happy holidays from p.l.s.

So "the holidays" are almost over.... most people include New Year's in the holiday mix - so officially we've got a few more days. There won't be a Nevada County swap on January 2, and after a lot of thinking (and looking at schedules) - The Nevada County swap will go on every other month (even months - starting 2/6)- and alternate with the Rocklin/Roseville swap (odd months starting 1/23). For those of you that don't know, I am pregnant (about 3 months along) and doing any more than 2 swaps a month is a stretch with all the loading & unloading (helloooo still need a trailer) :). I am also doing a swap in Colfax in March (3/27) and also in Marin County in April (5/25)- plus, I want to help moms and groups start a p.l.s. swap in their own community. All of these new dates, locations and new times are on the website - so please check the upcoming events page. And, as always - we are looking for sponsors - the amount of followers and website traffic we get grows on a daily basis - it's a great way to reach out to a lot of moms & it's tax deductible.

Have a GREAT New Year - and I will see you in 2010!!

happy swapping -

meg

No Swap for Nevada County in January

HI! Hope everyone is almost done with all of their holiday shopping. :) yeah right. If you can make it to the Rocklin swap on 12/19 there will be a special area for GIFTS (for babies & kids). I went back and forth on this a bit but have decided to skip the Nevada County kid's swap on 1/2 - It just falls too close to the holidays- the day after New Year's Day. We will resume on our normal schedule and hours on 2/6. Still looking for sponsors and/or donors to be able to reach our goal of getting a trailer to haul all of this stuff around in. If you know anyone that might be interested, please send them my way - or you can make a tax deductible donation on the website wwwpeaceloveswap.com. The segment on Good Day Sacramento was cancelled on 12/7 because of all the snow, but has been rescheduled for 1/5. If you would like to take part and come down for the "mock swap" on the 5th - shoot me an email at peaceloveswap@gmail.com and let me know. I hope everyone has a warm, safe & family filled holiday season - Hope to see you at the Rocklin swap on 12/19 - and for those of you in Nevada County - see you in February this gives you the whole month of January to clean out those closets and bring your old stuff in. : )

Until then.......

Happy Swapping!

Meg

winners of the nevada county raffle -

I am going to post the winners of the Grass Valley raffle here too - I posted on Facebook too.

The winner of the FREE 30 Day membership to Monster Gym is Kris Wetherbee. The winner of the FREE 30 membership to South Yuba Club is Molly Stafford.

Yeah!! congratulations :) If you or someone you know would like to donate an item to the raffle, or sponsor the swaps let me know - sponsorships are tax deductible.

Also - don't forget you get 50% off your first month's tuition at Gold Country Gymnastics when you mention peace. love. swap. :)

Enjoy the discount and prizes!

Happy Swapping!

meg

p.l.s. news and updates

Wow! great turn out at the Nevada County kid's swap yesterday. The upside... plenty of stuff to go around - great gifts from the gift swap section.... the downside? (if there is one) - the fact that I don't have enough room in both of my cars (btw one is a F-250 longbed & the other is a small SUV) to cart everything to and from the swaps. Thank goodness for the volunteers that took some stuff with them on Saturday. I still had to leave the truck at the swap - drive the car home, unload, then come back for the truck.... Solution?? I need to get a trailer- this will allow me to keep the stuff in the trailer between swaps too. No loading and unloading 6 times for one swap - just loading and unloading at the swap. Anyone that goes to the swaps (especially this last one) can attest to the fact that there is a TON (not literally but close) of stuff left over. I will look into donors to come and pick the stuff up the day of the swap - but many places that I have donated stuff to don't want stuff every month - so I am always in search of new chartible organizations. I have recently aquired non-profit (501(c)3) status, so all money & sponsorship donations are tax- deductible. Or on the off chance that someone wants to donate a large enclosed trailer - that too would be tax deductible. I am looking forward to the first Rocklin Swap on 12/19. I am hoping for good weather and for a great turnout - I am a little scared b/c it's so close to Christmas, but we will see how it goes! I will email the winners of the Nevada County Raffle and post of Facebook later today. Also, there were some large items that were not taken at the swap yesterday - I have posted the items on the p.l.s. yahoo group page - thought I would try to give to some swappers before I donate on Monday and Tuesday.
Thanks - stay posted for more changes, upcoming news and other updates - you can subscribe to blog posts (I don't blog every day - maybe once a week if I have the time) - you won't get inundated with updates...Until then~
Happy Swapping.

Nevada County Swap this Saturday... 12/5

So the Grass Valley p.l.s. Kid's swap is coming up this Saturday. The theme for the swaps - both Grass Valley and Rocklin are recycled baby & kid's gifts. If everyone brings a couple toys or movies (or other gift-worthy items) that their child isn't using anymore - think of the gifts we will have to choose from! Of course - this won't cover all your holiday shopping : ) - but every little bit helps. Remember- when your child isn't using an item anymore - bring it in! - Yes- even if you paid $40 or $50 for it!! I know some people (first timers mostly) are afraid to "give" their stuff away because they're afraid that they won't get anything in return. Not true - I have given all my old baby & kid stuff big and small - and it has come back to me. It's truly a "pay if forward" thing. Oh, and then there is that donation thing - you want me to donate $5 and bring my stuff in to give away for free?? Try to remember - what kind of credit you would get if you take it to a consignment store - not much. Plus, if you are anything like me - by the time I leave the consignment store I am at least $20 in the hole - usually more. If you take your stuff to thrift store - you get nothing & if you try to put it on craigslist or have a garage sale - it's pretty time consuming and you still don't get your money back. Most people that have come to swaps - come back regularly & understand the value - and don't mind making a donation- If you can't make a donation - you can always volunteer. If you can't donate your time or $5 to the cause - will I turn you away? No, of course not. Just try to understand how much time, effort & money that goes into producing the swaps. Although it started as a small swap- it's grown into a pretty large swap. Now in 2 locations and doing a 3rd in the spring in the Bay Area. peace. love. swap. is different than organizing a swap with friends or a small group- although these kinds of swaps are great, and offer smaller groups a way to get together and exchange stuff - peace. love. swap. wants to offer a large amount of items on a regular basis - I want to be like a consignment shop for you, but without you having pay for items, and without the hassle of having stuff turned away or getting pennies on the dollar for your stuff. I want kids to feel welcome - I want them to play with the toys & take things home (and bring them back when they get bored) - I want the swaps to be in as many communities as possible - so that every mom has a place to go to get rid of the stuff that she isn't using and pick up the items she needs.. Anyway - that is my vision. I am truly passionate about the swaps & want them to be as large and successful as I can make them! Being the daughter of swap queen - I wish my mom was here to enjoy this - and now that I am pregnant again & the hormones have kicked in - I miss her more than ever. So, wow, I am all over the board today. I have some other stuff to write about but will save for another day --- when the 2 is shouting "potty" "potty" - it's time to go.

More later... looking forward to seeing everyone at the Grass Valley swap on Saturday!!!

Happy Swapping.

meg