Hello Everyone..I wanted to take the time to post all of this info in one posting. During the last several weeks, I always get lots of emails..SO I thought..You know what..
I have Haley sick on the couch, keeping everything quiet...I just got back from meeting a great friend on here (flyvanguard) great meeting...SO i thought I'd take some time
and fill everyone in on my "christmas kid" info at one time. So here goes...
I started this program 6 years ago on this board...every year it has gotten bigger. "WE" all come together to help each other out. I think it's a wonderful, wonderful thing.
I'm not even sure why I started it to be honest..but I'm so glad I did. During the year, I buy things on sale, keep an eye open for things for all ages..and I have a wonderful
hubby that puts up with my "christmas kid" stuff. This year, I was thrown off a little because I have lots of little kid stuff..and this year, we have mainly teens..Lots of teens.
AND teens are harder..no matter how you look at it..they are harder. I always try to tell the angels that "adopt" the kids out.. please try to spend $20-25 for each kid..I know..
I know..I know...that I have doubled this amount with each kid I've done so far this year. I mean really...one teen shirt is $15-20....5 of the boy teens I am putting together, in
each box..they have a a hoodie/jeans or a shirt/smell good stuff/game or dvd.. and that is $50 right there without the shipping. SO even though I have told the angels to stick
to the $20-25 I know it's really hard...BUT as I've told all the angels..Whatever you can afford, whatever you can do...It is appreciated. If you can only send one item...YOU are doing
something special..and that's all that you can do. WE have angels that have sent me paypal...AND yes, a few have sent me $2.00 & $3.00 and said..sorry, that's all I can do.. but it
helps..it really does. This year we've had the fewest angels ever...I know that times are hard for many people...so the angels that helped out this year are extremely special. I find
this really rewarding too do...I love the shopping..I love putting the gifts together...taking pictures...posting so that "ALL" of the angels that helped in one way or the other...can
see what we did together. I've had thoughts about not posting just because I get some emails..saying...this kid got more then this one, why did this one get this much. and so forth..
I dont' know any of the kids..I don't favor anyone..I'm just doing what I think is best...going by the lists...doing what we can. I think I've done a pretty good job. I'm happy with the boxes
I've done so far...AND by that I mean...They are pretty much done..I keep the boxes open for now, adding a few things here and there before I ship them. I say I have all the kids adopted out..
but they are far from done. I just had so many teens and when I sent potential angels the TEEN list...many weren't accepted because they were wanting younger kids..and all of that is fine.
YES..this year was mainly teens...I'm sure in the future...we'll be back to the younger kids...We never know!! For those angels that sent $$$ thank you so so much...It really helps out.
I rec'd a $5.00 bill yesterday and to the sender it said, I know it's not much..BUT you know what..to me it is... My kohls statement right now is $248...that's crazy...LOL and that's with
a lot of coupons...and a lot of discounts...My husband just looks at me..BUT he so understands me!! I just want everyone to know...ANGELS that adopted...DO the best you can do. Christmas Kids
parents, be appreciative..you don't need to post to the board..but if you know your angel..thank them...When you receive your pkg...email me..or them.....I know personally,I get all excited..I ship out the
pkg..I know when they should arrive and I dont' hear anything...I don't know if they are disappointed, etc? I SO WANT ALL OF THE ANGELS TO KNOW THIS...I appreciate all of you. I don't care if you sent me
a $1.00 or added 1 coupon to the auctions..You helped out...I've tried to be good to everyone on the board..help out with auctions, wish people/family well, send RAOKS...just to be nice. I'm far
from a saint..but i can tell you one thing..if you knew me in REAL life..you would know that I've always helped anyone that I could. I've never asked for anything in return...I don't expect handouts..
and I dont' treat you any different if you are driving a $100 car or a $100,000 car. I have always thought of life in this way.....I treat others as I would want them to treat the people I love...I treat older
people with respect, I open doors for them..I care about them..AND I hope and pray that somewhere, someone does the same for my family. I have sent prayers for those needing them..AND i have asked
prayers for my family...because God knows I have needed them. I know this is all getting off subject..AND really long... AND I'm not sure why....BUT I want everyone to know...I think this board has some
great people...AND I know that lots of people couldn't help this year.. BUT we all understand. AND those that needed help....WE all understand. Just do the best you can do. BACK to the christmas kids..
YES, I had to deny a few kids this year... BUT just because you are signed up with refundsweepers..does not mean you are an ACTIVE/CURRENT member....I had several members that have not posted in months...or
a few that posted 3 or 4 times in the last year..I don't think that is active/current. I had people pop in to join the christmas kids...and never come back on. That is not active/current. AND all of the kids will not
get a $50/60 pkg...some kids will only get a $20 pkg..BUT it is help. AND it's all that could be done. No one is slighted...treated better, etc. It's what we can do at the time. I hope that I have ran this
christmas kid program well..It's alot of work..it really is. I take alot of time shopping...watching specials, coupons, watching ebay, craigslist etc. So believe me..I'm not someone raking in all of this money...
it is truly spent on the kids...AND I hope those that we send too will see that "others" really do care!!! I know I care about everyone on this board...we've all had some bad trades..things that just went wrong..
someone say something wrong etc.. BUT you just go on...we dont have to be mean about it all..I know I recently had a "touched" nerve, and I regret my actions.. MY fingers were going faster then my thoughts..SO
that was my bad..but I think i've learned from my mistakes..Life is way too short.. Once again, back to the Christmas Kids... AS for my angels...MOST everyone has contacted me...AND I do believe all kids have been
adopted??? I say that and I hope that to be true. I know I have some $$$ heading my way in the mail...and I have that set aside for the last teens ...I'm going to have one last Christmas Kid auction that will be for shipping..
AND If you dont' think shipping is crazy...IT IS. I'm trying to go with mostly "flat rate" boxes, but even at that $12 per box adds up. Unfortunately, several wont fit in those boxes..bUT that's ok..we will make it work...SO one last time..If you can donate to the upcoming auction...please do so...anything helps..we have some great auction bidders that help out so so much. AND one last thing..I didn't post this for the "thank yous", this or that.
I did it..just to clear up alot of the emails that I have had...I dont' want any of the christmas kid parents to fill slighted in any way...I don't want any angels to think they were taken advantage of...WHEN You decide to help..
you truly have helped...and it is for the kids...The pictures help show everyone how much goes into all of this. That's just what I like doing..I know the other angels do so much too...they just arent crazy like me..
shopping, taking pictures, posting etc...LOL BUT like i said..i have my reasons..I want to show everyone what "WE" all do together. AND for those few that we didn't accept this year..I'm sorry. I truly hope your kids will still have a good christmas and it all works out. SO I'm going to end this now..AND I know you are all saying..THANK GOD....LOL BUT anyways...I not only want to thank everyone that has helped with the Christmas Kids...I want to thank
all of you for your thoughts and prayers for my family...especially my dad..I am so so thankful that he is still here with us....AND one more thing..for a few of you that I have done trades with and you have sent me the coupons ..AND I have forgot to send out my end..I know it's never been more then $2.00 or $3.00 BUT I'm sorry...I have so many things going on at times..that I truly forget until I get that little email nudge..that says..HEY, i sent you this and you were suppose to send me that..I don't mean to be a "bad trader"...I truly forgot..BUT I always do send out that day that I get my gentle reminder....You guys are the best..you rule!! Your friend always! ME
1|1|{{{{{THANK YOU SHELLY}}}}}|Heyushell|heyushell@aol.com|14:30:59|11/11/2011|
....FOR ALL YOU DO!!!!
YOU ARE TRUELY A "ANGEL"
SHELLEY-OHIO :O)
*~~Im Just A "Pantiless Hag" who Loves RS BUT Can Do Without The BS~~*
*~~If Your A "Wine Salesman" And Have Wine Tags....I Wanna Marry You~~* 2|1|Shelly you are a nut and I love you. If anyone doesn't under this is a total labor of love for the board that you do then they just don't get it.|Kristy|mi3zons1@yahoo.com|15:14:23|11/11/2011|
"Women should not have children after 35. Thirty-five children are enough." - anonymous (Only 27 to GO!)
"You're so open minded that your brain leaked out." - Steve Taylor 3|1|Thank you for caring :)|cinda68|lacinda68@gmail.com|15:50:37|11/11/2011|
Thank you for caring and helping the kids, it really does sound like a lot of work. I thought of a few things while I was reading your post and am sending you an email. :)
4|1|Thank you for all that you do throughout the year for the Christmas Angels program. Shelly, you truly are one of Santa's elves. And as Kristy says, it definitely is a labour of love. And if you have any complaints, send them my email address :)|Ranalt|ainebailey@gmail.com|16:35:03|11/11/2011|
Life is like a cup of tea,
It's all in how you make it.
Lisa
5|1|Thanks for all you do.|coltura68|Coltura68@gmail.com|17:15:12|11/11/2011|
Mom 2 Nathan and Keirsten and lovin it
Auction link http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQsassZmrscoltura68QQhtZ-1 6|1|She does all this for the Christmas kids AND ...|flyvanguard|flyvanguard@yahoo.com|17:41:44|11/11/2011|
...makes the best home baked goodies ever!!! Had lots of fun today, Shelly. Can't wait to do it again. S