OK, I have left behind many things I hold dear in South Africa.... some intentionally ...some not so! Just before I left, I posted two parcels to myself...full of last minute gifts, and a few more peices of precious fabric...and a handful of household things..that I NEEDED that last two weeks after the container was packed. Well.... I must have CRAZY written on my forehead. My husband asked me why I would waste money.... quite a bit..as in almost 200 US to send two boxes to me. One weighed about 15 lbs.... and the other...weighed about 25 lbs. This week....I received the second package on MONDAY.... 
considerably lighter.... it weighed under 3 pounds!!! They had stolen all the cookbooks...and a Bible printed in Afrikaans.... and my wicker tea tray... and an orphan quilt that I had almost finished...and a double quilt top flimsy. They left the half square triangles...( so obviously it wasnt' a quilter...or those would have gone first!!!!*0* ) They took a Mandela shirt I had had made for my husband...and all the big pieces of fabric! Now I was pretty cheesed off as you can imagine.... and wrote a very nasty email to the SA post office. I did receive a very nice email saying " that an investigation had been opened concerning my parcel"... but they NEVER asked me what was in the parcel exactly!????? So how does that work. So now I don't have my special fabric...or the last two quilts I made... and worse...my Raj curry powder..and a cople of cute rusk tins didn't make it. 
Now the really cruddy thing was that the box...was clearly marked fabric...clothing..but it arrived all coverded in grease...like it had been in an auto parts box.....and they even carefully taped it back shut! But the final straw was that there was a bill...dated March 23, for a scholastic book club....addressed to someone else..... inside my box???? Which is why you should never trust foreign mails. I should have knows better...but ....there you go. In other news...I did start hand quilting on my scrap quilt which did arrive safely in my suitcase! May as well get it going....so I can sleep under it this winter!
Then had to share this crazy picture. I think this may only occur...in America! Driving down the road to the store...and I pass some seedy places...XXX store...but not only is it an ADULT store...but you can rent your UHAUL there!!! Is it just me...but for one small minute...felt like I was back in South Africa!Hope you all have a great weekend.
considerably lighter.... it weighed under 3 pounds!!! They had stolen all the cookbooks...and a Bible printed in Afrikaans.... and my wicker tea tray... and an orphan quilt that I had almost finished...and a double quilt top flimsy. They left the half square triangles...( so obviously it wasnt' a quilter...or those would have gone first!!!!*0* ) They took a Mandela shirt I had had made for my husband...and all the big pieces of fabric! Now I was pretty cheesed off as you can imagine.... and wrote a very nasty email to the SA post office. I did receive a very nice email saying " that an investigation had been opened concerning my parcel"... but they NEVER asked me what was in the parcel exactly!????? So how does that work. So now I don't have my special fabric...or the last two quilts I made... and worse...my Raj curry powder..and a cople of cute rusk tins didn't make it. 
Now the really cruddy thing was that the box...was clearly marked fabric...clothing..but it arrived all coverded in grease...like it had been in an auto parts box.....and they even carefully taped it back shut! But the final straw was that there was a bill...dated March 23, for a scholastic book club....addressed to someone else..... inside my box???? Which is why you should never trust foreign mails. I should have knows better...but ....there you go. In other news...I did start hand quilting on my scrap quilt which did arrive safely in my suitcase! May as well get it going....so I can sleep under it this winter!
Then had to share this crazy picture. I think this may only occur...in America! Driving down the road to the store...and I pass some seedy places...XXX store...but not only is it an ADULT store...but you can rent your UHAUL there!!! Is it just me...but for one small minute...felt like I was back in South Africa!Hope you all have a great weekend. 
21 comments:
How sad for you all the things that were stolen from the package. I guess you never will see it again. And the postoffice just says they are investigting it.
Oh that's dreadful!!! I posted 3 small parcels from SA to quilters (all on the same day!). 2 have arrived (weeks apart) and the other is still MIA. What annoys me is that the postage is sooooo expensive there too and then they rob you blind!!
I am so sad for you!!!!
Wow! I've heard of that happening in Asian countries and there's not much that can be done. Happily I don't really have to worry about that in Japan though I suppose accidents happen. I don't think things get stolen and then sent on though. You are doing a great job of controlling your temper!
That is terrible about your mail. What a mess. Stupid post office guys. I did start laughing at that toy store photo. Maybe they have such good prices they think you'll NEED the uHaul to get all your *gifts* home. heh. ~jen~
Man that really sucks! Sorry to hear about your loss. I've had a good run with SA post this year, but have had things stolen in the past. What gets me is that they will tape your package back together like nothing's happened.
I was told to always put books/magazines or advertising material on the outside of parcels to make them less inviting.
I hope they do actually make some investigation! I'd keep bombarding them with emails.
Hi Colleen, nice to hear from you again. Being a new granny does take up lots of time *VBS*
So very, very sorry to hear of the theft of your things. In the 'for what it's worth' department, it will mar their conscience forever, ad perhaps they needed it more than you do. A bitter pill none the less. File it under 'been there, done that'.
The scrap quilt you are quilting is looking really good, and it wll be nice to have in the coming winters.
Hope the rest of your life is going smoothly. Big hugs, Finn
I'm so sad reading that for you. I still remember when we got to Alaska and all my husbands fishing stuff was gone, and about half his tools. They were all his father's who had passed away a few years before. I was so mad, I knew to watch the movers with big stuff, I thought the "small stuff" would be fine. It's just awful that people feel like they can take from you, they have no idea what's really special and important.
Oh, how sad. What an awful thing to have happen. I am always somewhat apprehensive about posting things, even here in North America.
Your quilt looks wonderful.
I'm so sorry to hear you lost some of your things. Some people just have no conscience at all.
how horrible!
geez what a hard lesson to learn.
lovely profile pic
I share your anger and saddness over the loss of your treasures. Especially your almost finished orphan quilt...that is sad. THAT quilt you are working on is BEAUTIFUL though. :) You do some cool projects. BTW- I read through some of your other recent posts and I remember my mom saying the same thing when I had buddy....'its a wonder you survived'. Things do change quickly. He is sweet! ;) Belated congratulations.
Also, I tagged you at my blog...I hope you don't mind.
Well, I do hope they manage to send your things along . . . but I suppose really all we can do is commiserate with you on how terrible a loss.
The U-Haul shop reminds me of the 'Park, Pawn and Gas' places we used to see in NC. Now days you probably really need to pawn portion to pay for your gas *s*
I am very sorry for the bad postal service.
The quilt you are quilting looks stunning. I love yellow! Take care.
The quilt you are working on in the photo is absolutely gorgeous! Wow!
I'm so sorry to hear about the damage to your stuff. I had a similar experience many years ago when a box of books arrived with a few missing and a few very creepy additions. I really feel for you.
Colleen that is awful I am so sorry your stuff was taken. People suck! I will have to find the picture I have from someplace in Idaho that you can buy farm equipment or have your child take ballet. I had to laugh out loud.
Hi Colleen - I'm so glad you dropped by to comment - I'd lost your blog URL and was wondering how things were going for you.
That is awful about the stuff in your parcel going missing :-( Sentimental stuff that can never be replaced. I really feel for you.
x
Oh, how horrible! I am sorry someone was a jerk and took your stuff!
I absolutely love that quilt you are working on, just gorgeous!
Annie
: )
Hi Colleen, I feel so badly for you that so many valuable things were stolen from your packages. I remember when I lived in Indonesia getting packages from my grandmother who lived in the U.S. When she'd send shoes, only one would make it. The mate would never show up. Crazy stuff like that. I love your sense of humor though about the HST's. :)
How sad for you, all the things that were stolen from the package will most likely be lost forever.
Thank you for your comment on my blog, I shall visit you again.
Julia
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