Cash For Appliances on clarkhoward.com

Cash For Appliances on clarkhoward.com

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Nice drive to Blowing Rock

Saturday was a nice day for a drive.  We went up to Blowing Rock, NC, for the day.  Not a bad drive from Winston-Salem--about 1.5 hours.  Very picturesque with the mountains and Christmas tree farms.  We passed the Blue Ridge Parkway and went through Boone along the way.  Blowing Rock has quite a number of cute shops, not all prohibitively expensive like some towns similar (i.e. Waynesville).  A fairly good sized park was available for all the kiddies, like Lily, who desperately needed some leg-stretching time.  We saw people with picnic baskets which is a great alternative to the pricier restaurants in town.

I wouldn't mind going back up that way and seeing more of the scenery.  Perhaps take a hike and look for a waterfall or something.  I imagine that area gets very crowded as the leaves change, the holidays approach and the snow falls.

We also visited the Mast General Store in Valle Crucis.  Lots of memories in the hard-to-find candies!  Good selection of sale-priced Columbia, Royal Robbin, etc. clothing, too.

All in all, a great way to beat the heat of the 'city' in the summer!

Playgroups and dogparks

Wondering if posting something in the OakValley newsletter about playdates and playgroups would bring any response...there's a group that gets together on Thurdsday mornings at 10 AM in Tanglewood Park.
I am glad to see some interest in a dog park being built in Western Forsyth County (Clemmons).  I wish to see one built in Davie/Clemmons area, but that land is already so expensive.

I am amazed everyday at how hard it is to stick to a schedule with a toddler.  All the experts emphasize the importance of keeping a routine.  I am finding that Miss Lily keeps whatever routine she likes.  I just work around it or not.  She is sleeping better these days, and that's a blessing.  I was so worried about her getting enough sleep.  Brains can't develop without enough good sleep!

cool new toy

discovered a new site to create short videos from uploaded images

easy to use!  great for proud moms and dads  (or anyone!)

www.animoto.com

Monica Chico Ele ele and Wiggles -2641

Monica Chico Ele ele and Wiggles -2641
Originally uploaded by mark lum

My lovely niece, holding court

poisonous plant list

http://www.ontariopoisoncentre.com/ontariopoisoncentre/custom/plantSafety08.pdf

trying new foods on Lily

I have been trying to figure out how to get Lily to eat new foods, or rather, how to get me to be able to make new dishes, for Lily. She loves fruit so much, it is tempting to feed her fruits and vegetables exclusively. But I know she can't do this for long, even with the addition of pasta and cheese. I know she will become stuck in a rut and start to refuse other foods.

The fact that she is insisting upon only eating foods she can feed herself is limiting as well. Guess I need to put on my thinking cap and get creative. I know she is getting enough calories, one way or another, because she is up to 23 pounds! Reflux be darned, the girl is growing!

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/movers_and_shakers/article5201252.ece

this self-proclaimed friend of Obama is supposed to be unbiased? I am sure she wouldn't claim it, so neither should the people that read her online paper. Let's all just be honest.

People just don't think for themselves anymore

A lot of people have become victims of the quick and easy access the Internet and TV offer today. Don't get me wrong, I love the Internet and TV. But they are TOOLS to be used and learned from, or be entertained by. Not followed blindly like the snakes following St. Patrick. Too many people believe everything they read or hear from these sources without checking them out for themselves. Sound bites + headlines can = misinformation.

I hope that a movement against misinformation begins soon. I don't care what other people choose to believe, as long as they have sound bases on which to ground themselves. Okay, before anyone brings up religion, that is a different story. That is based on faith. And I believe people can choose to believe whatever they want when it comes to their faith. As long as no one is trying to press their beliefs on anyone unwilling , that is.

My Review of Chicco Polly Highchair - Discovery

Toys R Us

Designed in Italy, Chicco®'s Polly Highchair in Discovery print features 7 seat height positions, 3 seat reclines, and an adjustable footrest for ease of use and your baby's comfort. The seat, with two wipeable, padded vinyl seat covers, can be reclined easily with one hand. The tray i...

Chicco Polly Highchair - Discovery

Impossible to clean

Lily's mom Advance, NC 7/23/2009

 

1 5

Pros: Portable

Cons: Hard To Clean

Best Uses: At Home

Describe Yourself: First Time Parent

This highchair has too may nooks and crannies and not enough ways to come apart to keep it clean. The pad isn't washable, the straps have huge buckles that just trap food. The tray is really bulky. Instead of an extra tray cover, they should give you an extra chair pad.
I think Lily likes that the footrest extends. That's about all I can say that is positive!

lily at breakfast

: Zi6, 9012, Picture of Product, Using Product

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Yes, I am talking to you!

Koa, Mongolian hunting dog. She likes chasing rabbits, squirrels, and wrestling with Daddy.

Brand new day, brand new blog

This is going to be a melange blog---a little bit of politics, current events, pet peeves, a lot of Lily, and hopefully, a generous amount of common sense. There's a huge lack of common sense everywhere, but nowhere is that as apparent as in the debacle we call government.

This blog is not intended to tear down the United States, any particular state or local governments. The basic tenets are sound--they are just being drifted from.

That being said, Lily will probably be my main focus because she IS my main focus! Lily is 12 1/2 months old and the most precious little girl ever (parental bias is assumed!). She may dip her hands into Koa's (the Mongolian hunting dog) water bowl or rearrange my spice drawer daily, but it is all wonderful!

Today we are going to Brenner's Childrens Hospital for a modified barium swallow to find out if she has reflux. Apparently, according to our pediatrician, reflux if on the rise among babies. I wonder if, like autism-related diagnoses, these have been there all along but are getting recognized more often. Or does reflux 'fit' to explain many different things, so has it become a catch-all? Either way, right now I just want Lily to be well, healthy, and happy!