As promised, I am going to keep this posting light on words, in part because it has been so busy down at the Bin and at Westwood I hardly know what to say except...lookee what we all did!  Talk about it takes a village!  Four set-ups in three days and some more right around the corner.  I just got an email from Westwood hinting that there may be one this Friday or Monday.  Right now, I am trying not to think about that.

You know how our Bin always looks so tidy and organized...everything in its proper place.

Well, the picture above is one of organization, believe it or not.  

One afternoon, Karen and I pulled for two set-ups that were happening on the same morning and somehow it all worked out...nothing was forgotten and many volunteers made it all possible.

It felt really good to move this stuff along!

On one of the days, we had two set-ups and I believe we filled four cars.  

Here are three of them, almost ready to go.

Friday, October 5

Tiffany, a young mom, and her little boy Kimir have moved into a 2 bedroom/1 bath unit.

Karen, Ildy, Isabel and Holly (who also bought perishables) did a great job.

Ildy found a pillowcase that she had made for her son 20 years ago.

Perfect for little Kimir.

I know Kimir’s mom is going to finally get a good night’s sleep

Canyon Gourmet donated the beautiful flower arrangement on the Mom’s dresser

Loads of age-appropriate toys and stuffed animals, 

board books and so much super clothing for this little guy.

New towels, many supplies

Besides all the non-perishables we always give new families, we are now giving them a head start with perishables, including milk, eggs, bread, fresh fruit, etc.

A welcome to your new home card and one of Susan’s CDs which she donated.

Monday, October 8

Two Set-Ups!

Helping at Both were Linda Bolhuis, Paulette Rapp, Pat Lester (Pat bought perishables for both), 

Barbara Metzenbaum, Karen and Lin

The first set-up was for Leslie and her three sons, David, Alex and Stephen

Three bedrooms/2 baths

Look at all that fruit and a beautiful shopping bag made by Pat for Leslie.

The boys’ bathroom.  You can see evidence of Holly’s magic touch here!

Another shot of the boys’ bathroom.

The older boy’s bedroom

Older boy’s room

The little boys’ room

Cars for the little guys.

Leslie’s bathroom

Leslie’s bedroom

More toys in the living room

This dining room has Holly’s touch...

Living Room

Monday, October 8

Set-Up for Cameron and Eboni and their little girl Sarai

2 bedrooms/1 bath

 Cups and glasses not only for the grown-ups!

A welcome retreat for the parents.  April found this quilt at Sear’s which she bought with

a gift card donation from Topanga Elementary School.

 Little Sarai’s bed

 Pat Lester and the diaper bag she made!

This photo doesn’t do justice to all the great things that Pat put inside the diaper bag.  

Diapers, wipes, etc etc etc!

And finally, their bathroom.  

I just love the way every set-up

is so different.

Tuesday, October 9

Eric and Latresha and their five children (Eric, Aaron, Sara, Keith & Katelyn) were an emergency move-in on Monday the 8th, so this poor family spent the night 

with no bedding in this 4 bedroom, 2 bath unit.

Helping with this set-up were Karen Saeki, Linda Bolhuis, Julie Rosendo, Karen et moi.

It always difficult to make a place look pretty when the family is half moved in and, understandably, it is always quite chaotic.  I think we managed to create a really lovely space for them.

Unfortunately, I completely forgot to take photos of the the boys’s bedrooms upstairs.

 A welcome note and bowl of fresh fruit

 The downstairs bathroom

The parents’ bedroom.  I think it looks great, but none of it came easy. We were told it was a full-size bed and it was queen-size.  So Karen had to head down Sepulveda to Ross.  The first comforter she picked up was marked QS but while standing in the unbearably long queue she noticed it was a full-size.  Back she went to find the right size.  I will not repeat what she said but having been in the same boat at another set-up, I echoed every word she muttered!

 Bunk beds in the little girls’ room.  How cute is this!

Another corner of the little girls’ room.  Hey Catherine McClenahan...we used those little tiny beanie toys at this set-up!  Can you see them?

And finally, the living room.  I think it looks particularly nice and that red rug is one that we

found at Target for $20!  Keep your eyes open, shoppers.