Mine shipped today - sorry for the delay -

DC #9405 5036 9930 0474 7667 77

My seeds went out earlier this week, either Tuesday or Thursday. I know it wasn't Wednesday because everything was shut down for a wonderful snow storm. But, I just can't remember if I got them in the mail before or after the storm! Anyway, they ARE in the mail and should get to you soon!

Deanna

Today I have seeds from highalttransplant, patrob, ggwrn and yotetrapper. Yotetrapper's package was open so I just dumped it out on the desk and everything seems to be intact, including the postage she sent, so all is well.

I will be sorting in bed tonight while I watch Desperate Housewives.
Alana

My increasingly puzzled looking mailman delivered these today:
esioul
austinnhanasmom
silver_cat
lisam527_ohio_z6
mao_tse_mom
jas_il
columbine21
deanna_in_nh

I wonder why my package was opened????????

I don't know yote. It was slit open very neatly and left open.

No packages yesterday or today. We have heard from kilngod, squanzon and molly_and_me and know theirs is on the way.

I'm waiting on angelady and barefootgardener.

I hope to get the first few packs out early next week if I have them all by the weekend. I was laboring under the unreasonable expectation that because you guys had done such a great job of labeling and packaging that I would not have to touch many of the individual packets. Boy was I wrong!! For many reasons that is simply not the case.

Happy evening,
Alana

Hi all!

So sorry to hear that Alana! Is there something we could have done differently in packing to make it easier? (Just thinking ahead for the next time)

vina

I'd be curious to know too what we can do to make it easier on Alana & other future hosts/hostess's........
Jodie

I thought the instructions were very clear and the packing methods given should have worked out excellently. :( Dang humans...

With the way the day is going so far I just want to clarify that that was NOT directed at Alana in any way, and shouldn't have posted in a bad temper. :( :(

hello
alana just wants to be sure that everyone gets back the same number they sent, some people might send in lots and not that many sent in for them. or if 10 people send someone the same seed she devids them out.
one time when I did a wish list swap I sent everyone just the seeds sent in for them, everyone know that they may not get back what they sent in, but there was accualy no one that got too much less than they sent, but there was no quarentees on the seeds you got back.

Alana is there going to be a left over list we can pick seeds from? thanks so much for all the work I'm hoping in a few months I will have things settled enough to host a swap again.

happy gardening everyone
michelle

I agree with Michelle. I don't think it's an issue of people not packaging seeds properly. It's more of an issue of trying to give people the same amount that they sent in. Even if by some miracle, exactly the same number of packets were sent in for that person, as what they contributed, they might end up with 20 packets of marigolds, or 30 packet of garlic chives. Then, Alana would put some of those in the duplicates pile, and try to find other items on their wishlist, that were duplicates sent in for someone else. Hope this makes sense : )

Or, say someone sent in 150 packets, and only 50 were sent in earmarked for them. Then Alana has to find 100 packets from all the duplicates sent in, that are close to the items on that person's wishlist, to make up the deficit.

Hosting a swap of this type can be very complicated, and Alana, as a person that's hosted quite a few swaps myself, I appreciate all of your hard work! You rock!!!

Bonnie

I am always amazed when someone says they will host this swap,I have never done it, but just the thought of all that you have to do, seems over whelming to me.I wouldn't even know where to begin.
Sorry Alana, you are having a hard time,I am in no hurry for my seed,so take your time,and thank you once again.
cAROL

Yes, I have always been amazed at the hostesses, as well. Just counting packets would be one thing, but avoiding duplicates makes it a big BIG job. I am also in no hurry. I have load of seeds I still haven't WS, so no hurry for my packet. Do other people first!

We certainly do appreciate you, Alana!

I was not complaining, just making the observation that this is quite a bit more complicated than the straight seed swaps I have hosted. You guys have done a fine job of packaging and labeling but even though all but a few of you have indicated you would not mind duplicates, I don't think anyone want 16 packs of dill or 12 packs of garlic chives. At least I am assuming that to be the case. And yes there is often a big disparity in how many a person sends in and how many are sent in for them, but Patty was right-it works out.
We are still waiting on a few packages but I have done all of the preliminary sorting and am working on getting the numbers close to right while I wait to fill in with what is still out there.

Today I got packages from molly_and_me and barefootgardener12.

Have a good weekend!
Alana

Hi, Alana, Thank you so much for hosting this swap. I cannot imagine the work involved. If you can list a few suggestions of things that we can do to help the hostess in the future please post them for us.

I did not include a note that duplicates are OK but I did post that comment here a few weeks ago. Even though this is a want list swap I do not mind getting things that are not on my list. I have found that things I would never consider planting are very desirable to other gardeners.

I have found something better than receiving seeds and that is giving seeds, especially ones that people really want. I love this kind of swap and do not worry about what I will get back.

I am not in a hurry to receive my seeds. Please take your time.

Thanks again for hosting.

Margaret

I can ONLY imagine the sort of work involved in hosting! Me being a newbie was really just asking so I can be sure I am doing MY end of things right to make it EASIER on the hostess!!

Alana-my motto is "You get what you get & you DON'T get upset!!" This is from one of my preschoolers NickJr cartoons! LOL

THANK YOU FOR HOSTING!!!
Jodie

Alana,

I sent in 250 packets of seeds and know I will only get credit for 150. Please if all you have to send to make up my 150 is hollyhock,veggies or herbs....pass them on to someone else. I wont use them and would rather have them sent to someone who will! Hopefully, this wont come off as nasty! I just won't use them and it would be a waste...

I would be happy to get 50 packs back. I have enough seeds to keep me busy for the next few years.Oh, and I don't mind doubles of things from my list.

I hope this helps!

Lisa

Ditto what Lisa said.
Thanks, Alana.

I'll be happy to take doubles, triples, and all the extra Gaillardia and Calendula that'll fit in the box! Seed stash empty... must... winter... sow... LOL

Jodie, at my kids' school it was "You get what you get, and you don't throw a fit!" Love that, and use it all the time, LOL!

Love it, Bonnie! I am going to use that myself!

It really ain't so bad as it sounds. I have been obsessing about not being able to give everyone everything they want and I have had to get over it, lol.
I am beginning to see light at the end of the tunnel and I am pretty sure it's not a train. I think it is the window that was blocked by seed packages re-emerging as I move them along my makeshift assembly line. I actually have about half of them ready. All I will have to do is remove any of my fill in selections and replace them with the ones that have yet to arrive if they are different ones from the lists.

Keeping in mind that you may get your own seeds back if you don't have your name on them, there are some definite left overs that can be claimed. They won't count toward your number of packets. If you had these on your list you probably have them in your packet already, but in a few cases that may not be true. For instance, if you sent in 30 packs and others sent 75 packs for you I will have picked the ones that most exactly fit your list or that I think are less common. The most common selections may not have made the cut.
Please post your requests here.

There are at least 5 extra of each of these to be claimed.
Rudbeckia hirta
Larkspur, blue
Dill
Dianthus Siberian Blues
Lobelia cardinalis
Cypress Vine, Red

There are also 2 packs of Bottle Gentian for the first two posters.

I will post more as I work through the packages.

Today, angelady's seeds arrived. I think I am just waiting for ibartoo and kilngod, but I will have to double check that later.

Today is my best friends birthday and we are going out.

Have a good evening,
Alana

Hi Alana!
So glad to hear that you can see a light...any light is good at this point.

I would love to try the bottle gentian seeds.

Thank you so much for all your hard work! And wish your BFF a happy birthday :)

Have a great night!
vina

I would like to try the Dianthus... Thanks Alana! :)

I would also like some dianthus. Thanks, Alana, for all your hard work! I have noted that I would prefer no doubles, but I want you to know there is wiggle room:)
Don't work too hard!

Rebekah

I'll take a pack of Bottle Gentian if there is still any available. Thanks!

I would love some dianthus too!!

Thanks Alana!
Jodie

I would like to try:

Rudbeckia hirta
Larkspur
Dianthus

Thanks, Margaret

hello
I will take extra rudbekia, dill, and larkspure if there is any left
thanks
michelle

Looks like there may be one more packet of the dianthus left. I would like it if it is still free.

Thanks for all your work.

I would like these if still available.

Rudbekia hirta
Dianthus Siberian Blues
Lobelia cardinalis

Thanks
Jasmine

Noted. I can accomodate those requests.
There are at least 3-4 each of these extras if anyone wants them:
Mixed or noid Morning Glories
White Sweet Alyssum
Mixed or noid Zinnia
Lablab purpureus, Purple Hyacinth Bean
Mixed or noid Ricinus communis, Castor Bean

Happy Monday,
Alana

Morning everyone!
Alana, I would love to try the Hyacinth Bean Vine.

Thanks so much and Happy Sorting! :)
vina

hello
zinnias please
thank you
michelle

Good morning everyone !

Hi Alana, if there are any left I would love some of the zinnias and castor bean seeds ! Hope everyone is keeping warm ... it was 9 this morning ... brrrr ... my son is visiting and my parents will be here next week ... I haven't seen them in 2 years, will be so nice to have them here with me .

Iris

Hi Alana,if there is any left,I would like some castor beans.Thanks,Velvet

Alana,

i would like some castor bean seeds if there are enough to go around!

Lisa

Alana,

I would like
White Sweet Alyssum
Castor Bean
noid Zinnia

Thanks
Jasmine

Done. I may post a few more in a day or two.
We are waiting on sgaunzon and ibartoo and kilngod.
squanzon and kilngod have confirmed.
Alana

Mine arrived to you today, yippee! And I'm sorry I was late. naughty naughty naughty.

I included some extras that seemed not-too-too-common, not-so-rare, but I-had-a-bunch and they should be decent interesting filler.

I also included a good filler list that you can use on me -- lots of the common stuff. Thought that would help! I pass those around to friends here in town and such. No need to hit the 150 on me. Whatever works, but I don't mind 40 random columbines, or 20 kinds of rudbeckias either.

:)

I got kilngod's seeds yesterday and yes, that filler list is very, very helpful. I will remember that in future swaps. A couple of other traders did that as well and it makes it so much easier when trying to fill in. As long as the list of preferred fill-ins is not too specific it really helps me select additional seeds.
sguanzon's seeds are en route. I am emailing ibartoo today to confirm hers are also on the way. I had hoped to mail out seeds this week but I think the late packages will be worth the wait.
I am away today and tomorrow but maybe that will allow the last two packages to arrive.
Things are shaping up pretty nicely.
Alana

Sue/sguanzon's seeds should be here this weekend. Linda/ibartoo sent hers on January 12 and they have still not arrived. Hopefully they will come this weekend. If not she can send more seeds.
I have 75% of the packages ready to mail out as soon as we get those 2 envelopes of seeds.
Alana

Updates:
Sue's seeds did not come as quickly as I anticipated. Surely they will be here today.
ibartoo/Linda has had an accident and will be unable to resend her seeds. I know we all wish her a speedy recovery and that she is back in the garden soon.
I am home today but have to be away tomorrow and Thursday. I will finish up the packaging as soon as I have Sue's seeds. If they come this afternoon I will work on it some tonight.
Barring the unforseen, I will get the first wave of returns out on Saturday and I will start a new thread for acknowledgements so that I can be sure everyone receives.

We have been in the 60's and 70's the last few days but are in for wind and storms tonight and tomorrow. It looks like a mega-snow event is impacting several of you. Be safe.
Alana

Thanks Alana for the update.

My prayers for a speedy recovery go out to ibartoo/Linda!!

Sending good thoughts and healing prayers to Ibartoo/Linda ;-) I will be having my surgery next Monday , I have to stay overnight , possibly 2 nights, please send some thoughts and prayers my way as well ;-) Getting my seeds in the mail next week will be real " seed therapy " for me and I know they will make me feel better ;-) Hope everyone is staying warm and safe thru this latest winter storm .

Iris

Prayers out to Linda and Iris.

Iris, I will be thinking of you on Monday. When you feel like it please let us know how you are doing.

sguanzon's seeds are here. I have to leave early tomorrow but if I have time I will drop some of the packages that don't require a visit to the PO in the drop box on my way out and post to the new thread later in the day.
When I get home Thursday evening I will get another batch ready to go for Saturday. I don't think I will have time for the PO on Friday, but if that changes I will post.
Have a good evening,
Alana

Alana - I got my seeds today and was so excited. There were so many things that weren't on my list, but that I really wanted. I wish I could thank each person individually for the great seeds they sent. Thank you so much for hosting this. You did a great job. However, my wintersown container count just went sky-high!!! Must get busy.

Bev

Alana,

Shame on me, I forgot to post I received received my seeds last Friday and I must say they are a very nice collection of seeds and I am very grateful to you and the wonderful gardeners who thought of me and contributed. Thanks everyone and you Alana for all you hard work.

Shirley

I got my seeds today. Thank you so much! I got a lot of stuff that I really wanted as well as some really cool things that I hadn't even thought of.