The Sand Pit

Sandbox from Free Cycler:

FREE

3 Bags of Play Sand from Lowe's

Less than $10.00

Two little monkeys who were completely unaware of the sandbox until we filled it with the sand:

P R I C E L E S S

Five Things Friday

Five Things That Have Made Me Smile In the Last Week:

1. As some of you may know, yesterday was Thanksgiving :) Jeremy, the Madore-ables and I spent Wednesday and Thursday with my sister-in-law and future brother-in-law at their house in coastal Maine. As always, we had such a great time and of course ate an amazing, fantastic, gourmet dinner. (Thank you again Paul & Jessica!!) I'll post pictures soon.
2. Jeremy and I have decided that we're going to improve our living situation and make some home improvements. Today, we purchased a flat screen TV that will serve as a TV and a computer screen for processing photos for our photography business. Next project? Framing some photos in time for Sarah's birthday party.
3. Sarah's speech has improved so much over the last few months. Her latest favorite thing to do is singing songs...specifically Train's "Hey, Soul Sister". Ask her to sing it sometime. She sings the beginning line "Heyyyy. Heyyyyyyyy" brilliantly.
4. As some of you may know, I'm walking the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer next May and I've started my fundraising early, and I'm running a bottle drive. I returned a whole bunch of 5 cent bottles and cans earlier in the week so I'm up over $5.00 in returnables.
5. I've gone on a major cleaning spree in our place, and therefore have been able to get rid of a ton of stuff on the best website known to man: Free Cycle. I was able to snag a pair of ice skates for Samantha. WOOT WOOT!

There's No Place Like Home

There's no place like home.

(click click click)

There's no place like home.

(click click click)

There's no place like home.

(click click click)

Mommy? I don't feel any different.

Silly Mommy. These shoes aren't magic shoes. It's not a dream. We just picked up several nice pair of sneakers and shoes from FreeCycle all for free...and I love them already!

Five Things Friday

5 Things That Have Made Me Smile In the Last Week

1. This past week I've made an effort to start my training a little early for the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer (AWBC) next May 14th & 15th. I do this by waking up a few minutes before the sun rises, eating a banana and head out the door with my iPod. There's something about walking on the sidewalk before the world wakes up. Sure, I get a lot of strange looks from the high school kids while they're waiting for the school bus as if to say, "Why are you up so early?" I'm a woman on a mission people. I can't afford to donate money to causes, but I have 2 legs that can walk. And if I can walk, then I'm already part of the solution. I'm walking up to almost 5 miles now, which feels great! (To keep track of my AWBC training, FUNdraisers and other information, just click here).


2. I belong to FreeCycle which is the most amazing invention ever. For those of you who aren't aware or familiar of what FreeCycle is, it's a non-profit organization that promotes recycling and keeping reusable goods out of landfills. There's a saying: "One person's trash is another's treasure". Well, that certainly applies here. How does this work you ask? Well, you have to sign up via email at FreeCycle.org. You post items that you want to get rid of (baby clothing that your child has outgrown, broken laptops, coupons that you know you won't use, those few coffee cups that don't match anything that are in your cabinets, etc). Well, I responded to an email that a woman posted in the next town over from me. She said that she had "some clothing"that was in "good" condition that would be the perfect size for Sarah for this Winter, and next. So, I was the first to respond, so she gave me first dibs on the clothing. After she gave me the address for pickup, she then announced that she had some more items that I might be able to use: some toddler size shoes for boys (which would be perfect for my nephews in Maine) and some underpants for Samantha. So, I drive to the place of pickup and there sitting on the front porch of the house is a HUGE trash bag FULL of baby clothes all in AMAZING and next to excellent condition plus a HUGE plastic bag full of shoes. ALL FOR FREE! I love scoring good deals on FreeCycle.


3. Speaking of my nephews, my Madore-ables received some very cute cards in the mail this week from their cousins. Inside there were very cute messages and pictures, plus stickers. The Madore-ables like love stickers, so that just totally made their night. (And mine too). Thank you Damian & Malachi :)


4. Boston is experiencing an early Autumn these last few weeks. Temperatures have been in the 60's and 70's. Sun has been shining and the wind has been blowing. The leaves are starting to change, kids are back to school, new Fall t.v shows are about to start, and I've been tempted to put the heat on first thing in the morning. I love love love this time of year. I baked my first apple crisp earlier in the week. Just less than 1 week until the start of Autumn! YAY!


5. I just found out this morning that I have a job! Well, a part time job. More like 4 hours a week. Either way, it gets me out of the house, a few extra dollars in the savings account and some time with adults. I start next Thursday. Thank you to Alan. I'm excited about the new opportunity. A big thank you to my Mom too for watching the girls for a few hours while I'm working :)