Still haven't checked my email but will be checking in the next day or so. I'll reply to all emails then but since I will probably have hundreds (lol!) it may take some time to get through them all. Please be patient with me just alittle longer. I'll be sending emails to the Secret Pals who haven't sent anything. If anyone wants to sign up as a second SP (& you haven't already sent me an email) let me know. I may start a new thread with this same information but as of January 31st, here's my list of not received/received: Not Received for January 2005: Judgemarykali Kathy547 Suzydaze (didn't post rec'd/Dec) Diene (second month/nothing) Eliz33 Norma_az (didn't post rec'd/Dec) lbmoore SandysGardens CompostChick Abitodd (second month/nothing) WindsurfGirl(2nd month/nothing) KnoxvilleGirl(2nd month/nothing) Tropicalfreak Cassiet (2nd month/nothing/SP says sent, maybe wrong address?) Received for January 2005: Soaprah Ggwrn Theresan Kimskreations Everafter Sunshine123 BecksterCA Nitenut Gulliblevolunter Veeja11 Booster1 Darlene 87 GardenHits DaWiff PlantladyJan Gardnwatch Rudybacon MudPlayingFamilysMom Leann2800 If I have missed someone, or gotten you in the wrong list, please let me know!

Hi, y'all-- Received a package from my Secret Pal!!! I have the best pal EVER!! In the box were: A cute little yellow and pink hand-painted planter bucket...the colors perfectly compliment the purple shamrock I put in it. A bag of easter colored Hershey's miniatures (I should REALLY seek help for my chocolate addiction!!!). A card of Easter stickers (which my 8 year-old DGD promptly made off with!--oh, well *grin*). A package of white plastic plant markers (SO much better than the popsicle sticks I usually use). A packet of dark lavender Dianthus seeds (going in dirt this afternoon, tee-hee). A tin of Nivea hand cream (which will TOTALLY get used up...in addition to constantly digging in the dirt *g*, I also raise poultry, which means I wash my hands A LOT and all that washing often leaves my hands so dry that they crack...thanks for the relief, dear pal). Some decorative seed packets and home-canning jar labels (so pretty I hate to use them!). I'm not sure what the next item is, but it looks like a decorative Mason jar ring. It has a foam pad that goes underneath the ring. One side of the pad is adhesive, so I suppose you would stick a pretty picture to the pad and then use the whole assembly to store dry goods? If I'm right, I've never seen one before and it's really cool. Finally, my pal included a personalized Easter card. I also received a personalized St. Patrick's Day card with the prettiest decorative cut-out edging on the inside. I really wish I knew how to do that (hint-hint). SP, your parcels are always filled with very thoughtful things. You're the greatest! Thanks again! Best to all, Cheryl

Luvstogarden--your info should be arriving any time now as it was mailed out with the others. I don't know about the return addr. thing. I did it with my box before and PO lady said "Any reason why this is the same addr?" I told her it was a secret swap thing. And she just said OK. But, due to terrorism, like Dusty said you might end up having the PO go through your stuff. As of right now I have 2 trades that were supposed to be sent to me that are MIA. One time I had a bubble envie returned in a plastic bag - it was ripped up. Guess it went through the shredder! I have sent things without writing my name and only putting my addr. That's an idea as well.

My secret pal sent a lovely surprise box again. A nice card with a short note. A very cute cat planter holder that wiggles, or I don't know what to call it, it is not a cat pot holder. It is a wire cat that wiggles that holds a 6 inch clay flower pot, included. I will have fun filling that pot! There is personalized stationery to use with my old people I write to. Gotta be careful there, I am in that bracket! A cute book on cats, questions and answers about cats. A real nice pair of garden gloves, which will come in handy. Mine have holes in the thumbs. Why do we just hang onto the old and not replace them? Then a super nice can of nice smelling garden soaps. No plants, which was super fine, we went to Ore. & I stopped at a few nurseries, and got plants for 50% off, and for over a week, have been working on getting them into the flower beds. I am taking pictures to send her eventually. I enjoy my secret pal, and it gives us a break in our routine. Now I have another great cat book to read! Thank you so much for all you send. P.S. we have sort of adopted a stray cat a mo. ago, and sure makes me long for a new one again. This one is outside, and always in fights, a unneutered male. Last week, he got part of his ear removed and his face all gouged up, fighting with a racoon. Have a good month secret pal!