I'M MELTING...MELTING...MELTING - JULY 2011

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

GAH, SUMMER...WE WAIT ALL WINTER FOR THEN AS SOON AS IT HITS WE ARE WHINNING ABOUT THE HUMIDUTY AND HOW EXPENSIVE IT IS TO RUN THE A/C.  I AM A TRUE HATER OF BOTH WINTER (PERIOD) AND THE SUN,  I DON'T MIND THE HEAT AS MUCH.  SURE IT'S TOUGH TO SLEEP AND THE IDEA OF CLEANING THE HOUSE WHILE DRIPPING SWEAT ALL OVER THE PLACE IS NEVER PLEASANT, I WILL TAKE THAT OVER WINTER ANYTIME.  I ALSO CANNOT DO THE SUN VERY WELL. GOING OUT AND SPENDING THE DAY AT THE PARK ON A DAY WHEN THE SUN IS AT FULL BLAST IS THE SAME THING AS FORCE FEEDING ME SPOILED FOOD...IT IS NOT GOING TO END WELL FOR ANYONE INVOLVED.  THAT BEING SAID, I HOPE THAT SOME OF THIS INFORMATION HERE WILL HELP YOU ENJOYING THE HUMIDITY AND THE SUN, OR AT LEAST TOLERATE IT.

WEBSITE OF THE MONTH

I ADMIT, THIS IS NOT THE MOST FRUGAL SITE FOR KIDS CLOTHES, BUT IF YOU ARE THE MOOD FOR SOME SUPER CUTE IDEAS, JUST WANT TO BROWSE, OR ARE LOOKING FOR THAT ONE SPECIAL PIECE FOR AN EVENT, THIS IS THE PLACE...MINI BODEN CLOTHES

BOOK OF THE MONTH

ALL MY FRIENDS ARE DEAD BY AVERY MONSON AND JORY JOHNS...A LOVELY LITTLE TAIL OF PEOPLE AND ANIMALS WHOSE FRIENDS ARE, UM, ALREADY DEAD.

PRODUCT OF THE MONTH

SUN SHADES FOR BABY - SOME BABIES ARE MORE PRONE TO SUNBURN, HEAT EXHAUSTION AND SUNSTROKE THEN OTHERS, BUT WHO WANTS TO TAKE THE CHANCE?  MAYBE IT'S PERSONAL EXPERIENCE WITH ME THAT CAUSES ME TO FRET, BECAUSE MY CHILDREN AND MYSELF ARE SUN SENSITIVE (WE DON'T BURN, WE GET REALLY OVERHEATED AND SICK) BUT I THINK THESE SUN SHIELD/PLAY TENTS ARE GREAT.

TRADITONAL WELLNESS

CALENDULA
CALENDULA (AKA MARIGOLD) IS USEFUL FOR MINOR WOUNDS, SKIN INFECTIONS, BURNS, BEE STINGS, SUNBURN, WARTS AND EVEN SKIN CONDITIONS CAUSED BY CANCER/CANCER TREATMENTS. IT CAN ALSO BE USED TO HELP WITH THE PAIN OF AN EAR INFECTION OR ULCEROUS SORES ON THE LEGS.

PLEASE CHECK WITH A DOCTOR BEFORE USING ANY TREATMENT...AVOID IF PREGNANT OR TRYING TO GET PREGNANT (INCLUDING MEN) AS IT HAS BEEN LINKED WITH SPONTANEOUS ABORTION AND LOW SPERM COUNT.

BEAUTY

IN CASE I DON'T SAY IT ENOUGH...TINTED LIP BALM!!! IS THE SINGLE GREATEST PRODUCT YOU CAN HAVE IN YOUR ARSENAL.  SERIOUSLY, MOISTURIZER, SPF AND COLOR IN ONE.  IT CAN TAKE YOU FROM COMPLETELY BARE FACED TO PURPOSEFULLY FRESH-FACED IN SECONDS.  

Burt's Bees

Badger Balm

Yes to Carrots 

FASHION

SISTERS OF THE BLACK MOON, A TRIO OF VERY MODERN WITCHY WOMEN HAVE MADE IT PART OF THEIR PURPOSE TO BRING YOU NEW AND VINTAGE FASHION TREATS.  IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR A PAIR OF CROCHET PANTS, A BEAUTIFUL VINTAGE MAXI DRESS OR THE CONNECTION TO FIND A TRULY FABULOUS TOOLED LEATHER BELT WITH FEATHERS, THESE ARE YOUR WOMEN.  YOU WILL LOVE THE EATHERAL GAUZE AND SILK OPTIONS THESE LADIES OFFER VIA THEIR EBAY SHOP AND YOU WILL WANT TO GO BACK AGAIN AND AGAIN...ESPECIALLY FOR FALL ITEMS LIKE LEATHER JACKETS, FUR VESTS AND VINTAGE BELLBOTTOMS.  www.sistersoftheblackmoon.com

DIY CRAFTY PROJECT

Learn how to make insect repellents for you and your kiddos:  http://www.helium.com/items/2194330-essential-oils-as-insect-repellents-home-uses-for-essential-oils-essential-oils

GOING GREEN ONE MONTH AT A TIME - JULY

COMPOSTING
COMPOSTING IS PRETTY OLD SCHOOL. IT'S THE USE OF YARD AND KITCHEN SCRAPS TO CREATE A NUTRIENT RICH, ORGANIC PLANTING SOIL. IT'S BASED ON THE NATURAL PROCESS THAT OCCURS IN THE WILD ANYWAY. SINCE WE ARE HUMANS AND TEND TO RETARD ALL THE PROCESSES WE COME INTO CONTACT WITH, WHAT WOULD NORMALLY HAPPEN ANYWAY BECOMES A "PROCESS" WE MUST MASTER.

COMPOSTING NEEDS AIR, WATER AND "FOOD". A COMPOST PILE MUST HAVE GOOD AIR FLOW IN ORDER FOR THE MICROBES TO BREAK DOWN THE ORGANIC MATERIALS QUICKLY WITHOUT SMELLING GAWD-AWFUL. IT ALSO NEEDS WATER, IT MUST MAINTAIN A LEVEL OF MOISTURE THAT PERMITS THE ENTIRE THING TO BE COVERED IN A FILM OF WATER ALL THE TIME. FINALLY, IT NEEDS FOOD - BROWN AND GREEN.ADDING STRAW TO THE PILE WHEN YOU "TURN" IT WILL ALLOW FOR GOOD AIR FLOW. ADDING WATER EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE WHEN IT IS GETTING DRY. BROWN FOODS ARE ITEMS ADDED THAT ARE DRY AND DEAD LIKE STRAW, DEAD WEEDS, AUTUMN LEAVES, WOOD CHIPS, SAWDUST. GREEN FOODS INCLUDE KITCHEN SCRAPS (NO ANIMAL PRODUCTS) AND YARD CLIPPINGS, COFFEE GROUNDS, TEA BAGS, ETC.

THERE IS A MYTH THAT YOUR COMPOST PILE MUST BE HOT IN ORDER TO WORK. THOUGH IT WILL GO DORMANT IF YOU LIVE IN COLD CLIMATE DURING THE WINTER, 50 DEGREES AND HIGHER IS PLENTY.YOUR COMPOST IS FINISHED WHEN IT HAS ACHIEVED A DARK COLOR, SMELL LIKE SOIL AND ALL THE INGREDIENTS ARE INDISTINGUISHABLE FROM EACH OTHER.

MENU PLANNER

GREEN B.E.A.N. DELIVERY -  THIS IS A SERVICE CURRENTLY AVAILABLE IN PARTS OF OHIO, INDIANA AND KENTUCKY THAT DELIVERS FRESH, LOCAL ORGANIC PRODUCE AND PACKAGED PRODUCTS RIGHT TO YOUR DOOR ON EITHER A WEEKLY OR BI-WEEKLY BASIS.  YOU SET UP A STANDING ORDER THEN ADD OR SUBTRACT FROM IT AS NEEDED AND THEY BRING IT RIGHT TO YOU.  PERFECT FOR BUSY PARENTS WITH NO CAR, OR BUSY PARENTS IN GENERAL, FOR THAT MATTER.  FARMERS MARKETS ARE GREAT, BUT IF YOU HAVE CHOSEN TO NOT HAVE A CAR, THEY CAN RATHER DIFFICULT TO GET HOME FROM WITH PRODUCE IN TOW.

FEATURES

http://snarkyinthesuburbs.com/2011/01/17/where-evil-lurks-the-mom-message-boards/

(this isn't a regular feature, but i think it is important and should be thought about)

TRAVELING WITH KIDS - WHO'S IDEA WAS THIS? (CAUSE I'M BLAMING YOU ANYWAY)

REMEMBER THOSE ON-A-WHIM, LET'S  GET IN THE CAR AND GO TO A MCDONALD'S IN THE NEXT STATE FOR NO REASON CAR TRIPS.  I HOPE SO CAUSE THAT'S NOT HAPPENING AGAIN FOR A WHILE.  GONE ARE THE DAYS OF ANYTHING TRULY BEING DONE ON A WHIM.  TRAVELING WITH KIDS IS SOMETHING BEYOND DESCRIPTION, AND THOUGH IT CAN BE FUN, YOU WILL OFTEN FIND THAT YOU HAVE TO ACTIVELY SEEK OUT THE ROSY SIDE.  I'M NOT TRYING TO DISCOURAGE YOU AT ALL, I BELIEVE IT IS INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT FOR KIDS TO SEE THE WORLD, TO MEET THEIR FAMILIES AND JUST TO EXPERIENCE LIFE MORE THEN 5 MILES FROM THEIR FRONT DOOR (NOTHING MAKES ME SADDER THEN STORIES OF "CITY KIDS" THAT HAVE NEVER SEEN A COW OR RUN IN A FIELD, OR A "COUNTRY KID" THAT HAS NEVER RIDDEN A BUS OR BEEN TO A MUSEUM).

TRAVELING WITH KIDS STILL IN DIAPERS, OR THAT CANNOT BE TRUSTED TO WALK ANY DISTANCE ON THEIR OWN WITHOUT RUNNING OFF OR EXHAUSTING THEMSELVES CAN BE THE MOST DIFFICULT AGE TO TRAVEL WITH.  EVEN GRUMPIER TEENS, THOUGH ANNOYING IN THEIR OWN WAY, CAN RUN UNDER THEIR OWN POWER AND USE THE FACILITIES ON THEIR OWN WITHOUT MOM OR DAD'S HELP.  A BRIGHT AND SHINEY TODDLER BRINGS WITH THEM A WHOLE SET OF ISSUES THAT WITH SOME PRE-PLANNING AND CREATIVE PACKING CAN BE MINIMIZED SO THAT THE FUN CAN BE MAXIMIZED.

NUMBER ONE - USE THE INTERNET FOR RESEARCH.  I LITERALLY CANNOT EMPHASIZE THIS ENOUGH.  IT WILL BE YOUR BEST FRIEND.  FIND OUT ALL THE TODDLER FRIENDLY PLACES IN THE AREA THAT YOU CAN BEFORE HAND SO YOU CAN HAVE ACTIVITIES PLANNED OR USE THEM AS BACKUP PLANS IF THE KIDS START TO GET BORED.  CHILLIN' AT GRANDMA'S FANCY "DON'T TOUCH ANYTHING" HOUSE GETTING TO BE LITTLE TOO MUCH BUT YOU KNOW THERE'S A BOUNCY HOUSE JUST DOWN THE ROAD?...HIT IT UP AND LET THE KIDS GET THAT PENT UP ENERGY OUT.  WHINING WILL DIMINISH IMMEDIATELY.  YOU CAN ALSO USE THE INTERNET TO MAP OUT ROADWAY CONSTRUCTION (TO AVOID IF POSSIBLE) AND TOLL ROADS, CHECK OUT THE HOTELS WITH THE MOST KID FRIENDLY AMMENITIES, ETC.

PACK WISELY - IF YOU ARE LUCKY ENOUGH TO HAVE A TODDLER THAT DOESN'T CARE WHAT THEY WEAR, THEN YOU ARE ALREADY AHEAD OF THE GAME.  PACK THINGS THAT ARE MIX-N-MATCH TO MAXIMIZE OUTFIT OPTIONS WITH MINIMAL PACKING.  IF YOU HAVE A PICKIER TODDLER, NEGOTIATE WITH THEM (THIS WILL COME IN HANDY WITH TOY PACKING AS WELL), YOU CAN BRING ONE BUT NOT BOTH STRATEGY GIVES THEM A SENSE OF CONTROL AND GIVES YOU A LITTLE SUITCASE.  ALSO, ANYTHING THAT DOES DOUBLE DUTY OR CAN BE FOLDED IN ON IT SELF, LIKE A RAIN JACKET THAT FOLDS INTO ITS OWN POCKET, ARE VERY ADVANTAGEOUS AS WELL.

IF TRAVELING TO MORE REMOTE AREAS, OR ANYWHERE THAT WILL CONSIST OF A LOT OF OUTSIDE TIME AND WALKING MAKE SURE YOU ARE PREPARED WITH OPTIONS ON HOW TO CARRY THE KID, WHETHER A SLING, A FRAMED BACKPACK OR A STROLLER, MAKE SURE YOU'VE TRIED IT OUT AND YOU ARE COMFORTABLE WITH IT.  WHAT'S THE POINT OF STROLLER MEANT TO OFFER CONVENIENCE IF IT'S TOO BIG TO BE BOTHERED WITH OR TOO SHORT TO BE COMFORTABLE...OR A SLING NOT MADE FOR THE SIZE OF YOUR CHILD THAT CUTS INTO YOUR SHOULDER AND HER LEGS?  OF NO USE AT ALL!

AS SILLY AS THIS MIGHT SOUND, CONSIDER BATHROOM SITUATIONS TOO.  IF YOU HAVE A POTTY TRAINED TODDLER BUT YOU ARE GOING CAMPING IN A SOMEWHAT REMOTE AREA, POOPING IN THE WOODS CAN TURN SOME KIDS OFF BUT DIAPERS COULD SET THEM BACK...TRY AN INFLATABLE OR FOLDING TRAVEL POTTY WITH DISPOSABLE BAGS.  THEY FOLD DOWN ENOUGH TO FIT IN A BACKPACK AND GIVE YOUR KID THE OPTION (IT ALSO HELPS WITH "PACK IN PACK OUT" AND SAVES THE TIME OF HAVING TO DIG A HOLE EVERY TIME).  

IF YOU ARE STAYING IN A HOTEL, CHECK TO SEE IF THEY OFFER CRIBS. IF NOT THERE ARE ALL SORTS OF NEW PACK-N-PLAY/CRIB OPTIONS OUT THERE, INCLUDING INFLATABLE JOBS THAT FIT IN A BACK PACK AND COME WITH THEIR OWN PUMP.  THESE ARE GREAT FOR CAMPING TOO SO YOU DON'T WAKE UP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT TO FIND YOUR LITTLE ONE HAS WONDERED OFF.

SEATING CAN BE ISSUE TOO.  IF YOUR CHILD IS STILL IN NEED OF A BOOSTER OR A HIGH CHAIR, THERE ARE PORTABLE OPTIONS TO CONSIDER, FROM ADD-ON'S TO THEIR BUMBO TO INFLATABLE BOOSTERS.

OTHER ITEMS YOU MIGHT CONSIDER BRINGING ALONG, IF YOU HAVE THE ROOM TO PACK THEM AND THE DESIRE TO CREATE AN ENVIRONMENT AS CLOSE TO HOME AS YOU CAN, ARE AS VARIED AS YOU CAN IMAGINE.  FOLDING SAFETY GATES, INFLATABLE BABY TUBS, FOLD-UP ACTIVITY SEATS.  YOU NAME IT, THERE IS PROBABLY A TRAVEL VERSION SOMEWHERE.