A couple of notes because the rest is going to be rather long and involved: Lynda, I have the Vitex marked for you and in your baggie! And thank you for the marigolds! They will be very interesting with my others! Dessie I would be more than happy to receive your little helper's seed packets! I think it's great! Wendy Try some Chai Spice tea, it works wonders in helping clear up colds and flu. I always add a dollop of honey to help sooth the throat. It's a staple in our house and really does help. Alright, here is my take on this.. I can understand how many were hoping that the two swaps would not coincide, but, we all knew there was a fair chance of that happening. For myself, I know that I continued to update my list, even well after Patty's swap's mailing deadline. I did my updates using the same method we did for Patty's swap- using an updated date. Even had I not, I knew there was a good chance the two swaps would overlap. I joined this one knowing full well- according to the guidelines posted for it- that I may NOT receive as many as I sent in. That I would receive as many as were sent in FOR me, up to five packets of the SAME item. I recall there being some issue with this and a member who became very rude in their comments about this fact. Yes, my package from the What's Left swap is in the second batch to go out. No, I did not keep strict record of what I sent to those who were in the What's Left swap. I did keep better records of what I'm sending for this swap. I also know that a lot of people will be sending in baggies of seeds marked as extras- not dedicated for anyone, but to add in when it's seen those items are on someone's list. No, these may not be some of the rarer or more exclusively wanted items on someone's list. But if someone has some of those rarer or more specific items to share, I'm sure they would have put them into your baggie before they mailed. So, I don't see that anyone would be missing out on anything. The only way I could see having updated one's list further as complicating Patty's swap would be if someone had removed things from their list. Updating and adding items would not have conflicted. Because if there were any extras of what you were wanting, Patty would have included them. So, I guess I'm not really understanding how there is such a need to update the lists just because one is in both swaps. If I receive duplicates, wonderful! Because the things on my list are things I want! If I don't receive something on my list, then no one had it to share. If I receive so many of something that I can't plant it all, then I can bless someone else by offering it up for a trade. So, perhaps I'm being dense here, but how would one not receive something sent in specifically for them (up to FIVE packets of the same item!) that was on their wants list in this swap? Everyone has the chance to see your wants as posted and you have had the option to add to that list, as many including myself have this whole time. The only thing I could really see the two swaps happening almost simultaneously possibly affecting would be one's have's list. I'm sorry, I don't mean to upset or offend anyone. I'm just honestly trying to understand why this is such an issue. So please don't take this as meaning to offend or as pointed to anyone in particular. This is just me trying to understand why so many are upset about this. If you prefer to email me privately and help me understand it, I would be pleased with that and please do! Perhaps there are aspects and issues with this that I'm not readily seeing and should consider. I don't want to keep the thread off track by my question becoming a debate here. Perhaps there can be some adjustments of dates if this swap happens in the late summer or again next winter, but for this year it is as it is and personally, I'm really enjoying it! Nancy, I hope you don't decide to drop out, because I know that I should have at least a couple of things from your list, perhaps more. But I'll respect your choice and be your Garden Buddy either way :) Fran, you have a real job ahead of you and I don't know how those like you and Patty do it! Leave me hosting my "pair em up and let em go" or true RR type swaps! I think those of you that host this kind of swap are awesome! Angela, you have been a wonderful help to Fran and all of us in this swap! I know the time it can take to code pages like that, though updates are easier once the initial work is done, and I want to say THANK YOU for the time and work you are putting in on this swap for everyone's benefit! Kathy~ heading off to stuff more little baggies and envelopes.

Okay, I'm still waiting for that other swap box to be delivered. It must either be coming from or going to Lisa in Germany, I think. Otherwise I think it would have been delivered by now! Anyway, that is my current guess. Is Colleen playing? If so, then it could be to or from her. I received a package in one swap that was sent via a slow boat from Japan, and it was more than well worth the wait! Lars

Thanks Maryanne, your sweet compliments really brightened up my day! I appreciate the tip regarding the Nordicware bundt pans, I'm going over to that website when I'm done here:-) I am enjoying reading through this cookbook very much, there are some very easy recipes mixed in with some that require a bit more effort, which makes it a good recipe book for a wide range of cooks. Everyone seems to like my counter stools, and I'm glad because it took me a long time to pick the right ones for my kitchen. I should have just asked my forum friends, who would have been very helpful I'm sure! Hopefully everyone is enjoying their weekend. DONNA

Betty according to the posts you recieved all 12 of your blocks. You recieved two from Juttz. She stepped in for Mollie who had some issues come up and contacted Juttz to let her know she just couldn't continue. Judy decided to make an extra block for the members that would not recieve one from Mollie. Instead of me having to make them. Sometimes this happens and someone just can't continue. But we always try to make sure that you recieve your 12 blocks. When we know that this happens. I am sorry you didn't sign up this year because of this. Some people didn't even get 12 blocks because so many people left the group. But there were a few of us this last year sending extra blocks to try and make sure everyone got as many as possible. Be thankful you were a Sunbonnet Susie and actually had a great group. The Rippettes last year fell apart and ended the year with only 5 or 6 members still sending. But we percevered and tried to get them as many blocks as we could anyway. I know that I make it perfectly clear from the get go that this is a year long committment. But sometimes life just happens and things can't be forseen. We all have to take this into account. Mollie told her group leader she couldn't continue and that group leader made the decision to fill in herself rather than try to find another person. I'm sorry if this may not have been relayed to you. And to make the comment that well Mollie's Birthday was in January just isn't right. She did the best she could and when she just couldn't anymore she told Judy so that a replacement could be found. Because she didn't want anyone to be shorted a block. I am truly sorry if this may offend you but I find it highly offensive to make that snide remark when you recieved 12 blocks from all those great ladies in your group and so many others didn't this last year because there group members just fell of the face of the earth. And didn't really care what happened. Your group did. Amy