Belated Secret Santa Present

Earlier this month, there was a big concern about whether I'd receive a gift from my Australian Secret Santa.  You see, an Australia Post mail truck caught fire and the whole lot burnt to the ground!  And the whole truck was heading from Western Australia to here in Queensland.  A lot of people were not going to receive their presents over Christmas.  

When I heard about this, I filled out a form immediately online to Australia Post - however, they didn't keep track of the item I was looking for.  This was unfortunate.  To my amazement, I checked the mail yesterday and I found a blue parcel pick-up card... and what do you know?  It was my parcel from my Secret Santa!  Thank you so much Romy86 for sending this off to me... and now it's here where it belongs, I'm not letting it out of my sight!

A Vouch for World Peace!

Today, my day started off very early.  It had to so I could get my last shop for the year over and done with.  So, I was up at 7am, ate breakfast, fed the fish and Little Miss Stevie and out the door just before 9am... a good record.  The mail was collected; and my little PO Box was filled to capacity with not only my mail, but my parent's mail as well - as I take their mail while they're away on holidays.  So, I took out the bundle of Christmas Cards (theirs) and three pieces of mail (mine) and walked off to the bus stop down the road.  Once there, I opened my mail and found that Southernfrye had sent me a lovely collection of things for my HGG collection; including a bumper sticker promoting World Peace.  Yes, this year, I had asked for World Peace.  I know that sounds a little out in the left field, but really, if I can ask Santa Clause for it, why not ask for it as a HGG?  And today, I received an incentive - the bumper sticker suggests that we try for it before 2021.  Now, not only does that sound like a plan, but it also sounds like a goal too.

There were other things inside that envelope.  I found a recipe, some labels, a bookmark and a few other things as well.  Thank you so much Southernfrye.  I appreciate you thinking about me at this time of year.  I wish World Peace upon your part of the world as well.

Two HGG's From Across the Miles!

Today has been cold and wet; and so when I went and checked the mail, I was pleasantly surprised to find not only mail for Mum and Dad had arrived, but also mail for me for Christmas.  

There was a gorgeous scenic postcard of the Sleeping Bear Dunes at Frankfort, Michigin where it's snowing and cold and mnugirl made a snowman in her front yard the other day; and she's making sugar cookies from her Grandma's recipe soon too.  I'd love to have a white Christmas some day; it'd be so much fun!

The other item which showed up in the mail was a European Christmas card.  These are usually a single card front with gorgeously painted fronts and you write on the back; like postcards.  Anuluni1975, from Finland,sent one to me with two Robins flying and feeding off some flowering wheat.  Enclosed in the envelope were two teabags - in envelopes - of Rooibos and Vanilla tea.  Just lovely for cool days like today.  Thank you both for your lovely HGG's.  I'll display them around the house this year. 

From Romania!

Today, there was only one item in the PO Box of a blue pick-up card.  And the parcel came from Romania.  I opened it in the Post Office and found a lovely little book titled 'The Passport' by Herta Muller with two gorgeous postcards and a bookmark inside it!  This was from Oedde.

Thank you so much for sending me these lovely things from your country.  I love them!  I'll get into reading this lovely little book over the Christmas/NYE break and I'll write a review on it on My Reading List.  

A Christmas Card From the USA.

Today, I got out and checked the mail early... well okay, it was my normal time, but I made sure I didn't stuff around out in the heat as it was hotter on my way home than it was when I headed out.  Strange but true!  Well, when I opened the PO Box today, I had a phone bill and a large envelope from the USA awaiting me.  On opening it, I found it was a gorgeous Christmas card from phantomreader42 from Georgia in the USA. 

Thank you so much for sending this to me!  I love the wolves on the front; they are just gorgeous!  I really appreciate your thoughtfulness.  I'll post one off to you in the next day or so in return.

Ornament Exchange 2011!

This year, TexasWren couldn't do the Bookcrossing Ornament Exchange; so she hired two wonderful people to take her place.  And they've done a great job in matching us all up!  I sent off my ornament to a Bookcrosser in Canada about a week and a half ago; and it should arrive there soon.

Today, though, I picked up a small box from the post office (that's what the blue pick-up parcel card was for) and I found inside it a gorgeous ornament for my tree!  Thank you so much heartthumper!  I will definitely put this on my tree once I put it up next week.

Gorgeous Knitted Coin Purse Arrival.

A few weeks ago, I received a Private Message from a Bookcrosser who asked me if I was still collecting coin purses.  I answered her and said I do; but haven't found any that were interesting enough to purchase of late (yep, I've hit a dry patch in the charity stores).  Today, I was out at the Post Office to check the mail; when I opened the little black door with my number on it to find the whole thing was chock-a-block with mail!  there was junk mail, two parcels and a blue parcel pick-up card!  Wow!  That's a lot of deliveries!

Inside a yellow envelope was this gorgeous little knitted coin purse.  Inside the coin purse was the Flamingo magnetic bookmark from Florida and the postcard is of Niagara Falls.  I love how this purse has been made; with such care; and it's been used too.  I will get into using it at some point soon as well.  Thank you so much pumpkinpussycat for sending this one to me, it's just gorgeously cute!

HGG from Heartthumper

It's coming around to that time of year again!  Yep, Christmas time; and this means, I'll be receiving some gifts from my friends from across the miles on Bookcrossing.

Today was the first day for one to arrive!  I opened my PO Box and there was a blue parcel pick-up card waiting for me.  When I opened the parcel, I found this cute little coin purse sock and lovely Christmas card.  Inside the card were these beautiful book labels; some of them were made just for the Christmas season!  How lovely is that?  Thank you so much Heartthumper!  I love this beautiful little gift; and it was all wrapped up in Christmas paper too... just lovely.  

Two Romance Bandits Prizes Arrivals

Today, I had a parcel show up in the mail; and I am expecting a few things as the season of Christmas approaches.  However, today, it was a prize I had won on the Romance Bandits site about a month ago of what I thought was one book; but when I opened it, it turned out that I won two books!  How good's that?  

Isn't it wonderful when you find that you think you've got one thing and it ends up being double?  I love it.  So, I'd like to personally thank Cheryl Ann Smith for sending these great romance novels to me with two bookmarks as well.  And these books are signed as well!  What a bonus!  Thank you again, Cheryl.

Tuesdayal's Visit

Last week, Tuesdayal visited Brisbane for a conference.  However, we kept on missing each other to catch up on the Bookcrossing front.  So, seeing she had a few things for me, she posted off in the mail the things she had for me; and today, they arrived!  

I'd like to thank her very much for sending this little, old glo-mesh purse to me.  It's very old and will be added to my collection; however, it's in such a bad state I may not be able to use it.  So, it has been put away to keep it safe and to keep it from it falling apart.  Thank you again, Tuesdayal.

Book Label Exchange!

The Bookcrossing Label Exchange is under way again!  And today, I received two lots in the mail!  On a day where the rain clouds had covered our blue skies, they really brightened my day.  

The two that showed were in two average sized envelopes.  One was from Heartthumper in the USA.  Now, she and I have swapped all kinds of things before; from labels and Christmas cards to gifts.  And so, Heartthumper and I are old Bookcrossing friends.  And I thank you very much for sending me these lovely labels from where you are; and I love the old-style card too, it's so very retro! 

The next one was from a first-timer to the Label Exchange; and so I was thrilled to receive a lovely envelope filled with a gorgeous postcard, labels and a recipe for a Raw Blueberry Cheesecake from Mystical Warrior.  Yummo!  Must try that out one day! 

Thank you both for your labels.  I will be posting mine off after next week; as my money has been a little tight lately.  Thank you again.

Romance Prize from Across the Miles

I'm on a blog called 'The Romance Bandits' and there's about 16 managers who are all writers who write romance novels.  Now, that's a lot of managers for one blog!  And they are lovely people who have a brilliant sense of humour!  I found this blog during one of my many searches to make my other blogs fun and interesting; and to do this, I search my followers' blogs.  I know this sounds menial, but it works.  You never know what you may find.  Anyway, I commented a few times on some of the topics they talked about and the next thing I knew, I had won a book from one of them!  I was thrilled and contacted her to redeem my prize.  This was a few weeks back; and I only today received the prize.  When I pulled it out of the envelope here at home, I read the cover of the romance novel and found little sticker on the front:  'Signed by Author'.  Now, this was a little detail I had missed when I first had a quick look at it at the post office in my excitement of it arriving!  How very cool is that?  I have a signed edition of this lovely romance novel!  Now, I don't read romance very often - and usually have to be in the right mood for it - and so, now I have a book to read when that mood strikes.  When that will be?  I'm not sure, but this book will be here waiting for me when it does.  Thank you, Donna MacMeans for this book I will get to reading it whenever my romantic mood kicks in. 

Birthday Parcel from Birthday Buddy Arrives!

On Bookcrossing, I have a Birthday Buddy.  We are lined up with them each year and if we're happy with them, we keep in touch and send each other gifts each year on each other's birthdays.  It's a lot of fun and I look forward to this time of year each year as it's a great give and take thing.

Well, today, I collected my parcel from the post office, but didn't open it as I had to get myself to the bus stop to get to my volunteer work.  Once there, and before it poured rain, I pulled out the cake for the day (before I found out that there were already two other cakes in the fridge) to share with the other volunteers.  Then, I pulled out my parcel and opened it at the front desk with my partner volunteer who worked with me today.  She was amazed that I received a present from somebody who was ultimately a complete stranger; and yet, we were so generous to each other.  I said that was main idea of Bookcrossing; it's a trust thing and it putting your trust in other people.  She loved it that there were so many good books inside such a small bag; and loved the coin purses, saying that my devotion to collecting them was wonderful!

So, I must say a big thank you to froggirlwendy for sending me the most wonderful present of five books, two coin purses, writing paper and inspirational quote and a lovely card (which will join the one on the piano from Mum and Dad).  I can't wait to get into reading these ones over the next few months - or better still over Christmas!  Thank you again, and happy reading!

Parcel Influx

After such a long time without receiving a parcel for me - and the only parcels arriving were for Loey - I received three parcels today in the mail and one envelope.  This crowded my little PO Box; so there was a blue parcel pick-up card there amongst one parcel and the envelope.

Once I received my larger parcels, I couldn't wait to get home, and opened the two parcels inside the post office.  And I found one book titled 'The Bee-Loud Glade' by Steve Himmer; which is a book I volunteered to read for a book discussion on Goodreads.  I began reading this one on the way home and read up to page two.  It's beautifully written.

The other two parcels were from Bookcrossers.  One was a RABCK (a generous giveaway from a Bookcrosser who had a book up for grabs) titled 'Jumping the Queue' by Mary Wesley and the other parcel was a birthday gift from Sfogs containing two books titled: 'Shadowlight' by Mike Jefferies and the other?  Well, I'm not supposed to tell... it's a secret on Bookcrossing and so I better keep it that way until the bookring is finished.  But I have to read that one too.  So, I have a lot of reading ahead of me.  

Thank you all for sending these books through the mail to me.  I really do appreciate it.  It's great they made it before my birthday; as it's made my day all the more special.

Mum's Care Package

Recently, we've had a family member who's fallen ill with Cancer; and my Mum has been looking after him.  Her brother is finding it hard to deal with all the doctor's appointments, shopping and looking after his household chores.  So, Mum's been doing those things for him; with the assistance of Dad doing some yard work for him too. 

I put out the word on Bookcrossing to put together a Care Package for her - to show our support - and the members have pulled together like you wouldn't believe!  I thought to put here the list of people whose parcels and items that have arrived in the mail thus far.  It will be added to as each one arrives.

Badgerjim - Postcard - 25th, August

Dove-i-Libri - envelope - 31st, August

Hammu - small parcel - 5th, Sept

minesayn - envelope - 5th, Sept
stringofpearls - small parcel - 6th, Sept
Phoenix-Flight - envelope - 7th, Sept
Italianowen - medium parcel - 9th, Sept
Hakkalina - medium parcel - 12th, Sept
Footymadgil - medium parcel - 13th, Sept
Nakipa - medium parcel - 19th, Sept (opened by customs; nothing removed)
MerryMari - postcard - 20th, Sept
Ossie Fry - small parcel - 22nd, Sept
jmsmom - card/envelope - 27th, Sept
judygreeneyes - postcard - 27th, Sept
Buffheart - postcard - 30th, Sept
Jean-Sol - medium parcel - 10, Oct
 

'Anything Goes' Book Baggie Returns!

For the last few months, I haven't received anything in the mail or sent anything away.  So, seeing I've been unfocused and not receiving anything, this blog has been left alone for some time.  

This morning, after a week of no mail in my PO Box, I opened the little black door to find I had lots!  And right there on top was a blue parcel pick-up card!  Now, I knew what it was and am pleased to say that the 'Anything Goes' Book Baggie that has been away for its rounds around Australia has returned to me from Tasmania.  And just look at all those wonderful books inside it!  How good are they?

The Pencil case didn't have as much as I thought it would inside it, but that doesn't matter, it's supposed to be a fun thing to have a go at.  Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't; and this time it didn't.  Maybe next time it will.  

Thank you all for taking part in this book baggie.  I'll be doing another one next - as always - so keep your eyes peeled for when I put up that notice!  Until my next post... Happy Reading!

Neighbourly Kindness

This morning, on my way to the post office, I walked past one of my neighbour's houses where I saw their Grandmother, Betty, sitting out in the car port having a smoke.  As usual, I said good morning and she called out to me, "Just the person I'm looking for!  We have some books for you!" and gestured to a massive bag next to their side door.  I walked up and looked inside it to find it was filled to the brim full of books!  I was amazed at how kind she was being!

I counted 21 books as I laid them out to photograph them.

I asked if she was sure and she said that they actually came from her daughter - Lisa's - workmate who has moved house and did out her bookcase and gave these one to her.  Lisa brought them home for Betty to read, but her eyesight isn't good and she can't read the small print unfortunately.  So, she thought to give them to me.  How kind and generous this was of her to think of me when she didn't want these; and yet didn't wish to throw them out.  Thank you Betty for your generosity.

Celebrating 50 Years of Janet Frame's Work

Today, I went to the post office and found two pick-up cards.  One was from Nivea (this was something I was expecting) and the other was something I wasn't.  I picked up the book and opened it to find a beautiful new book slid out of the envelope and into my hands.  It was wrapped in a green paper bag and still had the price on it (I didn't really notice how much it was; and automatically took it off).  It was a book which had been on my Wish List on Bookcrossing since 2009; 'Owls Do Cry' by Janet Frame, a writer from New Zealand whose only work I have is her biography - 'Wrestling With the Angel' by Michael King - and what a tome of a book that is!  It's so densely written, I've found it hard to read. 

However, this book was also a part of Mission Bookcrossing - a game I'm playing on Bookcrossing -and I'm happy to say that I'm still active in the game; seeing I got the answer to my clue right!  

Thank you Izzy5000 for sending me a brilliant book to read... I can't wait to read to get into it this Winter.

Winter Reading Raffle Prize

This time, this post isn't here to thank somebody or a few people for something.  This one is to show off what is up for grabs for my Winter Reading Raffle on Bookcrossing of Aussie and NZ BCer's.  

And doesn't it look great?  The scarf is hand-knitted and long and gorgeous.  I'd keep it myself; if I didn't have so many in my wardrobe from the last few years of knitting scarves... yep, I just keep on knitting them and putting them away!  Now, I just love giving them away because I love to knit!

There's a lovely mug there with a small tin of Milo and a few good books to get into over the colder months here in the Southern Hemisphere.  Now, the books there aren't necessarily the ones that are going to be in the box when you open it... no, it's just something to make it look good.  So, when one of you lovely people open the box, the books may be totally different.  So, if you'd like to join in - and you're an Aussie or NZ Bookcrosser - post your name on the list in the RABCK forum on Bookcrossing and you'll be added into the draw!  Good luck!

My First Bookray for 2011!

Today, after hibernating inside yesterday from the frosty temps outside, we emerged to a warmer day with the sun shining boldly for us.  I was thankful!  I was hoping to get outside sometime this weekend to do some serious reading; and just when I was planning on doing it, I found a blue pick-up card for 'Tipping The Velvet' by Sarah Waters in my PO Box from a BCer in Valentine, NSW.  I've been looking forward to reading this one for some time; and now it's here, I can delve into it this Winter.  Shouldn't take long to read. 

Labels of Moi from Afar!

Today, it's been very overcast and dull - not to mention quite chilly - and so I hurried over to the post office earlier than usual to collect the mail.  I was surprised to find a few things in my PO Box that normally aren't there.  The first one was a postcard from the Cook Islands from Loey and Dad of their holiday.  They said they had a ball were driving a red convertible... very nice little car!  I love the postcard and what Mum wrote on it.  I'm sure they'll be going back over the years to have more down-time.

My next lot of mail that arrived today from across the miles was a collection of labels from Misscyn on Bookcrossing.  She's is famous for her labels.  This time, she put my self-portrait onto these labels; however it was the unfinished portrait and not the completed one.  Oh well, maybe next time.  Nonetheless, they look fabulous!  I'll most definitely use these on parcels and letters and cards very soon; along with the BCID labels she included too.  Thank you to both BCers for thinking of me and sending me these lovely things

NB:  Blogger is maintaining a few things and so I'm unable to upload a any photos currently.  I'll see if I can in the next couple of days.

Mail After So Long!

Today, I went to the post office and there was mail in my Post Office Box for me from another Bookcrosser.  I was pleasantly surprised about this as I haven't had mail in over a month!  I pulled out the blue parcel pick-up card and went inside to see what was waiting for me.  And seeing I wasn't expecting anything for the next few weeks, I didn't know who had sent me something.  This was going to be fun!

I received a small parcel post bag and opened it at the post office; curious about what was in it!  Well!  Davros-10 had had a peek at my Wish List and seen I had 'The Pendulum and the Pit' by Edgar Allan Poe on there.  And he had put in a Dr Who book titled 'The Highlanders'.  Seeing I'm a big fan of the Dr Who television series, I've been wondering what the books are like for while now.  And now I've got one, I'm happy to try it out soon.  Thank you so much for this parcel; it's so thoughtful of you to send it to me with the books I'd love to read and pass along. 

Big-Sized Reeces and a Calendar

Wow!  It's been over a month since the last time I received a parcel in the mail from somebody; and this time, it came from Canada.  I wasn't expecting anything; and usually the PO Box is overflowing with bills and junk mail.  This time, it had a blue parcel pick-up card and I was totally delighted!  So, after picking it up, I found on the customs sticker, it said chocolate... my favourite kind of deliver (well, okay, next to books!)

I gotta thank the wonderful BCer who sent this calendar and jumbo-sized Reeces to me; two of them.  After I photographed them, I put them into the fridge to chill (as we're having the hottest Autumn on record right now here in Australia!  It's still hot during the day and night!).  I look forward to putting up other parcels and goodies that show up in my PO Box in the future.

Retro Postcard

I've been so busy in the last few days, I completely forgot to post this arrival until now.  Last Friday, this postcard arrived in the mail inside a lovely envelope from Julespaige.  And I'd like to thank her very much for thinking of me when she saw it.

I didn't mean to leave this for so long; as I had to take my bird to the vet, and she didn't do so well there, coming home in worse condition than when she arrived there.  So, please accept my apologies for not posting this sooner.  And she's doing better; Little Miss Stevie's foot is healing well as she had begun to climb around the cage and is flying again too.

Belated Christmas Cards

In the last week, I've been very busy with family commitments; and so when I received two cards in this week, I completely forgot to put them up here and thank the wonderful people who have gone to the trouble of sending them; no matter how late they arrived.

The first that arrived was last Wednesday from Shemchin and her family of a family photo on a postcard and a newsletter about what's been going on in 2010.  How lovely and wonderful it felt to receive this in the mail after all that's been happening around Brisbane; to finally hear about other people's fortune and happiness.

Then, just today, I just received a gorgeous Christmas card from AsianWaterfall.  I love the simplicity of this card and how it looks like it's snowing on it; with glitter on it.  Just lovely.  Thank you both for sending these lovely, thoughtful cards; no matter how late they arrived.  Our mail has been put off a little because of the floods around Brisbane and Queensland anyway; so don't feel bad about how long it takes to get things here for now.  We're still getting back on our feet.  Thank you again for these lovely cards.

HGG from Wandering-B!

Today, it started out being a dull and overcast one; but not as hot as yesterday.  At the PO Box, today, I found a little bundle of mail for Mum and Dad and a parcel pick-up card for me.  So, I went and collected it immediately.  

What I found inside the parcel was a lovely little key-ring, a bookcorner, a cute paperclip magnet with a star on it and a sealed envelope of tea; but I'm not sure which kind of tea as it's all in Chinese.  Oh well, I love surprises! :D  Thank you so much Wandering-B!  I love this little surprise I found in my PO Box... it's just lovely.

HGG's Still Arriving After Christmas

It's been another long weekend; and I've been looking forward to the mail returning to normal again.  And today, it's turned out to be a hot one.  So, I went and checked the mail early to get home early enough before the heat of the day really struck home.

While at the Post Office, I picked up a parcel from the US and opened it right there before heading home.  Inside it was a packet of miniature Reeces Peanut Butter Cups, a couple of label, a postcard, a recycled resources coin purse and a hard-covered A5 sized journal!  How lovely!  Even though the box looked like it had seen better days and journeys, I'm happy to say that the contents are unharmed and complete.

Thank you so much for these wonderful things that traveled so far to arrive here safely, author-author.  I do look forward to using the journal soon; and getting into the the Reeces... my favourite chockies from the States. :D

Better Late Than Never

Last week,I checked the mail and found there was a little mail and a late Christmas Card from Germany; a Bookcrosser had sent it.  Isn't it just lovely?  Well, I added it to my collection on the piano and meant to thank you very much for sending it to me, but I went out later that morning and completely forgot to until now.

So, thank you so much for sending this lovely - and very festive - card to me.  It's really made my Christmas.  I love it.  I have loved all the presents and cards I've received over the last few weeks from all my friends across the miles at this time of the year.  You are all very special to me at this time of the year.