This Week

Last Saturday was a busy day down at the Bin.  Linda Mann (along with her daughter's boyfriend!) and Holly Baumann had a busy morning and accomplished so much.  Besides putting away a ton of donated books, they had many other donations to fold and organize. They accomplished an amazing amount in a short time and we thank them.

A few weeks ago Annie Gabbert asked Karen and me if we would meet with her mother/daughter group and talk to them about what TWC does.  They joined us down at the Bin bringing with them loads of fantastic books (at least two boxes full!) that they had outgrown, each one in excellent condition.  After giving them the skinny on all we do and a tour of the Bin, they headed back to Annie's house where they made art boxes for us to leave with each family.  This is such a terrific idea especially as we really like to leave art supplies with each set-up.

It was a hot afternoon but the girls were so attentive and interested in what we do.

Karen giving the girls a tour of the Bin.

Having a look at the river rock wall that

TWC volunteer Liz Dupuy painted.

It was a long day for the girls but look at the result.The finished boxes! 

 They are just perfection!  Every one of them.

The week before last had been filled with uncertainty regarding move-in dates for incoming families.  As soon as volunteers were in place for a Monday, the date was changed to Tuesday and so on.  The upshot of all this was that fortunately a couple of the move-ins were switched to this past week because the prior week was plenty busy enough. The intake process for new families consists of a mountain of paperwork to complete and forms and tax returns to secure and sometimes, given their past living conditions and the state of flux that many have been experiencing for years prior to finally being accepted into these programs, it proves too much.  And then the best-laid plans fall apart.

But, fortunately, this past week's two set-ups went smoothly.  On Wednesday, Monica T. and her three children, Julian, Thomas and Alyssa moved into a small two-bedroom, one bath unit.  Crowded as this was, I know they were happy to finally be able to call someplace, however humble, home.

Once we were called the 'Decorator Ladies' by one of the

moms whose apartment we had set-up.  We took that title seriously and try

to color coordinate whenever possible!

The welcome to your new home card on the table is one

of about 50 cards that sweet Holly Baumann made for us to leave 

with each new family.

We're not supposed to hang anything on the walls but this beautiful

hand-made paper mobile was so light-weight that we used a

thumbtack to secure it to the ceiling.

We don't often have coffee makers donated but we love being

able to leave one with the family. 

We also love sharing cookbooks.

A corner of the living room.

One of the beautiful books that the girls from the mother-daughter group

donated to TWC last Saturday...already shared!

The bathroom, put together so nicely by Linda Mann.

There are no pictures of the boys' bedroom because the bunk beds had not yet been put together.  We arranged everything, including all their bedding, in a decorative basket, but the photo I took (just like the room) wasn't blog-worthy!

With only two bedrooms, the Mom and little girl had to

share a bedroom.  Here's little Alyssa's bed.  

How cute are those tap shoes and that dress!?

Those shoes are so cute they deserved their own picture!

Black bows courtesy of Linda Mann!

I love this patchwork quilt on the Mom's bed.

Joining Karen and me on this set-up were Pat Lester & Linda Mann. Pat brought

fresh flowers from her garden, but I didn't get a picture...trust me, they were gorgeous!

The second set-up this week was on Thursday for Army vet Shannon J. and her little boy, three-year old Jacob who moved into a two-bedroom unit.  

The Mom's Bedroom.  I loved the final, simple look of it.

The artificial flowers on the Mom's chest were donated by

Peter and Danielle at Canyon Gourmet.

Little Jacob's room.  So sweet and made so warm and appealing

by the darling quilt that Pat Lester made especially for him. 

I love these little bedside rugs that we pick up at Ikea.

Another shot of Jacob's room.

The bathroom nicely done by new volunteer, Barbara Waldman...color coordinated as always.

Barbara had brought some great donations to the Bin the day before, much of

which was used at these two set-ups.

Another color coordinated dining room table! 

This time we went for an autumnal look.

One side of the kitchen looked all put together and tidy

While on the other side, Priscilliano was busy installing the new stove.

  We managed to work well together!

The living room colors were amazing together.  

Karen made the great cushions in the corner and someone
donated this super area rug.  It all worked perfectly.

Mary putting the finishing touches on the lamp. 

Karen fixed the shade, threading ribbon through it and 

the final result was impressive!

And finally, don't forget that this Saturday, 9 -10:30 is our Open Bin.  Your friendly Bin Ladies this Saturday are Liz Dupuy and Holly Baumann.  Thanks ladies!