Postcards for Petr

States Updates

2009-08-01T20:00:00.004-04:00

I have to publish the new states but before I get the family photos from those who sent them, I thought it would be cool to mention those new additions! Here is the update on the states: We received MISSISSIPI and SOUTH DAKOTA! Can you believe it? We are only THREE states away from finishing the USA part! I would Love your help now. These are the missing states:

Alabama (AL)
Idaho (ID)
Rhode Island (RI)

We also have a new EUROPE state! It was sent by my friend, Denda and her family. They went on vacation to CROATIA and definitely didn't forget to send a card! I will post their photo and postcard as soon as I receive them.

Belgium

2009-07-25T01:35:00.006-04:00

I know I have been so behind with all the posting but I will try to catch up. That's a promise! :-) Petr received not just new states, but also an offer to visit Belgium and use one of my friend's apartment! Did they take the offer? Absolutely! The good guy's name is Martin and he is from a town named Roznov pod Radhostem, the town I grew up in. I actually visited Czech couple of months ago, and his girlfriend Blanka offered to contact Martin, who works in Belgium, to join our project and send a card from there. He was absolutely fantastic! He sent a postcard and emailed Petr ton of photos from Belgium. I think it really is worth sharing them with.
This is a photo of Martin and his girlfriend Blanka. They are both absolutely fantastic. Thank you so much for being part of this postcard thingy! :-)

... and here are few images from Belgium. It is such a beautiful country! I will definitely make another post with Petr's visit in Belgium and let Petr say few words, but I would like this post to be only Martin's and Blanka's, because they definitely deserve this spot for being so generous! Martin and Blanka, you are the best! :-)

Postcard from FRANCE

2009-06-01T15:12:00.005-04:00

As I promised, I would tell who sent the card from FRANCE. It was his dad! :-) Petr and his dad got a fantastic deal on a trip to Paris. Who wouldn't take it? So, here they are, traveling by train and visiting another country. I knew about this trip so I asked his dad to send a card to him as a surprise. He was really excited to do so, until they got there and he couldn't find a moment alone! Petr was stuck on his dad like a bee on a lollipop! :-) He managed though and the card surprise was a success. So, here is the story, and here few shots from their trip... Enjoy! I love the tower!

Meeting Petr in Czech

2009-06-01T10:47:00.010-04:00

When I told Petr about our trip to Czech Republic, he was so excited! This was the first time we saw each other after I started this project for him. He wouldn't miss a chance to meet with us. We flew through Prag - the capital of Czech. He happens to be from Prag. :-) Since we had a layover for about two hours, Petr and his dad jumped on the train and met with us at the airport. We didn't look the best after 8 hours being stuck on the plane, but the boys didn't mind at all. All they wanted to do was riding the monster truck they saw as soon as we got out of the gate. :-) and it wasn't cheap! Oh boy! One bottle of coke - $5! Believe me, for Czech people, it's a loooooooot of money. :-) Well, here is few shots from the airport....
This is a photo of Jesse a Lucas looking at our plane...

and this is the famous electric truck they spent a fortune on...

... and getting ready for another flight from Prag to Ostrava, our destination, saying bye to Petr and his dad:

this one is already in Roznov pod Radhostem, my native town...

I took this one from Petr's blog :-) I really like that, because I don't get to relax with my feet up a lot.... :-)

Here is Petr and his dad saying good bye, and heading back to Prag. Of course, they didn't get away without posing with the last batch of postcards! After this, they headed back to Prag, about 5-hour drive... :-) Have a safe trip back, Petr and Petr!

Oh, and last, but not least, here is a portrait of Petr and his dad Petr. :-) What a bunch of good lookin dudes! :-)

May State Update - Only FIVE to go!

2009-06-01T10:33:00.011-04:00

Me and my boys took a month off to go see our family and friends in Czech. While we were having fantastic time overseas, Petr received a big pile of cards! Some from the Europe, some from the US. I colored the new states and I see we are only missing 5 states! I am kinda sad... because the US part is getting done. What do we do after? :-) I guess work on the foreign countries. So, here is the new map.

Alabama (AL)
Idaho (ID)
Mississippi (MS)
Rhode Island (RI)
South Dakota (SD)

We also received new states from Europe: One was sent from Belgium and one from France. You wouldn't believe how sent this one ;-) Stay tuned, I will share later when I get more photos of the ones sending them. For now, here is the map:

Visiting the Buttons

2009-04-07T00:12:00.003-04:00

Wade and Sandy Button sent several cards to Petr, not only from the US, but from Germany as well. They also sent a package with goodies and $1 bill for keepsake. He was sooo excited! He said: "I have seen a dollar bill before, but never held one! Now, I have one of my own!" Isn't he adorable? :-) Well, Jesse, Lucas and I decided to visit the Buttons. First I wanted to find out if they were the ones publishing the article in the papers, but NOPE.... not them :-) So the only person I could think of is the lady who published the first article. I can't tell for sure because I haven't heard from her back... but does it really matter? NO! We are sooo happy that people know about us and our little BIG project. :-) No matter what.... if you are THE ONE and read this note, please accept our huuuge thank you!
Anyway, here is a photo of my boys and the Buttons. I never photograph people in the sun, but squinty shot can be really cute ones in a while.... so here is ours! :-) Mrs. Button send some Easter goodies, and trust me, they didn't last very long! As soon as we got in the car, the boys ate them like they have never had candy before! :-) Thank you Buttons! It was soooo nice to see you!

We are in News Papers Again!

2009-03-31T22:12:00.002-04:00

I received a phone call from the wonderful Mrs. Button today. :-) I couldn't hear very well, because she called my cell phone and the reception wasn't as clear, but I think she is behind all this. :-) She was very excited to ask me if I read the papers today. I never read papers! :-), but as soon as she told me about the yellow "Buttom Line" articles, I ran to a store and got not one, but several of them :-) Someone, and I think it was the Buttons ;-) put an article in about Petr's Postcards. I could not believe it! I just posted Hawaii on the blog and it's already in papers! :-) I really want to thank everyone for supporting my project. I knew I would get a bit of cards for Petr, but it NEVER crossed my mind, that I would really finish it! I have been asking people to send cards about a year ago, and we are only 8 states away from finishing. I am sooo happy, but on the other hand.... kinda sad.... what will I do next!? :-) I am sure I will find something else... :-) to do... So, again, thank you sooooo much to everyone who is not only part of this project but also read this BLOG, because I feel sometimes like I am just reading and writing to myself. :-) THANKS SOOOO MUCH EVERYONE! Especially the wonderful Mr. and Mrs. Buttons! :-) I think it's time for another quick photo shoot with me ;-) Don't worry, I will swing by so that you don't have to! :-)

HAWAII!!!

2009-03-28T18:40:00.005-04:00

I am so excited! We finally got HAWAII! Petr said he was very surprised. He tried to find a shorter way to Hawaii from Czech and he said it would probably be shorter going over China :-) Smart young man! :-) Well, this card came from my wonderful friends from Arizona, while being on vacation in KAUAI. Not sure if I spelled it right :-) Augie and Peggy got on the MSN and asked if I have Hawaii yet. Since I hadn't, they promised to send one, and YES! They sent it! Thank you so much guys! I hope you don't mind me stealing this photo from your facebook. :-) I just couldn't resist. Soooooooooooooooo adoooorable! Miss you guys.... Thanks TONS for the card! Another one down!

I couldn't help it not to post the postcard. Orange color and sunsets are my Favorite photo subjects. Love it!

This is a photo of the Fernandez family:

... and since i just received this photo, I thought it would be nice to share it with you. This is Petr coloring his HAWAII addition on his MAP. How cute! :-) Coloring at 13! ;-) I color ones in a while :-)))

Another Update on states covered

2009-03-15T22:05:00.011-04:00

OK, here is another update. Nothing has changed on overseas states so I am not posting the update on those; however, the US states are filling up so fast! I am really excited! Do you happen to know anyone from these states? We would LOVE your help! :-) Thank you so much everyone. I am so grateful for everyone's effort and help to bring so much happiness into Petr's life! His dad cannot express his gratefulness to all those wonderful people who helped to change his son's life...

Alabama (AL)
Hawaii (HI)
Idaho (ID)
Mississippi (MS)
North Dakota(ND)
Oklahoma (OK)
Rhode Island (RI)
South Dakota (SD)
Wyoming (WY)

MINNESOTA and DELAWARE joined our club!

2009-03-15T21:55:00.005-04:00

Another card just arrived, from Kerry a Mike Hogy, from MINNESOTA. I just received their photo and I can't wait to share it with you. Thank you guys! It is fantastic to be able to fill out another white spot in our MAP! :-)

... and this is a photo of Michael McCarthy, his wife Amy and children Aidan and Lauren. Michael is a teacher in my son's school and Michael was so excited to help us! :-) I know there are other cards coming thanks to him and his family, so I will definitely post their photo again :-) THANKS Michael and Amy! You are the best! :-)

DELAWARE is a tiny state, but we still found someone to join our Postcard club! :-) The card came from the Doran family and we would love to send them a note back, but the address got stamped over by the postal services. So, if you can email us the address, Petr would love to email back!

Thank you so much guys! Petr is taking lots of extra English classes hoping he will thank everyone personally one day! :-)

KENTUCKY is covered!

2009-03-15T21:50:00.004-04:00

We received not one but TWO Kentucky cards at ones! It is fantastic. They came from Annetta King a Delena McGuire. Thank you so much for joining our project ladies! Petr was so excited! You broke the postcard silence after a while!
This is a photo of Delena and her brother, who is a Marine stationed in California. Delena is also a postcard collector and she told us she is very excited seeing someone so young to find a positive outlet :-) (you have no idea what this means for Petr). Thank you so much for sharing your photo! :-) We love knowing all the wonderful people who are part of this project!

OREGON? Oh YES!

2009-02-23T18:32:00.006-05:00

Seems like we had a little after the holidays break in receiving cards, but we are back in business! My wonderful clients and friends asked their friends living in Oregon ... (just a second... let me check the spelling... :-) ) ... correct... :-) and they sent a card to Petr. I don't have a photo of the family sending it, but I will post it as soon as I get one. This photo is the family who contacted their friends. I just photographed they gorgeous little man, Henry. Thank you so much Rachel and Steve! We really appreciate you joined our World famous project! :-)

... and here is the promised photo of the family who sent the Oregon card, Sarah, her husband Eric, and baby girl Cecelia. Thank you sooooo so much for moving us forward one state! :-)

Christmas Card

2009-01-13T12:28:00.005-05:00

Oh, and of course... our wonderful painted and printed on Canvas Christmas card from the Bucks.... Petr must have a separate collection from us already :-) He really liked it so I thought I would share it with all of you too....

Maps and Updates

2009-01-13T12:13:00.005-05:00

It was so hard to find a nice map to picture the overseas states... well... I hope I did OK. :-) ENJOY! This is such a fun project! Thank you everyone for help and if you can help with any of the uncolored states, we would love you to join us!
This is and update on the US states. I cannot believe we are only missing 13 states! This is really fantastic....

Alabama (AL)
Delaware (DE)
Hawaii (HI)
Idaho (ID)
Kentucky (KY)
Minnesota (MN)
Mississippi (MS)
North Dakota(ND)
Oklahoma (OK)
Oregon (OR)
Rhode Island (RI)
South Dakota (SD)
Wyoming (WY)

Map of Europe states: How cool is that! :-)

East Asia states:

CHINA! Wow!

2009-01-13T11:33:00.002-05:00

I think China surprised Petr quite a bit.... I was lucky to catch my friend talking about her husband traveling that way :-) As busy as he is on his business trips he really found a moment and sent a card from the Flinton family.... Guys, thank you so much! And... here is a portrait we took few hours after Dave returned from his China trip :-)

NEW MEXICO and KANSAS

2009-01-13T11:11:00.005-05:00

I can't tell who sent a card from NEW MEXICO... I was sent by Paul Torno, and unfortunatelly we have no picture to share, but Paul, if you ever come across our blog and would like to share your photo, we would definitely love to post one!

Next New state we have KANSAS. We were so lucky to get this one Twice! First one was from my wonderful friend Marian and her husband Dan. They sent several cards, and I am so greatful to have them for my friends...
Here is few photos of Marian, Don and their youngest grandchildern,they are cute as a button!

The other KANSAS came from my friends in Arizona... Larry is a pillot and remembered Petr again while having layover in Kansas... They sent several cards already and I cannot thank them enough... THANK YOU SO MUCH the HANNA Family!

Gifting time ...

2009-01-13T10:55:00.001-05:00

Petr is not only getting cards, but he is receiving little gifts! I am really proud of our people here.... thank you everyone for bringing so much joy into Petr's life!
Few months back here received a T-shirt from Bob from TX. He has couple of very talented kids, one is an amazing swimmer and the other is catching fish in sizes you wouldn't believe! So, because he is a swimming instructor, he sent Petr a shirt ... check it out! :-) AWESOME! Thank you Bob!

Before Christmas, he received a thick envelope... guess what was in there! A Xmas card with one dollar in it! Petr has never held a dollar bill in his hand! :-) Mrs. and Mr. Button, trust me! This dollar will never get spent! It's going straight into his Keepsake box! You guys are so wonderful!

RUSSIA is here!

2009-01-13T10:44:00.001-05:00

I have to honest, Sunny sent this letter and a card about a month ago, but I have been so busy, I never posted an update.... She wrote the whole story to Petr, it was fantastic! He got this huge postcard with lots St. Petersburg on it.... I have to share this photo with you too...

... and this is Sunny, my faithful reader :-) Isn't she Gorgeous?

Back in business!

2009-01-13T09:53:00.001-05:00

After an unbelievable busy month, I am so happy to be back in business! We received number of new states and I am so thrilled to post them today! I cannot express how excited I was to find a sitter for my two little ones and catch up on all the work I have! So, in this email I would like to post few Peter's photos... I remember sending him a card with my family on it... and he was very surprised :-) Not that he received a postcard with our photo on it... he also received a card with HIMSELF on it! :-) Of course, designed and created by my maestro MYSELF :-) I LOVE challenging myself. Peter is so easy to please and surprised that it pushes me farther and farther to surprise this young man :-) I love the look on his face when he gets them :-) So here is few.....
This is Peter and two of his favorite cards... :-) it better be! :-) It's my family! and his photo :-)
If for nothing else.... this whole project paid off by seeing Petr's HUGE SMILES ...

This photo, ladies and gentlemen, was taken exclusively for myself! :-) Petr is planning on sending this gigantic piece of chocolate to me! Well... no rush Petr, take your time...... BUT the Sooner THE BETTER! :-) This will be my favorite photo and will be coming back to look every day until I receive it! I really hope you didn't eat it yet... :-)

Update on: Do you know this place? It's Michigan!

2008-12-04T15:27:00.000-05:00

Well, I posted this only couple hours ago, and I got an answer! :-) Our wonderful friend Jennifer from Michigan emailed me. This is an upper part of Michigan... I should have known! :-) Now I do, and I will color this place matching Michigan. Thank you so much Jennifer! :-) I am quite embarrassed! :-) Here is the original post:
I was just wondering if anyone knows what this place belong to? Is it part of one of the states? Is it piece of Canada? Do you know what it is and what to call this part of the land? I might look dumb right now, but I really can't seem to know the answer... please help me... I circled the unknown part red ... click on the image to see it larger...

Postcards from Overseas

2008-12-01T20:35:00.000-05:00

I just wanted to make sure everyone knows that we are not set only for US postcards. We would love to collect cards from all over the world! So, if you wish to join us, please, don't hesitate! Since we're so far from other countries, the connections are little harder, but I am sure with your help, we will get a lot farther than we thought! :-) Thank you so much everyone for being part of this project! Petr feels so special! And so do I! I never ever thought we would get this far, but thanks to all the wonderful people around, Petr got so many cards and new friends all over the world! THANK YOU!
Here is a map of Overseas Countries we have sofar (Germany, Czech Republic, Slovakia)... click on the image to see larger view

Update on MICHIGAN

2008-11-26T19:12:00.000-05:00

We were so lucky to get two MICHIGAN cards at ones! One was sent by Abby Fox from Color Inc., a professional lab I am using for printing my photos. Abby, thank you so much! I just received a photo of Abby. She said it's a self portrait but it's a fantastic shot! :-) Thank you Abby!

The other MICHIGAN card came for Jennifer Gonzales and her husband. Jennifer came across my blog one day and contacted me that she would like to send a card. She is soooo sweet! She definitely made Petr's day. I hope she won't mind us sharing her note on the card. Petr and I thought it was to cutest thing! She wrote: "The fun fact about people from Michigan is that they often use their hands as maps. A person who is not sure where the general location of a city is, will often be shown by someone on their hand!" and then she painted a picture of her hand with the location of her city! This is adorable! :-) Thank you so much Jennifer! Please, stay in touch!

List is getting smaller!

2008-11-25T15:55:00.000-05:00

I am so excited! We got some new states, Louisiana and Connecticut, I will be posting them shortly. I just keep thinking... what will I do ones all the states are covered? :-)
Here is the list of the remaining missing states:

Alabama (AL)
Delaware (DE)
Hawaii (HI)
Idaho (ID)
Kansas (KA)
Kentucky (KY)
Maine (ME)
Minnesota (MN)
Mississippi (MS)
New Mexico (NM)
North Dakota(ND)
Oklahoma (OK)
Oregon (OR)
Rhode Island (RI)
South Dakota (SD)
Wyoming (WY)

CALIFORNIA and ALASKA update

2008-11-25T15:30:00.000-05:00

We did receive a new CALIFORNIA state! He received two CA at ones! First one was sent from Burbank, CA, a place where they make all the cool movies! That's sounds fantastic! However; there was no signature. So, if you are the ONE, and happen to read this post and would like to share your name and photo with us, please contact me!
I just got a note from Heather and Larry Hanna. Larry is a pilot and sent this card from CA to Petr. I am so glad we found out who the secret sender was! :-) Heather, thank you so much! Here is a photo of the Hanna Family... You guys look so cute!

The other CALIFORNIA came for my best friends' family, the Hingas, Tom, Crockett and and their children. I hope to get their photo soon! :-) Thank you sooooo sooo much! I have been waiting for CA for a long time! :-)
Well, here is the update! I got the photo! :-)
Tom and Crockett, if you wonder where I got your photo, ask Dicky! :-) He is our secret supplier ;-) You have a beautiful family!

My wonderful friend Marian and her hubby sent cards from Missouri with photos of Alaska, Alabama, Montana and North Dakota. Unfortunately, we couldn't mark them off because they weren't sent from these states, but Petr was so excited! Thank you so much Marian! You are the best! Love ya!
This is Marian and her husband.

AUSTRALIA - Jordan Skydiving

2008-11-23T16:53:00.000-05:00

I think this card, from AUSTRALIA, surprised Petr a lot. :-) We don't have a map yet to mark it, but we are working on it! :-) This card came from my nephew, Jordan Buck. You have to see this link though. JORDAN BUCK SKYDIVING This is absolutely fantastic! He was skydiving! I can't believe he actually did it! You are so brave Jordan!
This is Jordan (right) and his dad Tim and brother Justin (left)

We just made it all across!

2008-11-23T16:27:00.001-05:00

I thought it would be nice to post a special CONNECTION post. Why connection? California just finished the way all across America. We also have connection all the way from Canada down the Florida. I think it is so cool! :-)

Missing states:
Alabama (AL)
Connecticut (CT)
Delaware (DE)
Hawaii (HI)
Idaho (ID)
Kansas (KA)
Kentucky (KY)
Louisiana (LA)
Maine (ME)
Minnesota (MN)
Mississippi (MS)
New Mexico (NM)
North Dakota(ND)
Oklahoma (OK)
Oregon (OR)
Rhode Island (RI)
South Dakota (SD)
Tennessee (TN)
Wyoming (WY)

If you wish to join us, here are the details for sending a card:
All you need to do is get a postcard from state that is not covered (feel free to call your friends or family) and add a stamp (94cents) postage to Czech Republic,send to this address:

Petr Gutweil
Oldrichova 42
128 00 Praha 2
CZECH REPUBLIC

TENNESSEE and MICHIGAN just arrived

2008-11-16T09:20:00.000-05:00

TENNESSEE came from Donna Bell. She is a pilot for American Airlines (at least I think, I have to double check on that one) and whenever she has a layover in a state we don't have, she sends one. She is so wonderful! She also previously sent cards from: COLORADO and WA. Thank you so much Donna!

MICHIGAN was sent by Abby Fox and Color Inc., professional lab I am using for printing my photos. They are so wonderful! Thank you so much! I wish I had a photo... I will work on it... promise...

I finally got a photo of our Grandpa and Grandma Buck, Jim and Renee. I mean my kids grandparents ... They were visiting us today, and we got to take few snapshots... I am not sure if this photo was their favorite, but it sure was mine! They sent a card from FLORIDA where they stay over the winter. Then, they come up to Syracuse and enjoy the "Not so hot" weather... aren't they smart! :-) Thank you Grandpa and Grandma!

Introducing Our Pen-pals (part 2)

2008-11-10T16:03:00.000-05:00

I have been working very hard to pull this off to be able to show people sending cards to Petr. Here are some more photos: My mom, Liduska, Jesse and Lucas's grandma from Czech sent a card from CZECH REPUBLIC :-) How could we miss our own state, right? :-) She sent it from the town I was born and raised, Roznov pod Radhostem. This photo was taken here, in Canandaigue, while grandma Liduska was visiting us this past summer.

My dad, Karel Maler, Jesse and Lucas's grandpa from Czech sent a card to Petr from GERMANY where he has been working for years.

My sister, Monika Kocianova, sent a card from Roznov as well... I love this photo because they look like a commercial for HAIR COLORS :-) sooo cool! Love it!

Cindy was one of the first ones helping me to start this project. I know how busy everyone is, and really appreciate the time people put into sending the postcards... Cindy was a wonderful friend of mine when I was living in MISSOURI. I moved states away, but we stayed in touch, and I miss her and her family a lot! While I have been gone, her family got an addition, couple of beautiful Grandchildren. We need some more photos Cindy! Love ya!

Stephen's uncle and aunt, Bob and Sandy White sent a card from MASSACHUSETTS. I knew you wouldn't forget! You guys are wonderful! Peter loves every card so much and studies every place on every postcard.

Card from MASSACHUSETTS came from our uncle Dick and aunt Connie. Uncle Dick passed away few months ago, so this card must be very special for Petr.

Petr's Address

2008-11-09T23:28:00.000-05:00

Since the address is almost at the bottom of all the posts, here is the info to send a card to Petr:

Details for sending a card:
All you need to do is get a postcard from state that is not covered (feel free to call your friends or family) and add a stamp (94cents) postage to Czech Republic,send to this address:

Petr Gutweil
Oldrichova 42
128 00 Praha 2
CZECH REPUBLIC

To see states that are NOT COVERED, please click here:
MISSING STATES

Introducing Our Pen-pals (part 1)

2008-11-09T20:48:00.001-05:00

I thought it would be nice for Petr, and all of us too, to get to know the wonderful people who joined our project. I will be posting photos of people who sent a card or cards to Petr. It will be so much fun to connect our cards with the faces! :-) Enjoy! I am having so much fun doing this!
First one is Colt. He is a young boy from Victor, NEW YORK. His card somehow stayed in my head the most. I think the comment to his photo did it. He wrote next to his picture: "I have braces!" Thank you so much Colt!

There are many card from our Grandpa and Grandma Goodwin. They already sent several cards, but so far I have photos of CANADA and I think it was VIRGINIA, I will double check this one, but I know there was a lot more. As soon as Petr sends the info to me, I will correct it here.

... Jesse and Lucas's grandparents, Phyllis and Bob Goodwin

The next card was sent by my good friend, Katya and her husband Matt while visiting relatives in WASHINGTON...

The next card came from MARYLAND, from our wonderful babysitter Heather Groot, and her mom and dad. They sent it while visiting their son at the college.

This is Heather and her mom about 5 years ago, and the baby they are holding is actually Jesse! They came to see him for the first time. :-) Photo on the right is Heather about a year ago... isn't she gorgeous ;-)

Here is a couple that sent several cards, but the most special card Petr got came from ALASKA, from Pud and Sandy Buttons. Petr loves corresponding with them and ask a lot how they are doing. They live in Canandaigua, but seem to travel a bit. They just got back from GERMANY and of course, didn't forget to send Petr his card! Petr was so excited! He only wished he could meet with them, because Prag is just few hours away from where the Buttons were visiting...

This wonderful family are the Buttons as well. Bob is the Button's son, living in TEXAS and he actually started this bloggin idea. He put Petr's story on his blog and has been helping with this project so much! I will post all the states they sent as soon as I get the list from Petr.

Thank you so much Bob!

This beautiful family is my niece, nephew and their mom. They live in OHIO, and even though their schedule is packed with work and school, they were so sweet and helped with our project too. You are so wonderful! Love you guys!

There are many cards coming from Dick and Beth Gilligans. They have been wonderful friends of ours for years and our boys adore them! :-) As far as I know, they sent cards from NEW JERSEY, MASSACHUSETTS, CHICAGO ...

There is no way we could forget these wonderful people. Scott and Susan Kreyer sent not only several cards, from NORTH CAROLINA and SOUTH CAROLINA, but he also received a package from Myrtle Beach, South Carolina from them. He got a shirt, sea shells, sand and other little goodies he put in his keepsake box and treasures them. You guys are so wonderful! We are so lucky to have such wonderful neighbors!

I just got an email from my friend Amy Colburn. They were also part of my project and added INDIANA to our collection! Thank you guys! What a beautiful family :-) This is the beautiful Mommy and handsome Daddy ...

... and adorable Paige and cute Sawyer...

Here is another photo of the Colburns and Wheelers. Amy, Bill, Paige and Sawyer is the family to the left from the bride. This photo is from Amy's brother's wedding. We also got a card from her parents, standing to the right of the bride and groom, Heidi and Scott.

... and these are her parents... Oma and Papa Wheeler (Barbara and Marty) who sent a card from MASSACHUSETTS. Thank you so much for your card! Petr loves all of his cards!

There are other people I need to put on this blog, but I have to get their photos first. Please, be patient and check back soon! You never know... you might find yourself here too! :-)

MISSING STATES in the US

2008-11-06T08:04:00.000-05:00

I just thought I would make a quick recap of the states we are still missing in the US and make it easier for everyone to see.
Here they are:

Alabama (AL)
California (CA)
Connecticut (CT)
Delaware (DE)
Hawaii (HI)
Idaho (ID)
Kansas (KA)
Kentucky (KY)
Louisiana (LA)
Maine (ME)
Michigan (MI)
Minnesota (MN)
Mississippi (MS)
New Mexico (NM)
North Dakota(ND)
Oklahoma (OK)
Oregon (OR)
Rhode Island (RI)
South Dakota (SD)
Tennessee (TN)
Wyoming (WY)

I would love to get other countries, like MEXICO, EUROPE or other countries are just as special! If you have a friend overseas, can you ask them for a card? Petr would love it, and so would I! :-)

We got a new one: "NEBRASKA"!

2008-11-06T07:23:00.000-05:00

Petr recevied two cards. New one, NEBRASKA, and Utah, that he already has but is just as excited! He studies and does research on every place on his cards! I think both of these cards came from our faithful, wonderful Grandmama and Grandpapa Finleys. I have to find out who they are and meet with them. I promise I will take a photo of them and publish here eventuallly, but right now, I think they are enjoying nice, warm weather in CA. Thank you so much Finleys! :-)
Oh, Petr is pointing at Colorado on this photo. He loves the square shape of this state :-)

Comments from Petr Gutweil - dad

2008-11-01T09:57:00.000-04:00

I am getting some beautiful comments from Petr's dad, and since they are in Czech language, I would love to share them with you. Thank you everyone for following our blog.

Comments:
At October 25, 2008 12:30 PM, Petr Gutweil said…
Ahoj Iveto. Tvuj prekrasny blog sledujeme s Petrem skoro denne. Soucasna posledni aktualizace o Petovi je absolutne uzasna. Vyuziji tohoto prostoru abych ti podekoval za tvoji neuveritelnou a neutuchajici energii, kterou tomuto projektu venujes. Take chci podekovat vsem, kteri se do nej zapojili a memu synovi pohled poslali. Opravdu hodne to pro nej znamena. Petr Gutweil
Hi Iveta, Petr and I are watching your beautiful blog almost every day. The last update is absolutely fantastic. I would like to use this opportunity and thank you for your unbelievable and undying energy you put into this project. I also would like to thank everyone who joined this project and sent or will send a postcard to my son. It means so much to both of us!
Petr Gutweil

Greetings from IOWA!

2008-10-30T10:26:00.001-04:00

Postcards seem to be poring in! Thank you so much guys, you are fantastic! IOWA came from our secret couple, the Finleys, who are traveling from NY to CA. They are so wonderful! I hope to meet them some day.

Here is an updated map. Colored states - we have, white states - don't have.

Europe Map

SLOVAKIA - Europe arrived!

2008-10-29T20:28:00.000-04:00

Petr had a wonderful day. He recevied another new state! His dad told me he was laughing when he got Slovakia, because it is Another State. Czech Republic and Slovakia used to be one state (Czechoslovakia), most of you probably still remember that time :-) That's why this one had a special meaning to him. The card was sent by Natalia. I am sure lots of you remember her as an Exchange student in Canandaigua HS (from Slovakia) few years back. Thank you so much Natal! Miss ya here! Hope you will be able to visit us some day!
This is Natalka with Jesse Buck about 3 years ago. Can you believe it's Jesse? :-)

Got WISCONSIN!

2008-10-29T20:14:00.000-04:00

Petr just received a card from WISCONSIN from the Finleys. I can't figure out who they are but if you know them, can you let me know? This wonderful couple is from Canandaigua and I think they have sent several cards to Petr already... If you know them, can you say thank you for us?

Postcards to Prag for Petr

2008-10-29T15:29:00.000-04:00

Some time ago, I started a postcard collection project for my little friend from Czech Republic, Petr Gutweil (12). He has had a tough time after his mom left several years ago. He has always been very quiet, shy with low self esteem. He felt very lonely and betrayed even though supported by his extraordinary #1 Dad, Petr.

The reason I started this project was to show him that he has lots of wonderful friends all over the world. Our goal is to collect at least one card from each state. Since I am living in the US, I focused on the USA. So far, we have collected 25states. He's been receiving some doubles or triples, but appreciates every card and studies every place on each postcard very closely. Also, if you add your email address, Petr will send a thank you email and his photo with your postcard as his appreciation.

I received many emails from Petr's dad, thanking to everyone who participated in this postcard project for his son. Petr's life has changed enormously, he loves going to school, has friends and loves sharing his postcard hobby. Petr even met with the Principal of his school, and they are planning on making a school display with his collection.

His story has been published in Daily Messenger on August 13Th, 2008. To read the whole story, please visit MPNnow-Postcards to Prag.
This story had a big response and Daily Messenger would like to publish updates on Petr's project.

Here is my proposition to you:
If you wish to join us and help to complete the USA part, or any parts of the world, you can:
1/ receive a 5x7 print for each new state (from previous sessions in LVP)
OR
2/ one low resolution photo for my space or online diaries for each new state (from previous sessions in LVP)
OR
3/ I will retouch and process your digital photo for every new state (color correction, sharpening, smoothing, special effects...)

I hope this will be motivation to you as much as it is for me to try to complete this project. Feel free to email me with any questions!
Please, help us to warm up one little boy's heart...

Details for sending a card:
All you need to do is get a postcard from state that is not covered (feel free to call your friends or family) and add a stamp (94cents) postage to Czech Republic,
send to this address:
Petr Gutweil
Oldrichova 42
128 00 Praha 2
CZECH REPUBLIC
As soon as Petr receives your postcard, you got a credit ready to be claimed! Don't forget to put your name and email on there! Usually, it takes 6-10 days for the mail to be delivered to Czech Republic. If a friend is sending a card for you, email me to let me know and I will watch for that state to apply the credit to you. There is no limit on states! You can earn as many credits as you wish!

Please, see the attached map for states we've covered. Colored states - covered, White states - NOT covered.