SandyDuff

Some were there for a very long time ... did they all go at one time ... do they know? Lets hope someone decided it was time to move all these along and is bringing them to an event ... or something??!! As a coin and tb lover, who also sends them out in the world ... it is with great sadness that I read about these things. On a happy note - today one cacher who retrieved a coin of mine in November - whom I had emailed in January to see if they still had the coin. Dropped it yesterday in a new cache. There is hope ... And another cache here in the states a texas TB hotel had many disappear ... but someone logged that they had mine and were moving it along. I am still hopeful. Let us all keep in mind the honest cachers - maybe with that as our focus - these will be found in the hands of one or more of them. (Like a kind of Robin Hood ... saving stalled travelers by moving them to a better cache home.)

Posting here will help some for sure ... Thank you for the reminder about the coins. I saw them in the newsletter and will add them when the next paycheck comes around. [i wanted to add this to my collection and thought it was a great cause. My dad is a retired firefighter and I have a coin circulating around with the goal to find firefighter/firefighting related memorials, museums, ... . I send him the posts for it (he's come out caching with me but he's not a geocacher).] Regarding ways to promote sales besides posting here and having the link to the organization, which is also a good way to help promote. I think a mission/cointest/geocaching event around a date that is firefighting related could be a great way. Also, there are folks who do fund raising coins - perhaps they have some advice. Is there a forum for firefighters who are cachers ... I think there are ones for police officers?

I just want to say that this is really an awesome thing you are doing. Being newer in the world of geocache forums, I too have experienced the generous, warm and fun nature of the folks here. It is so honored and a true acknowledgement by the generous offer of a gift straight from your heart - the talent you share with the world. YOU ROCK DJJROCK!

Just to add a thought not yet expressed that was in my mind as a relatively new coin collector when buying coins both unactivated and activated. (including a beautiful coin from you that I had seen previously and really wanted - and - frankly now I forget if it was activated or not!) I saw activated coins as 'less value' because in missions I've seen (including in the only one I have been in) the request is for UN-activated coins. So, repeating thoughts expressed by someone in the thread ... that to me means there is one LESS thing I can DO with the coin. I haven't done trades yet, but if I find some not willing because of activation, then again, one less thing I can do with the coin. So, it is slightly less valuable. That, said, I see your desire to change that perception and that would be a good thing for the collecting / trading world. If only a very few people consider a value difference then it won't impact trades and missions and life would be good. I've adopted a few now and they have had very few logs - one or two really. PS Great buying from you and I loved the extra gift you sent along - what a nice surprise and worth way more to me than any decrease in value due to activation ;-).

this is such a beautiful coin - I can't wait to see what the colors look like but I like your 'editions' ideas. I will definitely have two of my favorite combo (one to keep and one to circulate) - maybe two of two ... or two of three ...

Great contest - can we post more than one? I have three cats!

email sent

Oh YEAH!!!!!! I am so glad you enjoyed the package despite the wait for it! It was very fun to put together I loved giving you a wee taste of my little part of the world! I just knew that coin (though non-trackable) would suit your love of celtic things. It is a beautiful coin with a wonderful sentiment. I am thrilled I filled a secret wish by sending it to you. And don't forget - if you can dare to send out one of the trackables ... I'd love to set up a little coin mission with the matches of them that I have. Of the lobster I have the blue one like it and of the navigation / compass rose I have the same. Also, I forgot to mention in the package that I chose the lobster because it is a very New England thing and that is where I was born and raised (NH not Maine ... but I sure LOVE lobster and Maine). And I chose the navigation because of our 'cross the ocean' related-ness. Anyway, so thrilled that you enjoyed it and I look forward to more communications and perhaps we'll have the luck to be mission partners again - perhaps of our own creation with one of the coins. And here I officially am 'complete' with my mission!!! Thank you soooo much ELTADA. As a true mission newbie I am very grateful to you for making this one for us. It has been a joy! I look forward to the next and thank you for making my virgin outing such a wonderful one. And thank you to all the other participants ... the sharing of all the mission packages has been a huge part of the joy! And die_Anita ... again I am so glad to have had you as a mission partner. Your gratefulness is overwhelming - I am filled with joy. I so enjoyed our communications throughout the mission and can't wait to continue the friendship. BEst to all SandyDuff

Not sure if I am in the official totals - I think I never did post my stats officially. The name received: confirm is probably pointless now! Package received: Confirm - and a lovely package it was :-D Package sent: Confirm - it was only a few days ago Feb 25th - with a 5-10 day delivery to Switzerland ... Sandyduff

Love the smilie - very appropriate - and I am so happy that I decided to tell you in a reply and ... ohh look its the html! ... now I too can 'wallbash' We hand off our trackables - like we lend books - hoping but not expecting to get them back - and really only hoping that they'll share their experience with the 'loaned object' with you. But it sure would be nice if anyone who chooses to 'enjoy' the game of trackables with their geocaching would show respect for the game pieces and the rules of the game. Unfortunately you can't make the trackables 'members only' - and even if you request member only caches it is not likely that will always be followed. Wish I could make a cloaking device and give only nice/respectful cachers the decode!

Wow Tsun - what a great design. I thank you with all my heart that you are making enough for us newbie collectors to have a shot at getting one. I thought I would end up having Pax the baby dragon (I am thrilled to be watching you build) as my first - but this is sooo perfectly timed ... a baby turtle ... and all the options. I'll have several so I can release some ! PS I saw the hints of a sea dragon ... !

Okay here are the pictures showing how truly amazing my mission partner was. I am finally sending my package out too - I think it will be worth the wait! I completely appreciate DJJRock for the picture posting advice. I think I have an avatar now AND pictures to show here! I will take a closer picture of the coins for a later post - they are sooo worth the effort. The arrival and opening of the mission package from Die_Anita ... starring Elijah Blue, Smidgen and Twiggy (now affectionately Piglet due to the change in physical stature making the name Twiggy just silly!) Package arrives at the home of Sandyduff - and is inspected by Elijah Blue Smidgen makes sure we open the letter first! Smidgen is sure she found the 'best' of the package Smidgen definitely liked the Swiss Chocolate heart 'toy' the best. "Twiggy" arrives to see what all the hulla ballu is about The box and tissue paper are now a permanent toy and resting place for the kitties - and we are enjoying the chocolates and the great additional coins in our collection. Thank you for such a great good time! :-D

Okay here are the pictures showing how truly amazing my mission partner was. I am finally sending my package out too - I think it will be worth the wait! I completely appreciate DJJRock for the picture posting advice. I think I have an avatar now AND pictures to show here! I will take a closer picture of the coins for a later post - they are sooo worth the effort. The arrival and opening of the mission package from Die_Anita ... starring Elijah Blue, Smidgen and Twiggy (now affectionately Piglet due to the change in physical stature making the name Twiggy just silly!) Package arrives at the home of Sandyduff - and is inspected by Elijah Blue Smidgen makes sure we open the letter first! Smidgen is sure she found the 'best' of the package Smidgen definitely liked the Swiss Chocolate heart 'toy' the best. "Twiggy" arrives to see what all the hulla ballu is about The box and tissue paper are now a permanent toy and resting place for the kitties - and we are enjoying the chocolates and the great additional coins in our collection. Thank you for such a great good time! :-D

I'm going to post pictures later but wanted my great mission buddy die_anita to know I received the package today!! What a great package - it was a BOX!!! and bigger than a shoe box - big enough to fit a mini-fondue that I can't wait to enjoy! The letter die_anita wrote showed how much thought was put into the mission and the coins REALLY showed it - they are so suited to my love of nature and science - an awesome SPRING Tree Coin, a really great Rainbow coin and a very appreciated SwissCross minicoin. And, chocolate !!! I know you said you sent it quite a while back ... and that is a bad sign because I am still working on one piece of mine to you (I am making you something!) But - given the international shipping time you may receive it very close to or after the mission end date. I will finish this and send on MONDAY!! And will log pictures for everyone else to enjoy soon too! Thanks for such a great first mission experience!

Had no idea there was so much behind the picking of the elements of a coin. I guess I always thought the at the drawing of it would be the hardest. But, the translucency, textures, colors, metals, ... I can see where it would be easy to end up with a whole bevy of dragons. :-D I can see I am going to be one of the first in line for this one. It is cute and I like that you have the cache in its hands (or whatever they are). I do want to make sure that I know as soon as possible. Can you share with the newbies how you post the readiness for sale (or presale).

Just back from Mexico - Teotihucan. What an amazing powerful and beautiful place! die_anita - I will be putting together the package through the weekend and send early next week. :-D I have already enjoyed meeting you through our emails and looking forward to completing the point of the mission!

OH MY OH MY OH MY!!! I AM SOOO HONORED!! I really enjoyed all the posts and got tons of tips that really make sense. thanks so much for a great contest. And a place to refer back to when we add another pup to our caching clan! So sorry that I have been busy and not checking out the logs or even my email digest over the last few days!! I wish we were closer so our dogs could cache together Scout and Coral Bell (bet your glad I didn't recommend a name like that!!) I also REALLY like how Scout goes with Lucky!! Sandyduff

A tad behind checking email and the forum (and somehow set up the notification of new posts wrong for this thread!) but have my partner and have some ideas for a coin!! YEAH!!! So excited to be in my very first mission! thank you! Also, very happy to have someone in Switzerland. My first oversees trip was to there! I'll update my profile and contact as there is little idea about my coin wishes unless by the patterns of what I have activated. So new it is tough to gauge I am sure. FYI - My package sending will be within timeframe but not soon as I am planning to add a treat from my travels Feb 5-10th.

Hawkeye When you teach commands like sit, stay, heel, find cache - teach a hand command as well. They are double the command and work when your mouth is full - like when you are holding the leash in your mouth the young one up on your knee searching for swag in the cache as you sign the log We're down to the wire. Hope Lucky likes his caching 'alias' ...

Email sent - though not sure how to get the subject line right when you send through profile. I am an Unquestionable and Official NEWBIE ... no creative wiggling to make it so I've been lurking (and posting some for cointests) and the missions seem really great. I love the enthusiasm of everyone playing! Including those wiggling their way in to this newbie mission !! Thanks for making one with that is 'approachable' for a newbie. Looking forward to meeting a new cacher somewhere out there. Since I am making a little international trip just before the mission (Feb 5-10) part of my surprise will have an international flair! Thanks! Sandra of Sandyduff

I love your generosity with sharing this process. Your coins strike such a chord with me but I am new to the 'game' and still don't have one of yours yet! (To a newbie your coins seem to sell out and then be held onto quite devotedly. I can also see why and its all good.) But, I am curious how long it takes from starting idea on the paper to the minted (and sold out in pre-sales!) coin?! But perhaps I also need to be patient for this answer too - and let your process unfold here. Thanks again - Sandra of Sandyduff PS I will add I will do all I can to be one of the first in line for this one - Dragons are my totem and my favorite - and the story is a compelling hook to the coin. (maybe the opening bell will be back stateside this time - and on a day I have email access)

I decided that I would like to track my cache travels with a geocoin I purchased, activated and am keeping with me. I'd like to 'catch it up' to my caches so far (I'm relatively new - barely more than 100 caches). Can I edit my log and drop and retrieve a coin so that I can track the miles I've already done or is that not possible or not 'okay'? I will start doing it for future ones but liked the idea of retroactively logging those I have already done. Thanks! Sandra of Sandyduff

Name - Mugs (for muggle scarer) Tip - Check for dog accessibility ahead of time and plan cache hunts accordingly. Sometimes Mugs may have to guard the house or the vehicle; and make sure all precautions are taken for temperature/air/water.

Happy to look here, its always easier than the Ebay process. I am already watching one on Ebay and deciding my max bid. Sandra of SandyDuff