Suddenly, I was on high alert. This was a gold mine. I have two boys wearing size 3, I know the woman giving them away, and Old Navy clothing is always cute.

I kept my eyes on the screen, as I frantically searched with one hand for my elusive cordless phone. My heart sank as the next e-mail appeared "Boys clothing taken."

These women were good. Juneau moms know how to swap.

There'd only been a 20-minute window after the initial posting. I needed to be sharper. Some other mom on the Yahoo group Juneauparents was at the top of her game with quick fingers, fate and timing on her side.

She was undoubtedly twirling around in her living room, head thrown back like Julie Andrews, basking in all the phantom money she'd saved on shipping, handling and retail prices. She'd also just opened up a world of spending possibilities for herself.

She could treat herself to a massage at Seventh Heaven and not feel a twinge of guilt. She was an inspiration to all mothers: Rocky Balboa dancing at the top of the stairs.

Swapping in Juneau is nothing new, but the organized swapping the Internet provides is downright genius. It's the same kind of ingenuity perfected by the discreet swinging adult personals.

Urban legend has it that a 2T purple Patagonia jacket is on its fifth Juneau baby. There was a couple who had children six years apart. They ended up buying back a one-of-a-kind Posh House public market shirt at the Salvation Army. They'd given it away five years earlier and bought it a second time for a quarter.

Juneau childrens' clothing is being recycled so much, it would make Al Gore's face beam.

Another great swapping experience happened recently, when I began playing old records to provide '70s culture for my kids. I wanted them to hear the kind of music that might have been playing on the radio as my parents picked up hitchhikers in Big Sur in our VW bus in 1972.

I only had The Doors "Live" album. Their screaming rendition of "Break On Through" actually scared the kids during breakfast.

I sent an emergency message via the Juneauparents underground railroad, "seeking classic records." Within hours, thanks to a mom who didn't ask a lot of questions, I was sitting in a room with thousands of LPs, free for my taking. That same night I treated my family to a full sing-a-thon, just me and Carly Simon's greatest hits.

These are the magic moments swapping creates - the pure joy that only can be felt by selfless giving and thankful receiving.

When you finally meet a Juneauparents mom, user name "Mamaduck," who has posted valuable advice about herbal remedies and tips on traveling with toddlers, it's as tearful as war vets reuniting.

Being a parent can evoke the feelings of lost and found - the same camaraderie all soldiers experience.