I'm starting this a bit early this year, and giving a bit more time. I'm sure we all could use it. The Idea A fandom Secret Santa -- we give each other stories, artwork, essays. Very simple -- Email (amethyst.sh@gmail.com) or PM me with what you want and what you can give. After I have everything, I'll match up what people want and what they can give, and give you your prompt and medium. Once you are done with your gift, send them to me. I'll post all submissions here for the receiver and everyone else to enjoy. After all gifts have been posted and enjoyed, and we've guessed who gave what, Givers will be allowed to reveal themselves. After they have had a few days to reveal, I'll post the master list of prompts and who did what. The Specifics 1. Anytime between now and September 29, 2013 email or PM me with the following. -- Choose two or three prompts -- a Medium or two* -- if choosing an fanfic or an essay, choose a team* -- What you can give** 2. By October 5, you will receive from me a gift request 3. Send me the completed gift by December 17. 4. I'll post the gifts between December 15 and December 20. 5. People can reveal themselves to the recipients on December 26. 6. I'll post the master list on January 1, 2014; at that time givers can post their work elsewhere, such as Gatchfanfic or DeviantArt, etc. 7. 1500 word minimum for essays and stories (serial drabbles are okay, unless otherwise specified) No maximum, but please keep in mind that gifts should be complete. If a prompt inspires more, sequels would be enjoyed by all. The Rules If you want something, you have to give something. Please don't post or share^ the gifts with others or other sites until after the master list has been revealed on January 1, 2014 to give the recipients time to enjoy the work first. If you don't want smut or slash, or won't write/draw smut or slash, please say so. Also if you prefer this, just put it in your prompt. If you want to give multiple gifts, you can ask for multiple gifts. * ** ^ * If you want an essay or choose Eagle Riders or GoS (for fanfic or essay), please select one prompt from another and/or for a second team. I will make every attempt to match people with their first choices, but will be limited by what people are able to give. **Prefered Medium -- Art, Fanfiction, Essay, Teams that you are most familiar with for Fanfictions or Essays ^Check with me before you send something to beta. I'd really like to try and post a beta list for those who need/want a beta, so if you want to participate, but don't really have the time to give, send me an email to volunteer to beta. Please note that if you want to beta, you must also respect the timeline and secrecy. Finally, please, if something happens that prevents you from fulfilling this obligation, let me know as soon as possible. I won't be asking for a gift, but will be a back-up if anyone has something that interferes with this obligation. If anyone else wishes to help out in this manner, I'd be happy to accept that help, too. So please, if you have time to fill for missing gifts please let me know. Hope everyone has a much fun as we did the last two years! Happy Holidays!

will be PM-ing you shortly, Ame, just have to decide what I want first. Thank you for running this again, it's always a lot of fun.

Thank you Ame, for doing this again! Will PM you soon.

Ooooh, this is a toughie! I always have problems deciding....that is, I always have troubles picking something achievable. For instance, I'd LOVE to see a couple of gift wrapped birdies under my tree.....

Hee hee hee, EW, I think we all would. I think of this as the next best thing.....

Thanks for putting in all of the time and effort to do this every year, Amethyst. It is much appreciated! And EW... I know Springie has drawn exactly that request before... a cartoon of Ken in a Christmas stocking... but I can't find it at the moment....

That's a really old pic! I found it way back on my DA page. It is begging to be re-done in Photoshop! TJ had a good line for Jinpei to say in this: The tag says, 'Batteries not included.' Count me in for the challenge, btw!

Wow, Springie, seeing that and looking at your more recent work, it's clear how much you've improved over the years. just goes to show, practice really does make perfect.

I like the idea! But, wow, it is worlds apart from your recent work!

Jinpei had more of a 'Jughead' look back then... But the image was enough to stick in my mind so that I remembered it!

Hahaha...yeah, I can see Jughead! LOL! I totally want to redo this scene in PS and see how it turns out!

Originally posted by Springie I totally want to redo this scene in PS and see how it turns out!

Don't let us stand in your way....

Wow is it really that time of year again? I can't believe how quickly time has been moving. Thank you for setting this up every year, Amethyst! I can't wait to see the results.

And CD, it is now the time of year for me to you into participating. We have extra time this year...

Originally posted by Transmute Jun And CD, it is now the time of year for me to you into participating. We have extra time this year...

Is this where I disappear again for a few weeks so I don't keep getting poked?

Originally posted by clouddancer

Originally posted by Transmute Jun And CD, it is now the time of year for me to you into participating. We have extra time this year...

Is this where I disappear again for a few weeks so I don't keep getting poked?

Only if you want to get thwacked!

Ohhh, dear. Now I have two of you at it. With all the poking and thwacking, I wont be able to find my muses, to do any writing.

Originally posted by clouddancer Ohhh, dear. Now I have two of you at it. With all the poking and thwacking, I wont be able to find my muses, to do any writing.

We'll stop once you join the exchange, to give you time to come up with a response to the prompt.

A note on Gatchaman Crowds ... If you want to include this in your gift request, it is okay, but please give a couple alternatives. While some of us have seen it, many have not and most of what we know comes from reading about. In January, after all has been revealed, I'll ask for consensus on whether or not we should include Crowds (yes, that is my political statement, shortening the name purposefully) in future Gift Exchanges. Hopefully, by then we will know more about the show. Please, do not be persuaded by me, even as I let my beliefs seep through, this is for all, and if a majority decide it belongs here, we can treat it as equal to GoS or ER or the OAVs (hmm, never had any requests for the OAVs, I guess Crowds has already surpassed them).

Originally posted by amethyst (hmm, never had any requests for the OAVs, I guess Crowds has already surpassed them).

A thought on that: besides Joe's shower scene, there really hasn't been much that's stuck in people's minds. With Crowds -- even if you've never seen it -- it's easy to rattle off a few dozen reasons the Gatch name shouldn't be attached to it.

Originally posted by ElectricWhite

Originally posted by amethyst (hmm, never had any requests for the OAVs, I guess Crowds has already surpassed them).

A thought on that: besides Joe's shower scene, there really hasn't been much that's stuck in people's minds. With Crowds -- even if you've never seen it -- it's easy to rattle off a few dozen reasons the Gatch name shouldn't be attached to it.

There are possibilities in both (well, in all Gatch) for some very clever parodies, but not every one is comfortable writing those ... Now, you have me thinking about rewatching the first OAV, just to rewatch the shower scene, but damn, I've got dishes and laundryto do.

I've read a few OAV fics, and honestly, I can't really tell them from 'regular' Gatchaman fics, except for the changes to Jinpei's and Ryu's names. I believe Maddy wrote a Joe/Jun fic once, and she based it on the OAVs, since she felt there was better justification there for a connection, rather than in the original show. But that's about it. If people wanted an OAV specific story, I'd have no problem with that. It's clearly Gatchaman (unlike Crowds).

I echo CD's words in saying how bewildered I am when becoming aware that it's that time of season, again! And, I also wish to add my endless gratitude towards your work and dedication, Ame! Thanks to you, our Christmas season is even more special! Participant or not, I'll surely be looking forward to see all the contributions! I wish I could join in, as always, but have to do some homework first!

Thanks, everyone, but really it is all of you that make this such a success. I just coordinate everything.

Not necessarily. I recall the year you had to fill in at the last minute and write 2 or 3 fics!

TJ's right!

I'll do some thinking... You'll hear from me by the 29th, amethyst!

Just sent you an email, Ame.

Got it, DT! We've got several great requests, but there is always room for more! I try to respond to each request so that you know I've got it. However, with my schedule, it may take me a day or two to do that. If you grow impatient, or think I've missed it, it's okay to message me again: if it did get lost in Cyberspace, I'll let you know ASAP; if I got it, I'll get back to you as soon as I have it recorded in the Masterlist, so that it doesn't get lost in my Inbox.

Amethyst, I sent you a PM a little over a week ago... I didn't hear back from you, but just want to make sure you got my request...

Got it, Springie. I thought I replied to you, but maybe I didn't. Sorry about that. There's still time to send in requests. A few more would be really fun!

The more there are, the harder it is to guess!

Thanks, Amethyst!

Don't forget, today is the day. I need requests in. However, knowing how my schedule looks, and when I'll be able to have time to sort these out, if anyone is running a little late and needs into tomorrow morning. that is fine. Actually, I can go as late as 6 o'clock tomorrow night. I can sort these Tuesday while I get paid to sit at school and twiddle my thumbs while the rest of the faculty do parent-teacher conferences. (Actually, I won't be twiddling my thumbs, I'll be reading through IEPs to compare with the very vague lessons plans I've been given, and look to see who is close to meeting goals and needs more challenging activities and who might need something easier because four teachers in six weeks has sent him backwards, but I'll have time for this.) I should then be able to send the requests out Thursday or Friday night. If you know you sent something to me, and I acknowledged that I got it, and you have not received your prompt by Saturday, please let me know. Now is the time to let me know if I have not acknowledged your requests. At this point, I believe I have acknowledged everyone that I have received, so I need to know if I'm wrong. We've had good response, but there is always room for more.

ANyone who is on the fence, please join in! It's a lot of fun and giving is much easier than it sounds. There's plenty of time to come up with something, so the pressure is minimal!

Best of luck with reviewing those IEP's Amethyst. I had open house last week, where the parents came in and got to visit their child's classroom. Of course many of the parents wanted to know how their child was doing academically as well. I managed to get through it but it was very tiring talking to 30+ children's parents. (I think 31 of the 40 children and families visited.)

Thanks, CD. US teachers must seem spoiled if 40 is the norm. In California, Elementary teachers start complaining if there numbers hit 25 and go to their union if they hit 30. Fortunately, I'm in an SDC class with 8, so familiarizing myself with each students needs won't be overwhelming, and since I've met all but two who where out sick this week, it should be even easier.

Heck, it took the Indiana state legislature to get the classroom numbers down! When I was in the 4th Grade, we had 42 kids crammed into a classroom designed to hold no more than 15 kids.

Amethyst - I thought I had mentioned I am team teaching which means my partner and I have two classes joined in one pod sized classroom. So we each have 20 children assigned to us, but we do all our teaching together and thus have to see both sets of parents. I have to meet hers and she has to see mine. I think this will be hardest at interview time. We will not be able to fit 40 interviews in on one night, we will have to stay late over several, if not several weeks of nights. Sorry, for the confusion.

No worries, you may have and I just may have spaced on it. That sounds like a great set-up though, something that could provide lots of flexibility in the classroom.

It certainly does. I am really enjoying it. It has been something I have wanted to try doing for a while now. I am in a school that is big enough to do such a thing. When we have 5 classes at the same grade it is much easier to get two teachers who want to team teach. In my last school I was lucky to have 1 teaching partner, because the enrolment numbers were so low.

All right! PMs checked, email checked. The requests for the gift exchange are now closed. Those who signed up will get there prompts by Saturday, maybe even sooner.

Looking forward to receiving my prompt! Thanks for all of your hard work, Amethyst!

If all goes well, I should be able to get them out tomorrow night, but I won't promise, because I know how things go when I plan to have more time than I get.

Okay! All the prompts have been sent out. Please let me know if you did not get yours or if you have any questions or concerns about the prompt you were given. I'm currently hoping that I sent them all out correctly (I don't think I've sent the same prompt to two different people this year), but we will see.

Got mine! Lots to think about...

Got mine Ok, thanks.

With Thanksgiving behind, Christmas just a few weeks away, it seems like a good time to remind everyone that gifts will be due soon. It is also a good time to ask anyone who has suffered a major dose of real-life (I think that is most of us) to let me know if reality is interfering in there ability to fulfill their obligations. We don't want anyone to be missing a gift, after all. Of course if all that is needed is a few extra days, that can usually be accommodated easily if I know. The first gift has already been submitted, so hopefully everyone else is on target. Thanks Everyone

Looking forward to seeing what everyone came up with.

So sorry I missed all of the fun! Looking back, this thread started a couple of weeks after my grandmother died. I guess I wasn't on much then. It was a chaotic and stressful time. Looking forward to reading everyone's gifts! Thanks for coordinating the exchange, Ame. It's always nice to have new stuff to read.

Originally posted by amethyst The first gift has already been submitted, so hopefully everyone else is on target.

!@#$%^&* show off!

Oh shoot! With the craziness at work and the holiday (not to mention multiple birthdays) all going on here I've been slammed for the last week or so. This totally slipped my mind! Yikes, I'll have to get going! (EW looks like she's going to be very vicious if I don't!)

Originally posted by ElectricWhite

Originally posted by amethyst The first gift has already been submitted, so hopefully everyone else is on target.

!@#$%^&* show off!

my sentiments exactly EW!!

I've just sent you mine, Amethyst!

Originally posted by Daniella T I've just sent you mine, Amethyst!

Got it! Thanks! Up to three, now.

Just a reminder, Gifts are due Tuesday. If you need a few extra days, that's okay, but please let me know. I've already got half of them, so I'll start posting tonight or tomorrow. Thank you, everyone!

Yikes! That deadline came fast! It's coming, Amethyst, although it's shorter than I would like.

Originally posted by Transmute Jun Yikes! That deadline came fast! It's coming, Amethyst, although it's shorter than I would like.

If you need a few extra days, just let me know. I'm already working with someone else who has had a time crunch, too. I think the late Thanksgiving has thrown a lot of people off balance this Holiday Season.

No, I'll get it to you. This week is incredibly busy so I'll just have to deal with it instead of working more.

Mine will be in by Tuesday for sure, but probably not before then!

All Right. Here is the first gift. The next should be up sometime tomorrow: For Unpublished Writer

Yay!

Here is today's gift. For KT1972 BTW -- I now have all but two gifts, I know one is coming soon, hopefully the other will be, too.

Tonight's Gift is for: Electric White

Tonight our gift is for: Transmute Jun

Today, I was thrilled to have had the chance of having a small share of my Gift Exchange reading! Every year I look forward for this particular event (thank you, Ame!) and, as always, I'm already so happy to find such beautiful stories! You guys never let me down! Sadly, I have to unwillingly log out now and resort to finding some more time to continue reading and giving feedback first thing I can, hopefully very soon! Sorry for any unread stories I might leave for a while ... I'm so looking forward to catch up with all of the contributions and to be able to leave my comments!

Tonight we have a gift for: LB Tomorrow could be a very busy day, so I don't know if I'll get a gift up tomorrow night or not. I hope to have the last gifts up by Monday, but one of them may be a bit later. Hopefully, everyone is enjoying the gifts that are up.

gatchamarie, no need to apologize, I think we all know that real life comes first and that you're very, very busy between cakes and family! The stories (and art) are pretty amazing so far, aren't they?

Originally posted by ChrisW The stories (and art) are pretty amazing so far, aren't they?

Yes, CW, they really are ... as always! They, together with everything else and all of you here, are my incentive to make an effort to keep coming back! In fact, today I'm allowing myself to read one story! I won't be lying if I tell you that I'd end up getting my gatchamaniac blues whenever I fail to do so for a long period of time! This has become a second home for me! Thank you so much for your understanding!*hugs* I admit that I'm a bit unsure if I have to grumble or not for having opened a facebook account to boost my cake-decorating activity from home! Yes ... it really did miracles, but then I'm finding myself torn between accepting more orders or declining them (I'm really not a person who knows how to say "no" easily!) and between being grateful for earning some more needed cash or being reluctant when another order enters, when I know what a heavy task it is to see how to squeeze in and plan things out, working around and in between my own family members' and Dad's schedule, if I'm explaining myself well! This notwithstanding, I'm very thankful, as it's somehow something which keeps me going and which challenges me out of my own health problems, when health permits! I always say that if you make a full stop in front of adversities, and let yourself slump, there's no turning back and you cease to be active, both physically and mentally! I've also learnt how to not let facebook take my time away! I've created a very reserved profile and only look through work related messages and those very limited others which could be beneficial for my family's lifestyle and which are mostly related to the needs of my closest friends!

Ame ... please don't worry! You're doing a great job, as always ... and, speaking for myself and I think also for the others, we're enjoying ourselves thoroughly!

Originally posted by gatchamarie Ame ... please don't worry! You're doing a great job, as always ... and, speaking for myself and I think also for the others, we're enjoying ourselves thoroughly!

couldn't agree more Ame

You know, Marie, as someone who teaches business, I would suggest that if you have more orders than you can handle, that you should raise your prices. Then you will get fewer orders, but make just as much money. You can always have a 'special offer' later on when business is slower. Or maybe next year you could charge a 'holiday premium' on your cakes.

Originally posted by gatchamarie Ame ... please don't worry! You're doing a great job, as always ... and, speaking for myself and I think also for the others, we're enjoying ourselves thoroughly!

Thirded! Thank you for organizing this, Amethyst. I've having a great time reading everyone's gifts!

Originally posted by Transmute Jun You know, Marie, as someone who teaches business, I would suggest that if you have more orders than you can handle, that you should raise your prices. Then you will get fewer orders, but make just as much money. You can always have a 'special offer' later on when business is slower. Or maybe next year you could charge a 'holiday premium' on your cakes.

This is a good idea! Might be worth thinking about GM. That being said, if you're swamped with orders, at least you can be proud of that fact that so many people want to do business with you. You must be an excellent cake designer, if you're having to turn people away. (And while we do miss seeing you around here, we definitely understand.)

TJ has some good advice, there. As someone who's been self-employed most of her adult life, I understand the feast or famine situation that such a business entails. In your case, business drops off between holidays I'd guess and then over the holidays it's got to get a bit crazy. It can be hard to turn down work during the boom times when you still remember the droughts. At some point you'll learn to identify what is ultimately fun, busy period adrenaline and what is "OMG this workload is crushing me and you want ANOTHER CAKE???"

This morning's gift is for: DaniellaT To make up for a lack of a gift yesterday, and with plenty of time today, I'll post a second gift this evening, and then the last one tomorrow afternoon/evening. The problems with the missing story have been sorted out. I've never misplaced one before, but I've never done this while working nearly full time before. Now, I just need to apologize profusely for badgering the giver.

Originally posted by Redbird I've having a great time reading everyone's gifts!

So, think you'll try joining us next year, Redbird?

Originally posted by Transmute Jun You know, Marie, as someone who teaches business, I would suggest that if you have more orders than you can handle, that you should raise your prices. Then you will get fewer orders, but make just as much money. You can always have a 'special offer' later on when business is slower. Or maybe next year you could charge a 'holiday premium' on your cakes.

That's some good advice, TJ! In fact, I had to raise my prices just lately, mostly because of the increase in the prices of material and ingredients, and because I realized that I was not earning well enough as compared to the working hours I dedicate to each and every cake, obviously each and every one of them being different in difficulty level, etc. Since I mostly do custom made cakes, which I then add to my portfolio for other clients who might wish to choose an already existing design, most probably the other clients being friends of friends, the prices cannot be altered that easily, though! I usually end up to raise the price the second time the same cake would be ordered, since the first time would generally serve as a trial. I also have different types of cakes for my clients to choose from according to their budget, so they can opt for something less if they'd find a complicated cake too pricey! Some people I'm encountering through fb, apart from my usual clientele, could also be a bit of a headache, but then it's something which comes with the whole package! As you, CW, are well saying, this small business of mine fluctuates according to seasons, so I'm finding myself rather ending up enduring a tough season when I know that there could be times when I'd be begging for an order! Even though, I must humbly say that, after the advert, orders are coming in at a rather more constant pace. So, that's what I'm doing! I'm trying to learn how to handle this new situation without possibly compromising my own lifestyle, together with that of my family's, even if it could be difficult, at times! Declining orders when I deem convenient, even though reluctantly, is simply something which I have to do. RB ... many sincere thanks for your kind comment! I really don't deem myself as anything near a professional, but I won't be lying if I say that, even though sometimes I might feel overwhelmed, the only fact that my work would be considered by any new client is a very satisfying sensation, even more when I'd hear the comments that would follow (something which I'm always anxious to hear as I'm my own critic and I wouldn't rest my mind until I hear a positive feedback!). Many thanks for all of your kind help, advice and time! It's good to share some mind troubling load with people who understand and who could make you see things from different perspectives! *hugs* to all!

Amethyst: Yay on the 2 stories, and you're only human, so don't beat yourself up too much. Gatchamarie: Sounds like that advertisement was a major win.

Tonight's gift is for: Gatchamarie We have one more gift left. I hope to have it up about mid-afternoon tomorrow.

Wow, that went by fast, but what fun!

Originally posted by amethyst So, think you'll try joining us next year, Redbird?

Well, I have a whole year to decide right? LOL.

Originally posted by Redbird

Originally posted by amethyst So, think you'll try joining us next year, Redbird?

Well, I have a whole year to decide right? LOL.

Oh, I'm sure someone will bring out the pokey stick a bit nearer the time.......

Originally posted by Transmute Jun Wow, that went by fast, but what fun!

Couldn't agree more! CW ... yep ... a small push was needed!

Originally posted by KT1972

Originally posted by Redbird

Originally posted by amethyst So, think you'll try joining us next year, Redbird?

Well, I have a whole year to decide right? LOL.

Oh, I'm sure someone will bring out the pokey stick a bit nearer the time.......

... mind you ... a lot of them pokey sticks!!

The last gift for this year is for: Springie Thank you to everyone who participated! Merry Christmas! Let the Guessing begin. Please remember to wait until after Christmas to reveal yourself. Masterlist will be posted New Years. After that, stories can be cross-posted on other archives. Thank you!

Originally posted by gatchamarie

Originally posted by KT1972

Originally posted by Redbird

Originally posted by amethyst So, think you'll try joining us next year, Redbird?

Well, I have a whole year to decide right? LOL.

Oh, I'm sure someone will bring out the pokey stick a bit nearer the time.......

... mind you ... a lot of them pokey sticks!!

Heh, heh. I have no doubt!

It's a lot of fun, Redbird. I enjoyed the challenge when I did it.

Originally posted by ChrisW It's a lot of fun, Redbird. I enjoyed the challenge when I did it.

We'll have to make sure you don't disappear next fall, when it is time to sign up again.

Yeah hopefully I'll be up for it for the next exchange. I could have tried to jump in this time but I was worried it would be too much pressure too soon. (As I tend to want to leap back in with all engines on full and therefore drive myself right into the ground.) I'd definitely like to participate again.

There would be enough pokey sticks left for you, too, CW, don't worry! I know you'd make someone very happy with your gift ... always at your own time! *hugs*

There is an infinite supply of pokey sticks, for whoever needs to use them, or be the recipient of that use! I don't know how many of these there are, though...

Just a note, I will be posting the master list on Thursday, instead of tomorrow, or it I do it tomorrow, it will later in the day. However, those who like may still post their stories elsewhere, tomorrow if they like. Happy New Year!

Amethyst, thanks again for all of your hard work on this exchange! It was a blast as usual!!

I know I certainly had a lot of fun!

It's something I strive not to miss, and am always thankful for having been able to join in the fun, when possible, too! Many endless thanks, Ame!

Yes, thank you, amethyst, for organizing this! I always enjoying trying to figure out who wrote what...

[unrecoverable text]

Okay, summarizing here... Participant: KT1972 Gift To: Electric White "Family Matters" Participant: Electric White Gift To: LB "It's Relative" Participant: Springie Gift To: Unpublished Writer "Admiration Society" Participant: TJ Gift To: Springie "Stone" Participant: Unpublished Writer Gift To: Daniella T "New Ruler of Spectra" Participant: Daniella T Gift To: TJ "Here's Looking at You, Kid" Participant: lborgia88 Gift To: Gatchamarie "Defying Gravity" Participant: Gatchamarie Gift To: KT1972 "Living Memory" Ooh, I was correct that EW wrote for me (thank you, EW!!), and the other guesses I made. Lots of fun reading the prompts that inspired the gifts (and the ones that didn't get used too!)

We always get good responses, and a few standouts, but this year, this year we great responses! All of you were completely amazing!

I agree, all of the responses were extra great this year?

Well done to all the authors and artists! Thank you Amethyst for coordinating everything.

It occurred to me this morning that Amethyst is not only an admired member of our board, but an invaluable one. Without her, we would not have Bradbury's Jar, nor would we have the Gift Exchange. We really are indebted to her for all of the work she does to keep our site fresh and interesting. Thank you, Amethyst!

Thank you, TJ, but all I've really done is borrowed, or stolen, ideas from elsewhere and adapted them to fit the board. Bradbury's Jar is from Ray Bradbury. While the Gift Exchange is from a Harry Potter LJ community. I may have started them, but if something happens to me, anyone could pick them up and run with them. Really anyone could have come up with the ideas or something similar. In fact, two years ago, Daniella did a spring/summer gift exchange, which was fun.

You're too humble, Ame! I totally second TJ's comment! I also wish to congratulate everyone for such lovely masterpieces! Everyone did great and Christmas wouldn't be the same without this Gift Exchange! Yes ... it really has become a must! A *BIG* thanks to LB for writing for me such a great story! You've made me very happy, taking meticulous care of incorporating everything that I've asked for (sorry for the hard time! ) and wrapping it up wonderfully!

Amethyst, it's the effort and dedication that you put into it over such a long period of time that's precious. Thanks.

Amen, TJ! I don't know what we would do without you, Amethyst! And TJ- I LOVED my story! Thanks again for the hard work you put in for my crazy request!!

Originally posted by Springie Thanks again for the hard work you put in for my crazy request!!

Your request wasn't crazy... what was crazy was the way I took your idea and went into strange places with it...

You took that idea to new heights! I like the way you think!

Originally posted by Springie You took that idea to new heights! I like the way you think!

Right back atcha! It helped that I knew it was your request.

Hey Ame, I can ESPECIALLY appreciate your hard work, after having done the Summer Gift Exchange! Which I would like to do again, but I'm usually on holiday (i.e., limited internet) when the time to publish comes. This year it was a new challenge for me to write a romantic story -- a genre I don't usually write. Glad you liked it,TJ, and a big thank you to UW for my gift!

I liked it very much, Daniella! You certainly created a good connection for the Condor and Swan! I'd love to see it continued...

Thank you TJ! Let's see what the muse will bring...

Congrats to everyone for such a fine crop of stories and art! I am still working my way though them.