Gifts from Australia !!!!

Today Is a Red Letter Day!!! Today I received my first ever package of treasures from a Bloglandian Sister sent to my Mexican mail box address!!!! :c) I had a wonderful package from Laurie (Laurie's Charming Designs) with her sweet birdie pin cushions and wonderful treasures. I also had a package from Pat Winter (Gatherings), with her beautiful hand dyed silk ribbons and little treasures. Both of these were waiting for me in Idaho. But today is the first ever package to Mexico. Can you tell I'm excited?? Well I surely am. Mail service here in Mexico is nearly non existent. Oh there is a national mail service, with post offices and even mail delivery personnel. In fact there is a national mail carrier day in November. BUT you know you have big problems when the Mexican Government doesn't even depend on the mail service. :c(

Now we have had friends even after we warn them not to, that have sent parcels to both our home address and our mail box address. We are sure hoping that somewhere someone is really enjoying our gifts cuz we sure aren't :c(. Besides the logistics of mailing to Mexico, there is the cost to consider. There is duty, international shipping, and weight charges. Once you get pass that, there is the problem of many parcels seem to grow legs and wonder off. Of course this couldn't possibly be happening in the US and of course this couldn't possibly be happening in Mexico. SO I guess this must not be happening :c) We have nothing sent to our home address. We use our courier service to ferry mail and magazine subscriptions from a mail box address in Laredo Texas to a box at their office here. That way there is no international shipping cost, we don't have to pay duty on books and magazines. But we do have to pay weight. And we also have a greater then 80/20 chance of reciving it.

So are you beginning to get the idea that receiving parcels here can be a real nightmare??? Oh and us sending parcels out is just as big a nightmare. Boy we haven't even gotten into the nightmare of having packages opened up and search each time it passes through a countries customs!!!

Okay now to my parcel. My sweet friend Christine of Rustic Tarts who lives on the other side of the world (Australia) sent me a wonderful envelope with the current issue of the Australian Homespun magazine. Her Penny Heart Makedo is featured in it. Did you know that makedo is an Aussie expression from the forties referring to the war time slogan "make do and mend" I love it, and here all this time I have been creating makedo's and haven't realized it!!:c)

Christine asked me if she could send me a package a number of weeks ago. I said sure, and suggested to follow the instructions for sending letters and magazines. Oh but she is such a wonderful enterprising friend. She also sent the Quilters Companion mag, this darling daisy chain lace, adorable tag and post card of her beach. :c) Well just have a look for yourself

I have to tell you dear Bloglandian friends that I had no idea how wonderful this little community is. I am so blessed and thankful to be a part of this family, and will never be able to thank you enough for accepting me as a sister!! :c)

Do have a wonderful day or evening my Bloglandian friends depending on what part of the world you are in :c)