DD going off to College, Oh My!

Do you have a child, or I guess I should say young adult, going off to college?  It is overwhelming, right?

Between housing (ouch) and tuition, that is enough to push you over, but since you have no control over those costs, nothing to do.  But then you add in all the little extra's, bedding, kitchen supplies, toiletries, cleaning supplies, food... and the list goes on and on!

Oy, I just may need a drink, as Martina McBride would say ")

Back in January I posted about how DD had already shopped and found her bedding.  Check it out Here

That was great to find.  And in November we had scored the $3 mixer, toaster and sandwich maker at Target's after Thanksgiving sale.  ( never again at 4 am!)

Now it was on to dishes, cups, toiletries, storage and the list goes on!  Just recently Target had their summer clearance on their cool summer items.  Melamine plates and glasses would be great for a dorm I figured and if you could get them at 50% off even better.  I usually am looking for the plates to add to my melamine plate collection to use for BBQ's.  Sale started when we were on vacation, but we were able to get some plates and cups along with hangers and food storage that was on sale that week.



I have a few bins in the garage that are storing this stuff until she moves in the end of August.  Still waiting to find out her roommates, so they can divy up the big items.  Don't need 4 tv;s or 4 brooms, etc.  So now I am trying to stock up on her fav toiletries.  Watching sales and using coupons really helps.  Plus watching the sales on school supplies as well.  And now Borders with there close out sale.  OY!

Anyone have great tips for stocking up on all the things for college life???

Have a great weekend,

Laura

Bodie

I'm baack!  Yes we returned from 10 days in the beautiful Eastern Sierra's in California!  Wonderful!  I will post a bunch of pics later, but first I wanted to tell you about a little town!

Bodie, is a gold mining town about 10 miles off the 395 in the Eastern Sierra's.  Gold was found there in 1859 by a man named Bodey, they changed the spelling when naming the town.  By 1879 there were 10,000 people and 65 saloons!  In 1962 it was made a state park and has been left in 'arrested decay' since then!  This means that all the buildings are locked and you can look through windows and screens to see what remains!  It is very interesting.

While DD and DH were looking at all the old buildings, I was looking at all the old artifacts!  Boy what a treasure trove!  Please excuse the pics they were taken with the lens right up against the glass.

This is the marker that talks about the founding of Bodie.  It is really a cool story!

This is the inside of the church!  Look at those 'schoolhouse' lights!  and the beadboard paneling!

This is the outside of the church.  It is so amazing that these buildings are still standing.  I guess it is because of the cold dry winters, it preserves the wood!

This was just inside a shack!  Look at those tin panels!  I know Donna at Funky Junk Interiors would have a field day with them!  There was so much cool stuff!

Most houses had 10-12 ft ceilings, and look at the awesome moldings!  Plus the old wallpaper!  Oy!

Isn't this a cool old blue stove!  I think this was a saloon at one time, but the blue stove just caught my eye!.

I believe this was a store.  Look at the tin ceiling and the 'schoolhouse' light again!  So many treasures to be found!

Look the cool insulators we all are crazy about in there original usage!  They were all over the place.

I loved how this pic turned out.  I believe that this was an old wherehouse, but I love the old iron doors!
















Here is the old mine.  During its heyday they pulled out $30 million in gold and silver!!!  Yes I said Million!

 

The operated the mine till around 1941, but it was never like it was in the 1870's.  My inlaws remember coming here before it was a state park and you could just walk through everything!  Hope you enjoyed the tour of Bodie!  Lots of cool architecture and artifacts to see!

Have a great day!

Laura

Happy 4th of July!

As we celebrate our countries birthday, I hope you take a moment and remember those that have given their lives for our freedom.  A few months ago DD and I watched as a funeral procession went by with a fallen local hero.  He was only 19, younger than DS and just a baby.  His brother was in DD's class so this sort of touched home.  We watched the fire truck with the flag hanging from the ladder, the motorcycles that escorted the family and most of all we cried, well I did!  These are just babies we are sending over to secure our freedom.  Babies.   

Have a great 4th!  We are off to the Sierra's, hopefully to catch a bunch of fish!  I will post pics later.

In memory!

Here is a pic of my grandfather, Andrew M. Strang, today July 3 would have been his 112 birthday!

He was in the navy during WWI and I just love this pic of him.  Glad DH got to know him, wished my kids would have but he passed away in 1981.

This is my Dad John T. Phillips.  He was in the Air Force in the 50's.  This is my Mom's favorite pic of him.  He passed just last year.

Love the old pics, but miss the people!  I know they are watching down on us everyday.

See you soon,

Laura