Count Me In

A Census taker rang my doorbell today. A nice looking older man in a yellow Census polo shirt with an id badge and a small computer attached to his wrist. He told me he was part of The Census Bureau and needed to verify my address - which he did. I thought it was strange cause it says my address right on my door. Then he asked if I had any apartments in my house with people living it - I don't. He handed me a sheet of paper from The Census Bureau and punched some stuff into his wrist computer and went on his way to the next house. Look out Bayport Bubble - we are being counted! I find the whole process of taking The Census very interesting.
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Sweet Free Stuff!

My fellow blogger - November Sunflower told me about a great web site - SweetFreeStuff.Com
November Sunflower has tons of info about saving money, coupons and free stuff on Long Island, but my favorite tip is this site.

I signed up with Sweet Free Stuff for their daily email. And once a day I get one email from them with hyper-links of free offers. I click on whatever offer looks good to me. The company that is offering the free sample will ask you for your name, mailing address and email. I do not mind giving this info out. Most of the sites say they do not sell your info to others. For my name - I give them my maiden name. I have a few email accounts, so I don't give them my main account. If any ask for a phone number - I give out my husband's business line.

Today I got my first free sample in the mail! Exciting!!! I have to say I have not gotten any extra spam emails or telemarketer calls either. When the free samples come they usually have coupons attached. Like the old saying says "If it's free - it's for me!"

Check out November Sunflower's Blog for more money saving tips at NovemberSunflower.blogspot.com

Swimming With St. Joe

Since Bayport is on the water, we have a boat and go the beach a lot. That is the reason I believe in swimming lessons for the kids. Last year we took swimming lessons at The YMCA in Holtsville. YMCA lessons were good, but to take lessons there you have to pay for a membership and that gets expensive.

I found out that St. Joesph's College in Patchogue gives swimming lessons and we signed up. The cost at St. Joesph's College is $95 for seven 45 minute lessons. They have six levels of swimming lessons for children ages 5-13. My son is in the beginner class - there are six kids and two instructors. Parents can watch through partially closed blinds. They also spend some time in the classroom going over water safety. So far - so good. I like this program and will be signing up again.

For more info on St. Joseph's swimming lessons call 631-687-1244 or http://www.sjcny.edu/page.php/prmID/954

It's In The Mail!

It came in the mail today! A package from NYIP! It is not my lessons, but the free stuff I got for signing up with them. It was a big, heavy box with five photography books. "Neil Leifer: Portraits" - a big hard cover coffee table book with all the famous people Neil Leifer photographed. "Ansel Adams and the Photographers of the American West" - another big hard cover 250 paged coffee table book. "On Assignment Photographs by Jay Maisel" - a smaller paperback book with photos from this photographer. I guess these three books will give me some inspiration.

The next two books look really useful. "2008 Photographer's Market" - where and how to sell your photographs. It lists 1,450 places that will buy your photos and is a thick paperback book. Cannot wait to start to read this book. And the last book is a small paperback called "The Photojournalist's Guide To Making Money". This is a smaller paperback book - 240 pages, but cannot wait to flip through it.

Where are my lessons? I want to start!
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Sunny Day At Smith's Point

Took the kids to Smith's Point to kick off the Memorial Day 6 day weekend! Here's a little secret - Smith's Point Park does not charge for parking after Labor Day till Memorial Day. Parking is now $12.50!!! I remember back in the days when it was $6. We went on the last day before they started charging. If you get a Green Key Card from Suffolk County they only charge you $5 for parking. One more Smith's Point tip - if you get there before 6am - you do not have to pay for parking either.

At Smith's Point is FINS - Fire Island National Seashore. There is a Ranger Station and a nature walk. Went with the kids on the Nature Walk, then sat by the ocean for awhile. Another tip for Smith's Point is to park all the way on the west side of the parking lot and follow the crosswalk towards the ranger station. Then follow the boardwalk to the ocean or take the nature walk which ends at the ocean. This is the "Surfer Beach". There is a lot of beach here and a lot less teeny boppers. The beach in front of the pavilion is smaller due to erosion. They brought sand in to replace what got washed out to sea, but the sand is more like dirt. Plus all the teeny boppers hang up there.

For family fun - go to the west end of Smith's Point. The kids will also get a kick going over the drawbridge to get to Smith's Point. There is also a snack bar, bathrooms and The TWA Flight 800 Memorial.

Smith's Point's web site is http://www.co.suffolk.ny.us/departments/parks/Smith%20Point%20County%20Park.aspx

FINS web site is http://www.nps.gov/archive/fiis/SmithPointCountyPark.htm

Check both these sites out because they hold events and classes. Most of them are free too - you just pay for parking.
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Bumble Blossoms

I went to a baby shower last week and they served the most delicious dessert. It is called Chudleigh's Bumble Blossoms and they got them at Costco. They are these pastries that are just yummy! The crust is great and it has apples, blueberries, blackberries and raspberries. These little treats are individually wrapped and you bake them in the oven. You do not even need whipped cream cause they are just sweet by themselves. Look for them in the frozen dessert section in Costco in Holbrook.
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Rumor Has It........

I was just in Marshalls in Patchogue - The Bayport Bubble does not have everything and I must venture out sometimes. But I found out in The Gateway Mall the old Linens and Things is going to be a Home Goods Store! Very exciting because the closest Home Goods store is in Stony Brook - way out of The Bayport Bubble. It should be opened by November - just in time for Christmas. I'll keep you posted!
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