BS: My pressie has arrived!!!

Subject: BS: My pressie has arrived!!!
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 24 Nov 03 - 08:01 AM

It wasn't a card from the postie to alert me to a parcel, but the parcel itself hand-delivered by my neighbour, Glenn, who shares my post office box!

Decent sized parcel (about shoe box size) - I haven't tried shaking it & I WON'T open it for a month. But I think I recognise the name of the sender.

Thankyou dear Santa.

Last year my parcel didn't arrive till 6th Feb, it walked & floated a meandering course all the way from Tennessee where Giac posted it mid Nov. It's apparent non-arrival worried us both, it did. This year I'm the first to report a pressie has arrived.

sandra (happy little vegemite)

Subject: RE: BS: My pressie has arrived!!!
From: GUEST,Sandras in Sydney's SS
Date: 24 Nov 03 - 08:13 AM

WOW !!!!!!!It must have caught the Express on the Vladivostok to Perth leg and avoided VicRail completely!!!! i will leave it to you to decide when to open it, as different folks have diiferent Resistances to closed boxes!!!Using SS's law of prezzie keeping!!where R= K* days left to Christmas/(no of days since birthday or last prezzie) provided K is <30 my resistance <0

Subject: RE: BS: My pressie has arrived!!!
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 24 Nov 03 - 08:46 AM

Santa - I am mathematically dis-inclined, or is that algebraically ditto. Please don't confuse me with complicated stuff, but I do agree it was a Good Thing it caught the Express.

sandra (ta for the present pressie & previous songs)

Subject: RE: BS: My pressie has arrived!!!
From: Allan C.
Date: 24 Nov 03 - 11:54 AM

A simpler formula is to divide the number of days between now and the holiday, birthday, etc., by your age. This will give you a more realistic waiting period. (Note: A calculation resulting in any number containing a decimal, such as 2.0, signifies that the gift should have been opened yesterday.)

Subject: RE: BS: My pressie has arrived!!!
From: Benjamin
Date: 25 Nov 03 - 12:51 AM

Mine arrived a few days ago. The amazing thing is that I didn't even sign up for one. Of course, I'm not sure how much of a seceret it is anymore as I know who sent it. But I'll still let everyone else do some guessing for now.

Subject: RE: BS: My pressie has arrived!!!
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 25 Nov 03 - 04:47 AM

I got my present today!! A big box arrived by courier - the Royal Mail doesn't do things like parcels any more.... and of course, being me, I opened it!

It's the most beautiful old fashioned box which will definately be saved for future use and inside there are lots of other little parcels. They're all wrapped so they will stay that way. They're going to the secret hiding place with the other presents until we get the decorations up.

Thank you so much, Secret Santa James in Virginia - still a secret because you didn't put your Mudcat name in!

Everything seems to be in one piece - no suspicious rattling sounds or sticky patches and the copious amounts of tissue will be recycled.

Thank you again, for giving me the biggest grin I've had for ages!

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: My pressie has arrived!!!
From: GUEST,Rapaire's Secret Santa
Date: 25 Nov 03 - 05:02 AM

Sounds like all the routes are running smoothly. That's good.

HO HO HO

Subject: RE: BS: My pressie has arrived!!!
From: Leadfingers
Date: 25 Nov 03 - 05:17 AM

Its only November,plenty of time for prezzies to arrive,even with the aftermath of the UK postal strike.But my Santee PM'd me re safe arrival a fortnight ago - and it was sent surface mail !!

Subject: RE: BS: My pressie has arrived!!!
From:
Date: 25 Nov 03 - 06:48 AM

You all have great will power when parcels arrive on my doorstep I have to open them and liberate the item(s) within...well thats my excuse and Im sticking to it!!!....go on...someone open your pressies....Im dying to know what you all get!!!!

Secret Santa Secretary doing her normal job!!!

Subject: RE: BS: My pressie has arrived!!!
From: GUEST
Date: 25 Nov 03 - 06:57 AM

you are all lucky not even a peep out of my ss

Subject: RE: BS: My pressie has arrived!!!
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 25 Nov 03 - 08:01 AM

Guest - I hope your Santa is just shy & gathering together good stuff for you!

sandra

Subject: RE: BS: My pressie has arrived!!!
From: GUEST,Someone's Secret Santa
Date: 25 Nov 03 - 09:28 AM

I've posted a hint large enough to drive a Mack truck through (in the UK would that be a Mercedes lorry?). But I didn't put my own name in the box though the return address acurately reflects my alter-ego--"Santa."

Subject: RE: BS: My pressie has arrived!!!
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 25 Nov 03 - 07:18 PM

Well "Santa" - I've given up reading the hints thread.... would it help if I did?

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: My pressie has arrived!!!
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 25 Nov 03 - 09:01 PM

You weren't expecting escargots, then?

Kitty

Subject: RE: BS: My pressie has arrived!!!
From: GUEST,Liz The Squeak's SS
Date: 25 Nov 03 - 09:25 PM

There may be more hints when you open the packages. It may be hard as I'm not anyone who stands out here so...happy guessing!

Subject: RE: BS: My pressie has arrived!!!
From: harpgirl
Date: 25 Nov 03 - 09:42 PM

I guess I ain't gettin' anything but coal this year...boo hoo hoo...

Subject: RE: BS: My pressie has arrived!!!
From: Amos
Date: 25 Nov 03 - 09:54 PM

Well, ya now, Harpy, sometimes we _think_ we're being good and we're really _not_. At least it seems that way, ya know woddIMean? Like we don't really know if we're really good or just explaining our actions away anyway? Ya know? So maybe....I mean, I just thought maybe ya been really good in your mind, like, but in reality you just been a real bitch, ya know....ya think maybe? Woddya think?

A

Subject: RE: BS: My pressie has arrived!!!
From: harpgirl
Date: 25 Nov 03 - 10:02 PM

No, I know I've been a bitch, Amos. Would you expect anything different????????? Of course it does depend on who you talk to...

Subject: RE: BS: My pressie has arrived!!!
From: Jeri
Date: 25 Nov 03 - 10:02 PM

Amos, if being a bitch occasionally prevents us from getting presents, we're all screwed.

Subject: RE: BS: My pressie has arrived!!!
From: harpgirl
Date: 25 Nov 03 - 10:09 PM

I don't know Jeri. It doesn't seemed to have worked for me lately!

Oh, pardon me...you meant the present part... ahem...

LOL

Subject: RE: BS: My pressie has arrived!!!
From: GUEST,Barb'ry's SS
Date: 25 Nov 03 - 10:55 PM

The nice student-sized elf at my postal station had me sign a parchment-like paper saying I wasn't sending explosives or nasty stuff through the mail. I was a bit vague, while remaining accurate, about the contents of that package.

Only Two Weeks 'til it gets there! The reindeer have their antlers crossed hoping it arrives safely (they only deliver on December 31--the rest of the time they're bulking up and helping pack the bag of goodies!)

Subject: RE: BS: My pressie has arrived!!!
From: Amos
Date: 26 Nov 03 - 11:37 AM

Jeri, Harpy -- Escargot in a tin for both of yez!! LOL!!


A

Subject: RE: BS: My pressie has arrived!!!
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 26 Nov 03 - 02:54 PM

What kind of reindeer are those? They'd better deliver on December 24! Must be New [Year] Age reindeer.

Subject: RE: BS: My pressie has arrived!!!
From: GUEST
Date: 26 Nov 03 - 02:54 PM

Oops! Santa brain fart alert!

Subject: RE: BS: My pressie has arrived!!!
From: Col K
Date: 27 Nov 03 - 10:34 AM

I just posted my pressie off to my recipient. Hope it gets there.

Subject: RE: BS: My pressie has arrived!!!
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 29 Nov 03 - 07:25 PM

Subject: RE: BS: My pressie has arrived!!!
From: SINSULL
Date: 29 Nov 03 - 08:14 PM

Hope my SS is patient. Won't be getting her goodies until just before Christmas, as is suitable.

Subject: RE: BS: My pressie has arrived!!!
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 30 Nov 03 - 03:24 AM

I refreshed this earlier to bring it back onto the screen and later realized it could be misconstrued. I haven't seen anything from my Santa for a while, and no package yet. Perhaps it is time to pull out the poem again and look for more clues. I've established that this is someone from the UK, I'm guessing around London. My geography (sans an atlas) got me that far, anyway.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: My pressie has arrived!!!
From: GUEST,SRS' Secret Santa
Date: 30 Nov 03 - 04:56 AM

Boy is your geography out!

I'd guess an atlas for Christmas would've been a good idea. Shame I've already wrapped that package of barbeque charcoal.

Subject: RE: BS: My pressie has arrived!!!
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 30 Nov 03 - 12:45 PM

Oh, no! There was something about "frogs" and "tunneling" and I assumed it was slang saying the French were nearby via the tunnel.

Sigh.

I'll go get those clues and start to work. . .

Subject: RE: BS: My pressie has arrived!!!
From: JennyO
Date: 02 Dec 03 - 01:19 AM

Yippee!!!!!!!!!!!!!! My package arrived today. I have been sort-of semi-good. I have opened enough of the outer wrapping to know that my Santa is in the UK and I have a rough idea of where from the postcards, but there are 3 wrapped parcels which I am going to try and not open till Christmas (well maybe a few days before as I'm going off to Woodford on the 22nd). So now I'm puzzling over the few clues I have been given. Hmmmmmm.

Oooh this is fun! Now I'm feeling guilty 'cos I haven't sent my santee's present yet. Must get busy!

Jenny

Subject: RE: BS: My pressie has arrived!!!
From: GUEST,Noreen's Secret Santa
Date: 02 Dec 03 - 08:45 PM

HO HO HO ..... my little Crumpet......your parcel is slogging it's way over hill and dale! Hopefully it will arrive before the big day!
Enjoy.....

Noreen's Secret Santa

Subject: RE: BS: My pressie has arrived!!!
From: Lyrical Lady
Date: 02 Dec 03 - 08:54 PM

My pressie arrived two weeks ago. I haven't opened a thing but I have plenty of clues as to what to expect. No clues as to who my Santa is tho..hmmm...ok who's from Birmingham..fess up now!
I can't wait to open all my little packages!

Lyrical Lady

Subject: RE: BS: My pressie has arrived!!!
From: JennyO
Date: 02 Dec 03 - 09:37 PM

Been doing a bit of sleuthing, based on what my Santa said on the postcard, and on which mudcatters from that area are involved in this, and I think I have narrowed it down to three likely contenders, with one of you definitely having the front running.

So SS, is the answer in the parcels, or will I still have to do more sleuthing after I open them?

Jenny (looking at the unopened parcels, fingers feeling decidedy itchy, but determined to wait till the proper time)

Subject: RE: BS: My pressie has arrived!!!
From: Pseudolus
Date: 02 Dec 03 - 10:12 PM

I got mine!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! OK, I'm not gonna open it yet, I can't decide, well I'm gonna wait until tomorrow at least and see if the will power holds out, I sorta doubt it!!!!!


Here's to tryin!!
Frank

Subject: RE: BS: My pressie has arrived!!!
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 02 Dec 03 - 10:54 PM

I heard a thump out on the porch, and found a package perched on my mailbox. This is it, my Secret Santa is revealed. It took under a week from the UK to the TX. I haven't opened the box yet, we'll save that for Christmas. As to geography, I can see that if I had gotten out the atlas I could have put a name to a county closer to the channel than the city of London (but that is on the right side of the island!) I probably could have even risked the guess of Kent, because I used to be pretty good at the locations over there when I was reading more British lit. I still wouldn't have figured out who it was, because I don't know where all of our British Mudcatters live.

I love the way you spell your name--over here all of the silent consonants would have been dropped and it would look different.

Now, I wonder if the box I mailed last week has made it on its appointed rounds?

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: My pressie has arrived!!!
From: Barb'ry
Date: 03 Dec 03 - 02:09 PM

I GOT MY PRESSIE!!!!!!!! But I am still being good and haven't opened it yet. Yet.......
Thank you secret santa!!!!
Texas huh?

Subject: RE: BS: My pressie has arrived!!!
From: GUEST
Date: 03 Dec 03 - 02:19 PM

Proximity is everything in this global village. Even in the virtual world of thread postings. . .

Subject: RE: BS: My pressie has arrived!!!
From: Sorcha
Date: 03 Dec 03 - 02:26 PM

Well, my pressie to my Santee has gone out.....no word that it has arrived......

Subject: RE: BS: My pressie has arrived!!!
From: nutty
Date: 03 Dec 03 - 02:44 PM

THANK-YOU - I got my pressie too .... I'm saving it for Christmas Day

Subject: RE: BS: My pressie has arrived!!!
From: Hollowfox
Date: 03 Dec 03 - 05:04 PM

Mine arrived, but my mischevious Canadian SS left no hint as to who they were? How can I gush and thank you if I don't know who you are???

Subject: RE: BS: My pressie has arrived!!!
From: GUEST,Blackcatters SS
Date: 03 Dec 03 - 07:18 PM

Had a slight problem with the reindeer not fancying America at this time of year - would prefer it in the summer.

Have had to send off your pressie by Royal Males and Hairy Planes. Hopefully it should turn up in time for Yule.

Hope you are still being a good boy.

xoxoxo

Subject: RE: BS: My pressie has arrived!!!
From: vectis
Date: 03 Dec 03 - 07:49 PM

My pressie is sitting under my virtual Christmas tree still unopened after three weeks. I have caressed it a few times and have guessed at the contents. Only three weeks to go..........
I still haven't worked out who my luverly SS is though. Must be from USA, Colorado or California is my best guess so far. WIll I find out when I open it???
Whoever you are
Thankyou
Thankyou
Thankyou
Thankyou
Thankyou
Thankyou
I'm still bein good Santa
HONEST :-))

Subject: RE: BS: My pressie has arrived!!!
From: karen k
Date: 04 Dec 03 - 12:05 AM

I got mine the other day. Haven't opened it yet. Thankkkkkkkkkkkkk youuuuuuuuuuuuuu! Now I just have to get off my tail and mail mine out. No excuse if it's late and it has to go to Europe. I've had it since Oct.!!!!

Subject: RE: BS: My pressie has arrived!!!
From: SussexCarole
Date: 05 Dec 03 - 04:41 PM

Yipeee.....had a card through my letterbox from Santa aka Parcelforce Worldwide today. I have a prezzie waiting for me at the Post Office...could this be from my secret Santa????

Subject: RE: BS: My pressie has arrived!!!
From: GUEST,vectis' santus arcanus
Date: 06 Dec 03 - 04:10 PM

There you are...I thought maybe you'd fallen off...I see you've been good, but remember, now, I said it would be okay if you were just overwhelmed and couldn't wait to open it!**bg**

santus arcanus longing to reveal ALL!HeeHeeHee

Subject: RE: BS: My pressie has arrived!!!
From: Kim C
Date: 07 Dec 03 - 09:54 AM

Mine came yesterday and I opened it! (Hey, life's too short.) I have a box of Terry's chocolates, a lovely day book with floral paintings, a desk calendar with some fabulous photographs, and a beautiful black scarf with white music notes on it. As the desk calendar was created by Beachcomber, I have reason to believe that my Santa is the same.

Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!!

(oh gosh, this is so much fun!!!)

But now I kinda feel bad, because I didn't carefully wrap all the items in the package I sent to my Santee! As it was going overseas, I went for safety and functionality rather than colorfulness. Santee, I hope you will understand! :-)

Thanks again to Clinton for coming up with the idea.

Subject: RE: BS: My pressie has arrived!!!
From: vectis
Date: 07 Dec 03 - 07:29 PM

AHH Santus Arcanus
If you only knew how tempted I've been but the fun of squeezing and shaking it and trying to guess at the contents. Only two and a bit weks to go........
The suspense is delicious in its way.
Tnx times umpteeen once again
Vectis

Subject: RE: BS: My pressie has arrived!!!
From: JenEllen
Date: 08 Dec 03 - 02:31 PM

I got mine!!!!! I was going to be good and wait, but it got opened by accident. Mine came in an envelope that was marked "League of Conservative Voters" so it very nearly went into the trash! I thought "What the hell?" when I saw the address and almost chucked it! Thank the gods for curious women!

THANK YOU HOLLOWFOX!!!

Subject: RE: BS: My pressie has arrived!!!
From: GUEST,Mooman's Secret Santa
Date: 09 Dec 03 - 12:14 AM

Have no fear Mooman, my friend, your present will be on the way soon. Unfortunately, you have a very slow Secret Santa. It will be mailed this week and when it is I will post here again. Hopefully I won't forget. Just to give you a hint - it is musical, wearable and from America. Hang in there. You are not forgotten.

SS