West Des Moines Mommy & Designer

A new beginning!

mommy@tlcgroup.net (North Carolina) — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 23:04:00 +0000

After 7 days of AT&T dropping the ball I fired them and hired Charter Communications for our cable, Internet and phones... after 4 hours of work by 2 men we have Internet and cable... I can't decide which I would rather do? Watch TV or Blog... I think my kids would prefer watching TV so stay tuned for our exciting adventures for the past 10 days :)
Since I am no longer a West Des Moines Mommy, I created a new blog... Morganton Mommy :)
http://morgantonmommy.blogspot.com/

Quote for Today

mommy@tlcgroup.net (North Carolina) — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 00:49:00 +0000

You will know that forgiveness has begun when you recall those who hurt you and feel the power to wish them well.
— Lewis B. Smedes

School starts at 7:45 a.m.

mommy@tlcgroup.net (North Carolina) — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 00:00:00 +0000

We got to Morganton just in time for CJ's new school OPEN HOUSE! I think we got the nicest teacher at the school. I learned that school starts at 7:45 a.m. OMG. Our old school started at 9:05 a.m. I like that start time MUCH better. I am going to have to get an alarm clock!!!

$1.00 - ummm NO.

mommy@tlcgroup.net (North Carolina) — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 23:28:00 +0000

If you need to do a "Change of Address" with the USPS you can get free forms at the Post office or you can do it online for $1.00 - LOL. I know, it's only a dollar, but it's the point.

10 hours in the car with 2 children...

mommy@tlcgroup.net (North Carolina) — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 03:56:00 +0000

I dare YOU to do 10 hours in the car with 2 children. They were good until the "Service Engine Soon" light came on, on my dashboard. I think they sensed my anxiety because when the light came on, at the beginning of hour 9 I got real quiet and they stated acting out. We finally arrived in Scottsdale, Indiana, safely and got to bed about 10pm. We are half way to our destination. Our new home!

Are Nanofoods the Next Consumer Nightmare?

mommy@tlcgroup.net (North Carolina) — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 22:15:00 +0000

Consumers already worried about genetically engineered or cloned food may soon find another worry in their grocery carts: nano-foods.

Nanotechnology involves the design and manipulation of materials on molecular scales. Companies using nanotechnology say it can enhance the flavor or nutritional effectiveness of food. Food produced by using nanotechnology is quietly coming onto the market, and consumer groups want U.S. authorities to force manufacturers to identify them.

U.S. health officials generally do not place warning labels on products unless there are clear, known reasons for caution or concern. But consumer advocates say uncertainty over health consequences alone is sufficient cause to justify identifying nano-foods.

Sources:Reuters July 30, 2008 & Dr. Mercola

Dr. Vyvyan Howard on Fluoride in Drinking Water

mommy@tlcgroup.net (North Carolina) — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 22:13:00 +0000

Progress...

mommy@tlcgroup.net (North Carolina) — Sun, 17 Aug 2008 14:35:00 +0000

The 2nd floor is completely boxed and bagged.

Quote for Today

mommy@tlcgroup.net (North Carolina) — Sun, 17 Aug 2008 02:31:00 +0000

White garage saler: "This lamp says $1.00 but will you take 25 cents for it?"

Garage Sale Discernments (OK, judgements.)

mommy@tlcgroup.net (North Carolina) — Sun, 17 Aug 2008 02:24:00 +0000

75% of attendants were white elitists looking to get something for nothing and usually didn't buy anything...

75% of income was from NON whites...

75% of bargaining came from the white elitists...

After the 78th white person asked me "will you take less for this" my response became, a polite smile, an awkward 10 seconds of silence and then I would said, "what do you think it is worth?"

If you came to my garage sale and are reading this, I am not talking about you :)

Deja vu

mommy@tlcgroup.net (North Carolina) — Sat, 16 Aug 2008 20:26:00 +0000

The painters are painting our house today. It looks SOOOO good! We had a little Deja vu when they covered the windows. Two years ago a hurricane went through Orlando and everyone in Orlando was quarantined (by the police) to their homes for six days. My dad, brother Mike and my DH spent 24 hours (as soon as we arrived, pre hurricane) cutting and nailing boards over the 300 windows they have in their house. OK, maybe not 300 windows but its a big house with lots of windows to view the beautiful lake.

G A R A G E ^ S A L E

mommy@tlcgroup.net (North Carolina) — Sat, 16 Aug 2008 10:10:00 +0000

We are having the last day of our garage sale today! I went through the house last night and found more good stuff!!! Today is going to be even better than yesterday if you are looking for bedding, big children's toys, GAP clothes for girls and boys, furniture, dishes and more!!! Then, when are are all threw a 2 men and a truck are going to come and take everything that doesn't sell!

21st Century Explanation for Your Kids' Behavior Problems

mommy@tlcgroup.net (North Carolina) — Sat, 16 Aug 2008 09:54:00 +0000

Children whose mothers used cell phones frequently during pregnancy are more likely to have behavior problems, especially if the children also use cell phones.

A team of scientists looked at a group of more than 13,000 children, including their time in utero. When the children reached age 7, mothers were asked to complete a questionnaire about their own cell phone use in pregnancy and their child‘s use of cell phones, as well as their children‘s behavior and health.

Children with both prenatal and postnatal cell phone exposure were 80 percent more likely to have emotional problems, conduct problems, hyperactivity, or problems with peers. Children who were only exposed prenatally had a higher likelihood of behavior problems compared to those who were only exposed postnatally, but not as high as those who were exposed at both times.

Sources:
Reuters July 29, 2008 Epidemiology July 2008, 19(4):523-529 Dr. Mercola

Movie Night - Evan Almighty

mommy@tlcgroup.net (North Carolina) — Sat, 16 Aug 2008 03:58:00 +0000

We watched Evan Almighty for movie night tonight. What a fun movie, although Tink wanted to watch something else part way through it. We were strapped for a good "new" movie and I forgot to tape a new one for this week.

A new record for stupidity has been set...

mommy@tlcgroup.net (North Carolina) — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 19:03:00 +0000

I know I should be pricing stuff for my garage sale but my kids are sleeping, I need to get some garage sale stickers and they are filling nail holes in our siding next to the garage with stinky stuff... so, I am playing Spades against opponents worldwide and my dumb-ass partner and I just scored a new record -526. You ask, how does one get -526 when at -200 the game is over... ponder that...

(answer: we had -194, with 9 bags, I bid double nil, my partner couldn't cover AGAIN, he under bid and he took 2 extra bags, thus -526)

Grandma's Grain Recipe by Heidi

mommy@tlcgroup.net (North Carolina) — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 16:01:00 +0000

Busy busy busy, getting ready to move, for a garage sale, our house is being painted today, new windows are being put in tomorrow... I love Heidi's website www.101cookbook.com. Here is a recipe I want to try so bad but don't have time before we move...

Grandma's Grains
1 cup long grain brown rice (I use Lundberg's)
1 cup millet
3 handfuls of whole barley
3 handfuls of whole oats (groats)
1 handful of red rice, wild rice, or a mixture of wild type rices
2 teaspoons salt
Mix all grains together, rinse, drain, and put in a large thick-bottomed pot. Stir in the salt. Cover with water up to your knuckle - about two inches above the grains. Bring to a boil, then turn down flame as low as it will go. Cook uncovered (simmering) until all water is gone, about thirty-five minutes. If you overshot the amount of water you added and your grains cook before the water absorbs entirely, strain off the extra water.

This makes a big pot of mixed grains. Plenty for a family of four to use over the course of a week.

Source: http://www.101cookbooks.com/archives/grandmas-grain-recipe.html

Never a dull moment...

mommy@tlcgroup.net (North Carolina) — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 00:27:00 +0000

There is never a dull moment at our house. I really don't remember CJ getting into as much stuff as Tink does! It was quiet for a couple minutes and I found my precious, Innocent little Tinker Bell with scissors in her pretty little fingers :) When I asked her why she did it... she said, "it was too hard to brush her hair!" As I gulped I thought, "Thank God she didn't cut her own hair!" There are no longer any scissors within arms reach :)

The Gigasarous and two cute kids...

mommy@tlcgroup.net (North Carolina) — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 00:21:00 +0000

We took our last trip to the Science Center of Iowa today. We got to catch a show in the planetarium. There are so many cool things to do and see there! We were just leaving when they opened the doors to the auditorium for a magic show. I didn't even know they had a 2nd auditorium. They have a neat new dinosaur display and a fun little kid friendly learning tour of the new dinosaur exhibit. Here are two cute kids about to be eaten by the Gigasarous :)

Craig's List suggestions...

mommy@tlcgroup.net (North Carolina) — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 00:10:00 +0000

If you want to sell something on Craigslist with as little time and effort as possible here is what I would suggest. 1.) Tell them it is FIRST COME FIRST SERVE (create urgency - learned that from our realtor) 2.) Tell them how many people will be needed to carry it, if they need tools and if they will need a truck to transport it 3.) Tell them it is cash only 4.) List your telephone number (as soon as it sells take your telephone number off Craigslist). The first ad I put up I got 26 emails and played email tag and answered questions for 3 days - set up several appointments with 2 people and neither showed up, ever. The second ad I did the above and it was gone in 1 1/2 hours. Haven't heard of www.CraigsList.com - what planet are you from???

"Children Playing with Mommy's Camera" - photographer: CJ

mommy@tlcgroup.net (North Carolina) — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 19:49:00 +0000

The many uses of Jenga blocks and the proud builders...

mommy@tlcgroup.net (North Carolina) — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 19:47:00 +0000

Homeopathy - Natural Remedies

mommy@tlcgroup.net (North Carolina) — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 15:55:00 +0000

Homeopathy is a type of treatment that can be used for many aliments. Homeopathy uses very small doses of naturally occurring substances to stimulate the body ability to self-heal (despite what the commercials tell you - we ALL have the ability to self-heal). The correct homeopathic substance will immediately stimulate healing as soon as it is placed within 1/2" from the body (usually placed under the tongue). It can reduce the dependence of allopathic drugs without side effects.

Homeopathy

mommy@tlcgroup.net (North Carolina) — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 15:06:00 +0000

Cold or Flu - Oscillococcinum
Diarrhea - Arsenicum album or Podophyllum
Headache - Iris versicolor
Insect bites and stings - Apis mellifica or Ledum palustre
Motion sickness - aspirin in the belly button or cocculus indicus, tabacum
Sprains and Strains - Arnica montana, bryonia alba, rhus toxicodendron
Wrist conditions - Ruta gravelens
Stress - Nux vomica
Anxiety or Panic - Aconitum napellus
Anxiety or Restlessness - Argentum nitricum
Anxiety or Withdrawal - Gelsemium sempervirens
Grief - Ignatia amara
Mental Fatigue or Exhaustion - Picricum acidum

New Jewelry Line - Bracelet Rosaries (TM)

mommy@tlcgroup.net (North Carolina) — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 20:09:00 +0000

I created a new line of jewelry this past week and just uploaded them to the website this morning :) Here is one of them... (I LOVE lapis!)

Bar Stools for sale $100 - WDM

mommy@tlcgroup.net (North Carolina) — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 20:00:00 +0000

Great bar stools for kitchen island - cushions included FREE! Originally purchased at Pier One in WDM. $100 for both!