Flint, MIchigan: Flint's Largest Mom2Mom Sale at Perani Arena is April 13, 2013, 9am to 1pm with an advance purchase early buy at 8:30am. Perani Arena is located at 3501 Lapeer Road just off of I-69 at Center St. What is a Mom to Mom Sale? Ours is 200 tables of toys, books, games, baby gear, clothes, shoes, maternity, mom's stuff, kid's stuff and everything from newborn to teen resale. Teen Mom to Grandmas will find a treasure of items at affordable bargains. Resale is a great way to shop on a budget, not to mention Green living and frugal living. Moms rent a table to sell their children's gently used and often new items to moms, dads, grandmas and anyone looking to buy infant gear or furniture, tot toys, child's play equipment, and everything child related from prenatal through teen.

Smiles & Laughter

03/06/2012

 
   Excitement, Laughter and Fun have many things in common.  They change your body chemistry.  They improve oxygen flow to the brain and all areas of the body.  They energize us.  And these are just  a few common characteristics. 

   When we are filled with laughter, having fun or excited about something there is an energy that transcends the physical body creating new and bolder energy.  And it is contagious -- just like laughter from the belly is . . . it puts a smile on our face, a lightness in our heart and wings to our feet. 

   I am blessed to have grown up around laughter with Laugh-In, I Love Lucy, Red Skeleton, The Three Stooges, Phyllis Dillar, Lily Tomlin, Carol Burnett.  As my children grew they gained an appreciation and love for these old TV shows too.  Just the other day, one of them had to facebook a quote from Larry of the Three Stooges: I can't see . . .I can't see . .  . Moe: Why?  Larry: I've got my eyes closed.  This is so typical of young children as well, in fact it reminded me of my 3 y/o granddaughter's conversation with me just hours earlier, "grandma, you can't see me.  (Me) I can't?!  (GD) No, grandma, my eyes are closed."

   It is always wonderful  when someone can bring a smile to our face, or we can bring a smile to theirs.  Relax, and let the worries of the day go, if just for a moment, and SMILE.  

   A smile is a curve that sets everything straight.”― Phyllis Diller

   Mom2Mom Sales can produce all three of these attributes as well.  As organizers, we are  SO EXCITED!!!!   Why?  Because we have been working very hard at the upcoming Spring Sale to make it a fantastic event!  And we are doing everything we can to bring it to a whole new level -  MORE OF THE THINGS YOU ARE LOOKING FOR, More shopping fun, and better layout!

   To help us get the word out, we have a link to flyers you can post at church, daycare, preschool and elementary schools, etc and anywhere where there are moms!  http://www.m2msale.net/print-a-flyer-spread-the-word.html

WIN A FREE TABLE, EARLY BUY WRISTBANDS, MERCHANDISE OR GIFT CARDS . . . follow our contests on Facebook!

Current Facebook Contest:
BABY PHOTO CONTEST: Submit a photo, get the most likes and you will WIN a FREE table or 2 EARLY BUY WRISTBANDS to the April 14th . Easy as that! (Baby Photo may be of anyone you have permission to post, even if they are now adults) Winner will be announced on March 19th. Voting ends March 18th at midnight eastern standard time.

  Like our Facebook page to see more contests over the next few weeks for T-shirts, Baseball Caps, Toys 'R Us gift cards and more.


 

Spring Cleaning Challenges

02/02/2012

2 Comments

 
Wow has this winter ever had the weird weather!!!!  So much so, that many are commenting on feeling the urge to Spring Clean earlier than normal!  With any seasonal cleaning, there are always some items that seem to create their own challenge.  Children's items are often some of the most challenging, especially if they can't be put into a washing machine.  Thus this issue is on cleaning and the tips we've received in regards to cleaning those hard to clean items.

Car Seats:  If you can remove the cover and wash in the washing machine, that is the easiest.  Washing the plastic down with a white vinegar and water (1:5 parts) also helps to clean and sanitize the seat.  Vacuuming the seat with a high powered vacuum (at most car washes and gas stations) every couple weeks is a great way to maintain a cleaner seat.  Steam cleaning the car seat every few months, can also help to keep if looking and smelling good.  A surface stain solution of white vinegar and water can also be used on stains, as well as a mild detergent.

Stuffed & Plush Toys:  Read the manufacturer's label.  If they can be washed in the washing machine and dried in the dryer, place in a pillow case to wash and dry so they don't mat.  If they can only be cleaned on the surface, try some of these solutions:
  • For general cleaning, a lint roller can be used to pick up most surface dirt. 
  • Stains:  Fels Naptha Soap, Ivory Soap or Dawn Dishwashing Detergent can be used to scrub into the stuffed animal's fir.  A soft bristled facial brush (or soft toothbrush) works great to gently rub the soap into the plush fur until the stain is greatly diminished or gone.  For best results your brush should be moist but not wet.  Some stains may take a couple of applications to remove.  On extra stubborn stains, a 70% alcohol solution (1/4-c. water with 1/2-c. rubbing alcohol) can be used to remove the stain.  Always test to make sure that the color is fast before trying the alcohol.  Once you have removed the stain(s), pat the area with a slightly damp clean cloth to gently wipe away any remaining soap. 
  • Dusty/Dingy:  To remove dust from the stuffed toy, or bring new life into it's fur, spray the animal with a solution of white vinegar and water (1:4 parts), or 70% alcohol, let dry and use the a non motorized brush attachment (upholstery) of your vacuum cleaner to vacuum (Note: it is good to have an attachment you only use for stuffed animals).  
  • Some dry "shampoo" cleaners that can be used are baking soda, oatmeal or cornmeal.  Place one of the dry cleaners in a bag with the plush toy and shake it until the stuffed toy is covered.  Let stand for approximately 1 hour and then vacuum. 
  • If your toy can be put into the fluff setting of your dryer for 10 minutes, this can also help.  Caution: make sure any accessories on the toy are not flammable or would be damaged by the tumbling. 
Mechanical / Electronic Plush Toys can be treated the same as for other plush toys.  Caution needs to be taken over the mechanical and battery areas that they don't get too moist or that the fine particles of the dry cleaner don't get into the working parts.  So rather than place in a bag and shaking, it is best to sprinkle the dry cleaner over the plush, let it sit for 1 hour and then vacuum.

2 Comments
 

Stress Free Tax Time!

01/19/2012

 
Yep, between January 15 and April 15, Tax Preparers will be busy and hard at work in their offices.  While they may be the only ones who look forward to this time, although working 80 hours a week and getting little sleep is often their plight, there are ways to avoid overstressing about your taxes. 
  • Listen to your favorite music while getting your information together to take to your tax professional or while you are compiling the information to do the taxes yourself
  • Social Security numbers for all dependents
  • Copy of last year’s income tax return
  • W-2 forms and/or 1099s received from employers, banks, self-employment, etc.
  • Unemployment compensation statements
  • Reciepts for itemized deductions (if you are going to itemize) including contributions to your IRA, moving expenses, college expenses, medical and dental expenses, gifts to charities and churches, real estate taxes,and daycare/childcare costs
  • Child care provider information (name, employer ID or Social Security number)
  • Form 1098:  Mortgage interest or student loan interest
  • Heating Bills for Home Heating Credit
  • Spreadsheet, receipts or proof of expenses for business (if self-employed)
  • If you have difficulty putting the information on the forms, as many of us with math anxiety do, using a tax preparer can greatly alleviate the anxiety and worry and provide you with peace of mind
  • If you are concerned about an audit, hire a tax professional that will thoroughly go over your deductions and will provide you with assistance in the event that you received that dreaded letter
If you were at Flint's Largest Mom2Mom Sale in December, you may have met Nikole with H&R Block (www.hrblock.com) or Christina with Liberty Tax Service (cmccomas@libertytax.com).  I'm sure that either of these ladies would be happy to hear from you to discuss how she can be of service to you.

Looking for a new community?  Our December Presenting Sponsor, King's Lane Apartments in Burton has a terrific deal.  Check out our website for December's Bulletin and special deals http://www.m2msale.net/december-2011-bulletin.html


 

De-Stress In A Minute

01/06/2012

 
Happy New Year! 

As moms we are always reinventing ourselves, creating new avenues by which to accomplish tasks, and modifying our lives to meet the needs of our families.  Often that means being able to enjoy the things we love, maybe taking a pilates or yoga class, or finding a group of moms that we can socialize with.  Other times that may mean setting aside our needs to take care of whatever is most pressing in our home and with our children.  As our children age and change, different priorities often compete for the most attention.  Keeping a balance in life when one is surrounded by constant change can often be daunting.  But, little steps can make a huge difference over time.  Taking a few minutes to ground yourself can really help to focus a day that is out of control.  First, breathe in deeply while counting to 4.  Then hold that breath for the count of 8, feeling it flow into your fingers and toes.  Then exhale with a sigh for the count of 16.   Take a normal breath and repeat this again.

This de-stress in a minute technique can bring improvement to both your physical and mental well-being by creating a calm moment and bringing more oxygen into your cells.  It is a great way to deal with the day to day stresses that often catch us off guard. 

Do you have a helpful tip that has worked for you that you would like to share?  Email them to mary@m2msale.net.  If we use your tip you could get $5 off of a table rental or a free early buy wristband. 
 
Flint's Largest Mom 2 Mom Sale held at Perani Arena & Event Center on Saturday, April 13, 2013