I had to post it anyways...LoL

I have planted 30 plants today, and I am pooped!!!!!
Is going to look good this time next month though!!!
YIPPEEEEEEEE!!!
You garden webbers are just AWESOME!!!! Thank you Thank you Thank you!!!!!!!!

Gonna go get something to drink now.....aqua!!!!

Sunny Skies...(FINALLY!)
Tina

wow! I can't believe we reached 1 hundred! lol :)

I thought it was funny too. It was probably only about May 5 and we had about 70-80 posts! Wait a minute! That is outrageous! I just realized we used a whole thread for one month---and the month isn't even over!!! Everyone didn't even get their May boxes yet. lol.

Tina~~~What did ya plant!!! I'm curious to know if it's anything I want! hehhe! Just kidding--I'm curious. I think I dug up probably 30 plants for Julus' swap! Well, not quite that much. But, I do have to send two boxes!

Talk to you all soon!

OH yes--wishnforspring--I am sending you an email about your pal right now! (Sorry it took so long!)

He Dawn, you did it!!
Just checking in and nice to have you all back.

Are we supposed to be sending something to our pal monthly? If we are I would like the admistrator to see that those of us who didn't receive a package receive one next month. Maybe those who show that their package has been received from their pal that only those sending pals be re-grouped and we eliminate those that are not participating.

I'm thinking about what I am putting in my next package to my pal but I would also like to receive a package.

I agree with plcandlez about those who haven't received a package yet! I can't imagine how disappointing that is! I don't know if maybe there is a valid reason why they haven't sent, but maybe you should ask the secret pals of the person/people that haven't sent one to wait to send June's package until the people who sent nothing in May first send their package to their secret pal in June! I hope that didn't sound confusing!! LOL, well just a thought anyways!

Carly

I also have not received anything but the month is not over yet!

Well I just sent my package today and people should be patient. I planed on sending mine now because a lot of my stuff was too small to divide until now. I live in zone 4 and still get frost until the middle of the month. I also planned another swap so that people would get thier plants around Memorial day as I know most gardeners will be working in thier yards that weekend. Please be patient with your partner as they may get offended by the impatience. As the previous post states the month is not over! I hope my person loves what they got I know that a few people from my other swap would be amaized at what I sent and I didn't even have to get drunk to go dig them up! LOL And even better yet Mgood4U I obtained them legally!

Happy Birthday Jamie!

Just on thought for folks that haven't rec'd yet, like SNSH said, the monnth isn't over yet. There's still 11 more days left! In another 12 month swap I am in, we have a deadline of the 15th of the month and so far seems to be working pretty well.

Don't give up on your pals folks.. not yet.

~Dusty~

I wasn't trying to offend anyone, if I did I apologize! My suggestion was not meant for people who sent at the end of the month, only if nothing was ever sent! Its just that I have seen so many robins dissappear and the like lately on gw and unfortunately you never know if you are going to get someone who won't send their end, (again I am not implying anyone on this hortiholics anonymous exchange is a deadbeat!! Please don't take it that way!!) I was honestly just trying to be helpful! :)

Carly

Hi you guys. Well, it has already been said but, this isn't April yet! I truly have faith that you will get your boxes! Sometimes people get behind when they do a lot of trades and stuff----like myself--lol. But, if you don't get your box for May by the time april starts then something should be done & these senders will be contacted. I know where these feelings of frustration are coming from! I joined GW back in January (I think) and even in such a short time I have been stiffed a couple of times! How irritating it is! I would hope that people don't get so far behind that they neglect this pal swap & put it off because that is BS. Everyone is sending such nice things from the heart and to be stiffed or put off is a big upset --esp. when you are sending some of the things that have been sent. I will not tolerate to many excuses or any blow-offs. I don't have the patience and neither do the people who haven't recieved.

So, with having that said---Those of you who haven't sent to your pals for May---YOU HAVE 11 DAYS TO SEND! Just a reminder! And I do hope that people check this post thread more often than to just post what they got! Yes, sometimes we enjoy our meaningless conversations but important things can be found amongst the chit-chat!

I have spoke to a trader that didn't send yet and I know why and that you are planning to. The partners of these people need to contact me to ease the minds of your pals --PLEASE--just to let me know that you are still participating and haven't forgotten!
PLECANDLEZ
SNSHNDYDRM

ANYONE ELSE WHO HASN'T GOTTEN ONE YET EMAIL ME UNLESS I ALREADY SPOKE WITH YOU. I WILL TRY TO EMAIL SOME PEOPLE IF I GET NO RESPONCE HERE.

I FEEL THAT YOUR PALS ARE GOOD FOR SENDING. AS I HAVE TRADED THEM BEFORE. AND I DO REALIZE ONCE AGAIN THAT MAY ISN'T OVER! SO THERE IS NO MAJOR PROBLEMS UNTIL IT IS--THEN WE CAN WORRY!LOL.

Putting a date limit for receiving gifts is a good idea however some people collect little things here and there through out the month and others make things that take some time so, i feel like limiting the time will make some feel rushed and we may be missing out on the additions of some terrific gifts in our boxes.

YES--THIS IS A ONCE A MONTH --EVERY MONTH FOR 12 MONS. SWAP!!!!

Let's not jump the gun.
Thanks guys--any problems--email me! I want to make this work! mgood4u

Here is my two cents. This is the very first trade I have been involved with so all I can give you is my experience as a trade newbie. It was a bit unnerving the first few days of May. As I was reading posts I was a bit unerved just because it seemed that folks were so anxious to get their packages. I didn't send mine out to until a week or so into May and I was so scared that I had sent it out late and would be ostracized. Just some friendly advice to relax and enjoy the element of surprise!

Right on~snshndyrm! We need to get you a shorter nick name--lol!

well, what do you expect from a group of hortiholics! lol.
I think everyone was getting such great stuff that we just got excited and couldn't wait! But I'm on top of it!

Please don't get me wrong though--I understand how you guys are feeling right now. After this first month or two is over everyone might be more at ease and get a feel for when your pal typically sends. Which may vary month to month depending on "real Life" crap!

I am in two other swaps --one due for memorial day & the other a 12 mon. exchange. Both boxes to my pals are being sent out Monday. Time really flys by, the month goes fast sometimes. But, they will still be on time! No complaints heard from them yet.

JUST A NOTE!!!!!

My dear secret pal....I am sending RR boxes out Monday and Tuesday of this coming week!!!!! You HAVE NOT been forgotten!!! I repeat....Elvis has left the building....LoL

Hang tight! It is coming.....

Tina:-)

Hello! This message is for the PAL OF LUVS2GARDEN---good news! Luvs2 said she did in fact get the first envelope of seeds that you sent her. And there is a post thanking you for the seeds! Probably way back in the archives. With so many posts here I guess it might be easy to overlook. But, I thought I remembered Luvs posting that she did get something. You can search it if you want.

From what I have been hearing from those who haven't sent yet it seems as if everything is going to be OK!

Ive already sent mine...

And that young male married guy thanked us kindly...( "thank you for thanking us, the avacado - how is it doing? It was dinner one night a couple of years ago and we toothpicked it and its been floating in water for a least 11 months prior to showing any sign of life! We have many avacados from seed as 5 foot plants and all from our local grocery store! Organic of course!)
I did have a difficult time finding this robin though. If it gets another posting please use the "HOti" name again...

I am as many of you are in different robins and trades....and I mess up easily, so please be kind and keep it real easy for me, thanks

Mrs and Mr LRV

Typing with foot on mouth way past the toes ............. I guess I didn't realize we started in May. I though I was late getting out my April package and thought I only had a few more days to get out my May. Huh. I guess sometimes Im not very good with details. I apoligize and look forward to getting my package & continuing to hear about what everyone else is getting.

plcandlez--Don't worry about it! lol. btw, I wanted to let you know that I spoke with your pal and they said they are definately sending before months end. They also apologize for any upset. Possibly mailing today or tomarrow.

Have a good day all!

Hi all, I have no gift yet to drool over. Trying to be patient because I still haven't mailed my pal her gift yet.

I'm very sorry to be late in sending a gift. I have been terribly ill these past 6 days, with something that is as yet undiagnosed... I had blood tests done and they are not back yet. I'm still sick but now I can function a few hours a day. Depending on my diagnosis I may need to drop out of this swap because if I become chronically ill I won't have the energy to continue. I really do hope I recover soon though.

Yesterday I finally got out of bed for 4 hrs, spent 3.5 hours making my yard "acceptable" to the local landlord, ate and showered, and that is all I had strength for. And the PO is closed Sundays anyway.

I hate lawns. Been fighting with the landlord who mows my homegrown wildflower meadow without permission and then charges me $150 because my 'lawn was full of weeds and needed mowing.' And a PIA neighbor who deliberately tangles my garden hose and offers to treat my yard with Weed N Feed. :( I don't understand the American obsession with a big short patch of nothing but turfgrass.

I don't have another $150 to lose so I went out and carefully shortened my taller natives with garden shears. A weed whacker or mower would kill a bunch of beneficial native flowering plants. I know that some wildflowers will bloom at a shorter height if kept clipped.

I have been having to catch up on a whole weeks worth of laundry and cleaning. Doesn't look like I can mail the box today. But with any luck it will mail out by the end of this month.

Grovespirit,
I like your name! I hope you feel better soon and the test's bring good news. I will be happy to cover your May box for you.. email me.

Plcandlez,
I know what you mean.. it does seem like this swap started in April... I think it's because a lot of folks sent their boxes out shortly after getting their names.. so it made May long! I feel like I should be sending a 2nd box already! lol I always feel like at kid waiting for Christmas when it comes to these swaps.. so I know how you feel.

Hope everyone had a great weekend! Was cool here.

~Dusty~

I am so excited!! I came home today after picking the kids up at school and opened my mailbox and there was a small package inside! It was my HA box from my pal--it really brightened my day--it has been raining here ALL DAY!! My pal sent me 2 Violas with a plant marker, ground orchid with a plant marker, purple coralbells with a plant marker, and some seeds--cherokee purple tomatos, beefsteak tomato, and grandpa otts morning glory, and last but not least the cutest and prettiest cards I have ever saw that I am assuming are hand made(just by the way they look)! There is one card that has butterflies on it, one card has a basket with a yellow flower, one with very pretty dragon flies on it, plus alot more. Too many too list!!I do have to say that my pal sent me 2 cards with a picture of the cutest little girl on them and I must say she looks just like my daughter with the blonde hair and the dimples!! Thank you so much pal IT WAS WORTH THE WAIT!!

Sheena

lilyroseviolet the avacodo is doing well. I have it potted and looks very happy. I am sure I am the only Wisconsite with an avacado since its so cold here but will have fun watching it grow and hiking it back in to the house every year when it starts to get cold. It is a very pretty plant (for a tree) with three very large and green leaves. As for the herbs they are all started in pots waiting for my ok to plant in the garden. A few have sprouted already. I am really looking forward to the dill I love the smell (even more than flowers sometimes! LOL) and know that the monarch butterflies will love them as much as I do! I remember staying summers at my grandmas house (who I get my gardening craze from) and chasing the monarchs all around the yard for house. It was always fun. Then comming in dripping from sweat and cooling down with kool-aid. Then back out to chase the butterflies again. I can't believe sometimes the amount of energy I had then but it always makes me smile when I see my son do the same things I did!

BTW I saw my first hummingbird yesterday! Whoo Hoo!

lilyroseviolet the avacodo is doing well. I have it potted and looks very happy. I am sure I am the only Wisconsite with an avacado since its so cold here but will have fun watching it grow and hiking it back in to the house every year when it starts to get cold. It is a very pretty plant (for a tree) with three very large and green leaves. As for the herbs they are all started in pots waiting for my ok to plant in the garden. A few have sprouted already. I am really looking forward to the dill I love the smell (even more than flowers sometimes! LOL) and know that the monarch butterflies will love them as much as I do! I remember staying summers at my grandmas house (who I get my gardening craze from) and chasing the monarchs all around the yard for house. It was always fun. Then comming in dripping from sweat and cooling down with kool-aid. Then back out to chase the butterflies again. I can't believe sometimes the amount of energy I had then but it always makes me smile when I see my son do the same things I did!

BTW I saw my first hummingbird yesterday! Whoo Hoo!

Hi everyone!

Grovespirit--I sent you an email already but I thought I would post this as well. Keep your chin up! I am thinking of you and wishing you the best! Some people would like to get your addr. to send you well wishes! You can email me your addr if you would like to. A couple of people have offered to cover sending your May and June boxes out. Maybe that is a good idea. It will give you time to rest and recooperate. Let me know.

DAwn

Grovespirit, I hope you get well soon.
Paula, I hope your husband is OK too. I have been very busy, so am sorry I don't post much. I guess you can say, I'VE BEEN IN THE GARDEN. : ) Or, the barn. I sure hope my pal likes what I sent. I have been trying to come up with a name for my gardens. What I really would like someday, is to have a garden tourism business, you know, just small, to compliment our farm. This year is the second time our area is having a garden tour for the public. Ten of us are in it this year, and for $5 you can visit all 10 gardens! Then we give the proceeds to charities. Well, back to work. We're making 180 pounds of cheese (Squeaky Juustoa)today from our Jersey milk. Have a great day, everyone!!!! : )
Treasa

Get well Grovespirit! Hopefully you can join us all getting dirt under our nails real soon!!

Wow we went over 100! and it looks like it won't be long before we at 100 again soon! :) LOL

Grovespirit: I hope you get well real soon and playing in the dirt soon, I will keep you in my prayers :)

UPTREASA: Wow! that's a lot of cheese! and I loooove cheeeeese!, and your farm sounds so awesome, I hope you get a lot of visitors. :)

I hope everyone else is well and if your not or are feeling a little blue than I hope you feel better real soon and can play in the Gardens too!

My Husband is doing better, he had to have surgery on a bunch of old fractures that wouldn't heal on his femur bone and some other bone repair, his surgery was really long this time (7th surgery in 4 years) we were expecting everything to be routine as usual, but he had some complications and needed a transfusion and than had a fever that wouldn't go away, and low blood pressure and really high blood sugar. Got a bit scary there. But he is much better now and came home this week and is recovering in a hospital bed that the kids set up in the middle of the living room so he could still be apart of the daily chaos and also retain his rights as king of the remote! :)
My poor garden suffered a bit, but nothing some water, a few seeds and a little weed pulling wouldn't cure :)
Okay secret pal look out for June, I found a cute garden idea While staying at the hospital's family care. I will say no more! oh.....but it is such a neat idea!....nope, zipping it and throwing away the key...not saying more....:) oooh I can't wait til June!
Have a Great Memorial Day Everyone!

Thank you Secret Pal! I received a WONDERFUL package yesterday! A Hosta, Jack-in-in the pulpit, Hoya house plant, voodoo lily and numerous other plants. My favorite is the oregano sedum! Now I am so exited to get just as nice of a package ready for my pal for June!

yeeeee-ha! After a kind of crappy couple days I came home to my garden pal's package - it was full of all kinds of fantastic items: garden gloves! need those!! A Johnson's Blue Geranium which I promptly planted, a day lilly....stickers, some cards! A stuffed puppy from the humane society that says "Lisa's Puppy" , seeds...all sorts of wonderful things - it was like Christmas!
And, a humming bird feeder which is odd because I was just planning to buy myself one!! It's funny how things work out. I'm cooking up some nectur and going to hang it today.
I've gone over my garden spending budget this year-already!! My two new additions went into the ground without guilt because they were a gift!!
I'm sorry to hear some folks are having health troubles. I hope you all get to enjoy a wonderful Memorial Day weekend. Hot dogs and potato salad!!

We have a new thread started for June above. It says Update: Hortiholics.

I know there is one person who hasn't received yet for May. But you're package is on the way! Just so you didn't think you were left behind--kinda like this thread was!!!! lol.

Talk to you all on the other update thread--Happy Memorial Day!

My package arrived! How wonderful my secret pal is! And do not worry....the package wasn't late.....it is still May. And it came on a nice long weekend so I have time to enjoy everything! I am already snacking on the cookies and tea. I spent the morning digging a new bed around my mailbox but could not decide what to put in it...lo and behold, it now has the beautiful sedum(s!) planted in it. I knew not about sedums but with a little research I think I could become quite addicted with all the different kinds. The hosta will be planted tomorrow in my shady woodland patch in my front yard. Thanks again for such a wonderful package! This is my first exchange and I didn't quite anticipate how excited I would be to open my gifts! I can't wait until next month!