We Have A Winner!!

Ok folks! After much debating with the kids and Klint we decided on a name for the new kitty! It was really tough to decide since he is such a character and all the suggestions were so cute, but the winner is Melissa who suggested Dobby since the kitty has HUGE kitten eyes. (Dobby is the house elf from Harry Potter- see below!)

And since I did specify an M name I picked a runner up- Congratulations Kate who suggested the name Moo (AJ's favorite pick!)

Both winners are going to receive a surprise package of fall-ish craft supplies! Thank you to all who suggested names, it was a lot of fun trying them out!

Contest: Name Our New Kitten

I think I was destined to either work for an animal rescue or be THAT crazy cat lady who lives on your street, lol. Through a weird turn of events I have acquired two little 7-8 week kittens. (If you are curious about the whole story email me and I will share!) Lucky for me my dear hubby was feeling nutty and decided that we could keep one, yay!!

Here is the 411 on the newest addition: Teeny little black and white boy, loves to cuddle and eat, very tolerant of kids and giant dog, smart but more laid back than his brother. We named the brother Mouse since he scurries around, cries a lot, and hangs out by the computer desk, so I am looking for an "M" name. This is Mouse- the bigger, tougher, faster of the brothers.

So here is the contest: Leave a comment here with your best boy kitty "M" name (and no human names- they geek me out!). If your name is chosen you will win some cool fall themed craft stuff!! I am looking for something cool, unusual but easy for little ones to say (We tried Goblin and the girls called him Gobble so we nixed that!) Get your kids to say the name if you are in doubt! Oh and my other guys' names are Tuck, Prince, and Bo so as you can see we don't have a theme going.

I will choose by the end of this week!!

The List 1.9

How is everyone doing today? I am enjoying these last few nice days before Fall really hits here in Cleveland. People keep trying to tell me that it is too early for chilly weather... these are the same people that are in denial every winter when it snows in October! =)

Ok, so here are some cool things I have found on the web, things that inspire me and things that make me want to stay home and craft my little heart out when I should be doing errands.

I am all about lists (obviously) and this adorable notepad printable is sure to keep me on track now that I am *gasp* a PTA mom!! (@Skip To My Lou)

There is something about this color palette that is such a nice transition from summer to fall... I feel a new mommy card design coming on! (@The Inspired Bride)

clipped from www.inspiredbride.net

With all the germs going around and people already freaking out about swine flu (*snicker*) this cute DIY project would be perfect for the "extra clean" person in your life! (@Giver's Log)

These adorable onsies almost make me want to try for twins....almost! (@Bluesky Rocket)

I don't have a closet for my clothes, which tells you a lot about my wardrobe! But if I did I would so make these quirky fabric covered hangers. (@Design Sponge)

As if you don't already get lots of Bento related info here, now there is a neat and informative book about how to cuten up your kid's lunches. (@Amazon.com)

I am really into decorating the girls rooms lately... if only I had a wee one that I could hang this rain cloud wall hanging for! (@Sonny)

That's all for now!

In Rememberance

I remember what I was doing eight years ago, on the morning of September 11th, when the first plane hit. I was walking through the dining hall at BW, on my way to get a bagel and juice before dance. There is a massive TV in there, usually turned to some sports show since that was where all the jocks sat. Today though it was turned to the news. I don't know what made me turn to look, I was running late that day, but something caught my eye. I turned around just in time to see the footage of the first plane hitting and the live footage of the second plane crashing into Tower 2. I just sat down, in shock.

Being a NYer, visiting NYC many many times, and having just been in the Twin Towers the previous month while on vacation the concept that NYC was under attack seemed impossible to me. The thought that parents of many of my campers from the summer had just died (many worked on Wall Street) was incomprehensible. I just sat there, tears running down my face.

Even now, eight years later, watching footage from that day makes my heart hurt and it feels just as bad as it did that day. I can remember the confusion about who was responsible, then the shock of learning about the place in PA and the Pentagon's own attack. Sitting with my sorority sisters, clinging to the TV to learn any news about any more attacks. Shock is the only way I can describe it. Later other emotions would slide in, but in those early moments I think the whole country was in disbelief.

I will always remember and always hold a special place for those victims in my heart, especially those who survived but lost loved ones. As a mother and a wife of a civil servant, I can't imagine the lingering grief they must feel. Please remember this day and do something good in the thought of all the lives changed that day.

What's New In My Bookstore?

This has been a really exciting time at Usborne Books! Convention really got a lot of people going and it is trickling down to those of us so new to the business that we didn't get a chance to go.

One of the coolest things about having my own business with Usborne is that it is what I make it, not what someone else says it has to be. No minimums to maintain, no stock to buy, just show people why these books are a valuable part of any home with children. And seeing as that is something I firmly believe it, it is easy as pie.

Every month there is a different starter kit and the one for September is really impressive to me. Here are the important details that I clipped straight from my store!

clipped from www.myubam.com

September 2009 Usborne Starter Kit

$49.00 plus tax and FREE Shipping

Display Set:

Christmas Coloring Book (P)
Find the Duck (BD)
How Big is a Million (H)
I Can Draw Animals (P)
Illustrated Dictionary of Math (IR) (FL)
Little Book of Cats and Kittens (IL) (H)
Sticker Dolly Dressing Princesses (P)
Ted and Friends (C/V) (P)
That’s Not My Monkey (BD)
This is the Tree (P)

Supply Set:

Fall UBAM Catalog 10/pk
Fall KM Catalog 10/pk
Customer Order Form Pk/100
Customer Survey Pk/50
Consultant Guide w/binder
Hostess Guide Pk/5
Invitation Postcard Pk/100
Plastic Bags
Recruiting Brochure Pk/25
Success Made Easy DVD
UBAM Basic Training CD
6 month basic subscription to
OrderPro Online,
an electronic ordering system*
6 Month Consultant eCommerce Web Site**

This is an amazing deal!!! And no matter where you live you can get this, plus all the training you could want. Whether you are a SAHM who wants to add to the household income, a full timer who wants some fun money, or a retiree who loves getting out there and spreading the book love this is a great chance to do something great.

And here are some other titles that are newer to the Usborne family:

clipped from www.myubam.com

clipped from www.myubam.com

clipped from www.myubam.com

clipped from www.myubam.com

Aren't these great looking books? Seriously, they sell themselves, it is just up to us to show them to people and help them pick out the best ones for their little ones!

So what can Usborne do for you today??

Half Price Books + Philosophy= Happiness

Klint and I were just talking about one of our favorite store- Half Price Books. We noticed that when we went in looking for something specific we were usually dissapointed, their stock is so sporadic that there is no way to know what they have. But if we go there just to find something new or interesting we always come out with treasures. And then talking more, we thought that it was also a good way to look at life. Seems to me that a lot more people would be happy if they just lowered their expectations and instead viewed each day like a found treasure.

But back to my find at the store. I was looking around the children's section with the girls when I spotted the coolest ABC book ever! It is a very cool Spanish alphabet book centered around Dia De Los Muertes- The Day of the Dead. Check it out!!

That was yesterday... now here is today's treasure, courtesy of an awesome independent vintage store here in Lakewood called Cosmic Collectibles. The owner, Robin, is an really trendy west-sider who loves color and anything really kitschy. Her store is a world of color, vintage items, and refurbished items like my jewel. Complete with chalkboard painted panels, this is my new craft mecca!



Do you see how much crap I can fit in there? And I haven't even sorted through all the fabric yet! =)

A Shot At Free Speech

I am all for free speech and such, even when it goes against my own personal beliefs. Of course everyone has a right to their opinion, but where do you draw the line between free speech and a violation of your rights to not have to listen?

Today I saw something that really disturbed me, something that I hope my children did not see, something that made me call the police because I was so upset.

On a very congested drag in an adjoining town there is an abortion clinic. I can already hear you saying, "Uh, oh...". Now let me point out that the only reason that I know that this abortion clinic is there is because of the devoted group of pro-lifers that hang out in front of here, chanting and generally spreading hate toward anyone brave enough to go in.
Usually this group simply has pickets and stand there praying. That is all fine and good for them... whatever makes them feel better about life. Today, however, was different.

Today there were large graphic pictures. Pictures of bloody babies with dismembered limbs and heads. Pictures that I saw before I could try to protect my little girls from seeing them. Awful photos that should not have been forced on me, and that is what it was, forced. I was in my car, cars in front of me, stopped at the red light. And those huge pictures were there...

I called the police because surely those pictures were not allowed in a place where people were forced to see them, in a place where there is a very popular strip mall with restaurants and shops. I should have known better... although the officer was very sympathetic and wanted those people to stop as much as I did, there was nothing he could do. Free Speech.

Every cell in my body wanted to rip up those signs, to curse at those people, tell them that they are spreading hate in the name of love, but I couldn't. And it made me so mad. I want to know why is it the people who are supposed to be FOR LIFE so eager to take it, or flaunt the loss of it, in order to impose their beliefs on others?
Why do I have to avoid an area that I love to go to, just so my children won't be exposed to such graphically horrible photos? Most importantly, what can I do about it that would make a difference?

I wish I knew....I guess it is time to do some research

Ok, where was I?

Wow, that was a lot less painful than the last time I decided it was time for a makeover here! What do you guys think of the new look?

Ok, so where was I? Oh yeah, cool things that I find in this wide world..

clipped from www.mysweetmuffin.com

clipped from www.mysweetmuffin.com

Come take a peek at this adorably cute shop called My Sweet Muffin! They have really trendy clothes, neat accessories for the bathroom, and of course- Bentos! And not your everyday Bento- oh no, these are so quaint and trendy. Wizard of Oz, Pinocchio, Thumbilina, all perfect for snacks and smaller lunches.I wonder if that shirt comes in adult sizes?

clipped from www.mysweetmuffin.com

Under Construction!

Please bear with me while I am changing the look of my blog... new season, new look!!