Welcome Back Kitty!

I must tell you a crazy story. 8/8/08-my parents cat, Shadow (who is a hermaphrodite-I know you wanted to know that) went out in the morning with my Dad to get the paper. Shadow then stayed outside to do her "business" as usual. She must have strayed off & never came back. My parents were pretty upset.

Flash forward to Saturday night (9/13/08) Tony & I went to my parents for dinner. After dinner we went to out old house (in the same neighborhood as my parents) to clear out some things. On the way we stopped to help a boy catch his dog & picked up a free playset that someone was giving away. We unloaded the playset, reloaded the car & headed back to my parents to pick up Andy. Half way there a cat runs in front of the car & I yell "Holy S**t" "That's Shadow-stop the car" I started calling Shadow, Kitty. She started coming toward me but when I stepped toward her she stopped. I was so afraid she was going to run into the woods & be lost forever. So, I sat down on the sidewalk & called her. This time she came close enough that I grabbed the scruff on the back of her neck. Then I started saying to Tony, "get in the car, get in the car." He had to then get out again to close my door because I wasn't going to let go of the cat & take a chance on losing her. When we got to my parents house Tony opened the door & told my parents we had a surprise for them. I walked in with cat in arms. My Mother said "That's not Shadow!" I was freaked I thought I had kidnapped someones cat. Then tears welled up in her eyes & she sort of lumbered toward me, I knew she realized it was Shadow. Since she was holding Andy I told her to give the baby to Tony. Dad had to go get a new litter box & food at the grocery because they had thrown them out that week, thinking she was never coming back. After he got back we had dessert & what a celebration ensued that night. Welcome Home Kitty, I guess you used one of those 9 lives!

Tech Fast

Tony & I have been feeling like we are on a whirlwind. So, we have decided to do a tech fast next weekend, which is basically laying off technology for 48 hours. So from Friday (9/12/08) 6pm to Sunday (9/14/08) 6pm we will be unplugged, here are our rules.

1. No TV (Unless there is an immediate threat from a hurricane, then The Weather Channel is occasionally permissible to receive updates)
2. No computers, laptops, blackberries, PDAs (must be in the off position)
3. No Radio (MP3, iPod, XM, Cds or other music is also not permitted)
4. No Phones-home or cell (cell phones will be allowed to remain on in case of emergency. Anyone calling to chat will have calls returned after the fast ends)

I think that is it-sometimes you just have to slow down & quiet your mind, ya know? I will give a full report of the weekend after the fast.

Compact Fluorescents

Can we talk about compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs)? I am all for saving the planet, have been since I was about 15.
I have recycled since 1993 when I had to haul my stuff to USF.
I hauled all of my recycling from Zephyrhills to Carrollwood.
I reduce, reuse, recycle.
I use reusable bags at the stores.
I take my hazardous materials to a dropoff location on the first Saturday of the month
I drive a gas guzzler & hate it (get a Volkswagen-you'll love it)
I changed to compact fluorescent light bulbs

This is where I have to put the breaks on. Two nights ago while changing a light bulb in my 4 month old son's room I broke a CFL. Did you know they contain mercury-that stuff that causes neurological problems, linked to autism & a host of other problems. Did you know you have to treat it as a hazardous spill? Here is the cleanup instructions from the EPA

What to Do if a Fluorescent Light Bulb Breaks

Compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) are lighting more homes than ever before, and EPA is encouraging Americans to use and recycle them safely. Carefully recycling CFLs prevents the release of mercury into the environment and allows for the reuse of glass, metals and other materials that make up fluorescent lights.

EPA is continually reviewing its clean-up and disposal recommendations for CFLs to ensure that the Agency presents the most up-to-date information for consumers and businesses. Maine's Department of Environmental Protection released a CFL breakage study report Exit EPA Disclaimer on February 25, 2008. EPA has conducted an initial review of this study and, as a result of this review, we have updated the CFL cleanup instructions below.

Pending the completion of a full review of the Maine study, EPA will determine whether additional changes to the cleanup recommendations are warranted. The agency plans to conduct its own study on CFLs after thorough review of the Maine study.


Fluorescent light bulbs contain a very small amount of mercury sealed within the glass tubing. EPA recommends the following clean-up and disposal below. Please also read the information on this page about what never to do with a mercury spill.

Before Clean-up: Air Out the Room

* Have people and pets leave the room, and don't let anyone walk through the breakage area on their way out.
* Open a window and leave the room for 15 minutes or more.
* Shut off the central forced-air heating/air conditioning system, if you have one.

Clean-Up Steps for Hard Surfaces

* Carefully scoop up glass pieces and powder using stiff paper or cardboard and place them in a glass jar with metal lid (such as a canning jar) or in a sealed plastic bag.
* Use sticky tape, such as duct tape, to pick up any remaining small glass fragments and powder.
* Wipe the area clean with damp paper towels or disposable wet wipes. Place towels in the glass jar or plastic bag.
* Do not use a vacuum or broom to clean up the broken bulb on hard surfaces.

Clean-up Steps for Carpeting or Rug

* Carefully pick up glass fragments and place them in a glass jar with metal lid (such as a canning jar) or in a sealed plastic bag.
* Use sticky tape, such as duct tape, to pick up any remaining small glass fragments and powder.
* If vacuuming is needed after all visible materials are removed, vacuum the area where the bulb was broken.
* Remove the vacuum bag (or empty and wipe the canister), and put the bag or vacuum debris in a sealed plastic bag.

Clean-up Steps for Clothing, Bedding and Other Soft Materials

* If clothing or bedding materials come in direct contact with broken glass or mercury-containing powder from inside the bulb that may stick to the fabric, the clothing or bedding should be thrown away. Do not wash such clothing or bedding because mercury fragments in the clothing may contaminate the machine and/or pollute sewage.
* You can, however, wash clothing or other materials that have been exposed to the mercury vapor from a broken CFL, such as the clothing you are wearing when you cleaned up the broken CFL, as long as that clothing has not come into direct contact with the materials from the broken bulb.
* If shoes come into direct contact with broken glass or mercury-containing powder from the bulb, wipe them off with damp paper towels or disposable wet wipes. Place the towels or wipes in a glass jar or plastic bag for disposal.

Disposal of Clean-up Materials

* Immediately place all clean-up materials outdoors in a trash container or protected area for the next normal trash pickup.
* Wash your hands after disposing of the jars or plastic bags containing clean-up materials.
* Check with your local or state government about disposal requirements in your specific area. Some states do not allow such trash disposal. Instead, they require that broken and unbroken mercury-containing bulbs be taken to a local recycling center.

Future Cleaning of Carpeting or Rug: Air Out the Room During and After Vacuuming

* The next several times you vacuum, shut off the central forced-air heating/air conditioning system and open a window before vacuuming.
* Keep the central heating/air conditioning system shut off and the window open for at least 15 minutes after vacuuming is completed.

So, after doing all of this & ventilating the room for 2 days we now HOPE all is clear. I also spent yesterday on the phone with the health department finding out if the cleanup measures passed the mercury into my breastmilk. So, please use the energy sipping bulbs...just use them outside!

Bumbo Seat

These Bumbo seats are cool

Grandaddy & Andy

Cute, Cute, Cute!

4 Month Checkup

Andy went for his 4 month checkup. 23 inches long, 13 pounds 13 oz. Still only in the 25th percentile for height & weight. What can I say, gene pool of hobbits! He had to get 4 shots, needless to say not a mothers favorite moment, but he did recover quickly. Dr Yee says he looks great!

Time Flies

Can you believe it? My little boy is 4 months old today. Sigh. We had a very nice day, went to Panera Bread for breakfast, played in his room, finished hanging his curtains & then took a nap. We did get an exersaucer for him-he loves it. Can't believe how much he has grown. Sigh again.

Update Coming

Promise :)

Pushing Daisies

Have you seen this show, well Tony & I weren't sure about it at first, more like addicted to it. You know when you pass an accident & can't help but look, that is this show. It is so unique & refreshing (not a reality show, hospital show, or stupid pet tricks, etc) We are hooked. So, Tony comes running into the room telling me it is coming back on TV. I just looked it up-he's right (yeah) Starting October 1st it will be on Wednesdays on ABC. There is one drawback to the show. It is centered around a guy who is a pie maker (owns The "Pie Hole") Every time we watch we end up getting pies the next day-OK, so maybe not a drawback-Yum. So on October 1st we will be snuggled on the couch, pie in hand watching Pushing Daisies. Thanks to ABC for bringing this back to life (ha!). Visit the link to the site & watch an episode or two

http://abc.go.com/primetime/pushingdaisies/index?pn=index

Melissa's Monday Questions

1. What kind of shoes are you wearing? Tennis shoes my feet & ankles have been hurting so I thought I would switch from Crocs to Tennis shoes. They are feeling better

2. Have you ever slapped someone? if so, tell me about it. Oh yeah, not my proudest moment

3. Do you use a daily face cream? If so what do you use? No, haven't you seen my wrinkles

4. What's your favorite restaurant? Bonefish

5. What's you favorite thing to order at your favorite restaurant? Bang Bang Shrimp

6. What would you order to drink at your favorite restaurant? Ice Tea

7. Could you make that same favorite dish at home? Maybe

8. What did you get in trouble for, when you were a kid? Everything

9. What really gives you the creeps? SNAKES, SNAKES, SNAKES. I HATE THEM! ONLY GOOD SNAKE IS A DEAD SNAKE!!!!!

10. Did you have a nickname in middle school or high school? No, but my grandma always called me shorty

Big Tub

Andy got to take a bath in the big tub-loved it!

Tagged with 10 questions

1. What is the one Website you visit almost everyday? Yahoo Mail
2. Do you have a IM account? if so with whom? (IM=Instant Message) No, I barely have time for email
3. What grocery store do you shop at the most? Publix
4. What brand of Shampoo do you use the most? (or like the most?) Pantene
5. What Internet Browser do you use? Firefox
6. For editing Photos, what software do you use? Don't edit many
7. What are you paying in gas this week? $3.97/gallon
8. What are you going to be when you grow up? World Traveler
9. Do you subscribe to your local newspaper? what's the name? Yes, Tampa Tribune
10. What's one of your favorite songs from the 70's? Mary had a little lamb? (I was born in 1975) Can't think of any- but I love John Denver-hey-stop laughing!

Scrapbooking Again

Oh, don't you love when you finally get to do what you enjoy? It's like an itch you finally get to scratch after a long wait. This past Saturday I hosted a scrapbook crop at my house. Lots of food & friends and babies(look at the smirk on Jackson's face-so cute, right?).




I should have taken a picture but I was "In the moment" so I didn't. My living & dining room was filled with scrapbook stuff-a total mess. Well when everyone left I asked my scrapbook buddy & neighbor to leave her tables. I have now taken root with all of my stuff & am actually getting stuff done. I organized:

Cardstock
Scraps
Patterned Paper
Basic Grey (because this patterned paper is a group all it's own)
sSeet protectors
Stickers
Ribbon
Digital Photos

Now I still have plenty to do, but I was able to sneak in getting a few pages done

Coupons, Savings & Deal

I updated my links on the right to add a Savings group. These are some I have found so far. Please, please, please email, or comment to give me other great links you know of. I will update these regularly. Enjoy the savings, I do!

Best Commercial Ever

Thank You - Best Commercial EVER

Can I say how much I love this commercial

Money Savings

I am so glad I had jumped on board with the $$ savings. Since the economy is so wonderful, it seems everyone is trying to save. Today a lady in the grocery store was giving me pointers & I was offering her some as well. Went to Publix so I could feed my buds at this weekends crop.

Total Bill- $105
Coupons- $40
Final Bill- $65
Baby not crying in grocery- Priceless

Sweeeeeet!

Andy @ 2 Months

Happy Birthday Andie

Here is a picture of my niece Andie. I asked her what kind of cake she wanted me to make-My Little Pony of course-"What color pony"? Pink Duh!

We're Moving

OK-I'm sure you are sick of me saying that. We did move, now we are moving back. I love our old house, I love my old street & friends. We moved to the boonies- granted it is nice to look at the golf course but really is it worth not seeing friends. The dogs are miserable and miss their big back yard, we were 15 minutes to the dog park & now we are 45 minutes. We just had new carpet, new tile & a new shower installed in the old house(got a great price & it looks gorgeous-I did spend 10 years in construction so I know the good, the bad & the ugly!) If anyone needs tile work-ask they are great. So, we have almost rebuilt our old house (roof, AC, cabinets, Granite countertops, new appliances, paint, garage door & opener, water heater, tile, carpet, shower) but how come I still have a to do list a mile long? I guess that's how houses work.

Photos

I had photo's of Andy taken at Photo People, here is one I bought-love it