BS: THANK YOU, SECRET SANTA!!!

Subject: BS: THANK YOU, SANTA!!!
From: katlaughing
Date: 04 Nov 06 - 03:33 PM

WOW!! I got a package from Australia today!! No name, no indication who my Secret Santa is, but I can only guess it came from the "white text hinter of the Nudges thread!" (Someone who was very generous with postage and pressies!)Aha! Just noticed "Toowoomba" on the postage cancellation. Foolestroupe, is that YOU!??!!

Opened it up and oh my! I've got VEGEMITE!! Eat yer heart out, Spaw!! I feel like a kid in a candy store! All kinds of gingery candies and Lifesavers-MUSK?? flavoured and sweet-tart kind of candies which definitely liven up the tastebuds and an oversized darling paperclip and I am listening with a big grin on my face and in my heart to a beautiful CD of music from the Elizabethan Age. I love the "other country" labels on things and the music is just gorgeous. OH! And I get to "Nibble Nobby's nuts!!" And, there is a darling little bottle of Bo-Peep's "mini boiled sweets" which my cat seems to be very interested in...must've come from a cat-owned household.:-)

This so kewl and early to boot. Thanks, very much.

THANK YEW, THANK YEW, SANTA!!

luvyakat

Subject: RE: BS: THANK YOU, SANTA!!!
From: IWTATBM
Date: 04 Nov 06 - 04:03 PM

You don't know me katlaughing, but I read your post and am happy for you.

Subject: RE: BS: THANK YOU, SECRET SANTA!!!
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 04 Nov 06 - 11:19 PM

Hehehehehehehehe!

Gotcha!

I was away, waiting for my money, so posted it from there.

Subject: RE: BS: THANK YOU, SECRET SANTA!!!
From: katlaughing
Date: 04 Nov 06 - 11:51 PM

I KNEW it!! I love Mudcat archives...I can find almost anything on anybody! Hehehe, yerself, Fooles! Thanks a bunch...all quite tasty, though I think a taste for Musk Lifesavers needs to be acquired.:-)

Thanks, also, to IWTATBM.

katIwasagoodgyrl

Subject: RE: BS: THANK YOU, SECRET SANTA!!!
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 05 Nov 06 - 12:04 AM

"I think a taste for Musk Lifesavers needs to be acquired"

Which explains why Aussies can't find them there, I suppose... save them and make new friends with homesick Aussies... :-)

Buderim Ginger is on the net - and is just up north of me.

"Nibble Nobby's nuts!!" - very famous here...

"Bo-Peep's "mini boiled sweets"" - made by Darrel Lea Chocolates - an Aussie sweet company. Some people buy them just for decoration, but they DO taste good.

My 2 cats - Bubbles and Squeak - say hi.

Subject: RE: BS: THANK YOU, SECRET SANTA!!!
From: katlaughing
Date: 07 Nov 06 - 01:38 PM

So far they all taste really good, except the Musk. Just can't get past the sensation of eating perfume. I think it stems from one time in school when we orchestra nerds were selling chocolate bars for a fundraiser. Mine were in my purse, along with nail polisha nd perfum,e both of which broke open and saturated the chocolate bar. The smell put me off chocolate for a good spell!

My three year old grandson is wild about all of them but the ginger. He says it "too spicy!" Great fun shairng with him as he is talking up a storm and manages to repeat everything he hears. Last night when his mom came to get him, he told her she HAD to try the "gummie footies." **bg**

Thanks, again, Fooles. Hope some others get to post their surprises in here, soon, too.

kat

Subject: RE: BS: THANK YOU, SECRET SANTA!!!
From: Megan L
Date: 08 Nov 06 - 07:44 AM

Oh Santa you are a life saver I was having a lousey morning when the postman arrived now i feel Grrrreat :)

Subject: RE: BS: THANK YOU, SECRET SANTA!!!
From: GUEST,MeganL Secret Santa
Date: 08 Nov 06 - 08:00 AM

Glad to have been of service Megan. I hope the rest of the day goes happily

Santa x

Subject: RE: BS: THANK YOU, SECRET SANTA!!!
From: greg stephens
Date: 08 Nov 06 - 08:23 AM

Correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't these meant to be Christmas presents? So how come people are opening them, eh?

Subject: RE: BS: THANK YOU, SECRET SANTA!!!
From: Megan L
Date: 08 Nov 06 - 08:49 AM

He He He Greg my Santa was a darling and sent me a prepressie teaser

Subject: RE: BS: THANK YOU, SECRET SANTA!!!
From: Nancy King
Date: 16 Nov 06 - 10:46 AM

Well, I will have to say I am truly impressed! My package from the UK arrived on Monday! Santa, you are one efficient Jolly Old Elf!

Unlike some people I could name, I will NOT open my pressie before Christmas day. It's so much fun trying to explain about Mudcat and Secret Santas to my clueless brother and sister-in-law. The package, complete with brown paper and (vague) customs declaration, will go under the tree, as soon as I get the tree up...

Thank you, Santa!

Nancy

Subject: RE: BS: THANK YOU, SECRET SANTA!!!
From: Charmion
Date: 16 Nov 06 - 10:54 AM

A small mauve box arrived yesterday from Britain, labelled "Secret Santa" and "Candle". Of course, it could be anything ... and I'll wait until 25 December to find out!

Thank you, whoever you are!

Subject: RE: BS: THANK YOU, SECRET SANTA!!!
From: vectis
Date: 16 Nov 06 - 11:49 AM

A sledge swooped down on my house today and left a mysterious package FOR MEEEEEEEEE. Yippppeeee!
It got here from t'other side of the world in record time.
I'll save it for Christmas day.
Fank yooo Santa.
Hurraahh! :-)))))

Subject: RE: BS: THANK YOU, SECRET SANTA!!!
From: GUEST,Nancy's Santa
Date: 17 Nov 06 - 03:19 AM

Hi Nancy

Glad it arrived safely across the sea.


Love Santa

Subject: RE: BS: THANK YOU, SECRET SANTA!!!
From: GUEST,Vectis's Secret Santa
Date: 17 Nov 06 - 04:27 PM

Vectis

It was a dark and snowy night.. the sled wound its way through sleet and snow.. across desert and sea, through light and day! The reindeer were out and about, so Santa used the local kangaroos & the ride was a little bumpy! Santa was a little arthritic so we elves had to come along too.

while ever so humble, I'm glad the pressie has found its way home..

S.S.

Subject: RE: BS: THANK YOU, SECRET SANTA!!!
From: RangerSteve
Date: 17 Nov 06 - 05:33 PM

A picture postcard came today, advising me that my gift had been send from UK. The postcard has a really nice picture of an old airplane flying past a lighthouse. It's definitely one I'll keep. I'm looking forward to the actual present. Thanks, Secret Santa.

Steve

Subject: RE: BS: THANK YOU, SECRET SANTA!!!
From: SINSULL
Date: 17 Nov 06 - 05:45 PM

Eh, Miss Kitty???? What ever happened to "Do Not Open 'Til Xmas"?????
You have been a naughty girl! And teasing Spaw besides! tcchhh tcchh

Subject: RE: BS: THANK YOU, SECRET SANTA!!!
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 20 Nov 06 - 11:14 PM

my pressie arrived today!

my neighbour collected it & I handed him a black marker so he could cross out all the incriminating evidence on the front - name of sender, customs declaration, etc.

However I know it came from america!

thankyou santa, I eagerly await 25 Dec

sandra

Subject: RE: BS: THANK YOU, SECRET SANTA!!!
From: GUEST,Jaze
Date: 21 Nov 06 - 10:22 AM

Dear Bedazed, Bedazzled, Bedazzling and Befuddled Santa, your package arrived from Australia (thanks Kat for narrowing it down by one!) yesterday. I have resisted my wife's insistance that I open it immediately(no matter how tempted I am). I will do the difficult and honorable thing and wait for Christmas. I greatly appreciate your generosity and will spend the remaining time trying to figure out who you are. Your humor seems slightly familiar. No hints?? Thank you again and I hope your Holiday season is filled with joy and fun. Your Begrateful and Bemused Santee.

Subject: RE: BS: THANK YOU, SECRET SANTA!!!
From: katlaughing
Date: 21 Nov 06 - 10:38 AM

uh-oh, I think I'm only going to get a lump of coal on THE day. Sorry folks for being over-eager. ('spose that's a legally recognised dis-order?)**bg**

In my defense: the box didn't say "don't open until Christmas" and when I opened it, it was right there in my face...a bunch of colourful packages with intriguing names printed on them...how many of you could resist "Nibble Nobby's Nuts" or trying to figure out how to use Musk flavoured lifesavers as perfume? LOL!!

I love it!!

Subject: RE: BS: THANK YOU, SECRET SANTA!!!
From: GUEST,jaze
Date: 21 Nov 06 - 10:52 AM

Keep telling yourself that, Kat. I hear coal is making a comeback.0:>)

Subject: RE: BS: THANK YOU, SECRET SANTA!!!
From: Tinker
Date: 21 Nov 06 - 04:51 PM

I got a package today from Austrailia !!!!
There's a real name, but no Nudcat name so I guess I'm still stumped, but I will not open it til Christmas, I will not open it til Christmas, I will --- well maybe not til my Birthday, solstice is soon enough....

Thank You Thank You Thank You

Subject: RE: BS: THANK YOU, SECRET SANTA!!!
From: skipy
Date: 21 Nov 06 - 05:06 PM

I got a lump of coal, confused yes, but it was a tradition with my family back in the 60s in Lancashire to "first foot" with a lump of coal.
That is to walk out of the back door with it & come in the front as the new year arrived.
Time to revive it & pass the lump of coal on to my sons.
So Thank you.
Skipy

Subject: RE: BS: THANK YOU, SECRET SANTA!!!
From: Emma B
Date: 21 Nov 06 - 05:12 PM

a lump of coal and some salt Dave - but hey1 - I'm from "wich" country

Subject: RE: BS: THANK YOU, SECRET SANTA!!!
From: GUEST,Skipy's Sekret Skanta
Date: 21 Nov 06 - 05:41 PM

Well ... yer won't give me any hints so be it on yer own head.

No, No! It's too late to save yerself. Yer on da list: "Naughty" And dat's a fact!

Da wheel of fate is a-spinnin' ...

sss

Subject: RE: BS: THANK YOU, SECRET SANTA!!!
From: GUEST,jaze
Date: 21 Nov 06 - 09:27 PM

Boy, these Australia folks are really on the ball!

Subject: RE: BS: THANK YOU, SECRET SANTA!!!
From: GUEST,Jaze's BBB&B ******Santa******
Date: 22 Nov 06 - 05:32 AM

Jaze,

Glad to hear your package arrived safely, it had a long way to go! And here is a small clue:

I am, indeed, an Ozzie.

Full marks to you for getting that right!

Best wishes from
Your Bedazed, Bedazzled, Bedazzling, Slightly Befuddled and very-relieved-that-your-package-arrived-safely - *****Santa*****

Subject: RE: BS: THANK YOU, SECRET SANTA!!!
From: GUEST,jaze
Date: 22 Nov 06 - 10:29 AM

I may continue to investigate,Santa, but I think I have a sneaking suspicion as to who you may be.

Subject: RE: BS: THANK YOU, SECRET SANTA!!!
From: GUEST,The Somewhat Secret Santa of Sandra in Sydne
Date: 23 Nov 06 - 07:55 AM

Sandra, You HAVE been good! You came up with a great solution to sidestep my identity. Future Santas, take note of this quality!

Yes, I admit that I don't actually live at the North Pole. I, Mrs. S, the elves and the poor, inexperienced international-pressie poster were all very cheered that the package arrived safely. ~~ Your happy but somewhat less secret Santa.

Subject: RE: BS: THANK YOU, SECRET SANTA!!!
From: Alaska Mike
Date: 23 Nov 06 - 04:22 PM

With my illness and convelescence, I had not thought to join in the fun of this year's Secret Santa. But while I was deep in my coma a Secret Santa mysteriously began sending cards and recently, a package. Thank you Santa for your thoughtfulness and entrepeneurial spirit. I hope the Christmas season shines brightly for you and the new year brings you wonders and joy.


Mike

Subject: RE: BS: THANK YOU, SECRET SANTA!!!
From: Catherine Jayne
Date: 23 Nov 06 - 05:33 PM

Thank you Santa, your present arrived yesterday. I will open it next month as instructed on front of the packaging!!

Thank you!!!

Subject: RE: BS: THANK YOU, SECRET SANTA!!!
From: bfdk
Date: 24 Nov 06 - 05:47 AM

THANK YOU SANTA from Maine, your interesting-looking package from across the Pond arrived last night, laboriously hauled up the stairs to my second floor apartment by a profusely sweating mailman :-))

I haven't opened it, and I won't do so until Christmas, although I must admit I was sorely tempted to peek through the crack in the outer paper that the mail people had equipped it with. The box within is in fine fettle, though, so it wouldn't help much, anyway..

The label on the package states that it contains i.a. a CD, and I can barely wait for that - I sincerely hope it's family-related, somehow (as in "Grumpy Old Git", possibly, unless you do your own stuff as well) :-))

For now I shall let you remain nameless, Santa Dear, so as not to help those still guessing too much by eliminating your name from the list of possible candidates.

I wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from this side of the Big Pond. I hope to see you all again sometime in the not too distant future :-)

Best wishes,

Bente

Subject: RE: BS: THANK YOU, SECRET SANTA!!!
From: freda underhill
Date: 25 Nov 06 - 03:26 AM

Thank you Santa - for the interestoing envelope from the North Pole - should I open it today? no, I'll wait!

excitedly

freda

Subject: RE: BS: THANK YOU, SECRET SANTA!!!
From: GUEST,FU's SS
Date: 27 Nov 06 - 07:41 PM

The little envelope from the North Pole via Christmas Island may be opened forthwith or even fifthwith if you prefer.

The main consignment is now on its way, but that one should most definitely be retained unopened until the day of your festivities (Christmas, solstice, Lupercalia etc)

Subject: RE: BS: THANK YOU, SECRET SANTA!!!
From: katlaughing
Date: 27 Nov 06 - 10:10 PM

fifthwith...you've been watching Victor Borge and his Inflationary Language bits, eh?

Three for the price of two!:-)

Subject: RE: BS: THANK YOU, SECRET SANTA!!!
From: katlaughing
Date: 27 Nov 06 - 10:16 PM

Sorry, you have to use the "Inflate this page" function to get his unique twist on the story. Here's the Inflated Version. It's twoderful!

Subject: RE: BS: THANK YOU, SECRET SANTA!!!
From: JennyO
Date: 27 Nov 06 - 10:34 PM

I was lucky to go and see Victor Borge when he visited Australia a LONG time ago, but I still remember this story. Wonderful performer - and the piano duels with Hambro were hilarious! I have a video of him too.

Subject: RE: BS: THANK YOU, SECRET SANTA!!!
From: GUEST,fu
Date: 28 Nov 06 - 01:02 AM

WoW, Santa Clues, its at home in Sydney but I'll open it first thing when I get back friday night!

thaaaaanks!

freda

Subject: RE: BS: THANK YOU, SECRET SANTA!!!
From: GUEST,FU's SS
Date: 28 Nov 06 - 06:16 AM

Inflationary language is a very apt description, Katmeluv. You don't know how close to the truth you are! :-)

Subject: RE: BS: THANK YOU, SECRET SANTA!!!
From: RangerSteve
Date: 30 Nov 06 - 07:56 PM

Some excellent vintage postcards, but I can't read the postmark, so I don't know where they were sent from. Thanks, Secret Santa. Steve

Subject: RE: BS: THANK YOU, SECRET SANTA!!!
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 01 Dec 06 - 02:41 PM

Bruahahahahahahahaahhaaaaaaaa!!!

I love this!

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: THANK YOU, SECRET SANTA!!!
From: freda underhill
Date: 01 Dec 06 - 03:40 PM

The moment arrived.. Persephone returned from the Underworld and opened the carefully wrapped parchment (after noting puzzedly that the stamps were Australian) to reveal....




A VERY APTLY NAMED HELIUM BALLOOON!

Santa Clues, I've never seen anything like this in Australia and will keep it for A VERY SPECIAL OCCASION which is 2 years and three months away!

thank you, o mysterious one, and maybe I'd like some more clues as to your identity. my cunning sleuthing has narrowed you down to coming from..

well, either Lapland or the UK - yes, the next parcel has arrived, and it seems to be watching me. Now i will have to be very disciplined not to open this one until the Big day. so far I'm doing very well!

thanks for all the fun, Santa!

freda

ps - i wonder who the local elf was?

Subject: RE: BS: THANK YOU, SECRET SANTA!!!
From: artbrooks
Date: 01 Dec 06 - 04:46 PM

Well...I have a package. Dutifully following the instructions from my SS, I will not open the outer wrapper until the magic day. The customs declaration is no help...Santa, is your handwriting always like that, or is this special??

Subject: RE: BS: THANK YOU, SECRET SANTA!!!
From: GUEST,FU's SS
Date: 03 Dec 06 - 02:50 PM

How very obervant of you to notice the Australian stamps - for unlike your shire, Santa's is not in middle earth, but in Australia's own Shire of Christmas Island. But although notable for the variety and rarity of its native wildlife, I do not believe that Hobbits have ever been spotted there.

I cannot deny that my chief representative on earth is based within Her Britannic Majesty's realms, and indeed enjoyed the same "very special occasion" to which you refer less than a single month ago. But I assure you that the balloon has not been recycled from that celebration - it is brand new and totally unused! Is there a clue in that?

I see you have noticed the armed sentinel standing guard within your package. He is charged, on pain of his life, to ensure that your package remains inviolate until the day foretold for revelations.

The local elf may (or may not) be revealed in the fullness of time, but I can let you know that he/she/it is a Mudcatter.

Santa Clues xx

Subject: RE: BS: THANK YOU, SECRET SANTA!!!
From: sian, west wales
Date: 04 Dec 06 - 04:33 AM

Whey-HEY! I've been Santa'd!

I even have a name ... but I haven't yet sorted out what Mudcat Monikker is used by this person. But - can she ACTUALLY live at North Pole, AK, 99705??? Even the post mark is North Pole!

I haven't been on line all weekend, but this actually arrived on Thursday - 30 November. It was posted (according to the mark) on 24 November. FROM ALASKA??????? Jeepers - thinking of all the parcels and stuff that get lost over a couple of miles, and this gets here in 6 days!

Santa honey, I'm going to keep this safe until I come back from Christmas family visits so I'll probably be opening it on New Year's Eve. I just wanted you to know that it arrived safely, quickly and was a real tonic! (I've been 'laid up' with sinusitis.)

I may just try one of those Polar Bear Smooches though. Just to make sure that they survived the journey OK ... (Clever, those Alaskan Elves.)

Ooooo ... this is SO cool ... !

sian, west wales

Subject: RE: BS: THANK YOU, SECRET SANTA!!!
From: GUEST,Anne Nelf
Date: 04 Dec 06 - 04:19 PM

Heh! Heh! Heh!

Subject: RE: BS: THANK YOU, SECRET SANTA!!!
From: Severn
Date: 04 Dec 06 - 04:29 PM

O,Shy & Secretive One,

You posted you were sending it on the third and here it is the 4th and it has arrived already! The Elves and Reindeer are to be commended for their timely efforts!

The basics of what's inside are on the custom form, but the specifics will have to wait until Christmas morning, unless I am instructed otherwise. You got the package through without revealing either the name and return address or the part of the UK you were mailing from. Very well done, indeed!

A pre-thank-you for merely getting it here and thinking of me, with more thanks coming after the opening, when the 5 senses are appeased by the much anticipated contents.

Your Grateful Santee,
Severn

Subject: RE: BS: THANK YOU, SECRET SANTA!!!
From: Hollowfox
Date: 04 Dec 06 - 07:13 PM

Yesyesyes! I got my package! My daughter didn't even want me to see the declaration sticker on the front, but she relented at last. I've had it a few days, but I've also had a wonkled-out computer at home, and this is the first time I've had a chance to slip in a bit o' Catting in at work. I'm sorry that I mis-read your address when I looked it up on the British postal service website, that was a real brain cramp to think you were in England with the name Dumferline staring me in the face. (blush) I still don't know who you are, and I plan to be good and wait until Christmas to open The Box, but I plan to come to work early the next day so I can thank you properly.

Subject: RE: BS: THANK YOU, SECRET SANTA!!!
From: GUEST,Hollowfox's SS
Date: 05 Dec 06 - 09:44 AM

Hello, Hello, Hollowfox,

So pleased to hear the parcel's arrived & what a smart daughter you have. When you do open it there's a list of things to look at if you wish, when your computer's OK. As well as gifts & more clues.

No me dear, Dunfermline's no in England & the card's no an emblem of England either.    I'd said "What's in a name"? Maybe it's a Rose by any other name............?

Just be very good & wait until Christmas to open The Box. If you can).

Keep it sealed until then :-)   

I'll look forward to hearing from you when you can get onto a computer & in the meantime all Good Wishes for the festive season.

Your SS

Subject: RE: BS: THANK YOU, SECRET SANTA!!!
From: hilda fish
Date: 06 Dec 06 - 12:48 AM

Thankyou! Thankyou! Thankyou! From Wales eh?   Welshsanta. Love it! Big kiss.