This Is Framingham

I signed up for Metrowest Bootcamp 2 weeks ago and I love it.  They offer 6am or 6pm sessions at Farm Pond and since I get up early, I chose the 6am time.  I hate to say it, but I just can’t see myself doing all this stuff on my own, so it’s great to have motivation from the instructors.  They’re really nice and know what they’re doing – since I don’t, it’s a huge help to have the direction they give. ????? ???? ??? ????

They have us do all sorts of “drills” and exercises and although I was in some pain getting used to the workout, it feels good and it’s such an awesome way to start the day. ???? ??? ???? ????? ???   Also, it’s a nice way to get to know people who live in the area, I’ve met some great people and have fun comparing what hurts the next day 🙂
For more info check out their site: http://metrowestbootcamponline.com
 

I had to stop by the Clerk’s office this morning on my way to work and when I went to feed the meter, I saw this sticker saying you get 10 minutes for free if the meter is at 00:00.  This may be common knowledge to most people but I never usually have a need to park downtown so this was kind of a treat for me.
I got my 10 minutes but also added a dime just in case it took longer than 10 minutes (and it did).  Anyway, if you didn’t know that about the meters, now you do : )

(Artwork courtesy of Brandon Schaefer)
Incase anyone hasn’t seen the signs around town or the ads in various publications, the Framingham History Center is holding their 10th Annual House Tour on Sunday, May 16th from 12-5pm.  For more information click here.

Ethan and I made a few batches of fish and chips a while ago and didn’t know what to do with all the left over oil.  It was almost a gallon and what do you do with all that? ??? ???? ??????? ????  I just put it back in the bottles and put it aside thinking I’ll figure something out eventually. ??? ?????? ??????   A few weeks later I thought of Dawn Harkness and her green ambulance that she converted into a bio-fuel vehicle so I sent her an email and she was happy to come pick it up. ???? ????   It was interesting for me because even though I knew of  her,  I had never met her before and we had a really nice conversation and she showed me around the ambulance and explained how it worked.

I asked her if she ever runs out of oil sources and she said no because between the restaurants
she knows and people who contact her she does pretty well.  Dawn said she gets a lot of oil donations when people fry turkeys so Thanksgiving and Superbowl season are big for her. 
It was great for everyone, Ethan and I don’t have these bottles of used oil sitting around and Dawn can use it for her ambulance.  So if you have left over cooking oil you want to get rid of you can email her at info@GreatGreenAmbulance.com and check out her site that explains how and why she does this, http://greatgreenambulance.com 
 

I got an email a few days ago from Savers thrift stores saying they are coming to Framingham!  As some may know I’m a thrift store junkie and I love hunting out little treasures to add to my collection of useful and useless items.  I’m so excited because it’s become my favorite thrift store since I found it last year in Woonsocket. ??? ??? ??? ?? ???? ????   As much as I’m always looking for a reason to visit Woonsocket (and I mean that, I’d love to make a thisiswoonoscket.com) I’m really looking forward to having Savers right here in the ‘ham.  Their selection of vintage housewares and electronics are fantastic. enzo casino I recently got some lovely items like:
a never-used coffee pot/plate warmer:

crockette in excellent condition:

mint condition baking dish and set of side plates:


Occasionally I’ll buy something that isn’t brown but for the most part this place is a gold mine for me and Ethan actually always finds a nice record to bring home – some of his finds:

Not only will this be great for shopping but according to their press release, it will create 50 jobs for this store. 
For more information you can visit their site at http://savers.com

I take my daily (I try for daily) morning walk through downtown and around Farm Pond, and it’s a way to get some exercise and see if any vacant stores have any signs of occupation or get a glimpse of nature.  Sometimes I see things like this:

or this:

and sometimes I see things like…this:

and then sometimes I find out things I wouldn’t normally find out unless I took a walk, like this:

I didn’t even know about phases I-III of Cushing Park’s improvement plan but this sign was recently posted on the walking path there.  You can see more detailed before and (what will be) after images the Parks & Recreations plan posted on the town website here.  After looking at their site, I noticed they also posted they will be completing a new playground across the street at Farm Pond.  You can see those plans here.  I’m hoping they don’t get rid of the metal snail I used to enjoy playing on but maybe the town will put it up for sale(?)  Just another thing to keep an eye on.

The Metrowest chapter of Mothers & More is collecting used purses in great condition as part of their Mothers Day Community Outreach project.   The collection box locations are at Natick and Framingham (main branch) libraries and they’re collecting through April 30th.
 
All purses donated will be distributed to A Suitable Image, Dress for Success, A Place To Turn (Natick) and Natick Service Council.  Empowering and inspiring women as they prepare for an interview that will hopefully change their life. 

For more information on Mothers and More and the Power of a Purse project click here.