Ms Fifikins

You know how that song goes… ‘when the dog bites, when the bee stings, when I’m feeling sad…’

Today was one of those days. It followed on from a crappy yesterday and started with me in a blubbering mess in the shower. At least I was saving on tissues. I chose not to do the make-up thing for work- it’s too damn humid anyway, plus I didn’t really need to highlight my eyes!

Then an email from Melissa who organised the Brown Paper Package exchange. And I looked at the list and thought, wow, there are a lot of people who haven’t received their packages yet so don’t lose heart. Then an email from Susan asking if my package had arrived because she posted it on 15th December. You know when you have a million thoughts run through your mind, like I hope customs hasn’t seized it all because it is so fantastic, or I hope it hasn’t gotten put on a boat instead of a plane because that can take months… Then I thought of the most logical explanation- a postal strike just before Christmas, Australia Post (deservedly) having every public holiday, plus an extra one last week and it will turn up eventually.

Well eventually turned out being today! I went to the shopping centre, actually fixed my watch band that broke before we went away (when I asked how much he said ‘for a new pin? like I dunno, maybe $1 or $2?’ Seeing it had taken him 10 minutes to search through lots of little boxes to find the right pin I gave him $2 and thought what a bargain! Then to the supermarket where they had Hot Cross Buns on sale. No Easter Eggs mind you, just buns. And no, I wasn’t tempted!

Then the Post Office. Seems they had been keeping a bit of my mail- 3 Christmas Cards, a bill, a letter from the government on their early childhood initiative (my kids are almost 12 and 9!) and a parcel!

I don’t know what it is about parcels but they lift my spirit. Even if it is something I have ordered through eBay or Etsy, I still get a thrill when there is a card in my mailbox saying I need to go inside to pick up a parcel!

And this parcel was so worth the wait! Inside were lots of brown paper packages! And it was like pass the parcel because under the brown paper was Christmas paper and ribbon and oh so many lovely treats! First, Susan had baked! What an ingenious solution to posting home made biscotti and biscuits- those fresh seal machines! And how they work! Must add one to my shopping list because the cookies are yummy!

Then there are three gorgeous little dishes which I have put next to my bed and sorted earrings into- absolutely awesome! Also a Christmas ornament- the Little Drummer Boy which happens to be one of my favourite Christmas songs! I used to have a Little Drummer Boy bottle of bubble bath as a child and I would make my mother refill it because I didn’t want to admit as a 10yo that I still liked playing with it in the bath and if I thought it could be useful then it would be ok!

Susan is more than a baker! She is a wonderful photographer and I was sent two framed photos- one of snow and the other of a gorgeous sunset and tree. Finally the most amazing part of the package– a DVD made by Susan of sights around the State of Virginia. The photos are amazing, the music awesome and it so inspires me to visit that part of the world.

Oh and here:

Even though it doesn’t do the DVD justice, on a hot and humid day like today the images of snow are just what I need! Thank-you so much Susan for putting together a wonderful package. It has lifted my spirits so much today. You rock!