First of all, I’d like to thank Zenster, Bumbazine, Medea’s Child, poohpah chalupa and rocking chair, for their praise.
Bumbazine–would you settle for a toy sailboat? Michi asked for a town in France (Limoges) and all she got was a little hinged box. 
Medea’s Child–Yeah, you SHOULD be grinning! The disclosure of this thread made the anticipated price of your Christmas gifts go way up (I ordered the first portion of your gifts last night, by the way)
But with that, this thread should rightfully be about Michi (Cyndar) and not me!
Michi is one of my two very best friends here. That’s saying something as I do think there are a LOT of classy people here, and I’m damned fortunate to call some of them my friends. (Witness my ubitquous sig)
I’ve found Michi to be a great friend who’s very deserving of whatever praise and small items of appreciation I (or any of you) can give her.
Moreover, I really respect her for choosing her profession: Most of you probably know that Michi’s a veterinary technician. While she really likes what she does, the price she pays can be pretty large–she deals with some really obnoxious clients, has to deal with the bureaucracy at her employment, and (most annoying of all) makes far less money than other jobs that she’s could easily learn to do. She believes in what she does enough to take a significant financial hit to “do the right thing”.
That, ladies and gentleman, is rare. And it cannot be praised enough. I, as her friend, very much wanted to do the right thing for her. This small gesture, is, to me, insufficient.
(Incidentally, many of you probably don’t know this, but Michi is adopting a new puppy. ALL of her pets have been adopted after being treated for being sick, and there was quite a bit of concern that Michi’s new puppy might have to be put down. Fortunately, Kiwi looks like she’ll pull thru. I believe it takes a really special person to adopt a sick animal when you KNOW that animal may not survive. I can’t say enough about her. Can’t do enough nice things for her.)
Michi, I knew that out of the items you listed, you wanted either a Steif Teddy Bear, or a Limoge the most. I was torn between the two, but when I saw a limoge website that had Limoges featuring cats, it was a pretty darned easy call!
I’m just happy you enjoyed the gift, dear heart. Thank you very, very much for being my friend. You deserve more than my small gestures, that’s for sure.
Your friend adores you very much. Best holiday wishes to you, my dear–and please keep corresponding with me. I LOVE your e-mails.
Thank you so much for being my friend. It’s worth more limoges than I could possibly afford! 