PractiGal

Mega sale in western NY!

For the past month or so, I've spent my free moments getting ready for a huge consignment sale: WeePeats. It's kind of like a garage sale on steroids, only better. All the goods being sold are in nearly new condition. You can get kids' clothes (up to size 12), toys, baby gear, etc, along with maternity items. This is a huge event held twice a year, organized by two local women. This weekend's sale is being held in a large arena where I've attended concerts. It is BIG!

Anyway, I'm a consignor and a volunteer, so I get to go to tonight's Preview Sale. Can you see me salivating from there? You really won't see the scope of the goods being sold in this photo, but here's a bit from some local news coverage.

If you're in western New York this weekend, I highly recommend this event! The sale is open to the public tomorrow, Friday, 9/28, from 9am-9pm, and then again on Saturday from 9am-2pm. Most items will be half price on Saturday. There's a $3 fee to attend the event (I can't even imagine what it cost to rent this space!); you won't be disappointed that you spent that to get in when you see the goods though. Really.

Having worked as a volunteer "inspector" the other night, I can tell you that the merchandise is closely reviewed before it's put out for sale. A bunch of the stuff I brought was rejected because it's obvious that it was used. So if you're looking for good-as-new used stuff, at great prices, for babies and kids... this is the place to be.

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Update -- Here are some pictures I took at the preview sale. There's something for everyone, that's for sure! There are plenty of duplicate items, but prices vary quite a bit, since each consignor tags her own items. If you go, get there early on Friday for the best-priced stuff!

Bank chat in process...

A Representative will be with you shortly.  You are number 1 in queue.

  Hello, my name is Anthony .
How may I help you?

Anthony: Hello Marie

MARIE: Hi. I'd like to make a change to the automatic transfers I make each month.
  I want to do a $x transfer from my -abc account to my -pqd account.

Anthony: One moment please.

(At least ten minutes pass... or approximately a zillion moments)

MARIE: Hello?

(another 5 minutes pass... cripes! I have to pee!)

MARIE:  I have to go. I'll try e-mail for this. Or perhaps someone there can e-mail me?

Just imagine how they'd treat me if I were #5 in the queue?

Only Mom cried

So, preschool started yesterday. I thought I'd write a post about it, but everything I know about it is on this line:

__________________

See that? Nothing! That's what I know about what went on at preschool.

Oh, I know the class routine, with story time, play time, project time, music, etc. And I know they're starting the year with a unit on space -- I had to send in a milk jug and a cereal box to be made into a helmet & jet-pack. But the particulars of the first day? I have no clue.

With 18 kids in the class, along with 3 adults, it didn't seem appropriate to hang around at the end-of-class pickup and say "so tell me exactly what my child did... minute by minute. And I want to know everything." I guess it doesn't work that way! ;-)

He didn't cry when I left him; in fact he told me to "have a good trip" when I kissed him goodbye! He was very happy to see me at the end of the morning, but there were no details shared. Only a little ditty sung to the tune of Twinkle Twinkle Little Star. Hmm.

And he came home wearing all the same clothes I'd sent him in, so I know there were no accidents.

So this is "letting go," huh?

Parenting 101 -- raising the flag

I'm pretty sure if there were periodic spot-checks and quizzes for parents, I'd be flunking this month's review. Between my son's wet underpants (which have continued, post-ChuckE-dry-pants-celebration, I'll have you know), potty mouth, and overall obstinate behavior, I feel like I'm failing miserably at this parenting gig at the moment. Some days I move from bribes to threats and back again as a way of getting through the day. I realize that some of that is necessary, but when it's wearing me down to the point of exhaustion, I know something is not right. I am anxious to get these things on the right path while he's at age 3 1/2, rather than have them escalate into I-don't-want-to-think-about-what later on.

Early on in my mothering career, I rarely if ever looked at "the books." I was more of a trust-my-instincts kind of Mom. I flew by the seat of my pants. For the most part, we were doing fine that way. Til now. I'm sure the behaviors are a response to the stress we've been under lately, including me on a deadline crunch and my husband working funky hours. Both of those situations are on the verge of changing, but I need to take action now or my life will be hell for the next week.

A typical day may involve 3 or 4 changes of wet undies (just wet enough so that a change is needed -- not drenched pants). Then there's the lack of cooperation. For example, we may go up and down the street for a tricycle ride before dinner. When it's time to go inside, full-scale battle ensues. I ultimately return the bike to the garage and drag or coerce a screaming child into the house. There's lack of cooperation with getting into the bath-tub, usually til I threaten that there will be no bedtime stories without a bath. There are battles at nap-time and bed-time. And then I am exhausted beyond belief after all of that.

So tell me, if you've survived parenting a preschooler, what were your techniques? Who were/are your gurus? Yes, I am going to now read 1-2-3 Magic cover to cover (shame on me for not actually reading the whole book yet), watch the video, and get serious about implementing the "Magic."

But I'm curious -- what else have you got in your bags of tricks? Please share!

Perspective, A Thousand Splendid Suns, and a way to help

If you've read The Kite Runner, Khaled Hosseini's first book, maybe you've read A Thousand Splendid Suns, his latest book, too. I just finished it myself. Wow. WOW!

The novel is set in Afghanistan, Hosseini's homeland, and it follows the lives of two women and their families for decades up to the present day. The tale itself is fiction, but of course there's a lot of real history woven into the story. This book provides a very real look at what life was and is like in Afghanistan. It's not an easy read, emotionally, (though Hosseini's writing is beautiful); it is sad, devastating, and yet it is moving and inspirational. It will leave its mark on you. I counted my blessings a million times while reading this book. Those of us living in free countries are so damned lucky. We've got it made. We really do.

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On a related note, I thought I'd give a plug today for My ABCs, a program coordinated by Manhattanville College's My Soldier program. Here's the e-mail I received that led my family & me to sign up to donate school supplies for use in Afghanistan and Iraq:

Manhattanville My ABC's offers Americans an opportunity to support humanitarian missions that help children in war torn countries.

What: My ABC's, offers Americans at home the opportunity to support humanitarian missions and the efforts of armed service personnel that are involved in providing aid to and rebuilding schools for children in conflict zones. By sending a My ABC's care package, civilians contribute to the morale and quality of life for these children. Participants are encouraged, but not required to include a self-addressed envelope if they want a reply. What hopefully results is a mutually beneficial relationship that allows civilians to get to know their soldiers and the community they serve well so that letters and future care packages can be personalized.

Why: My ABC's program was designed in response to the many letters and emails received from soldiers participating in My Soldier who said the most rewarding part of being deployed was taking part in humanitarian missions that rebuilt schools and created new learning centers. Schools in conflict areas are lacking in supplies that are very difficult for locals to gain access to. Therefore soldiers are asking for specific donations of learning tools and school supplies that are needed to provide proper instruction.

How: Civilians who are interested in registering for My ABC's should visit www.mysoldier.com and read the instructions on how they can receive an Information Packet that contains instructions, guidelines and a wish list of the most requested items. By registering civilians agree to prepare a care package with school supplies. There is no minimum amount required but it is requested that items be new or like new. The information packet also assigns each participant a Point of Contact (military personnel) who is working to rebuild schools or local community centers in Iraq or Afghanistan.  

Who: To participate individually, or with a group sign up at www.mysoldier.com Educators are encouraged to use My ABC in a classroom setting, and may add supplemental details including information on a country's history, cultural heritage, and geography. The website features information for teachers including lesson plans and directions on ordering classroom kits. Commenting on the importance of My ABC's, President of Manhattanville College, Richard Berman said, "Education is the focal point of rebuilding a peaceful sustainable community. It is the key to developing individual freedom and economic stability."

Click here for more info on My ABCs and My Soldier.

Updatage

I've been a bad blogger lately. Life is just way too busy. Way. Maybe I'll have some time once preschool starts next week!

And it's not that there hasn't been fodder. There's been plenty. Like the little boy here who told his Dad (who'd been singing lullabies)at bedtime the other night, "I think that's enough singing for now, Daddy."

Umm. Yeah.

HA!

And after tonight, I'll have stories of our first trip to visit the giant pizza-serving, game-loving rodent. Where we'll be celebrating a Full Day of Dry Underpants.

"But, the potty party training day was a smashing success," you say. Well, it was for the first few weeks. It was remarkably successful in fact. Then we went on vacation at the end of July, and he's been having pee accidents regularly since then. Just enough leakage that he needs dry clothes. So, in an effort to reduce the laundry pile, and because preschool starts next week... after stickers & treats failed to do the trick, I offered a bribe: get through a day without wetting your pants, and I'll take you to Chuck E. Cheese.

And? We have made it. After several days of dangling that carrot to no avail, today it worked!

So, we shall visit the giant rodent. Stay tuned...

Trading kids clothes & other "stuff"

Have you ever thought it would be fun to swap your kids clothes for bigger sizes? Have you heard about Kizoodle?  It's a giant swap-meet for kids clothes (and clothes for women, and household stuff, and more...). I just "kizoodled" my first item! The beauty of this site is that there's no money changing hands. You earn credits by giving/sending your stuff to others. Then you spend your credits by selecting items from others! The only money involved is shipping expenses -- the seller pays shipping, and in turn charges the buyer "credits" to cover the cost of shipping. ( 1 credit is approximately $1 )

And if local people want your stuff, no cash comes out of anyone's pocket!

I just made my first "sale," to a local person. We'll arrange for a hand-off, she'll spend no money, and I'll earn credits that I can spend on something else! How cool is that?

And no, this isn't a paid advertisement.  Though I hope you'll use my referral code: LWB39Q if you sign up. You get 5 credits when you sign up, and you'll get 2 extra credits for using my referral code. I get credits somehow, too, if you end up "kizoodling."

The more people doing it, the more merchandise there is to choose from! I just did a search on local members too, and there are a TON of people on this in my area already. Personally, I like the idea of no shipping charges! But if I see something we need that's faraway & I have the credits for it, I'll do it!

Check it out!