Grey House Harbor
  • Home
  • about
  • contact

Jul 28 2016

penny-less

Posted by hayley
Tweet

For months Songbird had begged us for a “real” pet—caterpillars and yard toads were no longer fulfilling our animal lover’s heart’s desire.

She found her match last year in a copper-colored hamster named Penny.

Losing Penny | greyhouseharbor.com

The whole family grew to adore Penny’s sweet disposition, late night hamster balling, occasional jailbreak escapades, big ears and curious whiskers. She was quite the traveler; tagging along on trips to Georgia, Washington DC, Ohio, Indiana and Michigan. Songbird demonstrated maturity in her care and commitment to Penny, taking on the feeding and cleaning responsibilities without complaint.

Losing Penny | greyhouseharbor.com

So it was with great sadness that, just hours after last seeing her healthy and active, Songbird discovered Penny had passed over the rainbow bridge last night. No sickness or trauma, it was just her time.

Losing your first pet is hard.

Losing Penny | greyhouseharbor.com

This afternoon we held a memorial service. Penny was placed inside a beautiful box and Songbird fashioned a white cross from popsicle sticks. With the “Enya” Pandora station playing in the background, we all dressed up and shared our favorite memories of Penny; stories of creating cardboard labyrinths, her love of broccoli, peeking her nose from dollhouse windows, and sneaking her past hotel front desk clerks.

Losing Penny | greyhouseharbor.com

In our yard is a flower box that Songbird built with her grandma. Every spring she picks and plants – caring for her patch all season. Since “Penny’s favorite color was yellow,” we decided that it was most appropriate to bury her beneath Songbird’s marigolds. That way, her body will feed the garden and she’ll never leave us.

Losing Penny | greyhouseharbor.com

It might seem silly to mourn for a rodent. But, I’ve heard it said that as parents we should listen earnestly to anything on our child’s heart, no matter what. If we listen to the small things when they are small, they will trust us with the big things when they are big. Because to them, all of it has always been big stuff.

Losing Penny | greyhouseharbor.com

Rest well, sweet Penny. You will be missed. (At least until we get a dog.)

Losing Penny | greyhouseharbor.com

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Tags: our life, parenting, pets, songbird
CONTINUE READING >
2 comments
May 30 2016

on behalf of a grateful nation

Posted by hayley
Tweet

From the beginning of the Revolutionary War in 1775 to present day, over 1.3 million Americans have paid for our freedom with their lives.

Memorial Day | greyhouseharbor.com

As we remember and reflect on their sacrifices today, my heart turns to the millions of families who have borne the burden of that loss.

Memorial Day | greyhouseharbor.com

After all, they are the ones left behind to navigate the remainder of their days without their father, mother, husband, wife, son, daughter, brother or sister. They are the ones who feel the sting of that sacrifice on more than just one Monday in May.

Memorial Day | greyhouseharbor.com

During WWII, nearly 12% of the American population was serving in The Armed Forces. As such, most citizens were related to or personally knew someone in uniform.

Today less than 1% of our population has taken that oath to protect the other 99%.

I fear this has created a culture of disconnected ignorance. Wars today require zero sacrifice from the civilian population, and therefore zero understanding. Zero understanding leads to zero awareness. Zero awareness leads to zero gratitude. And zero gratitude is a dangerous threat to those very freedoms so many have died to defend.

Memorial Day | greyhouseharbor.com

At the close of a military funeral, the flag that drapes the coffin is removed, folded and presented to the next-of-kin. As the white-gloved military official hands over the flag, they say “On behalf of the President of the United States, the United States (Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force or Coast Guard ), and a grateful nation, please accept this flag as a symbol of our appreciation for your loved one’s honorable and faithful service.”

Memorial Day | greyhouseharbor.com

But are we truly a grateful nation? Are we aware of why we’ve been afforded the luxury of a long weekend? Are we teaching these things to our kids, so that they will know their carefree childhoods have a cost?

Memorial Day | greyhouseharbor.com

Let us not forget the ones who have died so that we may live free in this great nation. Let us remember the broken hearts of the families they leave behind.

They are six words I hope never to hear. But should God ever call us to walk that path, I’d want to know that it is not in vain.

Let us seek to understand their sacrifices so that, when the next family is handed a folded flag, it is sincerely “on behalf of a grateful nation.”

Memorial Day | greyhouseharbor.com

* Special thanks to the grounds keeping staff at the Albert G. Horton Jr. Memorial Veteran’s Cemetery for allowing the kids and I to assist them in placing Memorial Day flags this year.

Tags: memorial day, military, our life
CONTINUE READING >
2 comments
May 27 2016

retiring old glory {how to dispose of an old flag}

Posted by hayley
Tweet

We’re a pretty patriotic bunch and have great respect and pride in the symbol of our nation: the American flag.

Most people know that, out of such respect, you should never allow our flag to touch the ground. But, my kids know a few more of the rules too; if it flies past sunset, it should have a light on it; if it’s raining, the flag comes inside; and the stars always go in the upper left corner, whether hung horizontally or vertically.

When we moved to Virginia, before a single photo was hung inside, we put up a pole and flew a flag out front. After 3 years of faithful service our original front porch flag was faded and worn.

How to Retire an Old American Flag | greyhouseharbor.com

Instead of just doing it myself, I’m a believer in using ordinary tasks —like changing out an old flag— as teaching moments. My kids learned a few more tips on proper flag etiquette and how to neatly fold it into a ceremonial triangle.

How to Retire an Old American Flag | greyhouseharbor.com

Looking at it next to our new flag, we realized just how faded it really was! Long overdue for retirement.

How to Retire an Old American Flag | greyhouseharbor.com

But how do you properly retire or dispose of an old flag?

According to the US Flag Code, “when a flag is so tattered that it no longer fits to serve as a symbol of the United States, it should be destroyed in a dignified manner, preferably by burning.”

There’s a difference between burning the flag in protest or hatred and burning it as a respectful means of disposal. If you have an old flag ready for retirement, you can take it to your local Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, or Boy Scouts of America — all of whom offer flag disposal services.

How to Retire an Old American Flag | greyhouseharbor.com

Upon researching options in our area, I stumbled upon this news article about Sturtevant Funeral Home. Their flag donation program cremates each veteran with a donated flag – ensuring that old flags are disposed of properly and that no veteran is cremated without a red, white and blue tribute.

How to Dispose of an Old American Flag | greyhouseharbor.com

via L. Todd Spencer | Virginia Pilot

What a powerful opportunity to teach Bug and Songbird not only about flag etiquette, but to reinforce the real reason we value our flag as a symbol of our freedoms and those who have fought to protect it.

How to Retire an Old American Flag | greyhouseharbor.com

The cookies were just an unexpected bonus.

How to Retire an Old American Flag | greyhouseharbor.com

Upon returning home, Songbird was careful to drape Old Glory over her arm while she and Bug hooked it to the pole.

How to Retire an Old American Flag | greyhouseharbor.com

When I see bold stars and stripes flying high in the sunshine, my heart swells with pride for this great nation I am privileged to call home. I remember that men and women have given their lives in order for those flags to fly unhindered. To show the American flag proper respect in use and in retirement is the least we can do to honor the sacrifices of so many.

How to Retire an Old American Flag | greyhouseharbor.com

Tags: memorial day, military, our life, parenting, proper flag disposal
CONTINUE READING >
1 comment
May 19 2016

grocery hero

Posted by hayley
Tweet

Dude. You guys.

I just got a week’s worth of grocery shopping done in 10 minutes flat. I had both kids in tow: nobody whined, we didn’t buy a single thing we didn’t need, and we stayed under budget!

Liar liar, pants on fire.

I have shopped for the bulk of our groceries at Walmart Supercenters for several years now. They’re selection is huge, prices are low, and I’ve always been able to find good-looking produce. But my stress level spikes on grocery day, especially when Handsome is traveling and I have to take both kids along. So, you can imagine my intrigue when I found out that they began offering FREE (yes, totally and completely free) grocery pickup in my neighborhood this year.

First, you set up an account at Walmart Grocery and log in to their grocery website to begin shopping. They also have an app you can download to your phone, which syncs with your website account. Now, when I run out of milk, I simply grab my phone and add it to my virtual cart right then – before I forget. Both the website and the app keep all the items in your cart until you check out. So I can make my list throughout the week as we run out of stuff.

Walmart Free Grocery Pickup | greyhouseharbor.com

Since the prices are right on the screen, it’s super easy to comparison shop different brands. A running total of your order is shown in the upper right hand corner, which really helps me stay within our weekly grocery budget.

Walmart groceries

Search for items by typing directly into the manual search bar…

Walmart groceries-2

… or by using drop down department menus. Sometimes I can locate a specific item one way, but not the other. So be sure to try both!

Walmart groceries-3

Once you’re done shopping, you simply reserve a pick-up time and check out online with a debit or credit card.

Pick-up is basically idiot-proof.

Walmart groceries-5

Park in a slot, call the number, tell them your name… and out they come!

Walmart groceries-4

Sloth Alert: You literally do not have to get out of the car. But I did to take this pic of how they nicely wheel out your things and load ’em up with a smile! He was smiling and very considerate, I promise.

Walmart groceries-2-2

This new service has seriously changed my life. Now I “shop” all week on my phone app, check out the night before I want to pick-up, and leisurely drive over to collect my groceries the next day. No one unbuckles, no one whines about who’s turn it is to ride on the end of the cart, no one even sees the candy aisle (ahem, me.) and I get a week’s worth of groceries under budget.

Walmart is officially my grocery hero.

Hey, I know you wanna try it. Click HERE to get $10 off your first order! You’re sooo gonna thank me.

Walmart groceries-3-2

Things you might be wondering, because I did too:
Is it really free? Yes, I’ve done it 6 times now. There are zero fees, no price markups, and NO tipping allowed. The ONLY catch is that your cart must total a minimum of $30 to check out ($50 minimum to use the $10 off code). Hasn’t been a problem for me, since I buy a week’s worth of food at a time.
Is it just food? Nope. They have most of their health & beauty, household & laundry, baby, office, home & pet stuff on there too! The days of trying to hide that extra large box of “super” tampons behind the giant Frosted Flakes on the conveyor belt are over. Not that I would know anything about that.
Will they pick good meat/produce? I am SUPER picky about my produce and was almost hyperventilating thinking about someone else choosing my broccoli for me. But, I decided to truly test the system and was pleasantly surprised. I’ve ordered: apples, broccoli, salad, strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, avocados, chicken, pork roast, ground beef, etc… and ALL have passed my inspection. They guarantee fresh produce too – you can refuse it at pick-up or return it for a full refund if not satisfied.
What if they don’t have something I ordered in stock? They have this great thing called “substitutions.” For example, if you order a liter of Coke but they’re out, they will give you a 2-liter for the same price. The other day I ordered brussel sprouts and they were totally out (strange, right?). When you go for pick-up, they will tell you about any substitutions they made and what part of the order they were unable to fulfill (if anything). The unavailables are removed from your final total. Your card isn’t charged until you have picked-up and you sign for the order at your car.

Visit their HELP PAGE for lots more info.

Wal-Mart did not sponsor this post, I’m just a rabid fan of this new service and HAD to share. However, the referral links do give YOU $10 and me $10 when you order, so total win-win.

Save

Save

Tags: hack, our life, parenting, walmart grocery
CONTINUE READING >
0 comments


I'm Hayley. Wife and mother by day, DIY enthusiast by night. Fueled by sweet tea and jelly beans, I own power tools and know how to use them. Consider yourself warned.

featured on button

New posts delivered fresh to your inbox!

Follow on Bloglovin

Recent Posts

  • big ‘ole magnet board / job chart
  • a collection of caps a collection of caps
  • a new chapter a new chapter
  • treasure rocks treasure rocks
  • missing grams missing grams

 

S P O N S O R S - & - F R I E N D S

PREV 1 2 3 4 … 10 NEXT

Categories

Archives

Follow

Follow on Bloglovin

Recent Posts

  • big ‘ole magnet board / job chart
  • a collection of caps a collection of caps
  • a new chapter a new chapter

disclaimer & copyright

All opinions within are exclusively and honestly mine. I do not commit to posting positive reviews of any promotional items I may receive. However, if the product or service suits the interests of my readers I may feature it and denote such compensation.
All content © greyhouseharbor.com 2015.