(no subject)

Philip is gazing adoringly at his sweet self in the full-length mirror. Wait till you find out that bundle of cuteness is you, little one!

Currently both my kidlets have cotton balls stuck in their ears to keep the garlic oil in. Poor things. They're both so good about it, though. I still can't figure out how Topaz isn't in any pain if the infection is as bad as the doctor says. Makes no sense.

The dollhouse is here, the hanna order is here, and the only other gifts I've got for the kids are a bunch of playsilks through lj_coop that I'm counting on being here by Christmas. It seems weird not to have tons and tons of presents for them, but that dollhouse was over $200. I'm kind of choking on that seeing it--I mean, yes, gorgeous, but already I'm picturing it covered in drawings and dinged up and otherwise abused by kids who don't necessarily understand that HEY $200! Also, I have no dolls or furniture for it, so I'll be brainstorming for stuff to go in it for now. Topie won't know the difference because she's so inventive anyway. I could give her pine cones and she'd call them people. Am I seriously considering carving some wood furniture?? So am.

Um...AC Moore has carving tools for so cheap. And it looks like our public library has tons of books on woodcarving. I have only ever whittled simple things when I was a kid, but I always wanted to learn more and make useful unique things. Fun!!

Seriously, if I'm ever tempted to think of my children as limiting, I should think of all the cool things I've read and learned and tried on their behalf.

Today is the day we are GOING to get a decent picture of the kids for Christmas cards. It's been gray and overcast here for quite a while, and the only sun we've had has been at the times when I couldn't possibly get them outside or ready. Today it's nice out, sunny and not freezing. I am determined. I wanted to have this done a long time ago.

copy/paste from clothdiapering--PSA re: WAHMs

So. Uh. Looks like most WAHMs are going to be going out of business in February.

The Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (the bit that Congress passed to make less lead allowable in toys and children's products as a reactionary measure following the China craziness last year) requires lead testing on EVERY product for children manufactured or sold in the United States. The level of ridiculousness is so high that every COLOR and TYPE of fabric must be tested separately, and every sub-part on the items. So for a diaper it'd be the microfleece, the bamboo velour, the suedecloth (in EVERY COLOR), all colors of PUL or fleece or wool that you use, the snap, the tag, and the velcro as well as the inner fabric. On a wetbag, the PUL, the regular fabric, the zipper, the hanging loop, and the tag. Each test (third party) costs upwards of $100.

They're including clothes, shoes, bedding, durable goods (which are subject to a higher standard and must be certified and have the certificate and registry with them or some such crazy).

The small businesses and independent toymakers of the US are trying to do something, but the law is so blanket that it doesn't include any stipulations for small manufacturers or home businesses. In effect, you couldn't even sell kid stuff at your local craft fair under this law. It was a hugely reactionary measure, (though admittedly well-intentioned) and passed and put into effect before it was fully understood the ginormous consequences.

Consider that the vast majority of your diapers come from WAHMs (even Fuzzibuns, Happy Heiny's, Drybees, and bumGenius are or were at one time WAHM operations), and the fact that the beautiful wooden handmade toys we all hunt down for our kids will be no more if this is allowed to take effect as written. Not only will we lose out on all WAHM products diaper-wise, imagine what this testing will do to the cost of children's clothing at Target or Gymboree.

Of course, this all comes to a head when Congress is recessing, but you can still do something! If your Congressperson was re-elected, contact them now! If you have an incoming Congressperson, contact their local field office!

Here's some more information!

What must be tested under the CPSIA, with some good links at the bottom
http://www.fashion-incubator.com/archive/cpsia-what-must-be-tested/

The Handmade Toy Alliance - with a link at the bottom of the main page to find your Senator and Congressperson
http://www.handmadetoyalliance.org/

The Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act Main Page
http://www.cpsc.gov/ABOUT/Cpsia/cpsia.html

(no subject)

WHAT THE FUCK??? Can someone explain paypal to me please? Because apparently I am too stupid to understand it even after all these years and now I'm out SEVENTY FUCKING DOLLARS.

I bought some playsilks and something else I already forgot about, through paypal. I had the funds in my bank account for one of the transactions and that went through fine I thought. The other one I assumed would go directly to the credit card I have linked to the account. The bank account did not have the funds and I knew it, but I believed it would be paid by the credit card. NO, apparently they both were covered by my bank account and put me overdrawn and now I'm charged $70 in overdraft fees. I emailed paypal asking WTF. I KNOW I've been in this situation a dozen times and it's never been a problem. Someone explain to me what the hell is going on.