When I was very young, my family always had an elf that looked extremely similar to the one that is currently being sold to the current masses. There wasn't a story behind it, they were just there as decoration. Now I am hearing about "Elf on a Shelf"...
About Elf on a Shelf
More about Elf on a Shelf
The Elf on the Shelf: Did You Remember to Move Him Tonight?
My thoughts are very similar (but not exactly the same, mind you) to this writer:
"Elf on the Shelf" Is the Real Nightmare Before Christmas
I don't know if I would actually tell me daughter that this little elf is going to be watching her constantly to make sure if she is worthy of getting presents. Maybe that is super useful for other kids, but not really in my current situation. I may embellish the story and not make it have such a "big brother is watching you" creepy aspect.
Then I looked at how much they were... $30 to $50 (depending on where you look, but these were the prices I was finding online) is pretty damn steep for a shadowbox, a elf doll (and if they are made the way the older ones are, then not really of a super high quality), a certificate, and a book. The DIY crafty person in me would much rather find out what the actual story is and make the book and find a way to make an elf that looks similar in some fashion (i.e. out of fabric, felt, or crochet) unless I can find one of the traditional elves in an antique store over in Dade City or something.
IDK... even for as low as $30 this seems like a pretty pricey tradition that may not even get off the ground in your home.
BTW, I'm not knocking anyone who is planning on purchasing or anyone who already has purchased this or a similar package.
How do the rest of you feel about this new tradition they are trying to market to families?
How To Waste 2.5 Hours While Your Kid Is In School
This should have been posted over a month ago. I've been... preoccupied with doing the things on this list I guess. LMAO!
I realize that this may sound like a very petty list to some, but there is something that should be added at the end of each of these "...without interruptions." LOL!
For obvious reasons, this will be an ongoing list... ;-)
1.Thrift shopping!
2.Go to a craft store and check out things YOU want to buy.
3.Watch movies that aren't child appropriate for my movie blog.
4.Take the dog for a long walk around the neighborhood.
5.Do a craft project.
6.Do another...
7.Work on a sewing project.
8.Work on another sewing project...
9.And another...
10.Work on that pile of hand sewing you've been neglecting.
11.Play video games on the Xbox/PC/FB...
12.Read up on friends on FB and LJ without any interruptions.
13.Go have breakfast at a coffee house.
14.Catch up on e-mail in under an hour.
15.Finally got my craft blog up and running!
16.Go exercise with a DVD or the Kinect in the living room.
17.Play with the dog in the back yard.
18.Start on a painting.
19.Revamp my company site.
20.Get the company projects up on etsy.
21.Get house cleaning and chores done faster.
22.Play on webcam.
23.Blast music that is not appropriate for young ears to hear.
24.Work on crochet.
25.Catch up on reading.
26.Practice my yoga routine.
I realize that this may sound like a very petty list to some, but there is something that should be added at the end of each of these "...without interruptions." LOL!
For obvious reasons, this will be an ongoing list... ;-)
1.Thrift shopping!
2.Go to a craft store and check out things YOU want to buy.
3.Watch movies that aren't child appropriate for my movie blog.
4.Take the dog for a long walk around the neighborhood.
5.Do a craft project.
6.Do another...
7.Work on a sewing project.
8.Work on another sewing project...
9.And another...
10.Work on that pile of hand sewing you've been neglecting.
11.Play video games on the Xbox/PC/FB...
12.Read up on friends on FB and LJ without any interruptions.
13.Go have breakfast at a coffee house.
14.Catch up on e-mail in under an hour.
15.Finally got my craft blog up and running!
16.Go exercise with a DVD or the Kinect in the living room.
17.Play with the dog in the back yard.
18.Start on a painting.
19.Revamp my company site.
20.Get the company projects up on etsy.
21.Get house cleaning and chores done faster.
22.Play on webcam.
23.Blast music that is not appropriate for young ears to hear.
24.Work on crochet.
25.Catch up on reading.
26.Practice my yoga routine.
Your Child's Health Vs. Social Interaction: Should You Really Weight The Options?
Granted, I seriously doubt that the couple of local indoor playlands I have taken my daughter has been THIS bad, but can you honestly feel ok letting your child go into these places when you haven't crawled through the tunnels up above yourself?
Any time we have gone to indoor playlands, I have made sure that she changes her clothes the second she gets back home, and even takes a shower/bath. Now I am wondering if I am better off having an extra pair of clothes in the car for her to change into before she climbs in and gets strapped into her car seat! These places require that kids wear socks (which nearly no parents enforce), so shouldn't you be concerned when the bottom of their socks look back after an hour of playing? The very last time we went to a playland, my daughter complained about there being flies in the tunnels up above. That was my last straw.
I realize my daughter loves playing with other kids at these playlands and she needs the social interaction, but at what price should we pay for their health verses their social needs?
[2011-07-14] A Bit of Cafe and Book Selling Nostalgia... If You Will
Yes, I know it's been a while. Much has happened and not much time to write about it lately.
But that's for another post...
I miss independently owned book stores. Badly.
There used to be one on the north side of Chicago on Broadway just north of Devon. It's been soo long since it existed that I cannot even recall it's name anymore. Even though the name has faded from my memory, I cannot get the smell of the store or the visuals out of my head. They have forever been burned into my brain and I am forever grateful.
It was a bookstore like no other. You would swear you walked into an Escher painting or maybe into Jareth's personal library. The place was far from safe to be in, especially if you were to venture into any of the upper levels, but that is what made it half the fun in exploring the place. It smelled of old books and unfinished wood. I swear I bought my first copy of The Hobbit there, as well as countless other used books.
Purchasing used books. Now there is something that nearly no one speaks about doing anymore. Down here where I live now in Florida, the only ways I am able to buy used books is either from garage sales, thrift stores, or the library... if I am lucky.
Even though I am incredibly fond of used books, I also own a 2nd generation Kindle. It was given to me by my husband when he found a technology that he felt was better for his needs. I have no intention of getting rid of it for an upgraded version just yet. It has plenty of years left in it for me to put it to use. Lately I have used it to carry literature when I am out and about with my daughter so while she is playing endlessly at a playground, I am comfortably sitting at a shady bench reading. At least it fits nicely in my purse without taking up too much space. However, I won't take that thing to the beach or even into a bubble bath. Paper books still have their place if you ask me, and at least the paper kind won't electrocute me when near water. ;)
Thanks to technology, the economy and big businesses, used book stores are the thing of the past. It saddens me that my daughter will never know what it feels to explore a place like the one I did. The closest to that feeling will be the local libraries, or the local big chain book stores. Heck, finding a cafe anymore is becoming a challenge that isn't either attached to a fast food chain or doesn't have a logo that is colored green and white.
Since finding a permanent spot to settle into here in Florida, I have been on a search for a used book store or at least a comfortable cafe of some kind. Alas, the only cafe I had found that made me think of all the lovely places up North I used to call my "homes away from home" had to close down recently, and this is after I had only visited the place twice.
If it was a lucrative business, I'd consider the idea of opening my own damn used book store and cafe with the super comfy thrift store couches and second hand furniture with local craft makers selling their wares throughout my establishment. Unfortunately for me at the location we decided to settle down our family at, I live in between the posh and the redneck. They call it rural. Because of this culture clash, the posh wouldn't walk into an establishment like the one I would create because it wasn't sterile and glitzy enough, and the side of that coin wouldn't walk in because they'd find it far too fancy.
For a woman who lived in Chicago nearly her whole life, then moved to the 'burbs for five years, then to move down here, it is a culture shock that took three whole years to get familiar with. It certainly is something.
The search goes on. ...and on. ...and on. I just hope when and if I find someplace, I won't have to travel an hour to get there.
But that's for another post...
I miss independently owned book stores. Badly.
There used to be one on the north side of Chicago on Broadway just north of Devon. It's been soo long since it existed that I cannot even recall it's name anymore. Even though the name has faded from my memory, I cannot get the smell of the store or the visuals out of my head. They have forever been burned into my brain and I am forever grateful.
It was a bookstore like no other. You would swear you walked into an Escher painting or maybe into Jareth's personal library. The place was far from safe to be in, especially if you were to venture into any of the upper levels, but that is what made it half the fun in exploring the place. It smelled of old books and unfinished wood. I swear I bought my first copy of The Hobbit there, as well as countless other used books.
Purchasing used books. Now there is something that nearly no one speaks about doing anymore. Down here where I live now in Florida, the only ways I am able to buy used books is either from garage sales, thrift stores, or the library... if I am lucky.
Even though I am incredibly fond of used books, I also own a 2nd generation Kindle. It was given to me by my husband when he found a technology that he felt was better for his needs. I have no intention of getting rid of it for an upgraded version just yet. It has plenty of years left in it for me to put it to use. Lately I have used it to carry literature when I am out and about with my daughter so while she is playing endlessly at a playground, I am comfortably sitting at a shady bench reading. At least it fits nicely in my purse without taking up too much space. However, I won't take that thing to the beach or even into a bubble bath. Paper books still have their place if you ask me, and at least the paper kind won't electrocute me when near water. ;)
Thanks to technology, the economy and big businesses, used book stores are the thing of the past. It saddens me that my daughter will never know what it feels to explore a place like the one I did. The closest to that feeling will be the local libraries, or the local big chain book stores. Heck, finding a cafe anymore is becoming a challenge that isn't either attached to a fast food chain or doesn't have a logo that is colored green and white.
Since finding a permanent spot to settle into here in Florida, I have been on a search for a used book store or at least a comfortable cafe of some kind. Alas, the only cafe I had found that made me think of all the lovely places up North I used to call my "homes away from home" had to close down recently, and this is after I had only visited the place twice.
If it was a lucrative business, I'd consider the idea of opening my own damn used book store and cafe with the super comfy thrift store couches and second hand furniture with local craft makers selling their wares throughout my establishment. Unfortunately for me at the location we decided to settle down our family at, I live in between the posh and the redneck. They call it rural. Because of this culture clash, the posh wouldn't walk into an establishment like the one I would create because it wasn't sterile and glitzy enough, and the side of that coin wouldn't walk in because they'd find it far too fancy.
For a woman who lived in Chicago nearly her whole life, then moved to the 'burbs for five years, then to move down here, it is a culture shock that took three whole years to get familiar with. It certainly is something.
The search goes on. ...and on. ...and on. I just hope when and if I find someplace, I won't have to travel an hour to get there.
A Simple Doorway/Archway Gate
A couple of people have asked me where did I get the gates I have been using for over 3+ years. Now that I have to buy a third one (one to protect my daughter's room and office, now two for the two open doorways in the kitchen) because of having a puppy in the house, I went searching to see if they are still around and you can still buy them at Toys R Us!
A Great, Simple, Gate for Entryways
Cons: Heavy
Best Uses: Stairs, Infants, Toddlers, Crawlers, PETS
Describe Yourself: Pet Owner, First Time Parent
Originally submitted at Toys R Us
The Sure and Secure Extra Tall Walk-Thru Gate from Summer Infant is pressure-mounted and helps you create and maintain a secure environment for your child. It has a hinged swinging door that opens easily in either direction with one hand. It also swings closed automatically. It's fully adjustab...
A Great, Simple, Gate for Entryways
By Duchess Webb from Wesley Chapel, FL on 2/19/2011
Pros: Easily Stowed, Easy To Use, Strong Construction, SturdyCons: Heavy
Best Uses: Stairs, Infants, Toddlers, Crawlers, PETS
Describe Yourself: Pet Owner, First Time Parent
We have had our two gates for over three years and moved them from three houses during that time. They have been perfect for keeping our child out of places she shouldn't be when she was a crawler and a toddler, and now they are great for keeping our new puppy out of trouble. They can be a little tricky to get installed, but once they are in, as long as no one pushes hard on them, they stay up throughout the entire time we need them. We like that there isn't any complicated latches to open and close, so now that my child is a preschooler, she is able to open and close the gates without assistance. We also love the height of it, which helps since we are tall people. Overall, it is a great product if you just want a swing gate that isn't complicated to keep younger ones (both two and four legged) out of areas you don't want them in.
(legalese)
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