Time is just not my friend. I'm sure you can relate.
In my mind I have an alter ego that throws wonderful parties and remembers every major life milestone.
I send cards that I buy, or better yet I make them from scratch on this handy cutting machine I begged my parents and husband to buy me for my birthday this year...
Mimi's birthday is coming up.
I have some free time.
I have a scheduled party with about 75 people attending.
I have zero idea what to do and 500 things "pinned" ....does anyone follow through on pinning?
Last night I did! Woo-hoo! I put said cutting machine to use and cut out about 20 photo booth props. We have paper lips, and hats, and glasses. This machine even cut a pattern for paper flowers.
We'll post pictures of the party in 2 weeks. I'll give an update of each item and how DIY magic from the Pinterest realm translates to real life. We're putting Mrs. Shelby Sheen in the spotlight as photographer.
In the meantime...if you want cute cutouts of hats and lips and stuff...drop me a line. I'll probably charge you for shipping and the envelope...but reality is you're also doing me a favor as I have a pile of paper and need to hone my paper cutting via machine and not sissors skills.
Mimi-zilla & me....Random musings about life & kids.
Aug 23, 2012
Jul 28, 2012
Product Review: Fisher Price iPad Cover
Hunny Pie and I went to Target today for my first post baby outing, and I must admit to going a bit crazy in the store.
Cabin fever was setting in...
The toddler is obsessed with my iPad.
I cringe every time she touches it.
Magic...in the form of...(drum roll)...
Cabin fever was setting in...
The toddler is obsessed with my iPad.
I cringe every time she touches it.
Magic...in the form of...(drum roll)...
This is WONDERFUL!!! In an all caps---spread the word kind of way.
The obvious major win is protection.
Second...there is a strip to keep tiny fingers from constantly pushing the home button on the pad. I'm not sure if your baby Einstein is like mine...but she seems drawn to the home button like a moth to a porch light.
The look and feel is baby/toddler friendly with 3 choices of leverage for play: it can be held up, propped up by oneor two levers found on the back of the device.
Downside? Two points to nite...You need a coin to open the back plate, and there is no way to turn the pad on or off while in the case. Small items that are a nusance, but for $60.00 an overall great investment.
Dena B
Jul 11, 2012
Where to Sleep?
Traveling with small children is fun.
There is nothing quite like the hotel cribs--even if you're lucky enough to score one in the quality level of the Gaylord or Disney Chains.
Unlucky? Sleepless nights.
Squeak, squeak, rattle, rattle...toss..turn..no getting cozy...or so it seems.
We've begun booking hotel rooms with 2 queen beds, however; I have a fear that one roll too many will equal a face plant on the floor.
Faced with the arrival of our newest family member next week and a 4 day hospital stay, I am nervous about someone getting Mimi to bed at home while I'm gone.
Soon after he is born, we will go on a family trip and we'll be faced with the crib scenario again.
I thought and thought..and then saw an amazing item in Target for about $30 while on a random trip the other day.
This thing is actually super comfy, quickly assembles, comes in a bag and seriously is a quick shake pop-it-open endeavor.
The portable toddler camping bed.
Picked up a cute toddler sleeping bag as well...and boys and girls...I just hope the excitement shown in the photo above lasts and we have an inexpensive go anywhere solution.
I have a feeling we have a winner.
Jun 21, 2012
A glimpse into an industry few of us even think about.
I found a wonderful car, and I didn't even have to visit the dealership to buy. Crazy, cool huh?
Dick's Country Dodge in Portland area Oregon is awesome.
I thought..they gave me a great deal and I'll just have the thing shipped. How hard can shipping a car/truck be, right?
This may turn into a book, I apologize but you need to really understand the process...
You call a broker, or a carrier. The broker acts as a coordinator. This broker has access to a large database, or posting board that truckers look at and decide to pick up the vehicle or not to pick up the vehicle. This is the Central Dispatch (the software company name). A carrier loads your vehicle on a vehicle and takes it somewhere based on postings here.
There is a Web Site called Transport Reviews.com that rates all brokers and carriers. The BBB also rates as well as 5 thousand other sites.
Let me tell you..there are 15 million brokers/carriers. Each eager to prove themselves to you..each telling you how honest they are and that they are the ideal guy. It's a shark tank boys and girls and to the average person...it's a scary process the first time around. The sheer numbers and choices are crazy.
I chose Magic Carpet Transport after reading reviews on both Transport Reviews and the BBB. I started the process on the 12th and the vehicle was to be picked up on the 18th. Something went wrong and they had to re-book now I'm looking at the 23rd which in the scheme of life isn't terrible. What was terrible was a tone of don't call us--we'll call you. You know how well that went over, right? I know the coordinator didn't want to call with no news, but..well..you know me and my project management 9-5 bleeds into my real life too.
About this time, I began to question my choice as our baby is set to arrive soon and I need a vehicle to transport the baby home in...so I sent a request for another quote out..and I was called by 5 thousand more people. I thought if MC can't get it together by X day, I'll just switch.
Each call explained the process a bit more as they spoke with me. I realized how little control each broker really has in the process. They build relationships with truckers and companies but they really have little direct say. You need them though as an intermediary to get on the board (Central Dispatch) and work for you.
Here's where life got interesting today as I was at wits end and checking other quotes in the event Magic Carpet could not get it together as I said before and...a company called me and said my auto was on the board twice..and hung up. I then learned that all brokers can see other brokers job queues essentially...
I thought let me try one more call to Magic Carpet and try and just get an estimate or see if we need to increase money...and they said the same thing..double booked....called Central Dispatch..same thing.
Word is if you are double booked, a trucking company will not pick up your car from anywhere. I called the offending company and was told I has a signed contract on file..to which I said I was going to file a police report. I asked for a call back or an e-copy of the contract and did not get it, so we'll circle back in the morning.
About this time Magic Carpet has secured my dates...with a transport company...
Showtime Auto Transport and I will be in touch in the morning...
What's my point? I guess it's this:
As a consumer you have very, very little control over this process. Once you're engaged, you are really at the mercy of the company so pick wisely.
Once you pick the only way to confirm you're even on the board is to get a screenshot from your company, or to call the software company.
So why the double booking? Was it fraud? Was it a company trying to make me feel a bit of pain because I got irritated at the missed appointment on the 18th? Was it an honest mistake? I may find out in the am..and I may not.
I'm not sure how this will pan out...I am sure I never want to do this again.
Will my car be picked up on the 23rd? It may and it may not.
I did meet a couple of companies today that I really, really liked and I think if I ever do this again I may call them. In the end, I feel sorry for the guys that are out there really busting ass to be honest, on time and not be shady. I think they all have a degree of wanting to do the right thing. I dunno...A few minutes dealing with this stuff and the sheer craziness of the industry makes me really appreciate health care, car sales and telemarketing. This is one industry I want zero part in.
That's it....
www.mimi-zilla.com
Dick's Country Dodge in Portland area Oregon is awesome.
I thought..they gave me a great deal and I'll just have the thing shipped. How hard can shipping a car/truck be, right?
This may turn into a book, I apologize but you need to really understand the process...
You call a broker, or a carrier. The broker acts as a coordinator. This broker has access to a large database, or posting board that truckers look at and decide to pick up the vehicle or not to pick up the vehicle. This is the Central Dispatch (the software company name). A carrier loads your vehicle on a vehicle and takes it somewhere based on postings here.
There is a Web Site called Transport Reviews.com that rates all brokers and carriers. The BBB also rates as well as 5 thousand other sites.
Let me tell you..there are 15 million brokers/carriers. Each eager to prove themselves to you..each telling you how honest they are and that they are the ideal guy. It's a shark tank boys and girls and to the average person...it's a scary process the first time around. The sheer numbers and choices are crazy.
I chose Magic Carpet Transport after reading reviews on both Transport Reviews and the BBB. I started the process on the 12th and the vehicle was to be picked up on the 18th. Something went wrong and they had to re-book now I'm looking at the 23rd which in the scheme of life isn't terrible. What was terrible was a tone of don't call us--we'll call you. You know how well that went over, right? I know the coordinator didn't want to call with no news, but..well..you know me and my project management 9-5 bleeds into my real life too.
About this time, I began to question my choice as our baby is set to arrive soon and I need a vehicle to transport the baby home in...so I sent a request for another quote out..and I was called by 5 thousand more people. I thought if MC can't get it together by X day, I'll just switch.
Each call explained the process a bit more as they spoke with me. I realized how little control each broker really has in the process. They build relationships with truckers and companies but they really have little direct say. You need them though as an intermediary to get on the board (Central Dispatch) and work for you.
Here's where life got interesting today as I was at wits end and checking other quotes in the event Magic Carpet could not get it together as I said before and...a company called me and said my auto was on the board twice..and hung up. I then learned that all brokers can see other brokers job queues essentially...
I thought let me try one more call to Magic Carpet and try and just get an estimate or see if we need to increase money...and they said the same thing..double booked....called Central Dispatch..same thing.
Word is if you are double booked, a trucking company will not pick up your car from anywhere. I called the offending company and was told I has a signed contract on file..to which I said I was going to file a police report. I asked for a call back or an e-copy of the contract and did not get it, so we'll circle back in the morning.
About this time Magic Carpet has secured my dates...with a transport company...
Showtime Auto Transport and I will be in touch in the morning...
What's my point? I guess it's this:
As a consumer you have very, very little control over this process. Once you're engaged, you are really at the mercy of the company so pick wisely.
Once you pick the only way to confirm you're even on the board is to get a screenshot from your company, or to call the software company.
So why the double booking? Was it fraud? Was it a company trying to make me feel a bit of pain because I got irritated at the missed appointment on the 18th? Was it an honest mistake? I may find out in the am..and I may not.
I'm not sure how this will pan out...I am sure I never want to do this again.
Will my car be picked up on the 23rd? It may and it may not.
I did meet a couple of companies today that I really, really liked and I think if I ever do this again I may call them. In the end, I feel sorry for the guys that are out there really busting ass to be honest, on time and not be shady. I think they all have a degree of wanting to do the right thing. I dunno...A few minutes dealing with this stuff and the sheer craziness of the industry makes me really appreciate health care, car sales and telemarketing. This is one industry I want zero part in.
That's it....
www.mimi-zilla.com
Jun 20, 2012
Traveling with toddlers is always an adventure...
In my world anyway....
I saw this on Pinterest and thought WOW!!!
Someone is super smart. Upscale ziplock baggie filled with full outfit to include accessories.
Why stop with the kiddos? I need this...
May 24, 2012
Hearts & hands & knees & elbows...
She quickly offered up her right hand...and looked at the drawing in awe...
Then a knee...and then the other..and soon..she was covered in ink from hands to the bottom of her feet.
I've been drawing or writing notes on my palm I think since I could write.
There has been more than one occasion when I have been part of a meeting and began jotting a quick note on my hand only to have someone in the room look at me like I'm insane and offer up paper.
My dad hated this habit. He would tell me the ink may stay forever, or it might be a toxin..any number of 500 unsavory outcomes....
I walked into the kitchen tonight and saw her with her dad. She was saying heart. heart. Heart. HEART.
as he drew in pink ink and told her his hearts aren't as pretty as mine.
I guess in the end if she ends up a tatted up diva, we'll own the outcome.
I'm confident at least one will be a heart.
www.mimi-zilla.com
May 18, 2012
A water equivalant of the glass slipper
I never knew how much trial and effort can go into selecting the perfect water safety device for infants and toddlers. We began with this...
and it was awesome until self realization occurred. At that time Mimi needed to be "out" and "down".
Life just hasn't been the same as we hurry and scurry and juggle to meet the demands of water and a toddler who has no fear of anything.
We moved onto this (notice the progressive cost association):
The above can be found on our Mimi-zilla.com Web Site as a almost never worn resale item. Mimi wore it once. You see we needed something capable of containing the Hulk..today our newest attempt arrived in the mail:
Here's to crossing fingers and possible success. I think this thing may have true potential...
www.mimi-zilla.com
and it was awesome until self realization occurred. At that time Mimi needed to be "out" and "down".
Life just hasn't been the same as we hurry and scurry and juggle to meet the demands of water and a toddler who has no fear of anything.
We moved onto this (notice the progressive cost association):
The above can be found on our Mimi-zilla.com Web Site as a almost never worn resale item. Mimi wore it once. You see we needed something capable of containing the Hulk..today our newest attempt arrived in the mail:
Here's to crossing fingers and possible success. I think this thing may have true potential...
www.mimi-zilla.com
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