Notice for the exchangers - THE DAILY POST IS BELOW THIS ONE

 We interrupt the regular posts to discuss *empty* envelopes - with exchangers. If you are not an exchanger - just scroll down to the regular post.

In the *rules* for the exchange - we make it clear that it is an envelope exchange and you do not need to create a card or write a note or send anything to your fellow exchangers. About half the people send  *empty* envelopes. Half put something inside.

We need to change the concept of *empty* to mean - *no need to open the envelope because the only thing you will find is blank paper or recycled paper or a piece of card stock - something to give the envelope a little heft.* If anyone has a suggestion for a word other than *empty* to indicate that there is nothing to see on the inside - please let us know. But it has to be one short word. Maybe we should put quotes around the word "empty" - I don't even want to do that. I think I'll just trust that if someone joins the exchange and sticks with it - they will learn the ropes.

I had already scheduled this topic and it will reappear on the 11th - but I just found two more mangled envelopes in my mailbox on Monday. One is just wrinkled. The other one is torn and while there was a light weight index card inside - that was not enough to make the envelope stand up to the machines.

This one is from new exchanger MacKenzie. From now on, when I get new people signing up I will alert them to the need for an adequate amount of *something* in an *empty* envelope.

Gavin provided a cautionary example for how much *something* is required.

His weight index card with a note wasn't enough to protect it from being chewed up by the USPS processing machines.

This one came in an outer envelope provided by the USPS with an apology for the damage.

A 3x5 card is too small for a 5x7 envelope - also - both the card and envelope are light weight. There are some envelopes that are very sturdy that don't need any insert - so I can't give specific instructions on what will work.

This is what I do. The orange paper is leftover notebook paper - and slightly smaller than 8.5x11. I normally use a sheet of printer paper - but figured the orange would show up better in the photos.

I position it so that the long side is lined up with the longer edge of the envelope and fold it up so that it will fill the envelope from side to side.

Then I fold the other side down so that it fills the envelope from top to bottom.

I have also started using old greeting cards as filler. When I tear off my big wall calendar, I cut it up for filler. I also open the mail that says *empty* and save it to send in my own *empty* envelopes. I also save and reuse the filler paper that arrives in *empty* envelopes from other exchangers.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.