$59 Added!

Zach is still being paid by his younger brother to be his butler. He's earned another $35 from doing that and I think they are both learning a lot about communication through this whole butlerhood! Zach also worked at The Giving Tree earlier this week and is scheduled to work again this week, so far he earned $24...by the way I said in an earlier post that her name was Lynn and followed that with the comment about how bad I am with names. Well it's actually Leslie. Thank you to Leslie and Becka for being so generous and helping him to fulfill his goal.

Last week Zach's dad (Jason) was at a job and saw a pile of recyclable metals. He asked the homeowner what he was going to do with it and he told him he'd been trying to get rid of it but couldn't get anybody to come and get it. So over the weekend they went and picked up another trailer full of scrap. I think they are planning on taking some scrap in this weekend. It's starting to look a little like a junk yard around here. That's ok though it's for a really great cause.

We're also working on Valentine's baskets so keep checking back and be sure and visit either etsy or our page on facebook. Search for LK Originals.

Til next time.

Struggling to Get Back Into the Swing of Things!!!

The holidays are my favorite time of year. I love the smells coming from the kitchen, getting together with family that you've been out of touch with throughout the year, and the way our home looks with all of our decorations. There's just something about the home being a little fuller but not to the point of being cluttered just enough to make it warm and cozy like....anyway before I get lost back in all of that, my confession is that I feel like I've been on vacation for a while and am having a hard time getting back into the rhythm of things. It doesn't help that we've had snow twice within the past 3 weeks and we are not used to that at all. We're lucky if we get it once a year.

So here I am getting back into it and I resolve to give updates throughout the week on a regular basis, so be sure and check back often.

I was so excited to get a call from a man at the local recycling center. He called to introduce himself and let me know that if we have a large quantity of recyclables to give him a call and he can get us a better price per pound. Where do these coincidences keep coming from?...I don't know but we sure do feel blessed when they come.

Zach and his little brother are still in their agreement for a butler. It is not as consistent as it was in the beginning but on occasion Zach has to give him a slight dose of reality to keep him in check and keep his head from getting too big. I don't have the total on that so I'm not adding it.
...if you've been with us for a while you may remember the sale of an item on www.etsy.com/shop/bigdreams1 that I said I would add as soon as I received payment...well payment has not come so I have cancelled the order. I have also posted new items so be sure to check it out and see if there is anything you can use...

Til next time...

$1538 and More Recyclables

Zach's dad went on a warranty call earlier in the week. He had done some work for some friends who live close and they called and said there was a drip from the drain. He stopped by and was offered payment but warranty calls aren't something that is billable. He asked about Zach's trip and where he was so far and then gave him $40 to put towards the trip. 

Then while talking to friends last night we were explaining that Zach has been working on tearing down a washing machine for recycling and he said he's got a washing machine sitting in his garage that Zach could have. He also said his mom probably has some metal things at her house so they made arrangements to meet up today at a job that he had to finish up. Turns out the owners of the house they met at is a cousin to our neighbor and he got to talking and has sent home a trailer full of metals things and they are going to go get another load.

Do you ever have those moments in your life when you almost feel overwhelmed at other people's generosity and think that there is no way it can get much better then all of a sudden someone else does something and you just keep feeling like there is no way you can feel any better? That's kind of how I'm feeling right now. It's kind of like floating on a cloud, with fluttering butterflies in your stomach. We will never be able to make anyone understand how truly appreciative and grateful we are. I only hope that we are all able to continue to pay it forward as we can!

Til next time...

New Total $1498

Wow! I just can't help but think of what a great lesson this is to our children. I think everyone should set goals and reach as high for them as they can. Through this they will learn that even some that may seem impossible may not be. They could even be exceeded, depending on how much effort and hard work you put into them. Of course there is always the other side to that as well. Should Zach not reach his goal he will have learned a valuable lesson in how to deal with disappointment. He'll be able to look back and figure out if there was anything he could have done differently, if he could have worked a little harder or if he did all he could have done and maybe his goal was just a little too ambitious! Either way I love watching them learn very valuable life lessons either way.

Now to move forward, you did read that title correctly, he is now at $1498! He was able to earn another $200 helping friends with their animals over the holidays. Thank you to our friends for allowing Zach the opportunity to help out and we truly do appreciate your support!

We find ourselves very inspired by the total so far. Depending on how you look at it, it may not seem like much. But you can also say that $1498. means we are 20% of the way there or one-fifth of the way. I think that the whole family will agree the hardest part is behind us and we just continue to pick up momentum. Initially, our struggle was to let everyone know about the trip. Now everyone we know has received the information and description and all we have to do is keep them updated on our progress and what is coming next. That is even easier now that we have our blog, are on facebook and have updated everyone's e-mail addresses. Can't wait til next time to share more good news and update you again...

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.