Consignment shops

The weather is playing games with us and we're into the post-Thanksgiving shopping madness. So when money gets tight, check out your local consignment shops. Sweetpea's in Macon, Baby Country in the Chick fil A shopping center on Watson here in Warner Robins, and Baby Station of Byron. In fact, Baby Station is having a sale -
Cribs w/mattress – $70 - $105
Strollers – $10 - $25
Swings – $25 - $45
Exersaucers/walkers – $10 - $30
Clothing (Newborn to 6/6X)….All 50% Off
PERSONALIZED CHILDREN’S BOOKS
Hard Cover Keepsakes with your child & friends as the main character(s)
Ø GREAT Christmas Gifts
Ø Many Titles to choose from
Ø Book(s) can be picked up from store in 2 days or we offer FREE SHIPPING to anywhere in the U.S.
Baby Station is located at
120 Hamilton Pointe Drive (just behind Wendy’s and Zaxby’s)
Bring in a copy of this post for an additional $5.00 off your purchase of $25.00 or more!
--Misty

Consignment shops

The weather is playing games with us and we're into the post-Thanksgiving shopping madness. So when money gets tight, check out your local consignment shops. Sweetpea's in Macon, Baby Country in the Chick fil A shopping center on Watson here in Warner Robins, and Baby Station of Byron. In fact, Baby Station is having a sale -
Cribs w/mattress – $70 - $105
Strollers – $10 - $25
Swings – $25 - $45
Exersaucers/walkers – $10 - $30
Clothing (Newborn to 6/6X)….All 50% Off
PERSONALIZED CHILDREN’S BOOKS
Hard Cover Keepsakes with your child & friends as the main character(s)
Ø GREAT Christmas Gifts
Ø Many Titles to choose from
Ø Book(s) can be picked up from store in 2 days or we offer FREE SHIPPING to anywhere in the U.S.
Baby Station is located at
120 Hamilton Pointe Drive (just behind Wendy’s and Zaxby’s)
Bring in a copy of this post for an additional $5.00 off your purchase of $25.00 or more!
--Misty

Christmas shopping frustrations

Guest blog from Angela of Horse pursuits -
Warning: Angry mom...
So I have been looking for this Nintendo Wii thing since the day after Thanksgiving. I've been to Buford, near the Mall of Georgia, and it seems that every place is sold out.
I've also been placing calls to Gamestop, EB Games, Target, Wal-Mart, etc. every day. I had just started calling yesterday when the Wal-Mart on Harrison Road said they had some. I asked the lady to hold it til I got there. She said she couldn't. I jumped in my car and drove out there from downtown. Took me about 15 minutes. And yes, they had some left. There was a gentleman in front of me in line who wanted to buy two. I just wanted the one (although I'm sure I could've sold it for a higher price, I'm not into that kinda market).
The cashier couldn't get the Wii's to ring up. It kept saying No Sell Item. I told the guy (after about 15 minutes of this nonsense) just to put $249.48 on the dang register and let me pay for the thing. So they go through this whole process of calling managers, assistant managers, blah blah. Finally, after about me standing there for at least 45 minutes waiting for them to figure out what was going on an associate tells me that his manager said they can't sell them until Dec. 3.
The manager was trying to walk away when I asked why he was going to hold onto them. He said that there was a new flyer coming out on Dec. 3 and that they wouldn't be selling any until then. I said, well Target just got some in this morning and they are selling theirs (to which he shrugged and told me again he wasn't selling any until Dec. 3) And I said, well I've already been waiting here an hour for you to figure out what was going on, can I get a raincheck so I can get one and he says, no you have to stand in line like everyone else. Can we all say BOYCOTT? I will NEVER go to that Wal-Mart again. The district manager will be getting a nice little phone call from me.
The thing that really irritates me is that I wasn't only going to buy the Wii, but another controller and a game, which puts my total purchase above $300. That I was willing to give them THAT DAY. But they refused my purchase, basically and told me I was outta luck. I'd like to use a profanity there but I will refrain since this is a family blog.
So my hunt for this stupid game system is still on. Two calls this morning and nothing. But I will not be visiting any Wal-Marts anytime soon, you can bet your bottom dollar on that one!
--Angela

vaccuum, rake or shovel?

Some parts of the house, like the middle of the living room, need only a vaccuuming to make them presentable. Occasional spot remover and the strategic placement of a throw rug keeps the carpet looking clean, if no longer new.
Other parts of the house should be tackled with a garden rake. Daniel's room comes to mind. Legos, matchbox cars and Thomas and Friends make getting from door to bedside hazardous, and cleaning a joke.
Then there are the areas that should be approached with nothing less sturdy than a shovel. The laundry room and kitchen sink come to mind...the socks and dirty dishes have been breeding again.
--Misty

a.m. blues

I've figured out why it's so hard to get up in the mornings. Because no matter how good I feel when I put my feet on the floor, two hours later the whole day is shot.
First, there's the fight with Daniel about getting up, dressed, fed and out the door on time. Invariably, we're running late and as I get in the car I know I've left breakfast dishes on the counter and wasn't the laundry crawling up the wall? So that's what I'll be coming home to.
Then there's the clingy Daniel when I drop him off at school. Fifteen minutes of sobbing and hugging later, I'm back in the car feeling like a heel.
I'm greeted at work by the coffe klatch complaining long and loud about their bad night, their illnesses, the general incompetence of their coworkers, and anything else they can think of. The negativity spreads faster than the flu and by the time I sit down at my desk, I just want to crawl back in bed and start over. *sigh.* Can't I just skip right to the part where I thank God I have a job I like and get to work?
--Misty

22 "pinches" of love

Faith will be turning 6 this week. With every day, she's becoming more sure of herself and less the little girl who needed us for everything. While birthdays are happy times, it's a little melancholy for me. In the delivery room as the doctor first said, "It's a girl," I feared the angst that often occurs between mother and daughter. I know the day is coming when we will be at odds over her friends, clothing and curfews. We've already done battle over some little things, so I know the first all-out war can't be far off. I'm also lamenting the loss of the cute little jumbled words that she said while getting a grip on language. She's reading now and soon will be adding new words faster than she outgrows her pants. So it was refreshing the other day when she sought my advice on whether her baby doll needed milk or orange juice. "Milk," I said definitively. "She's too little for orange juice." Faith disappeared and came back and proudly declaring that the baby was "18 feet" long. "That's inches," I corrected her from the next room. "OK, she's 18-pinches," Faith said. I clarified the pronounciation as I chuckled to myself. "That's still too little," I told her. "You were 22-inches long when you were born." How cute, I thought as I had a mental picture of her at "22 pinches." I could see myself lovingly pinching her from head to toe on her soft baby skin. Kind of like the way your aunt grabs your cheek, but nicer.
My baby is almost 6. The first trimester of parenting is over. Let's coast through until 12 when things will get hairy again for the final six years until she's 18. Somebody pinch me.
--Liz Fabian

What else I'm thankful for

There is such a rich abundance of blessings in my life right now, I could blog until Christmas. Here are some of the things that come to mind: A forest full of colorful leaves still on the trees in my neighborhood, the white blooms in the backyard on the bushes that I mistakenly thought were camelias, a larger table for this year's dinner (although there will be fewer loved ones around it), enough pinecones in the front yard for our craft project, the flowers my husband brought home from the grocery store that perfectly compliment the bouquets I bought, a holiday celebrating cooking, eating, family and gratitude, a full stomach that's second to an overflowing heart filled with love for family and friends.

— Liz Fabian

Time to make the crust

Even after arthritis knurled her knuckles, Mom would roll out the pie crust. While she mastered the rolling of the dough, it's one of the few kitchen tasks that still intimidates me. But this Thanksgiving, she's not here to make the pie. In recent years before her death, I think even Mom bought her pie shells at the store. Lingering in my mind like the white puffs of flour clinging to my shirt, is my memory of her and the wooden rolling pin that sometimes squeaked as it turned. Around holidays and any time she wanted to please us, Mom would bake a pie. Each red circle on her rolling cloth marked the circumference needed for different size pans. My task - the first on my list this morning - was to roll the pie dough in a 12" circle. I had made the dough around midnight and then read the recipe's hours-long process of getting it ready for the oven. So, I slept on it. As I looked at that 4-inch lump on the counter, I knew it was either going to wind up cradling a triple chocolate chunk pecan pie or thrown up against a wall in despair. I prayed for the former. Eureka. It worked, even with a nasty fumble on my part in transfering the dough. Thanks Mom. Happy Thanksgiving.
-- Liz

What I'm thankful for

In the middle of rushing around in the kitchen, I asked my daughter if she knew what I was most thankful for this Thanksgiving. "Me," she said with a big smile. Faith is the answer, but I don't mean my daughter's name. For me, the inner peace that comes from above is at the top of my list. That tranquility can often be drowned out by the frenzy of the season, but I'm going to pray for spiritual strength to carry me through. When I feel the tension rising into my throat, I'll stop and take a deep breath. Maybe this will be the year I can practice what I preach.

— Liz Fabian

To Barbie or not to Barbie...

... That is the question. There she was all in her pink-winged splendor. A fabulously costumed Barbie of Mermaidia fame. Sure Mattell, upgrade Elina just when it's time to buy the TWELVE Dancing Princesses. Thanks a lot. Nope, the Barbie train stops right here, I thought. This year. Already, Faith's room looks like a mess of mass casualties from some sort of fairytale disaster. Dozens of bodies lie about in varying shades of dress and undress as if a twister ripped the clothes from their toned plastic torsos. But still, I ponder whether I'm going to grab one of those bargains - already discounted by more than 50-percent. A true bargain is buying only what you need, so I snatch the Barbie classroom set-up for a birthday gift for one of Faith's younger friends and I'm off. Faith will learn to keep her dolls dressed and tidy, or Elina's sleeping at somebody else's house Christmas night.
— Liz Fabian

worth the trip

One of the things I like best about having a "home" business like PartyLite is that I can work from anywhere. I'm three states from home and I'm taking orders. Guess what that means? I can write off the whole trip! And at 48 cents a mile, 1,200 miles is a nice write-off. Fabulous.
--Misty

The best-laid plans

Every other time, we drive to Virginia at night and Daniel sleeps. This time,he's going through a growth spurt. We started out at dark and he fell asleep an hour down the road. Great! Then he got up at 10:30. Uh-oh. "Mu tummy says it's time to get up." He proceeded to eat his way through three states, finally falling back asleep for the last two hours of the 12-hour trip. So we're all still recovering.
--Misty

A matter of life and death

Somewhere between bud and full-bloom, the rose died and dried. Rare are the ones that open fully before the petals begin to wilt. But I wanted this rose to be the most beautiful I'd ever seen. I wish it had lived lived longer. The same is true of my mother, from whose casket the flower came. Did she fully bloom or did the thorns of her life prematurely puncture her dreams? In recent days, my thoughts have turned to her and the life she lived. While tending to the flower arrangements that came after she died, I realized there can be beauty in death. Sure, decaying leaves and stems of once brilliant bouquets can stink and cloud the water. But other flowers barely wither before they die. While my rose lost its color, it kept the shape of a much younger bloom. It's frozen in time with an essence of eternal youth. The photographs I've discovered of my mother in younger days do the same for her. While my impromptu tears still surprise me, there's a deep comfort in knowing my mother died peacefully. There's true beauty in that - and the timeless rose beside her portrait.
— Liz Fabian

Rough and Tumble Part III

Burns: They scare kids the most, I think, because the REALLY hurt, momma! But how bad is the burn and how do you take care of it?
A third-degree burn is the most serious of the three categories of burns. The skin, which may appear white or charred, is seriously injured — even below the surface. A second-degree burn creates blistering and swelling. A first-degree burn, which is the mildest, can involve redness and slight swelling. For this kind of quickly cool the area by submerging it in cool water for at least 20 minutes. If the burn is on your child's face, apply a cool, clean, water-soaked towel and call the doctor.
If the burn starts to blister, simply apply an antiseptic ointment and cover the area loosely with a clean nonstick bandage. Never try to break a blister. Blisters are an important part of the skin's healing process. Don't put butter, grease, lotion, or powder on the burn. These can increase the risk of infection. And don't use ice, which can further damage the skin. You can give your child acetaminophen or ibuprofen to ease the pain. A mild, first-degree burn may heal in just a few days, but a second-degree burn can take a couple of weeks.
If the injury is an electrical burn or if the burn is on the face, hands, or genitals, call your child's physician immediately after providing first aid.
How should I treat a chemical burn?
Burns from lye, acids, or other harsh chemicals may look much like a sunburn. Remove your child's clothing, cutting it away if necessary to avoid spreading the chemical to other parts of the body. Rinse the burned areas with cool running water for 20 minutes, and wash gently with soap. Don't apply lotions or ointments to the burned skin. If your child swallowed or inhaled any of the chemical, call Poison Control immediately for instructions. If the chemical splashed into his eyes, flush the eyes for 20 minutes with water poured from a pitcher. If the burned area is large, cover it with a clean, damp sheet. Call the doctor immediately after providing first aid.

Again, thanks to ParentCenter. Find more information on a variety or topics at http://parentcenter.babycenter.com

--Misty

Rough and Tumble Part II

From babies falling off the bed to older kids playing "touch" football (yeah, right), a hit to the head is possibly the most scary of injuries. After all, we're moms, not neurosurgeons.
If a child hits his head as a result of a major collision or a fall from any serious distance — he falls down the stairs or gets whacked with a bat or ball, for example — you should talk with his doctor. She'll want to know the details of the accident and whether your child lost consciousness, is excessively irritable or crying, or is vomiting or lethargic. She may tell you to bring him to the office or to the emergency room. If your child has had a little bump, though — he topples off his tricycle or clunks heads with his feisty sibling — you'll just want to keep an eye on him for a while.
Of course, it's still important to watch your child closely for signs of problems, such as severe headache, vomiting, changes in speech, or difficulty with walking or coordination.
If your child seems overly groggy or lethargic, or if you're worried for any reason, trust your instincts and call the doctor for advice. If at any point you're unable to wake your child, take him to the emergency room.

Again, information thanks to ParentCenter
--Misty

Rough and tumble play

What's a mom to do if her precious darling gets hurt playing with all those cousins over the holidays? Here's the first part of Misty's Holiday Survival Guide - First Aid for Moms:
BAD SPRAINS AND STRAINS
To reduce pain and swelling, remember RICE: Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation. Keep the affected area elevated and as immobile as possible for 24 to 48 hours. Apply a cold pack (or a bag of frozen peas) for ten to 15 minutes at a time, wrapping it in a towel first to avoid frostbite. Do this as soon after the injury as possible, and repeat at least three times a day for a day or two. Don't apply any heat for the first 48 hours.
Keep excess fluid from accumulating around a sprained joint by compressing and elevating it. Starting below the joint, wrap an elastic bandage loosely, so the circulation isn't cut off. Elevate the injured area above the level of the heart by propping it up on pillows. Of course, if the injury is bad enough to keep a kid down for 24 to 48 hours, do see a doctor as soon as possible to rule out something more serious.

Information from ParentCenter
--Misty

Just a suggestion

Between an article I read recently and the usual uptick of purse-snatchings that come with the holiday season, I've about decided to stop carrying a purse.
Imagine, if you will, the most germ-infested, salmonella and e-coli carrying item in your wardrobe. Now imagine yourself putting it on the table where you and your family eat every day. That's right, it's your purse.
Think about it - your purse goes with you everywhere, from the car to the restaurant bathroom. Most of the time, you tuck it away on the floor - where people are walking and spilling, where animals are walking and doing business! But then you come home and drop it - along with your keys, mail and packages - on the table or counter. Eeew.
So I'm thinking that if I have to go out, my credit card and driver's license tucked into my jeans or shirt pocket will be all I need to carry. Checks have all the personal information a store clerk would need to steal my identity as it is. Plus, that leaves my hands free to carry more packages!
--Misty

Up all night

Burglars casing our house would give up pretty quick. There are too many people coming and going and we're up pretty much 24/7. Case in point: I know Chris was up until at least 12:30 this morning. Our roommate was probably up later than that. Daniel got me up at 4 and I couldn't get back to sleep, so I cleaned the kitchen. Chris got up at 5:30, and the roommate was getting up as Daniel and I left. He'll go to work about the time Chris gets home from his morning shift. Chris will leave again between 2 and 3 and Daniel and I come home around 4. Is it any wonder my light bill is high? That house is rockin' all day (and night) long!
--Misty

On the stands now

If you haven't seen the November issue of Parents Magazine, it's worth your time. Not only does it include their picks for best toys of the year, but there's a full section on cold and flu remedies - home and OTC. What works, and why (BRAT diet anyone?) And for those of us who've just been through that experience, it was quite informative. So get it while you still can.
--Misty

Theft is never charming

Shopping can be a sport, and I just lost a game. Throughout the year, I try to find gifts for people during those rare occaisions when I venture into a store for something else. My daughter's 6th birthday is coming up, and I found a perfect gift while recently buying trouser socks. The girl's answer to Legos is Clikits, little jeweled adornments that girls fasten to a variety of things. This package happened to include winter greeting cards. Great timing for her late November birthday. It was made even more perfect that it was on clearance and rang up even cheaper than I expected. Boy, was I proud. I'd bagged a big bargain. Well, as I was getting ready to wrap the gift, I noticed the tape on the bottom of the box had been slit. Never a good sign. Now I know why it was clearanced so low, all of the charm pieces were missing! Not charming at all. Hell hath no fury like a bargain shopper scorned.
-- Liz Fabian

Have you lost your mind?

Regular readers will remember me saying that parents are a pretty self-policing lot. Case in point - to the mom in the red Blazer/Explorer on Skyway this morning: Have you lost your mind? Put those kids in the back seat and buckle them up!
--Misty

No longer leading a charmed life

Beside my daughter's cereal bowl was a cluster of colored clumps. "I don't like the marshmallows," Faith said after removing the "Lucky Charms" from her breakfast. She doesn't like the marshmallows - is she crazy? The marshmallows were all I wanted to eat when I was a child. I dug out all the hearts, moons, stars and little clovers, but wanted to leave the bits of grain behind. Because I had to beg my Mom to buy that magical cereal, I had to agree to eat it all. Boy, have I changed. Faith wouldn't have even gotten to taste them had the box not been a mystery penny-coupon item. But when I recently tried the little pastel shapes, I realized my daughter had a point. They had a styrofoam-like texture when dry and a gummy-gloppy-gooey consistency in milk. Have my taste buds matured or did the little leprechaun lose the old family recipe?
— Liz Fabian

Thinking long-term

I always take Daniel with me when I vote. Not only does he get a sticker out of the deal, I'm hoping that when he's older it will be one of those memories that sticks with him. You know, when he turns 18 and votes for the first time on his own, he can say "I've been doing this with my mom ever since I can remember."
--Misty

don't turn your back!

I have a laundry mystery - and it's not the missing sock.
Yesterday, I did seven loads of laundry. Seven! And there are only three of us! And yes, I had done laundry mid-week. So where did it all come from?
I think it's multiplying behind my back.
Good morning, Monday.
--Misty

Making fun of the weather

Okay, I know this is Georgia, and it's only the first bit of November, but it's chilly out there, people! As I dropped Daniel off at preschool this morning, I saw toddlers in t-shirts, teachers in flip-flops, and a mom with her belly button ring on display. These people are just making fun of the weather. I, for one, was happy to pull out my favorite light sweater to get going this morning! Must be those Michigan roots showing.
--Misty

Everywhere a sign

Just in time for our annual pilgrimage north, a few signs popped up to let us know 12 hours in the car with a four-year-old will be well worth it.
First, if any of you caught "Jeopardy" last night, Liz is the hostess with the mostest. We make the trip for three reasons: my dad's birthday, Thanksgiving with my parents, and Liz's alternative thanksgiving. I've been going since the second year, and Chris and I have missed only one year - and we moped about it all day. So seeing her on TV was just one hint that we had better not miss this year!
Second, Parent Center sent me an e-mail this morning about making family vacations the best they can be. While they didn't offer MY favorite advice - travel at night while the kiddies sleep - they did offer some tips I'll pass along:
Make an emergency list - It's not what you think. It's a sheet listing your name and address, your child's name, your doctor's information and health insurance provider. Also list any allergies your child has and next-of-kin information. While it seems scary, filling something like this out, it's one of thoes things that if you need it, you'll really need it. Like my "Medic Alert" tag. While I hate wearing it, the only reason I'll need it is if I really need it. You know?
Plan activities that will give your children time to play - While historic Yorktown and the Revolutionary War and Civil War battlefields are amazing to see and awe-inspiring, they are also wide-open fields - perfect for running off a 4-year-old's energy. Also, we stay close to both a huge city park and an elementary school, so playgrounds are a quick trip back to sanity for both mom and boy.
Plan a mom-and-dad night. In our case, we're going to see Grandma, who is only too happy to babysit one night a year. So Chris and I can slip off to the IMAX or downtown Hampton for a date night. But if you're going off as a family, be sure that when you come back, you build in "decompression time" away from the kids.
Come home early. No, really. If you have to back at work on Monday, come home Saturday. That way you have a whole day to do laundry, lay around the house, and go to bed early so you DON'T feel like you need "a vacation from your vacation!"
What are your best travel tips? Click on "Comments" below to send me (and the other moms) what works for you.
--Misty

Caught "Misty-eyed"

Misty must have been looking in our windows when she wondered whether anyone broke into their candy for trick-or-treaters before Tuesday. Last year, I found discounted candy a few weeks before Halloween. The store was clearing stock to make way for prettier-packaged stuff that was made especially for costumed kiddies. Problem was, it didn't survive. When I went looking for my stash, I learned my husband discovered it shortly after I bought it and had devoured it in nibbles along the way. This year, I knotted the plastic bags, but he still got into it right before Halloween. "We never have trick-or-treaters," was his excuse. Well, we didn't have trick-or-treaters, so now we have the replacement bags to eat, too. I couldn't resist a $1 Reese's multi-pack and a bag of $100,000 bars. Just in case we did have kids, I'd hate to give them power bars. Besides, the $100 Grand find was really pennies on the dollar. A girl's dream - a really big bargain AND it's chocolate. But Misty inspired me. I'll take the leftover candy to work. (But, I'm holding back a couple of $100,000.)
— Liz Fabian