WOW! A NEW LOVE FOR MAIL!!

Knowing that the package I sent was supposed to arrive on Wednesday, I must say I was a little disappointed when I arrived home Wednesday and my package was not waiting for me on the doorstep. Little did I know, Hubs who could not figure out the whole swap idea had put the box in the entryway and failed to inform me that it had indeed arrived. SO I opened the door and "to what did my wandering eyes appear" but a big 'ole brown box with the goodies you see here:

Of course, the snickers caught my eye and I wanted to dig in to open the presents like a child on Christmas morning but alas I had to hunt down the camera to document the madness!

First I grabbed this little craft caddy full of goodies! I must say I love craft caddies and could always use more especially if they come filled like this one:

Inside was a note explaining the loot!

My swap partner, Elizabeth, made a CD of her favorite songs which I think was very thoughtful and personal. Thank you! (Why didn't I think of that?) I love Casting Crowns, Jeremy Camp and Third Day too so it went directly to the car! There was also nail polish in her favorite color red and a handbag caddy which I have always wanted to try but never think to buy for myself. There was travel size lotion which I also always have in my purse. Ooo and a mini camera tripod that I never even knew existed. I can't wait to try it and actually BE IN a photo or two! I am the constant photographer but my family always nags me b/c there are very few pics of me in the boys' scrapbooks so thank you for making that possible! She included kazoos because she loves to be silly and have fun. These were a hit with the boys! Carmex because much like myself she is ADDICTED to lip balm! We BOTH have lip balm everywhere ~ the car, nightstand, our pockets and purses as well as on our desks! I even carry some in my camera bag! ADDICTED I TELL YOU! She also sent her favorite pen and says she is a pen freak and could spend hours in Office Max looking at new pens. This admission was HILARIOUS to me simply because I do the EXACT same thing. My pen stash at home and work boggles my family's mind at times when I arrive with a new one. WOW we are so much alike! Like our lip balm addiction, we both have stashes of sticky notes lying around everywhere so I was more than pleased when she sent me more. I don't know if anything would get done if I did not have sticky notes since my kids' sucked the brains right out of me! She also sent photo easels to display photos anywhere. I can't wait to try these because I am a photo addict and love to display them. The mini notebook she sent to keep track of random thoughts was funny to me too since I meant to send her one but kept forgetting to pick one up. I have three I use constantly ~ home, work and scrapbooking. They are a must in my world! Let me see what else......for a small bag it sure does seem bottomless! Oh some flame less candles and a butterfly print.

WAIT.....I TOTALLY FORGOT MY FAVORITE THING IN THE CRAFT CADDY! It is a mini photo album to carry around. It brought tears to my eyes that she was thoughtful enough to print off random pictures from my blog and put them into the album. THAT WAS SO SWEET ~ THANK YOU ELIZABETH. I LOVE IT!!

Now onto the wrapped gifts....

First, because she loves to wear them and they remind her of the beach she sent

Four books because she loves to read, read, and read some more!

Then ....

I will definitely love this while eating on some bite size Snickers!

Because she loves Ikea and picture frames she sent these frames that are REALLY COOL


This is because she likes to erase and start over plus she puts it in the car to keep her daughter occupied. I cannot believe I never thought of it so this

also went straight into the car and the boys love it so much that I had to get another one so they would stop fighting over it! Genius, that Elizabeth!

NOW after ALL the presents were opened the "floating" goodies sank to the bottom. LOTS of bite size Snickers which are favorites for us both! LOTS of gum which she uses to as a lifesaver while she is trying to lose weight!

One question Elizabeth: Do I eat all of the Snickers then use the gum to help with the weight loss OR chew the gum so I don't eat the snickers? Last but certainly not least she had random butterflies floating around the box. I thought this was sweet since she shared with me that they remind her of her Mother. Again so thoughtful! I already have plans for them in a craft project!

Thank you so much Elizabeth!

I love all my goodies and you made my first swap something to remember and try again!

At the end of her personal note she said, "One thing I've found through the blog world is that we're really not all that different from so many of the wonderful blogger out there. I'm glad to find some kindred spirits..."

This is so true!

This is one of the main reasons I am such an addict!

It is both amazing and a relief at times to find so many other women out there JUST LIKE ME!

P.S. Elizabeth, sorry it took me so long to post this but I had a sick kid, basketball playoffs and a missing cable to connect the camera to the computer!! Very frustrating when important things like that mysteriously walk away, crawl under your toddlers bed then tie themselves to various toys to use themselves as a string......hmmm......oh the joys of motherhood!!