5 of seven & my Christmas miracle

First, thanks for the advice and encouragement about my postal travails. (Who knew there were so many postal workers among us?) For the most part, I do admire the service. In general, it gets so much done so well that when things go this wildly awry it's worth noting and, with very few and recent exceptions, the people I've encountered have been smart, helpful, and courteous. There's just something about doing business through 1-inch-thick bulletproof plexi that puts a real damper on things, doncha think?

But it has worked out. I got a parking place this morning directly in front of the building (a major coup in that neighborhood); toddled carefully over the ice to the meter, found that it was broken and so parked for free; had only 20 minutes in line (and used the time to make some notes about a children's story I have in mind*); got my package with no fuss or bother; and left immediately after the person who had double-parked next to me. And was as completely delighted with the moon-leaping bunny when I saw it "live" as I hoped I'd be from the pictures Sara sent. All in all -- some anxiety, but no complaints. A small miracle and a nice way to begin rounding down the year.

[*don't get excited about this -- having roughed out a plot over a grid of 6 pages, I doubt I will go any further. I know how it ends. Hamfisted treacle for everyone.]

Second, the 5/7 part. The only thing I have ever wanted to be is a singer. I have no talent -- as in ABSOLUTELY NO TALENT -- for it, but the yearning for the magic and community of music runs deep and persistents. It's still the only thing I really want to be, everything else is something I can do. Those other skills and talents have their own joys and challenge, but they're not music.

I'm going to tell them I know Katie-Jane

Happy Christmas to me. I ordered a necklace that I saw on one of the blogs that I read regularly and it's coming by . . . post. Yes. The USPS is still doing its best to try to drive me to an early grave. On Friday, I had an "attempted to deliver" message in the mail box. The package is being held at the post office, or I can call to arrange redelivery. The last time I was at this post office, I came out to find three police cars and their various occupants performing some kind of "police action" much too close to my car. So I arranged for redelivery. On Saturday 12/27.

Guess what?

Yes. That's right.
Today, 12/22, when I got home, I had another "attempted to deliver" message in the mailbox. The third time, of course, is the charm. If they again bring it to the house when I'm not there to sign for it, they will return it to the sender. Who is in Wales. And we'll get to start this whole thing over again from the top.

So, tomorrow, bright-ish and early-ish, instead of going to work, I will go the nasty PO in the renowned crime district and sign for it.

But it will be worth it. Don't you think?

Do navigate over to Jackie's blog and or to Sara's web page and see the other things Sara has made. So beautiful.