"Neither snow, nor rain, nor heat, nor gloom of night stays these courageous couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds."

I love mail and the postal men and women who deliver it.

Beginning Monday the House of Shine is hosting a theme week, titled Outside the Box Week.  We hope you will join us.  Coincidentally, two of the days involve the post office.  You might not think the post office shines enough to be the recipient of that kind of real estate (two of our six days), but the arrival of just one handwritten letter in my mailbox is all the motivation I need to show USPS a little love.

I mention this today, because I am hoping with a little lead time you will work your magic.

Monday.  We will start the week off by revisiting a favorite House of Shine tradition - Naked Mail.  The task is to think outside the box and try mailing something naked - an item not in a box or mailing envelope.  Last year I mailed an empty pretzel barrel filled with cut out monkeys, yummy treats, and a note that said "Barrel of Fun."  Someone else mailed a banana, another person an umbrella, and quite a few other items.  A big part of the fun was meeting in the comment section to share reactions from the postal workers who helped us.  I hope you will spend some time over the next few days thinking and rummaging around your house to find something you want to try mailing naked.  Packages should be mailed to: 4012 Harvestwood Court, Grapevine, TX, 76051.  I will report back on the condition in which your items arrive. 

I must mention that this favorite House of Shine activity was inspired by a loyal reader of old.  Julie was a fierce competitor in our first annual Decathlon (now triathlon) and literally mailed a HOMEMADE CAKE as her entry for the ChampionCHIP Bake-off.

Thursday.  Thursday is a biggy.  Thursday we want you to think outside your... mailbox!  Consider it Postman Appreciation Day and transform (or just decorate) your mailbox.  Make it look like a favorite animal, a flower, a fish, or some other creation.  Attach a banner or note saying, "thank you."  Don't go it alone.  Get your kids, friends, or neighbors to join in.  Don't have a mailbox?  No excuse.  Borrow someone else's or get outside, outside your (mail) box and decorate your P.O. Box.  Be sure to take a picture and mail it by Thursday when the sun goes down, at around 8:00 p.m.  We want to turn your pictures into a slide show as part of Friday's Free For All.

Come on people, let's commit to spreading a little shine next week.

Already have an idea for redecorating your mailbox?  Tell us about it in the Community Forum, labeled Today's Post.

Shining off until tomorrow...