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*Farmgirl Swap:  RAOK Question  |
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melanie47601
True Blue Farmgirl
1949 Posts
Melanie
Boonville
IN
USA
1949 Posts |
 Posted - Jul 01 2010 : 3:57:33 PM
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For all you ladies who are signed up for the RAOK List or to those of you who are interested in signing up-- Is the RAOK list working for you?
Last count I made I came up with 80 something farmgirls on the RAOK. That is an AWESOME number! But is it too many? Would you rather see the list broken up into smaller groups? Or would you rather have the whole list and I draw 4 or 5 "honorary farmgirls" for each month? Or would you rather leave it the way it is?
Some concerns and questions have come to light and I would like to make this an enjoyable experience for all of us.
Hugs~ Melanie
Be the kind of woman that when your feet hit the floor each morning the devil says "Oh Crap, She's up!"
Blog~ http://wheelsarealwaysturning.blogspot.com/
Swap Blog~ http://mels-swapshop.blogspot.com/ |
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maggie14
True Blue Farmgirl
6784 Posts
Hannah
Washington
USA
6784 Posts |
Posted - Jul 01 2010 : 4:37:31 PM
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Hi Melanie!!! I love the RAOK and will go anyway you would like to do it. It would be so cool to do 5 "Honorary farmgirls" each month but it does not matter to me. Thank you so much for asking! Your a sweetie.
Hugs,
Channah
Farmgirl sister #1219
Just a small town country girl trying to live her dreams. :) |
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knittinchick
True Blue Farmgirl
1854 Posts
Megan
Wisconsin
1854 Posts |
Posted - Jul 01 2010 : 4:44:51 PM
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I'm with Channah. Whatever way you want to work it is fine!
God's Blessings,
Megan aka Loretta Rae
At heart, I am both a sassy city girl and a down-home country gal. |
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LakeOntarioFarmgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
933 Posts
Brenda
North Rose
NY
USA
933 Posts |
Posted - Jul 01 2010 : 4:51:14 PM
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I would actually prefer the smaller group....but whatever you decide is fine Melanie! :)
Brenda
FarmGirl # 711
"If you have made mistakes, there is always another chance for you. You may have a fresh start any moment you choose, for this thing we call 'failure' is not the falling down, but the staying down. "~ Mary Pickford
http://theviewfromhere-brenda.blogspot.com/ |
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JojoNH
True Blue Farmgirl
1984 Posts
Joanna
Dunbarton
New Hampshire
USA
1984 Posts |
Posted - Jul 01 2010 : 5:50:19 PM
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Well, since your asking, I like the full list. Since the RAOK was started to do just that( random acts of kindness), it does not mean we need to send something to everyone all the time. I love going through the list and sending my RAOK to an unsuspecting Farmgirl Sister, sometimes it's a pick me up, sometimes it's a simple project that they enjoy, other times it's a letter to let them know I am thinking of them. To shorten the list would mean I could not reach out to others as I am able to now.
Thank you for all you hard work in keeping us all connected Melanie, I so appreciate all that you do!! 
Joanna #566
JojoNH
http://www.etsy.com/shop/CountryCents
http://CountryCents.Blogspot.com
http://Twitter.com/Eastwooddesigns |
Edited by - JojoNH on Jul 01 2010 5:51:38 PM |
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marjean
True Blue Farmgirl
3857 Posts
Marsha
Deltona
FL
USA
3857 Posts |
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Ga Girl
True Blue Farmgirl
2355 Posts
Karen
Meansville
Ga.
USA
2355 Posts |
Posted - Jul 01 2010 : 6:08:22 PM
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I like the long list too although I know some may not be getting something every month because it is so long. I myself have been doing the roak a couple months now and have received 2 roaks. I normally try and send two or three out each month, but if we did 4-5 honorary farmgirls would we be subject to send to all 5? Or just which ever ones we choose?
Create in me a pure heart,O God and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Psalms 51:10
Farmgirl sister #1156
www.KKJD1.etsy.com
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Sitnalta
True Blue Farmgirl
4208 Posts
Jessica
NJ
USA
4208 Posts |
Posted - Jul 01 2010 : 7:24:17 PM
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well, unfortunately, I cant say that I am having an easy time with the long list. It is a bit overwhelming for me, but I was thinking maybe breaking it down by month or something like that. Its just a thought. I am totally for however you want to do it Melanie. You are doing a beautiful job and we couldn't ask for a better RAOK list mama!
hugs
Jessie
"Wonder Woman hasn't got a cape, she just turned her apron around"
Farmgirl Sister #235 |
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farmmilkmama
True Blue Farmgirl
2027 Posts
Amy
Central MN
USA
2027 Posts |
Posted - Jul 01 2010 : 8:00:06 PM
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I can see it both ways. I too was a bit overwhelmed when the list kept growing. I understand that its a Random Act of Kindness and that we can send to whomever we want whenever we want, but its like walking into a room of 15 people and saying "I can choose someone from here whose day I want to brighten" or walking into a room of 100 people and saying the same thing. Its perspective, and probably depends a lot on "where you are" right now. Some people might look at that room of 100 and say "great, more people to choose from!" and other might say " Oh my gosh, a hundred people? How in the world do I figure out whose day to brighten?"
I don't know that we should necessarily cut the list into groups, because I think that people who want to have access to the full list should have that. I was stressed out at one point because I wanted to get to know everyone and that just isn't possible. I guess I've just started thinking of it more as a MJF address book that I can look someone up if I feel they need something (by something I've read in the forums or something), and less of an RAOK list. That way I don't attach any self-imposed "really shoulds" or "have tos" to it. :)
--* FarmMilkMama *--
Farmgirl Sister #1086
Be yourself.
Everyone else is already taken.
-Oscar Wilde
www.wakeupstartlearning.blogspot.com
www.farmfoodmama.blogspot.com |
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melanie47601
True Blue Farmgirl
1949 Posts
Melanie
Boonville
IN
USA
1949 Posts |
Posted - Jul 01 2010 : 8:12:55 PM
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Thanks for your input so far everyone and I'm looking forward to having the other ladies chime in on this subject too. I know the July list is due, but I'd like to get this sorted before sending the new list. I hope that's ok with everyone. :)
As far as the "Honorary farmgirls"... that would work similar to the Farmgirl of the Month. You are not obligated to send to those that are chosen, but I was thinking it may be a way to make sure all of the ladies on the list are RAOK'd in some form. It may help the gals like me who have forgotten who they have already sent to. (I was doing good at keeping track, but I've lost my list.)
Also I agree with everyone on here. At times the list seems overwhelming to me too, but then I like having the whole list to just close my eyes and pick a farmgirl to surprise or I'll let the kids do the picking for me.
I'd like to have some more feedback come in before I make any decisions and if any of you ever have a suggestion or question or anything, feel free to email me or post on here.
Hugs~ Melanie
Be the kind of woman that when your feet hit the floor each morning the devil says "Oh Crap, She's up!"
Blog~ http://wheelsarealwaysturning.blogspot.com/
Swap Blog~ http://mels-swapshop.blogspot.com/ |
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melanie47601
True Blue Farmgirl
1949 Posts
Melanie
Boonville
IN
USA
1949 Posts |
Posted - Jul 01 2010 : 8:16:48 PM
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I like the way you put that, Amy-- "I guess I've just started thinking of it more as a MJF address book that I can look someone up if I feel they need something (by something I've read in the forums or something), and less of an RAOK list. That way I don't attach any self-imposed "really shoulds" or "have tos" to it. :)" The list is truly supposed to be random and unrestricted.
Melanie
Be the kind of woman that when your feet hit the floor each morning the devil says "Oh Crap, She's up!"
Blog~ http://wheelsarealwaysturning.blogspot.com/
Swap Blog~ http://mels-swapshop.blogspot.com/ |
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farmmilkmama
True Blue Farmgirl
2027 Posts
Amy
Central MN
USA
2027 Posts |
Posted - Jul 02 2010 : 06:49:48 AM
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The only possible issue I can see with having an honorary farmgirl is what if they get flooded with stuff? If the list is at 80 people right now, and there are four or five people chosen as the honorary farmgirl, and the majority of the list thinks "Hey, yeah! I should send them something!" that's going to be a lot of mail coming to those mailboxes! Its one thing if its a card, but what if 40 of them are a little something else? I guess you'd have to know how people would respond to that - some might think it was awesome (like a birthday!) and others might think that was overwhelming. (For instance if they have issues with space in their house).
I know we don't want any farmgirl to be left out of the ROAK, but I don't know any way to fix that without imposing "rules" that might go against the point of it being random. I'm hoping that no one would join the list assuming they are going to GET a certain number of things. Its random! :)
Once again, for me, its like an address book. And alot has to do with what's going on here. One month I might send out a ton of stuff. Another month I never even open my "address book". Sing it with me, now...random acts of kindness. RANDOM acts of kindness.....
--* FarmMilkMama *--
Farmgirl Sister #1086
Be yourself.
Everyone else is already taken.
-Oscar Wilde
www.wakeupstartlearning.blogspot.com
www.farmfoodmama.blogspot.com |
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janiee
True Blue Farmgirl
820 Posts
Janie
Shawnee
Oklahoma
USA
820 Posts |
Posted - Jul 02 2010 : 10:38:33 AM
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I like the long list. I agree that I can send to whomever i chose and as many as I chose. But I will go with whatever you decide!
janiee
farmgirl #390 |
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urban chickie
True Blue Farmgirl
734 Posts
Catherine
Niles
IL
USA
734 Posts |
Posted - Jul 03 2010 : 09:45:00 AM
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Just saw this thread....I think the long list is appropriate. By definition, the RAOK is random, it is not supposed to put pressure on folk. Reciprocity and deadlines are more suitable for regular swaps and barters. I have been patiently building up a group of packages to send, I personally decided I rather do fewer packages that were more substantial over lots of smaller ones, but that is just me. Breaking it up into smaller groups sort of puts pressure to give to everyone, doesn't it? That's not the idea behind a ROAK, nor is it for everyone to get something every month, etc., as sweet of an idea as that is. I think that sort of thing is being done in some of the MJ swaps, more of a friendship circle. I can definitely see folks getting into that, but it's not a ROAK group. Just my 2 cents LOL.
Catherine
Farmgirl #1370
City Girl By Birth,
Suburbanite By Location,
Farmgirl at Heart
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levisgrammy
True Blue Farmgirl
9439 Posts
Denise
Beavercreek
Ohio
USA
9439 Posts |
Posted - Jul 03 2010 : 5:27:40 PM
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I like the long list but makes it difficult to keep track. I try to print the last pages with the new girls for that month and add it to what I've already printed. It is random and I agree with farmmilkmama on that.
farmgirl sister#43
"All you need is faith, trust and......a little bit of pixie dust" ~Peter Pan |
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Sheep Mom 2
True Blue Farmgirl
1534 Posts
Sheri
Elk
WA
USA
1534 Posts |
Posted - Jul 04 2010 : 11:33:21 AM
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I like the idea of the long list too. If it starts being broken up, then it defeats the "random" idea all together.
Blessings, Sheri
"Work is Love made visible" -Kahlil Gibran |
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Calicogirl
True Blue Farmgirl
5216 Posts
Sharon
Bruce Crossing
Michigan
USA
5216 Posts |
Posted - Jul 04 2010 : 12:59:17 PM
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It does appear a bit overwhelming but I think the long list works fine. Whatever is easier for you Melanie and thank you for hosting this :)
~Sharon
By His Grace, For His Glory
http://merryheartjournal.blogspot.com/ |
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antoinette
True Blue Farmgirl
826 Posts
Toni
East Freedom
PA
USA
826 Posts |
Posted - Jul 04 2010 : 7:09:27 PM
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I also like the long list, I like going through it and seeing what each girl likes and
trying to put something together for them. |
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JojoNH
True Blue Farmgirl
1984 Posts
Joanna
Dunbarton
New Hampshire
USA
1984 Posts |
Posted - Jul 05 2010 : 05:56:02 AM
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One thought I had, which I have shared with the "list Mama"  maybe the list should be sent once every 4-6 months. This way anyone who wishes to join would be included on the next sending, it won't be so overwhelming to the list keeper or us for that matter. Originally, I believe, the list was sent once a year. . simply updated with new girls, address changes, etc.
I agree with Amy, it is a MJF address book, complete with someones likes and dislikes etc. This is a great tool for sending out a RAOK, a chance to find other farmgirls who enjoy the same things that I do etc.
For me, keep the long list coming!
Joanna #566
"Keeping Traditions Alive A Stitch At A Time"
JojoNH
http://www.etsy.com/shop/CountryCents
http://CountryCents.Blogspot.com
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laurentany
True Blue Farmgirl
3259 Posts
Laurie
Patchogue
NY
USA
3259 Posts |
Posted - Jul 05 2010 : 08:03:44 AM
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I am in favor of keeping the list long- I like the idea, as many other sisters have said, that we have a MJF Mailing list of sorts..
I would say whatever is easier on you Melanie since it is you who is kind enough to organize this for all of us!
Smiles,
Laurie
Farmgirl Sister#1403
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.. |
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Nettie
True Blue Farmgirl
173 Posts
Nettie
Bedford
PA
USA
173 Posts |
Posted - Jul 05 2010 : 6:34:05 PM
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I like the long list. I just go through the list and send if I have something they like. I have a boxful of goodies that needs to go out to several of the girls.
Live the list as is is my thoughts.
Nettie |
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sewsweet
True Blue Farmgirl
172 Posts
Carol
Canada
172 Posts |
Posted - Jul 05 2010 : 10:02:44 PM
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I like the long list, too. I think if we did the honorary farmgirl plan, it would result in the farmgirls for the month being inundated with mail. It's a pleasant problem to have, but for me, I'd prefer things spread out a bit more. Of course, I will go along with whatever the majority likes to do, and whatever turns out easiest for you.
Carol
Farmgirl Sister #1191 |
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staci860
True Blue Farmgirl
838 Posts
Staci
Newville
PA
USA
838 Posts |
Posted - Jul 06 2010 : 08:02:25 AM
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I like the long list, too. I'm learning to relax and enjoy this - it is not a competition or mandatory thing - which is what makes it fun. Just my random opinion.
Blessings, staci FG# 973
:o )
Joshua 24:15 - ...choose this day whom you will serve,...as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.
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Edited by - staci860 on Jul 06 2010 08:03:03 AM |
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Calicobear
True Blue Farmgirl
68 Posts
Lori
Mansfield
Ohio
USA
68 Posts |
Posted - Jul 10 2010 : 09:04:27 AM
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OH!!! This is AWESOME!!! I'm a brand new sister....havin' so much fun rambling thru the site & forums!! I want to join RAOK too!! Reading thru the notes & ideas here....even tho I haven't done any yet...I think the long list is GREAT too! LOTS of choices for surpising others...with special hugs in the mail.........and like it's been stated....no pressure to give. LOVE this idea!! Woo Hoo!!
Will send you an email soon! Thanks so much for your hard work too!
Hugs!
Lori :)
Hugs & Smiles!! |
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JojoNH
True Blue Farmgirl
1984 Posts
Joanna
Dunbarton
New Hampshire
USA
1984 Posts |
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CindyLous
True Blue Farmgirl
81 Posts
Cindy
Keizer
OR
USA
81 Posts |
Posted - Jul 10 2010 : 9:30:41 PM
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| I'm new to this and I really want to be a part of the group. Can I still sign up for this? |
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*Farmgirl Swap: RAOK Question |
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RAOK Question
