Have you ever heard of Fiverr? It is a website where people can post little ads saying what they will do for you for $5.00. I found this great guy who said he would ‘:enthusiastically talk about your ANYTHING like an Australian Nature Enthusiast”. So of course I wanted him to talk about my blog. What a hoot! Enjoy the adventure:
Thrifty Thursday
So technically, this is Friday, but I wanted to share this fabulous thrift store find with you before I forget, and next week is going to be so busy around here.
I have been wanting to get a new table for sewing in the RV. The one I had is just a little bit too big, and has to be moved onto the bed every time we travel. Which means I have to move it onto the bed every morning then take it off every night. I was looking for something just like this, a sewing machine cabinet. This one was only $20 at a thrift store in Tallapoosa, Georgia!
The top opens up just like every sewing machine cabinet I have ever seen. When it is open, it is just a little bit too long for the space I have, but I can turn it sideways a little bit when I am sewing and it will open all the way up. The best part is that I can leave the sewing project out overnight if I want to and just close up the top out of the way.
One of the best parts of finding this cabinet is that the old sewing machine was still in it. I am sure that thing doesn’t work, and it must weigh 40 pounds, but I think the old sewing machines looked pretty neat. It will eventually go in my sewing room in the house as a display item.
The original box with all the sewing attachments and different feet for the sewing machine were in there too! This is such a great add on, I can’t believe I got it for only $20!
Oh, and can you believe the instruction manual was there, too? There is no date in the book, so I don’t know exactly how old this thing is, but I am loving this particular find!
What have you found at a thrift shop lately? Link up below to share yours.
It’s Official! Fabgrandma Is The Winner!
Thank you all so much for your support during the month of daily voting for Favorite Grandparent Blog 2012 in the About.com Readers’ Choice contest. I truly apreciate all the votes, the sharing on Facebook, the Tweets, the bloggers who asked their readers to vote for me. All that planking and standing on my head worked!
Because of all of you, I can now wear the crown for a whole year!
A Rose By Any Other Name…
Have you ever wondered about name origins? I know for my blog, I thought about it for a long time but could never decide on just the right name, until one day my daughter told me I was a fabulous grandmother. Right then and there I had the name, Fabgrandma.
As for my given name, Karen, I have always wondered if I was named for someone or if my parents just picked that name out of book, or if they just liked the name. Karen is of Greek origin and means “pure” and “dear”. It can also be spelled Karin, Karyn, Karren, Carin, Caren, Caryn, and a myriad of other ways, but I think the way I spell it is the most common.
I have had a running joke with my grown children every time one of them has told me of an impending new grandchild, that they will have to name their child after me if it was a girl. I never really expected any of them to do that, but when my youngest granddaughter, Amelia, was born on my birthday in 2010, she was given my middle name, Gayle, for her “second” middle name. I was overcome with happiness when my son told me about that! Gayle is of English origin, and can be either a girls or boys name. It literally means “festive party”. Imagine that, I am a pure and festive party! hahaha!
My grandson, Michael, was given Zane as his middle name. He was born in Texas, and my son told me that he didn’t want to call him Tex, but did want him to have a name associated with the western United States, so he named him after Zane Grey, the author. And my youngest grandson, Owen James, was named for his mother’s family name, Owen, and Fabgrandpa’s first name, James.
And last but not least, a name story I tell often is this one: My son was two years old when his sister, Rebecca Jean, was born. When she was about two weeks old, we went grocery shopping with my mother. My sister and one of her friends were also in the car. My sister’s friend asked my son what his sister’s name was, and he replied “Rejecca Bean.” That name stuck, and she is still called by that nickname almost 39 years later.
What is the origin of your name? Do you have any name stories to share from your family?
Ways To Save Money On A Road Trip
While I’m getting ready to go on our road trip, I’m also trying to think of ways to save money along the way. The biggest expense we will have of course, is the fuel for the truck. With the price of diesel continuing to go up, I am getting a little worried about the budget.
The second biggest expense for a trip like this is the campground fees. I know some people will stop in a parking lot overnight, but we never do. For one thing, we don’t have a generator for electricity. And another thing is, we try to support local campgrounds along the way so they will be able to stay in business. I know we are just one tiny family but we do feel it is important to patronize these businesses when we can.
Sometimes if a campground or other business has a website, we can look for discount voucher codes to use before we get there. Even a five or ten percent discount can add up over a ten day trip. Sometimes we can find restaurant discounts as well. This time, I am looking at eating more meals in the RV. Sandwiches are easy to make at a rest stop, and if I cook sausage or bacon the night before it is easily reheated in a pan somewhere in a parking lot. It sure beats paying more than $25 for the two of us to eat breakfast!
What are you doing these days to stay within your budget? When you travel, do you look for discounts and coupons to use for lodging, meals, and sightseeing places?
Girlie Girl Backpack
Here it is, the first of the Girlie Girl backpacks I am making this week. This one is green and hot pink and white polka dots and plaid and floral. It has one large pocket on the outside, and several pockets on the inside. It would be good as a tote for a little girl, or a big girl, or even a diaper bag.
This backpack is big enough to hold a small laptop computer, a nook or kindle, and all the accessories to go with them. It is quilted and has very stiff Peltex interfacing so it will stand up by itself. It is for sale. The price is $45 and that includes shipping in the United States. I will ship to other countries, but you will have to pay shipping if outside the US. Send me an email or use the contact form found in the menu above if you are interested in purchasing this cute bag.
How Much Do You Know About RSV?
I have heard about RSV all my adult life–but I never fully realized what it is or how severe it can be until last month when my grandson, Owen, was in the hospital fighting for his life. While he is a four year old, his immune system had been compromised by surgery to remove his tonsils. The doctor said he was probably exposed to the germs before his surgery, but had displayed no symptoms until the night after the procedure. His diagnosis was Human Metapneumovirus, which is related to RSV. I can not imagine going through this same ordeal with a newborn or tiny baby.
Normally, young babies are the ones affected by RSV. One of the biggest threats to new babies is a very common virus called respiratory syncytial virus. This virus is of special concern because it’s extremely common and spreads very easily. RSV can live on surfaces such as doorknobs, countertops, toys, and bedding for several hours and is often spread through touching, hugging and kissing. Because of this, almost 100% of children contract RSV by their second birthday. In most older children, RSV runs its course with mild symptoms similar to the cold or flu, and many parents may not even know their child has the virus. But in very young babies—and especially preemies and those with certain lung and heart diseases—it can lead to a serious respiratory infection.
Because of these dangers, parents of new babies need to be cautious about exposing infants to visitors. But communicating your concern to family and friends eager to meet your new child can be difficult. It is a struggle to be appreciative of people’s excitement and wary of their contact.
So, if you are going to visit a family with a new baby, it is your responsibility to know how to act and prepare for a visit. It is important to remember that babies are susceptible to germs, so physical contact can be risky. Always wash your hands, ask before you touch a baby, and stay away if you have been sick recently.
If the new parents aren’t ready for visitors, remember that their concerns are valid and don’t be offended. There are other ways to show support of families with newborns such as doing the laundry for them, making dinner, or babysitting older siblings. Respecting the parents’ efforts to keep their baby safe from germs during their first few vulnerable months is one of the greatest gifts you can give them.
Some tips to remember:
- Call before you visit. New parents need time to set up a routine and bond. By giving them time to do so before you visit, you are respecting the new family.
- Postpone a visit if you feel that you may be getting sick, have recently been ill or exposed to illness.
- Remember that parents know best. If you feel they are being overprotective or overly cautious, just consider that only they know what’s best for the health of their new son or daughter.
- Offer to do something to ease their responsibilities as they spend time as a family, such as laundry, cooking or dishes. Sleep-deprived moms and dads will appreciate your help!
If you do schedule a visit with a new baby:
- Wash your hands frequently—upon entering the home and especially prior to holding the baby. Parents, and the new baby, will appreciate it.
- Leave toddlers at home, especially during the winter months. Young children, especially if they attend day care or preschool, often carry germs and viruses, like RSV, that are easily spread.
Find out more about RSV and how to prevent it at RSV Protection.
I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of MedImmune and received promotional item to thank me for taking the time to participate.
Out And About: Lock And Dam Park: Rome, Georgia
Last week when Richard was visiting, we decided to look up points of interest in our Garmin GPS and go take a look at something new. We are so glad we did, because we would have never discovered this beautiful place in the world on our own! Coosa River Nature Center Lock and Dam Park in Rome, Georgia is about 35 or so miles from our house, but well worth the drive up there.
Brown’s Guide to Georgia has this to say about Lock and Dam Park:
…the Lock and Dam Park illustrates the region’s (and all of Georgia’s) early river history. During the mid-1800s, before the lock and dam were built, the Coosa was busy with steamboats and barges carrying freight, passengers and mail between Rome and Greenport, Alabama. The boats had difficulty navigating some parts of the river, one of the worst points being Horseleg Shoals. Occasionally, temporary “dams” were devised by local citizens along the sides of the Coosa to create deeper water for navigation. Because of such problems, it was decided to make the Coosa River completely navigable. Six locks and dams were completed, the first in 1880. Construction of the lock and dam at what was known as Mayo’s Bar began in 1910 and opened for navigation in 1913. The lock was officially closed in 1941. Today a 730-acre regional park serves as a popular campground and fishing area while remaining one of Floyd County’s early historical landmarks…
Lock and Dam Park is on the Coosa River south of Rome, Georgia. We were amazed at how beautiful this place is. Lots of spring flowers blooming the day we were there. There were also plenty of trees for shade during the summer. The whole place was inviting and pleasant and neatly manicured.
A real river boat that was used on the Coosa River is on display here. It is interesting to see the boat and read about its history. It was powered by a Buick engine!
There is a campground with 31 RV sites. 50 amp electric service, septic service and a dump station are also available. Some of the campsites are right on the river bank. There is a primitive camping area and bathhouses, and many nature trails in the park.
Oh, and don’t forget your fishing gear! There is plenty of room on the dock and along the riverbank to cast your line and fish for crappie, stripers, and catfish.
Other amenities:
- Pavilion for up to 250 people for picnics, family reunions and special groups
- Walking trails and Observation Tower with a view of the Coosa River and mountains
- Fernbank Science Center display with tours for special groups available
- Meeting room
- Trading post and bait shop that sells tackle, bait, camping and picnic supplies.
- Canoe Rentals
- Fishing Pier
- Boat Ramp and Boat Docks
To get there, take US Hwy 27 South to Walker Mountain Road, or US Hwy 20 West to Georgia Hwy 100 to Blacks Bluff Road. The park hours are from 7:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m. Security closes the gate at 11:00 p.m. There is a $2.00 per vehicle parking fee. For more information or to make reservations call 706-234-5001 between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.
