Some advice-my first year I received a package w/ my name and a regular name and return address but not SS swap or any other hint that it was SS and I was in the monthly swap too, so I sent Terry a pm and asked if the name on the return addy was my ss package-she replied Yes don't open it.

Love snickerdoodles that coconut rum with coke sound really good, glad we have a designated reindeer.

I my past if a "attempt to deliver" notice was left it wasn't the next day but a few days later, I think it stated when the next attempt would be, but there would be 3 attempts before the 15 day to return. Hopefully the receiver will see it, but you can have Terri notify them to check with a mail person.
I'll have to catch up on the rest of the pages I haven't read tomorrow. That might be a good day to wrap and pack too.

Ok I saw someone post about cost of international ship. It doesn't have to be a big heavy box the rule is 4 fqs and a gift or gifts that are $20 value.
One thing to keep in mind if you have an Interna'l the US postoffice does have flat rate for International for the small and medium boxes-the rate is slightly more than domestic rate-I think it is $14 and 18, approx. But if you have something that is lighter weight send it first class parcel or regular Parcel, and if it will travel ok in a padded envelope that will be fine too. And when you fill out the Internationl custom form be sure to check that it is a gift. I think Terri had something in the instruction about not putting the cost or value at more than $20-I think it has to do with duty tax. And again if you have any question about any part pm Terri, she is very good about helping you too. good night all.

That's just fine, SusieT. Gus and Heidi are over the "weight limit" anyway. I have had to cut back their goodies, because they are "fluffing up for winter". I think Heidi will need her coat this winter to keep warm, and can't have any girth added to her body, or she won't fit in it.:D I will hit the reuse-it shops for stuffed toys for them. Heidi needs a new "baby".

I can't believe all you guys waiting till the last minute to stuff your boxes. It drives me nuts to procrastinate, my mother was a "don't do it today, if you can put it off to tomorrow" person. I say, if you know it needs to be done, do it and get it over with. I had my box sitting here for weeks all ready to go to the post office, before I mailed it. Nothing else would fit in the flat rate box, so close it up and get it outta here. See, that's why I am out here waiting to make snickerdoodles, and you guys are panicking because the deadline is staring you in the face.

Nancia, you need to come out and sew with Sunnie and me, on quilts for the "Sandy Relief effort". We sewed all day yesterday, and are going to do another day this week. PM me.

Ok. Wrapping up gifts tonight, packing and mailing them out tomorrow! Just under the wire...phew!

Sigh...I'll never get all these pages read. I hope you are all having fun teasing each other. We lost power for 11 days due to hurricane Sandy and I am completely out of touch with what's going on here at the QB. It's a good thing I already have part of my SS gift at the house. A contractor is meeting Glenn this afternoon to get estimates for the insurance company. Gutters were ripped off the house-shingles missing from the roof. A tree is leaning on the house, a couple of the panes of the bay window in front were cracked. Several other trees down or hanging in mid air...I think that's most of it. Still we were luckier than a lot of people who lost their homes to the ocean and wind. I'm trying to get caught up at home and at work but will try to spend a bit more time on the QB to see what's going on.

Wow, blondeslave, I'm really glad you made it through "Sandy". Sorry about your house. Hope you had a fire place or friends or relatives you could stay with.

SORRY I did another check today and I think I may have been looking at the wrong box maybe the one for DVD size. the small flat rate was $47 So forget what I said. Yes your best way is the simple parcel and make it as light as possible I guess.

I was going to pack cookies but was afraid that if it wasn't opened until the 9th all would be so stale . . . so no baked goods in the pkg leaving tomorrow. the state starts with the letter "I".