wednesday & friday - may 12 & 14

last week, we took wednesday off, due to flood damamge at radnor, however got together friday for Friday Fun Day! we had two elder children, four youngers and four mamas. we had a pretty good hike, avoiding mud puddles some and aiming right for some. we traipsed in the creek some and headed to the horses. both elder bambinos got to lead their own horse into the stall. we chased a rooster and got to play a litter of kittens - six bambinos and one mama, to be exact! the day was rounded out with a quick walk through their educational garden, where strawberries were blooming strong. we had lunch and all headed out!

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we will hiking this week, both wednesday and friday!

wednesday, may 12, 2010
9:30 AM
hike at radnor lake (granny white side)
weather predictor: slight chance for rain, 73 degrees

friday, may 14, 2010
9:30 AM
warner park nature center (off hwy 100)
go south on hwy 100 and just past old hickory boulevard, the entrance will be on the left. come to the left once in the park and we will meet in front of the nature center. we will hike about 3/4 miles then play in the 'mud pit.' feel free to bring a lunch and stay for a picnic.
weather predictor: mostly cloudy, 77 degrees
we are not sure of the condition of warner park nature center, but as far as we know, it's okay. if I receive any contradicting information, I will let you know!

if it is raining intensely, we will not meet. we love sprinkles and rain, but if it is a down-pour we will see you all next week!

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*window clings
many members have expressed interest in window clings. these options are great because you can easily remove them from your car, but actually are more expensive to make. I would prefer to raise the money before we order, so here's how I worked it out. over the next few weeks we will be collecting donations to purchase the below design.

4" x 2", rectangular clear cling, white ink

once we have collected enough money, we will order. if you make a donation of $4 or more, you will automatically get a cling. otherwise, we will sell the clings for $4 a piece. if you want one, please make the donation so we can order them sooner!

* TBN
I am going to re-post some information from last week, as I have not received much response:
we have something new we are going to begin - it's called *THE BRIGADE NETWORK*. This is going to be a great way for us to keep in contact beyond our hike, as well as get to know each other a little more. To be a part of TBN, please email questions to the following questions. I will compile a list and email that to the group members that want it. I will not post this to the site until we get a little more security going on here!

1. Name, childrens' names, email, phone number, area of town
2. What are your skills/ talents/ parts of yourself you really enjoy sharing with others?
3. Do you have a blog? Are you on other social networking sites (Facebook, etc.)?
4. Would you be willing to "baby-swap" (swap days for child-watching, not actually swap babies)?
5. A brief profile with anything else you would like to include.
6. Please send a picture (unless I already have one), so people can put faces with names a little easier.

If you choose not to participate in this, no worries; you can still hike with the group! this is simply to get us all doing more of what we love and getting deeper into this community we are coming to love more!

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flood relief
* Special Volunteer Days are scheduled for May 8, May 15, May 22 and June 5 for cleanup and work on the Lake Trail, South Lake and South Cove Trails. If you can help out, meet at the Visitor Center at 8 a.m. or contact steve.ward@tn.gov if you have a group that can help.

* I have heard great need for financial help instead of food and water aid. people have said they have plenty of food and water, but no money to help repair their homes. if you would like to make a monetary donation, feel free to give that to me and I will find a family that can use it - possibly a brigade member!

happy hiking!