Cleaning Your BOB Stroller

So, the other night we were exhausted from a double-header day of baseball, 6-months photos for the baby, and just general cleaning around the house.  I was not in the mood to make dinner and had forgotten to toss something in the crock pot that morning.  So, the kids and I loaded up and headed out to grab some dinner from Chick-fil-A with the stack of free food coupons I won awhile back.

As I started the drive, I decided that the 15 minute drive was too far so I went to grab a pizza instead.  This turned out to be the best decision ever.

This particular pizza place is next door to a Goodwill Donation Center.  As I was backing out, two men were attempting to drop off some strollers - including a BOB jogging stroller.  Goodwill cannot accept these items because of the sheer number of recalls placed on children's equipment.  So, I mustered up some boldness, rolled down my window, and asked if they needed to get rid of the strollers.  The men eagerly responded with, "Yes!  Do you want them?"

You don't have to ask me twice!  I pulled up alongside the gentlemen and they helped me load a very dirty BOB into my SUV (thank goodness I had the room that day!)  We exchanged a few pleasantries and I went on my way.  I couldn't believe my luck!

Once home, I took a good look at this stroller.  It was filthy, but in otherwise great working condition.  There was shredded tarp wrapped around one of the wheels, cat fur and bark in the basket, spiderwebs and dust coated the whole thing, flat tires, but nothing I couldn't fix.  So I set to work.  Before I started washing though, my husband removed the wheels to get the shredded tarp off.

First thing when cleaning your BOB Stroller, you want to give it a good vacuum, to pick up any loose dirt and debris.

Next, pull out your car washing supplies.  These strollers are meant for the outdoors so this will not harm them.  We happened to be out of car wash soap, but I always have blue Dawn on hand for cloth diapers.  That stuff is magic!  I took the scrub brush and soapy water and scrubbed it all over.

After a thorough rinse, I placed it in the sun to dry.  It was a warm day, so this didn't take long.

Looking at it, it looks practically new.  The straps are in amazing condition and this stroller even has the cup holder attachment.  The stroller retails over $300 and the cup holder for over $20.  And I got the whole thing for free + elbow grease.  I'd say it was a good weekend!  I cannot wait to take this for a run and try it out.

I love mail

As long as it's not bills.  I mean, c'mon, who says, "Yay!  A bill!  I was looking forward to paying that!"?  No one.

I would like to preface this post by saying that I am in no way being paid to promote this.

So, you know how you get those "lovely" suggested pages and offers on Facebook these days?  Most of them I ignore, but the one for Citrus Lane stuck out to me.  They were offering a trial for $13 for a month so I decided to check it out.  The items in the box typically have a value around $25-30, so I figured it wouldn't hurt.

When filling out the info, you tell them the age and gender of your baby and everything is customized for your kiddo.

Our first box arrived in November - it arrived packaged very nicely and included lip gloss for me (value unknown)

Green Toys teether toy ($10)

Bumkins starter bib ($5)

Boon Dishwasher basket ($10)

 So, as you can see, I got more than my money's worth.  I figured with Christmas in December, I'd keep the boxes coming to see what they had to offer.  This is what came in the mail the other day:

From what I can figure out, this box is also at least $25 in value.  The rabbit and wooden toy will make great stocking stuffers for Baby B and the ornament is going to be a wonderful memento for her first Christmas.  I was going to save the lotion for the stocking too, but I really wanted to try it out.  It smells fantastic!

So far, I am extremely pleased with Citrus Lane and am looking forward to future boxes.  Who else uses them?  I would love to see what other people are getting!

If you do not have a subscription to Citrus Lane, you can sign up here.

Black Friday Funfest

It has become tradition for my friend Christina and I to hit the stores on Black Friday...err...Black Thursday.  This year will be our third year in a row going out together.  Last year she was pregnant when we went out (and was such a trooper!)  This year we both have babies, but her little man will be home while Baby B joins us in my Ergo.

Our starting place is always Target.  We always find great deals there and the crowds are a lot more manageable than the Wal Mart right across the freeway. 

Target is opening up at 8pm on Thanksgiving this year and has a number of doorbuster deals.  You can check out Target's Black Friday ad here. 

What do you see that you like?  I know Older Boy wants Monster's Inc. University which is on sale for $10 for Blu-Ray and the Poppity Pop for $19 might be great to set aside for Baby B.