Ali Update!

My swap package from Ali just arrived in the mail, and after carefully opening its contents ... otherwise known as ripping it open, stopping only for bits of air and photographs ... I was thrilled to find the following:

(Note she totally disregarded the THREE favorite things guidelines, much to my delight.)

* A notebook to keep track of books to read, books read and favorite quotes and passages. I could not need this more as motherhood as brought on a major memory loss where I arrive at the library and cannot think of any book title except for "From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler." Which was an excellent read in fourth grade, but not at all the great book so-and-so recommended to me.

* Tiny, coin-sized notes and envelopes in my favorite aqua blue for the smallest of notes - not to mention tips for stylists.

* A vintage-y trio of dainty earrings from Forever 21 (one of my faves), which will spare my ears from major damage now that Miss Dub wants to rip out all my ginormous earrings. Plus, I'll look a little less like a hooker. And that's always a plus.

* Birthday candles that look like they were hand-dipped for a fabulous soiree. Probably in France. Because I kind of think all pretty stuff has French origins. And did I mention it's always the south of France?

* The prettiest sugar cookie from Bakers de Normandie - great, apparently it's northern France - which I instantly devoured despite all Weight Watchers' advice to the contrary. I like to think all gifts are fat-free. And please, please, do not inform me otherwise. Also, please, please, do not tell me where this bakery is located, or I may have to move to Utah and visit there daily. (Chuck-a-Ramas be darned!)

* Two beautiful floral photos captured on Polaroid film. And, yes, I am now so inspired/jealous by them I am going to hunt down a Polaroid camera for myself. (You didn't think I was going to garden, did you?)

And all of this was typed up in cellophane with colorful embroidery floss and accompanied by a sweet note. (Literally, it was adorned with a cupcake, which so plays to my eternal love for Strawberry Shortcake and her gang of tasty truants.)

And did I mention my gifts were tied in colorful embroidery floss? And that I sent earrings from H&M? And that I sent notebooks? And that I included something sweet, though not nearly as decadent, to pad the package and Ali's hips?

I mean, is that eerie or what?

Of course, I quickly emailed and inquired about her birthdate and birth place as we were clearly separated at birth. (Or just missed the boat by not being BYU roommates and/or friends.)

Mom, now is the time to come clean about any hospital mix-ups.

Seriously.

p.s. My sister's belated b-day package also arrived, which contained two fab books on sewing and HTML. I must mark them in my notebook ASAP.