Hi Pat,

Don't stress over anything that you send back to me. It will all be good.

Thanks for the time and the work.

Debby

Ditto what Debby said - I am wintersowing up a storm this weekend, and dreaming of my 2013 gardens...

...and I have not even made a noticeable dent in the seeds I have, LOL

Pat, Please don't fret about what to send to me either. As I mentioned in an earlier email, I sow for and share seeds with my sister in Kansas so I'm good with flower seeds for zone 3-7, they don't need to be on my wishlist, and duplicates & substitutes are okay.

I just realized I had never updated the -Veggie/Fruit section of my want list
So if you have extra of - cucumber, squash, radish, lettuce, carrot, beets, and such please feel free to drop them in my envy.

Also, you don't need to send back the same number I sent in. I know I'll be good with what ever you send.

Oh, just in case anyone's interested, it's minus 10 degree's and minus 50 something with the windchill this morning. Thought that'd warm you up!! To keep warm, I'll be in my sow room, sowing a few more Hot pepper seeds and then I'll do a few more jugs to go outside - I feel sorry for them little seeds that will be wintersown today!

Sandy

Don't worry about my bag either I'll be happywith how many or whatever I get.

Sandy you made me feel better, it's susposed to be in the single digits or low teens everyday this week but not as cold as your getting. Stay warm!

I'm with everyone else! I said I didn't mind duplicates, but not 4 or 5 of something! But will take it if that's what works for you! And also any coneflowers or parsley or veggies! Will use them all or use for trades!
You have done an amazing job! I wouldn't have wanted to tackle this for anything! So whatever I get I will be pleased with! Never seen a seed I didn't like! LOL!

I promise to be happy with whatever you send. (I have my right hand over my heart and my left hand is raised.) I'm living on anticipation--and that's a good thing. It's like being 8 years old waiting for Santa!! I further promise not to be offended if you include something I didn't ask for, send duplicates or even if you throw in a peanut butter sandwich! I promise to be happy and appreciative.
Heidi

Time is my greatest problem right now. I'm not stressed (no time for that!), but I am concerned that I have just a few days left and much I want to do. We have 4785 packets of seeds from 34 people. I'll be adding some from my stash before mailing, so we could end up with as many as 5000. That is a LOT of seeds.

As each of your packages arrived, I went through the contents one packet at a time and highlighted wishes on the copy of the composite list on my laptop. Seeds that did not fit or were excessive duplicates went into a ziplock bag labeled "extras." All of the packets that matched wishes and the bag of extras then went into a Walmart bag labeled with the sender's name. I took those bags to the feline-free room upstairs and made a pile. It became a very big pile.

For most of two days I have been opening each Walmart bag and dropping seed packets into recipients' numbered bags lined up in the bookshelf. Later today I'll spread the extras out on the top of my desk and sort them into piles by type. Then I will start picking seeds for each person who still needs more.

I do not want to send your own seeds back to you, and if your name or number is on the packet, I will do my best not to do so. However, if you did not put your name or number on each packet you sent, odds are you will get some of them back. If I had a lot more time, I would label them for you, but I don't.

That's where we stand right now. I need to get upstairs and play with seeds! lol

***********************************

I can't even imagine trying to live, much less garden, where temps are below zero. This week has been quite nice in the middle of Texas with highs in the 60's. Today will be a little cooler, but a high of 75 is predicted for later this week. I don't do winter sowing, but next week I plan to start tomatoes and perhaps some peppers and eggplants inside and plant outside toward the end of March.

Okay, now I really am going upstairs!

Patricia, I think it's the Japanese that have an art form that involves lichens making shapes on rocks in the form of flowers - the Chrysanthemum rock comes to mind - don't remember if other flowers are also represented...not sure this is worth moving to arctic /subarctic regions or not, but what a nice escape from Maryland humidity those places must be in the summer time...although I understand that their mosquitoes are to our mosquitoes as a moose is to a mouse.

karen

Hope this diversion amuses someone besides myself.

soooo... Pat, are you still swimming in seeds ? Thought I would check in and say hello, it is so cold here... brrrr... bring spring back please, someone ! anyone ! LOL

Iris - half frozen in Maryland ( yes the Botanical Gardens in DC is a beautiful warm place to be in the middle of winter)

Poor Patricia!

Lisa

I'm still swimming in seeds, but I am sealing, taping, and labeling packages. I'm adding extras as far as the postage sent will allow. Hopefully all packages will be mailed tomorrow or Friday. lol I'm ready to reclaim my life and do something not related to seeds!

Patricia,thank you so much for working so hard on this swap.I wouldn't wanna be in your shoes.I hope I sent in enough postage.If I didn't I will be glad to send you more.I really didn't even know postage was going up.I know...Im way behind.But let me know and I will send you more postage.
Thanks,Velvet

Thanks, Velvet, but I hope to be mailing in time to beat the postage hike. I just finished sealing your package and believe the postage you sent will be plenty.

My husband is going to start taking packages that have to be weighed to the post office tomorrow, and I hope to have all the rest of the packages on their way by Friday afternoon. I'll post DC numbers, for those who asked for DC, this week-end.

My husband mailed a bunch of packages today, and I have been printing labels on line for a bunch more that will ship priority flat rate tomorrow. I have only EIGHT left to finish before the mail leaves town early tomorrow afternoon! The finish line is in sight!!!! I'll sit down and post DC numbers this week-end.

You are amazing, Patricia - I was NEVER able to turn around a swap that fast!

The last batch is off to the post office with an hour and a half to spare! DH has done a great job mailing and bringing back DC numbers. Without his help, I could not have finished on time.

I could have worked on the last few packages forever, but very few wishes came in for some who had more challenging and very specific wish lists. I had just a few for those people myself. I selected some substitutes that they might be able to use or at least trade for something they do want.

Several said not to send substitutes but just the seeds that actually came in for them. I pretty much did that, but I did stick in a few substitutes. Again, maybe they can be traded if the recipient doesn't want them.

Start looking for packages on Monday, and I will post DC numbers soon.

Pat, you are amazing! And your DH is oh, so sweet!
Thanks so much for all your efforts!!
Katie

DC numbers are now posted at the beginning of this thread.

Congratulations Patricia! Thank you so much for your hard work. Enjoy a relaxing seed free weekend.
Alana

Champagne time!

Patricia,I know you are glad to be finished.Thank you for your hard work.Tell your dh we all said thanks so much for his help.

Velvet

lol Now I have no excuse for not cooking or doing a little cleaning, and the poor old neglected cat will get his share of laptime again.

This post was edited by patrob on Fri, Jan 25, 13 at 21:17

Thank you !!
Thank you !!
Thank you !!

this may be the last time you volunteer for something.
I cant wait to get my goodies
have a restfull weekend
michelle

I am so impressed and amazed by your organizational, management and communication skills; I think you should run for president in 2016!

Patricia,

I too think you've done an EXCELLENT job with the swap! Don't fret at all about what you sent back to anyone, I'm betting that everyone will be most appreciative with what they receive. I know I couldn't go buy all the seed varieities that I've received over the past 9 years in trades/swaps from GW members. Especially the ones that I didn't ask for, but people were kind enough to send to me in anticipation that I would like them. I feel very fortunate to be a part of such a Great group of gardeners!!!

Sandy

I am so thrilled that you are turning this swap around so fast when opportunities to winter sow are now upon us. And I too will be very appreciative of whatever you send me as well as for the other swappers' generosity - regardless of what exactly I may ask for, the possibilities for any seed that crosses my doorstep are endless.

Rest on your laurels - you have so earned them :)

Karen

I received my seeds today! I haven't had a chance to go through them all yet. The ones that I have gone through are perfect! I think I received almost everything on my list. Thank you so much to those that sent in for me. A huge thank you to patrob for organizing the swap and for all of her hard work to make the swap successful. Great Job patrob! Thanks again everyone!

I also received my seeds yesterday:) A couple of days early according to conf# Thank you Patricia for all of your hard work, I can't wait to sort through all of them!

I'm glad packages are beginning to arrive! I sent five packages to the post office Thursday afternoon, and some of them made the trip in less than 48 hours.

By the way jlee sent me her own prepaid first class shipping label. My post office accepted it without any questions, even though it showed her own zip code as the origination point. I tracked her package, and there were no glitches. Those who have access to a postage service and can print first class labels with DC included might consider that option in your next swap. It is quick for the host and might save you a little money.

My hat is off to you! Such a big swap and you did turnaround so easy! I admire you for the job you did!

My package arrived Saturaday and I've had time to go thru every pack. This is my favorite swap. I got soooo many seeds that were on my list. Thank you to all you wonderful GW swappers for sending so many seeds for me.
Also a hugh thanks to patrob/Patricia for picking up this swap when it was looking like it wasn't going to happen.
You did an AWESOME job.

I am glad it made your Jo. A little easier. I like it because it should find its way here either way, including if it needs more postage:) also, you get free delivery confirmation when you print online:)

I am glad it made your Jo. A little easier. I like it because it should find its way here either way, including if it needs more postage:) also, you get free delivery confirmation when you print online:)

Seeds arrived! I pulled out a handful to drool over. Now I'm off to work and I have something to look forward to when I come home.
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
Heidi (#24)
And thank you to all who participated in this swap. It's so much fun to share.

My seeds have arrived...thanks everyone!

post was duplicated

This post was edited by jaynine on Mon, Jan 28, 13 at 14:24

I rec'd my seeds today also! Thanks so much for doing this swap and I so thank everyone who sent seeds in for me! I love them all! Melinda

My package came today also.Thank you Patricia for a wonderful job you did.Thanks to all of you who sent seeds for me.A lot of my wishes were filled.I'm so happy.

Velvet-velsgarden

Wonderful seeds came - I can't help but think of the first flower garden I ever saw - it was my New England grandmother's - a white picket enclosure filled from picket to picket solid with flowers in July. Flower gardens were common in those days, but perhaps not the incredible variety and abundance that Patricia and this group sent me today - may our efforts have the ripple effect of bringing back flower gardens sprinkled generously throughout neighborhoods again.

Thank you all,
Karen

My package arrived! YAY!! WOW! Thank you so much for all your hard work, and many thanks to everyone as well! Very happy =)

A lovely package of seeds came today. Thanks Pat, and WLOMWL participants!
Alana

It was a busy hectic day at work today, a typical Monday ... so it was a lovely thing when I checked my mailbox and found a beautiful stuffed envelope full of wonderful seeds !!! Thank you Pat for all your hard work and thank you to everyone who shared seeds with me ! I love them all and can hardly wait till spring so I can get busy planting ! ( will actually wintersow some ) This is always such an awesome swap !

Iris

I am glad it made your Jo. A little easier. I like it because it should find its way here either way, including if it needs more postage:) also, you get free delivery confirmation when you print online:)

I received my package today. I am speechless at the assortment of amazing seeds you kind folks sent me. And Pat, we cannot thank you enough for the amazing effort you put towards making this swap a huge success!

I received my package today as well!!!
WOW Is right!!!! This was the best swap I've ever been a part of!
Thank you Pat for all of your hard work & also to everyone who sent my "wants" to me!
I'm so excited to start cold stratifying & planting!!!!
Bless you al!l
Lila

My beautiful package of seeds was waiting for me today. Thanks very much to Pat and everyone who shared their seeds.

OMGosh-what a wonderful job you did Pat! When I got home from work today there was a wonderful envie of seeds waiting for me. I love everything! Thanks Pat for all your hard work and thanks to everyone for the seeds they sent me:-)

Rhonda

I'm happy to hear that more packages have arrived on time! Thanks go to all those who sent so many great seeds to fill your wishes and mine. I'm going to start a new thread that we can go to when this one reaches the maximum number of posts. lol I'm on my way to bed.

I too received my BIG package of seeds when I got home from work today. Pat, I really don't expect to receive so many packets back. Thank you so much for your hard work and all the participants who share the seeds. I am very happy with the selections I have got. Thanks again!

I opened Part 3 of this thread a little early, but let's all go over there to continue posting.