From Disney to China in 270 Seconds

I’ve been flying high on the “Disney Vacation” buzz for the past week with lots of false energy. Now the fatigue, lack of energy and crawl-to-the-bed tiredness is back. Something has to give and I think I really need to evaluate every thing I’m doing like sleep, nutrition and activities. I truly don’t want to bore you with the way my body has gone south like an 80 year old woman.

I really want to tell you how you rock. The Disney raffle ended at midnight on Sunday and Miss Ann has announced the winners. The total amount raised was $4864.87! That’s enough to completely cover our trip. Cam and Teenie are going to have the time of their lives if I have to take 10,000% of the RDA of Vitamins B6 and B12 each day!

Thank you…from the bottom of my heart.

And thank you to those people who have been donating directly to me.

A special thank you to Karen at Karen Sugarpants for sending me this exquisite gift. I’m starting to love the mailman, I’m telling ya! (Click on picture to see it up close)

She found this great necklace at Inspired Gemstone Creations and I thank Robin for including such a kind card.

So, you have voted and the results so far are on the classic Minnie ears for the flight to Disney. Oh, you think I’m kidding? I most certainly plan on wearing ears in the car on the way to the airport, in the airport and on the plane. If anyone says one word to me, just one word…and just dare them to look at me funny.

It also looks like the vote is leaning towards the longer length wig. It should be fun at the consultation on Saturday.

One last thing before I crash to the ground. In yesterday’s post I mentioned that my child “hated” China and someone mentioned in the comments that a little tolerance would be nice so I felt that I should clarify a few things…even though I did this in the comments.

I’m a responsible parent and I’m not about to defend myself as a parent to the internet because it’s not necessary. “Hate” is a very strong word and a very strong emotion. I believe I mentioned that in yesterday’s post and to my daughter, however the discussion with Teenie was in much more depth. I teach my children about tolerance, patience and understanding for all people. I teach them about diversity because that is exactly how I was raised by my mother.

Teenie is eight years old and gifted. I have an IEP from the school district to accommodate her learning needs because she’s more intelligent than the grand majority of her peers. I don’t say that to impress you or to brag about my child. I mention it because she understands a hell of a lot more than most eight year olds understand about the world so having a conversation about China, the environment, how products are manufactured, the conditions people work under and what’s in those products is something she can understand…on her level.

In frustration Teenie wants to boycott all products made in China not by my suggestion but by her own accord. It’s a very difficult thing to do which makes her more frustrated. Especially when she wants a new pair of Hannah Montana sunglasses…Made In China.

At no point am I teaching either child that Chinese people are bad people. In fact I’ve tried to explain that the Chinese people live under the rule of Communism and many times have their voices and opinions oppressed by the government. I did my senior project for my undergraduate degree on the very subject last October.

In teaching them the truth about the world they have a better understanding about how lucky they are to live in the United States and in my house where I allow them to have choices. Hey, I have to get my parenting angle in somewhere you know.

So, if in the discussion with my children I have taught them some kind of intolerance for people who are different or intolerance for different cultures then I’ve completely missed the mark. Report me to the DHS or something because quite frankly I think I’ve got it right…much more so than most parents or we would not have so much hatred in this world.

(Getting off the mommy blogger soap box now.)

Now, can we all go back to the gooey love-fest we were feeling when we started this post? After all, it is you who restored my faith in humanity, kindness and giving…

Short or Long

So, I’m preparing for chemotherapy and shopping for wigs. I have a consultation on Saturday morning at a salon that specializes in helping cancer patients find the right kind of wig but I’m torn. Do I stick with a short sassy style or do I go with long hair for once in my life?

What do you think?

Short?

Or long?

There are a lot of styles to choose from at Wigs.com. Tell me what you think!

Why Teenie Hates China

Products made in China are cheap through the exploitation of the workforce. Every time we shop, we are driving the nail further into the coffin of American manufacturing jobs. ~Joe Baca

I’m done with China. I’m done with anything made in China. I’m done. Seriously, this will make you cringe.

All week Teenie has been bugging me to go to Michael’s Craft Store because she wanted to buy some pussy willow branches. I’m linking Michael’s Craft Store because they should be absolutely ashamed to be a part of this story…ASHAMED!

Since all four of us needed things we decided to go out together and stop at several different stores. Once we were all in Michael’s Craft Store we separated. Dude was with the girls and I went off on my own.

I found a great Disney scrapbook I can use for our trip and God help me, I just became one of those scary scrapbooking mothers. WTF?

As I was saying…

Michael’s Craft Store doesn’t sell real pussy willow branches grown right here in the United States however they have horrible, plastic, fake reproductions made in China. That’s right, we have to import pussy willow branches that look bad. My daughter was crushed but that’s not the bad part of this story.

Teenie found some stickers that she wanted and Dude took her to the cashier. As they stood in line she saw all of the “impulse” items. You know, all that little crap you don’t need but grab just because you are standing in line. Well Michael’s Craft Store, a craft store, sells candy. It’s not candy you can use for crafting either but crap candy made in China.

China. Candy made in China. Except Dude didn’t realize the candy our eight year old daughter chose was made in China until we were in the car and I started the Spanish Inquisition.

She started spraying liquid into her mouth and I was like, WTF?

“TEENIE! What do you HAVE???”

“Fruitt Squirt, Mommy…you squirt it!”

“Teenie, gimme that NOW!”

So, I discovered it was made in China but that wasn’t the worst thing. The ingredient warning was the most alarming.

Allergy information: This product may contain traces of dairy, egg, gluten, soy, peanuts, treenuts, fish and seed.

Back the truck up. FISH? FISH in candy? Chinese fish in my child’s candy? Chinese eggs in my child’s candy? Seeds??? Seeds in liquid spray candy?

Where the hell are they making this crap that there could possibly be traces of fish, eggs and seeds in a fruit flavored spray candy? I totally flipped out and threw a fit in the car.

When we got home I went to the web site listed on the label and damn near had a seizure. Kids Brands Inc. distributes this crap not only to Michael’s Craft Store but to Toys R Us too. Someone needs to choke the crap out of the webmaster of Kids Brands Inc. Please tell me you didn’t come close to having a mental breakdown too.

Meanwhile, I had to break Teenie’s heart by taking her candy away and giving her $2.oo back.

Her response was classic, “I hate China!”

I told her that “hate” is a very strong word and emotion and she said,

“Well I’m never buying anything made in China ever again!!!

She may be eight, but she’s very wise. Imagine if we all followed her lead…

Happy Birthday Miss Ann

Hey Miss Ann! Happy Birthday!

After every thing Miss Ann has done to raise money for my family won’t you please go wish her a Happy Birthday?

Which Ears?

Before watching please note a few things…I’m not feeling that great today so I look kind of crappy and my arms look five times their normal size. Good GOD, they look like the arms of a 500 pound woman!

Which Ears? from clusterfook on Vimeo.

To enter the raffle go here

XOXO,

Lisa