BS: Abandoned by Secret Santa :: Support Group

Subject: RE: BS: Abandoned by Secret Santa :: Support Group
From: GUEST,Santa
Date: 04 Apr 08 - 03:27 AM

See, everything comes to those who wait...

Sometimes even after three years!

Santa

Subject: RE: BS: Abandoned by Secret Santa :: Support Group
From: Sarah the flute
Date: 04 Apr 08 - 03:02 AM

YAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYY!
My parcel has been found!
The posties have returned it to sender and it's on its way again to a more reliable address!
I have restored faith and won't say anything bad about pirates ever again!

A happy, amazed and very delightfully surprised Sarah

Subject: RE: BS: Abandoned by Secret Santa :: Support Group
From: sian, west wales
Date: 26 Mar 08 - 06:33 PM

Yeh, I'm not bothered. And I've already picked up a good Welsh cook book on sale - which I've stowed away as a potential Secret Santa gift. Hope I get someone 'domesticated'! Roll on September!

sian

Subject: RE: BS: Abandoned by Secret Santa :: Support Group
From: Joybell
Date: 26 Mar 08 - 05:49 PM

I guess you're right Sarah. I have no idea what happened for me. It's the second time I missed out in 5 years of playing, but that still makes for 3 great presents. I had the fun of selecting and giving presents.

One last drink on the porch anyone? A brave wave of goodbye.
It's raining here. The heat-wave has gone away. Geting ready for next year too.
Cheers, Joy

Subject: RE: BS: Abandoned by Secret Santa :: Support Group
From: Sarah the flute
Date: 25 Mar 08 - 04:37 AM

Waiting for next year seems the best option - we are a quarter of the way there anyway.

I still don't know how much was my fault. I moved offices and forgot to change the address .... but there again nothing turned up at the old office either and our mail was being redirected and no sign of a second promised parcel either...Oh well C'est la vie.

Getting ready for next year

Optomistic Sarah

Subject: RE: BS: Abandoned by Secret Santa :: Support Group
From: Joybell
Date: 24 Mar 08 - 07:14 PM

So that's four of us. Maybe it's time to abandon the idea of a secret and rescue each other? Ourselves? Just put it down to bad luck and wait for next Christmas?
Always hopeful,
Joy

Subject: RE: BS: Abandoned by Secret Santa :: Support Group
From: Joybell
Date: 18 Mar 08 - 10:05 PM

You and me and "sian, west wales" who's dreaming of socks.
Cheers, Joy

Subject: RE: BS: Abandoned by Secret Santa :: Support Group
From: ranger1
Date: 18 Mar 08 - 09:46 PM

You and me and Joybell, as far as I can tell. Or at least we're the only vocal ones.

Subject: RE: BS: Abandoned by Secret Santa :: Support Group
From: Sarah the flute
Date: 18 Mar 08 - 07:34 PM

So who's left now?????

Subject: RE: BS: Abandoned by Secret Santa :: Support Group
From: Joybell
Date: 18 Mar 08 - 06:14 PM

Thanks Tabster. It's so good to hear about your parcel. Thank you for your company.

ranger1 -- I have no idea how you would make licorice socks. A few years back I came up with the most unlikely objects in an attempt to get my Santee to tell me what she liked in the way of presents. Turned out I had a very busy Santee and sian began playing instead.
I also offered things like sea songs from land-locked countries.

I believe I said things like, "If you don't tell me what you want -- it's licorice socks for you!"

Cheers, Joy

Subject: RE: BS: Abandoned by Secret Santa :: Support Group
From: ranger1
Date: 18 Mar 08 - 05:58 PM

Well, I've been enjoying shortbread teddybears, courtesy of Megan L. I think there may be a few left...

And what are licorice socks, anyway?

Subject: RE: BS: Abandoned by Secret Santa :: Support Group
From: Anne Lister
Date: 18 Mar 08 - 01:15 PM

I'm officially signing out of the group now as a large package arrived today....What can I say? I hope all the stories have a happy ending and I hope you thoroughly enjoy the daiquiris, the chocolate, the clementines, liquorice socks (???), the lemonade and everything else while you're waiting!

Anne

Subject: RE: BS: Abandoned by Secret Santa :: Support Group
From: sian, west wales
Date: 17 Mar 08 - 05:53 PM

Hey, can I have a daquairi (or however that's spelt) instead of the lemonade? I had my 'first ever' a couple of weeks ago and I've found my Soul Drink. Oh, yum. Make me up a pitcher-full; I'm off to that hammock over yonder ...

sian

Subject: RE: BS: Abandoned by Secret Santa :: Support Group
From: Joybell
Date: 17 Mar 08 - 05:09 PM

That's better. Thanks ranger1. I knew about the second type of Clementine. I've never come across the first kind. We'd probably only be able to get the dried kind if they were available at all. Must look them up.
It's got cooler. What a relief. No rain but at least it's cooler.
Cheers, Joy

Subject: RE: BS: Abandoned by Secret Santa :: Support Group
From: ranger1
Date: 17 Mar 08 - 07:50 AM

Clementines are thin-skinned, small, (usually) seedless tangerine type things. The best ones come from Morocco (which I can't get in the US, jsut the yucky dried-out ones from California and Florida) and are yummy.

Alternatively, it's a miner's daughter who wore herring boxes without topses and who eventually fell into the raging brine.

I don't deal well with heat of that magnitude. Must be my thick northern blood. Here, have some of this freshly made lemonade.

Subject: RE: BS: Abandoned by Secret Santa :: Support Group
From: Joybell
Date: 17 Mar 08 - 05:51 AM

And I wasn't even your Santa, sian. My Santee was too busy to play that year so I had a fine time pretending to be yours when I wasn't.

What's a clementine?

The weather here is horrible -- we've got a heat wave on top of a 12 year drought. Over a hundred for a week now and it's supposed to be autumn/fall.
Cheers, Joy

Subject: RE: BS: Abandoned by Secret Santa :: Support Group
From: sian, west wales
Date: 17 Mar 08 - 05:21 AM

good grief, joybell! Fancy you remembering the licorice socks! I was just telling someone about them the other day.

See: on one level it doesn't matter if one remains santa-less because you can still hang out and have a good ol' gossip with old friends on the back porch.

(And - speaking of chocolate, has anyone tried making that Nigella Lawson choc cake that starts out with boiling 6 clementines for 2 hours?)

Nice weather for St Paddy's Day, ain't it? Anyone else sign up for 'Proud2bPat'? I did start a thread about it ...

sian

Subject: RE: BS: Abandoned by Secret Santa :: Support Group
From: Sarah the flute
Date: 17 Mar 08 - 04:19 AM

Yum yum! munch munch choccies! .... I think I've forgotten Christmas now! Happy St Patricks Day.

Sarah

Subject: RE: BS: Abandoned by Secret Santa :: Support Group
From: Joybell
Date: 16 Mar 08 - 05:05 PM

sian, I'm sorry -- I wondered if you were still here. You're so quiet sitting there in your liquorice socks.
Bearded Bruce sent me the chocolate. I'm still overwhelmed by that wonderful thought.
So it's four. Four of us. Enough for a party.
Cheers and Joy

Subject: RE: BS: Abandoned by Secret Santa :: Support Group
From: ranger1
Date: 16 Mar 08 - 11:10 AM

And what good company it is! So, who brought the chocolate?

Subject: RE: BS: Abandoned by Secret Santa :: Support Group
From: sian, west wales
Date: 16 Mar 08 - 09:44 AM

'Scuse me, joybell. I'm still here quietly minding m' own business. No anxiety, just enjoying the view and the company.

sian

Subject: RE: BS: Abandoned by Secret Santa :: Support Group
From: Joybell
Date: 15 Mar 08 - 05:44 PM

Well ranger1 and Sarah it's we three on the porch gazing into the distance.

Subject: RE: BS: Abandoned by Secret Santa :: Support Group
From: Joybell
Date: 09 Mar 08 - 06:33 PM

Good luck from me too -- SS of Tabster.
Joy

Subject: RE: BS: Abandoned by Secret Santa :: Support Group
From: ranger1
Date: 09 Mar 08 - 10:16 AM

See, now doesn't this renew one's faith? Good luck, Tabster's Santa, with Wednesday.

Subject: RE: BS: Abandoned by Secret Santa :: Support Group
From: Anne Lister
Date: 08 Mar 08 - 04:55 PM

Oh, Santa - I hope it goes well for you on Wednesday! I shall look forward to the package arriving, and now I feel doubly lucky as I also had the rescue Elf's package of goodies.
With all best wishes ...

Anne

Subject: RE: BS: Abandoned by Secret Santa :: Support Group
From: GUEST,Tabster's Secret Santa
Date: 08 Mar 08 - 02:41 PM

Well, gentle Tabster, your package is on the way. Neither Santa nor Santa's spouse have been well and Santa is still not in the best shape, but at least Santa could finally hobble to the reindeer stables, intending to deliver your pressie personally. However, he found that the elves had organized the reindeer, who had formed a Collective with Rudolph in charge...Rudolf the Red, as he's now known.

So Santa hobbled down to the North Pole Post Office and entrusted your package to the lovely and tender care of the postal service.

A note on the contents: Santa hand selected EVERYTHING, including the book on rats which is much like Santa's childhood. The other things are about where Santa lives now; the coffee and spice you may enjoy. Santa also filled up the box with music written and played especially for you, only a cardboard box isn't the best container for music (as Santa found out). Take the words for the wish. Santa is trying to bring a little touch of the beauty of the North Pole and its environs to Wales.

And Santa apologizes for the delay, but it really was unavoidable. E.g., Santa goes in for medical imaging on Wednesday. Think good thoughts for Santa.

Subject: RE: BS: Abandoned by Secret Santa :: Support Group
From: Joybell
Date: 06 Mar 08 - 05:21 PM

.... and I'm still hoping

Subject: RE: BS: Abandoned by Secret Santa :: Support Group
From: Joybell
Date: 05 Mar 08 - 04:17 PM

maeve contacted me. I was relieved. I was confused about the Teddy bear reference as I didn't have any Teddy bears -- shortbread or otherwise. The message was specific not general. I'm not going mad and I'm still nice.
Cheers, Joy

Subject: RE: BS: Abandoned by Secret Santa Support Group
From: katlaughing
Date: 05 Mar 08 - 01:03 AM

I thought maeve was just being a little funny...after all she recommended biting heads off teddys!

I know of one REscue Santa who sent my sister goodies, much appreciated.

Subject: RE: BS: Abandoned by Secret Santa Support Group
From: Joybell
Date: 04 Mar 08 - 04:41 PM

Last time (2 years back) I was presentless -- I had a message of explanation from my Santa -- through someone else. My Santa had meant well and things just happened. I was still disappointed but I understood.

Earlier that same year a huge parcel of chocolate had arrived unannounced -- just because I'd bemoaned the fact that I couldn't get my favourite American chocolate here. I've given too -- outside of Secret Santa time. I feel blessed.

Santa -- if you're out there -- It's ok from me too.
Cheers, Joy

Subject: RE: BS: Abandoned by Secret Santa Support Group
From: ranger1
Date: 04 Mar 08 - 03:12 PM

As a Santa-less person, I have to stand up for some of the AWOL santas. Sometimes things beyond a person's control happen and sometimes postal gremlins occur. Santa, if you're out there, it's ok. Christmas in July is fun, too.

Subject: RE: BS: Abandoned by Secret Santa Support Group
From: Joybell
Date: 03 Mar 08 - 05:07 PM

I'm still waiting.

Subject: RE: BS: Abandoned by Secret Santa Support Group
From: Sarah the flute
Date: 03 Mar 08 - 02:24 PM

The moral of this tale....never upset a pirate!
Oh dear I think I did...never mind there is always next year

Sarah

Subject: RE: BS: Abandoned by Secret Santa Support Group
From: GUEST,Foolestropues Santa
Date: 03 Mar 08 - 06:16 AM

YEEEEEHAW! I was worried those naughty postal elves had stolen it away. Enjoy!

Subject: RE: BS: Abandoned by Secret Santa Support Group
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 03 Mar 08 - 03:37 AM

Right that's two of you sorted... will the last non-recipients of SS gifts please PM me and I'll see what's left in the luck dip bag.

Thanks to all Reserve Santas who've stepped up, some without even being asked to...

SECSY
LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Abandoned by Secret Santa Support Group
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 02 Mar 08 - 11:31 PM

Woop! Woop! Woop!

Thank you SS!

The package was waiting for me.

Definitely an English SS (still too tired to try and work it out) ... Not only do I love gargoyles - the stone type! (the real ones can't talk!) :-P - but so does a friend.

While I have occasionally seen Fry's here, the real English rocks are previously unknown. I shall have to study up on my geology... :-)

Thanks.

Subject: RE: BS: Abandoned by Secret Santa Support Group
From: maeve
Date: 23 Feb 08 - 06:38 PM

Of course I am sorry to have upset you both.

Subject: RE: BS: Abandoned by Secret Santa Support Group
From: Anne Lister
Date: 23 Feb 08 - 06:15 PM

I thoroughly enjoyed the whole process of giving to my Santee, as I also very much enjoy giving presents to friends and family. I also completely understand that my "official" Santa has had troubles beyond the normal way of things, and I'm certainly not throwing any teddies out of my pram in a fit of pique. I was moved to tears by an unexpected and very thoughtful selection of gifts that came to me from an unsolicited rescue Elf recently. But I do think that those of us who kept our side of the Secret Santa "deal" are entitled to feel disappointed that it's now two months since we might have expected a Christmas gift from our Santas and to express that disappointment in whatever terms feel right for us. And it's a little unnerving to be rebuked for feeling the way we do, however gentle and well-meaning the rebuke may be.
So thank you to all of you who are trying to help, in whatever way, and let's hope that whatever gremlins are snarling up the despatch of the missing parcels will be dealt with soon.

Anne

Subject: RE: BS: Abandoned by Secret Santa Support Group
From: Joybell
Date: 23 Feb 08 - 05:36 PM

A lovely message. Thank you for the thoughts SSIW. I feel a lot less naughty now. I'm not really a spoiled child.
Joy and happiness.

Subject: RE: BS: Abandoned by Secret Santa Support Group
From: GUEST,A substitute Secret Santa in waiting.
Date: 23 Feb 08 - 05:10 PM

I'm keeping a close eye on this thread and awaiting orders from the SECSY before sending a gift. I'm sure I'm not the only one. Fear not, oh neglected ones, we are thinking of you.

Subject: RE: BS: Abandoned by Secret Santa Support Group
From: Joybell
Date: 23 Feb 08 - 04:58 PM

This thread isn't about the "getting" not meeting expectations is it?
Have I missed something here? Forgive me if I have.
I'm 63 and nobody has ever told me how I should feel about the giving and getting experience before and I'm a bit puzzled. I thought I knew.

The giving is the main reason most of us join in -- I believe.   All of us love presents too, though, and if "the getting" didn't happen for some of us at all -- we are allowed to feel any way we want.

We do a lot of giving and getting, here on Mudcat, outside of the Secret Santa experience. That will continue. So will Secret Santa -- for us. (And I speak as a two-time loser).

Hello Sarah and Anne. Smiles and happiness to you.
Cheers, Joy

Subject: RE: BS: Abandoned by Secret Santa Support Group
From: maeve
Date: 23 Feb 08 - 07:30 AM

I'll try to say this as gently as possible, as I empathize with and respect the posters herein:

If the focus is on the joy of giving rather than the getting, it does keep the sting out of it when the getting doesn't meet expectations. Everyone will be taken care of, you know.

This might be a good time for biting the heads off of Megan's teddy bear shortbread. Rather than mine.

Warm regards to all the not forgotten after all santees.

Subject: RE: BS: Abandoned by Secret Santa Support Group
From: Anne Lister
Date: 23 Feb 08 - 06:35 AM

I've still got a little while to wait until St Patrick's Day, so I'll try not to fret until then - and I'm still feeling grateful to my Rescue Elf!

Anne

Subject: RE: BS: Abandoned by Secret Santa Support Group
From: Sarah the flute
Date: 23 Feb 08 - 06:09 AM

I'm still well and truly abandoned.....sigh

Subject: RE: BS: Abandoned by Secret Santa Support Group
From: Anne Lister
Date: 22 Feb 08 - 05:25 PM

I'm still here ...rescued by an elf, but still here ...

Anne

Subject: RE: BS: Abandoned by Secret Santa Support Group
From: Joybell
Date: 22 Feb 08 - 04:48 PM

Oh No! abandoned by the Abandoned by Secret Santa Support Group thread. Where is everyone? Hello! Hello! Come back.

Subject: RE: BS: Abandoned by Secret Santa Support Group
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 19 Feb 08 - 12:43 PM

My package got there, but my Santee stopped guessing.

Subject: RE: BS: Abandoned by Secret Santa Support Group
From: Anne Lister
Date: 19 Feb 08 - 12:25 PM

I'm very happy to announce the arrival of a package from a Rescue Santa ... full of well-chosen goodies, and a total delight. I do know the identity of the Rescue Santa (it wasn't concealed) but thank you so much!

Anne

Subject: RE: BS: Abandoned by Secret Santa Support Group
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 18 Feb 08 - 09:04 PM

To my dear SS

I hadn't received it before my birthday - I have not been home since just before then, but should be back soon, Thanks - will keep you informed...

Subject: RE: BS: Abandoned by Secret Santa Support Group
From: Joybell
Date: 18 Feb 08 - 08:02 PM

Lemonade would be good. Thank you Anne. Save the ice-cubes and send them by mail and I'll share them with the Wildlife.
We're hoping for a cool change -- hope it arrives with rain before ALL the vegetables die. Apples are doing fine. I'll bring some to our party. And Greengages.
Cheers, Joy