| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| LakeOntarioFarmgirl |
Posted - Oct 22 2009 : 6:01:20 PM
UPDATE: Decmeber 21. Everyone should have received an email from me with all your information for who you will be secret sister to!!! The first mail by date is January 20th. Don't put your return address on envelopes/packages!!! You can use the Mary Janes Farm address: MaryJanesFarm, PO Box 8691, Moscow, Idaho, 83843.
UPDATE!! December 10!
Only one day left to sign up! I am very impressed with all of you! I just need information from one more person, which means that I will hopefully be able to match everyone up tomorrow afternoon, and send you all your emails!! Thanks so much everyone for your prompt responses! We have a big group here, over 30 of us! This should be lots of fun!
NEW UPDATE!! NOVEMBER 30!!
We have a lot of interest in this! It should be very fun! I can't wait to match up all you secret santas, lol!! I still need info from a few of you! If it doesn't say info received after your name at the bottom, that means I haven't received it from you!  Please send it to me as soon as possible!!! If you have signed up and have since changed your mind, please just drop me a quick note, and I will take you off the list!
Only 12 more days left to sign up!!!!
UPDATE: November 17- Very important!!!!
If you have not sent me an email with all your info please do so! :) I am confirming each ladies sign up with a return email with the guidelines, and I have also marked you off before when I've received your profile and address. I do have some of your email addresses all ready in my contact list, but there are a few of you who I don't.
I will continue to post dated updates in this first post to make them easier to find!
UPDATE!!!!!!
We have lots of you girls interested in this. Please see names at the bottom of this post.
Sign ups will go until December 11 at 11:00 EST
When you sign up please send me an email with your name and address, plus the following:
Birthday, Anniversary, favorite color, favorite season, hobbies (sewing, quilting, crafts, garden, animals, reading, etc.), kitchen colors. Anything you strongly dislike- colors, flavors, scents, etc.
RULES AND GUIDE:
You can send as early each month as you wish, but MUST send by the 20th at the latest. If you cannot make this deadline, please let me know! Keep in mind if you want to send for something like Valentine's Day you will need to mail earlier, you could even send it with the month's before.
When you sign up I will email you the guidelines that I came up with (see sample below) for each month. Please do not feel you have to follow these, they are just ideas. ***** Note- except for the 2 months I have designated as months when you are doing something for someone else, these do have to be followed. BUT, you may also send something to your secret sister that month too. These 2 months will be May and November.
Maximum to spend each moth is $5.00 unless otherwise noted. It doesn't have to be exact. You will mail your package however you want to. (Priority, first class, parcel, etc.)
If you choose to send a book(s) some months, you may send media mail. The package can only contain books, nothing else, and must be marked on the outside "media mail" (post office rules). Media mail may take longer to arrive but is generally not too bad, and is the cheapest way to send books.
The last package- Christmas needs to be mailed by December 10th and will include your reveal! Minimum amount to spend for that month will be $10.00 plus shipping.
Handmade/homemade items are great! Seeing as we are all farm girls, this would be a wonderful thing to receive each month! Vintage, craft markets, even sometimes antique stores can be great ideas for little items that say I care! 
That's it for the rules!
I always loved the year round secret santa swaps that my mom took part in. Every month she would receive a card, letter and/or small package from her secret Santa. This started in January with it ending in December with a little extra special Christmas package. She did this for many years!
I had an idea for donating to an orphan, single mom, or someone just struggling for a couple of the months. I had an idea for every month.
For instance:
January-Winters chill is in the air, send your secret pal something that reminds you of the signs of winter- cocoa or coffee mixes, crocheted snowflakes, a snuggly scarf, warm slippers.
May- means Memorial Day. Make or purchase a little something to give to a veteran this month. Or, go and read a book, play a game with, or just talk to a veteran who is alone in a VA hospital. Then, send a card to your secret pal telling them what you did.
August- These are the hot, lazy days of summer. A favorite book(used is fine), hand made fan, embellished flip flops plus your favorite recipe for a cool summer supper.
These are just a few ideas.
Brenda- LakeOntarioFarmgirl
Jennifer- Autumn Leaves- info received
Toni- Antoinette- info received
Kelly- 4HMom- info received
Diana- Gramadinah-info received
Marcy- Marcelina Ann- info received
Sarah- chaddsgirl- info received
Victoria- EastTXFarmgirl-info received
Melanie- Mellaisbella- info received
Tammy- tea_lady_Tammy- info received
Glenda- glendagoldenbp- info received
Marlene- MBurns- info received
ceejay(CJ)- ceejay48- info received
Michele- Vintagediva1- info received
Sue- junebug- info received
Karen- lulubell- info received
Karen- KKprice- info received
Vickie- MollyMaude- info received
Laura- Purdy Farm Girl- info received
Jonnie- mtngirljon-info received
Sherry- Lynner- info received
Janie- janiee- info received
Cindy- Cindy Stambaugh- info received
Kimberly Ann- Cherry Pie-info received
Susan- Cindy Lou- info received
Wende- WENDE- info received
Lynn- Lynn Marie- info received
Joan- ijjie- info received
Patti- Patti Ann- info received
Rhonda- blessedspotfarm- info received
Lorie- Lorie Marler- info received
Cathie- Cathie Ross- info received
Becky- Becky Lynn-info received
Tina- cajungrammie-info received
Becca- beccaroo-info received
Gerri- weaverchic- info received
Nellie- sewlazie- info received
Bonnie- bbteacher- info received
Kathryn- Kayce- info received
Mikki- Mikki- info received
Anne Mary- annemary-info received
Gayle- Gigi58- info received
Brenda
FarmGirl # 711
http://theviewfromhere-brenda.blogspot.com/ |
| 25 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| LakeOntarioFarmgirl |
Posted - Dec 29 2009 : 08:44:26 AM
Well Tammy you do have until January 20th to mail!!!! However, I don't know anything about Nebraska snows, maybe you could be stuck until then??!!! lol!
With what I have been seeing out my windows the last couple of days and hearing what's coming, I know it will be at least a few days until I go anywhere!
I am glad you are excited...it makes me feel good to see everyone so excited! :)
Brenda
FarmGirl # 711
If you rest, you rust. Helen Hayes
http://theviewfromhere-brenda.blogspot.com/ |
| tea_lady_tammy |
Posted - Dec 29 2009 : 08:39:06 AM
I have my idea in the planning stages..getting to the post office could be a problem with all this snow..but I shall prevail...lol
I am excited about this.
blessings
Tammy
Tea is like being in the stars with God.
http://breathsoffaith.blogspot.com |
| LakeOntarioFarmgirl |
Posted - Dec 29 2009 : 07:30:27 AM
Ok, all you 2010 secret santas! I have started a new post for posting when you receive something!
You DO NOT have to post when you send something out, unless you want to, but if you are going to be late in any of the months, you must let me know before the 20th!!!!
I will try to keep the new post bumped up until we actually get really going.
Have fun everyone!! I am so excited to be planning what I am sending to my partner first.... now if it would just stop snowing and blowing so I can get to the store! :)
Brenda
FarmGirl # 711
If you rest, you rust. Helen Hayes
http://theviewfromhere-brenda.blogspot.com/ |
| LakeOntarioFarmgirl |
Posted - Dec 29 2009 : 05:40:20 AM
Happy Birthday Kayce!!!
Brenda
FarmGirl # 711
If you rest, you rust. Helen Hayes
http://theviewfromhere-brenda.blogspot.com/ |
| Kayce |
Posted - Dec 28 2009 : 3:10:20 PM
OH how wonderful it was to go to the mailbox and receive such a pretty birthday card from my Secret Santa Thank you!
Learning to appreciate having a glass..not half full or empty..just thankful for a glass :) |
| LynnMarie |
Posted - Dec 27 2009 : 11:17:41 AM
I received a lovely prim Christmas card from my Secret Santa. When I opened it up I found the cutest vintage Santa garland (I've never seen anything like it) and a lovely note. It made my day.
Bringing the Past Back to Life
www.freewebs.com/decampsettlement
"You may never know what results come from your action. But, if you do nothing, there will be no results" -Gandhi
"It's better to be hated for who you are, then be loved for who you are not." - Montgomery Gentry
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| mtngirljon |
Posted - Dec 27 2009 : 07:14:51 AM
Great job, Victoria! It's hard to cook for a lot when you're used to cooking for only a few. I can't get started on mine yet - sewing machine is still put away and I have to make two more aprons for January birthdays that were supposed to be for Christmas and I just got too far behind . . .
Happy day ya'll!
Jonnie
Farmgirl #648
"Turn your face to the sun, and the shadows will fall behind you" - Maori Proverb
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| EastTXFarmgirl |
Posted - Dec 26 2009 : 5:48:06 PM
Oh my I am so behind. I have only gotten as far as opening Brenda's email to tell me who I have. I have to get going. Christmas got a little out of hand this year. We went all out and had the family dinner at our home this year. For someone that is used to cooking just for 2, it darn near kicked my behind. It was a big success yeah!
Begin each morning with a song in your heart. |
| antoinette |
Posted - Dec 26 2009 : 3:42:57 PM
My secret santa is just great!! She sent me a wonderful tin of tea!! And I love
to drink tea and the one she sent is one of my favorite kind of spiced teas. It
is tasting just great with my cookies. THANK YOU Toni |
| tea_lady_tammy |
Posted - Dec 22 2009 : 7:20:37 PM
Wow! We have some wonderful santas already.
Merry Christmas to all the santas.
blessings
Tammy
Tea is like being in the stars with God.
http://breathsoffaith.blogspot.com |
| LakeOntarioFarmgirl |
Posted - Dec 22 2009 : 03:51:19 AM
Wow! I was going to wait until after the 1st of January to start a new thread for gifts received!!! Maybe I should start it now~
Brenda
FarmGirl # 711
If you rest, you rust. Helen Hayes
http://theviewfromhere-brenda.blogspot.com/ |
| 4HMom |
Posted - Dec 21 2009 : 10:04:04 PM
OMG! My Secret Santa sent me a journal to start the year off right! Thanks SO much for your thoughtfulness.
"Be the change you want to see in the world" -Gandhi |
| antoinette |
Posted - Dec 21 2009 : 7:19:41 PM
My year round secret santa is already GREAT!! She sent me a Christmas card!!
THANK you. Toni |
| Kayce |
Posted - Dec 16 2009 : 10:38:42 AM
Thanks Brenda for coordinating all this. This is going to be so much fun. Fun spoiling my sister and playing detective to find out who mine is  *rub hands together* hehe
Learning to appreciate having a glass..not half full or empty..just thankful for a glass :) |
| tea_lady_tammy |
Posted - Dec 15 2009 : 6:55:57 PM
oh that is good to know
about using Mary Jane's Address...I was wondering how we were to do that...
blessings
Tammy
Tea is like being in the stars with God.
http://breathsoffaith.blogspot.com |
| LakeOntarioFarmgirl |
Posted - Dec 15 2009 : 2:37:21 PM
If you girls think this is confusing, think of putting together 2 secret santa swaps! One for this month, 1 for all of next year!!! So, if I mess anything else, you'll know why..... hehehe!!!
So anyways, I did forget one thing! I forgot to tell you all- especially the new girls- that you can put Mary Janes Farm address for your return address. I don't have it handy right now, but will post it as soon as I find it!
Brenda
FarmGirl # 711
If you rest, you rust. Helen Hayes
http://theviewfromhere-brenda.blogspot.com/ |
| tea_lady_tammy |
Posted - Dec 15 2009 : 2:27:19 PM
thanks Brenda for doing this...I am on the same page now..hehehe
blessings
Tammy
Tea is like being in the stars with God.
http://breathsoffaith.blogspot.com |
| mtngirljon |
Posted - Dec 15 2009 : 2:25:07 PM
OK. thanks for the clarification.
Jonnie
Farmgirl #648
"Turn your face to the sun, and the shadows will fall behind you" - Maori Proverb
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| LakeOntarioFarmgirl |
Posted - Dec 15 2009 : 2:22:45 PM
Jonnie, if you post that you sent something, just say "I mailed out my package today", you don't have to say what you sent! :)
Brenda
FarmGirl # 711
If you rest, you rust. Helen Hayes
http://theviewfromhere-brenda.blogspot.com/ |
| mtngirljon |
Posted - Dec 15 2009 : 1:25:01 PM
OK, so maybe I'm confused. If you post what you sent, won't the person to whom you sent it know?
Jonnie
Farmgirl #648
"Turn your face to the sun, and the shadows will fall behind you" - Maori Proverb
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| LakeOntarioFarmgirl |
Posted - Dec 15 2009 : 1:12:25 PM
Ok, half the emails are sent! (Sorry i got a little side-tracked by 6 grandbabies visiting for a few hours!!)
Tammy- yes keep it a secret until Dec. 2010. I don't even know who has me right now, one of my daughters is helping me, and she sent out some of the emails!
Diana- yes, as soon as January 1 rolls around, I will start a separate post for sent and receive.
And, you don't have to feel you have to post whenever you send something, but it is nice for everyone to post when they receive something! :)
Off to send the rest out!
Brenda
FarmGirl # 711
If you rest, you rust. Helen Hayes
http://theviewfromhere-brenda.blogspot.com/ |
| gramadinah |
Posted - Dec 15 2009 : 12:57:13 PM
Jonnie not really you just say sent out not to whom.
Diana
Farmgirl Sister #273 |
| mtngirljon |
Posted - Dec 15 2009 : 12:26:45 PM
So, Diana, we could only post received, right? If we posted sent then the secret would be out?
Jonnie
Farmgirl #648
"Turn your face to the sun, and the shadows will fall behind you" - Maori Proverb
|
| tea_lady_tammy |
Posted - Dec 15 2009 : 12:02:32 PM
Brenda,
we are to be secret correct until December 2010? Just making sure I am on the same page as everyone else. Got my info and already thinking of what to send as my January gift.
blessings
Tammy
Tea is like being in the stars with God.
http://breathsoffaith.blogspot.com |
| gramadinah |
Posted - Dec 15 2009 : 07:48:06 AM
Brenda message recieved let the games begin. Thanks for all your hard work on this. Are you going to start a new thread for gifts sent and received? Again THANKS
Diana
Farmgirl Sister #273 |
