Jumpin-Beans

I have wanted to have Little Free Libraries around my hometown for a while now.  We finally had an old newspaper stand donated to us and that was the start.  We got it painted and then were lucky enough to have permission to place the library at our local ENT.  I wanted to share just SOME of the great books that are in the first (of hopefully several) libraries around here.  Perfect for the young sports fans!    FTC Compliant Review Policy:    The product(s) featured in this review were provided free of cost to me by the manufacturer or representing PR agency for the sole purpose of product testing. Opinions expressed are  my own and are NOT influenced by monetary compensation. THE UNITED STATES OF SPORTS is the absolute perfect gift for kids: it goes state-by-state to share cool factoids and stats about teams & players, and includes tons of interesting graphics and illustrations.  The local heroes and special sites of our home (and ...

Albany, Georgia was lucky enough to have Hot Wheels Live Monster Trucks this past weekend. Sadly, people complain that there is never anything to do in town.. but they have been bringing more and more events.   This was another family friendly event that people could enjoy!   We had a busy weekend, but made it a point to go and check it out.   We got to the event in time for the Crash Party and I am so glad we did!   Savannah has always had a fascination with Monster Trucks, so I was excited to see her expressions.  Broxton used to love them when he was younger, but you know...  He is 10 now and thinks he is grown...   So- let me tell you about our time!  (Side note, Savannah has decided that she is a HUGE fan of Christian - The Hot Wheels #1 driver... there will be a different post about him!  Stay tuned! ) (This is Savannah and Christian.)  FTC Compliant Review Policy:    The product(s) featur...

If you follow me on social media, you know that I am all about #makingmemories with my kiddos.  I love my job, I love my friends... but family is what it is all about.  I have to admit, my hometown of Albany, Georgia doesn't really have much as far as things to do / events for my #makingmemories moments, but I can honestly say that they are trying to step it up!  When I was younger, there were several events at the Civic Center, from concerts to sports and it was always a good time.  As I got older (and the Civic Center did, too) the number of events started to dwindle and Broxton even asked a few times why it just sat there deserted.  Now...  there are events coming and we need to get the community behind to support those that come and open up an invitation to others to check us out!!!   The next "family" event headed down is the HOT WHEELS MONSTER TRUCK in February.  I hope that as events head down to Albany that I have the opportunity to ...

This is an image from the destruction from the tornadoes that hit Albany, Georgia on 1/22/17 As we were riding along, we spotted it... Do you see it?? Do you see the cross?

I know I shared with you about the Tornadoes that hit my hometown on January 2nd when I asked for Prayers for Albany.  Now, I want to share with you about January 22nd. (If this is a repeat for any of you, sorry!) So, the tornadoes hit on January 2nd and there was NO coverage, minus the local news.  Lucky for the locals, someone immediately started a Facebook page for people to check in and say if they needed things.  It was bad.  The tree covered streets that we were known for were hit and people said it was like a bomb went off.  The community reached out to one another and really was "neighbor helping neighbor."  It was a blessing that there were no casualties and sadly, I think that is what kept the news from reporting on how bad they were hit down there.  I tried to do what I could from here, but in the grand scheme of things, it wasn't much.  Then... Tragedy hit again.  January 22nd.  I hate to report that this time, there were ...

This might be a big rambling post, but I do hope that it brings attention to Albany, Georgia. You probably know I am from South Georgia, born and raised.  I moved to Atlanta to go to college and now call up here home.  That doesn't mean I am not proud of where I am from and this post will hopefully explain that pride to you. Let me tell you this, the "bad part" of Albany. Albany is not the best city. It was even reported to be one of the poorest cities in the nation a few years ago . I can't lie, many people that live in Albany can't wait to get out and say they will never return. Some leave and some never look back, some leave, only to return and others will never leave. I go back to visit family. There are things to do, so it isn't "that bad" as people make it out to be. Cheehaw Park,  Flint River Aquarium,  WWE  and the Harlem Globetrotters have even came before, They have filmed movies down there like Fire Proof and Courageous  and e...

It seems like Spring Break starts at different times for different zones.  Some started their spring break back in February and some are just now finishing up their break now. We had a stay-cation for ours this year.  It is just too much to try and plan to go and do when everyone else is going and doing as well.  Well, we did actually go somewhere, just not your typical spring break destination, we went back to my hometown to visit my parents.  It is Albany, Georgia and for those that go to the beach, you could totally swing through on your way home and stay a day or two.   Anyways, we were there to visit and that's when I spotted it.  ("It" being the tee-pee's that are placed throughout the city.) It is an advertisement for the yearly tradition of the Indian Festival that is held at our local zoo. I thought it would be fun to take Broxton to see it, since I had not been since my teenage years.  I was lucky enough to get media passes to go and no...