Library Fill A Bag

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Recently, my family got in the car and headed to the city library. The library was doing fill-a-bag (plastic from the grocery story) with books for $3. It is an annual thing. I had not heard of it before. I checked the internet and it is something a lot of libraries do. Sometimes more than once a year! The prices vary per library, but you should definitely stop by your local library and see if they do this.

Because it is exhilarating.

It is fun.

It is a madhouse.

Perfect for yours truly.

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You are crammed in a small room filled with books and the rustle of plastic bags. The energy is full of nervous excitement. And you just start grabbing and filling.

I saw people I knew there. But I was on a mission. No time to be polite. Or talk. Or nod. Or be human. There are books to be shoved in bags, people! Focus!

I was in a manic frenzy.

It was not pretty.

I am not proud of my actions.

But what happens in the library room stays in the library room.

Shhhhh!

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We ended up filling 4 bags with books. Our total was $12. We scored 60 books (five are not shown in the pictures. They unbeknownst to me fell out of the bags into the car. I just discovered them!). That is .20 cents a book.

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Look at all of our loot! I consider each book I picked up a story. An adventure. Cheap travel for the mind. Now we definitely need to get more bookcases. I will (knock on wood) never stop hoarding books. Each one is a new memory. An old friend.

Have you been to one of these fill-a-bag adventures? Did you check with your local library? Do they do this?

Alpaca

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On September 28th, my children and I went to a local alpaca farm that was open to the public to commemorate National Alpaca Day. I was not sure what to expect, but it was nearby. It was free. And it sounded like fun.

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My kids had a blast. They loved feeding the alpacas ($1 a bag).

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The alpacas only have lower teeth, so they cannot bite the kids when they feed them. I think they look like cartoon characters. Each one was so cute.

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Here I am in the pen. Please excuse my scant makeup. It was the weekend. It was hot. And I got one shot at a photo.

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But I did get a pic in our house of what one wears to an alpaca farm. This is Anthropologie’s Cuoco Henley from the spring and the star necklace that was recently on sale for $10.

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If you ever have a chance to visit an Alpaca Farm, I highly recommend it. The animals are so clean. I know when I am in a petting zoo, it kind of grosses me out with all of the goat droppings. However, all of the alpacas use a communal bathroom. Which means all of the waste is in one area. What clean animals! I know this particular alpaca farm is open to the public again for one day at Christmastime.

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As we were leaving, an older gentleman was trailing behind an older woman with a little girl of about six. He stopped me and said, “Do you see my wife and granddaughter? We are going to see the alpacas. Are the alpacas this way?”

I stopped to chat with him and told him to just proceed up the hill and they will open the gate for him and his family.

He said, “I am from Peru. That is where the alpaca is from. I miss them.”

I asked him how long it had been since he had visited his country. He told me a few years.

I also told him that of all of the countries in the world, Peru is number one on my must visit list.

He smiled and said, “Aaahhhhh. Machu Pichu. The most beautiful place in the world.”

I said, “Yes! I want to go there so badly!”

He smiled fondly at me and his eyes got a faraway look as he remembered his homeland.

We wished each other a good day and we parted ways. But it was really an interesting conversation for my kids to hear. And I hope him and his family had a beautiful day!

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Have you been to an alpaca farm? What did you think?

A Spoonful Of…

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I recently purchased a beautiful bag on sale from Anthropologie. It was called Embroidered Lotus Duffle. It has been sold out for months. I purchased it as a “popback.” It looks like a carpet bag. It is very reminiscent of a bag carried by the best nanny that ever was, Mary Poppins. I even keep sugar in it! Well, if you know me, I keep everything in my bag. Sugar, salt, extra straws. I am a walking picnic.

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I can usually find what I need in my purse. I have never pulled a lamp or magic chalk from it, but give it time.

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I adore this bag, with the mixes of different pinks and reds. Yes, I am just like Mary Poppins. Do you think all of her things were covered with a fine line of lint? Just humor me. Maybe that is where the magic comes from.

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Do you have a favorite handbag? Are you a hoarder of goods in your purse?

I am diggin’ this Tie-dyed bag from Anthropologie. but will have to wait for a great sale price! (Look at my wandering eye! All ready cheating on my bag).