BS: My Secret Santa present has arrived!

Subject: RE: BS: My Secret Santa present has arrived!
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 11 Feb 08 - 06:40 PM

This is a three-year-old thread. You might want to post that on the more current thread or you'll confuse the heck out of everyone (unless, of course, you're talking about a gift that took over three years to arrive?)

Subject: RE: BS: My Secret Santa present has arrived!
From: bet
Date: 11 Feb 08 - 04:54 PM

Thanks to Chanteyranger, my SS suprise has arrived. How nice to have a Rescue Santa! I love the Scottish fiddle music!   Thanks again Chanteyranger! bet

Subject: RE: BS: My Secret Santa present has arrived!
From: SussexCarole
Date: 19 May 05 - 05:56 PM

Still waiting for my prezzie......what has the US mail elf done with it? Oh well...there's always Xmas 2005

Subject: RE: BS: My Secret Santa present has arrived!
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 19 May 05 - 08:05 AM

I know who it was - the person does not wish to be outed. :-)

"Random acts of kindness (and madness)!"

Subject: RE: BS: My Secret Santa present has arrived!
From: JennyO
Date: 18 May 05 - 11:16 PM

I'd still be interested to know what became of my original SS. Not that I'm complaining or anything :-)

Jenny (munching on a chocolate covered blueberry)

Subject: RE: BS: My Secret Santa present has arrived!
From: GUEST,Hee hee!
Date: 18 May 05 - 04:17 PM

If he wants to tell, he can. I'm not.

Subject: RE: BS: My Secret Santa present has arrived!
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 18 May 05 - 03:29 PM

So what was the answer? Who is the mystery mailer?

Subject: RE: BS: My Secret Santa present has arrived!
From: GUEST,Hee hee!
Date: 16 May 05 - 01:19 PM

He knows now who did it.....and it's not from UK.......well, he'll know when he checks his PMs.....

Subject: RE: BS: My Secret Santa present has arrived!
From: Jeri
Date: 16 May 05 - 10:52 AM

I'm aware of someone who used the handle 'Squiggle', but I don't know if he would have done it.

Heck, I couldn't even afford all the CDs in one swell foop and the postage probably cost more than the CDs. There are a couple of people - maybe more - who are responsible for a few random acts of kindness. You're looking for a crazy person with a disposable income or an even crazier person who's going to be eating instant noodles for a while.

Subject: RE: BS: My Secret Santa present has arrived!
From: SINSULL
Date: 16 May 05 - 10:50 AM

I believe Mr. Squiggle is a UKer. If he chooses to remain anonymous, I won't tell.

Subject: RE: BS: My Secret Santa present has arrived!
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 16 May 05 - 10:34 AM

I only mailed one box--this mystery package wasn't from me. I don't believe we have a Mudcatter by the name of Mr. Squiggle. Sounds like subterfuge, and you'll have to get out your deerstalker and meerschaum to do some detecting. Do you have any ideas to begin with?

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: My Secret Santa present has arrived!
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 16 May 05 - 09:03 AM

"My eyes are dim, I cannot see,
I have not brought my specs with me..."

Hey guys - I go away for a few weeks and some MudElf mails me a package. I get home and I find a complete set of the Mudcat CDs!!!!!

I've checked the customs form and it was a Mr Squiggle that mailed it! It wasn't marked 'opened by customs' - it was amazing that it arrived not empty, cause the package had not been taped tightly shut and the Cd's were sliding out the side of the packet when I got it - all were there and the shrink wraps were unopened though!

Now you've upset my karma!

I'll just have to try and get even!

Thanks!

Subject: RE: BS: My Secret Santa present has arrived!
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 16 May 05 - 12:29 AM

That box was supposed to be a sort of tour of North America. Mexico and the Southwest with the chile and the seasonings, and the middle part of the U.S. with the berries and the Northwest with the Almond Roca (Brown and Haley make them daily!) and the northern part of Canada (Nunuvik) with the keychain. It's called an inukshuk and symbolizes the cairns that are built as markers when traveling thorough such open landscape and on beaches. Look near the bottom of this page and you'll see a quite unusual one.

Anyway, I'm glad you enjoyed it. What do you want to bet the sniffing dogs got a hint of capsacin when they went past that box?

Joy looked positively mischievious when she suggested that could send a few more cards along with the ones I'd written out. I wasn't sure, though, that if by sending them with a traveler it might doom them to be delayed until she got home (around the US it has been noted by many travelers that your postcards never reach the people you sent them to until after you are already back home). I'm glad they drifted in for a little buildup.

If you look at the package on the dried New Mexico chiles there are directions for how to prepare them.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: My Secret Santa present has arrived!
From: JennyO
Date: 16 May 05 - 12:07 AM

Woo hoo!!!! A box arrived on my doorstep today! A big notice was on it saying it had been inspected by customs. However, on looking inside, there was another notice saying nothing had been removed. And just as well! I would have hated to miss out on the chocolate-covered blueberries and all the other goodies!

The timing is perfect - winter is starting to make its presence felt, and I am looking forward to all sorts of wonderful chili dishes to keep me warm. It's gonna be a HOT time in the old town tonight!!

Only last night after looking at Joybell's thread, my suspicions were confirmed - that Stilly River Sage is my Substitute Super Secret Santa, with some help from elf Joybell (that post about your little errand a few days ago started me thinking SRS).

I'd be interested to know a bit more about my keyring ornament - where it came from and how it was made. I love it!

THANKYOU! THANKYOU SS SRS!
- and thankyou for the postcard, elf-type person Joybell!

Jenny

Subject: RE: BS: My Secret Santa present has arrived!
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 13 May 05 - 10:15 AM

I think we still have some of Micca's chocolate treats around here that Moonglow received. We had a lot of fun reading the newspaper packing material.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: My Secret Santa present has arrived!
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 13 May 05 - 03:31 AM

Limpit and I finally got round to making up the blueberry muffin mix that she got from her Secret Santa - it got lost in the cupboard....

I can wholeheartedly recommend them on smell alone - we were very good and are saving them for the assembled company at the Handfasting this weekend.

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: My Secret Santa present has arrived!
From: JennyO
Date: 13 May 05 - 01:40 AM

Still waiting - with bated breath. What a marathon this has been!

Jenny

Subject: RE: BS: My Secret Santa present has arrived!
From: GUEST,JennyO'sssssssss SS
Date: 12 May 05 - 11:52 PM

Soon, very soon--the bribe should have worked on the package delivery person with the jet. any time now.

Subject: RE: BS: My Secret Santa present has arrived!
From: GUEST,O-O-O JennyO's Secret Santa
Date: 06 May 05 - 03:39 PM

You could say that the left hand and the right hand have a different way of writing, or that my right hand elf is left handed. Or you could say that the elf hopped off of the sleigh a couple of times between the North Pole and Cancun to mail cards for me.

Subject: RE: BS: My Secret Santa present has arrived!
From: JennyO
Date: 06 May 05 - 11:54 AM

Now that you mention it, substitute Secret Santa, I do seem to be getting a little collection of postcards - two came together from Indianapolis a few weeks ago (I suspect they were from you), and then there was one (with different handwriting) from Texarkana. Curiouser and curiouser! I'm still watching and waiting! Better late than never, eh?

And I'd love to know what became of my original Santa.

Jenny

Subject: RE: BS: My Secret Santa present has arrived!
From: GUEST,Heidi Ho Ho Ho, JennyO JennyO JennyO
Date: 06 May 05 - 11:35 AM

JennyO, I finally, finally, finally, the elves got off of their duffs (they were out on an extended vacation in Cancun to soak up some sun) and sent your replacement box. The reindeer refused to have anything to do with take-offs and landings in the thaw around the pole, so I had to beg and wheedle and finally, well, I'm embarrassed to say, but I finally bribed a postal employee to stick it into the back end of one of those silver birds. If they can't manage to fly over your house to drop it on your porch they may have to land and hand carry it.

There was one freelance elf helping on this, but I haven't seen any trace of that one's activity (nothing mentioned here about billet-doux arriving from hither and yon). I hope they have been arriving, so you knew this Santa hadn't forgotten about you.

Your contrite substitute Secret Santa

Subject: RE: BS: My Secret Santa present has arrived!
From: GUEST,JennyO
Date: 09 Apr 05 - 12:27 PM

So I haven't been forgotten then! I had just about resigned myself to missing out this time.

Okay, I'll keep an eye on the post - this must be some sort of record - well on the way to Christmas in July!

Jenny

Subject: RE: BS: My Secret Santa present has arrived!
From: GUEST,JennyO's Seasonally Adjusted Secret Santa
Date: 08 Apr 05 - 12:03 PM

JennyO said: Well at least we know Alison's SSSSS can do HTML.

Still isn't much of a clue, is it? JennyO's mid-year Secret Santa can also "do HTML." Keep an eye on your post, dear!

Subject: RE: BS: My Secret Santa present has arrived!
From: GUEST,JennyO
Date: 19 Mar 05 - 11:04 AM

Well at least we know Alison's SSSSS can do HTML. Not much of a clue really.

Subject: RE: BS: My Secret Santa present has arrived!
From: alison
Date: 18 Mar 05 - 06:55 PM

it was the postcard that made me think Scotland

but further than that... no idea

but thanks again

alison

Subject: RE: BS: My Secret Santa present has arrived!
From: GUEST,Alison's SSSSS
Date: 18 Mar 05 - 10:04 AM

Post Card Alison, not Post Code Keep looking!!
SSSSS

Subject: RE: BS: My Secret Santa present has arrived!
From: JennyO
Date: 18 Mar 05 - 08:39 AM

Why would anyone sign up for this and not keep their end of the bargain?

I had been asking myself the same question, Chanteyranger, but you have turned out to be a great Santee too!

Not only does he say nice things, but while I have been waiting for an SS present to appear, he has sent me a copy of his and Radriano's CD. It arrived a couple of days ago, and it is EXCELLENT!

It does help to restore my faith in mudcatters. Apart from anything else that might happen now with this year's Secret Santa, this connection makes it all worthwhile.

Jenny

Subject: RE: BS: My Secret Santa present has arrived!
From: alison
Date: 17 Mar 05 - 07:22 PM

Dear Santa

it would have been had the postcode not been illegible!! I'm guessing Scotland though... am I close?

slainte

alison

Subject: RE: BS: My Secret Santa present has arrived!
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 16 Mar 05 - 06:56 AM

Liz - I lost stuff twice last year - the first a big crash, the second ONLY the change from a PC laptop to a Mac & most of that stuff will come back when my personal help desk can get on to it.We are so reliant on these mechanical/electronic slaves (oops masters) that when something goes wrong we are stuffed.

sandra (surrounded by paper copies)

Subject: RE: BS: My Secret Santa present has arrived!
From: GUEST,Alison's SSSSS
Date: 16 Mar 05 - 04:04 AM

Well well, them reindeer excelled themselves, just shows you that it's better to wait till the rush is over. Glad you liked the goodies, and that the notorious Oz customs didn't sit on it. BTW in my opinion that book 'Behind the scenes at the Museum', although it took me a bit of getting into, is the best book I have read in many a year. I hope you enjoy it.
SSSSS

ps The PC might be a clue!!

Subject: RE: BS: My Secret Santa present has arrived!
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 16 Mar 05 - 03:43 AM

Is there anyone out there who still hasn't had a SS present or communication?

The list was unfortunately eaten by the computer when it died last year... I will do some work on my PMs and try to reconstruct it, to post here.

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: My Secret Santa present has arrived!
From: Peter Kasin
Date: 16 Mar 05 - 02:53 AM

I finally figured out that my Santa was JennyO (sea music scene in Australia thread). I want to say here what I said there, for all to see: Jenny was a GREAT Santa! Generous, on the mark, witty, and any other good word that comes to mind. I'm just sorry you've been left in the lurch by your Santa. It's an unfortunate thing that crops up every year, which I know first-hand, as I got no pressie nor explanation the Christmas before last. Why would anyone sign up for this and not keep their end of the bargain?

Anyone want a rescue Santa? PM me with the name and address of a friend here who's been left in the cold, and I'll send something.

Chanteyranger

Subject: RE: BS: My Secret Santa present has arrived!
From: alison
Date: 16 Mar 05 - 02:13 AM

mine arrived today

thanks Santa (whoever you are) - the book and the CDs are wonderful
& the bookmark couldn't have been more apt - it has been a horror of a week - "I try to take one day at a time, but sometime several days attack me at once." ... couldn't have arrived at a better time

thank you so much

slainte

alison

Subject: RE: BS: My Secret Santa present has arrived!
From: JennyO
Date: 13 Mar 05 - 12:07 AM

Thank you thank you thank you SSSS for stepping into my Santa's shoes. I've been Santaless for too long.

But now I have something to look forward to! Oh happy day, calloo callay! I can believe in Santa again. I'll be watching the mailbox with anticipation!

Jenny

(I still have no idea what went wrong - there was no communication. A postal predicament, eh? I wonder if I'll ever know what happened....)

Subject: RE: BS: My Secret Santa present has arrived!
From: Helen
Date: 12 Mar 05 - 06:08 PM

Teresa & Alison,

I know it's nearly Easter but I started a new job a month ago and then had to go away for a couple of weeks training and then I got a letter from the Tax Office saying they won't wait much longer for my last 3 tax returns, but....

Teresa, when your present came back claiming you weren't at that address it also came back with one of the items broken so I've been searching high and low for a replacement - why was it so easy to find in the first place and so hard to find again? I don't know. Anyway I finally found one this weekend so yours will be posted again tomorrow.

Alison,

I am nearly there on yours as well - your extra non-SS present which I think you'll like. It has been sitting waiting to send except for one item, which I'll do today and send tomorrow as well.

I haven't forgotten, just been disorganised.

Helen

Subject: RE: BS: My Secret Santa present has arrived!
From: GUEST,Alison's SSSSS
Date: 12 Mar 05 - 02:00 PM

Well Ali mo ghoil, as your original SS seems not to have been playing by Aussie rules, I have the honour of having been selected by Santa's Elf as a late substitution. As I'm about the same vintage as Rex Hunt don't expect too much physical play or long passes. I play by Celtic rules instead, and there is a non food little something in the post as I post.
Failte
SSSSS

Subject: RE: BS: My Secret Santa present has arrived!
From: GUEST,JennyO's Substitute Super Secret Santa
Date: 12 Mar 05 - 12:44 PM

I should have said something sooner--I'm working on a little something for our JennyO whose connection with her original Secret Santa ran into a postal predicament. Soon it will go in the mail.

Your SSSS

Subject: RE: BS: My Secret Santa present has arrived!
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 12 Mar 05 - 09:39 AM

yesterday!! when Mudcat was down so I could not thank Santa Amergin, but I did mention it on The Annex.

There were 4 of the out-of-print Andre Norton books I wanted, 2 wonderful CDs from Mmario & 2 reminders of Santa's home - a handcrafted bookmark which is marking my place in a great book about Oregon.

Plus the perfect thing for a fake world-traveller like me - a carrybag from a shop called 'Made in Oregon' which I can carry about Sydney & look like I've been Overseas.

many thankyous to Amergin

I didn't see the Santa/Santee list, has it been posted?

sandra

Subject: RE: BS: My Secret Santa present has arrived!
From: katlaughing
Date: 20 Jan 05 - 06:54 AM

Thanks, jaze! I am sorry, I forgot to mention the CDs you sent, too. Believe it or not, I am just getting fit enough to finally listen to them and a couple of others which I received at the holiday. I didn't have a CD player except at the computer nad no wherewithal to sit up to listen, but now have a handy little player near the bed where I am spending a bunch of my time, so will enjoy them immensely, I am sure.

It has done my heart good...this Secret Santa stuff. Thanks, again,

kat

Subject: RE: BS: My Secret Santa present has arrived!
From: Helen
Date: 20 Jan 05 - 01:39 AM

Thank you Ranger Steve for my lovely pressies. A book of beautiful New Jersey photos, and a cassette tape of your own music - I'll listen to it later tonight - and a lovely little kaleidoscope which makes pictures of real life things around me.

Thanks, very much, and please forgive me for whingeing, and I feel doubly awful about that because now I know that you were unable to send them earlier.

Helen

Subject: RE: BS: My Secret Santa present has arrived!
From: GUEST,A nosy elf
Date: 19 Jan 05 - 08:33 PM

Did Alaska Mike ever hook up with his prezzie?

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: My Secret Santa present has arrived!
From: jaze
Date: 19 Jan 05 - 08:27 PM

No apologies needed,Kat. You're very welcome and I'm pleased you enjoyed the gifts. This is great fun,eppecially when your Santee enjoys the gifts. Good to have you back!

Subject: RE: BS: My Secret Santa present has arrived!
From: katlaughing
Date: 19 Jan 05 - 04:55 PM

My apologies for a very belated public THANK YOU to jaze for the stupendously wonderful Secret Santa gifts he sent me. I opened them on Christmas, but hadn't figured out just who the 3D name was in MudcatLand, then I lost track when I went for a stay at the local sawbones' hangout. My daughter sussed it out for me while I was away.:-)

First, a gorgeous Christmas box which reminded me of my grandma's hat boxes...it's a keeper! Full of TWO books, both of which I know I will love; lovely chocolates and yummy-smelling soap, plus some laughing cat socks his wife picked out AND a BEE-YOU-TEE-FULL fairy cross pendant from the good ol' earth of Virginia. Best of all, though, was his own story of part of his growing up years. Once I started reading I couldn't put it down and I am MOST HONOURED that he shared it with me. THANK YEW, THANK YEW, THANK YEW, Kind Sir!! Now, as your friends have said, "write the book!"

luvya'll and Thanks,

kat

Subject: RE: BS: My Secret Santa present has arrived!
From: Rustic Rebel
Date: 15 Jan 05 - 09:09 PM

Thanks so much to Edain! My package arrived last night. A delightful book on the folklore of fairytale, by Macleod Yearsley. Published in London, Watts and co., 1924! And in good shape I will add.
Thank you.
Peace, Rustic

Subject: RE: BS: My Secret Santa present has arrived!
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 15 Jan 05 - 12:32 PM

Got the rest of it! Mail carrier was finally able to get through the snow in front of the mailbox (gonna move the mailbox tomorrow, I think; gotta position it closer to the road without being so close the plows wipe it out).

But now I have to find the proper frame for a glorious bat goddess! (As well as the other drawings.) I really like your drawings, Santa! The calendar is a treat, too, and the silk scarf is right on the money color-wise.

Thank you, thank you!

Linn

Subject: RE: BS: My Secret Santa present has arrived!
From: GUEST
Date: 15 Jan 05 - 08:27 AM

Chanteyranger's santa -

around yet at home

the Bard stated bonkers

but we think s/he's home grown.

with fingers in the garden

it's a time of pure rest.

with a cornucopia of wit

let shim be blessed.

..

Subject: RE: BS: My Secret Santa present has arrived!
From: GUEST,Chanteyranger's pleased but still secretive
Date: 15 Jan 05 - 07:59 AM

Greetings Chanteyranger, from your very pleased Santa. Now I'm puzzling over what other clues I might be able to give you, without giving the game away. You must have it narrowed down to a city anyway.

I've posted in this thread as myself, but I don't think that clue will help you much, as there are a few of us - heh heh heh!

SS

Subject: RE: BS: My Secret Santa present has arrived!
From: Peter Kasin
Date: 15 Jan 05 - 02:24 AM

My present just arrived from Australia, and it is FANTASTIC! Santa, you really outdid yourself. You not only sent the kinds of things I finally left in the hints thread, but you successfully deciphered my mystery hint: "Every time I get in the carr, I feel alienated. Help me, Caleb!" Santa sent me the book "The Alienist," by Caleb Carr, along with some sea music CD's, political badges (I collect campaign badges), and a few other souvenirs from OZ. This was all at no small expense, I might add, being shipped from Australia.
Santa also left me a few hints about Santa's identity (if any of you fellow Australian members know, please don't spill the beans). I'll mull over it and see if I can solve this mystery. But for now, one great big thank you for such a generous and right-on-the-mark gift! I'm truly humbled by your efforts.

Chanteyranger

Subject: RE: BS: My Secret Santa present has arrived!
From: Helen
Date: 14 Jan 05 - 01:27 AM

alison,

I've got a small present for you anyway. I've just been procrastinating getting it organised. I'll try to get it sorted this weekend and sent off.

I don't know if I have your current (postal) address so if you could PM me with the details that's help.

Helen

P.S. I'm pretty sure it's something you would want, but I'm not sure if you already have it.

Subject: RE: BS: My Secret Santa present has arrived!
From: alison
Date: 13 Jan 05 - 06:56 PM

no thanks Jenny - the getting a pressie bit of it isn't the important thing - whats disheartening is if there are people out there putting their names down so they can get something without carrying out their end of the bargain....

I hope I'm wrong and that the pressies to Oz are just taking their time sight seeing before they get here

slainte

alison