I've been a bit of a whiner lately. Sad, but true. And earlier today I was whining about things in my head again. When i realized it, I was ashamed of myself.
I have no excuse to be ungrateful and upset with where I am at in life, and with what I have been given. So, as an exercise in thankfulness I decided that I need to make a list. A list in which I find something good to say about every single one of the complaints I have had recently. Who knows, it may end up being a lot easier than I expect...
* I was feeling sorry for myself that Alex is gone so much of the day, it feels like our time together is so limited now. But, I am thankful that Alex has a good job! I'm thankful that he gets paid overtime for any time he is working past 3:30pm, and I'm thankful that he gets home safely every evening and that he does get to spend time with Jacob and I before bed. I'm also thankful, and proud, with how well Alex has been able to adjust to working full-time again.
* I was feeling annoyed that I don't want to eat any of the food we have in the house. I'm thankful that eating less could help me lose weight, and thankful that we have food available! I'm also thankful that my hubby doesn't let me get away with going out to get something every night just because I'm being picky.
* Lack of sleep was/is causing stress, anxiety, and emotional upheaval. I'm thankful that when I do get to sleep I have a nice, warm, comfortable bed to sleep in, freshly laundered sheets and pillows, and Alex to keep me warm. I'm thankful for my little Jacob even when he does wake me up. Every time he starts fussing at night it's a reassurance that he's still breathing! I'm thankful for the joy that he is to me, and how wonderful he is. Honestly, I think the sleep issue is really the most difficult part of caring for him right now.
* I was upset and angry at myself that I have put weight back on. But, I'm thankful that I was able to lose almost 50lbs this year! (not counting the weight lost because of having Jacob) I'm thankful that I have felt happier, had more energy, and been able to wear most of my pre-pregnancy clothes. I'm also thankful that I know if I put my mind to it I can lose the weight again.
* I've been stressed out because the new house still isn't in order and organized yet, and some days I feel like I get nothing done. I'm thankful that we have a new, bigger, house. A house where I don't have to smell cigarettes and marijuana from an upstairs neighbor (we don't have one!) A house with a garage, with a spare room, and a non-carpeted dining room. I'm thankful that we have been so abundantly blessed with things that it is taking me this long to find spots for it all. I'm thankful for Goodwill, and that I can pass on unused clothes and items rather than wasting space on them. I'm thankful for my son who is the biggest distraction from getting anything done, but the most fun "job" I have during the day.
* I have been annoyed with the amount of poopy diapers Jacob has every single day, and gotten tired of the hassle of rinsing cloth diapers. I'm thankful that Jacob is eating well and that his body is processing foods well! I'm thankful for our friends who let us borrow their cloth diapers, and that I we have been able to save so much money by using them. And I'm thankful for the huge sense of relief i have every time I get a diaper that's just wet.
And...I'm done for now. The more I wrote about what I was thankful for, the less I was able to think of things I've been unhappy with.
What are you thankful for?
Friday, November 16, 2012
Saturday, November 3, 2012
Pretzel kiss candies
Today I'm going to share a simple recipe for some of the yummiest salty/sweet candies ever! I found the idea for these candies online. Nobody seems to know who the original creator was, so if it was you, thank you! These are amazing.
I'm sure that you could make all sorts of varieties for this. Mint kisses with Christmas colored M&Ms, rolos with pecans on top, or even the seasonal pumpkin pie kisses with pecans...the ideas are pretty much endless, and you could make them work for any season!
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| Preheat the oven to 275* |
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| Make a single layer of pretzels. Any shape of pretzel could be used...except rods. |
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| Unwrap and place a single hershey's kiss on each pretzel. Place them in the oven for about 6 minutes. |
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| Choose a candy to place on top. I used regular M&Ms and Reese's pieces, I also made a few with candy corn. |
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| Place a candy in the middle of each kiss and press down gently |
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| Let them cool, and enjoy! Just try not to eat them all at once. |
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
10 months!!
My little man is ten months old today!!
By now I'm pretty sure Jacob will always be a little peanut. He is so small still! He now wears 3-6 month pants, and 6-9 month onesies. He is also now wearing size 3 disposable diapers -not because he was outgrowing the 2s- but because he is growing, and we wanted to buy a large pack without risking him outgrowing them partway through the box.
Jacob eats very well. He was eating six jars of baby puree a day, plus a snack and nursing three-six times. We are in awe of how much food this little guy can pack away!
Now that we're buying some 6oz jars of food, he only eats three or four jars a day.
So far, other than the few weeks he refused to eat baby meat (I don't blame him!) Jacob has never turned down a food. I don't know if he really has any favorites. He does always polish off apple, strawberry, banana. He also loves animal crackers.
Sleep is going a bit better. This morning was the first time that Jacob slept through Alex getting up and leaving for work. I'm hopeful that it will stick this time!
As far as learning new things, Jacob figured out how to turn his walker around last week. It used to be that whenever he ran into a wall, or some other obstacle, he would scream and cry in frustration. Now he just moves to the other side and pushes it away from whatever is in his way. Such a relief! We also discovered that the laundry basket makes a better walker than his walker does. So now our dirty laundry stays in a pile on the floor because the basket is almost always in use for Jacob to walk around.
Yesterday Jacob fed himself a bite of food with a spoon for the very first time! He was so proud of himself, and the mess of broccoli and carrots on his tray, face, feet, hands, and clothes were definitely worth it!
Also yesterday Jacob figured out how to use a straw. He is so short that even though he knew how to use his own sippy cup, he had to lay down every time, because he wasn't able to tilt the bottom of the cup far enough up to get water. So we bought him a sippy with a straw and he learned how to use it really fast!
One of his favorite toys right now is a lid to one of his bottles. It has a tiny little hole in it and he discovered that if he puts the lid over his mouth and inhales it whistles. he does this often now! He was even doing it in the bath and making the water that was in the cup gurgle. When he has two bottle lids, he smacks them together like cymbals. He also gives kisses now, mostly just to me. but has given his daddy and "Aunt" Deena one. Big, open-mouthed, splobbery kisses...that will sometimes turn into a bite on the chin or nose. Biting is something we're trying to nip in the bud super fast!
Jacob's smile has changed now too. He has a wide cheesy grin, and he loves to grin! It is one of the cutest things I have ever seen, I just never seem to be able to catch it on camera. For the most part he is happy and outgoing. He never fails to elicit at least one comment while we are at the store.
My little man is such a joy! I am trying to cherish every minute. It's passing so very fast!
Jacob eats very well. He was eating six jars of baby puree a day, plus a snack and nursing three-six times. We are in awe of how much food this little guy can pack away!
Now that we're buying some 6oz jars of food, he only eats three or four jars a day.
So far, other than the few weeks he refused to eat baby meat (I don't blame him!) Jacob has never turned down a food. I don't know if he really has any favorites. He does always polish off apple, strawberry, banana. He also loves animal crackers.
Sleep is going a bit better. This morning was the first time that Jacob slept through Alex getting up and leaving for work. I'm hopeful that it will stick this time!
As far as learning new things, Jacob figured out how to turn his walker around last week. It used to be that whenever he ran into a wall, or some other obstacle, he would scream and cry in frustration. Now he just moves to the other side and pushes it away from whatever is in his way. Such a relief! We also discovered that the laundry basket makes a better walker than his walker does. So now our dirty laundry stays in a pile on the floor because the basket is almost always in use for Jacob to walk around.
Yesterday Jacob fed himself a bite of food with a spoon for the very first time! He was so proud of himself, and the mess of broccoli and carrots on his tray, face, feet, hands, and clothes were definitely worth it!
Also yesterday Jacob figured out how to use a straw. He is so short that even though he knew how to use his own sippy cup, he had to lay down every time, because he wasn't able to tilt the bottom of the cup far enough up to get water. So we bought him a sippy with a straw and he learned how to use it really fast!
One of his favorite toys right now is a lid to one of his bottles. It has a tiny little hole in it and he discovered that if he puts the lid over his mouth and inhales it whistles. he does this often now! He was even doing it in the bath and making the water that was in the cup gurgle. When he has two bottle lids, he smacks them together like cymbals. He also gives kisses now, mostly just to me. but has given his daddy and "Aunt" Deena one. Big, open-mouthed, splobbery kisses...that will sometimes turn into a bite on the chin or nose. Biting is something we're trying to nip in the bud super fast!
Jacob's smile has changed now too. He has a wide cheesy grin, and he loves to grin! It is one of the cutest things I have ever seen, I just never seem to be able to catch it on camera. For the most part he is happy and outgoing. He never fails to elicit at least one comment while we are at the store.
My little man is such a joy! I am trying to cherish every minute. It's passing so very fast!
Saturday, October 13, 2012
Something to think about.
When Alex and I started dating Alex introduced me to one of his favorite series of books. It's called The Sword of Truth and is written by Terry Goodkind.
I still haven't finished the series and when we unpacked the books after moving last month I decided to pick up where I had left off. I came to a few different passages that really resonated with me as I read them. It was like the author was able to put in to words some of my feelings about what I believe and how I will act on those beliefs. So I decided to share them here.
If you want to have a full grasp of the story I suggest you read the books, but here is a summarization of what's going on in this part: There is an evil army (the Order) taking over the land, raping, ruining, and destroying everything in their path. One village of people feel that fighting back will make them evil and that everyone has some good in them and should have a second (or third) chance to do the right thing. The main character of the books is trying to teach them otherwise.
"If, hoping to appease it, you willingly compromise with unrepentant evil, you only allow such evil to sink its fangs into you; from that day on its venom will course through your veins until it finally kills you."
"But that's too harsh a sentiment," the man said, "it's just being stubborn and obstructing a constructive path. There is always room for compromise." ...
..."In trade between willing parties who share moral values and who deal fairly and honestly with one another, compromise over something like price is legitimate. In matters of morality or truth, there can be no compromise.
"Compromising with murderers, which is precisely what you are suggesting, grants them moral equivalence where none can rightly exist. Moral equivalence says that you are no better than they; therefore, their beliefs -that they should be able to torture, rape, or murder you- is just as morally valid as your view - that you have the right to live free of their violence. Moral compromise rejects the concept of right and wrong. It says that everyone is equal, all desires are equally valid, all action is equally valid, so everyone should compromise to get along.
"Where would you compromise with those who torture, rape, and murder people? In the number of days a week you will be tortured? In the number of men to be allowed to rape your loved ones? In how many of your family are to be murdered?
"No moral equivalence exists in that situation, nor can it exist, so there can be no compromise, only suicide.
"To even suggest compromise can exist with such men is to sanction murder."
And later, when the same group of people are saying that the popular decision of the people is the right one:
"But we must reach a consensus," one man said.
"For what purpose?" Richard asked.
"In order for our decision to be correct," he explained.
"No proper decision about the right course of action in any important situation can be made without consensus."
"You are attempting to give moral authority to mob rule," Richard said.
"But a consensus points to the proper moral judgment," another man insisted, "because it is the will of the people."
"I see," Richard said. "So what you're saying is that if all of you men decide to rape my sister, here, then it's a moral act because you have consensus to rape her, and if I oppose you, I'm immoral for standing alone and failing to have a consensus behind me. That about the way you men see it?"
The men shrank back in confused revulsion. One spoke up.
"Well...no, not exactly-"
"Right and wrong are not the product of consensus," Richard said, cutting him off."You are trying to make a virtue of mob rule. Rational moral choices are based on the value of life, not a consensus. A consensus can't make the sun rise at midnight, nor can it change a wrong into a right, or the other way around. If something is wrong, it matters not if a thousand other men are for it; you must still oppose it. If something is just, no amount of popular outcry should stay you from your course."
And, the last section I am going to share, the people are again arguing that there is no such thing as evil.
"Kaja-Rang banished your people not only because they couldn't see magic, but, more importantly, because they couldn't see evil."
In restless disquiet the men glanced about at their companions. "But what you call evil is just a way of expressing inner pain," one of them said, more as a plea than an argument.
"That's right," another told Richard. "Saying someone is evil is prejudiced thinking. It's a way of belittling someone already in pain for some reason. Such people must be embraced and taught to shed their fears of their fellowman and then they will not strike out in violent ways."
Richard swept his glare across all the watching faces. He pointed up at the statue.
"Kaja-Rang feared you because you are dangerous to everyone - not because you are ungifted, but because you embrace evil with your teachings. In so doing, in trying to be kind, to be unselfish, in trying to be nonjudgmental, you allow evil to become far more powerful than it otherwise would. You refuse to see evil, and so you welcome it among you. You allow it to exist. You give it power over you. You are a people who have welcomed death and refuse to denounce it.
"You are an empire naked to the shadow of evil."
If I wanted to make it fit my thoughts as I read it some of the phrases would be just a bit different.
Such as: "Rational moral choices are based on the value of life, not a consensus" would say "Rational moral choices are based on the truth of God's Word, not a consensus."
As I read this book I just kept thinking how very fitting it was for society today. A society where you are considered prejudiced and mean if you say anyone is wrong. A society that calls wrongdoing a medical condition and gives it scientific names and prescribes drugs to "fix it". A society that thinks we should embrace everyone no matter what, and that "if you don't like something, don't do it"..need I go on?
It bothers me, and it irritates me, sometimes it angers me, and when it comes down to it, even if I am alone against a thousand other people I want to stand for the truth of what's right and point out evil for what it really is.
Where would you stand? Take a moment. Think about it
 |
| Book eight in the series. where the following excerpts are from. |
I still haven't finished the series and when we unpacked the books after moving last month I decided to pick up where I had left off. I came to a few different passages that really resonated with me as I read them. It was like the author was able to put in to words some of my feelings about what I believe and how I will act on those beliefs. So I decided to share them here.
If you want to have a full grasp of the story I suggest you read the books, but here is a summarization of what's going on in this part: There is an evil army (the Order) taking over the land, raping, ruining, and destroying everything in their path. One village of people feel that fighting back will make them evil and that everyone has some good in them and should have a second (or third) chance to do the right thing. The main character of the books is trying to teach them otherwise.
"If, hoping to appease it, you willingly compromise with unrepentant evil, you only allow such evil to sink its fangs into you; from that day on its venom will course through your veins until it finally kills you."
"But that's too harsh a sentiment," the man said, "it's just being stubborn and obstructing a constructive path. There is always room for compromise." ...
..."In trade between willing parties who share moral values and who deal fairly and honestly with one another, compromise over something like price is legitimate. In matters of morality or truth, there can be no compromise.
"Compromising with murderers, which is precisely what you are suggesting, grants them moral equivalence where none can rightly exist. Moral equivalence says that you are no better than they; therefore, their beliefs -that they should be able to torture, rape, or murder you- is just as morally valid as your view - that you have the right to live free of their violence. Moral compromise rejects the concept of right and wrong. It says that everyone is equal, all desires are equally valid, all action is equally valid, so everyone should compromise to get along.
"Where would you compromise with those who torture, rape, and murder people? In the number of days a week you will be tortured? In the number of men to be allowed to rape your loved ones? In how many of your family are to be murdered?
"No moral equivalence exists in that situation, nor can it exist, so there can be no compromise, only suicide.
"To even suggest compromise can exist with such men is to sanction murder."
And later, when the same group of people are saying that the popular decision of the people is the right one:
"But we must reach a consensus," one man said.
"For what purpose?" Richard asked.
"In order for our decision to be correct," he explained.
"No proper decision about the right course of action in any important situation can be made without consensus."
"You are attempting to give moral authority to mob rule," Richard said.
"But a consensus points to the proper moral judgment," another man insisted, "because it is the will of the people."
"I see," Richard said. "So what you're saying is that if all of you men decide to rape my sister, here, then it's a moral act because you have consensus to rape her, and if I oppose you, I'm immoral for standing alone and failing to have a consensus behind me. That about the way you men see it?"
The men shrank back in confused revulsion. One spoke up.
"Well...no, not exactly-"
"Right and wrong are not the product of consensus," Richard said, cutting him off."You are trying to make a virtue of mob rule. Rational moral choices are based on the value of life, not a consensus. A consensus can't make the sun rise at midnight, nor can it change a wrong into a right, or the other way around. If something is wrong, it matters not if a thousand other men are for it; you must still oppose it. If something is just, no amount of popular outcry should stay you from your course."
And, the last section I am going to share, the people are again arguing that there is no such thing as evil.
"Kaja-Rang banished your people not only because they couldn't see magic, but, more importantly, because they couldn't see evil."
In restless disquiet the men glanced about at their companions. "But what you call evil is just a way of expressing inner pain," one of them said, more as a plea than an argument.
"That's right," another told Richard. "Saying someone is evil is prejudiced thinking. It's a way of belittling someone already in pain for some reason. Such people must be embraced and taught to shed their fears of their fellowman and then they will not strike out in violent ways."
Richard swept his glare across all the watching faces. He pointed up at the statue.
"Kaja-Rang feared you because you are dangerous to everyone - not because you are ungifted, but because you embrace evil with your teachings. In so doing, in trying to be kind, to be unselfish, in trying to be nonjudgmental, you allow evil to become far more powerful than it otherwise would. You refuse to see evil, and so you welcome it among you. You allow it to exist. You give it power over you. You are a people who have welcomed death and refuse to denounce it.
"You are an empire naked to the shadow of evil."
If I wanted to make it fit my thoughts as I read it some of the phrases would be just a bit different.
Such as: "Rational moral choices are based on the value of life, not a consensus" would say "Rational moral choices are based on the truth of God's Word, not a consensus."
As I read this book I just kept thinking how very fitting it was for society today. A society where you are considered prejudiced and mean if you say anyone is wrong. A society that calls wrongdoing a medical condition and gives it scientific names and prescribes drugs to "fix it". A society that thinks we should embrace everyone no matter what, and that "if you don't like something, don't do it"..need I go on?
It bothers me, and it irritates me, sometimes it angers me, and when it comes down to it, even if I am alone against a thousand other people I want to stand for the truth of what's right and point out evil for what it really is.
Where would you stand? Take a moment. Think about it
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
Jacob 9 months old
I was tempted to write an update on Jacob at eight and a half months old. He learned so much in just a few weeks!
One day he learned how to sit up in his crib, the next time I went to get him he was standing up holding the rails, and the very next day he figured out how to crawl!
Yesterday Jacob was weighed and measured. he weighs 16lbs 12oz now, and is 26 inches long. Percentile wise this means he is in third percentile for weight, and not even on the charts for height. My little peanut. He wears mostly 0-3 month pants with a few 3-6 thrown in, and he wears mostly 6-9 month onesies.
Jacob has started eating a lot more over the past week or so. Partially because he's finally over his cold (after two rounds of antibiotics) I'm sure. Most days he eats a jar of fruit for breakfast, a jar of veggies for lunch, and a jar of veggies and a jar of meat for dinner, with a few snacks of crackers or finger foods thrown in. Last week he got to try spaghetti and meatballs for the first time, which he absolutely loved, and last night he had some of our tuna casserole. I'm pretty sure that very soon he'll just start eating whatever Alex and I are eating.
Jacob just started saying "mama" the other day. But it's not something that happens often. I normally only hear it when he is talking to himself during playtime. He has been playing by himself really, really well this past week. I love how many things have improved with his health! He loves his little push-walker. He walks all over the livingroom and hallway. It doesn't even phase him when he runs into a wall, he just keeps pushing and bouncing the wheels off of whatever is in his way. He loves dancing too, even if it's just bobbing his head up and down while sitting. I love to watch him enjoying music!
Books are quite fun too. Jacob loves turning the pages and some of his favorite books are the touch and feel ones where there are different textures for him to rub.
Crawling has improved in the two weeks since he started! Jacob crawls over the house now, and he's fast! He has what we call a gimpy leg. He pushes off with one foot to go forward and drags the other one behind him. It is so cute, but it took me a few days to figure out why the top of one foot was always dirty by bedtime. I also joke about the fact that I always know where he is as long as he's moving because he hums to himself. It's when he stops to play with something that I have to go check on him.
Jacob is learning the concept of "No" and doing very well! His favorite "toy" is electrical cords, so it seems like we're telling him no a lot. Usually as soon as we'll say it he will drop -or stop reaching for- the cord, and after a few times of trying, he'll go find something else to do. I'm so proud of him.
I'm sure there are other little things I'm forgetting. Like the fact that he learned how to clap over a month ago, he loves to wave his arms when he's excited, he's starting to learn how to wave "hi" and "bye-bye", and is pretty good at high-fives.
Sleep is still a struggle. What with him getting sick, then us moving,
me getting sick, then him still being sick, and me getting sick again,
it feels like we haven't been able to keep a very regular schedule for
him. It's a work in progress though, and now that he's better and I'm
almost all better, I'm sure it will happen soon.
I love watching my baby grown and learn, it's hard to believe it's been nine months already!!
One day he learned how to sit up in his crib, the next time I went to get him he was standing up holding the rails, and the very next day he figured out how to crawl!
Yesterday Jacob was weighed and measured. he weighs 16lbs 12oz now, and is 26 inches long. Percentile wise this means he is in third percentile for weight, and not even on the charts for height. My little peanut. He wears mostly 0-3 month pants with a few 3-6 thrown in, and he wears mostly 6-9 month onesies.
Jacob has started eating a lot more over the past week or so. Partially because he's finally over his cold (after two rounds of antibiotics) I'm sure. Most days he eats a jar of fruit for breakfast, a jar of veggies for lunch, and a jar of veggies and a jar of meat for dinner, with a few snacks of crackers or finger foods thrown in. Last week he got to try spaghetti and meatballs for the first time, which he absolutely loved, and last night he had some of our tuna casserole. I'm pretty sure that very soon he'll just start eating whatever Alex and I are eating.
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| Spaghetti face! |
Books are quite fun too. Jacob loves turning the pages and some of his favorite books are the touch and feel ones where there are different textures for him to rub.
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| Reading with Daddy! |
Jacob is learning the concept of "No" and doing very well! His favorite "toy" is electrical cords, so it seems like we're telling him no a lot. Usually as soon as we'll say it he will drop -or stop reaching for- the cord, and after a few times of trying, he'll go find something else to do. I'm so proud of him.
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| Chewing on a cord |
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| I love when he gets enough sleep and wakes up happy! |
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| Jacob and Opal. They were Mickey and Minnie, completely unplanned |
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
The Case of the Mixed Up Mailboxes
So, I mentioned a few days (or was it weeks?) back that Alex and I were moving. We literally moved just down the driveway. Our address change? It consists of two numbers and a letter being changed. Sounds easy, right?
Well, apparently it's not. We've had trouble from week one. This driveway with all eight apartments, one duplex, and one house shares a large mailbox with multiple compartments. Sort of like a mini P.O. box wall.
We got our new mailbox key and within a few days we got a bright yellow slip of paper in our mailbox saying that if the address was vacant, tear of the perforated edge that said "Vacant!" and leave it there. If not we were to put our names and address on the paper and return it to the mailbox. So we did, the same time as we filled out a change of address form for the post office. Apparently I put the wrong apartment number on the yellow paper though. B rather than A, so it ended up in our Grandma's box (she lives in the other half of the duplex). So a few days later when we got another yellow slip of paper we filled it out correctly and put it back in the box.
A week or more passed by. We still hadn't gotten any forwarded mail. Just a letter saying that we had requested a change of address and needed to confirm it, but they had spelled our last name wrong. So we went to the post office and they filled out a form that they said would fix it
We still had the key to the old mailbox and occasionally got something there. But then we returned the key with all the old apartment keys, only to realize a few days later we still hadn't gotten any mail in our new mailbox except for junk mail or mail addressed to the previous tenants. Then we got a third yellow slip of paper, the same as the first two. For some reason it took until this point to realize that things still weren't straightened out.
So one day last week while Alex was at work I walked to the post office and told them the trouble we were having. The lady told me that it can take 5-7 days for the address change to go into effect. When I explained that we had filled it out almost 3 weeks prior, she just kind of shrugged and said that I was at the wrong branch to get it straightened out.
When we realized that this wasn't going to fix itself Alex and I talked to our old landlord and he graciously let us borrow our old mailbox key again. We were still getting mail at our old address. Also, on Saturday Grandma brought over a package that was addressed to us, and had our new address on it, but it ended up in her box.
Yesterday Alex got home from work early enough that we could drive to the other post office building to try to get this mess straightened out. Before we left I checked both mailboxes. In our old one was a whole stack of mail. Three things addressed to our new address, one with a forwarding sticker to our new address, and two with the old address. In our new mailbox was another of the yellow slips. Only this one had sharpie on it. Scrawled across the top were some questions marks and the phrase "No name, no mail". We were so confused, and so frustrated. We've done everything we could think of to make our new address obvious. So we just took the mail in with us to the post office, hoping we could finally get this mess fixed.
We were not so fortunate.
The lady working behind the desk listened to our little story and said "You need to fill out a change of address form."
We told her we had.
"Well, you need to fill out the yellow paper"
Again, we told her that we had. Twice.
"Oh, well, maybe the carrier is just confused because you weren't picking up your mail, so he though it was vacant."
Umm, what?? We told her that we hadn't been getting any mail in our new box to pick up.
So, she made a copy of the envelope with the forward sticker on it and said she would talk to the mail carrier.
Right now as far as we know nothing has been resolved. The lady pretty much said it was our fault somehow and shrugged off the problem. A new tenant will be moving into our old apartment and I'm starting to feel more than just a bit anxious to get this all taken care of. Especially since Alex's pay stub, and my driver's license change of address sticker were both put in the old mailbox despite having the new address on them. Not exactly the kind of things we want a complete stranger being able to get a hold of.
I guess we'll find out how things are going when I check the mail today. Wish me luck!
*Update*
When I checked the mail yesterday I was relieved to discover that the problem has been fixed. There is now a yellow vacant slip in our old mailbox saying that we have moved to this address. Yay! The old keys have been returned (again) and I'm hopeful that we won't have anymore problems.
Well, apparently it's not. We've had trouble from week one. This driveway with all eight apartments, one duplex, and one house shares a large mailbox with multiple compartments. Sort of like a mini P.O. box wall.
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We got our new mailbox key and within a few days we got a bright yellow slip of paper in our mailbox saying that if the address was vacant, tear of the perforated edge that said "Vacant!" and leave it there. If not we were to put our names and address on the paper and return it to the mailbox. So we did, the same time as we filled out a change of address form for the post office. Apparently I put the wrong apartment number on the yellow paper though. B rather than A, so it ended up in our Grandma's box (she lives in the other half of the duplex). So a few days later when we got another yellow slip of paper we filled it out correctly and put it back in the box.
A week or more passed by. We still hadn't gotten any forwarded mail. Just a letter saying that we had requested a change of address and needed to confirm it, but they had spelled our last name wrong. So we went to the post office and they filled out a form that they said would fix it
We still had the key to the old mailbox and occasionally got something there. But then we returned the key with all the old apartment keys, only to realize a few days later we still hadn't gotten any mail in our new mailbox except for junk mail or mail addressed to the previous tenants. Then we got a third yellow slip of paper, the same as the first two. For some reason it took until this point to realize that things still weren't straightened out.
So one day last week while Alex was at work I walked to the post office and told them the trouble we were having. The lady told me that it can take 5-7 days for the address change to go into effect. When I explained that we had filled it out almost 3 weeks prior, she just kind of shrugged and said that I was at the wrong branch to get it straightened out.
When we realized that this wasn't going to fix itself Alex and I talked to our old landlord and he graciously let us borrow our old mailbox key again. We were still getting mail at our old address. Also, on Saturday Grandma brought over a package that was addressed to us, and had our new address on it, but it ended up in her box.
Yesterday Alex got home from work early enough that we could drive to the other post office building to try to get this mess straightened out. Before we left I checked both mailboxes. In our old one was a whole stack of mail. Three things addressed to our new address, one with a forwarding sticker to our new address, and two with the old address. In our new mailbox was another of the yellow slips. Only this one had sharpie on it. Scrawled across the top were some questions marks and the phrase "No name, no mail". We were so confused, and so frustrated. We've done everything we could think of to make our new address obvious. So we just took the mail in with us to the post office, hoping we could finally get this mess fixed.
We were not so fortunate.
The lady working behind the desk listened to our little story and said "You need to fill out a change of address form."
We told her we had.
"Well, you need to fill out the yellow paper"
Again, we told her that we had. Twice.
"Oh, well, maybe the carrier is just confused because you weren't picking up your mail, so he though it was vacant."
Umm, what?? We told her that we hadn't been getting any mail in our new box to pick up.
So, she made a copy of the envelope with the forward sticker on it and said she would talk to the mail carrier.
Right now as far as we know nothing has been resolved. The lady pretty much said it was our fault somehow and shrugged off the problem. A new tenant will be moving into our old apartment and I'm starting to feel more than just a bit anxious to get this all taken care of. Especially since Alex's pay stub, and my driver's license change of address sticker were both put in the old mailbox despite having the new address on them. Not exactly the kind of things we want a complete stranger being able to get a hold of.
I guess we'll find out how things are going when I check the mail today. Wish me luck!
*Update*
When I checked the mail yesterday I was relieved to discover that the problem has been fixed. There is now a yellow vacant slip in our old mailbox saying that we have moved to this address. Yay! The old keys have been returned (again) and I'm hopeful that we won't have anymore problems.
Sunday, September 23, 2012
What I've learned so far: the cloth diaper edition
When I first found out I was pregnant I decided that I didn't want to do cloth diapering. I remember helping out with some of my younger siblings who were in cloth, and I remember hating it. I have vague memories of having to stand over the toilet swishing a diaper around until it was sort of rinsed off, and then holding my breath for that awful few seconds it took to put it in the pail...I just didn't want to have to deal with it.
And then I had my baby and realized how expensive disposable diapers are, and how cloth diapers have changed. I decided it might be worth it to give it a try. At first I was going to make my own. An endeavor that resulted in a bag of thrift store cotton sheets and shop towels sitting in my craft room closet. I tried to make two different diapers just to see if it would work, and got so frustrated I quit.
So a friend was kind enough to let us borrow her stash of FuzziBunz until we can build our own cloth diaper stash. It was a HUGE relief. If you have ever had with zero knowledge of cloth diapering and just started looking at things online, you understand why I was overwhelmed. I had no idea how many kinds of diapers there were, specific soaps, dos and do nots, opposite opinions, etc.
I've had a lot of help though, my sister in law has answered many questions for me, and a blog I've been following since last September, The Accidental Wallflower, just finished off a whole month dedicated to cloth diapering.
So here's a few things I've learned:
* A removable shower head makes the poop rinsing way easier than the old swishing method. Turn the nozzle to the power spray setting. Rinse it all down the drain. Done.
*Cloth diapering is not as difficult as I expected (once I finally got the hang of it) and I feel good knowing I'm doing what I can to save some money and not produce as much waste.
* Cloth diapers are expensive!! Cheaper in the long run, of course, but I still haven't saved up enough to start buying my own. They can be anywhere from $6-$18 per diaper!
* An open diaper pail actually makes a lot less of a stink. Don't believe me? I have an open trash can for dirty diapers sitting by my nursery doorway and you can't even tell it's there. (Unless you get really close and inhale deeply. But really, who would even want to try?)
* You have to change cloth diapers a little sooner. I usually change Jacob every 3 hours or so, unless he's poopy, then I change him right away.
* Cloth diapers do not work for night! At least not for my little guy. I tried double inserts, I tried rubber pants, I tried pre-fold with rubber pants. He woke up soaked every time. So I still buy about one pack of disposables every month because we use them for night.
* It's not as hard to keep up with as I thought it would be.
* I can understand the addiction to buying cute printed cloth diapers. I keep planning what patterns I want to buy once I get my own stash.
* The homemade laundry soap I use for diapers works so well and is so much cheaper, I now use it for all my laundry!
And lastly, there's just something so satisfying and domestic feeling about seeing a clothesline full of freshly washed cloth diapers drying in the sun.
Do you cloth diaper? Let me hear your experience!
And then I had my baby and realized how expensive disposable diapers are, and how cloth diapers have changed. I decided it might be worth it to give it a try. At first I was going to make my own. An endeavor that resulted in a bag of thrift store cotton sheets and shop towels sitting in my craft room closet. I tried to make two different diapers just to see if it would work, and got so frustrated I quit.
 |
| The test run of making my own. I used one of Alex's old t-shirts. Classy, huh? |
I've had a lot of help though, my sister in law has answered many questions for me, and a blog I've been following since last September, The Accidental Wallflower, just finished off a whole month dedicated to cloth diapering.
So here's a few things I've learned:
* A removable shower head makes the poop rinsing way easier than the old swishing method. Turn the nozzle to the power spray setting. Rinse it all down the drain. Done.
*Cloth diapering is not as difficult as I expected (once I finally got the hang of it) and I feel good knowing I'm doing what I can to save some money and not produce as much waste.
* Cloth diapers are expensive!! Cheaper in the long run, of course, but I still haven't saved up enough to start buying my own. They can be anywhere from $6-$18 per diaper!
* An open diaper pail actually makes a lot less of a stink. Don't believe me? I have an open trash can for dirty diapers sitting by my nursery doorway and you can't even tell it's there. (Unless you get really close and inhale deeply. But really, who would even want to try?)
* You have to change cloth diapers a little sooner. I usually change Jacob every 3 hours or so, unless he's poopy, then I change him right away.
* Cloth diapers do not work for night! At least not for my little guy. I tried double inserts, I tried rubber pants, I tried pre-fold with rubber pants. He woke up soaked every time. So I still buy about one pack of disposables every month because we use them for night.
* It's not as hard to keep up with as I thought it would be.
* I can understand the addiction to buying cute printed cloth diapers. I keep planning what patterns I want to buy once I get my own stash.
* The homemade laundry soap I use for diapers works so well and is so much cheaper, I now use it for all my laundry!
And lastly, there's just something so satisfying and domestic feeling about seeing a clothesline full of freshly washed cloth diapers drying in the sun.
Do you cloth diaper? Let me hear your experience!
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