5th Annual Crap Swap

Our fifth annual Crap Swap was on Saturday, and I think it was the best yet.

That's mostly because I didn't do as much to prepare! In the past, I would collect everyone's garage sale items in the weeks prior. But as the swap became bigger and bigger, the onus was too great. This year everyone brought their stuff that morning, and the set-up was a big party. It was great.

Of course, garage sale is a bit of a misnomer. For the Crap Swap, our neighbors and friends bring over the stuff they want to get rid of and offer it up for free -- first to each other, and then to the neighborhood at large. What's more, a neighbor made some signs encouraging donations to our block party fund, and we collected almost $100, and Atticus also sold a few tubs of popcorn for his Boy Scout fundraiser.

The tables started out empty, but by 10 a.m. they were completely full. The swap featured items large and small -- a bookcase, chairs, a bike rack, toys, home decor, at least six tables of clothing and so much more.

Everything that was left went to the curb on Saturday night, and a good bit of stuff got taken on Sunday as well. By Sunday evening, we had only 10 boxes, a couple of desks and a few odds and ends. Most of it is to be picked up by a local thrift store today. Another year, another success!

The leftovers.

Photos: Summer 2022

Alaska was the highlight of the summer, but we did other stuff too -- visits to COSI, the park, the library, swim lessons and more. Here's some proof!

 

Cabin Weekend at Lake Hope

We had a power outage and too much rain, but we also had way too much fun at the annual cabin weekend that a long-time friend plans every year.

This was the fifth annual trip, although we skipped the last two thanks to Covid concerns two years ago and a wedding last year. But on Friday we headed to Lake Hope State Park to spend the weekend with about 30 other adults and some 30 other kids.

We all had our own cabins along the same cul de sac, so bikes and scooters were always in motion— that is, when it wasn’t raining. The weather prevented any good hikes, but it was clear enough to have some good potlucks and time around the campfire. And a few sprinkles didn’t deter us from a few hours at the park’s pleasant beach with a handful of other families.

We were there for three nights thanks to the holiday weekend, and the lights were out from 2 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Sunday. Only a small annoyance compared to the fun and friends we saw and made. Much worse were the bugs! 

Monday morning Paul took the kids fishing and we made a quick stop at the Hope Furnace — the only two times all weekend I took photos without other people in them.

We came home just after noon on Monday, and I was so exhausted that I took a three-hour nap. But it was worth it!