July « 2007 « The Parent Bloggers Network

Kaboom Round-Up Review - They’re Not Kidding About the Name

Tuesday, July 17th, 2007

With another round of glowing blogger reviews of the Kaboom products they tried out, I’m now convinced that I need to add the NeverScrub! Continuous Toilet Cleaning System to my arsenal of cleaning products (which already includes the Shower, Tub and Tile Spray).

The bloggers definitely agree that the Shower, Tub and Tile Spray is a fantastic product:

“Kaboom Shower, Tub & Tile Cleaner worked equally well, and actually did make my tired old tiles gleam. It definitely worked best when you followed the directions to let the spray sit for a couple of minutes before rinsing, but if you’re like me and two minutes seems like an eternity to spend cleaning your bathroom, an immediate rinsing still works well.”
“I thought, What better a test for this purple bottle of Kaboom than my shower floor. I tried it once, waited a few minutes and wiped it off. It lifted the stains a bit. But since they have been there since we moved in practically (which was years ago - double eeew) I gave it one more spray and a little elbow grease (only a little) and KABOOM! It worked. My shower floor looks as good as new!”
“When testing it in the hall bathroom, which has no windows, I was spared the sting of chemical fumes - my eyes and lungs would like to thank Kaboom for that!”

But as in the earlier set of reviews, the NeverScrub! Continuous Toilet Cleaning System was the product that won the hearts and minds and toilet bowls of our bloggers:

And just like in the earlier set of reviews, we had a couple scientific bloggers who engaged in comparison studies and really put NeverScrub to the test:

The bloggers differed somewhat in their perception of the NeverScrub scent. One blogger with an alert sense of smell didn’t care for the scent, but admitted that it was more than offset by how well the product worked: ”The in-tank device (it’s refillable!) sits in its concealed state and is recognizable only by the chemical smell of each flush. When mixed with, say, asparagus pee, it is not pleasant. But mild discomfort in the olfactory zone is a small price to pay for never having to scrub one’s toilet.” But two other bloggers specifically mentioned the scent as a positive attribute of NeverScrub. One stated that “The thing I liked best about both of these products was the mild scent…I detest flowery, fruity scents and would prefer mine to have the ammonia smell of a hospital ward…So the slightly soapy, mildly disinfectant scent of Kaboom is a nice compromise.” And the other agreed: “My favorite part about Kaboom NeverScrub is the fresh scent it gives the bathroom after every flush.”

It’s not surprising that so many of us - men and women alike - hate to scrub the bathroom. It’s a thankless chore where no matter how thoroughly you clean, in the course of twenty minutes a child (or an adult) can nearly put you right back where you started. So it’s not surprising that so many of us are fascinated by cleaning products that not only claim to make the job easier, but actually deliver on that promise. Kaboom Shower, Tub and Tile Cleaner and Kaboom NeverScrub! Continuous Toilet Cleaning System do exactly that.

For more information on Kaboom products, please visit their website!

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Posted in Household | 1 Comment »

Body, Soul, & Baby: Here’s What They’re Saying So Far

Monday, July 16th, 2007

With so many dollars spent on so many useless baby books that we only refer to if some weird yellow snot comes runny out of our babies nose, it’s about time a pregnancy book came along that offered a bit more useful information — about the baby, about the mom, and about the transition into motherhood.

And so our bloggers have been dutifully reading “Body Soul & Baby,” a new book by Dr. Tracy Gaudet, Director of Duke Medical School’s Department of Integrative Medicine. And here is what our moms have to say so far.

As was expected, our readers had a bit of a cynical view before diving into the book. But they were pleasantly surprised right off the bat. “This is not a book filled with reductionistic lists of symptoms matched up mechanically with ready-made “cures.” I want to teach you a whole new approach to your pregnancy, an approach based on holistic understanding of the interrelatedness of your body, your soul, and your baby.” It sounded like what I had searched for through three pregnancies and I eagerly dove into the book.” ”Once I started reading, I knew that this was not your normal pregnancy book. Dr. Gaudet stresses focusing on the experience of being pregnant, both physical and mental, instead of just playing attention to the ‘condition’ of being pregnant.”

Our bloggers were struck by Dr. Gaudet’s hopeful and positive approach to women’s care. “Body, Soul, and Baby’ is like a journey, like pregnancy itself. Gaudet presents all the options for you in detail explaining them in a non-judgmental voice that is refreshing.” The bloggers enjoyed the 10 exercises offered to help mothers-to-be to connect with their pregnancy in a more active and emotional way. “Dr. Gaudet introduces ten exercises to help you feel connected to your body, your emotions, and your baby - the goal of these exercises is for you to actively experience your pregnancy, not just go through the motions. ”

While a few noted that it was definitely a more “touchy-feely” approach to pregnancy, they found it a delightful change from the “baby business” tactics that they personally experienced. “Body, Soul, and Baby’ at first freaked me out. I wanted to run for the hills with its touchy feely approach. Once I realized that in my own way I actually do these things and accepted it, I found this book to be a terrific resource.” “The book covers all the basics in friendly language. Don’t think sugar coated — think like a smart friend (who happens to be a doctor) talking to you about what you need to know and putting her hand on your shoulder when you start to freak out.”

Others noted that even just a shift in language used to describe the experiences of pre-conception and pregnancy made sense. “… Gaudet’s idea of setting an intention around being pregnant really spoke to me; that through evaluation of your mental, spiritual, and physical readiness (she provides the tools to do this) you become an engaged, fulfilled part of the process and are able to then welcome or invite the possibility of pregnancy into your life. It may seem like semantics, but the shift in mindset and language matters.”

Many of our bloggers noted the extensive and helpful postpartum chapter, a section that is often glossed over in many books. “I was impressed with how thoroughly the book covered the postpartum period - in most books it is usually an afterthought crammed into the last few pages.” Others were happy to see positive explanations of c-sections. “I was thrilled to find that c-section was not treated as an afterthought, but rather had a lengthy section devoted just to it, the reasons one might be needed, what would happen, how to care for yourself afterward, and how to be at ease with getting one should you need it.”

One of our bloggers, a nurse by practice, felt that the book was a great way to follow-up after taking the birthing classes. She did, however, feel as though a section on breastfeeding difficulties would have been helpful. And another felt that there was a bit of a bias against midwives, however, overall the book was supportive of a multidisciplinary approach.

Our bloggers felt that overall it was a definite read for preggo moms. “The book layout is good for reference; the introduction is a must read for everyone, and then all stages of the pregnancy through post-partum are well laid out.” ”… I have recommended it to several other pregnant friends. They also have had similar positive responses to the book. There are a lot of books out there aimed at expectant mothers, so it can be difficult to find one that appeals to a wide variety of personalities. However, because Dr. Gaudet combines complimentary and alternative techniques with her medical knowledge, her approach to pregnancy and birth can be appealing to many different types of women.”

Check out the rest of the reviews here:

July 17: The Delaney Diaries & Soul Gardening

July 18: Jumping Monkeys & Her Bad Mother Says

July 19: Midwestern Mommy & Snarky Momma

July 20: The Domestic Diva & Creature Bug

July 23: 24/7 & Marketing Mommy

And if you want to win an autographed copy (we’ve got TWO), leave us a comment and tell us why you want to check out this book for yourself. We’ll pick two winners on July 24!

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Posted in Books | 3 Comments »

The 24-Hour Pharmacist - Here’s How They’re Feeling So Far

Friday, July 13th, 2007

We’ve all done it: Typed our symptoms into Google only to be confronted by a dizzying array of hits, most of which only succeeded in confusing us further. The Internet can be a great resource, but it’s not exactly the most efficient (or scientifically valid) means of gathering information, particularly when it comes to health and wellness.

On the other hand, many of us aren’t always sure that we’re receiving the best treatment from within the medical and pharmaceutical professions - “It worries me that people watch these commercials promising quick fixes for any discomfort, and might go to their doctor with a specific drug in mind to request it, whether or not that drug is the right choice for them.” Doctors are subject to time constraints, and their training often leads them to seek out the most expeditious route to wellness - usually in the form of prescription medication - rather than to explore symptoms in greater depth and consider alternative therapies.

Then again, many of us are leery of alternative therapies - “I am not one to generally look to alternative medicine. I tend to avoid things I don’t feel are well-proven, and many so-called natural remedies fall under my self-imposed umbrella.” Herbal supplements that aren’t regulated and ancient practices such as acupuncture raise our eyebrows. Purveyors of these are sometimes mistrustful of modern medicine, which further provokes our suspicion of them.

The 24-Hour Pharmacist by Suzy Cohen, R. Ph., has clearly and refreshingly staked out a middle ground between these two camps. As one blogger stated: “If you’re one of those people who doesn’t like taking medications then The 24-Hour Pharmacist would be a good reference book. If you’re like me, and will take any medication that a doctor hands to you, this is a good reference book to let you know what those meds are doing to you and what other choices you have.” And another blogger succintly summarized her own conflicting feelings that many of us share: “I have often thought that the pharmaceutical industry and medical establishment (no matter how well-meaning) have led people to take drugs when there may be safer, natural alternatives. But I don’t always trust the information I read on natural health unless it comes from a trusted source.” The 24-Hour Pharmacist bridges that gap very well - “What I liked most about the book is not only does she discuss prescription drugs, but also non-prescription remedies that range from vitamins to Suzy’s Secrets from Behind the Counter which are basically home remedies - for example, drinking rosemary tea to combat dandruff or seborrhea.”

As parents, we’re used to focusing on our children’s health, not our own: “I eagerly awaited my copy of The 24-Hour Pharmacist in anticipation for a reference book for all those crazy kid ailments that go bump in the night. See, when you have children, you just assume that everything ever written has a kid slant…Forget the kids, this book was for ME! And in many cases felt like it was written directly to me which made me embrace it even more.” For many of us, our complaints boil down to fatigue: “A 24-hour pharmacist sounds like a darn good idea that has nothing to do with illegal substances and everything to do with health and sleep. Because even though I may occasionally be a slacker in the health department, I’ll do anything for me and mine to sleep more.” The 24-Hour Pharmacist informs us without making us feel as if we need a medical degree to understand our own health: “I think in order to be able to make the best choices possible with your health (or anything else for that matter) you need to fully understand all your options, which means knowing the benefits and consequences of each option. I think that the author does a terrific job of breaking down medical language to explain it to people without medical backgrounds. This is no easy feat.”

For a few bloggers, it was refreshing to see other potential causes of symptoms (such as adrenal burnout) and alternative therapies to address those symptoms:

At the very least, such information can be used to help eliminate potential causes of symptoms. “If something isn’t working for you? Admit this to yourself. At least you can eliminate a few of the ideas so when you do seek medical help, you and your doctor aren’t starting from scratch.”

Almost all of the bloggers were fascinated by the chapter on drug interactions - “If I had to name my favorite chapter (which is difficult to decide) I would say drug muggers is excellent (is ibuprofen stealing my folic acid? Stop you pain-killer thief!).” Likewise, they echoed the book’s warning “to ask your doctor before taking a list of herbs for what ails you. Herbs are drugs, and in that vein, there should be just as much caution exercised before taking a bunch of prescriptions as when you load up at the health food store.”

But above all, the bloggers loved Suzy Cohen’s writing style: “I’m not kidding when I say it is full of sage wisdom. Suzy Cohen not only has her head on straight, she is funny. I likes me some funny…I really appreciated her opinion, her candor, her honesty throughout this book.” And as a bonus, The 24-Hour Pharmacist has supplanted at least one blogger’s reliance on Google: “Not only has it successfully replaced my Google addiction (related to health conditions, body ailments, and treatments…otherwise, Google is still my drug of choice), it has given me the satisfaction of instant gratification with a healthy dose of humor from an author who is knowledgable and unafraid to be a little irreverent.”

Stay tuned for more reviews of The 24-Hour Pharmacist, and be sure to leave a comment here or here to be entered to win a copy of the book and a $50 CVS gift card!

Fri, 7/13 - Chaos Theory, Mommy’s Must Haves
Mon, 7/16 - Her Bad Mother, Mommy Needs Coffee
Tues, 7/17 - Domestic Diva, Mama Drama
Wed, 7/18 - Karianna, Sarah’s Dandelions
Thurs, 7/19 - One Plus Two
Fri, 7/20 - Slouching Mom, Snarky Momma
Mon, 7/23 - Round-Up Review on PBN

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Posted in Books, Giveaways | 1 Comment »

Noah’s Pals Campaign Launch

Thursday, July 12th, 2007

Whether you’re a fan of Noah or not (how can you not be with Steve Carrell playing him in Evan Almighty?), I’m pretty sure all kids are a fan of animals at one time or another. And of course, if you have a child like my daughter, it’s obscure animals that are terribly difficult to find at any toy store.

So when we were asked to check out Noah’s Pals, we were more than happy to oblige. Along with Noah and his incredible ark, there are an amazing number of endangered, vulnerable, and common pals, many of which (at least on the endangered list) I had never heard of.

If you’ve got a little one (geared for ages 5 and up) that loves animals, or large boats made to withstand a lot of days of rain (heh), then you’ll definitely want to hear what our bloggers have to say about these.

July 13 Three Kid Circus & Suburban Oblivion

July 16 Ruthless in the Suburbs & Mom Reviews

July 17 Views From the Pants & Sarah’s Dandelions

July 18 Mother May I & Mid-Run Campaign

July 19 Mom to the Screaming Masses & Mama Maven Says

July 20 Kari’s Couch & Chaos Theory

July 23 Little Bird Reviews & Ebony Mommy

July 24 Builder Mama & The Fish Pond

July 25 Final Round Up

*Noah’s Pals is on special at Amazon. Get the whole set for $269. That’s a $30 discount from the Amazon price (which is even lower than retail). Snatch it now for Christmas.

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Posted in Elementary School, Kids | No Comments »

The Dark Dreamweaver Campaign Announcement

Wednesday, July 11th, 2007

Summer is fully upon us and with kids out of school, we’re looking for something to hold their attention. And while we’re all happy to oblige those summer reading list, it’s always great to find other books for our hungry little book worms.

So, for the last month, our bloggers (and their kiddos), have been checking out The Dark Dreamweaver, the first book in The Remin Chronicles, an exciting fantasy series for kids ages 8-12. With awards such as the iParenting Media Award and the Mom’s Choice Award, we were definitely interested to see what it was all about.

We encourage you to check the reviews and see what our parent bloggers (and their kids who’ve been busily reading it as well) have to say about it.

Mother May I - 7/12

Cape Buffalo Reviews - 7/13

Three Kid Circus Auditions 7/16

Eva Las Vegas 7/17

Get in the Car 7/18 & mid-run

Mommy Needs Coffee’s Buzz Review Blog 7/19

Mid Run Round-up 7/20

Ruthless in the Suburbs 7/23

Slouching Mom 7/24

View from the Pants 7/25

Final Round Up 7/31

If you’d like to win a copy of The Dark Dreamweaver and The Breezes of Inspire (the sequel), leave a comment here telling us about your favorite tween books (either your own or what your kids are reading). We’ll pick a winner at the Final Round Up (7/31). Good Luck!

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Posted in Books | 2 Comments »

When Parents Hurt - Campaign Launch

Tuesday, July 10th, 2007

For some people, the experience of becoming a parent draws them closer to their own parents (and - dare I say it - to their in-laws as well). But for others, those parent-child bonds are strained, severed, or don’t even survive to the point of sharing the joy of grandchildren.

Dr. Joshua Coleman, a recognized expert in relationships, is the author of “When Parents Hurt” - a new book offering “compassionate strategies when you and your grown child don’t get along.” Ten of our bloggers have read the book and will share their own perspectives on it.

Additionally, Dr. Coleman will be Kristen’s guest on her Motherhood Uncensored podcast tomorrow evening (Wednesday, July 11) from 9-10pm EDT. She has ten copies of “When Parents Hurt” to give away to those who call into the show (or email her) with a question for Dr. Coleman.

Wednesday, July 11 - Surrender Dorothy
Thursday, July 12 - Radioactive Girl
Friday, July 13 - Managing Motherhood
Monday, July 16 - Motherhood Uncensored
Tuesday, July 17 - Troll Baby
Wednesday, July 18 - Builder Mama
Thursday, July 19 - Mid-Campaign Post on PBN
Friday, July 20 - Cheese Party
Monday, July 23 - Soul Gardening
Tuesday, July 24 - Chaos Theory
Wednesday, July 25 - Pundit Mom
Monday, July 30 - Round-Up Review on PBN

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Posted in Books, Giveaways, Radio Show | 2 Comments »

Kaboom - Here’s How Well They’ve Been Cleaning So Far

Sunday, July 8th, 2007

When we asked our network of bloggers if anyone would be interested in checking out some products from Kaboom, the response was overwhelmingly positive. You could conclude that despite our insistence that there’s more to life than a clean house, we secretly relish scrubbing the john. Or, much more accurately, you could conclude that we love anything that will make our lives easier. Even if it comes in a spray bottle.

One blogger was obviously excited: “Now…I have to admit, I was biased before the products even arrived…because anyone willing to send me free cleaning products deserves a rave review… am I right? Or is it a sad day for stay at home moms when we get excited over FREE. CLEANING. PRODUCTS. WOOHOO!!!!!“ It’s true; lots of us dig cleaning products…and with good reason: “I am always on the lookout for good bathroom cleaning products. I have a husband and two sons, need I say more?”

The bloggers were sent samples of the Kaboom Shower, Tub and Tile spray cleaner and the Kaboom NeverScrub! Continuous Toilet Cleaning System. First up, the spray cleaner.

Few cleaning products manage to work well without producing toxic fumes. One blogger admits: “I hate cleaning my bathroom…and the number one reason is the hellish fumes from chemicals.” Another one is “prone to headaches and migraines. For me finding a bathroom cleaner that actually works and doesn’t give me a headache is no easy feat.”

Kaboom Shower, Tub and Tile spray cleaner definitely got the job done:

As one blogger explained, “The big difference is that there is no ammonia, phosphoric acid or bleach used. Rather it uses sugar-based surfactant and glycolic acid.” That’s why the scent isn’t such an assault on the senses:

All in all, the spray cleaner was a big winner. Next up, the toilet cleaning system that will make the toilet brush obsolete.

I’m fairly convinced that the objection to dirty toilets resides somewhere on the second X chromosome. It’s apparently the bane of most women’s existence - whether they live with men or not, a dirty toilet is intolerable. “I can let a lot of things slide if I have to but I can’t stand a dirty toilet so I can really appreciate anything that keeps the bowl clean on a fairly consistent level.” So as much as the bloggers loved the spray cleaner, they were really head over heels for the NeverScrub! toilet cleaning system.

One blogger, who is a bona fide science geek, even conducted an experiment:

“Just like many homes, we have more than one toilet, so I decided that I would run a comparison study between two of ours. One would get the Kaboom NeverScrub! Continuous Toilet Cleaning System and the other would go without. The two toilets in the study get about the same amount of use, but one is nearly brand new while the other is not. Since I thought that the newer device would be more resistant to ick simply due to its age, I decided to really test the NeverScrub! Continuous Toilet Cleaning System by installing it in the older toilet. According to the instructions, I scrubbed both toilets very well before installation.

As per the name, I NeverScrubbed either of these toilets for five weeks.

The toilet that had the NeverScrub! Continuous Toilet Cleaning System looked virtually unchanged from beginning to end, whereas the control toilet looked like something that you’d find in a gas station bathroom. The reason this study only lasted five weeks and didn’t continue up until the week of this review, which was the original idea, was because I couldn’t stand the sight of the nasty control toilet. Mind you, this was the brand new, recently installed toilet.”

There you have it. Not just mere anecdotes, but an actual scientific study. NeverScrub! means Never. Scrub.

More reviews coming up, along with the final round-up review!

7/6 - Mommy’s Must Haves
7/9 - Views From the Pants
7/11 - 24/7
7/13 - Karianna
7/16 - Mother May I
7/17 - Round-Up Review on PBN

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Congratulations to the winners from Friday’s Blog Blast - Kimba from Stay Sane Inside Insanity and Dawn from Coming to a Nursery Near You! Each one wins an iPod shuffle and an autographed copy of Body, Soul, and Baby!

Thanks to everyone who participated in the blast - we had hilarious posts, infuriating posts, and a few terribly sad ones. Regardless of the story you told, we’re glad you played along and we hope you’ll join us again soon.

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Posted in Household | 3 Comments »

Nozin Final Round Up: Swab Me Hardies Swab!

Saturday, July 7th, 2007

As I sat for a full day in the Philadelphia Airport, a few things crossed my mind. And one of them was, “Oh man, I hope I don’t get sick.” The same thing happened when my husband, an airline pilot, came home to a house full of sickies. I quickly handed him my pack of Nozin and said “Hey, it’s worth a try.”

Regardless of how you feel about cold and flu prevention ala anti-bacterial products, one thing is for certain, colds stink. And if you’re going to going to be exposed to massive amounts of germs (plane ride, long car rides, or a school), then perhaps doing something to up the chances of you not getting sick might be worth it. Plus, better safe than sorry, right?

So, our bloggers gave Nozin a try. And while it’s a bit hard to tell whether they didn’t get sick because they swabed their nose, their opinions about the product and its usability might be something for you to consider as you look for “sickie-prevention” options.

While one blogger was decidedly skeptical, for the most part, the bloggers could definitely see where a product like this would be helpful. “Me, I’m willing to believe. I will keep the swabs on hand for the next time I fly in a germ-laden plane or set foot in a school filled with sniveling children.”

For the most part, the product was user friendly and they liked the scent. “The instructions on the back of the package was very easy to follow. It was easy to apply and smelled like oranges.” ”Obviously I can’t say if it prevented an illness, but it did prevent one thing. Instead of taking in the awesome corn chip essence of the ladies locker room, I smelled only a nice orange scent.” “The application is definitely easy, and the smell quite pleasant.” ”But I can say that it was easy to use, and refreshing to smell. And I’m pretty sure I’ll be buying some before my next ride on an airplane. ” “I was afraid of these things smelling medicinal and icky, but surprisingly, they had a nice orange-like scent. I was very thankful seeing as I have super human powers of smell. I gag at strong smells easily! It’s kind of a clean smell.”

This blogger’s spouse concurred. “He also said it wasn’t a big deal to put in, that you just swab it around, squeeze your nose and then forget about it.”

A few were worried about the application process, but found it to be comfortable — as comfy as sticking something in your nose can be. “The directions were easy to understand. And I admit I was a bit nervous to stick the swab up my nose. I expected the experience to be uncomfortable — to feel like my nostrils were on fire. But that wasn’t the case at all. And the smell the product emits is like the scent of an orange peel. Its smells citrus-y and light.” ”Since I’m not usually shoving things up my nose, I was a bit hesitant to do the swab, but it only temporarily smelled like tangerine and dissipated quickly. It didn’t tingle or create any sensations and I’d forgotten about it soon after I used it.”

A number of bloggers are convinced that it worked. “It was over in a week and never reached that kill-me-now low point where I couldn’t eat, sleep, breathe, or otherwise function. Who knows if Nozin or plain old luck should get the credit, but color me a satisfied customer.” ”I then proceeded to go on a long nature hike with my family, and because I am generally allergic to “nature”, that would normally have left me with a sniffly nose. I am happy to report that my nose did not get stuffed up at all! I have to assume that the Nozin kept the pollen from getting farther into my nose.” “A week later I woke up and noticed I was getting sick. Stuffy head, nasal congestion and a sore throat were beginning to take hold. I pulled out my trusty Nozin, swabbed, and I was fine the next day. No more congestion, no runny nose or sore throat. Nozin really works!”

And so, why not give it a try? Travel Pack is $9.95 (Free shipping on orders over $40).

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Posted in Travel | 1 Comment »

Body, Soul, & Baby: Campaign Launch and Blog Blast

Friday, July 6th, 2007

When I found out I was pregnant with my daughter, the first thing I did was drop way too much cash on baby books. Clearly, my money would have been way better spent on some Lansinoh and some pants suspenders — and not because I already knew all the information the books offered to me, but moreso that they provided me with adequate preparation for what would happen to my body and my baby. But what about me?

What about the woman soon to be mom?

The large belly and screaming baby are only two parts of a huge transition that occurs when a woman takes on motherhood, yet so few books address the head games motherhood can play.

So, when I heard about Body, Soul, & Baby, a new book by Dr. Tracy Gaudet, Director of Duke Medical School’s Department of Integrative Medicine, I was intrigued — and later, delighted. But, I’ll let you read the reviews from our twenty parent bloggers for yourself. And feel free to join in on our exciting Blog Blast today. Your post just might win you an iPod Shuffle and an autographed book. And while Dr. Gaudet’s book might not have the snarkiest answers to all those lovely questions, it sure does have a lot of good solid medical ones.

Click here to get more information on how to participate and click below to check out those annoying preggo and new mom questions, and our bloggers’ snarkiest answers. We’ll be updating them (hopefully with your post!) all day long.

And make sure to check back for the reviews of this book.

Blog Blast Posts (Two random bloggers will win an iPod shuffle and an autographed book!): *Your post must have been emailed to us as we do not check the comments for posts*

A boy and a girl! Wow are they identical?

Are you allowed to eat that?

Are you done now?

Are you feeling like your old self yet?

Are you going to try for a boy?

Are you going to try for a girl?

Are you having any more?

Are you her mom?

Are you ready to pop?

Are you sorry that you adopted now that you can have one of your own?

Are you sure you’re not having twins?

Are you SURE you’re not having twins?

August? Are you sure? Well, maybe you’re having twins.

But aren’t you getting rid of that dog?

Could your feet be any bigger?

Did my neighbor just decide that I shouldn’t have any more kids?

Do you feel anything happening?

Do you know what you’re having?

Do you think we should check for twins?

Do you want to get arthritis?

Doesn’t she take a binky?

Four children? Are you done yet?

Getting pretty big, huh?

Hmmm… You’re due Wednesday. So you can present at lab meeting next Monday, right?

How are you going to lose that baby weight?

How do the dogs like her?

How long are you going to do that?

How many children do you have?

Is he sleeping through the night yet?

Is she a good baby?

Isn’t breastfeeding gross?

Is that a real baby?

Now that you are a mom shouldn’t you dress better?

Oh, when are you due?

Oh, y’all are pregnant!? Are you excited!?

Oh, you had a baby?

Pregnant, huh?

Should we take up a collection and buy you guys a television?

So, are you done then?

So have you sat down for a hot meal yet?

So he’s a girl then?

So, how dilated are you?

So how is nursing going?

So, when are you having another?

So will you be having any more children?

Um…if you don’t mind my asking…how does a lesbian get pregnant?

Was it planned?

Wasn’t your C-section just the BEST thing?!

Were you trying to get pregnant?

What’s her name and what are you going to call her?

When are you due?

When is your baby due?

Where is your belly?

Why don’t you get that booger out of his eye?

Why don’t you just let him cry?

Why not cut the baby out and get it over with?

Wow are you having twins you look so big!?

You haven’t had that baby yet?

You know what causes that, right?

Your belly is so small!

You’re due when? No way!

You’re naming her Evelyn? Like that girl in The Mummy?

Review Schedule:

July 9: Little Bird Reviews & Mummy’s Product Reviews

July 10: Mommy’s Must Haves & Mommy Off the Record

July 11: Boston Mamas & The Fish Pond

July 12: Cheese Party & Mother Bumper’s Laboratory

July 13: Her Bad Mother Says & Mama Drama Stephanie

July 16: Mid-Run Round Up

July 17: The Delaney Diaries & Soul Gardening

July 18: Jumping Monkeys & Gingajoy Assesses

July 19: Midwestern Mommy & Snarky Momma

July 20: The Domestic Diva & Creature Bug

July 23: 24/7 & Marketing Mommy

July 24: Final Round Up

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Posted in Blog Blasts, Books | 6 Comments »

Garage Sale America Round-Up Review - Joining the Ranks of the Anthropological Warriors

Tuesday, July 3rd, 2007

I admit it; I’m hooked. These reviews have convinced me that I really need to give garage saling a try. But I think I’d better pick up a copy of Bruce Littlefield’s book before I head out. Because as one blogger put it: “If you dread the garage sale world like I have, I recommend you take a look. Maybe it will change your mind. It did mine.”

And like another blogger who admits that she is “by no means yard sale savvy“, I’m willing to learn. Having been “in charge of [her] moms group yard sale this past April…[she] was eager to see what [she] had done right and what [she] could have done better.” One point made in the book that really stood out for her was that “yard sales are for bargains. If you’re not willing to part with it, don’t sell it. You get rid of an item you don’t want and get some cash and someone else leaves viewing your piece of junk as a treasure. It’s a win-win situation.”

Other bloggers who are seasoned garage salers are amused when they find sellers who haven’t read Littlefield’s rules. As one avid garage saler recounted:

“I was at a sale this past Saturday morning when I spotted a table full of children’s books. Although the sign read Books 50 Cents Each, the ones I was interested in had $2 stickers on them.

When I asked the lady in charge how much the books were she jumped out of her lawn chair and hustled over to me, hands stuffed in the pockets of her money belt, jingling change. Two dollars, she announced upon examination.

Two dollars for the lot of them? I pointed to a pile of two, maybe three books on the table.

She sucked in her breath. Oh, no, she breathed. These are board books. They’re two dollars each.

Number seven on Bruce’s handy Do’s and Don’ts for Sellers list: Don’t ask new prices for used things – including well-worn board books. Clearly this seller should have brushed up on her garage sale etiquette before having her sale. I mean, who pays two dollars for a used board book?”

Our Canadian bloggers reminded us that “Canada has garage sales, too“ and grumbled good-naturedly that “by the nature of the beast [the book is titled Garage Sale America], all the tips for great haunts are in the States.” And a California blogger let it slip that “Garage Sale definitely means something to us Californians, since we seldom use our garage to store the car; rather, the garage is the junk-area. Frequently I’ll hear people saying, I am having a garage sale so I can actually park my car in there!”

The eco-consciousness of Garage Sale America didn’t escape our bloggers either: “In this age of rampant materialism and fascination with all things shiny and new, Littlefield’s recycle/re-use/re-purpose message is as refreshing and eco-friendly as a cloth grocery bag.” And even those who formerly shied away from garage sales are now “seeing adorable little gems that would make so much sense if I had them as accent pieces or decorative flair.”

As before, our bloggers found the real charm in Littlefield’s book to be in the memories it sparked and the inspiration it gave them. One reminisced about childhood outings with her mother and concluded by admitting that “after reading this handy and informative guide and drooling over photographs of the author’s tremendous finds, I have my motivation. I feel that old familiar sense of excitement and, dare I say, titillation.” Another recalled similar adventures with her father - “I remember my dad went off to a sale for knick-knacks and came home with a light blue convertible. And my dad and I found plenty of things that we needed. In fact, my living room is decorated with garage sale finds.” Garage Sale America was her Father’s Day gift to him. And as before, the photographs in this book were enough to win over anyone: “I have discovered my why I want to start snooping in my neighbours’ yards: the photo ops. The photos alone are worth this book: a plethora of pink flamingos, a tumble of bird houses or a set of old coffee cans.”

But hands down, the greatest garage saling picture came from one of our Canadian bloggers - whose anthropological warrior SISTER actually swiped the book from her:

“Remember polyester pantsuits? Polyester shorts pantsuits?

Polyester shorts pantsuits for children?

If you find a polyster shorts pantsuit for children, you can buy it, and put it on your child, and take pictures. For the purposes of anthropological analysis, of course. Just take care to not allow your child out into sunlight, lest the outfit burst into flame.”

She goes on to say: “If I could find a pair of tiny vintage white roller skates and The Knack on vinyl, I could have [my daughter] re-enact entire scenes from my childhood, which I could film on Super-8 and screen at dinner parties where I’d serve Kraft Dinner and Wonderbread with Hawaiian Punch…And I’d totally invite Bruce Littlefield. Because if I can find those skates and that vinyl, it’ll be entirely due to the inspiration derived from his field guide to pop anthropology.”

Now that sounds like the kind of dinner party I’d like to attend. And I’d be sure to bring a fabulous hostess gift…one that I found at a garage sale, of course.

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Archive for July, 2007

Kaboom Round-Up Review - They’re Not Kidding About the Name

Body, Soul, & Baby: Here’s What They’re Saying So Far

The 24-Hour Pharmacist - Here’s How They’re Feeling So Far

Noah’s Pals Campaign Launch

The Dark Dreamweaver Campaign Announcement

When Parents Hurt - Campaign Launch

Kaboom - Here’s How Well They’ve Been Cleaning So Far

Nozin Final Round Up: Swab Me Hardies Swab!

Body, Soul, & Baby: Campaign Launch and Blog Blast

Garage Sale America Round-Up Review - Joining the Ranks of the Anthropological Warriors

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