Hav4: hosting isn't as easy as some would think. Some of the players are beyond rule followers, and others just think you should be able to keep things straight in your head. As a full-time worker, and getting older every day, that isn't always as easy as we'd like to think :D (and you are doing great by the way. If you need to hound....hound!)

One thing that I think would be nice, is a note. My last secret pal asked for me to write her a letter to tell her about myself. What I like to do, what my family is like, etc. As I wrote the note, I thought...wow, it would be really great to do this for everyone! How nice it would be to actually feel as though we are getting to know our swapping partners.

Just a thought, since you asked :) Or....as I like to say....there's my $.02, and it is really only worth about half of that! LOL

Not sure I'll have the time this month, but I'll be lurking around for another chance :)

What a fantastic idea... it is nice to get to know one another. I know when I get a SP, I look at their profile and try to personalize their gift. Be awesome to actually get to know one another.

I work a beyond full time job. I work for the Department of Finance for the state of CA. I am a fiscal policy adviser to the Administration on CHP and energy policy. I work 40-60 hours a week. I chose how I want to spend my time very carefully. I try to stay positive, but when a commitment is not filled and another suffers, it really gets to me.

We will work together to make this a wonderful swap. I am loving getting to know each and every one of you.

I want to share how I pick my secret pal for me. I get all the names of those I have not had in the last 12 months and pick a name out of a hat. I thought that was the fairest way. Sometimes i read a sign-up sheet and think, I want this one. I never let myself hand pick. It is random for me, just like it is for the rest of you.

Have a fantastic day all.

Great idea Red!

Really cute & a big help I'm sure.
Sending info for swap

Can you tell me why when you want things done you always seem to ask the busiest person? I think that it's because you know that it will get done.
hav4 boys, you have gone above what you need to do and I thank you, (you know what I mean).
I hope that everyone keeps playing by the rules and continues to have fun. Red I think that you have a wonderful idea. This board is my second family and I would love to get to know all of you better. I look forward to getting a package every month no matter what it contains. GOD bless you all. BrendaK

Please count me in for October! Sending my info now.
hav4boys, your grandson is the cutest! And congrats on the upcoming addition. Grandkids are the best!
red, that is a fabulous idea! I have been writing notes to my SPs, but I usually forget to put them in the package. ;) I blame my advanced age - I just turned 65. :D

Happy you are enjoying your grands. I will join this month and will send info today.

Ladies, I am in again for another month but am needing some suggestions from you all. So here ya go:
I am primary caregiver to our 20 YO daughter with multiple special health needs. (As I write this I am sitting in a hotel room for her 4th knee surgery in 6 weeks. Due to infections and other complications) Anyway, we are moving in Nov to another home. One in which I will be blessed to have my own quilting area. This is where YOU all come into play. Since I will have a room dedicated as my .....quilt room / play room/ studio....I am at a loss as too what I will call "it." I would like too incorporate 2 of my favorite things if possible Our GRANDson calls me YaiYai so I was thinking something like; YaiYai's play room. Or Yaiyai's Studio....Not for sure what I'd like it to be called. I am open to all suggestions / thoughts/ ideas. Next would be how too make the sign? Thanks ladies. You all are GREAT! :)

Secret Pal names are out. Hoping for an easier month than last. We still have two gifts being waited on. Thank you for everyone who offered to be angels. It is greatly appreciated.

Please let me know ASAP if there is any issues with the names. I felt like I was underwater this month on pairing up and getting them sent out.

Have fun and remember: PLEASE mail by the due date. Oct 10 for international and October 17 for stateside.

Demographics for the town my secret pal lives in:
[h=2]People[/h]
[TABLE="class: tableNewDesign, width: 748"]
<tbody>[TR]
[TD]Total Population[/TD]
[TD="class: popuation_values"]52,218[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Male Share of the Population[/TD]
[TD="class: popuation_values"]45.7%[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Female Share of the Population[/TD]
[TD="class: popuation_values"]54.3%[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Senior Citizens[/TD]
[TD="class: popuation_values"]15.1%[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Employed Population 16+[/TD]
[TD="class: popuation_values"]24,708[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Age of the Population[/TD]
[TD="class: popuation_values"]37[/TD]
[/TR]
</tbody>[/TABLE]