Post Holiday Update

We made it through all of our holiday celebrations and gatherings. We spent Christmas Eve with family and got to see some family that we don't see very often. It was nice catching up and spending time with them. Christmas day was very peaceful and relaxing. Zach's grandma came over and we had seven layer dip and white chicken chili. It was all wonderful, especially since the meal was prepared ahead of time so the dishes were all done. That just left the mess of opening gifts as the only one to clean up!

Zach received a donation of $20 from a family member and $150 from another. He was also helping a friend out with their animals, I'll add that into the total once he receives it. We're looking forward to continuing our efforts and are working on figuring out what our next step is going to be. I think Zach is wanting to do a little part time work at the thrift store I previously spoke about. We're still working on getting the printers and other equipment assessed and then the possibility of selling them on ebay. And of course before you know it Valentine's Day will be here so maybe we'll do some gift baskets.

For now though the total is at $1298!

'Til next time....

We LOVE "The Giving Tree"

First, we're still checking on aluminum can prices and they have come up a little - today they are at $0.62 a pound. We decided to hold out a little while though.

But now onto our most important news of the day.
I had seen a new thrift store in a local town and wanted to stop by. The Giving Tree is the name of the shop. A few weeks back we had some extra time and pulled in only to find (from the sign) that their heat was out so therefore they were closed for the day. We left disappointed but knew we would be back...it just looks like a really neat shop even from outside. Last week we stopped in and they were open. It is just as neat on the inside...we bought a few things. There was just something about the atmosphere though. This is not like most thrift stores, it's well organized with everything marked and the people there are super friendly. My youngest was with me and he told the girls there that it was his birthday and they sang him Happy Birthday. Yes, the whole song and yes even with other customers in the store. I knew I wanted to go back in and thought my mom would enjoy it as much if not more than I did. We stopped by again on Tuesday of this week and my youngest (gosh I'm realizing how friendly he is) was telling them that the kid with us (Zach)
was his butler. I felt this needed a little explanation, so I introduced him as his big brother and explained the whole butler agreement and why Zach was doing it. Well, I guess the wheels started spinning and the next thing you know they wanted to donate some things they haven't been able to sell, not because it's not worth anything just that it is not something that is generally purchased at a thrift store by the regular person. He drove up there yesterday and came home with a truck full of printers, scanners, typewriters, copiers and all in one machines. We're still in the process of weeding through them and figuring out whether to re-sale over the internet or scrap them out for metal contents. Thank you so much to Lynn (I think, I'm horrible with names) and Becka and the rest of the group. You can visit their website at www.thegivingtreethriftstore.com

But more than anything we just realize how truly blessed we are and that as long as you work hard your needs will always be met...somehow.

'Til next time...

$1128

As I was out running around (alone-without children) running errands after a doctor's appointment yesterday I stopped by a local store that we frequent. I was looking for a gift for the kids and could not find it. I asked the cashier (my favorite clerk...one who knows me by name and knows my children as well as me knowing about hers) if she had seen any. She looked somewhat puzzled and said no but then said wait...and beckoned me back over to the register. You see we had the pictures we developed of the gingerbread house developed there and had told her about our mission. Without hesitation she pulled some money out and gave a donation to Zach's fund.

Today, we received a Christmas card from a neighbor and enclosed was a note stating that they were sorry they did not make the open house and included was another donation.

We trulyy are touched by the support from all of our friends, family and neighbors.

I know this is somewhat of a short posting from me, I just found out today that my mother has been diagnosed with breast cancer so I'm a little distracted. She is in great spirits. I'm going to the surgeon's appointment with her tomorrow...we'll see what the surgeon has to say and go from there. I know life always deals us bumps, challenges and distractions from what we have planned but this is all part of the plan. So we are going to stay focused on the plan for Zach because that is what she wants!

Again, I hate to leave on a negative note...so $5872 to go and Zach and his dad are going out tomorrow while we are at the doc's office and collect cans.

'Til next time.

Another $ 62 - Total $1103.

I'm a glass half full kind of person so I hate to put something that seems bad in my mind because I'm really only focused on the part where we have been able to raise a lot as far as the cost of the tuition. So I'll put it this way....we only have $5897. to go!

Zach has been working really hard. We dropped him off the other day (at his request) when we ran to town (yes, we live out in the country) he decided he was going to walk down one of our country roads and pick up cans and then we could pick him up on our way back. This was really hard for me. The temperature was 38 degrees outside, I would have stayed with him and walked the other side of the road but I can't do those temperatures. I would have been so sick! Anyway, we showed back up and he had walked over 3 miles!!!! He collected two thirteen gallon bags full....no, we still have not recycled any aluminum. The prices are still low. They don't seem to be going anywhere soon. That's OK, he's not going until summer...we can wait. At this point we do have fifteen, forty-five gallon trash bags full of crushed cans and more coming everyday.

We did sell cookies, a homemade angel off of etsy.com and received a donation over the weekend.

I'm sure you're curious about the butler, he's still at work...weekdays only (part of the agreement).

'Til next time....

Add another $75 for a total of $1041

First things first. Monday we delivered the gingerbread house to the winner of the raffle. Ms. Eugenia works at a local store and was so excited. I don't think she could wait to dig in...she asked if they were completely edible. Thank you to everyone for your support by purchasing a raffle ticket.

Then we sold a Winnie the Pooh Totem Pole wall hanging from the etsy site but the order is being paid by money order (on its way) so I'm not going to add it to the total yet. Then we got an order for a chalkboard. All of the money minus shipping charges is going towards the trip. It's adding up quickly.

The biggest development so far is that Zach and his younger brother have reached a business agreement. Jacob has hired Zach to be his butler for $5 a day. This includes a detailed list of things that are required of him in a days time, such as make his bed daily, prepare snacks, play with him at least once a day, etc...I'm rather enjoying not having to make snacks for him. I have to admit I am getting spoiled. We'll see how long this lasts. It's probably going to be a while before he runs out of money. They'll probably get tired of it long before that!

Thanks for checking in on our status...'til next time.

What A Weekend!

This Saturday we held our open house.  We had a lot of fun and enjoyed seeing those of you who made it by. Thank you for your encouragement and support. I don't think we realized how much we had available for sale. Due to sales and the raffle of the gingerbread house and church we were able to raise another $103 and many, many bags of cans. For those of you who did not make it to the open house there are still many items available at  www.etsy.com/shop/bigdreams1

Once the open house was wrapped up we went bowling. The People to People organizers held a winter social so those who were going to be traveling as Student Ambassadors could get together. We got to meet many of those who Zach will be traveling with. They all seemed extremely nice and friendly.  I've posted a few pictures of some of those who we met.

$863 - Current Tally

Yes, Zach's now up to $863. I sold one of my fleece blankets...the pink John Deere one. Grandma sold a raffle ticket as well. We are all still so excited. It's almost like the anticipation of Christmas but a long, long way off. I started telling family last night that this year we're going to be saving the money we would be spending on everyone to put towards the fund. As no one should be expecting gifts from us, we are not anticipating any in return. If anyone were to feel the need to do anything we ask that they make a donation or purchase towards Zach's trip. As I'm new to facebook http://www.etsy.com/shop/bigdreams1  and writing a blog I am slowly figuring out how to link it all together. If successful I'll have a link with this blog to my shop at www.etsy.com. Then you should be able to simply click on it instead of having to find it.

Until next time.......

Up To $826!

Sold a cake and roll of cookies over the weekend. Zach also sold a previously owned item and made a profit on it. All together made $82. Things are looking really good for the open house. Zach and his Grandma finished up the Gingerbread House and Gingerbread Church. They are beautiful...Did I mention these did not come from a kit you buy at a craft store. They are homemade gingerbread. The church has candy stained glass windows, one being a cross on the back of the building. The other is a Tudor style house with a turret. The raffle tickets are $10 a piece and a drawing is to take place this weekend. The chalkboards are painted, frames are made and waiting to be painted. Lined winter hats are finally done. All ornaments are painted and ready. This is so exciting!

We're Having a Holiday Open House

For the past few years I have been a very casual maker and seller of miscellaneous craft type items. I love doing it and sharing with others. To me it is almost therapeutic and I love to see peoples reactions. Being gifted in the creativity department leaves me with a huge sense of self satisfaction to hear a recipient of a gift basket or handmade angel marvel and say "How did you do that, I could never create anything even close".

So now I have a very specific purpose for making even more and becoming more serious. We've been absorbing all costs for everything we've been making so far including the cakes, cookies, breads. We decided to do the same with our handmade items. Our open house is taking place on December 11th. We're of course going to be serving red velvet cake and we're going to display all that we've been making. So far we have winter hats, a tree skirt, stockings for Christmas, tree ornaments, teacher gifts, new baby gift baskets, chalkboards, and wooden trees that hold Christmas cards.

For anyone out of town we're posting all items online at www.etsy.com simply click on the arrow by "Handmade" and then click on "Sellers" then type "bigdreams1" into the box and click on "search" our store will be brought up and then you can click on "bigdreams1", all items are there and they include shipping charges. Remember every penny is going towards Zach's trip to Europe. It's so cool to see him so driven and willing to work so hard to earn as much toward his trip as he can. He may not be able to sew or paint like I can but he has been doing dishes, laundry and vacuuming so I have more time to do so.

I love my kids! Til next time.   

Current 10% of the way there! $744.

So you read it. We're 10% of the way to our goal. Zach is really enjoying learning to mix cookie dough and of course how to package it and present it so it becomes something really special. We've sold several cakes, not enough yet that he's tried to tackle one on his own. I thought it was up to us as parents to teach our children how to cook or bake. I'm surprised at how many people are shocked to find out that he's doing the work on his own. Our children have been in the kitchen standing on chairs helping us cook since they were able to stand up without falling down. They are going to make some women very happy someday.

He really wants to earn the money to pay his own way for this trip to Europe, he knows that if he doesn't achieve the whole $7000 that we're going to help him out. We think he will appreciate it better and grow a lot of self confidence and pride in himself when he gets there. He has signed us all up on Facebook so we can keep in touch with all of our family and friends.

With the holidays we still have not recycled all of those cans, as soon as we do I'll post how much we got for them.

'til next time

Aluminum Prices Down

Well I called today to check on aluminum can recycling prices and it seems they are down a little. We'll probably hold out until they start back up. We have recycled cans before, I wonder what a really good price is? Seems like lately they have risen when gas prices go up.

Zach got his passport photo taken and has submitted an application for a passport. He also made up several batches of cookie dough to fulfill orders. He got 2 more cookie dough orders today.

I also visited the website for the group that's organizing the Student Ambassadors today www.peopletopeople.com and checked out their information on fundraising. I found out that they have funding e-cards available for purchase, say for instance a family member, friend or neighbor wanted to give Zach money for the holiday to go towards his trip, they simply could go to www.invite.peopletopeople.com/give and purchase a card that will go towards his trip.

Seems like a lot of information to process but it also is coming to us gradually and in small enough bites we can chew and swallow without choking. I'm glad so many others have done this before us and are willing to share what they've learned. Aren't people great.

Well we're off to deliver that cookie dough and a few fliers.

Until next time...
LaDonna

Fundraising Update

What a great fundraising weekend! Sold a cake and cookie dough, got an order for the same for next weekend. We had friends call and went and picked up cans. Zach thought he hit it big when one friend had four 50 gallon trash bags and three 13 gallon bags full. Then Saturday he went with his dad to another friends house and filled bags for hours. They ended up coming home with a truck bed and trailer full, they had twenty-one 50 gallon trash bags when it was all done. They decided to be typical boys and proceeded to pile them up in the driveway...YES I mean all 24 bags.......then they got in their trucks and ran them over to crush them. I'm not sure whether they enjoyed receiving that many cans or the thrill of the crush more. Nevertheless it was a pretty awesome site to see, I'm going to have to figure out how to post pics and share those types of moments. Today we went to the bank and opened a separate account so money for fundraising has its own place to be. While there we also share a flier, hopefully they'll start saving cans or place an order too. At this point we are truly grateful to those of you who have helped. We are blessed to know all of you. Until next time........

What an Opportunity

We first received a letter at the end of September, addressed "to the parents of Zachary King". I originally thought it was just more junk mail but I always open it and check anyway. To my surprise it was actually an invitation for our son to apply to become a "People to People Student Ambassador". It wasn't until we visited the website and found out that he might be chosen to visit Europe in the summer of 2011 that we became very intrigued, somewhat envious (that we weren't going to get to go too), and very excited!
Through our research we found out that he would get to see the Leaning Tower of Pisa, swim in the Mediterranean Sea, visit with a former member of Parliament, reach out and learn about cultures other than his own while representing his country, stay on local farms with host families, as well as many other exciting experiences.
We decided immediately that we would do anything for him to be able to take advantage of this opportunity. The first step was to submit an application and go for an interview. After the interview we were told that he was accepted into the program. That news brought on a whole other set of emotions and questions. Like how were we going to be able to finance the tuition fee (approx. $7000) and how were we going to go about raising funds to do so? We also realized we were going to be sending our son to another country! Not something we're accustomed to doing.
We think we have come up with a plan - he has started collecting cans. We have also spread the word to everyone we know and they are saving scrap metal for us as well. Since the holidays are coming up we printed up fliers and are making cookie dough, fresh baked breads and cakes and raffling off a gingerbread house and church.
So far we have raised $644. Not a lot in comparison to what we have to get to but we've only just begun. More fundraising ideas are on their way, I just know it. I think we will get there. With a little persistence and a lot of work. No to mention it will all be worth it! This experience is one he will never forget. You never know the group of Student Ambassadors may even be invited to a Royal Wedding!!!

LaDonna