Life can sometimes get in the way of swaps. Some years ago, my partner in CA did not respond to my sending, nor send one in return. She did not post any more, either, so I assumed something happened, as she had been quite active in the forum.

Montana jan--I wondered about the people that signed up for the Christmas card exchange and then did not participate. I think it's kinda sad. Did ya'll notice that?

I did not mean to sound ungrateful or upset-- I know times are hard right now for a lot of people. I have been blessed so many times in this past year, I can not get upset over this. I just wanted to check in and report that I am still watching for an email or something from my partner. Even if I never hear back from her, I wish her the best! Montana_Jan

It could be post office problems too. As an example, my Mom had an art show this past October. She sent out invitatons to those she always sends too. Personal friend, family etc. who would have come and were suprised they didn't get an invite. Some of those people never did get their invitations, and they all seemed to be in the same town/area. For whatever reason, I hope it comes through.
Leslie

Well I sure did get a lot of Christmas cards but I haven't bothered to look to see if I got everyone's. I received about 5 cards after Christmas so there still may be some coming late. One of my cards was ripped in half and mutilated well by the Post Office. They sent an apology. I fixed it up the best I could and hung it on my door with all of the others.

There will always be some abusers of exchanges and sometimes the people that do surprise me but generally I have been very happy with the exchanges. Sometimes life gets in the way of fulfilling promises. A return email, with explanation and a thank you would sure be nice though.

Thats too bad!
I joined a fall swap a few years back and a ornament swap too. Had great partners both times. I remember how fun it was to pick up items for the swap and waited eagerly for mine to come. That had to be disapointing for you Jan.
I will cross my fingers it still comes!

There always seems to be someone who doesn't follow through, for whatever reason. Maybe they'll see this post and will get in touch with you.

Who matched up the swap partners? Please email me: rita @ ritahess dot com

Hello. This is my first chance to check in at the kt today.
Montanajan, I am so sorry you didn't get your ornament. I hate when this happens. I am going to email your partner myself. I'm so sorry.
Okwriter, I am emailing you, I set up the swap.
I hope everyone else got theirs.
Tammy

I don't do the swap things myself, but let me second the opinion that it could be a post office problem. My mother died over a month ago. On Dec. 7th, I put in a request to have her mail forwarded at the post office. I DID get a computer-generated confirmation of the forwarding request--but it's over 3 weeks now and I've yet to get so much as a single piece of my mom's mail. I've been in and out of her local post office several times, spoken to my mailman, talked to the regional office and still nothing. I'm missing bills, bank statements, not to mention there were probably Christmas cards from out-of-town friends who may not have heard she died. I'm pulling my hair out trying to figure out how to get the post office to find and deliver her mail.

So it may be a problem that's out of your swap partner's hands.

Montanajan, I have emailed your partner as well. I advised her to email you or I with a good reason as to why she did not reciprocate in the swap. I also told her if neither of us hear from her, I am going to post her (KT)name here so that she can not be included in other swaps. That is the only fair way I see to handle this.
I really hope that we hear from here and there is a good reason for you not getting your ornaments.

"So it may be a problem that's out of your swap partner's hands. "

Then what excuse would they have for not answering emails?

Tammy, sorry to cause you the extra problem of emailing her yourself. If for some reason, she can not send, I can live without one for her. I would like to hear that she got mine is all. I would also hate to have her name listed here as not having sent one. That is why I did not post her name. I still hope to hear from her. thanks, Montana_Jan

Jan, you didn't cause me an extra problems at all.
We will give her a little time, hopefully there is a good reason, or it has been sent and is late.
Hugs,
Tammy

There's also the possibility that this person was in an accident? Or came down with something serious that took precedent. Like how Phyllis mentioned it had happened to her, and that the other poster had been fairly active before the swap, then nothing after, so it was assumed something had happened.

Hope all is well with this mystery person, maybe when they received your ornament, they were so taken with it and felt theirs didn't measure up, and were embarrased to mail out?

There's also a possibility that this person is out of town for the holidays, without access to her e-mail.

Thanks, Mickey. I emailed ya back! *wink*

I have always enjoyed the swaps. This last one I never got. She said she sent it first to a wrong address and then it got lost in the mail. That is very unlikely. I have watched for her to post but she doesn't. I did have one two years ago that had gone on a vacation but she did finally send one. That is the reason a lot of KTers don't want newbies. This said I would like to have another swap.

Awww Velleen, so you are talking about the last fall swap? You didn't get anything? I am sorry things didn't go as planned. Like I said before the swaps are so darn much fun! Wish you got something!!

I agree with Kioni in that there may have been a tragedy or other large event in this person's life that has prevented her from replying or sending the swap items - her computer may have crashed too -
years ago I hosted a snowman swap and I had snowmen from one end of my house to the other. Each person sent 12 and I repacked them and sent one of each kind out to all members of the swap - what a task, LOL.
Right in the middle of that my Father got very ill and passed away - it was at least a month before I could get the last of those snowmen out in the mail. Most recipients were understanding, I had a couple who were quite rude about the lateness, but it was truly beyond my control so I took their rudeness with a grain of salt and a "c'est le vie" attitude.
After that swap I haven't taken part in any, next year I'd like to be involved again.
Suzan J

I agree that life happens and sometimes peeps cannot follow through with the best of intentions.

BUT! Unless the person herself was injured or worse there is no good reason not to let someone know they won't be participating.

Computer crash? Go to the library, a friend's or a cafe and post the update on the KT.

Lost the addy? Post the problem here.

Even if some horrific event happened to my family I would still let someone know I wouldn't be participating. It's just plain good manners.

You have her real name and snail mail address. Why not find her telephone # and make a call? Someone will answer the phone, and you should be able to learn if there were a problem.

Sue

I just want to add, that sometimes, during periods of family tragedy, or high emotion, we simply forget totally, these little everyday things. My mother died Thanksgiving night. Usually, because he's a collector for the utility company, my DH just pays my dd's electric bill a day or two after the meter is read. Well, he got all indignant in Dec, because the 'payment he'd made' in Nov. hadn't been credited. I worked out the times with him, and we realized that he simply hadn't paid it--what with mom dying, and taking a week off from work and all. He was so sure he had--but he couldn't have because he wasn't there at the right time. But the real reason I mentioned this is that it never even occurred to him at the time TO pay the bill. His mind was really elsewhere.

Having something like that (a death, severe illness or accident) can be very disorienting. I still think it's possible that this person could have larger issues on her mind, than trading cards or ornaments--whatever this was about--with strangers.

Let's cut her some slack, until someone is able to find out exactly what happened here.

Just a thought here.......since I don't know the location of your swap partner, but a friend from another board is just now back online after not having any electricity for 23 days. She is from the Tulsa area. They were hit so hard in that big snow/ice storm and thousands were with out power for a really really long time. That ment no internet also.

Put my name under wildchilds. I can see a week,,,MAYBE a couple weeks but after that there should be some communication that the partner isn't going through with the swap. A few minutes out of her day to respond to an email would save hard feelings. I do believe we did talk that once a swap was over any participant who failed to send their swap,didn't get to do it again.

I've had at least two times where I didn't get a swap gift,,,this happened within a couple years,,here at the kt. I am now hesitant to even sign up for them anymore because my swap partners wouldn't email me. I've had great swap partners also. Many years ago,, I had one that sent me the most unusual items you ever saw! (some of it was her deceased husbands stuff) In a way it was kind of amusing. I wasn't usable but still humorous! LOL, and after seeing a few of our queen bees needle other posters that we shouldn't complain about a lack of a gift, I'm glad I didn't complain! yikes!