Oh Craigslist, how I love thee...

I love Craigslist . I love it a little too much. I am a self diagnosed Craigslist addict. I'm constantly on the site looking for something free, something cheap, or looking to see what I can get rid of for a little bit of cash. My first experience with Craigslist was getting rid of our clothes dryer after our washing machine died on us. I needed to buy a new washer and I had to have the "matching dryer". It was working just fine, but I felt it was time to buy a new one that would match my new high efficiency washer (since I average about 20-25 washes per week). So I put an add on Criagslist with a couple of attached pictures of the inside and outside of the dryer. Within minutes of the ad being up I had my choice of people that quickly responded. Within 1 hour the dryer was out of my garage and I had $75 cash in hand. From that moment on, I was hooked!! I then (the same day) took a picture of our lawn mower that was just sitting in the garage taking up space. Again, it was gone within the hour. It was the easiest $150 I had ever made ($75 for the lawn mower and $75 for the dryer).

Needless to say, I have since become obsessed with posting on Craigslist. I recently looked at my Craigslist account. You can review everything you have ever posted. I had 141 postings! Yep, 141 ! Now, that is not to say that I have sold everything and some things were double posts, but overall I would say I have sold to about 100 people. Mind you, no huge ticket items. Mostly kids clothes, toys, books and baby equipment, maternity clothes (no, I will not need them again!). However, we did sell our treadmill, ping-pong table and bakers rack which were higher priced items. Since I haven't returned to work since Brendan was born, Craiglsist has provided me with some extra money when I needed it (not to mention cleaning out some of the clutter that accumulates from having 5 growing kids!).

Just a couple weeks ago, I decided to post our trampoline that was becoming an eye-sore in our backyard. I was so sick of starring out my kitchen window and having to look at the faded, torn and NEVER USED trampoline that my kids just HAD TO HAVE! Well, the thing was over 6 years old (we got it for free from our neighbor about 3 years ago). It was faded, ripped from the wind storm this past winter and just down right "used"! So, I took a picture of it and put it up on Craigslist under "Free Stuff". I noted the wear and tear and posted "you disassemble, you haul away". Well, let me tell you, within minutes my phone and e-mail in-box was inundated with I am not exaggerating...30 calls and 20 or more e-mails with the first 15 minutes. Within 1/2 hour, the lucky recipient "Larry" was in our back yard with his brother Daryl and his other brother Daryl (minus their teeth). They were taking the tramp apart like pros and PUFF, it was gone! Alleluia! I actually like looking out my kitchen window now. I got the biggest high (even though I didn't get any cash for it) to just have it out of my yard. Thank you Craigslist.

In terms of purchasing items on Craigslist, you can get some really good deals. My favorite purchases have been our 5 burner gas cook-top for $200...in perfect condition and a double jogging stroller that I purchased for $75 and resold 2 weeks later for $100 (after realizing Andrew was no going to sit in it with Brendan). In fact, I have purchased 4 strollers on Craigslist in the last year and currently, I do not own one of them. I have resold each one of them for at least what I paid.

Let's see, what else have I bought???? A bike for Catherine, clothes for Matthew and Alexander, 2 patio umbrellas, a baby swing and bouncy seat for Brendan (resold them both), Halloween costumes, and a like-new Britax car seat. Even if I don't buy, I love to just look and see what people are selling. I am currently looking for a mountain bike for me, an activity walker push toy for Brendan, outdoor patio furniture (Mike doesn't know about this), and a kitchen table to seat 8. I check the postings everyday in hopes that something will come up and of course...at a good price! It's all about the hunt.

I get a little upset when I post items that don't sell. I mean, really...my stuff isn't junk. For instance, I have an electronic football table (ESPN Fast Action Football). Santa brought this for the kids a couple years back. It is still in great condition, no broken pieces, instructions included, etc... BUT, not one bite. It sells new for $150 and I have lowered my price from $60 to $50 to $40 and now it is currently posted for $30. What's the deal?

So, I guess you can see my obsession with Craigslist. I love it and it is my new hobby. I recommend that you check out the Craigslist in your area. I have introduced many family and friends to my friend "Craig" (hey, I think I should get some sort of a kick back!! ). Well, better go...gotta find something to sell!

One Flag! Six Flags! More Flags! More FUN!

For those of you who are not familiar with the Six Flags TV commercials, here is a link to one of them. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bskdT1B2vB8

Well, we did it! All seven of us took a spontaneous trip to Six Flags Discovery Kingdom yesterday. Yes, even Daddy joined us (thanks Dad for taking the day off). Honestly, I was a bit apprehensive. As much as I LOVE roller coasters, I just didn't know how it was all going to work out with the age range of the kids and a husband who despises roller coasters and things that spin. Also, I was concerned about Andrew and Brendan...missing naps, eating in the stroller, diaper changes in not so sanitary conditions and a newly potty trained toddler peeing on the mini-roller coaster!! Selfishly I wanted to just hang out with Matthew and Alexander and go on all of crazy upside down roller coasters time and time again! It had been a long time since I was at Six Flags (and not pregnant), that I could actually really enjoy myself. Thanks to Mike and his dislike for many of the rides, I was able to hang out with the big boys and Catherine. We went on as many coasters as we could. Catherine was quite disappointed that she was not tall enough to ride the biggest and scariest ones. She has no fear (or it may be that she refuses not to be able to due something that her big brothers can). However, she did get her chance to experience her first upside down roller coaster and went on it about 5 times! We spent quite a bit of time in the toddler/kiddie area and Andrew had a blast. He went on the train, the mini- roller coaster, flew the helicopter, the planes, and then did it again and again and again! Brendan was the biggest trooper of all. He just hung out in his stroller or in the back-pack, took a short nap, had a few snacks and bottles and all in all was a good baby boy! Thank you Brendan.

Since the food at Six Flags is so over-the-top expensive, I packed lunch for the family and we headed out of the park and up the hill to our car to enjoy sandwiches and munchies. I am proud to say, that aside from the admission fee ($150 for 5 of us) the parking fee ($15) and the gas to drive from Roseville to Vallejo and back ($50) we spent no extra money. As they say, our time together as a family...PRICELESS!!

The best part of the day were the sincere thanks that we received from Alexander, Matthew and Catherine. They really had a blast and I believe that they appreciated that fact that we took the time and money to take them. Andrew even joined in and continued to thank us on the drive home (even though we were hoping he would just shut-up and fall asleep!).

Below are some photos from our day at Six Flags (for our memories if nothing else). It wasn't the best day for picture taking as we were balancing strollers, backpacks, diaper bags, sweatshirts, smuggled-in snacks and oh yeah...I forgot, the camera too!

Getting ready to watch the Killer Whale "Shouka" show!

Mike and the kids (except for Brendan) on the White Water Rapids

Having lunch in the back of the Expedition

Alexander and Andrew on the kiddie-coaster

Yes, sometimes we actually even like each other!

Look Mom, I am in the "hellercopper"!

When all was said and done, we agreed...SIX FLAGS=MORE FUN!!!

Lazy Days of Summer

I looked at the calendar today and realized that the kids will be back in school in just 2 weeks! I can't believe how fast this summer has cruised by. For the sake of posterity, and for a non-interesting post, I wanted to record some of the things we have done this summer. (in no particular order)

• Something "water-related" nearly every day. (our pool, other peoples pools, water parks, swim lessons, etc..)
• Vacation Bible School at SS Peter & Paul
• Flag Football Camp (when is wasn't canceled due to the smoke)
• Bowling (to escape the smoke and heat)
• Visit from Aunt Barbara and Uncle "Dim" with lots of spoiling involved
• Playdates, Playdates, Playdates, Playdates and more Playdates!
• Played the Wii (yes, Mom let us play during the week--even for hours at a time!)
• Nightslides at SunSplash (boy there are some interesting looking teenagers out there with body piercings and tattoo's in the oddest places)
• Visit from our friend Marc Holmes
• Visit from Nana and Pop
• Day trip to Lake Wildwood (with Andrew and no shoes and not a store within miles that carried children's shoes)
• Free movies and expensive popcorn at the UA Theater
• Expensive movies and expensive popcorn at the UA Theater
• Baseball in the backyard (the kids have their own version that involves throwing the wiffle ball directly at the player in order to get an out)
• Day trip and sleep over with our cousins Nicholas, Ben and Mia (mean "mommy dearest" wouldn't let the kids stay longer)
• Stayed up late
• Woke up early (grrr)
• Watched too much TV

I am sure I am leaving some things out, but that will due for a walk down memory lane from the Summer of 2008. We will have one more thing to add to the list and will most likely be the highlight of our summer. We are heading up to Lake Tahoe on 8/4-8/8 with my sister and her family and my mom and dad. We are so looking forward to some serious hanging out with the cousins (we love you Nicholas, Mia and Ben!). Having Nana and Pop join us will be fun too.
I 'll be sure to take lots of photos so we can share our fun with you!

School is back in session on 8/11! Woooo-Hooooo!!!

Blog Envy

So now that I have spent WAY TOO MUCH time perusing other peoples Blogs, I have serious "blog envy". You see, I am not super computer savvy (shocking, I know)! I don't have a ton of extra time on my hands to figure out how to get my blog page looking all fancy and colorful. Every time I sit down at the computer it seems that the kids find trouble or the Wii!. Either way, it gets eerily quiet which means they are either destroying an area in the house or secretly playing the Wii, knowing that I am absorbed in the computer. I want to know all about this blog thing and I want to know it NOW!

Trying to add some pictures of my kiddos

Our little Brendan...we can't believe that he almost a year! Wow, what a year! He is pulling himself up on everything and is finding a little bit of balance with his feet. We may have a walker in August!

July 4th-Watching the fireworks at the Roseville Fairgrounds. Aunt Barbara and Uncle "Dim" were visiting (and jet-lagged), so they stayed home and babysat for Andrew and Brendan...I mean slept.

Posing poolside...Andrew loves the pool and his Pirate Booty for a mid-swim snack!

Third Time Is A Charm

I have spent a good part of today thinking about this whole blogging thing. I poked around on the internet peeking in at other peoples blogs. Wow, there sure are some creative, talented and opinionated people out there in the blogging world. At one point I started to get overwhelmed thinking that this wasn't such a good idea. I mean really, what do I have to write about that would really be that interesting. I am far from talented or witty in the writing department, not to mention I lack the creative gene and I am not overly opinionated. I then went back to "why" I even considered embarking on this blogging adventure...my kiddos! Yes, they won't have beautiful scrapbooks of all their growing up moments, they won't have baby books filled with records of the date of their "first everything", but maybe, just maybe they will have a blog to look back on remember how crazy it was growing up in our chaotic but loving household. I am hoping that this will be just a little something for all of us...my kids, family, friends and whoever else may stumble across my blog. I am not crazy about the name "Gordon Crew", but it works for now until I can come up with something else! I hope you find this an enjoyable way of keeping up with the comings and goings of the Gordon household.

Giving It A Go!

OK, so I actually saw my post on my "blog" (that sounds so weird..."my blog"). I am now going to play around with it and see if I can upload photos. This will be a chance for friends and family to keep up to date on the comings and goings of the Gordon Family. I will try not to bore you all to tears. In fact, since I am not a "scrapbooker" and I am hoping this can be my form of keeping a journal of our family. I have always said that my kids will probably need therapy when they are adults because I have never done baby books or even put most of my pictures in albums. I have completely failed in that department. Part of me is afraid to even start this, for fear that I will fail at this as well. Maybe I won't even tell anyone that I am "blogging" until I can actually see if I can pull it off! Wish me luck and let's see what happens!

What is this blogging all about?

I am being lured into this whole blogging world. I am not even sure how to do this but I am going to try it out and see what come of it. I seem to know more and more people that are "blogging" and I feel totally out of the loop. If I can actually figure it out then, hey I might even enjoy it. This is just a test post because I am not even sure what happens from here. Pardon my ignorance, but I want to give it a whirl!