**Gross Talk!!** you may wanna skip this one

Captains log Day Two:
The natives are still crazy, snot is running a muck! (and I still would not do THIS) I am not sure what else can be done, i may lose my mind soon. I had 2 hours of sleep 2 nights ago and last night I was on a 30 minute timer to get up... go in, wipe the nose, calm the tears, and lay back down, fall back asleep in about 10 minutes, and then 20 minutes later start over.
We went to the Dr this morning and we have an EYE infection from wiping the nose with the hand then wiping the eyes... yes. both eyes... We also have an ear infection... GREAT... Got meds, and they still smell the same, that fake bubble gummy whatever that is, and eye drops. 3 times a day for what seems like F O R E V E R!

Never ending Snot.... That was surly what awaited me....
(remember that from A Christmas Story?)
Ralphie: Oooh fuuudge!
Ralphie as Adult: [narrating] Only I didn't say "Fudge." I said THE word, the big one, the queen-mother of dirty words, the "F-dash-dash-dash" word!
Mr. Parker: [stunned] *What* did you say?
Ralphie: Uh, um...
Mr. Parker: That's... what I thought you said. Get in the car. Go on!
Ralphie as Adult: [narrating] It was all over - I was dead. What would it be? The guillotine? Hanging? The chair? The rack? The Chinese water torture? Hmmph. Mere child's play compared to what surely awaited me.

or, if you replace the word HAIR with SNOT...

I swear I've sang that all day...
more tomorrow, after a shower

Thanks - Giving - Taking and No Thanks!

Oh it's over..
GIVING -
We are thankful for Family, friends and a good long week off. We are thankful for Cheaper gas prices that saved us when driving 90+ miles a day everyday last week to see family. We are thankful for family coming into town and driving their own hundreds of miles to see us.
Miss T is thankful for - Mashed Potato's, Pumpkin Pie, french fries from Wendy's, chicken soup from Panera (St. Louis Bread Co here) unsalted top crackers, vanilla wafers, plain shortbread girl scout cookies, and Vanilla Frosties from Wendys! No wonder she does not like Carrots!!!
Daddy is thankful for -days off, sleeping in, play time with Miss T, cars that run, cheep gas, hugs and kisses, lots of saying "daddddaaaaa" and the start of Lost in Jan.
I am thankful for my my beautiful baby girl, my loving husband, brothers and sister that are the best cooks ever, sisters in law just for being there, my mom/grandma to Miss T, my sewing machine, family events that last jut long enough, fun with the nieces, friends that remind me how good things are in our lives and so much more...
TAKING -
We have been thanked by Grandmas that didn't have Miss T cry when they held her, aunts that got to spend quality time with, uncles that said we were good parents, friends that we shared food with and broke bread with, extra special out of the way trips to say hello.. and so much more...
NO THANKS -
No thanks to those that got drunk at holiday fests and bitched about stupid worthless items. Those that rolled their eyes, made snide side remarks, acted stupid when they were asked to tone down the loud and yelling, not acting like an adult in a family, not being able to share joy in others lives, drinking wine that was brought for a celebration before the recipients arrived and then laughed and said we missed out it was good. Rude unfamily like behavior and passive aggressive attitudes and actions. Lack of respect for the United Stated in which they live, option to move to the Europe that they love so much! Burn the F-ing place down for all I care!

I am trying so hard not to be hurt and upset by the actions of those in the no thanks bar but it's so hard when they are suppose to be in a family environment, I understand everyone being their own person and am sure learning a lesson on how some of my family members have felt about prior person in that place but this is out of hand, out of sorts and I am having such a hard time handling. Please God, give me strength!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

An open letter to Lansinoh -

Recently my sitter found we were having a leaking problem in our storage bags for Miss T's lunch. This is a big issue for me as we are going to more solids and so I am producing quite a bit less. As most of you know, I am the kind of person that wants the best customer service possible, because well, we are paying for most of it. Here's my letter... (most of it is begging and crying at a loss for what to do)

"Hello. I purchased many packs and received many gifts of storage bags for my daughters lunches while at the sitter. I am now using a pack that the sitter has told me is leaking more often than not. I have minimized to make sure I am under 6 oz in every pack and we are still having this issue, she's thawing in a zip lock bag in water to minimize the ice chipping the bag but still no luck. This is a very difficult time for me, my daughter is 8 months old almost, my milk is starting to go down and I can't afford to lose any. Please let me know if there is anything you can do to help. if not I am not sure what else I can do. I like your bags the best but will go to another brand if needed. thanks"
I sent this on SATURDAY at 10 pm....
I received a note this morning (Monday) at FIVE AM !!! Even if they are on the east cost that's 6 am... The Market is not open then and I have been in the middle of times square and the streets are close to empty until close to 7:30... this is awesome - and the reply...
"Tricia, First I would like to extend my sincerest apology to you for the unpleasant experience you are having with our Milk Storage Bags. Thank you very much for notifying us of this problem. I can only imagine how frustrating and disappointing this must have been for you. This company was founded over 20 years ago by a breastfeeding mothers for the sole purpose of supporting breastfeeding and I am so sorry that one of our products has not only failed to make things easier for you but has created quite the opposite. It takes an enormous commitment to breastfeed, even more of a commitment to provide breast milk in your absence. To know that a product of ours has challenged you even further is a terrible thing for you and for all of us here at Lansinoh. I would like to try and explain what might be the problem: Our biggest challenge is to make a bag that is strong enough while using a completely safe plastic. There are many types of plastic, most of which would be more pliable and more durable. Unfortunately, this plastic has components in it (called plasticizers) that could leach through into the milk. Only when using virgin plastic (which we do) can we be assured that the milk can be stored safely with no possibility of an undesired element being released from the plastic. Virgin plastic is more rigid and when the milk freezes, it places more stress on the plastic. The development of a breast milk storage bag has been a long and costly project for us, but we are determined to deliver a quality bag made of virgin plastic. Do you by chance still have the inspection code that would have been included inside the white pouch? It looks very much like a fortune that you would find in a fortune cookie. Also, do you still have the defective bags? If so, I would like to send you a self-addressed stamped envelope to return the defective bags so that we may forward them to our manufacturer. I would like to try and help you salvage the milk you have frozen now. I can get a supply of our bags sent to you for you to use to 'double bag' the milk you are defrosting so that if they do continue to leak, you can at least catch your milk in something sterile so that it does not go to waste. In the meantime, you can continue to thaw them in the larger bags or place them in an empty glass container to help salvage any milk that leaks. I just need to know approximately how many bags you currently have frozen. I would also like to send you an additional supply of bags to use going forward, or if you prefer, a refund. Please provide your mailing address and phone number. Again, I am sorry for the trouble this has caused and if you have any questions or if I could be of any further assistance please feel free to contact me. I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Sincerely,
Danielle B.
Lansinoh Laboratories
Consumer Relations Dept 800-292-4794 "
I've left Danielle's name and phone number because she's been so responsive that I am sure that if anyone were to send a note she would have done the same.

***I am a little embarrassed and very happy to announce that it was not my Lansinoh bags that were the problem -- I borrowed a few GERBER Bags from a friend while I was out of my super great Lansinoh bags with the double zipper (that have in a bind held 12 oz!)

Thank you Lansinoh - you've done everything to support us in our EIGHT Months!! We are pushing for that one year mark!! No Formula for US!!!

Off goes our letter to Gerber..

FAME!!! I'm gonna Blog foreverrrr..

Look, Were famous!!


Lolly's interview with me.. she's so dang funny!

and our now famous Butternut Squash, Sweet Potato, Apple Casserole!!!
YUMMMM

Check it out. tell us what you think. she even fancied up our pictures!!!

An open letter to NameMaker -

I am so ticked off. I placed an order with a company called NameMaker.com. and ordered some labels and some tags. This was in no way a big order, it was like $30. I placed this order in JULY... I after 8 calls, and 3 shipments, I finally have my whole pittly order! I am so ticked off, their customer service was horrible, they never apologized, they never said they were wrong or why they just didn't send my order for FIVE MONTHS!! then I find THIS....

I really like Maya made's blog. Very cute stuff, great ideas and would have saved me $30 and months of pain..

Name maker, your company is not going to do well if others can show how to do what you do better, faster and with better customer service...

Oh ya, Yum!!

Oh ya, Yum!!
Originally uploaded by Hippiefamily

Want to see more of this??? It is so awesome and I am being INTERVIEWED at Lolly Chops this Sunday!!! Oh My Word! I feel so special.. This is my favorite recipe for fall, well one of many. so have some F F F Friday fun with us at Carries and come see my interview with Lolly on Sunday!!

I'm in LOVE.....

It's not often but I found a new site that I am in love with. It's beautiful and green and about and for kids and ideas and the art and the beauty My Gosh I am rambling. It's call Small and it's amazing, some of my favorite designers, artists, websites, blogs, etsy sellers.. oh, I am just in love. Go there, look around, read, subscribe, love it, and tell me and them what you think..

small

Santa Letters, New, Old and How impressive...

So, I work for a company that allows us all 1 day a year to volunteer and get paid. This is a great help for the community and for all of us to give back and feel that we are able to do so without being put out of doctor visits, parent teacher confluences, holiday visits etc...

This year I am helping out at the Local hospital (where Miss T was born) Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and help with their campaign to help letters from Santa. I am not sure what they do in the office but they also have 3 girls night out in December for Elf's night out to stuff envelopes. It's going to be so much fun. Not sure if any of you have ever done a craft night out, girls night out, bunko, any of those fun nights, not crazy buy this parties... I get shusshed one more time by a hostest and there could be a bench clearing brawl...

Anyway, back to the spirit, I am helping out and if you want to help out you can order your letters from Santa here.. and then maybe I will be the one that stamps the envelope, and can start to earn my pointy shoes... :D
If that is not your prime choice, I am also involved in what's called the Missouri 1 list. This is the national association for the Blind in the Missouri Chapter, they are doing Letters from Santa in a different way, in Braille. How cool is that? Two letters come, one written that the parents can read and another in Braille for the kid. I think this is awesome. Two Choices if any one's looking! I added the whole Article below:

National Federation of the Blind 
Partners with Santa to Promote Braille Literacy 
 
North Pole (November 14, 2008): Once again, Santa has enlisted the 
help of the elves at the National Federation of the Blind (NFB) 
Jernigan Institute to get Braille letters out to hundreds of blind 
boys and girls this Christmas season. 
 
Dr. Marc Maurer, President of the National Federation of the Blind, 
said: "Santa approached the National Federation of the Blind a 
couple of years ago and asked us to be his helpers. I'm quite fond 
of the fellow and was delighted that we could assist him in his 
work. Braille literacy is the key to success and opportunity for the 
blind; besides, reading Braille is lots of fun. It's really exciting 
for kids to get their very own Braille letter at Christmas time from 
jolly old St. Nicholas himself." 
 
Between November 16 and December 16, parents can go online at 
www.nfb.org and fill out a Santa Braille Letter request form. The 
form can also be printed and faxed to (410) 659-6893. Beginning 
December 1, the Braille letters from Santa will start going out to 
boys and girls around the country. The Braille letter will also be 
accompanied by a print copy (for mom and dad to read), and parents 
can choose the contracted or uncontracted form of Braille for the 
letter. Requests for letters must include the writer's name, the 
child's name, birthday, gender, mailing address, and a telephone 
number or e-mail address in case Santa's helpers at the National 
Federation of the Blind have questions. 
 
The deadline for letter requests is December 16, to ensure that a 
return letter in Braille is received before Christmas. For more 
information about this and other programs of the National Federation 
of the Blind, please visit our Web site at www.nfb.org. 

Traditions...

So, I have a few close friends that I have known my entire life. I know it may sound odd to most, because most people I know met their best friends in school, or college or whatever. So, when the first of us got married they finally got it all on tape. The Finger...Oh ya, unlike any you have ever known. Here's how it started..
It just keeps going every year... It's almost unfortunate, if I told you what the blond does for a living, you would really take this last one more seriously!

Head on over to Carries for some Holiday Traditions.. You can also go to our Zoo So Silly for a real tradition that does not include anything green!