I like e-mail. It wasn’t always this way, of course. I like to think of myself as the sandwich generation of technology. E-mail didn’t come along in my world until I reached my junior year of high school in the late nineties. 

Before 1998, I was a phone junkie. Not cell phones because they hadn’t hit small town Nebraska quite yet – but the ones that hung on walls that can now be found in antique stores.

Seriously. I found an exact replica of the phone that hung on my parent’s wall at an antique store down the street. It had a long curly cord that could likely stretch across the store. Our old phone cord stretched into the coat closet. I know because I spent hours in that dark room full of old coats, games, toys and spider webs. 

Maybe a few spiders, too. 

My friend and I talked about boys, and school and life as a teenager on that old phone. But that started to fade once e-mail hit the world.

I created my first e-mail account in our high school library. It took me all class period to come up with a catchy title. Instead of using my name (which would have been the best decision) my friend and I crafted a unique combination of words to connect to the internet world. 

Bunitstud.

A bunit is a combination between a rabbit and a bunny and the stud part is self-explanatory. Clearly.

Bunitstud was with me throughout my college years. It was used to talk to new friends, old friends and family across the state. And when my high school friend and I had a falling out – that e-mail address is the one we used to say our final goodbyes.

I used that e-mail until I graduated from college and landed my first real job. It’s OK. I didn’t put that one on job applications. 

Not all of them, anyway.

Today I have seven different e-mail accounts. I can talk to you on the phone or in person, but I prefer e-mail. Maybe you can relate?

I received an e-mail last week that was hard to crack. Was I reading a code? There was no emotion to her words and, unfortunately, it came off a bit harsh. I don’t think she meant her note to be interpreted that way. In an effort to help this stranger avoid e-mail disasters in the future, I crafted a list of 5 e-mail tips I like to use daily.

Don’t worry. I didn’t send this list to her. 

I might.

  1.  Use at least one exclamation point and the words please or thank you! Even if you aren’t thrilled to be sending said e-mail, an exclamation point and basic manners can help both the sender and the receiver. Here’s an example. 

“Bob. Please don’t forget to pick up milk after work. Thanks!”

Bob most likely doesn’t want to get that milk. But a “thanks!” at the end with an exclamation point seems like you really care. If you add a please to that sentence, you have an even better chance of Bob picking up the milk. Here’s what happens if you forget this rule.

“Bob. We need milk. Pick it up.”

See the difference? You’re not having cereal for breakfast after that one.

  1. Don’t overuse exclamation points or flattery. Even the most well intended e-mails can go wrong with too much of a good thing. Here’s an example.

Katie!! You have an awesome car and I love the way you drive!!! Can you please pick me up after work today?!?!

Katie’s not buying it. Stop trying so hard.

  1. Don’t blind carbon copy people. That just seems like you’re trying to hide something. If you’re trying to hide something, you shouldn’t be sending an e-mail.
  2. Respond to an e-mail. I like to respond as soon as possible – but within the day if you can. If you’re not going to frequently check your e-mail, you probably shouldn’t have it.
  3. Put down the technology and pick up a phone. Any old phone will do – although these days, you’re not likely to find the kind with the long cords. Then dial your mom’s number, or your sister’s number or your friend’s number that you had a falling out with years ago. Talk to them. Better yet – set up a time to talk to them face to face over coffee, or wine or whatever pastime you enjoy. We all know personal communication beats an e-mail every time.

I should listen to my own advice. I have a feeling we all should. 

 

So God Made a Mother book by Leslie Means

If you liked this, you'll love our book, SO GOD MADE A MOTHER available now!

Order Now

Check out our new Keepsake Companion Journal that pairs with our So God Made a Mother book!

Order Now
So God Made a Mother's Story Keepsake Journal

Leslie Means

Leslie is the founder and owner of Her View From Home.com. She is also a former news anchor, published children’s book author, weekly columnist, and has several published short stories as well. She is married to a very patient man. Together they have three fantastic kids.  When she’s not sharing too much personal information online and in the newspaper – you’ll find Leslie somewhere in Nebraska hanging out with family and friends. There’s also a 75% chance at any given time, you’ll spot her in the aisles at Target.

Lent For Kids: 40 Ways To Spend 40 Days

In: Featured, Kids
Cross with bird

Today is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of the Lenten season leading to Easter. Our 3-year-old has been talking about the Easter bunny since January, when he finally understood that Christmas was over. While I’m happy he’s excited for the upcoming holiday, I really want to find some good, concrete ways to help him learn that this time of year is not only about bunnies and candy in eggs. So, I’ve decided to come up with 40 ways to spend the 40 days of Lent with kids. Some of these will work better with older children, while others are great for...

Keep Reading

Chocolate Pot de Crème

In: Featured, Kitchen

Chocolate and romance go hand in hand and with Valentine’s Day around the bend, why not have a beautifully simple and romantic dessert on the menu? With Valentine’s Day falling on a Saturday, it might be a little more difficult to get those reservations to go out to eat to celebrate. If you end up staying home, why not have an easy, romantic dessert to finish your meal? Made in a blender or food processor and refrigerated, this recipe is easy to make and the result can be a beautiful and elegant dessert that will put the perfect cap on...

Keep Reading

Creamy Chicken and Rice Soup

In: Featured, Kitchen

Written By:  Rachel Gnagy @ Inscribed Photography & Design (recipe originally from here) One of my favorite ‘girly’ meals to make is soup served in bread bowls. I love getting the Broccoli Cheese soup at Quizno’s (it’s healthy because it has broccoli, right?) and Panera’s Cream of Chicken & Wild Rice soup. YUM. So when I saw a recipe on Pinterest for creamy chicken and rice soup, I thought I would give it a try! You will need: 1 Tablespoon of olive oil 2-3 carrots, sliced 2 cloves of garlic, minced 5 cups of chicken stock 1 cup of cooked chicken,...

Keep Reading

Chicken Cordon Bleu for Two

In: Featured, Kitchen

Written By:  Rachel @ Inscribed Photography (Recipe originally from here) Valentine’s Day is coming up and with that in mind I wanted to bring you an easy, delicious meal for you and your special man. This recipe is by far the easiest Chicken Cordon Bleu recipe and it is super yummy too! Pair it with some steamed veggies on the side and something chocolatey for dessert and you’re all set for a romantic dinner for two. For the chicken, you will need: 2 chicken breasts, cut in half lengthwise 8 slices of deli ham 8 slices of Swiss cheese 1...

Keep Reading

Easy Weeknight Beef Stroganoff

In: Featured, Kitchen

We all have those heirloom recipes we grew up with, but when you get married you inherit a whole new set of recipes your spouse grew up with, too. This stroganoff recipe is one that my husband grew up eating and then cooked frequently for himself before I took over in the kitchen. (ha.) He made it for me once while we were dating, and I will admit – I was super skeptical. Generally, these sorts of humble dishes aren’t my cup of tea – the ones made with cream-of canned soups and noodles. However, I tried it and was...

Keep Reading

Hanging Onto Hope: The Dream That Saved My Baby Girl

In: Faith, Featured, Journal, Kids
Hanging Onto Hope: The Dream That Saved My Baby Girl www.herviewfromhome.com

Family and friends often assure pregnant women that their “maternal instincts” can be relied on to guide them into motherhood. This previously undiscovered gift will reveal itself the first time she holds her child. As a mother of four I believe in this instinct, but also recognize that experience and wisdom help. The birth of our fifth child, Kinsley, has introduced me to another source of guidance and strength that I never anticipated. Kinsley was born the day after Christmas. She was pink, beautiful and certified by the medical staff as being in perfect health. She was welcomed with unconditional...

Keep Reading

Bow Your Head and Vote, Yes the Outcome is Rigged

In: Featured
Bow Your Head and Vote, Yes the Outcome is Rigged www.herviewfromhome.com

“Keep in mind this is God’s plan! And who am I to dare question God’s plan!” I say it over and over as I watch this mess unfold before me. This mess, America is calling an election. I have never been impressed with the two-party system. It allows too much power to a select few and limits our freedoms. So, as I watch and listen and pray, as Trump and Clinton march to the White House, I only hope more Americans now see the disaster that is the two-party system. Two people that should be sitting in jail are now...

Keep Reading

This Kick-Ass Cancer Survivor Shares 20 Easy Ways To Make Your Life Healthier Today

In: Featured, Health, Healthy Living, Mental Health, Motherhood
This Kick-Ass Cancer Survivor Shares 20 Easy Ways To Make Your Life Healthier Today www.herviewfromhome.com

I recently went through quite an experience with my health. I was diagnosed with breast cancer in September of 2015. Following my diagnosis, I underwent a treatment regimen of chemotherapy, double mastectomy, and then, 28 rounds of radiation.  Before my diagnosis, I felt the healthiest I have probably, in my whole life. I was exercising regularly. Eating, conscious of my health. And after birthing three kids in 6 years, finding ways to focus on myself once again. And then — WHAM — cancer.  Excuuuuuuuuse me?!?! Cancer?!? I was, for all intents and purposes, a 33-year-old with great habits and a great...

Keep Reading

The Great Melt Down

In: Faith, Featured, Kids, Kitchen
The Great Melt Down www.herviewfromhome.com

When my brother Bobby and I were little kids, one of the great treats of summer was a journey to a neighboring town where my dad would buy each of us a hand-dipped ice cream cone. During the drive home, my mom would turn around from the front seat and point out drips that we back-seat-riders needed to lick up quick. I, the ever-eager pleaser, would anxiously eat my ice cream as quickly as possible, barely taking a breath between licks. Bobby, on the other hand, came up with the more reasonable response. He would grin at Mom and bite...

Keep Reading

The Best (and free) Drug Prevention Strategy

In: Featured, Health, Healthy Living, Kids, Relationships
The Best (and free) Drug Prevention Strategy www.herviewfromhome.com

A secret Facebook group has been uncovered by police that connects kids as young as 12 years-old to places where they can buy drugs. (see the link to the story at the end of this blog)  Shocking? Yes. Surprising? No. Kids find a way, don’t they? So what can we do? There are apps we can buy. There are rules we can make. There are punishments we can deliver.  Yet the best prevention of all is our relationship with our young people.  Time together, conversation, and honest sharing of our lives is the most effective way to influence our kids–even...

Keep Reading