I am about 1/2 way done. Not usre when I will get them done, but I am working on a few each evening.

Will get them in the mail well before the postage increase!

Heidi

Another question-

(are you tired of my inquiring mind yet)

After I get the cards-do I sign them before the swap (so others can mail them out) or do I get back blank ones that I sign and send to contacts?

Q. Do I sign before or after the swap?

Hey diggerdeb!

 NO, never tired of questions... if you don't know, don't guess!  ASK!  no problem.

 Ok.  Here's the basic idea for the card swapping...

YOU make or buy the cards and you CAN sign then, provide the recipient with your name, address, email.
Then send the cards to me for swapping and I'll mail you back the same number of cards you send me (hopefully with a bonus card or two this time!).  THEN, you send them to YOUR contacts.  Those contacts may choose to respond to everyone whose card they received -- or not.  They may respond directly to you saying thanks for sending them extra cards.

There were folks who enclosed various things in their cards -- pictures, crossword puzzle pages, magnets, even a business card.   Some had the little business card THANK YOU cards  -- read through the Swap blogs to find the various web links we discussed in our online chat last month... there's also info about how to address your note to the troops, what this one or that one did, tips and tricks tried and used -- successfully or not.

SOME people have sent BLANK cards that the contacts can then use to send home to family, friends, etc.

IN this case, with the valentines... I doubt there will be enough turn around time for us to be sending them blank cards to send home.  IF you want your contacts to have blank cards, send them early in January so they have time to receive them, sign them and put them in the mail home IF they want them received by valentines day.

NOTE:  MANY MANY MANY people participating in the Christmas swap left the envelop front blank, so the contacts can then use that envelop to mail something home. 

 Hope this helps.   Feel free to ask away.  Certainly someone in and around the swaps will have the answer.

Take care,

Anna

 Anna -  my packet of 25 cards for #6 and 10 cards for #7 is in the mail to you.   Return label and $4.80 postage included inside.  Let me know when you get them!

HO HO HO!

Hope everyone is doing well!

 The Valentine Card Swap is doing well! 

Our very own, Deni Dax has completed her cards for both #6 & #7, and they have been received in Baltimore.
Deni was also very thoughtful -- after a reported wet envelop problem in swap5 --  she put her cards in ziploc bags! YEAH!  WHAT a blessing It turned out to be!  Her envelop was stuffed into my mailbox on a VERY rainy day. While it didn't get too wet, it was a blessing to have those cards well protected.

NICE NICE NICE cards, Deni.

MAIN REASON for this posting....  it was mentioned by a couple of "swappers" that they were waiting until after Christmas to mail their cards with the idea that it would reduce the chances of any packages going astray.  SMART SMART MOVE!

Besides which I'm fairly sure the postal clerks would appreciate us waiting until after their mad rush season, too!

So -- just a suggestion -- IF you have your cards ready to go, how about waiting until December 29 or so to mail them. They will get here in plenty of time to complete the swap.

By the way, y'all, I mentioned to you before about the VFW's Ladies Auxiliary....

WELL... yesterday I also got confirmation that the Junior Civil Air Patrol unit from Martin's base will be here on January 17 and they will be bringing letters and cards too!  YEAH!  So, if you have any CAP or ROTC units in your areas, you may want to ask them to donate to your contacts packages!

Again, hope everyone is well and enjoying this holiday season!

 Anna - Baltimore MD

Let us remember the reason
For this joyous season!
MERRY CHRISTMAS!

I am sorry to say, guys, that I am dropping out of the card swap.  Having some diabetic problems, they are amputating part of my toe next Tuesday, and I get to sit, sit,sit...perfect time to do cards and such, but to tell the truth, I am a little blah.  I tried, but can't work up a rah, rah, and I know the troops deserve better.

Hugs to all.

Oh Sweetie,

Take care of yourself and don't stress about this part.  This is why there are extras in the swap....for when "life happens", right?

 Have a cup of tea and keep your feet up.

(Hugs)

Donna

Hi Lisa,

In my opinion, take care of yourself right now.  Use your energy to heal and when you are feeling better, I am sure you will get your rah-rah back.

I will say extra prayers for your toe to heal quickly and without complications.

God bless you.

Love,
Vicki

Lisa,

I am sorry to hear that you are having a rough time. Just wanted you to know that you are in my thoughts and prayers. I always look forward to reading your posts. They are so filled with joy and energy. I'm sure you will be back to normal soon. Just take care of yourself, and know we are here for you.

Kathy

Lisa,

  Take good care of yourself and don't worry about anything else!! Have a very Merry Christmas!!

Hugs from WI,

Lisa

Take care of yourself. You have extra prayers to help you along! Hope to see you back in your normal cheerleader role very soon!

hugs

Heidi

Hi Everyone...

    For Swap 6 & 7... since some of you are in both!

 Hope everyone is having a joyous season and keeping Lisa in your prayers as she deals with her current crisis.

Lisa, we are all praying for you, sending positive thoughts, and wishes you all the best.  Don't forget, your job NOW is to focus all your energy on getting well!

Never fear... the swaps are on target.  I've got more than enough folks doing extra cards now... we should all be getting bonuses!  Whooooppppeeee!  

 A few little kids are also putting stickers on postcard size cards that will be something we can add to ours! YEAH!

* * * *

I'd also like to thank everyone who has sent me holiday cards. Know they are proudly displayed here at the flea market to show what Any Soldier Junkies do! 

Unfortunately I have no cards left to send out thing year. I mailed all my cards not signed in the packages to the troops so they will have cards to send home.  And since the budget is stretched and more of my "little job" hours have been cut, I've decided not to send out cards to family, friends, or business folks. UGH!  Another first! LOL.

Take good care, y'all.

Anna Baltimore MD 

Hi.

Hope everyone is well and staying warm as the US is under a heavy winter blanket... some snow... some ice...

and some just really really cold temps... 

Hope New Orleans and Vegas survived the shock of having snow! LOL.

IF anyone wants to participate in the swap but didn't sign up before we got our original 25, feel free to join the crowd.

I have three groups of folks here donating cards... so we will have plenty to return to you.

IF you send me 25 you'll get 25 back.

If you send the 10 for swap 7... you'll get 10...

IF I have any extras after that, they'll go to my 30 contacts to share with their units... OR I'll send them all the the combat support hospitals on my list and let them share!  No problems there.

Take good care, y'all.

Anna Baltimore MD (windchill temp this morning +1!  BRRRRRRRR)

Got mine out in the mail today.

I tried to stuff some sunshine in the envelope too....hope it gets there safely.

 Happy New Year!!