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Saturday, October 6, 2012

Autumn Sock Exchange

It's been a rough week. On top of craziness at work and on the home front, Grey and I are sick. Like needing 16 hrs of sleep sick.

Then I woke up this morning and received amazing news from my good friend Shelley. I've known Shelley for 2 yrs and we've both been on this journey together for too long. To hear good news makes my heart soar and I'm am beyond overjoyed for her.

So, riding this wave of hope, I'm hosting another Fertility Sock exchange.


Background: The idea is not my own and those who are not familiar with them should read here and here.  I have added one change to this exchange: it is open to anyone touched by infertility/loss. Though the original idea was to have something interesting to wear while in the stirrups (either as a conversation starter or to keep your feet warm in style) I've come to realize that fertility is not limited to the ability to conceive and carry a pregnancy to term. Far from it, as I'm now met too many who either are still in the trenches or have resolved either through adoption or choosing to live childfree or successful treament who live fertile lives. Sometimes far more fertile than those who can easily conceive. So, whether you are newly diagnosed, preparing for treatment, in the thick of treatments, pregnant after IF/loss, parenting after adoption/IF/loss, in the adoption process, made the decision to live childfree, or simply stuck at the crossroads (like me), this exchange is for you.

Here are the rules:
1) Leave a comment below to let me know if your interested. This exchange is open to anyone who has been touched by IF/miscarriage/infant loss, be it you're currently in treatment, preparing for treatment, recently diagnosed, pregnant after IF, parenting after IF, pursing adoption, living child-free or even supporting someone dealing with IF.

2) Once you've received your recipient's names, please contact them within 24 hrs. Recipients, please response within 24 hrs too. This is incredibly important so that everyone has all the necessary information. For those who will be difficult to contact, please leave an additional comment with your contact information. I will not publish it, but it will help with making the connections.

3) Socks do NOT need to be handmade. Again, when I originally started doing this, I did it because I'm a crazy knitter who in addition to wanting to give something that was handmade also uses knitting as a form of therapy. Please do not feel that you need to learn to knit, crotchet or sew in order to participate. And there are some amazing sock stores out there.

4) If you can no longer participate in the exchange, please contact me immediately. Yes, life happens and unseen circumstances can require you to focus your energy elsewhere. (Trust me, I get it.) But please don't leave your recipient hanging. I'm more than happy to reassign, as long as I'm aware that you can no longer participate.

Deadline for participation is Sunday October 14th. I'll post a reminder as the deadline comes closer.

30 comments:

  1. I would love to participate! Such a great idea. Thanks :)

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  2. Yay! I've been waiting for this! Thanks so much for hosting this again!!!

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  3. There is nothing like a good sock exchange. I treasure my past pairs. Count me in please!

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  4. I'm glad you're doing this exchange. I'd love to join in the fun. But please oh please, I beg of you...pair me with someone legit. I did this last year and my partner never sent my socks. Kept saying they were on the way. I was so disappointed. Since I'm gearing up for IVF, I really need some lucky socks to wear. ;)

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  5. I'm in. They just opened an ALL SOCK STORE in a mall near my house!

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  6. I wasn't going to participate this go around until I saw Jessica Schmitz post. I will gladly be her partner and put faith back into the sock exchange. Sign me up.

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  7. I'm in!!! 4 sure it was a way fun experience each and every time I've done this!!! Thanks Chisty for hosting this!!!

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  8. Count me in too! I always see others doing this, and am excited to join this time! Thanks!

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  9. I am in for this round! Such a great idea. Thanks for getting it together!

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  10. I would love to participate! Thanks for doing this :)

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  11. I'm in! This was amazing last round.

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  12. I'd love to join in! We're starting IVF and I need all the luck I can get! :-)

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  13. Sure -- count me in! AmyG

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  14. I'd love to take part please. only found your blog yesterday and your writing is so beautiful. I'm glad I found you!

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  15. I would totally love to participate. This is fun, and I love socks AND getting mail. (dearanxiety at gmail)

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  16. I'm in! Sign me up!

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  17. I'd like to join in, too, please! a-litko@hotmail.com Thanks!!!

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  18. If its not too late it'd love love love to join!! Growinggriswolds@gmail.com

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  19. Aww...too bad I missed out on this. :( I would have loved to participate!!! Maybe next time??

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  20. I think it's awesome and very selfless that you have kept that tradition going, by the way....

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