....of treasures that come in the mail....

Some days, when I come home and check the mail box, I'm lucky to find a flier for a local pizza delivery service or a postcard telling me of the weekly specials at a particular shop...or woohoo!!...my credit card bill. Every other week or so, I get a packet from my mom filled with newspapers, clippings, maybe some smooshed chocolate, and sometimes even cosmetic samples....which I appreciate oh so very much, but still....like the credit card bills and fliers, I know that it will be there.



So, last week, when I came home to find a box....a pretty good sized box (which, I have to admit, has already been re-used and is on its way BACK to the States to someone else!) sitting on the kitchen table (it wouldn't fit in the mailbox!!)....I was verily excited!!


A few months ago, one of my very good blogging friends--who I've never actually met, by the way--and who used to live in Japan--mentioned that there were some things that she really missed from this place I call 'home' and being the nice person I am (uh-huh...I am so), I put together a care package for her (and her dog) and sent it on its way.


And now....Janet returned the niceness and sent some "stuff from home" that she thought I would like. It was almost like Christmas.....lots of tissue paper hiding some incredibly wonderful things. The excitement was almost overwhelming!!!


She had included some things that I had mentioned I liked (granola bars..which have been rationed like you wouldn't believe!!)....some wicked smelling scents from a place I plan on ordering from soon (seriously...wicked...one of my students said I smelled "mysterious"!!), there were some magnets from the East Coast--one with beach sandals....but....there was one thing that really, brought tears to my eyes.

This pin.....

...was one she found among her late mother's things

as she and her family were getting ready to sell their family house.

Her mom, you see, was also a big fan of this beautiful bird.

I'm almost afraid to wear it. The very idea that she would send me this means the world to me. Even Issei, when he saw it, said, "Mom!! Do you know what that is?!?!"



Once again, I've been touched by the kindness of those I have "met" through this blogging experience....I have some incredible friends.



Now...Janet...while being very kind and giving...also has a bit of a mean streak in her.
Oh yes, she does. I'm a big (HUGE) fan of Jimmy Buffett. So...my dear friend, Janet...passed on some things......

...two Cd's...a hat....a couple of key chains....and....do you see that really white piece of paper sitting on top of the hat???

Can't read it?

Here...let me bring it in a bit closer, shall I????

That...my friends...is a concert ticket stub from a Jimmy Buffett concert that she went to in 1998.

Oh, wait...did you NOT know that I have NEVER BEEN TO ONE OF HIS CONCERTS?!?!?!

I know she meant well...but...really....that was just mean.

o(~_~)o

Oh...okay....so she got back into my good graces with these....

a beautiful pair of angel earrings....how did she know that I have a small angel collection that is slowly growing?!?!

Janet is an avid collector of poppets. What is a poppet, you ask? Well...poppet is the old spelling of "puppet" and from Middle English popet, meaning small child or doll. (The pirates in Pirates of the Caribbean used it a couple of times.)

According to "that place we all go to that is like an Internet encyclopedia"...a poppet is also something that is used in witchcraft and voodoo....for casting spells.

But...take a look at this little poppet...does she look voodoo-ish to you??

Nah....she's not like that. Isn't she pretty??

I've named her Dulcie J.....

her name means "sweet". I think it's the perfect name for her.

Dulcie J being introduced to some of the 'mingos in the menagerie that is Debbie's desk.......



.......and watching over me, from her place above my keyboard....keeping an eye on things. When I see her, she makes me smile.


And so...
to Janet....
for brightening my day....

Thank you, oh so very much!!

Janet is having some pretty intense surgery right now (probably even as I type), so send some prayers, good thoughts and quick recovery karma her way, would you? thanks.




And to the rest of you....**mwah** to you too!!

Have a wonderful weekend!!!