Me either...I think I gave up putting clues up....Lol! :)

I LOVE how Aymee had a theme last GE and she gave clues fitting that theme. I'm going to borrow this idea from her for the next GE... :D

I am terrible too! My goal was to at least wait a couple of weeks to eliminate someone and I did it in my 2nd clue lol!!!!

I liked that too Heather:)

I didn't notice anyones was bad.... everyone went a different angle. I will prob be like I got "Yorkie" and got your a collar, leash, and harness today! haha b/c its so exciting!

Shoot Morgan my SB guessed who I was after my first clue...remember I called you in a panic!! You are far better than me in that sense!

I may have to borrow this one as well...:D

I was going to go back and quote some things and respond (and knowing my absent minded brain, I should have) but I just wanted to say a couple of things here...

Everyone who has posted throughout this exchange all have good hearts and see things from their perception, which are valid. Nobody ever said anyone was *not* significant...what was said was (paraphrase) that the amount of people who had an issue was not a significant amount. Thing is, we've read that people complain behind the scenes, so how are we to know how many people that is? We don't know. I may post an annonymous poll thread and maybe those people will vote.

Anyway, Ann (LilAnnCamp) is the sweetest, kindest-hearted, angel on earth of a person I have ever met. If what she said came across as rude, then it was in the interpretation because she doesn't have a rude bone in her body. As mentioned several times, things in type on a forum (and even texts and emails) can read very differently than how they are meant when typed. I think we have ALL been victim to this issue because we all spend a lot of time in "type" instead of "talk".

Ann/Wylie's Mom - thank you for your post. It still saddens me that people think these things behind the scenes, but I am glad they can come to you, as Moderator, and discuss them. I wasn't here in the begining so I don't have a personal reference to compare the "then and now." I do think that we had 20 participants last GE and I thought that was a great amount and I think certain circumstances that happened drew us all closer together. I felt beyond blessed by being apart of it. I think people are divided on the cap issue. I said, though, several pages ago what you are saying "$40 to $80". I do think that if people are competing or perceived as competing that is an issue away from the spirit of the GE and those people need to reevaluate their hearts, but it is what it is. Again, I think I may post an anonymous poll thread where people can vote if a cap should exist. I'm very curious. It would open up (in it's own thread) that discussion you mentioned.

A couple of more things before I forget -
1. Ann/LilAnnCamp, you have made a lot of friends even without being a part of the GE for a couple of reasons: You did your own personal GE from the begining by sending me those clothes for Jada's Gilbert when I first kept him. And, also, you are an outgoing personality and make friends well (I don't know about everyone else, but I'm kind of shy so the GE was a good stepping stone for me to make friends).

2. I believe I am quite exceptional in clue giving so I am offering my services as a tutor. :D ;) :p :)

:thumbup: I love you and Ann both sooooo much!!!! My sweet friends:)

I am open to a cap but either way is fine with me.

Very well stated Teri....and I may just take you up on that offer of tutoring!!!:)

I totally agree. I have not been in a GE and I have made some great friends. And looking forward to knowing more.

Teri, I mentioned your name to Ann when we had lunch yesterday because I used to live in a town named, Verbena. Then she said it made her think of Verbena on YT and we both just think you are so nice and helpful.

...Also, I think we are both in love with Galen :D

Aww thank you. You both are so sweet. That is very cool that your town was named Verbena. Such a pretty name for a town. Galen thanks you and sends puppy kisses

It's a pretty flower too :)

Ok, if anyone is interested - I posted an anonymous poll. I made sure it won't show user names for who votes.

http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/pol...-spending.html

Thanks for the poll Teri...voted!

:) awesome poll! Thanks for the kind words Terri! :) you too Morgan:)

Everyone please check out Terri's poll..... I really want all those folks who have spoken with Lynzy but don't/cant/wont't talk about the GE to vote.

http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/pol...-spending.html

Please vote!

f there were a cap on the gift exchange I would consider participating. The problem with it right now is I dont make anything handmade and Im saving for My daughters college so there is only so much I could spend. If my gifts were viewed as inadequate I would feel bad,

wow lots of discussions and different views on this. I was only in one but followed about 4 I really think while a cap is good for some it will not insure a bunch of new people jump in. Plus for me and other a cap will be hard to figure out. I sew now, and I have accumulated a lot of material, some outfits cost me just $5.00 to make, so what's the value of that is it $5.00 or $20.00 or more because that of what I would pay if I bought it. I have nice things that I have been given or won them, or bought years ago but did not use it, so how do I value that? Some of us are smart shoppers, some of us are able to buy wholesale or are clever crafters so for me truly knowing how much I spend is hard.

no matter how much or little the limit is, the pool of people that would be interested in doing this in the first place is not huge, so combine that with the opportunity to choose from four a year, that dilutes the pool even further. Then since lots of people from the pool have done it several times they often wind up thinking about the downsides which of course is the money, but often the time and energy as well, so those people that were in the pool before, might not want to jump in again, or at least not right away.

Then there is the time constraints, there seems to be almost 3 months wrapped up into the GE, the month of the sign up, the month of shopping, clue giving, guessing, teasers, wrapping, and sending. Then the picture taking, the smile box creating and commenting on everyone else's thread, all I know is that for the 3 months surrounding the GE I was in I was very busy with it. Of course lots of that was my fault since I was learning to sew and craft at the same time. But I think a lot of us that join the GE like to be a bit creative and make or personalize things we send. So for me it's more about the time and energy rather than the money.

In the past I looked backed on about 3 years worth of GE threads and most of the problems and issues seemed to be with someone not getting a box on time or at all or not getting a proper thank you, I did not find posts were people came right out and felt they got cheated, but I would assume that would be behind the scenes in private messages among friends. No one will ever be assured you will get equal to what you give, it's like an office holiday secret santa, some give better gifts than other, it's like a pot luck party, some bring an elaborate prepared casserole while others bring chips and store bought salsa. Some people talk behind the scenes and are not happy if they don't get as good as they gave and to some it does not bother.

I guess the only reason for my post is that I feel there are lots of issues regarding the GE and putting a cap on it does not insure suddenly a bunch more people are going to jump in the pool

I was just thinking about this topic further, to me no one should enter the GE if they are first thinking about what they will get. Because if to you are I can almost guarantee you will be disappointed. And I don't mean that is because you will not get a good buddy it's just honestly no one can shop for you and your dog like you can, no one has the same exact taste as you do. While I am sure most have loved their boxes if truth be told they probably could still do a better box for themselves if they had to. So if that's what you are in it for, save your money and buy your own things you will be happier in the long run.

But if you are someone that likes to shop and surprise others more than yourself then you would have a lot of fun in the GE. I know from being on YT that there are many members that like to give more than get. Morgan sure has shown that a ton, so have others, and Shinja and Dawn got to see first hand how much happiness one gets from giving.

Anyway sorry for another post but I thought it might help some people understand what the spirit of the GE means to most of us that participate

Hopefully those people who really want to be in it that have talked to you behind the scenes will be heard...I can't seem to get to those I talk to behind the scenes to budge...with a couple of exceptions anyway...oh well you can lead a horse to water but.....As long as those who are in it enjoy it, thats all that counts.

:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:

Woot!!! :D

There will be one in just a few days! At least, the beginnings of the signups. It'll be July 1-31. :D She's going to get spoiled!

Yippy Thuy and Tessa!!! Georgie and I are doing a happy dance:)

Oh yeah.. do the happy dance :woohoo:

Will Georgie & Mandie be signing up? :D
That's awesome. I do have a certain GE month in mind but if the fun, crazy members (*ahem* you, Morgan, & Terri) joined. We may just do it sooner. Guess I'll wait and see who all signs up! :)

Oh yeah Georgie is signing up:):)

Did you just say i was crazy? I resemble that remark :p

LOL!!

She called me crazy too!!! Lol Hey if you put me in the same category as 2 of my fav people Heather and Terri then I am good with that:)