FREE: 3 point MCR code ((PLUS Secret CUPID swap chatter #3))

@Insomnia:
March WILL be super awesome!!! That's the spirit!!!! 8-)

@tannyb:
LMAO!!!!!! :)

@all my lovely swappers: THANK YOU for reading my novel ;) I wanted to get notes out this morning BUT I cannot b/c this took A LOT longer than planned and my doc appt is in 45 mins so I gotta hurry.

REVEAL OF MATCHES WILL COME TODAY OR TONIGHT TOO BTW!!
And then my final swap-message will go out as soon as possible.

Whew. That was a lot. I'm spent.
(((((((((hugs)))))))))))

I signed-up my sister & my brother for this Cupid Swap & sent-out both gifts (1 gift pkg. for each of them) & so I just sent you all my info for my 2 Cupid Swap gifts that I sent-out hun : ) & also included tracking del. conf. #'s for you as well hun : ) ... ~ Annette

We will all make March better;-)

Little Leprechauns will deliver gifts to everyone. Yes ladies, I am bored.

LOL:) Insomnia!!
Me too~ I'm still on bed rest & I'm crazy bored out of my mind!!! : P

@momma2three thankyou for the beautiful card you sent for summer rose it will go in her baby book

Hi ladies! Sorry I didn't come on here sooner to chatter with ya'll - its been as usual here for me :-/ After reading comments, I wanted to come in and answer as much as possible.

(SIDE NOTE: I had to convert over to notepad to finish typing b/c ya'll know me, I blab waaay too much. As such, I am going to go ahead and send a lot of information pertaining to questions, concerns, and MOST IMPORTANTLY - my ideas for fixing the kinks we still have in my swaps, mainly the flaking issue and some others too....PLEASE read that message when it comes! AND ALSO PLEASE RESPOND! I'm really hoping for some input/ideas - but please please wait til you get the message b/c there's a lot of info included. Thank you!!).

In the mean time, I'm gonna post some answers to comments here in just a moment........

@ Annette:

I think you are on to a very good idea, we just need to figure out the best way to fine-tune it. Some people are much more social than others, and some just do not like to post/chat (most don't flake and lots do super well, they just don't talk much, or at all).

BUT I *really* like the idea of a roll call in the beginning. I am going to put this in my notes. What do you think about a RULE , upon signing up, that states people will NOT be shopped for until they come onto the chatter page and make a post?? Or something along those lines.

Lastly, I keep a running list of names who are signed up, posted on the signup page. I can absolutely start adding the big name list to each future chatter page too, if that's what you were asking?

@ lasburgess:

I know these swaps mean a lot to you and I'm really sorry to hear you didn't get yours this time around. I had more flakers than I was expecting or prepared for in this swap (especially since it was pretty much mostly people who have swapped before).

Your message actually prompted me to brainstorm up some ideas to come up with a better method (this is the point I switched over to notepad lol) - b/c you and ladybugz are very very right (@ladybugz - although people don't know if they'll have a child or adult when signing up, if they see its a child and stick with their choice of flaking, in spite of that fact, I really do think its messed up).

*****THERE WILL BE INFORMATION ON FLAKING, PROPOSALS FOR HOW TO FIX THIS PROBLEM, AND A SPOT FOR ME TO TAKE SUGGESTIONS FROM ALL IN MY FINAL SWAP MESSAGE - which is actually going out TODAY to all. PLEASE PLEASE read this message, even tho it got kinda long (sorry but ya'll surely know its a vice of mine by now, right) and RESPOND ASAP*****

So, this WILL be addressed - but in the message I am sending out, instead of on here (waaaay too long for a comment!)

I am also truly sorry that there were other people who lost out this month too b/c of flaking. People signed up for both swaps and flaked on both, sadly (hence the higher-than-usual amount of unhappy folks this time around).

I have lots of ideas a-brewin'. I hope ya'll will still hang in there with us and continue on swapping b/c you know eventually we'll figure fixes for all kinks and then this will all be super-amazingly-awesome with no big problems, sad children, etc.

@ladybugz75:

The RED swap (and month-long swaps) have different methods in place for how we will handle anyone who flakes. For purposes of the 1-time swap, anyone who completely flakes - with no return communication or anything at all - would be banned from normal signup for the time being.

BUT I am in slight disagreement with you guys on their futures in swapping, though. PLEASE HEAR ME OUT.

If someone were to come back and humble themselves, being truly sorry and contacting who they flaked on, arranging a way to make up for messing up (and of course follow through with it all too)....would anyone else but me support allowing them back on PROBATIONARY terms?? For at least 1-2 swaps, they would need to PROOVE they've changed. THEN they'd be given their full swapping privledges back. Absolutely NOT the next month's swap - they'd be banned for certain for the following month (so Feb flakers MAY NOT REGISTER for any March swaps!!!). But after that is where I'm hoping we can be merciful towards anyone who does what I said above.

(another)BUT...IF they flake a second time, after going through that whole process, THEN I would agree to put them on a permanent-ban-list.

I really truly believe in second chances, and life happens to the best of us. I want 1-time-swapper people who flake to be allowed a second chance on the terms listed above.

I will NOT do this if everyone is completely opposed to it still, though. Let me know what you guys think!!

*** ok i m going to send emails right now to those who have been reported to have not sent anything. if you DID send something, email me back with the DC # and/or the date you sent it and the address you sent it to so we can make sure you sent it to the correct place. Thank you. ***

Awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

@ Tara~ So GOOD to see you hun!!! Hope all is well with ya, as we haven't seen you in like forever!! LMBO:)

@ Everyone~ I agree with Tara on giving a second chance. Crappy life stuff does happen, so I'm willing to give a second chance. But if after the second chance & they flake again~ I'm sorry but the third strike you're out. Seems fair enough. ....And my opinion is based on them coming back that second time & right-ing their boo-boo like Tara suggested & being on a probation period. : ) ... ~ Annette

I as well believe ins econd chances but as i said i do think flaking on a child is totaly diff then an adult we as adults already know life is pretty unfair children do not and should not have to find that out until they are older. if someone does not want to swap with a child they should say so from start of signups that they would rather not have a child. i have had a child last 2 swaps and a man for both swaps next swap i would rather have a woman as my match.

I'm with ladybug on this. Second chance OK. But on a child when you had time to let someone know and fix it that's a tough call. Esp. if they are old enough to understand and be looking for something and waiting for it. When mine were younger I'd have been real upset to see them with their feeling hurt like that.
@Tara hope Dr. appt goes OK and glad to see you on here.
We are having BEAUTIFUL weather here in AL hope everyone else is, too.
And the cold/flu/yuck everyone is having is hopefully clearing up.

Yes I believe in second chances to because some people have emergencies come up like my baby getting sper sick and being in the hospital for a week, but that is why I shopped and sent my package the 1st week the moment we were given matches because I was ready for any emergency, LOL :)

I have to be the hardball here and say that they had their chance when they signed up. The rules were clearly stated in the signups. I dont think it makes any difference whether they flaked on an adult, couple or kid. Most everyone is in the same boat financially and health wise---and I really looked forward to getting my items because all our money goes to house, bills, kids...almost never do I get something. By example--jenjaredjoey did exactly what I see as what should be done. Even though there was an emergency she had fail-proof plans set in motion. I really dont see very many excuses for totally flaking about gift and NO COMMUNICATION. I can see something coming up that made the gift impossible but I dont see how there could be an excuse for not talking!! But I support you Tara and will support whatever you choose.

Is momma2three okay?? Hope all is well : )

Yes, I do have to agree about the flaking on a kiddo part & what tat2dprincess is saying about the NON COMMUNICATION issue. ...I have been on Listia ALOT lately being on bed rest & I have seen many familiar faces commenting, bidding, winning, ect. on other auctions but have not seen them around here in a long time.
Do not want to say names right now, as I do not know who all signed-up for this swap or the other red swap yet but as soon as I know that they were def. signed-up & flaked on us, I will feel more comfortable letting everyone know the name.

The swappers with the communication problems~ are they logging into their Listia accounts every day?? Have they been bidding & winning things?? Bc if so, that is in no way having emergencies. Just a thought.

And do we know yet if we will have one swap or two different ones like this month does, in March?? ... ~ Annette

Did anyone do the Coffee-Mate Friday on Faceboock a couple of weeks ago? if so. did anyone receive their free coupons yet? I see so many being offered on here and I haven't received mine yet.

I would suggest anyone signing up a child, should go ahead and find at least one gift to put aside in case someone flakes next time you're prepared.
Your child will not be disappointed if they get something.

I have had no problems got both packages for cupid swap and several for red but had issues last swap. i think the ones that flaked should be banned from future swaps. i mean some people put a lot of effort into these swaps and the ones that flake make it unfair to those who don;t and to flake on a child thats just unforgiveable.

Reserved for winners!!!

Reserved for more winners!!!

Reserved for even more winners!!!

The big reveal!!! Find out who your secret cupid was!!!

My personal notes to swap participants....

First to comment!!?? That never happens!! LOL:) ...YAY!!!!

Okay, had an idea that I posted on the old chat page just a few minutes ago...

idea for new swaps~ make a list & post it of ALL participants at the beginning of swap please??!!
.... I had a swapper I have never seen comment or participate here before so I had NO idea if she ever received her pkg. or not???

This way, the "roll call" at the beginning would give us a good idea when to worry if someone is MIA.

<3 ... ~ Annette

Second to comment!!!!!!!!! Woo hoo!!!!!!

And it's low enough for me to bid, lol! My credit amount is pretty sad these days.

I like the idea Annette had of knowing who's participating. Still didn't get my cupid package :( but I have high hopes for today's mail :p