tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26608636323966093742024-02-19T12:00:20.799-05:00The Bourgeois MomMother Extraordinaire to a little human and several animals. Artist of a multitude of crafts. Baker of yummy treats. Lover of books. Wannabe hipster. Former nurse midwife. Owner of the best baby necessity supply store ~ Bourgeois Baby LLC ~Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09635099861687163766noreply@blogger.comBlogger48125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2660863632396609374.post-1413973181285836372017-02-22T17:20:00.002-05:002017-02-22T17:20:39.871-05:00Girl Scout Printables for Cookie Sale Thank You NotesVera has started Girl Scouts this year, and so we are finishing up our first year of cookie sales! One think I learned from running <a href="http://bourgeoisbaby.com/" target="_blank">Bourgeois Baby</a> is that a simple "thank you" goes a long way. I write a handwritten thank you to my customers with each order, and thought that it would be a nice touch (and good display of manners) for Vera to send along a thank you note with her Girl Scout Cookie Sale orders.<div>
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To make her thank you notes stand out, I made a few basic printables for standard card and postcard sizes. Feel free to grab them and use for your Girl Scout!<br /><br />Below is "Many Thanks!" which was formatted to fit an A7 size card (about 5x7). This was the design she chose, so we printed these up and she wrote on the back (with my help, her handwriting): <i>Many thanks for ordering cookies! Vera</i></div>
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The next design is for first year cookie sales. Girls Scouts is marking their 100th year of cookie sales, and for many Girl Scout newbies (like Vera) can make note of this being their first year selling in the centennial sale year. It's geared towards Daisy level, but could be used as inspiration for others. This is meant for A6 size postcards (about 4x6).</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGobtdPlo80E3E5Fly50Hio2hElPeGjTD1YmP5SSyjCf_y-Xjd1ysLtOH18hQnFUKB3LdwDZahxoYRgbi9xH_fYMRYhwiDefvpnSE-lBsRwcAzF7fb7K4Zk5g_x4EuahVIuEFiT1kJjz4/s1600/Thank+you+postcard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGobtdPlo80E3E5Fly50Hio2hElPeGjTD1YmP5SSyjCf_y-Xjd1ysLtOH18hQnFUKB3LdwDZahxoYRgbi9xH_fYMRYhwiDefvpnSE-lBsRwcAzF7fb7K4Zk5g_x4EuahVIuEFiT1kJjz4/s320/Thank+you+postcard.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Lastly, the graphic below can be printed on standard paper, cut just under the light green stripe, and wrapped around the box of cookies. The light green stripe can also be used as a space for your Girl Scout to write a quick thank you and sign her name.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09635099861687163766noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2660863632396609374.post-37786535221613236162016-04-06T23:24:00.002-04:002016-04-06T23:24:36.858-04:00Does Anyone Blog Anymore?Back in 2006 I started <a href="http://squawkergirl.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">my first blog</a>- a knitting based blog that chronicled my adventures in knitting. However, it was poorly timed as I also simultaneously started midwifery school at the same time so it quickly went on the back burner. The Bourgeois Mom is my fourth blog, and one that I have found the least amount of time for. It certainly isn't for the lack interest in writing- because I seriously still have dreams of being a featured writer someday. Ok, maybe not really because I have come to realize that at this point there just isn't enough time in the day to accomplish that. <br />
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I have written a few short pieces of varying topics. <a href="http://www.postpartumconfession.com/postpartumstories/my-story-jamie-bourgeois" target="_blank"> I shared my postpartum experience on Postpartum Confessions, for better or worse.</a> I felt very brave writing that piece, but some days I wonder why I felt the need to (over)share.<br /><br /><a href="http://craftindustryalliance.org/safety-testing-for-small-batch-manufacturers/" target="_blank">The other piece was business related</a>. It was for the Craft Industry Alliance, and I hope to find another interesting topic to write about in the future.<br />
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To keep other creative avenues open, I have become a performer for the Boston Mortified stage show. It is exhilaratingly fun to get up in front of a live audience, with a light shining on you, reading things you wrote when you were a teenager. In just a few short months I turn forty, and there is something cathartic in being able to read this stuff out loud with people listening. I have many emotions about the whole process and experience- as at this point in my life I have come to believe that I am having a mid-life crisis of sorts. Nothing bad, but more of an "Oh, shit!" I am more than likely done with half of my life and I have so many more things I want to do! There are so many options that I am not even fully aware of all the things I want to experience and do and accomplish. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On stage at the Oberon in Cambridge, MA, February 2016</td></tr>
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<br /><br />There is regret, too. I regret that I took my body and my health for granted. If I could go back and shake my skinny self hard into the realization that my pompous attitude that I got "lucky" being thin and beautiful would never go away was complete fallacy, I would. Because now I am a middle aged fat lady who has health issues (some related to the weight, some not but aggravated by such) with a five year old little spit fire who is active and wants me to keep up with her but I barely can because of that former attitude. I didn't take care of myself. I took it all for granted. I thought what I felt at 17, 20, or even 25 was going to last. I am mad at myself for that.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Junior year, 1992-1993</td></tr>
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Ironically, I like myself way more now, though, as the woman I have become. I am proud of my accomplishments. I am so happy to be able to have the luxury to pursue <a href="http://www.bourgeoisbaby.com/" target="_blank">my crafty business</a>. My day to day life is good, and while I would love to fix a few things the direction is good.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Believe it or not, this is a better pic of me than most these days.</td></tr>
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Yet the day to day is so time consuming- which gets me back to my original point- are blogs even a thing anymore? It seems micro-blogging has replaced the daily blog read for most. Instagram and Tumblr are the platforms that are visual and brief. A long drawn out blog just seems past it's prime. I keep this one because on occasions like tonight I get a random few minutes I can bang out a few thoughts and nobody really reads it.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Currier Museum, Manchester, NH, February 2016</td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09635099861687163766noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2660863632396609374.post-67872362284259283182015-09-08T22:08:00.000-04:002015-09-08T22:08:00.057-04:00My iMovie for Bourgeois BabyI've had an iPhone for several years now, and just this past August I found iMovie. This app has just been sitting unused forever. I made a few movies- mostly highlighting how ridiculous my husband is- but one for Bourgeois Baby that use on my social media channels. What do you think?<br /><br /><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/zkN0wHReXDI" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09635099861687163766noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2660863632396609374.post-4507660212121575862015-09-01T22:05:00.001-04:002015-09-01T22:05:10.937-04:00Our Summer 2015<div class="sflyProductPreviewWidget" style="height: 494px; width: 425px;">
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<a href="https://www.shutterfly.com/prints/collage-posters/11x14-collage-posters?cid=SFLYOCWIDGET&eid=118">11x14 Collage Poster</a></div>
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We've been busy! I had fun putting together this collage of Vera's summer. For school the kids were asked to bring a picture of something fun they did over the summer. We couldn't narrow it down to one thing- so I made this. I know, it's a little over the top Pinterest-y but we did a lot of fun stuff.<br />
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What did you do this summer?Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09635099861687163766noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2660863632396609374.post-23346075443569471122015-05-22T21:20:00.002-04:002015-05-22T21:20:42.074-04:00Why I Left Facebook, and other social media thoughtsI am not complaining- not one bit. But life is busy. Really busy. The day to day of being a WAHM with an almost 4 year old, and a rapidly growing and <a href="http://bourgeoisbaby.com/" target="_blank">thriving business</a> makes time just whiz on by. The only reason I have a few minutes here is because I am <strike>patiently </strike> waiting for my husband to get done his project to come help me unroll and cut fabric. <br />
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One thing that I did in the last month was leave Facebook. My <a href="http://facebook.com/bourgeoisbabyllc" target="_blank">business page</a> is still up, but my personal page has been deleted. I thought about it for some time before doing it. I was posting less and less, and the things I was posting was not getting much interaction. Other's posts were either politically or racially polarizing, and what was the final straw was learning of my cousin's death via Facebook. I knew she was sick, she had been for years, but the experience was entirely impersonal reading FB updates. And I realized that had there hadn't been FB, I would never have known. Perhaps cutting those final ties were for the best. I decided those that wanted to keep in touch have plenty of other means to do so (for crying out loud, I feel like all my info is all over the internet. It isn't difficult to hunt me down). <br />
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The one thing that was a bit jarring at first was how it changed the relationship with my phone. Suddenly I had some free time. I wasn't feeling like I had to check my phone all the time. Granted, I moved on to<a href="https://instagram.com/bourgeoisbabyllc/" target="_blank"> Instagram</a>, but IG is so different. Instagram is fun! It's like mini blogging with pics. As far as using it for business- it's like a behind the scenes of what goes on- what the day to day is like for a small handcrafted business owned by a mom. I've connected to other WAHMs, crafters, lovers of the small business movement, and the ever popular cat accounts. Because the internet was started for cat videos and pics, after all! <br />
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I've been hearing that the golden age of blogs is over. I think that in many ways this is true. There are newer platforms for sharing thoughts and ideas. What do you think? Are you blogging less? Using different social media platforms these days?<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09635099861687163766noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2660863632396609374.post-78107574458484889952014-09-24T22:47:00.001-04:002014-09-24T22:47:47.250-04:00A Little Of This.......a little of that. This is what life has been feeling like lately. There seems to be a theme going on in my last few posts: busy. <br />
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I have been often saying to my husband, "How can anyone be bored?" We both wonder, as neither one of us seems to have enough time to do all the stuff we want and need to do. When I see idiots on Facebook with a status about their boredom, I so want to comment: "Only boring people become bored". But it would not be taken nicely.<br />
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There is the busy of the day to day. There is the busy of being a WAHM. There is the extra busy with a husband working 70 hours a week and a three year old who is growing and learning leaps and bounds.<br />
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And I can't complain. This is all good. I have to step back and take a breath and remind myself that busy is good. For us specifically it means growth. Bourgeois Baby is now in Whole Foods Market, and they have supported my desire to start up an organic line! I have my sights set on a few other well known retailers known for high end products and service, and once I get through the pre-holiday and holiday season this will be at the top of my list. I am significantly behind on a few things, but only because I set my own deadlines. I guess at this rate I could also say I am well ahead for next season?<br />
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I've been educating myself about the retail market from a business perspective and consumerism in our country. It's really an overwhelming disappointment in how our country is run by just a few very large retail corporations that have decimated small business and local economies. It fuels my drive to make Bourgeois Baby a successful local business. As an adult, you tell me something is near impossible, or that I can't do it- guess what? I'm going to show you otherwise. <br />
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A book worth checking out on the topic is by <a href="http://bigboxswindle.com/" target="_blank">Stacy Mitchell titled "Big Box Swindle</a>". And if you are going to get it, may I suggest your local library or independent bookstore? Read the book, and you will totally get why I say that.<br />
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Oh, and I opened an <a href="http://etsy.com/shop/bourgeoisbabyllc" target="_blank">Etsy shop</a>. I really need to add more of my products, but between time and currently contemplating a restructured selling platform, it remains fairly small.<br />
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And because I love to have a good laugh, here is some outtakes for my Whole Foods Market promo so you can have a laugh at my expense. You're welcome.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is what working with your husband looks like.</td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09635099861687163766noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2660863632396609374.post-83811881928106420982014-08-27T22:45:00.003-04:002014-08-27T22:45:56.056-04:00How To Make A Sewn TutuIt was not originally part of the business plan, but <a href="http://bourgeoisbaby.com/" target="_blank">Bourgeois Baby</a> has received many requests to carry girl's tutus. Initially I did a few hand tied tutus- simple and easy, but there was really nothing special about them that required much skill. So I began to play around with making a sewn tutu, and finally came up with a method that makes a fluffy tutu with an elastic waistband encased with costume satin. I find that these sewn tutus give a professional look and are easy to put on and take off. You can even add embellishments to the waistband like a bow or bling.<br />
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Here is a material list:<br />
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There were a few informational graphics that are handy to keep. Standard tutu sizing is here. You will notice that I mentioned in the video that I was making a newborn size tutu and cut the strips at 10 inches. That is just a habit of mine- cutting a 2 inches longer than the recommended standard length to allow for some error during ruffling and serging. You don't need to do that, as typically this also gives me tutus that are a bit longer than standard.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6VWvK97onZw1DhMTsBFDVDbex5xq-pKTIQPrnIrH12ZCA7WVXm_4Y5P3ky2LlGN1Hqv9DZLWFyQw4azQZ7ZfKpbqKZ_UneCGTAVH7BiG4Y9rpNUhce9ISQl4tiYObcKxByBpmlesALk0/s1600/BB+Standard+Tutu+sizes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6VWvK97onZw1DhMTsBFDVDbex5xq-pKTIQPrnIrH12ZCA7WVXm_4Y5P3ky2LlGN1Hqv9DZLWFyQw4azQZ7ZfKpbqKZ_UneCGTAVH7BiG4Y9rpNUhce9ISQl4tiYObcKxByBpmlesALk0/s1600/BB+Standard+Tutu+sizes.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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Ok. The Math! Really, don't be afraid of this. I came up with these calculations based on the average lengths I would consistently get during my test tutus. Your machine may differ, so I highly suggest that you adjust this based on what your machine gives you in terms of ruffles per inches. (And don't hesitate to contact me if you need help figuring this out.).<br />
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Would love to hear your feedback (this was my first video tutorial) and see your creations!</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09635099861687163766noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2660863632396609374.post-44605627796991127042014-08-04T21:38:00.000-04:002014-08-04T21:38:00.735-04:00My Little Movie StarI've been working on more videos for my company, and trying to market our more edgy products. I would say the most "racy" items is the Retro Tattoo print. I absolutely love it, and with vintage style tattoos being so popular it seemed like the right fit for our bibs, too.<br /><br />The video was shot in Nashua, NH at a local tattoo shop. Tattoo America has been in the southern NH region for ages, so it was a natural to want to shoot there. The beautiful actress happens to be my little Vera. She did such a great job. And she just loved "getting" tattooed!<br />
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You can check out the <a href="http://youtu.be/A-Z2C2ExplY?list=LLsdacMYFJNxzT0iEoTN5u7w" target="_blank">video here.</a><br /><br />What do you think?Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09635099861687163766noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2660863632396609374.post-85770235891734509772014-08-01T21:32:00.002-04:002014-08-01T21:32:52.515-04:00Where Does The Time Go?Time, as you get older, goes by so quickly. You blink and a month goes by. Age certainly gives a different perspective to time. I can vividly remember school years <em>dragging</em> by as a kid. Now, a week feels like half a day.<br /><br />And so, here is why it's been difficult to get to the blog. With Vera keeping me more busy than ever, and Bourgeois Baby growing faster than I imagined it would by this point (not complaining by any means!!) I get very little down time. My work hours are whenever Vera is in bed (typically by 7:30pm) til many nights 11pm. It is not enough time to keep up the pace. I do have a sitter who comes 2-3 days a week for a few hours, and Vera has been in camp for a few weeks this summer to give me more time. And yet- there still isn't enough. The only reason why I am writing tonight is because my car is packed up with <a href="http://bourgeoisbaby.com/" target="_blank">Bourgeois Baby</a> gear for the <a href="http://mommy-con.com/event/details/mommycon-boston/" target="_blank">Boston MommyCon</a> event. I figured I'd tinker since tomorrow is going to be a long day, and I could get to bed early.<br />
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On that note, I bid you goodnight.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09635099861687163766noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2660863632396609374.post-11155420123588431212014-03-12T20:28:00.001-04:002014-03-12T20:28:28.797-04:00Catching UpHa ha. Not really.<br />
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While I await some business files to come through, I figured I'd punch out a post. My first thought was to write a post about something that has been swirling in my head for some time- something I've come to of late call "The Mom Conspiracy"- but that would be so long and involved I can't get into it now. But I will write that post sometime, just not sure when.<br />
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Instead, I'm thinking of all the projects I want to get to, but I have come to not be able to sew or knit for myself or Vera or anyone else for that matter. In other words, all my crafting these days are strictly business related. This is by no means a complaint- it's great to be busy and getting ready for some large expos and sales campaigns for <a href="http://bourgeoisbaby.com/" target="_blank">Bourgeois Baby</a>. But I do miss doing something just for fun.<br />
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For myself, I bought a couple of patterns for winter wear. Hopefully I will get to them before next winter. The first is the pattern by <a href="http://butterick.mccall.com/b5909-products-46831.php?page_id=678" target="_blank">See & Sew B5909</a> in view B. Someone in a facebook sewing group I am in posted her pics of her finished product and it was just so lovely! It looks like a super easy pattern to whip out in an afternoon, but I have not found a fabric that I like for it. The suggestions are a fleece, boiled wool, or berber fleece. I haven't found one that I like. Wool would look nice but I am afraid it will make my neck itch.<br />
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The other pattern I have waiting is <a href="http://www.joann.com/simplicity-pattern-3568-misses-and-plus-size-top--pants-20w-28w/11101466.html" target="_blank">Simplicity 3568</a> in view C. I have a lightweight sweater knit fabric with a Nordic pattern with reindeer, snowflakes, etc. I like the cowl neck line, and the fabric I found on major markdown is very funky.<br />
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I also have an apron cut out waiting to be finished. The fabric is a lovely orange with blue fabrics. It's vaguely vintage looking.<br />
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I've also been working on tutu construction. There are so many tutorials out there, and so many ways to construct one and I have not found the way I like best. This started with getting ready for the <a href="http://www.jessicatorosianphotography.com/bb2014springproducts" target="_blank">Bourgeois Baby Photo Shoot</a>, in which I made 4 tutus in less than 24 hours. Now that I have some time I am playing around with it, I am trying to perfect the best way for me.<br />
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And here is a shameless pic of me at my fabulously new sewing machine. It's so awesome. And has so many features I've barely touched an quarter of what it can do.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxpiIDgH9QkU1obJLy1-pkSXeG8UkJEsfUtl0Y4yZHoIulSf6lm7Z63AU3ehTCj-dUjh_dwJYgFGyCWa80Cl8aNt89ovQDKLU4ujjJsxhal3ZNczBCKtM5Q-4Md_GMLRgKFkaYE4hDZa0/s1600/IMG_0050.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxpiIDgH9QkU1obJLy1-pkSXeG8UkJEsfUtl0Y4yZHoIulSf6lm7Z63AU3ehTCj-dUjh_dwJYgFGyCWa80Cl8aNt89ovQDKLU4ujjJsxhal3ZNczBCKtM5Q-4Md_GMLRgKFkaYE4hDZa0/s1600/IMG_0050.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Weeee!!!! Wielding so much sewing power!</td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09635099861687163766noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2660863632396609374.post-28340418985996022662013-12-28T21:46:00.001-05:002013-12-28T21:46:28.472-05:00Looking Ahead to 2014Like so many at this time of year, I am looking back on the year while simultaneously looking forward to the next one. I can certainly say 2013 was not a bad year at all, but of course I'd love for 2014 to be even better! I have a list of things to do over the next week or so and one of them I've been thinking most about is goals <a href="http://bourgeoisbaby.com/" target="_blank">for my business</a> for 2014. At this point, I only have one specific goal so far; a modest one of that. I plan to gain a wholesale account every month, as well as increase my general retail online presence. SEO is so complicated, and Google seems to change things up as soon as my rankings improve. This is also at the same time as <a href="http://facebook.com/bourgeoisbabyllc" target="_blank">Facebook</a> decreasing the organic views of business pages posts in hopes to push business to "boost" their ads for more views, which for a small business is tough. So obviously I need to come up with some more ways to increase online visibility. I do think that <a href="http://pinterest.com/bourgeoisbaby" target="_blank">Pinterest</a> is going to be the way to go in 2014, and now that I am improving my product pictures, it only makes sense to increase my business use of Pinterest. The picture with this post is my latest edit. I think I will have to re-photograph my products (ugh....) to finalize this current edit to get the lighting very even, but I think this current version is the way to go.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1-Jd65wR0C6xGJbtJcEvDDQGx79BwMuonVO0EbReNHv1yS8a-VG5MCOO4CoTWJeuQP7twKrq4raUsgOK1rSpCYRoZxRlIamdN3okOrTmEX-xT649iMAW2OmMZ53dcKvjydGVC6jXtT-I/s1600/C92F23A6-702E-11E3-AAE2-D4AEB116C62C.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1-Jd65wR0C6xGJbtJcEvDDQGx79BwMuonVO0EbReNHv1yS8a-VG5MCOO4CoTWJeuQP7twKrq4raUsgOK1rSpCYRoZxRlIamdN3okOrTmEX-xT649iMAW2OmMZ53dcKvjydGVC6jXtT-I/s1600/C92F23A6-702E-11E3-AAE2-D4AEB116C62C.jpg" height="363" title="American Moose Triple Layer Bib at Bourgeois Baby" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Latest edit of my American Moose New Baby Bib at Bourgeois Baby. You can find it via my website link above or to the right.</td></tr>
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On a personal note, I don't typically do the traditional resolutions. But I do aim for more positive actions that are realistic to my day to day life. For instance, I hope to read more. I love reading, have always loved reading, so much that it was my source of calming anxiety when I was dealing with a troublesome husband and struggling with postpartum depression. But as those things improved (thankfully), I let the reading every night for a minimum of 30 minutes before bed slip. Combine that with night time being my only work time now that Vera doesn't nap anymore (I still am not over this transition- it sucks!!), and I think I may have read 2 books this whole year. Before, I was 2 books a month! I have so many excellent books on my shelf, not to mention a growing list on my notes app on my phone, that I need to pick it up quickly.<br />
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Is there anything special you are doing?Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09635099861687163766noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2660863632396609374.post-75913164247031036112013-12-09T21:31:00.001-05:002013-12-09T21:31:32.392-05:00Well, I'm Wrong! (Something my husband doesn't hear often)My last post went on and on about license character infringement and how it relates to the handcrafted small business person. If you haven't read it, <a href="http://thebourgeoismom.blogspot.com/2013/11/license-infringement.html" target="_blank">go and do that now</a>.<br />
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This past weekend I was doing a local event with <a href="http://bourgeoisbaby.com/" target="_blank">Bourgeois Baby</a> and had the pleasure of meeting Stacey of <a href="http://www.threemonkeysclothdiapers.com/" target="_blank">Three Monkeys Cloth Diapers</a> (check out her stuff....SO CUTE!) and we chatted about licensed character products. Her understanding of using licensed characters in clothing, cloth diapers, etc, was completely different than mine. She said that so long as you don't name the product the licensed name, then you are fine. I really wasn't buying it, although I had seen items on Etsy like "Cat in the Hat Inspired Shirt" or whatever. I needed to research this more myself.<br />
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Tonight I was digging around the internet and found<a href="http://www.tabberone.com/Trademarks/CopyrightLaw/LicensedFabric.shtml" target="_blank"> this page about the use of licensed fabric</a>. So it seems that it is totally fine to sell items made from licensed fabric. I found the Tabberone website every interesting on various topics, and got a chuckle of their comments on the Uninformed Mavens of Etsy.<br />
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And I will say it again- I was wrong. At least as far as it goes with fabrics. As much as I like Hello Kitty, don't expect her to show up on my business website. But it does open up possibilities for other things in the future.<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09635099861687163766noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2660863632396609374.post-23463711282997613352013-11-26T22:07:00.000-05:002013-12-09T21:32:26.719-05:00License InfringementBecause I had been on Etsy (with an entirely different product than what I do with <a href="http://bourgeoisbaby.com/" target="_blank">Bourgeois Baby</a>) years ago- shortly after Etsy was just initially gaining some momentum on the internet- I had been very aware of a lot of the no-no's small handcraft businesses were doing. These things, for whatever reason, stuck with me- not because I was doing them- but because I was surprised other people were.<br />
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A huge legal no-no is selling product using licensed images or characters by other companies. And you see it all the time. It drives me bat shit crazy, actually, for several reasons. But before I go on, what is considered licensed images or characters? Think Disney characters (from the originals all the way to movie characters in Pixar films), Sanrio's Hello Kitty, Thomas and Friends, etc. Large corporations own the sole rights to these characters and do sell certain rights for other manufacturers to make merchandise, they do legally pursue companies who use these characters without permission. And I can tell you that virtually no small handcrafted business can afford the licensing fees. Many of these small handcrafters buy their materials retail, which does mean they can buy things with these images legally- but for personal use only. Making another product with these licensed images and then selling them for a profit is illegal. And these companies have come down on small business people on Etsy and the like.<br />
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Here's a very common example I often see: A small business owner makes little girls hair accessories. A big seller are the Hello Kitty hair bows and barrettes. And of course they sell well! Hello Kitty is very popular, the ribbon with her image is readily available almost anywhere you can buy ribbon, and the person making them shops at her local chain craft store. Each bow may cost her less than a dollar in ribbon, and factoring in labor, etc, she charges around $5 per hair bow or clip. No biggie, right?<br />
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Ya, it is to Sanrio! I'd imagine that all they need to do is have their legal team write up an official cease and desist letter- but they could potentially sue for license infringement and fees on sold products to date. This will crush a small business.<br />
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So- besides the fact that this is a no-no for the reasons states above- I have problems with it beyond that. Here are those reasons:<br />
<ul>
<li>It makes other handcrafted businesses look cheesy when, in fact, there is nothing cheesy or cheap about handcrafted products. Handcrafted products are a labor of love. Detail and care was put into EACH item made. For instance, every fabric layer, every stitch, every label....you name the part of any of my products- has been painstakingly cut, sewn, pressed, packaged, etc by my own hands. Other than a sewing machine- there is human touch and work put into every piece. I take huge pride in this, and when I see handcrafted using materials that are not legit to resell- it is so irritating!</li>
<li>It makes handcrafted business owners look uneducated. When you started a small business, didn't you do research first? Did you look up laws pertaining your items, read different forums to get an idea of your market? I am always surprised to see that some people do next to nothing to set up selling their wares and think that is all there is to it. I did months of research, learning all sorts of retail and wholesale aspects of small business, not to mention as much legal stuff I could get my hands on. Why would I put all the blood, sweat, and tears into this endeavor to have it threatened by some legal snafu?</li>
<li>It provides no individual creativity. When I think of handcrafted- no matter the type of product- I think of some type of creative angle to it. Coming up with products using someone else's (or company's) image or character really isn't that difficult.</li>
<li>It may hurt your competitors. Now, when anyone (including myself) starts a business of any kind- we want to be the best. We want to be THE place for the widget or whatever it is you sell. Of course, other people sell widgets, too, and we want to outsell them. That is business in a capitalist society, after all. But I do think handcrafted is special. The market we sell to is much smaller than traditional retail. However, there is a place for all of us. I really do believe that. Handcrafted often has something different to offer. But when the business next to you is selling similar items but with these very popular images- what do people go to? They go to the familiar. And buying the illegal, licensed product hurts the handcrafted business who has the very cute hair bow with a kitty image that is not Hello Kitty. And when the familiar licensed image is sold as "handcrafted", the real handcrafted original item gets the shaft. These businesses may think they are helping the handcrafted movement because they are moving product made by them with illegal images and therefore getting handcrafted into more people's hands, they are really doing a disservice to handcrafted business in general.</li>
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I recently exhibited at the Boston Christmas Festival. I loved it. It was busy, but I got to meet lots of talented artisans and handcrafters. Bourgeois Baby products had made their way into more markets than the southern NH area (even Germany and Iceland!!). It was my first year there, and as part of the application process, I had to prove my worthiness to be in their show. So it was disheartening to me to see these types of products in some of the booths.<br />
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Of course, I don't go telling the people who sell these items all of this. I don't feel it would be proper etiquette of me to introduce myself, my business, and then follow it up with "By the way, you know that selling these Hello Kitty hair bows are illegal, right?" Perhaps they really don't know....but I also don't want to make any business enemies. <br />
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I guess this is why blogs are a good thing- I can just vent it all out here. And as far as my Hello Kitty example- I am just using that one as it seems to be the easiest to make the point. I am not writing this post with any specific business or person in mind- there are so many of them out there I don't actually remember any by name.<br />
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And on that note- /vent. Much happier to have gotten that out!<br />
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For an update on this post, <a href="http://thebourgeoismom.blogspot.com/2013/12/well-im-wrong-something-my-husband.html" target="_blank">go here</a>. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09635099861687163766noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2660863632396609374.post-19811448866545185432013-10-26T20:19:00.001-04:002013-10-26T20:19:50.598-04:00Well, Efff Me Today. And *Thank You.I'm not even sure that I have a theme for topic for this post other than I am just typing to vent. Today was a shitty day, and although many of my days are frustrating (hello, 2 year old!), most of them do not leave me wanting to cry.<br />
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Today I had plans to teach a knitting class. I've taught others to knit before, and as a little side money I decided to teach a few Saturdays before the holidays. It would be some extra cash for Christmas presents for Vera as I prefer not to use our credit cards. So I was very excited that 6 people signed up! Wahoo!<br />
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My class design is meant for the ultimate beginner. I even provide the supplies. Prior to the class I purchased the supplies for 6 people (with the thought that maybe 1 or 2 might no show, but I could just return the stuff), then went to the classroom to set up.<br />
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Start time begins, and no one is there. Ok, fine, people these days tend to find it acceptable to be a few minutes late (I don't, but I have noticed this trend).<br />
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Fifteen minutes go by. Still, not a soul. Now I know that even if someone shows up that it will be an abbreviated class because my parents are watching Vera and they both showed up very cranky for different reasons. It was made pretty clear that having to take several hours out of their afternoon was bothersome. I felt pressured to make sure I got home quickly.<br />
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So about 30 minutes has passed and I admit defeat. I pack everything up and head out to return all the supplies. Which, mind you, takes an entire 30 minutes in itself because the computer system at the store was not recognizing a few items and therefore not giving the proper return amount.<br />
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WTF.<br />
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I walked out really wanting to cry. Really. This isn't a feeling that I feel often, I'm not a big crier at all, actually, but this really was like a punch to the gut. Perhaps I was being sensitive to this massive no-show to my class as in the last few weeks I've also been feeling worn out in my ability to mother an independent toddler who listens to no one and finds it hilarious to give her mother the hardest time about everything.<br />
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Actually, there are days I feel abused by my own child. I hate to say that, as it seems so dramatic, but I'm drained and defeated and not sure what the right move is in parenting a little girl who has such a strong personality. <br />
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And then, after dinner Vera asked to have her milk time. This is a bedtime routine we have- something that we never broke from infancy basically because I didn't want to. We sit together in a special rocking chair and read books together as she drinks some milk. We cuddle and now that the weather is cool we snuggle under a blanket together. It's a wonderful time, maybe more so for me because it is the one time of day she is fairly calm, quiet, and seemingly appreciative of the love I give her. <br />
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Tonight, we start this early. But she requested, and how can I say no to this? Once her milk is poured, she immediately starts yelling at me to pick her up, although for reasons I can't quite remember outside of having had things to put away, etc, and I don't pick her up right away. She nearly has a fit, flopping herself on the floor over me not picking her up RIGHT THEN. This is coming from the same girl who not long before came up to my supper plate and tossed all my food off onto the floor and continued to smoosh all the food as quickly as she could when I was attempting to correct her. This is the same girl who, when sternly told NO to something while I was cooking, hit me. And the same girl who came and ripped a magazine out of my hands and proceeded to rip out the pages not long before that.<br />
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But I don't pick her up right away. I do the things I need to do. It take 20 seconds, if that. She is still yelling, "Nooooo!" until the second I say, "Okay, now you can come up to Mom". And Vera comes up into my lap, and faces me. She rests her head down, places her arm around me. She hugs me. We stayed that for a few minutes. Both of us instantly calm and we cuddle. It was the bright spot of my day. She finished her milk and asks to brush her teeth and go "na-nights".<br />
<br />
Of course, getting her into pajamas was another shit show, but I guess I can't expect miracles.<br />
<br />
And as far as the 6 students who no showed me, you can shove it. That is the nicest way I can put it to a bunch of people who feel their time is more important than mine.<br />
<br />
*Sarcasm.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09635099861687163766noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2660863632396609374.post-89321177072395420992013-10-18T21:18:00.002-04:002013-10-18T21:18:53.103-04:00IntermissionWhy, yes, I have no spare time on my hands. I really don't. You wouldn't know it, but I don't. I am prepping for a big expo that is just in 3 weeks, and tonight I decided to mess around on the computer.<br />
<br />
Enjoy.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqmpCk41uLPyktHdpdfxicoHeb6jZXA0CEDMHD6klyPrlZ_c-KAjcv3w8vAbNzdKZxyQr23NLmfEgQmLMumMtS7ptXYKcRtXrigU-CMbvBUbABj9qS8RD70Bx5Znkw35i6-guLJsXr8oE/s1600/untitled+(182).png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqmpCk41uLPyktHdpdfxicoHeb6jZXA0CEDMHD6klyPrlZ_c-KAjcv3w8vAbNzdKZxyQr23NLmfEgQmLMumMtS7ptXYKcRtXrigU-CMbvBUbABj9qS8RD70Bx5Znkw35i6-guLJsXr8oE/s1600/untitled+(182).png" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09635099861687163766noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2660863632396609374.post-13069422489305775812013-10-01T14:05:00.004-04:002013-10-01T14:05:51.375-04:00Pin Test: Print On Fabric With Your Home PrinterI was so pleased that this little trick actually worked without a hitch! <br />
<br />
For several months I've noticed a few different pins on <a href="http://pinterest.com/jamiejeanb" target="_blank">Pinterest</a> that link to tutorials on printing on fabric with your home printer. At first I just passed over these, thinking how is this possible, but with a few very large expositions that Bourgeois Baby will be at this fall and winter I have been busy making infinity scarves as a booth attraction. The problem is that they need labels, as per FTC regulation, and my label company requires a fairly large minimum. These scarves are solely a booth attraction item, and not something that I plan on carrying via the<a href="http://www.bourgeoisbaby.com/" target="_blank"> BB website</a> (unless there is a big draw to them) so I don't plan on making a lot. Therefore, I don't want to invest a lot in tags.<br />
<br />
Enter the print on fabric idea. I scoured Pinterest and read through a few tutorials. They are all pretty simple. Choose a fabric, attach it to a thick paper, run it through the printer.<br />
<br />
And yes, it really was that simple!!<br />
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Here is a picture of my first run through of labels for my infinity scarves:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPeESaupUMiYuO1cn8YSAC0IFlzywjaTCLmHhrAljnmT5kDGrw9pyfM935Ky9G4ilWiBTvKuiKoVl8lR94CV0Wlv2LFWfOp2ajQLeTBAG2K3u2TLoZwyXna8AS4x_NMwgnrH9ixT-ytwo/s1600/IMG_2204.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPeESaupUMiYuO1cn8YSAC0IFlzywjaTCLmHhrAljnmT5kDGrw9pyfM935Ky9G4ilWiBTvKuiKoVl8lR94CV0Wlv2LFWfOp2ajQLeTBAG2K3u2TLoZwyXna8AS4x_NMwgnrH9ixT-ytwo/s1600/IMG_2204.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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Here is EXACTLY what I used:<br />
-One sheet cardstock (67lb weight)<br />
-Quilt basting spray<br />
-Basic cotton woven fabric in white<br />
-Home printer with black ink (I have a HP Photosmart 5520)<br />
<br />
Here is what I did:<br />
-First, I sprayed the cardstock generously with the basting spray.<br />
-Second, I laid the cotton fabric over the cardstock, and smoothed it as best as possible.<br />
-Third, trimmed the fabric to be flush with the cardstock. I let it dry (not long at all- maybe 15 minutes to be safe)<br />
-Last- ran it through my printer as I would any other paper!<br />
<br />
And, it came out perfectly! The ink is printed crisply onto the fabric. Then I cut them to size, using pinking sheers to help them from fraying, and easily sewed them to my scarves. Here you will see that I also did a sheet of these on a tea colored cotton muslin, which I actually like better than the white cotton woven.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7GrwjXZTwpob5sn6VWhH8OxXIRbwO-5vxHbGru9_9gkW3Qdnw2Ujfdzf5cbdkFJ6LEQweTu8unAoWFPwDwBSBluHCMMA6VtzI8veZsSXYwl_32zkU_ZoexXr6yq1uvk4WoxYkg3znZ6g/s1600/IMG_2216.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7GrwjXZTwpob5sn6VWhH8OxXIRbwO-5vxHbGru9_9gkW3Qdnw2Ujfdzf5cbdkFJ6LEQweTu8unAoWFPwDwBSBluHCMMA6VtzI8veZsSXYwl_32zkU_ZoexXr6yq1uvk4WoxYkg3znZ6g/s1600/IMG_2216.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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<br />
Here are some tips that I came across, as well as some concerns that I read others had about this method:<br />
<br />
-Black printer ink works very well for long term application. Color printer inks seem to fade with washing.<br />
-One way of increasing the life of these tags, soak the finished product in white vinegar and let dry.<br />
-There are products to help in printing on fabric, including a fabric prep solution called <a href="http://www.dharmatrading.com/transfers/bubble-jet-set-2000-and-bubble-jet-set-rinse.html" target="_blank">Bubble Jet Set.</a> I haven't used it, but if you are really worried that your printed fabric will fade or wash out completely then this might be worth a try. I would imagine it might be worth using if you plan on printing something like a picture or a monogram that would be the centerpiece of your project.<br />
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Of all the things I've tried on Pinterest, this by far was the easiest! And what a money saver! Is this something you've tried? What did you print?Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09635099861687163766noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2660863632396609374.post-21915441178320104182013-09-28T21:12:00.001-04:002013-09-28T21:12:35.661-04:00I Am a Selfish, Money-Sucking NICU Mom. A Reply to the commenters of Radiolab's 23 weeks, 6 days.Listen to this podcast:<br />
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<iframe frameborder="0" height="54" scrolling="no" src="//www.radiolab.org/widgets/ondemand_player/#file=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.radiolab.org%2Faudio%2Fxspf%2F288733%2F;containerClass=radiolab" width="474"></iframe><br />
Wow. Wow.<br />
<br />
I was in the car when I first caught this. I listen to <a href="http://www.radiolab.org/" target="_blank">Radiolab</a> fairly often, but because I was out and about while this was airing, I had to go back and listen to what I missed. A very moving story.
And then I went and read the comments to this podcast, and well...I guess I shouldn't be surprised at the vitriol. The politicization of prematurity. The insertion of the abortion debate (WTF??). The viewpoint of selfishness on the part of the parents.<br />
<br />
You know what I say to that? You. Have. No. Fucking. Clue.
<br />
<br />
Yes, premature birth and subsequent NICU care is expensive. The ongoing care beyond the NICU can also be quite expensive, especially for the infants who have disability due to their prematurity. But I venture to guess it probably is no more expensive than an adult with chronic illness like diabetes- or even worse- a progressive neurological disease that will ultimately kill you like ALS or Parkinson's. I've never come across an argument that we should not care for those adults because of the cost. It would seem inhumane, frankly, to say that those people should just be left "out of the system" to fend for themselves and their disability.
<br />
<br />
Many premature infants are not expected to be premature. <a href="http://www.marchofdimes.com/peristats/Peristats.aspx" target="_blank"> About 50% of premature births are of unknown reasons.</a> Vera's birth falls into that category.<a href="http://thebourgeoismom.blogspot.com/2013/07/another-birth-story.html" target="_blank"> My water broke, I went into labor, she was born hours later at 31 weeks</a>. There was nothing I did because I was selfish that led to this. There was nothing I could do to prevent it, at least at this point in medical history. <br />
<br />
As far as criticizing the parents in the podcast of what they did for their baby and how they read the baby's responses...well, go look above. <br />
<br />
When you have an infant in the NICU, you are helpless. All of the things you would normally be doing if you were a new parent of a full term infant is not happening for you. And so you adapt by doing what you can- which is cuddling (kangaroo care), pumping your milk, and providing whatever comfort you can. Because of the premature neurological system these babies have, continuous holding, talking, and doing what you would normally do for a full term infant are not "allowed" because it can actually cause them stress.<br />
<br />
So- what I did frequently when I was allowed to hold or touch Vera was either tuck her into my cleavage but unable to pat or stroke or rub her as your instinct as a comforting mom would typically do, or I would stand leaning against her heat and humidity controlled incubator with my hands through the port holes while placing one hand firmly on her head and the other cupping her butt. Applying gentle pressure. Because that was all her body could handle. I also spent more time "cuddling" up with a hospital grade breast pump. Again, because many times that was all I could do to be a useful mom. Reading or singing quietly was often done in the NICU by parents. I never did, as I just talked to her about day to day stuff.<br />
<br />
And even though we couldn't do all the things we wished for in a normal newborn, Vera did respond to us as her parents. When Mark did Kangaroo care with her, her heart rate slowed. When she kangaroo'ed with me, she never had dips in her oxygen levels. When we talked and she was awake, she would follow the voice and look up at us. She didn't do this with the nurses or even other family.<br />
<br />
I would have done anything I could have to prevented this so she would not have suffered (and yes, I do think she suffered as she did endure painful procedures and care to keep her alive). As far as selfish- I think the notion of wanting to be a parent is the furthest from being selfish. Being a parent, no matter when the child is born or how conceived is not a selfish job. There is NOTHING selfish in what I do everyday as a mom. If calling wanting to put a person in this world that will be raised surround by love and kindness in their family, and allowing them to become an independent, intelligent, creative, kind human being is selfish...well then, sure. I was selfish.<br />
<br />
Before Vera's birth, I knew the NICU was not an easy place. As a nurse, I had cared for many NICU parents of varying gestational ages. I knew that they were on a rough road. I knew that the care their infant(s) were receiving was expensive. I knew that they may be facing a long, tough path of disability for as long as they all lived. I also realized that there is a wide gray line between viability and non-viability, which medical science keeps pushing. In hindsight, I can say that my thoughts on it were just matter of fact, not any true empathy because I just didn't truly get it. Becoming a mom has really taught me that you just don't know what it is like to walk in anyone else's shoes unless you've experienced it yourself firsthand.<br />
<br />
May all those who feel preemies, especially those near that gray line, are left to suffer because their parents are selfish and a financial drain on the system NEVER have to experience a NICU first hand. I don't think they would be able to walk in with their generalizations worn proudly on their sleeves if they were staring down at their fragile newborn.<br />
<br />
So go ahead and call me a selfish, money-sucking NICU mom. It was worth it. And should some of my health care expenses go up because there are preemies out there that need medical care, then so be it. Even disabled, those children have something to contribute.<br />
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<br />
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09635099861687163766noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2660863632396609374.post-15143608233582742572013-09-19T21:31:00.001-04:002013-09-19T21:31:24.999-04:00NICU Nurses: Don't Say ThisWhen Vera was born, many of her nurses were "old timers". They had been in neonatal care since it's inception. They watched viability age decrease over the years. They worked shift by shift where technology kept growing and helping premature and very sick infants survive at greater rates. That must be an awesome thing to reflect upon in a career.<br />
<br />
But, please, NICU nurses, please don't tell a mom of a new preemie baby that when you started your career that her baby would not have survived when you started in the field. Don't say, "We would just provide comfort measures for a baby of this gestation age." Don't reflect that it was awful watching a 31 weeker back in the day struggle with breathing in his or her few hours of life, or if they managed to survive the respiratory distress syndrome how disabled they'd be.<br />
<br />
None of that is helpful to the mom who is looking at her 31 week newborn, hooked up to CPAP to survive, swollen, jaundiced, and getting poked with multiple needles and heel sticks. She doesn't know how her own infant will do, what long standing effects they will be faced with, or whether her infant will come out healthy and unscathed from such a traumatic event. To know that her infant would have been left to die in another time of your career is fucking awful.<br />
<br />
Let me repeat: It's fucking awful.<br />
<br />
Because when it was said to me, I stewed over this for days, with the worst kind of scenario going on in my head, visualizing my little baby struggle for breath and dying. Because what I was seeing in the present was an infant struggling to breathe despite having all the high tech help possible. How could it possibly be any worse? Those words just make it seem that whatever I might be feeling now, it is not worthy of my present day fear. Because, you know, it could be worse. And really, I couldn't handle worse.<br />
<br />
And, if you want to know how much these sorts of things could effect the mom of a premature infant? Vera is now a healthy, thriving 2 year old. I'm still bothered by those words.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09635099861687163766noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2660863632396609374.post-54332179620805784462013-09-13T07:00:00.000-04:002013-09-13T07:00:11.321-04:00Blogtember: Self PortraitToday's Blogtember topic: <strong>Post a self portrait.</strong><br />
<strong></strong><br />
Here you go!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrC6n1D5RWtoFSueTMcDhdMSO7CgHD2pK-pbjs-kUWlXcp0HDxCkDggsaTUBsmosh-zEdmYjwAjeVgJTUwVT1tjiuxbZLGeIiKgNG1g6YSuqJIWs_lK1zRRyY6CAV5Nn_FOlu-N-ZRgbo/s1600/untitled+(102).png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrC6n1D5RWtoFSueTMcDhdMSO7CgHD2pK-pbjs-kUWlXcp0HDxCkDggsaTUBsmosh-zEdmYjwAjeVgJTUwVT1tjiuxbZLGeIiKgNG1g6YSuqJIWs_lK1zRRyY6CAV5Nn_FOlu-N-ZRgbo/s1600/untitled+(102).png" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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It's been three months since I shaved my head. My hair now show's its natural curl.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09635099861687163766noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2660863632396609374.post-35618136963989826752013-09-12T08:30:00.000-04:002013-09-12T08:30:00.709-04:00Blogtember: How Social Media and Blogging Has Changed My LifeIt has sucked more time away from my days. Ha ha. Seriously. I say this tongue in cheek, but it really has.<br />
<br />
For one, here I am blogging instead of working. At night, instead of reading every night, I am scrolling through Pinterest, Facebook, and Twitter. I'm reading blogs that I follow, and finding new ones.<br />
<br />
So I can't say it's changed for the better.<br />
<br />
But what it has changed in a good way is being able to connect with people I would never had the opportunity to otherwise. There are so many nurses, midwives, moms, birth advocates, craft people, sewists, the list goes on and on....that I can learn from and communicate with!<br />
<br />
It's also framed how my <a href="http://bourgeoisbaby.com/" target="_blank">business</a> is marketed. The majority of the marketing I do is via social media, which ultimately leads to word of mouth (or word of screens, clicks, and pins!). Traditional advertising just doesn't work for my type of clientele, as 100% of them are connected online. Social media and blogging has certainly made for competitive marketing for me, as I think every online business (or any business, really) wants that one viral pin on <a href="http://pinterest.com/bourgeoisbaby" target="_blank">pinterest</a>, or video on You Tube to help boost their profits. So I certainly have changed in regards to that, which brings me to my very first sentence above.<br />
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It sucks my time away from me!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09635099861687163766noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2660863632396609374.post-56979474293382607912013-09-11T14:39:00.000-04:002013-09-11T14:39:22.175-04:00Pin Test: Peasant BreadI love a good hearty, home baked bread. I have never made a homemade bread, thinking that it would be super difficult. But then I realized that this notion was inherited from my mother, who is a self proclaims "I'm no Betty Crocker" and finds making cookies from premade dough difficult and time consuming, and so she was likely pretty off on this one, too.<br />
<br />
Scouring my cook books and Pinterest, I came across a simple recipe for a <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/321937073332547678/" target="_blank">Peasant Bread</a>. I had all of the ingredients, and the afternoon to allow for good dough rise so I gave it a go.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivsaj_XS6c3N4yPO8UqD2m4fYfI1SQjY-AXPUl50ruBpZXlSF8xPkbxkJFD5ZvB3Amj6qopFg6zD7wsi0onv1W_KxK3Z7I_gwKg-HH3OvSJ_Bt5WdMa6RpFVQDa0k3UwS3MlSzO17KQxo/s1600/IMG_2105.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivsaj_XS6c3N4yPO8UqD2m4fYfI1SQjY-AXPUl50ruBpZXlSF8xPkbxkJFD5ZvB3Amj6qopFg6zD7wsi0onv1W_KxK3Z7I_gwKg-HH3OvSJ_Bt5WdMa6RpFVQDa0k3UwS3MlSzO17KQxo/s1600/IMG_2105.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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So, the only down side to any of this was the actual web post this came from: it is way too long! Too much commentary to skim through to get to the actual steps of putting this together. Now, I realize that people who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones, but really, I would have liked the commentary below all of the ingredients and directions. I do read everything, but I would have liked to have what I needed to know immediately up front, then all the nice to know things after.<br />
<br />
<strong>What I did differently</strong> (because I hate being told there is only one way to do things):<br />
- Original recipe calls for unbleached flour. The first time I did this I only had bleached on hand. As it turned out, I found that version tastier than the unbleached.<br />
- The original recipe makes a VERY LARGE loaf, or two loaves, so if you don't want to have a lot of bread or any leftovers, half the recipe.<br />
- I greased my pyrex bowl with olive oil and cracked black pepper for a little extra flavor. Turns out awesome, except the top part of the bread stuck to the bowl and needed to be scrapped out. If you are going for presentation, I suggest you stick with using butter as the <a href="http://www.alexandracooks.com/2012/11/07/my-mothers-peasant-bread-the-best-easiest-bread-you-will-ever-make/" target="_blank">original recipe</a> states.<br />
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<strong>My thoughts on this Pin</strong>:<br />
My husband ate his toasted with butter, me dipped in herb flavored olive oil, and my daughter ripped straight from the loaf. It really is the easiest bread to make with out kneading or special mixers, etc. It's a keeper!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09635099861687163766noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2660863632396609374.post-88465396271586271312013-09-10T07:30:00.000-04:002013-09-10T07:30:01.366-04:00Blogtember: Moment When Life Took A TurnI purposely skipped yesterday, as it involved taking a personality quiz. I'm not into taking quizzes about myself, as I find them generic and rigid, when people are fluid and ever-changing.<br />
<br />
<strong>So today's post: Describe a distinct moment when your life took a turn.</strong><br />
<strong></strong><br />
Without a doubt, it was <a href="http://thebourgeoismom.blogspot.com/2013/07/another-birth-story.html" target="_blank">Vera's birth</a>. Becoming a mother. It really does change everything, and in more ways than you could ever fathom. I am sure that the fact that your life changes once you become a mother is not news; everyone hears this at least several times when you are pregnant. However, despite hearing this, I <em>didn't really know</em> what it meant until she came into my world.<br />
<br />
And I'm not talking about the day to day changes with mothering. Waking early, having to plan regular meals, having to make appointments and plans around naps. Sure, those change things from pre-motherhood life. What I am talking about is what changes within your head that changes you as a person.<br />
<br />
For me, it was caring for myself in a way that I never had before. I actually began thinking, "I can not die for many years to come- Vera needs me like no other". This might sound crazy, but I really felt that I was important in someone's life enough that it might mess them up irrevocably so I better make sure I stay alive and healthy for another 30+ years. At least! I'd never really cared much before.<br />
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It also changed what I felt was important in my life. Having a high level of education? A respected career? Making good money? Who cares.... those things drained me and hacked down my self esteem and I realized that continuing down the path I was on before would not allow me to be the best mother I could be. And I don't miss any part of my previous career. (Well, the money was good, and I'd plan to make that kind of money again, but it's not important enough now to keep on this new path). Instead, I decided to go for a dream of using my creativity and craftiness as well as <a href="http://bourgeoisbaby.com/" target="_blank">be my own boss.</a> And I love it!<br />
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And lastly, what others might think of me? The little bit I might have cared about before has completely gone. And even more importantly, I have come to accept that I am who I am, and if that means being a fat lady with a super short hair cut because damn it, it is so freeing! So be it! For proof, you can see this <a href="http://thebourgeoismom.blogspot.com/2013/06/so-this-fat-lady-walks-into-bar.html" target="_blank">naked pic</a> of me here. Ya, really.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09635099861687163766noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2660863632396609374.post-8020515824250497722013-09-06T07:00:00.000-04:002013-09-06T07:00:03.456-04:00Blogtember Resumes; Fear<strong><a href="http://storyofmylifetheblog.blogspot.com/2013/08/blogtember-september-blog-challenge.html" target="_blank">Today's topic</a>: A story about a time you were very afraid.</strong><br />
<strong></strong><br />
Hmmmm.....<br />
<br />
Well....here is one, where the time I was actually afraid in the pure sense of "afraid" only lasted about five minutes, but none the less, I was afraid.<br />
<br />
Shortly after my daughter was born, my husband lost his shit. Like totally snapped, began doing things that most sane people would be like, "What in the freaking world is going on in his head?". This went on for well over a year.<br />
<br />
There is a lot of crap that contributed to his behavior, but ultimately he was making some very bad choices. He held a lot of anger towards the circumstances around Vera's birth. He never planned on having children, although had always told me that he would (as I wanted to have them). And we had struggled in our marriage at one point on whether we would move forward together because I was pushing for children NOW and he was finding every reason not to.<br />
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Ultimately, we moved forward in having children. <a href="http://thebourgeoismom.blogspot.com/2013/07/another-birth-story.html" target="_blank">Enter Vera</a>. Her fragile status at birth, the unpredictable course that was ahead of us as parents, and his deep rooted fears of being a father had culminated into chaos for him. So he began drinking, doing drugs (narcotics, benzodiapines, and bath salts), and generally behaving like a slovenly fool. Mind you, none of this was out in the open, and what was presented was just this absolute asshole who never went to bed, never interacted with his family, and at times disappeared overnight. Or passed out in his car and pissed his pants. Or something along these lines. Despite this, he did manage to go to work every day.<br />
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When Vera was about 4 months old, it became obvious exactly what he was up to. At the same time I was struggling with severe postpartum depression and anxiety (without knowing it, but my mom certainly knew) and was barely able to take care of Vera and myself on a day to day basis. My mom could see things were not right, and like the wonderful mom she is (despite her outer hard shell), swooped in and helped me.<br />
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Over the course of a few weeks I did end up seeking help with my own postpartum depression and anxiety, and started to be able to see things more clearly. I knew that things would not be able to move forward with my husband if he didn't get his act together. But in the meantime I was doing the best I could for my daughter and I.<br />
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One of those things was making sure we got plenty of good night time sleep. We both have white noise machines, and slept with the doors closed. This was because my husband would come home (or inside from the garage) at god-awful hours of the night and decide to play with the dog. It was noisy.<br />
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My tricks of keeping out the noise worked really well. So well, in fact, that one night early that winter I hadn't heard my phone ringing for the previous 30 minutes. And I didn't hear the banging on my front door for the first 10 minutes. For the next 5 minutes of being awake and listening to the banging on the front door (oh, did I mention that this was at 2 AM?) and getting myself in quite a tizzy of anger at my husband because I couldn't believe that he would have the gall to bang on our front door at this time. He knew, after my many threats of "If you dare wake up the baby" speeches, that if he forgot his house key he was shit out of luck and would have to sleep in the car, that he'd be messing with a very angry woman. And previously, he knew I wasn't kidding and HAD slept in the car on those nights he forgot his keys.<br />
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So as I laid in bed listening to the banging getting louder and louder, I think steam started coming out of my ears. And then I decided I better go down and let him in before Vera did wake.<br />
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I got to the top of the stairs and angrily stomped down a few stairs before I noticed out the porthole window in the stairwell that there was a police car in front of my house. My heart stopped. I couldn't take a breath.<br />
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This is it, I thought. He's dead. He either killed himself willingly or accidentally, but he's dead. With his current behavior, it was the only logical explanation of why the police were at my house in the middle of the night. I was so afraid of opening that door. <br />
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And as this fear came fully awake within my head, I realized my phone was ringing nonstop as well. I made it to the bottom of the stairs and cracked open the front door. I was only in a tank top and my underwear, so I told the cop that I needed my robe. I'd be right back. But I let him in.<br />
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When I wobbled back down stairs, because at this point I was shaking quite a bit, wondering how was I going to hear how my husband had died, and should I call my mother now or wait until I knew she'd be awake?<br />
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I sat down before the cop started talking. I was taking deep, gulping breaths, bracing myself for the news.<br />
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"It's about your husband," the cop said. He was young. Maybe 10 years younger than me. I remember thinking he seemed composed for such a young cop about to deliver terrible news.<br />
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I looked up at him, and he continued. "He's been arrested for drinking and driving."<br />
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Suddenly all that fear, all that terrible shaking, breath gulping, and terror....gone.<br />
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"Oh, why are you here to tell me?" Because really, I was so pissed now, and did anyone really think I was going to bail him out at this time, with a 5 month old baby in tow? At two in the morning?<br />
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Hell, no!<br />
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Turns out that he was arrested with the dog. They wanted me to get the dog. I said no. The dog can go to doggy jail for being his accomplice for all I cared, and I would pick her up when I was good in ready in the morning. As far as my husband, he could bail himself out and walk home. And yes, I said this to the cop.<br />
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I also told him to make sure they searched the car very well. I was told that they did, but didn't find anything illegal.<br />
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Obviously, my anger well overtook any fear I had, but this was very much the biggest fear I'd felt in recent times.<br />
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And, as an aside- a friend of my husband's picked up the dog and dropped her off that night. One thing I remember clearly that night was watching them pull in the driveway; Freida (my dog) was sitting in the passenger seat of the truck, her eyes quite relieved to see her house.<br />
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My husband walked home from the police station. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09635099861687163766noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2660863632396609374.post-3232494729533523332013-09-05T07:30:00.000-04:002013-09-05T07:30:02.304-04:00I'm All Over Blogtember!<center>
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I came across this awesome idea from Sew Fantastic and found the <a href="http://storyofmylifetheblog.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">original blog source</a> and wanted in! I was one of those kids in school that beamed at the thought of an essay assignment, which continued through college. Even in grad school our scholarly papers were never a bother; except that I was frequently told to keep my page limits within the guidelines. That is how much I love writing. I could just write, and write, and write. Life seems to get in the way of it, though, so this daily blog challenge is going to truly be a challenge. But a fun one.
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The topic for today is: <b>Pass on some useful advice or information you learned and always remembered.</b>
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Of course, this one is actually hard.<br />
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The first thing that comes to mind is actually something from my former career. When I first entered maternity care nursing, labor and delivery gave me palpitations. It seemed so scary. Life or death scary. So much so that my first L&D job was a total clusterfuck (on everyone's part). My anxiety was awful, and working in one of the roughest places was probably not the best choice. So I had given up on L&D nursing for quite some time until I moved to NH and took a job that required that I learn labor and birth.
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I was several years older, and had told my NH employer that I was scared. My previous experiences were not pleasant, to say the least, and they actually cared to make sure I was successful. They gave me to an experienced nurse for precepting, and it was she that wiped away any anxiety left in my brain.
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We were reviewing fetal monitoring strips, discussing the fine points of our interpretation, when she said to me, "Jamie, always look for the positive. Don't go searching for the negative right away."
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This advice was the best given to me, as almost always, there were positive findings to be had. She certainly hadn't meant to ignore troublesome tracings, or question something, but to change my viewpoint to always go for positive first was a game changer.
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So I think that this came to my mind because it is actually something I remind myself to do everyday. It's not easy to follow. I think my brain is hard wired to immediately go to the negative. I am typically a glass half empty person, or at the very least a person waiting for someone to empty the glass!
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Several years back a friend and I began to test the theory of The Secret. I am embarrassed to say that I watched the movie and bought the book, but it actually was an interesting experiment. My brother had been using The Law of Attraction for years, and it did appear to work for him. He started a very successful business, began dating his wife, and is comfortable financially. So, what the hell....my friend and I began using positive language during conversation, and I even tried the tricks they talk about in The Secret. And they worked. Mind you, this was a very heavy time in my life: I was looking for a midwifery job, trying to pay off debt, attempting to lose a significant amount of weight, and dealing with the day to day with my mother's extremely rare cancer diagnosis- a diagnosis in which even the world renowned specialists at Dana Farber didn't quite know how to treat.
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I even started training my brain to think and look for the positive. I read affirmations to myself every day. As I fell asleep at night, I would also say them to myself. I never let myself get too deep into negative thoughts.
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What happened with surrounding myself in positive thoughts? <br />
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Well, I lost 75 pounds. My mom was "cured". (She is almost 5 years cancer free!). I ended up being contacted for a midwifery job that was the perfect fit. I was able to pay off all of the debt, except for my student loan. <br />
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And then life went on....as I mentioned before my brain is hard wired for negativity. I wasn't keeping up with the positive. I wasn't looking for it the way I was. And things changed. Not necessarily for the better at the time, although, having brought myself back to the positive mindset things are better. But it's work. <br />
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I guess this was easier than I thought for my first Blogtember post. Bottom line: Always look for the positive.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09635099861687163766noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2660863632396609374.post-71848674389143227422013-08-30T14:22:00.002-04:002013-08-30T14:22:33.280-04:00Really? A Vagina Steam?This is freaking ridiculous!<br />
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The other day on twitter I came across this tweet about getting your <a href="http://www.cosmopolitan.com/celebrity/news/vagina-steaming-review" target="_blank">vagina a steam bath.</a> Apparently it's basically sitting on a chair with a hole on it, in which a steaming pipe of some such flushes your vagina with steam infused with herbs.<br />
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I don't know whether I should laugh or be outraged. I can tell you in my 37 years there have definitely been times I've had thoughts like, "Boy, I could really go for a spa treatment like a massage or a pedicure". But NEVER have I thought my vagina needed a trip to the spa. If anything, I've had thoughts of wishing it could be left alone (many years of time intercourse, many pelvic procedures to work up infertility, pregnancy and birth....you get my idea here)!<br />
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Ladies: you don't need to steam your vagina. There is no evidence that proves this "works" for the things it claims to do. All the steam is doing is warming your backside and vulva, and well, it's really ridiculous. If you like that feeling, fine, but don't expect to end up having a perfect vagina out of this.<br />
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The thing about vaginas is that they are really quite magical. You laugh, but I can tell you that they are! They are self cleaning, they can stretch to accommodate newborns of varying sizes, and can heal back up like nothing happened! So just leave them alone.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09635099861687163766noreply@blogger.com1