Once upon a time, in a world filled with virtual dreams and fantasy, a happy group of gals and guys who are interested in those cute collectible Beanie toys banded together to form an online newsgroup List, one of the oldest and most active out there in cyber space, to exchange news, ideas about collecting - and even personal thoughts and comments about everything and anything in general. Although the online company which hosts it has changed several times over the years, it is still basically the same happy group.
They have sponsored a travelling chicken and bear , a home-made Christmas ornament exchange, a cactus sharing program - and this year they thought it might be nice to get in the old fashioned holiday spirit and see how many might like to participate in a Holiday Surprise Gift Exchange thingy, sort of like a Pollyanna. The response was immediate, and twenty signed up from all over the and neighboring !
There were no real rules or $value$ associated with the exchange, and it will be kewl to see the results, which I shall include below as the participants share their surprise with the rest of the gang. Here is the happy list -
May the spirit of the season fill your hearts with joy, and the new year be exceptionally positive for all of us.
OK, the first one to check in is Robin, from Illinois...
O.K. I went to the post office on Thursday to retrieve a package that would not fit in my mailbox on Wednesday. The post lady brings out this HUGE, heavy, priority box and I'm thinking What in the world is that? The return address is Beryl's, so I excitedly say WOOHOO! Its my present from Beryl. Disregarding any 'rules', I rush home to open it. I could not believe my eyes when I did! Now I hope you all have time to read what was in it, so here goes, get comfortable.
A package of gingerbread cookie mix complete with cookie cutter A book, 'The Lift Your Spirits Quote Book' - very kewl Another smaller priority box withing the big priority box which contains a glass snowman candy dish with candy in it A box of China oolong teabags A box of Fannie Mae Candy A gold bell candle holder A large box of Mrs Fields fudge which I am not sharing (hehe) A decorative wooden sled with a bear painted on it and Happy Holidays painted on it A cassette of Christmas music A box of 4 Cinnamon scented Candles (of which I have burnt 2 already) A Chinese take out box decorated neatly containing suckers, bracelets, earrings, and chinese tea hard candy (which is yummy) A scrunchy soap thing (I cant think of what they're called) A really cute stuffed santa A skier snowman ornament with a pillow on his rump that says Shock Absorber Two 'tea' towels, Christmas themed A bottle of Avon lotion A bottle of Avon Shower Jel Avon fingernail polish Avon cologne A kewl Flowers Calendar and a ceramic Snowman and a really kewl card in which she wrote "Good health' and wish come true in Chinese.
Whew .............
By the way, I want Beryl next year!
Buried in presents Robin
# 2 - From Donna in Missouri...
I received my package from Bobbi yesterday. Of course, I had to stop what I was doing and open it right away! Everything was so elegantly wrapped! Gold tissue paper and lovely green bows made out of some kind of gauzy fabric! Bobbi must have really studied the questionnaire I filled out because everything suited me to a tee! First I unwrapped a darling wooden snowman decoration. Now he graces the desk in the living room-right next to a wooden tree! In keeping with the snowman theme, I next opened snowman stickers and a snowman Pez dispenser! (I collect Pez) I had written that my fav Beanie was Peace, so imagine my joy to unwrap a lovely mostly pink Peace accompanied by a Peace Jingle Beanie! I'm an avid reader so my next gift was a mystery novel- Got Your Number by Stephanie Bond! I started reading it last night before bed and so far, it's good! My sweet tooth wasn't forgotten either! A whole bag of Hershey's kisses with almonds just for me!!! (I'm NOT sharing!) Last but not least, Bobbi even remembered my pathetic excuse for a guard dog (Gizmo) with a bacon flavored rubber chew bone. He had a ball throwing it into the air and catching it all afternoon! Thank you, Bobbi, for a wonderful experience!!
Donna
# 3 - From me in New Jersey...
OK. Pat's box of goodies arrived last week and I wanted to save it until the 25th, but she said to open it before the critter suffocates! Actually, one of the many things in the package is a really yummy pumpkin cake she made, and I have been rationing myself to one piece / day, which is RARE for me considering that I can go through a 12 slice LARGE cheesecake in about 3 days -- and the cats even always get a couple chunks each time -- they LOVE it as much as I do! The cake is fabulous, and it is the first pumpkin cake I ever had -- and NO, the cat's ain't gettin' any!
So when I opened the box I noticed this tall blue thing sticking up from a Christmasy STARBUCKS bag -- a monster translucent blue L-handled thermal mug -- WOW, would you believe it matches the color of my ZIP drive? Now I do not have to always go back and forth to the kitchen for a refill of one of my regular mugs because this one must hold a third of a pot! To match the mug she also sent a 16oz thingy of STARBUCKS Christmas Blend coffee, knowing that I constantly have some on my desktop -- and
Green tea and herbal infusion -- I LOVE GREEN TEA, and have just finished a pound of loose stuff I got a couple years ago on my last trip to Tenerife! Then there's this neatly gift wrapped rectangular box -- let's see -- [ripping paper off] - Damn! she wraps way better than I try to! ...
OK, it is a discrete brown paper box -- oh, and it has Disneyland Park on the sides -- you do not think they sell THAT kind of discrete stuff at Disneyland, do you? [slowly opening box] OMG! All the way from Anaheim, California! A neato fuzzyish cap with one of Snow White's dwarf pals colorfully embroidered on the front. He looks awfully grumpy, though - hmmmmm - I wonder if Pat is trying to tell me something? It is kewl as anything -- and warm! And I like this high kind of cap - the only ones I usually wear are old as anything, and were either made by my mom or grandmother (like 20+ years ago - they are still going strong!). So the next time I dress up, it will be on my noggin.
Thanks, Pat [sniff] you made my Holiday - and it hasn't even arrived yet!
Santa Sonny
Incidently, you can see these and other goodies I received this Holiday at Sonny's Holidays 2001
# 4 - From Pat in California...
I just wanted to let you know that your package of 500 lb. arrived today. My room mate had to carry it for me as it was way to heavy for me to carry back to the apt. I have opened everything, and I will be busy busy busy for a while. The patterns were a great gift. I see all kinds of things to make. And the card software will help me next year with my cards. You are such a stinker. I hope they are easy to use. They look like they will be fun to use.
The bears I have looked at many times on your auctions, and have almost bid on a few times, but always got distracted. Now I am the first one on my block to have the Bush, Kennedy, and Gore Bears. I just love them. And the cassette tapes. My granddaughter opened them and she has been rocking out all night. She is such a card. The Bambino's I have never seen, as I just wasn't sure if they were cute or not. I have them under the tree in their Christmas Garb. Thanks Sonny. I would be pleased to be your Santa next year. And you mine. You really are a sweetheart.
Pat
# 5 - From Pam in Illinois...
OK - Pam from IL finally checking in. I was paired with Holly from MO. This was the first time for both of us to participate in something like this and it was an incredible experience. We both decided it was almost freaky that we both picked out gifts for each other like we had known each other all our lives! I just love all my presents and my kitties loved the raffia ribbon they were wrapped in! Holly sent me: Instanbul Issy, little snow baby "treasure box", Wisdom of Women's Golf book (great little book), 3 red, white, and blue votive candles (which I have one spot where I light candles that the cats can't get to and I always burn 3 votives at a time there), an angel ornament (the angel has red hair just like my dearest friend, my sister Robin & mine is kinda reddish brown), Burt's Bees coconut foot creme (I am always lotioning up, and I love the smell of coconut!), and a calendar with a saying by Helen Keller "The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched - they must be felt with the heart."
Holly said that has always been a favorite of hers, and would you believe I had that same saying hanging on my fridge! Great words. Thanks so much again Holly. I just can't believe you knew me so well. My sister Robin put a picture of us up but it was taken at my office and I didn't have my gifts there. I don't have a digital camera but I took a picture of the goodies with my regular camera. Now I just have to get the film developed. A big thank you to you also Sonny for getting everything organized for this Christmas Exchange. It is much appreciated. This was a lot of fun. This sure is a great group of people on this list - Happy Holidays to you all.
Pam
# 6 - From Alison in Pennsylvania...
My gift from Kathryn was perfect! I received two very special items which will be both inspiring and stimulating. They arrived in mid-December and I purposely saved them until Christmas so I could take time to enjoy opening them.
At a time of year when I can finally spend a little time reading and listening to music that I love, Kathryn sent me the book, "The Seat of the Soul" by Gary Zukav, and a two CD set of classical music entitled "Essential Mozart".
Mozart is playing now and I am thoroughly enjoying the selections, which starts off with Allegro from Eine Kleine Nachtmusick, K525, one of my favorites.
I look forward to reading and pondering "The Seat of the Soul", which is subtitled "A Remarkable Treatment of Thought, Evolution, and Reincarnation". I include a scan of the CD cover and the Table of Contents of the book, which include fascinating chapters such as Evolution, Karma, Reverence, Heart, Intuition, Light, Intention I, Intention II, Choice, Addiction, Relationships, Souls, Psychology, Illusion, Power, and Trust. Thanks, Kathryn, for a gift which I will definitely enjoy.
Alison
# 7 - From Beryl in Illinois...
I have received my Swap Package from Robin a long time ago and all I have to say is TERRIFIC!!!!
Here's what I have received:
* 3 Sheets of Address Labels (2 with Peace bear and 1 with Pineapple) * 2 Yankee Blueberry Votive Candles (My favorite scent) * 1 Yankee Island Mango "Housewarmer" Candle with a Pineapple Top * Winter Frost Votive Candle and Scented Envelope Sachet (which smells wonderful) * "Peace on Earth" Angel Ornament * Huge (I mean HUGE) Snowflake Ornament * Crisp & Cool Cucumber Dip (Can't wait to try it) * Tic-Tac Orange Candy Mints * "Warm Wishes from Amboy, IL" Snowman Sweatshirt * Homemade Grape Jelly (made with the grapes grown in Robin's yard) * Homemade Orange Marmalade * Marinated Mushroom (mady by Dave & Barb Leffelman) -- Mike's been dying to open it.... * Sizzle Beanie (which is not shown at the picture cuz I have put it away) * W.G. Leffleman & Sons Baseball Cap and Pen (where Paul, Robin's hubby, works at -- I guess we all can figure out...) * Last but not the least, a handmade Christmas Card with a Robin's family picture printed inside
Thanks so much for everything!!!
# 8 - From Bobbi in South Carolina...
I received Donna's package in time for Christmas and thoroughly enjoyed opening the pretty packages. Sonny exhibited great luck or super sensitivity when assigning the swap partners. Donna sent me a wonderful collection of gifts :
teeny weeny adorable ornaments for my teeny tree, a beautiful blue candle, a tie-dyed Scott Hamilton beanie,
a super Christmas frame for my family portrait (we had a houseful this year - 12 - including sisters, brothers, Dad, nieces, nephews ....... and loved every minute!!),
some delicious GORP (good-old-raisins and peanuts with M&M's) and a Jonathan Kellerman novel that I shall dive into as soon as the kids go back to school!!!
Thank-you Donna, and thank-you Sonny, and thanks to the list - Life ain't perfect but it can be pretty good!! Happy New Year!!