from LA to Dinskya where Sasha lives.  The Russian Post office is slow moving resulting in an estimated 34 day delivery time instead!  So why did I pay for that urgent delivery?

***********

Now for Today’s story…

Today as with most days, the first thing I do (after brushing teeth) is to go to my office and check for emails from Sasha.  This morning’s caught me by surprise.  I was expecting a “Hello, the Notebook is here!”  (Since it is now 6 days overdue).  Instead Sasha wrote that the Russian postal service estimates they will deliver it on June 5^th.   He leaves for the Moscow interview that evening.    We needed a few days to finalize the contents of the book.  That sure did not start my day well!

The next action was to post a blog and email the team.  Results happen when energy is focused on something.  I called out for earthly and heavenly assistance.

Playbook 2.0 Ready to Go

Next was a phone call to Federal Express.  Questions:  What shipping options are there for getting a package to rural Russia in the next week?  And more importantly: “Does Fed Ex handle the package until its delivery, or does the Russian postal service carry it?”

Answer:  “Fed Ex carries the package to its delivery point -- except for the time at Russian Customs. No guarantees there.   You have ONE option to get the parcel there by Friday, May 31^st.  The cost is $$$.   You must get it to the Fed Ex airport office by this afternoon.  (Monday is also a US Holiday).”

So… as of 9 a.m. this morning, I began re-creating the Sasha notebook.  People have asked if I kept a scanned copy.  It’s not that simple.  Think “scrapbook” versus scanned letters. There’s more to it than simple pages.  There are inserts, sealed original letters, etc.  Out came the colored papers, cutters, plastic page protectors, dividers, label maker, post its, tape, new binder, etc.  Took a break at noon for some breakfast cereal.  By 2 p.m. the notebook was by my door ready to go. I changed out of pajamas and headed to the airport.

 

The lady at the Fed Ex office had me filling out all sorts of forms.  There was one rate for 2 lbs. or under and another rate over 2 lbs.  I had carefully tried to determine which pages and dividers were highest priority and how many blank sleeves to include, etc.  I held my breath as the book was weighed …  The scale read exactly 2.00 lbs!  Thank You Angels.  The new Playbook was sent out around 2:30 this afternoon with delivery expected on Friday, May 31^st.

***********

I did stop at the local Post Office where I had mailed the first notebook.  They said there was nothing they could do once the parcel was in the custody of the Russian postal service.

***********

Leaving the airport today I had the thought, “Geez!  It might have been easier to fly this book to meet Sasha in Moscow and hand it to him directly!”  LOL  Trying to laugh a little, ‘cause I sure felt like crying earlier today.