Mailing update!

Just a quick update on some postal matters.

A couple of orders for threads got delayed due to delay of delivery of my order from Coats Manila Bay. They do try to keep up with production orders, but demand from store outlets keep increasing ;)

To Jeanette, I have mailed your pattern order last April 14.

To Yasmin, I finally mailed my Pay-it-forward gift to you last April 14.

To an unknown sender, or maybe a Fairy Godmother?...I don't have any idea who sent me something at this time, I'll find out when I claim at the post office soon ;)

A Wonderful Surprise from Sweden!

Several weeks ago, Ulla in Sweden, invited me to join in on her pay-it-forward. I wasn't sure if I would, but it was so nice of her to have thought about me. So I convinced myself...why not? I could surprise some people too.
I was thrilled when she asked me what color of yarn I like...and I answered: any shade of brown. She immediately sent me the surprise package, and here it is. It was all so wonderful...yarns in my favorite colors and the most beautiful fabric purse I have seen!


I won't be able to match Ulla's lovely one-of-a-kind creations, but I will try to surprise a few people and hope they pass it on. My pay-it-forward is coming up next post ;)

Meanwhile, here's a link to some more cool free patterns online:

http://www.spotlight.com.au/projects/yarn_projects2

Don't DHL it!

If you are sending packages overseas, try the postal service or other reliable service. I don't think DHL is one of them. Here's my story:
Yesterday, I got a knock on the door saying it was a delivery. I wasn't too thrilled since I was limping on the way, I needed to go downstairs since my house is on the 2nd floor. Then my left leg ached and cramped, due to prolonged abnormal walking. Anyways, I wasn't totally attentive to the DHL delivery guy, but I realized he was handing me a bill. I glanced upon the box that he held and read Andrews McMeel...before I could get excited about it, I examined the bill and it had some computations with the total amount being P1,585. That's about $35! I said, "I have to pay this to get the box???" He said, yes. (I don't remember him being courteous). I asked him for an explanation on the details of the amount stated there, and he said I better call the office and he pointed the phone no. on the bill. I didn't want to call the office since I know that they have a ready explanation for it. Besides, I think I'm not supposed to pay anything, being just a recipient.
I told him I wasn't going to pay. He asked me to sign and receive the paper. I said, "I'm not going to sign that. I'm not going to get the box." And I sent him off.
Darn. I would have been leafing through the pages of the crochet calendar by now :(... and I should have copied the details of the bill so I can file a formal complaint. There was even a customs tax there for about 265pesos...I wonder what law they based that tax on? I never experienced any problem or paid a tax on the items with the numerous packages I sent and claimed at the post office.
At first, I thought that the distributor of the calendar wanted me to pay for the delivery. But after I have received a reply from the publisher regarding the incident I narrated, I believe that the problem was the DHL service. They probably get away with charging the recipient even though the delivery has already been paid by the sender. I could guess how some people get fooled, and most don't file complaints, especially the Filipinos here who are eager to receive a package from abroad.
I will get my free copy of the calendar, I'm sure. I have to wait several weeks, but that's ok.