Random Thoughts

In 2007, we made $730.17 in REBATES. Mostly from Rite Aid (a drug store, used to be called Eckert). Ahhhh. Rebates are tempting. Especially if, after rebate, the item you are eyeballing will be absobloominlutely free . Rebates. Rite Aid cleverly calls them "freebates". Sucker that I am I fall right in line. "Freebate? Sign me up!". I don't buy crap just to get the rebate (she says defensively!). Well, ok, I DID buy the homeopathic flu reducer just 'cuz it was free... But hey - didn't I get the flu the very next week and use it??? Didn't I??? Most of the free crap I get from Rite Aid goes into the Homeless Giveaway pile. Those homeless guys never had such good smelling armpits. February 19, 2008 9:41 PM

Homeless people have a set of mores – a code that they live by. Maybe not all homeless people, just like not all fortunate housed people followed the same moral standards. But in my dealings with the homeless, their understanding of and care for one another astonishes me. Sunday February 10th David and I decided to do a homeless giveaway. I had made up 11 baggies of toiletries a few weeks ago and had been itching to hand them out. Most had full sized deodorants – a cherished commodity – a score from RiteAid s “freebate” program. All the bags had brand new washcloths (big Target sale), hotel soap, lotion, shampoo, conditioner, toothbrush (some courtesy of David’s dentist, others from a DC Marriott where I begged), and toothpaste (some real full sized tubes, again thanks to RiteAid). I made up 20 cups of coffee using packets of hotel coffee and we packed up. We also brought along 4 hats, 4 sets of mittens, and 3 scarves that we had purchased using a $20 donation from a co-worker.