I finally got to open my Seekrit Santa present! Thank you, aurelia; I love it. I think the box has been here for a few days but we just got open and it was waiting for me on the table. I got two beautiful blue (my favorite color) hand-painted coffee mugs, filled with yummy chocolates. I'm claiming the dark blue mug as my own. I also got some beautiful blue, sparkly snowflake ornaments and a Spike postcard! Yay, Spike!

Thanks so much, aurelia!

I got my seekrit santa gift!

Thank you, libkitty! I got CHOCOLATE. 2 bars of 88% Dark! And a wonderful Alaska calendar, and a gorgeous red and black scarf! Plus, a little blue bag with a birthday present that I won't open until tomorrow.

Thank you!!

I'll have another wrap-up 2005 post in the next few days.

For the meantime, Helena Handbasket, who I know is not around here much (or at least doesn't post much), sent me the most beautiful, handknitted scarf, in various shades of red. It's amazing. And cinnamon tea, which is perfect for me, since I love cinnamon and spicy things, and I've just recently gotten back into tea drinking since I got myself a new electric kettle. Thank you so much! I'm just thrilled.

(Oh, this morning. My sister hadn't seen me open the package, and she came through the room and saw the scarf, and stopped and was all "oh, wow, where'd you get that?" Just thought I'd pass that along.)

Woo hoo! I have been well and truly gifted. Thank you so much, Maidengurl. For the record, you are not a dork. The note was more than sufficient for me to figure out who you were.

I made out like a bandit: penguin chocolate, a penguin ornament, champagne-vanilla bubble bath, PMS soap (hee!), Republic of Tea Red Tea Good Hope Vanilla Rooibos tea, shea butter lip balm, vanilla blackberry body souffle, caramel creme latte chocolate, and beautiful embossed note cards. I shall have a lovely time pampering myself, and then writing a thank you note to one of the best people I know.

Oh, and the package arrived on the 24th, but I didn't get the notice until I returned from PA yesterday evening.

Again, thank you from the bottom of my heart!

edit: To my seekrit santa--I'm waiting for one more piece of the puzzle. Your present should be going out this week. I hope it will be worth the wait.

Man, I keep reading about the stuff people get and feeling like I felll down on the job. But I really loved the stuff I sent, so I hope it'll be okay and my giftee will see it the same way.

Man, I keep reading about the stuff people get and feeling like I felll down on the job.

I do this every year too.

I caught a cold on Boxing Day, so last night Robert agreed to watch Mal and I took a nice long hot bath, using the orange scrub and mitt and scented candles, and read Batman. AmyLiz, thank you again! It was perfect and much needed.

I'm so glad you liked the goodies Maria. You made me go all squeeeee this morning.

I had written a special card for on top of everything and then missed putting it in. I had initially forgotten about the other note that was with the cards, but then I hoped that was enough.

If I mailed out my present on Monday, December 19, and have yet to hear anything from my Santee, when should I start to get worried?

I'd be worried now, Tom, unless they've been out of town. I mailed several packages on Monday and most of them arrived on the following Wednesday and Thursday.

I mailed several packages on Monday and most of them arrived on the following Wednesday and Thursday.

Like mine, which I adore, but didn't get until I got home. Thank you Deena!