Ask Annie

Ask Annie for Dec. 3, 2003

Annie;

When I read the letter from Single Mom in Packwood whose son's backpack was returned, it got me to thinking as a bus driver for the White Pass School District that items get left on our buses daily, and very few items have any identification on them, so very few get returned. I would suggest that any item parents would like returned have the last name on the item(s). I understand that the official line is not to put first names where they can be seen, but the last name on the care tag of the item would help assure the item gets returned if it is left on a bus or at school. Also make sure that expensive items like Game Boys and backpacks are labeled.

Thanks

A White Pass bus Driver

Dear Driver,

Thanks! We Moms forget. At home, it's pretty obvious whose coat or baseball mitt that is, but once an item gets dropped on the bus or left at school, it could belong to so many kids! Thanks for good advice.

Annie

Dear Annie,

Thanks for the reminder about what's important (or should I say who is important) during the holidays. I lost both Mom and Dad this year, and am kicking myself for being impatient with family last Thanksgiving. I remember feeling so frustrated because the turkey was taking up all the oven space and my sister-in-law brought rolls that needed to be baked. My husband had to work, and I missed his presence (and his help) dearly. But if only I'd known it was the last time most of us would be around the table together, I'd have let those little things go and enjoyed everyone's company so much more.

Virginia, Packwood

Virginia,

Have good holidays, dear. Your parents knew how much you loved them.

Annie

Please write to: Annie, P.O. Box 1084, Eatonville,WA 98328

E-mail: letters_annie@hotmail.com

Past Ask Annies:

Dec. 3, 2003 Child's Names on Belongings & Appreciating Family at Holidays

Nov. 26, 2003 Big Family Thanksgiving with Paper Plates

Nov. 19, 2003 Mom Feels Daughter Doesn't Change Baby Diaper Quickly Enough, also Donate Pet Food and Hygiene Items to Food Bank

Nov. 12, 2003 Husband Driven Nuts To Do Crafts By Wife

Nov. 5, 2003 Dreading Husband's Retirement

Oct. 29, 2003 Move back home from boyfriend's house?

Oct. 22, 2003 Did I raise my daughter to do these things?

Oct. 15, 2003 Misunderstanding about School Workers' Kindness

Oct. 8, 2003 Prayer for Brown Sisters Killed and Change Schoolyear to Oct.1 to June 30

Oct. 1, 2003 Response About Non-tipping Lotto Winner

Sept. 24, 2003 Church-goers Inattentive

Sept. 17, 2003 Friend Sells My Stuff on Ebay

Sept. 10, 2003 Lottery Winner Didn't Tip Clerk

Sept. 3, 2003 Business Insults to Consumers

Aug. 27, 2003 Divison of Wedding Expense

Aug. 20, 2003 School Workers' Kindness & Men's Attractiveness

Aug. 13, 2003 Attractiveness Hints

Aug. 6, 2003 Annie's Husband's Accident at Work

July 30, 2003 Deer Automatic Sprinkler Best & Stores Don't Stock Washington Clothes

July 23, 2003 Scarecrows and Halloween Decorations Scare Off Prowlers Too

July 16, 2003 Redhead Asks Attractiveness Advice

July 9, 2003 Camper Littering

July 2, 2002 Atomatic Deer Scarecrow Blasts Prowler

June 25, 2003 Library Newsletter Omitted Packwood Library

June 18, 2003 Thank Troops for Freedom