Back to the Blog!

I see it has been a really, really, long time since I posted. Let's catch up! We left Alabama a month or so ago to relocate to Melbourne, FL. This is happily due to a new job for my husband which pays way more than the previous one. I hope this is indeed a good sign for the economy at large, as it is a really good sign for the family economy. The kids approached this move with much trepidation, as they always do. They have made nice friends at the old school and really enjoyed living in our Madison neighborhood, as did we. School starts here next week and we've already been to visit for open house. It seems like a great facility, newer with many cool things, like a state-of-the-art science lab. But it will all come down to the teachers and the kids, as to whether the kids feel like this was a good move for them.

It's particularly hard for Annie, who had to leave right at the end of elementary school for a new last year elsewhere. She seems to always have the harder time adjusting. As for me, it's back to a typical Florida-style neighborhood where the houses are just a little too close together, no trees of any size are to be found and people seem to stay more to themselves. On the other hand, to try to find the glass full, we are five miles from the beach - a status I haven't personally held since 1987 . That was a different life then. The area has wonderful cafes, diners and restaurants and people in the community seem very kind and personable. Only just recently, the neighbors are taking more of an interest in knowing more about us - so we'll see how that goes.......when you are a renter in a sea of decreasing valued homes, you tend to remind them of what they've lost. We just need to remind them of what they've gained - potential friends and good neighbors.

Fall Musings

The leaves are finally starting to change in northern Alabama. Last year's change was so abrupt and colorful that we were stunned. This year is different. Apparantly when it's wetter, the leaves don't change as fast - so not so many vibrant reds and oranges thus far.

School has been going okay so far. Annie still complains that school doesn't challenge her enough and I'm really starting to think about home school as a viable option. A lot of gifted families do it, as do several families I know personally. They have been very successful at acceleration and offering options that just aren't in the school system, especially with budget cuts. It's something we might try next year. After all, I am certified to teach - but unable to get a job in this state because they don't accept the credentials for alternative certification I earned. Hey, I qualify to work in Florida and even Mississippi, not Alabama though.

Right now, I'm off to pick up Emily from a Halloween sleepover party - I wonder how much sleep they got?

Our Hail photos from today!

We experienced a ton of hail today!

Old Navy Stuffed Animal Recall - USA and Canada

This recall was announced this morning. I can attest to the problems of stuffed animal eyes. Emily had a beanie baby eye shoved up her nostril when she was about two years old. She came to us saying her nose hurt. When I looked inside all I saw was something black and shiny. To the ER we went! It took a loooooooooooong time for the doctors to extract that little eye using a long forceps while holding down my screaming toddler. How did she find the little eye? The dog had chewed up the toy and she found the eye and for some reason put it in her nose. Never take a toddler's curiosity for granted and look out for toys that can lose plastic tiny parts.

Name of product: Stuffed Animal and Creature Toys

Units: About 35,500 in the United States and 5,400 in Canada

Retailer: Old Navy LLC, of San Francisco, Calif.Hazard: The stuffed toys have two button eyes that could detach from the toy, posing a choking hazard to young children.Incidents/Injuries: None reported.Description: The stuffed animal and creature toys are made out of cotton and have plastic button eyes. They come in a variety of styles, such as a rabbit, penguin and reindeer. The recalled toys and style numbers are listed below:Type of Stuffed Toy and Style Number:Brown Plaid Creature (Stubby Stuberson) 612756Pink Striped Dove 600571Grey Dog 600572Hot Pink Creature (Lucy Toothy) 612800White Dog (Dr. Poopsie) 612738Brown Penguin 612672Light Pink Rabbit 612671Brown Reindeer 612728Dark Pink Rabbit (Honey O'Bunny) 612806The style number is located on a white label sewn into the side seam of the toy.

Sold at: Old Navy stores and on the Web at www.oldnavy.com from July 2008 through February 2009 for between $6 and $10.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately take the recalled stuffed toy away from young children and return it to any Old Navy store for a full refund. If purchased online, contact Old Navy for instructions on returning the toy for a full refund. Consumers who return the toy before July 1, 2009 will also receive a $5 coupon toward a future Old Navy purchase.Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Old Navy toll-free at (866) 580-9930 between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or between 12 p.m. and 7 p.m. ET on Saturday, visit the firm's Web site at www.oldnavy.com, or e-mail the firm at custserv@oldnavy.comNote: Health Canada's press release can be seen at http://209.217.71.106/PR/recall-retrait-e.jsp?re_id=666

To see this recall on CPSC's web site, including pictures of the recalled products, please go to:http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml09/09134.html

Recall - Evenflo Activity Centers

I have decided to go back to posting child-related recall information on this blog. A lot of people have told me that they read it here and it helped them. So starting today forward, you can keep up with child-related recalls at this site. You can find prior recalls for all products at CPSC's Web site at www.cpsc.gov.

Product Recalled: Evenflo Activity Centers

Units: About 213,000

Manufacturer: Evenflo Co. Inc., of Miamisburg, Ohio

Hazard: When used as an activity table, the cap on one end of the product can loosen and fall off, posing a fall hazard to a young child.

Incidents/Injuries: Evenflo has received 11 reports of dislodged end caps which resulted in nine minor injuries, including bumps and bruises. Evenflo has also received a report of a dislodged end cap that resulted in a child suffering a broken collarbone in Canada.

Description: The recall involves Evenflo ExerSaucer Triple Fun stationary activity centers made between October 2006 and December 2008. The model number is 6231711. Stage 3 position involves converting the product into an activity table. No other ExerSaucer models use end caps and, therefore, no other models are included in this recall.

Sold at: Juvenile product and mass merchandise stores nationwide, including Toys 'R Us and Burlington Baby Depot, from October 2006 through February 2009 for about $120.

Manufactured in: United States

Remedy: : Consumers should immediately stop using the activity table in Stage 3 and contact Evenflo to receive a free replacement end cap. The product may continue to be used in Stages 1 and 2 without changes.Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Evenflo at (800) 233-5921 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or visit the firm's Web site at www.exersaucertriplefun.comTo see this recall on CPSC's web site, including pictures of the recall product, please go to: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml09/09131.html

Parent Trap Post of the Day

I think we should view our children through the eyes of today .... meaning that we really need to try to get from underneath the lens from which we view the world, usually our own childhood. We are always trying to edit kids, telling them how to do things and trying to tell them how much better our world was "back in the day". Well, this is their day!

Technology has changed, communications has changed, school has changed, clothing has changed, need I go on? But the basic needs of people have not changed at all. We all need love, acceptance, praise and security. How can you do a better job of providing these things in this newer, more modern world? Can you learn about Ipods or visit the Apple store with your kid? Can you read a new story with them? When was the last time you spoke highly of them to someone else? Let's not let their "back in the day" become a homage to our old times - create new times with your child. What do you think about this - how do you do it?

I'm back!

Hi, Thanks to all the new and old readers who keep coming back to read my formerly well-updated blog! I took a bit of a break and now I'm back. I had to update the Thanksgiving Chocolate pie recipe for a reader and now I'm going to write more. Aren't you happy?! We have really been enjoying Fall here in northern Alabama. We've never really ever lived through a real Fall. Well, I haven't nor have the kids. Tim lived in New Hampshire for a year so I guess he did. Anyway, I've posted a few photos here of our street and how it looked last week. Today, the leaves are mostly falling and it's starting to look like Winter.