I’ve been in contact with EvilAsh, who received my ornament over a week ago. He’s been doing lots of overtime at the post office and has probably been too exhausted to do much online, so I thought I’d post this for him. The ornament I sent was green blown glass with gold spiral stripes and other details painted on it. Maybe EvilAsh will post a picture once he’s rested up.
I got my ornament! It’s beautiful! It’s a crystal snowman – so delicate I’m surprised it survived the trip. I wish I could post a picture, but that would take more internets savvy thhan I have. I don’t know who to thank, though. Would the sender of the beautiful crystal snowman ornament please sing out? Whoever you are, thank you very much! 
Ooooh! Oooooh! I received a beautiful, perfect cowrie shell ornament from LoganDear! I love it! Thankis!
Or maybe, “Thanks!” :smack:
December 18 update:
Status update as of 12/14:
Ornaments sent:
Zabali Clawbane
Eleanor of Aquitaine
Anaamika
Mama Zappa
LoganDear
Freckafree
ArchiveGuy
Jodi
Gigi
Tikki
Scarlett67
kaiwik
Ornaments received
Eleanor of Aquitaine has received an ornament from Zabali Clawbane
Anaamika has received an ornament from Eleanor of Aquitaine
Mama Zappa has received an ornament from Anaamika
freckafree has received an ornament from LoganDear
Jodi has received an ornament from ArchiveGuy
Gigi has received an ornament from Jodi
Tikki has received an ornament from Gigi
EvilAsh has received an ornament from Tikki
There are a couple ornaments known to have been sent, but we haven’t heard they’ve been received. So if you’ve receive an ornament and aren’t shown on that list, can you email me directly or post something to this thread? Thanks!
Looks like all but a handful of ornaments have been sent, also. If you have sent yours and aren’t on the list, drop me a line so I can update my spreadsheet.
And of course the “as of 12/14” is extraneous in that… :smack:
Wow, that was quick! I was feeling bad that I’d sent it out later than I would’ve liked, but I’m glad you got it so quickly (and in one piece). You really have my wife to thank because she’s the one with a good eye.
I also want to check in that we received our ornament as well–a lovely ball (with green & blue, IIRC) that stands out on its own while still going nicely with the other decorations we have. I’m also not sure who that came from, but thanks for the gift (and the box, since I used it for Jodi’s as well).
That would be from me! Of course, I am psychic, which is how I knew what colors to choose. :dubious:
It’s handmade, too. I kind of went on a beading frenzy this year and thought I’d try my hand at a beaded ornament.
Sorry I didn’t include a note. I was so thrilled that I had a good box and the right packing materials that I got it all taped up and then thought, “Oh, shit. No note.”
Thanks freakafree! I never would’ve guessed it was handmade–very professional looking.
Now, all we need is a tree…
BTW, ArchiveGuy, you have the Coolest. Real-Life. Name. Evah.
Yay! I got my ornament (admittedly, a couple of days ago - been too busy to post! Bad LoganDear!). It’s a cute snowman on the beach with an umbrella, decorated with some beads and stuff, and it says “Share the joy of the season.” Plus a bonus gift (very snowmanny season for me, which is fantastic since we don’t get many snowmen in Florida) and even a card. Very very sweet!! Thanks so much, Mama Zappa, and Happy Holidays to everyone!
Oh, freckafree, glad you liked the shell ornament. It’s kind of a local thing, albeit a little boring maybe (hope not though).
Hey, I’m in northeast Ohio. A touch of the tropics is always welcome.
Almost 20 (AAACK!) years ago, I had the good fortune to visit my sister, who was a Department of Defense Dependent School (DODDS) teacher in the Philippines. For part of the time, we stayed at the Manila Hotel and dined in its Cowrie Grill. That whole trip was a totally fabulous adventure.
It might be a local, boring thing to you Floridians, but it resonated with me!
December 19 update:
Ornaments sent:
Zabali Clawbane
Eleanor of Aquitaine
Anaamika
Mama Zappa
LoganDear
Freckafree
ArchiveGuy
Jodi
Gigi
Tikki
Scarlett67
kaiwik
Ornaments received
Eleanor of Aquitaine has received an ornament from Zabali Clawbane
Anaamika has received an ornament from Eleanor of Aquitaine
Mama Zappa has received an ornament from Anaamika
LoganDear has received an ornament from Mama Zappa
freckafree has received an ornament from LoganDear
ArchiveGuy has received an ornament from freckafree
Jodi has received an ornament from ArchiveGuy
Gigi has received an ornament from Jodi
Tikki has received an ornament from Gigi
EvilAsh has received an ornament from Tikki
avarie537 has received an ornament from Scarlett67
There is one ornament known to have been sent, but we haven’t heard that it’s been received; that one was travelling a long distance. So if you’ve received an ornament and aren’t shown on that list, can you email me directly or post something to this thread? Thanks!
A few participants haven’t notified me of sending their ornaments. If you have sent yours and aren’t on the list, drop me a line so I can update my spreadsheet.
Man, am I behind this year.
I did receive my ornaments - like over a week ago! They are beautify gold-tone stars, about 1.5 inches across. One is engraved with “peace” and the other with “joy”. They hang on gold ribbons. They are very simple, elegant, and gorgeous. Thanks, Scarlett67!
Now, to 'fess up - mine went out just last night. BUT I am assured that they will get there in 2-3 days.
Oh, I’m so glad you liked them! I liked them so much that I went back to buy a set for myself and for a friend – but they are sold only by a certain local chain around here (Shopko/Pamida), and I had to go hunting at about a dozen stores. In the process I discovered that they also come in silver and that there’s a third one engraved with “hope.”
We should all have those three things.
:sniff: Thanks. It was my dad’s name (I’m Jr.), so give him all the credit. One thing for sure–when you google me, there’s no way I’m going to be confused with someone else. 
Mine went out today. And sadly, that actually is a bit earlier than last year, as I promised. I’m feeling a little pathetic here, with all of you sending things in a timely fashion. I have great hopes in the USPS.
Wow! I managed to get to the Post Office today! Thank you Kawaik! She sent me two beautiful ornaments, one a tiny angel with snowflake wings, (thistleberries) and white mink fur decorating the hood on her lavender coat. The painstaking work on it is amazing! The other is a silvery platinum colored bear, very well rendered. I felt the air cool, and sensed Alaska when I held them. (I am still not used to the winters in this part of Kansas, dandelions on Christmas day isn’t right in my mind, so it was refreshing to sense a cooler place.) The card you sent is beautiful, and the chocolate moose company Wild Berries candies much appreciated. Thank you so much! I will try to get pictures up, I did show the ornaments to a friend who obligingly took pictures of them with his phone, but he’s really busy and hasn’t shot me an e-mail with them yet.
Drat! Meant to also tell you that the cats are fascinated with the box the ornaments etc. came in! They approach it cautiously and sniff ardently. You can almost see them thinking “Ooooo, faaar away place!” 