Countdown to Los Reyes Magos

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Well, it is that time of year again! WOWSERS, how time does always seem to fly right on by!

Since this year was the first century of the Teddy Bear, I thought it appropriate to have the Beanie 100th Anniversary Teddy in the logo.

For the vintage members of the Attic and Beans news list, you may note an old friend among the bears in the Christmas basket -- Franny, a member of the A+B list who had a big heart -- Gone but not forgotten!

25 December 2002 / Wednesday - After midnight I went to the kitchen to get coffee, and lo and behold, the Festiva was snow covered! My brother invited me over for the family Christmas feast, but my dumb car has been acting up for the past two weeks -- I have had to use the portable charger to get the thing started! So with the roads slippery and apparently more to come, unfortunately I doubt that I shall be able to make the longish trip. Kyra, the gal from the post office also invited me to her gathering in Morrisville (Pennsylvania, right across the bridge), but I do not think I will be able to get there either. Anyway, I want to give the kitchen a good cleaning and a do couple other things that have been pending for some weeks, so I think I may be busy, in a Festive sort of way, I guess!

News about the Holiday Exchange will follow, as soon as the participants send me their info -- and thanks for participating again this year. Click on the mega-thumbnail pic for a larger view.

Esther, from Philadelphia, a gal from the aapl message board made a surprise visit last week, bringing me the Christmas basket in the pic in the header and a yummy feast filling five foam containers! It was all covered in a section of fabric having a Teddy Bear motif, which can be seen in several of the pics -- what a delight! Hey, there may be enough to make a bear, if I ever find the time to be creative again.

Thank you, Esther.

George, my Dopelgänger from Florida and Alabama, member of the aapl group, sent me a pre-Holiday package postmarked on 20 November via Parcel Post -- it arrived on Monday, 23 December!

It is brimming with all kinds of southern delicacies which will certainly add a kewl touch to my otherwise somewhat generic culinary masterpieces.

Also included was a kewl brochure about the NASA Relativity Mission and an issue of the University of California, San Diego quarterly science magazine, the National Partnership For Advanced Computational Infrastructure, which had several articles about wireless tech in grids being used in astronomy, biomedical and anatomical research, schools, and species distribution maps and models. Fabulous stuff! Thanks George, ol' pal!

Marge, my A+B Holiday Exchange partner from North Carolina sent me a box just brimming with treasures! A conch shell, scallop and sand dollar (how did she know I had my office at the museum in Madrid in the Departamento de Equinodermos which I founded and was its curator?) collected many years ago by her Mom along the beaches at Long Beach and Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina.

A really cute Holiday Teddy Bear, Green Tea (which I love), and chocolate covered cherries which is one of my two favorite candies, the other being choco-coated raisons!

Then, to remind me of the world renouned art potteries from her state, a really beautiful covered sugar and creamer from Cole Potteries of Sanford, North Carolina, signed and dated! Oh, yes, and something else for which I am eternally grateful. SMOOCHES!

SunCat got me(self) a bunch of stamps that my post office never had, via the Postal Service web site. They were sent out priority by the same USPS on 5 December (postmarked!) and only took 18 days to reach me!

Included are [L - R] : Duke Kahanamoku, Escaping The Gravity of Earth, American Bats with First Day Covers, Teddy Bears with FDCs, John James Audubon, Andy Warhol, Exploring The Solar System, Pan American Inverts, Landing On The Moon, Space Achievement, and Probing The Vastness Of Space!

What a surprise shocker! Just as I was going to mop the kitchen, I found some nicely wrapped goodies right by the door, and all the cats looking up at me with smiles on their little furry faces! The kittys thought that I merited something for keeping them fed and warm throughout the year! [sniff] Bless their warm little hearts!

A Pablo tablet for drawing, using the computer! WOWSERS! What I have wanted for a couple years already! Now I have to figure out how to use it. And three DVDs of some movies that should provide me with a few hours of relaxing enjoyment. But maybe the most exciting, cave warming gift was my very own Mastodon! I could never find one of these critters anywhere, and now my screen name, MyMastodon, has more real fluffy meaning!

WOWSERS! Pam and Robin from Illinois sent me a surprise once again this Holiday! Two packages of different Green Teas and an assortment of Swiss chocolates -- and something I never heard of before, a Shopping Card good for Sam's Club and/or Wal-Mart! They know where I get my kitty's and my own food, and we all greatly appreciate it -- purrrrrrrr!

Incidently, according to some friends on the aapl board, these kinds of shopping cards seem to be cropping up at a lot of shops and are sort of like phone cards. They replace sending actual cash and seem to be a new marketing scheme dreamed up by retailers to keep people using plastic whatevers -- now all we need are plastic job cards that are simply run through a device every morning and evening providing us all with a plastic salary exchangeable at the company store for all kinds of kewl goodies, necessary or not!

Marion from Florida and a member of the AOL aapl board, sent me with a kewl mug (and a message -- Sonny and his cat sleeping! -- hey, even the nose looks just like mine!), topped off with some candies, a cute felt Santa ornament and a pair of wash cloths, just like my Mom used, which will replace the ratty composition ones my cats love to drag all over the kitchen!

Thanks Marion!

What a surprise from Witchie Poo Sybil in Minesota! A most useful Rubbermaid food container, which I always use for leftovers, filled to the brim with.......... uhhhhhhhhhh......... ummmmmmmmmmm........... let's see -- chock full of M+M cookies! Since it took about 2 weeks to get here via Priority, and the tracking # seems to have gotten lost somewhere in cyber space because it wasn't in the po system, which means it was never officially sent out, when I opened the airtight container, all the cookies except one turned to dust and crumbs, just like in Egyptian tombs! The chocolate Santa and the cute birthstone angel ornie kit for January (garnet) did make it intact somehow!

SMOOCHES -- you could have gotten the stuff here faster on your broom! Have you checked out the newer, faster models in that shop in Diagon Alley. [this is a local joke! And I was soooooo starved I actually ate all the cookies before I took the pic -- and they were yummy!]

28 December 2002 / Saturday - Come on Holiday Exchange peeps, send me your news -- I seem to be hogging up all of this special page thus far! It is a good thing I discovered the code for opening images or whatever in a new page not too long ago, so this one loads a lot faster than last years does, and if you want to see a large view of the stuff, all you have to do is click on the smaller view.

I switched the cats around a little. The Sphynx are now in the finally-cleaned/mopped kitchen, and the Siamese mommy and kits are in the bedroom, which is smaller. It took both groups a little time to adjust to their new setting, but they seem sort of happy, although the kitchen is always coldish and the hairless felines do not like that too much. If I can ever get all the junk from all over the apartment moved across the street or downstairs (once I organize the stuff piled up in both places!) I will let them just wander around, which they all enjoy.

Hopefully later today I shall update my GRINCH page because I did send out cards again this year, albeit two weeks later than I usually do, and have been receiving some.

Report from Eloise in Alaska

Wanted to tell you what a wonderful Holiday Gift Exchange pal I have! Marcella from Louisiana is wonderful! Everything came so nicely wrapped too! I got the absolute best hat & scarf which are homemade with chenille yarn in a brown / black (tweed like) color ..... beautiful and cozy, comfy! Perfect for helping to stay warm up here in Alaska! Herschel arrived to take up residence in Alaska .... he doesn't mind the change too much - says that it is nice & warm inside, and he can enjoy the view of the snow covered trees and the spectacular winter scenery through the big picture windows! He decided the best place to sit was on the printer by the computer! Marcella somehow knew that although I hate to dust, I love cute little things .... so she sent a little Triumph Tragedy treasure box! Also, I love pins ... and she included a Santa pin that carries a sign saying Ho Ho Ho which makes me smile!

Not only all that .... but she also remembered my Mother and son! Mom got a wonderful smelling sachet and candle, plus a Santa carrying a tree pin! And Bradley - who finally came over and opened his gift .... got a cute little fishing teddy bear figurine. All of these goodies are wonderful on their own, but all of them together are awesome!

I am totally the luckiest exchange pal this year! Thank you, Marcella!!! I took pictures to show everyone .... bummer is, the camera just doesn't do justice to the comfy soft hat & scarf!

All the best wishes and the Lord's blessings to everyone in the New Year!

Eloise

Report from Marge in North Carolina

Well I got my box from Sonny , my A+B Holiday Exchange buddy in Trenton, and boy what a nice selection of goodies!

First there was a prototype Heartfelt Collectible Bear with a certificate of authenticity signed by Prof. Kardas no less! He snuggled right in with my Christmas bear, he's already right at home. Love his pink cheeks and sleepy expression.

A very sweet card with a note inside to me and my family, with a pic of the mules that used to drag barges of coal down the Morris Canal in New Jersey -- very nice. :-)

Then a lucious box of French chocolate truffles which have been ravaged by everyone here in the house.

Not only that, but a SIGNED 1ST Edition gold-tooled leather bound book called A DANGEROUS WOMAN (is that a hint? LOL)

And last but not least a vintage glass-stoppered bottle of parfum Tre'sor, by Lancome of Paris. I'm crazy about this fragrance, not too heavy - just lovely.

Love all the gifts, and especially the thoughtfulness behind each and every one. Big Hugs to Sonny,
Marge from North Carolina

George, my aapl Holiday Gift Exchange partner from Alabama sent me goodies he knows I will enjoy -- a lot of home-made peanut brittle, a bag of Quick Grits, which I may try at dinner one of these next days -- and an absolutely scrumptious fruit cake which I am munching on right now! I haven't had a fruit cake in many Moons, and this one is exceptional -- moist and chock full of candied fruits and nuts.

The curious thing about George (no pun intended!) is that we both have the same birthday!

Vielen Dank, George, ol' alter ego!

Report from George in Alabama

Sonny: Many sincere thanks for the gifts ... the glass Mikasa Holiday dish... leather bound, signed first edition book on Hong Kong... chocolate truffles... very aged Tennessee whiskey... and French perfume ... everything is great! ... You outdid yourself! When we opened the perfume the room was filled with wonderful fragrance! We appreciate your thoughtfulness!

Best wishes, for the Holiday Season and a prosperous New Year! George and Carrie from Alabama and Florida.

Marcella, the A+B gal from down on the bayou in Louisiana, and one of the really few online friends I ever actually got to meet not that long ago here in Trenton, surprised me with two wonderful Christmas and early birthday gifts -- a knit cap and matching scarf which she made -- the color is way off in my pic (the batteries were low), and it is a dark jade green with lighter green somehow in the same yarn! Very warm -- matter of fact I have them both on right now because it gets cold in my study after midnight.

Thanks a lot, Marcella -- I don't know how you find the time for making all the stuff you do!

Report from Marcella in Louisiana - This is what Eloise, my A+B Holiday Gift Exchange partner in Alaska sent me: A real nice blueberry candle, a package of Raspberry tea, a picture album with Alaska on the cover, a Christmas bunny, a bar of snow soap, an Alaska pin and a Christmas candle. A real nice box of goodies - God bless.

Bernar, my only pal in Trenton, gave me a case of Tuniche Cabernet Sauvignon 2000, and another of Tuniche Merlot 2000, both red wines made in Chile -- they are great! Each case has 12 bottles.

A selection of Cocoas in twelve different flavours -- I haven't had chocolate drink in ages, so these should be a treat -- and three different flavors of pizzelles, in double wafer form with a filling sandwiched in the middle -- I am now trying the Creamy Amarretto and it is yummy!

Thanks dude -- these should last me a couple months. Enjoy your trip to Hawaii! Yes, your kitty, AttaTurk, will be well cared for.

 

 

Report from Laura in Minnesota

Well, Sluggy as made me look like the most pitiful of Christmas Exchange buddies and has really outdone herself!! I received my GIANT package yesterday from the FedEx dude and immediately tore into it like a true child......LOL

Inside the box was a card that was jumping and screaming at me to open it first, so of course I snooped through everything and then opened it........hehehee She sent Bionicles and gum and candy for the kids. Thankfully, Grandpa came over shortly after my package arrived and got the
honor of building the Legos for the kids......LOL

Included in this wonderful package were some extremely interesting items. The first one was a pair of NASCAR bermuda shorts or something like that. Ryan immediately claimed them as his own. He also laid claim to a pair of socks with a giant fish running up each sock. They were wonderful and very funny and a big hit with all the kids. Also included was all sorts of candy. I think Sluggy heard that I finally lost a few pounds for the first time in years and didn't want me to grow out of my old clothes......LOL All these candies came disguised as NASCAR cars. I think she got the message when she asked me what I like and I said Mark Martin and NASCAR.......hehehe

Also, there was one of those way kewl mugs that you can stick in the freezer and the water freezes in the outside layer of the glass to get it really cold, and of course it has Mark Martin's car on it so it's totally kewl!! Then she gives me more and more if you can believe that! A Hot Wheels calender and a collectible Hot Wheels car with it. Also, a Mark Martin snap together model car. Then there was this cute little tin marked "For Mom Only". Inside, was the sweetest, most sinfully sweet fudge I have ever tasted. I could feel my teeth rotting away as I ate it.......hehehehe All of this was just fabulous and I loved every bit of it, but there was one thing that was extra special and that was a gift that came a few days earlier than the rest. It was the cutest tin music box that I can even hide stuff in. I am a big music box junkie, so of course I just LOVED this gift and it is very special! I loved everything she sent and had a great time going through it all. I
want to go to Sluggy's house for Christmas next year........hehehe

OH OH OH, and I forgot the kewlest thing!! Sluggy made me this awesome EBAY bear. He is the greatest!! You HAVE to see him. I will send a pic later for you to see! He sits right here on top of my computer and I love him!!!!

I forgot to mention one other gift that I got from Sluggy. I had immediately put it in a place of honor among my music boxes and other favorite stuff and forgot to mention it.

It is a Sonny Original Bear.......the Sybil Bear with COA and everything. It is absolutely precious and I just love it!! Thanks again, Sluggy, and thanks to Sonny for making me my very own bear!!!

THANK YOU SLUGGY!!!!!!!!

Highlights of 2002

L I N K S

New Web Site Started

My First Big Trip in Three Years

saga almost finished!

My First Laptop Computer

Started a Book Section on My Web Site

not finished yet

An Important Discovery

An Alien Encounter of the Apple Kind

Kewl Holiday Link

The Real Meaning of Christmas

Questions and comments may be emailed to the author of the above YES at

YES - Main

YES - 2003

UPDATED ALMOST DAILY

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YES - 2002

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SPECIAL REPORT

LITTLETON DATA 1999

GRINCH LIST

SPECIAL REPORT

W T C - P O

2 0 0 1

RESUME

MEMOIRS

CANCER JOURNAL


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