October 2009 Archives

Every few months you're probably caught wondering what gift to buy for a birthday party, wondering how you'll get it wrapped, or just wondering where you parked your car after a trip to a big toy store. 

Wonder no more. In Birmingham, we have our own version of a Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium, only our Mr. Magorium has a two-syllable name, George Jones, and a much less flamboyant hairstyle - that is to say, no hair to style.

Jones owns Snoozy's Kids in Crestilne Village and was recently recognized with the Alabama Retailer of the Year Silver Award from the Alabama Retailer's Association, but residents of the Mountain Brook area have long known that Snoozy's is a treasure trove. In business 21 years, it has maintained a hard-earned reputation for excellent customer service and selection.

A tour with George is like being on a playdate with the kid who has all the best stuff, and he just keeps pulling more out of the toy chest. It's clear he has never bought into the notion that you must one day stop discovering new toys, assembling train sets, or reading kids' books with glee (the book display is like his personal bookshelf - this one is great, oh but look, you've gotta see this one...). Hence, he's able to serve as his own market research group with an unerring eye for what is novel, entertaining and educational.

There are so many Find-worthy features at Snoozy's Kids that the only solution is to offer a condensed version.

Personal Shoppers

One of George's secrets is that he has several moms on staff who are in tune to what kids will love. Tell them the age and interests of your intended recipient and they will surprise you with the breadth of their suggestions. If they recommend a toy/character/game you've never heard of, take it as a sign that they're already on the front end of a coming trend. This is essential, as you don't want to be giving out Pokemon cards once they have been declared lame. Besides this, the staff also will:

• Keep your payment info so you can charge over the phone 
• Insert your enclosure card if provided (give them a few to keep on file)
• Gift wrap your purchase and have it ready for pick up - all complimentary

Surprising a kid with the latest, greatest toy is one thing, but we also know there are enduring classics that have made it to icon status like the Chatter Telephone (never mind that "rotary dial" is a useless term these days), Lincoln Logs, or the Inchworm. Snoozy's Kids has these too, whether you believe your child desires them or just crave the satisfaction of owning them yourself once again.

Not Just for High Rollers

Crestline Village doesn't pretend to be discount heaven. Nevertheless, don't assume that things here are overpriced. Snoozy's Kids' prices are generally suggested retail, and that's plenty fair considering that many of these items aren't even offered at the big retailers. You can find something fascinating for $5 or $35. Don't forget the complimentary gift wrap.  Maybe you can't afford a personal assistant, but you can afford gift shopping help from Snoozy's - it's all included in the price.

Mom's Shopping Section

When you bring your purchases up to the register, you may pause to review your selections or dig around for your debit card. This is when you're bound to be distracted from your mission. The goodies here for moms are every bit as exciting as the kids' stuff, with purses, totes, scarves, and jewelry. Look for of-the-moment pieces to polish your holiday attire:

• "Statement" necklaces - refresh last year's outfit
• Big rings, the better for fashionably holding your holiday cocktail
• Cuff bracelets - check out the delicately woven metals in silver or gold tones (bold without suggesting Wonder Woman's cuffs)
• Unique sterling pieces by an artisan right here in Irondale, many featuring crosses and organic shapes like circles or ovals along with semi-precious stones

Although any of these pieces would be welcomed by a sister or friend, you will rightly decide you are deserving of something for yourself. The jewelry and accessories get a more sophisticated gift wrapping with the desirable Snoozy's sticker (one with the word "Kids" conspicuously absent so your pre-child girlfriends need not be apprehensive when they see the package).

So there you go, the reaons a BirminghamMom needs to be shopping Snoozy's Kids, not just for the kids but for (gasp) themselves. Put their number, 205-871-2662, on speed dial and wonder how you will use the time and effort you've just saved yourself. 

 

Maybe  Andrew Lloyd Weber's musical score has helped make Phantom of the Opera a long-running hit on Broadway, but I'll tell you a performance that's just as thrilling with no plane ticket required. Alabama Theatre's showing of the classic silent film is a unique Halloween date or evening out that lets the restored  "Showplace of the South" reveal its glory.

A major advantage we have living in a good-sized city with some history is having a beautiful old theater to enjoy. I would argue that the Alabama is a wonderful venue for any movie that doesn't require surround-sound special effects for its plot line, especially vintage shows. For little more than a standard movie ticket, the Alabama Theatre offers gilded balconies, a real box office out front, and a three-story lobby. As much as we all appreciate a Rave, nothing compares to the atmosphere at the Alabama Theatre. (Vain side note: Everyone looks ravishing in the warm glow of the marquee bulbs here; not so beneath the street lamps of a mega-plex parking lot.)

Phantom of the Opera is a silent movie from 1925, which might sound decidedly low-tech and uninspiring. However,  consider that this, the original of horror flicks, has all the authentic elements that create pseudo-suspense. It's shadowy black and white, features a frightening and misunderstood antagonist and a helpless damsel in distress.  Best of all, it takes place in an opera house that, come to think of it, is sort of like the Alabama Theatre. Even a confident attendee could start to get a little paranoid thinking about the old building, the many dark passages all around, and  how easily the Phantom himself could be lurking somewhere in the darkness...

And don't be misled by the fact that Phantom of the Opera a silent movie. In actual experience, it is not.  Before Dolby Surround Sound and complex speaker systems brought every deafening crash and sickening thud to life, audiences felt the vibration from the pipes of the organ in music  that accompanied the show. This old fashioned thrill is practically forgotten, but you can experience it for yourself  as the Theatre's signature piece of technology, the Mighty Wurlitzer, is brought  to life by a real, live organist. 

If you're not in the Trick-or-Treating business this year or if your older kids are getting disapproving stares as they hustle for candy, Phantom is a perfect Halloween evening. You'll see people in full costume regalia, and everything from casual night out or dressy date clothes.  It's definitely not for young kids, as it really is creepy. You'll be checking over your shoulder even with the robust crowds and downtown CAP (City Action Partnership) patrol all around. 

It's only appropriate that after stern warnings against wearing rollers out in public (Nikki's West sign) a Halloween pumpkin would make the classic pink foam look adorable. Check out her hair net. All she needs now is a tub of Dippity-Do.

Since white pumpkins have come into vogue, there's no reason to be limited to basic orange. This green face mask on this white pumpkin was painted with acrylic paint. Fresh cucumbers serve as the eyes and the lips are on loan from a Mrs. Potato Head. The eyelashes are a marvelous touch. Kudos to the BirminghamMom I spoke with who made this.

If events up to this point are any indication, there will be lots of homemade costumes making the rounds this year, and that's got to be a good thing.  Like toys, costumes have become less and less requiring of imagination or resourcefulness and more a standard package of licensed characters. I sort of miss the days when kids got the question, "So what are you?", and not just from the parents who had missed out on Dora or Yo Gabba Gabba.

Incidentally, it works both ways. Lots of times the kids themselves don't know what they are. One year when our little Darth Vader was challenged to breathe "Luke, I am your father," to get his candy, he had no clue that this phrase was an essential part of the persona. In retrospect, we got carried away with the Star Wars theme only because the dog made such a good Yoda.

Maybe the lesson is that Trick our Treaters, like the pumpkins, can use a little space for originality and an unconvetional look.

 

 

 

This sign is displayed at one of the most venerable restaurants in Birmingham, and it has to be one of my favorite greetings at any place of business. If you've been there, I hope you noticed it and are nodding your head in recognition:  Nikki's West.

Locals know that Nikki's is a favorite meat and three spot that goes waaay back. It's on Finley Avenue across from the farmer's market, a western area of town that had its heyday when the city was an industrial powerhouse. Even though the area is a bit run down at the heels, Nikki's still packs tons of diners every day, from laborers to lawyers. It's a large-scale enterprise, a Grand Central Station of southern cooking. As you reach the end of the extensive steam table, an expeditor politely directs - or rather, herds - you on into one of the three large dining rooms to keep customers moving and gallons of tea flowing.  

But back to the sign. Only an established institution could get by with it, because anywhere else it would be taken as an indication that the clientele wanders in from the Greyhound bus station. I have to wonder what cast of characters has sauntered through these doors over the years.  The stand against tank tops and bare feet aren't without precedent, similar to the standard "No Shirt, No Shoes, No Service," but rollers on head? How many women walked in boldly sporting pink foam rollers before the owner finally said, "Enough!"

This sign reminds me of what makes some of our favorite local spots so colorful in the first place. With so many restaurants closing in their first year or two, it's refreshing to see how Nikki's West has been thriving for over 50.

 Apparently it helps to insist upon only the highest standards for your customers' dining attire.

 

Some of you BirminghamMoms wouldn't dream of leaving the Halloween costume to anyone else, and I'm certain many of you had your little dumplings' attire selected before the first leaf fell. For next year, though, I'm going to recommend that you let dad handle costume selection for several reasons. 

Dads generally don't get to participate in the fantasy play as much as we do. Let's face it, we've generally read more books, sang more songs and coordinated more dress-up play than dad has gotten into. We've procured most of the Halloween decor as well as the candy (unfortunately, we've eaten it and had to go back for more) and now it's time to let the other big kid of the house have some fun.

I've found that dads still have just the mischief quotient required to make for a good time at Halloween, whether that's planning tricks or treats. Maybe I'm too cautious or maybe my husband is just more playful. Either way, I've determined I'm way too uptight to do this season in the all-out way that the kids will always remember.

Sure, I've made mistakes. One Christmas I put him in charge of outdoor lights, and under the kids' influence he purchased blinking red ones. I returned to the house that evening to find the front step railings throbbing bright red like a severed artery. This is when I decided I'd handle Christmas but Halloween was his domain, since whatever he did, it couldn't look wrong.

Another case in point is costumes. We've all done the pea-pods, pumpkins, etc. during baby days, but the time comes when the kids want to break out and just be gross, scary, nonsensical, or all three. Would anyone but dads or indulgent grandparents be buying the bleeding Scream costumes of the past few years? (For those who don't know, a bleeding Scream costume has a plastic "heart" that the kid squeezes to pump "blood" that drips down the face mask. It loses some of its terror when the heart makes a little squeak and signals that something is about to happen. However, this year we're doubling the effect by adding the "open chest" portion from another costume.)

A plus of letting dad take the kids to get costumes is that you have deniability. You can face the shocked expressions of genteel homeowners on Halloween night by just shaking your head and whispering, "Can you believe it? His dad bought it for him..." while dad nods cheerfully from behind at the curb. Who cares? Your real objective is a share of the candy anyway. If the kids approach the door alone, the neighbors never need to know who let this wild child out for the night. Just stay back in the darkness and avoid standing under the streetlamp.

Even if the kids haven't gotten to the gross/scary phase, dads are still the best advisors for super heroes and even princesses. For one thing, they usually have some suggestions for how to handle accessories like light sabers and gloves. For another, they're more gullible when it comes to buying the wigs, tiaras and sparkly shoes that make a princess costume so appealing to begin with. Dad only gets to play the prince for a few short years. Let him play the part.     

With unemployment past 10% in our area, many folks are looking for jobs. Even moms who aren't currently in the job market are considering returning to work becuase of a spouse's layoff or general unease about future job security.

The Birmingham Society of Human Resources, UAB Career Services, The Birmingham Recruiters Network and NAAAHR are sponsoring a day-long event full of workshops and feedback to job seekers that is free of charge. For those who aren't sure where to start, this could be a lifesaver, as these programs will offer direction and current information from the area's human resources professionals. For those are already into their job search, the workshop will provide enhanced opportunities to network and discover new ways to learn about job vacancies.

If you've been feeling down about your job situation, all the more reason to attend this event. You may be expecting a job search seminar to have all the atmosphere of funeral procession, but the tone of this event will be one of encouragement and empowerment. Besides an expo of industry-specific organizations around Birmingham, sponsors have lined up a wellness center and even a fashion survival seminar (budget dressing for an interview).

This event will be held at UAB Hill University Center's Great Hall. Register online at www.bshrm.org.

 

 

 

After the agony of finding the perfect fabric or style for a window treatment, the next most difficult part is finding good-looking window hardware that conveys a presence without requiring a dip into a home equity line of credit.

Substantial curtains almost always require an investment. My mom is still begging me to take her old custom dupioni silk drapes from the house she lived in over 30 years ago. Apparently they don't fit the dimensions of her current windows but they were so dear she can't bear to just give them to the Salvation Army already. 

If you're going for a light, breezy look, natural bamboo blinds may work just fine. Smaller size hardware has come a long way and is relatively inexpensive now, although it does tend to look the same from one manufacturer to another. If you're hanging panels with a sleeve at the top, you don't even have to worry about the look of the curtain rod; any old pole will do. 

However, if you are installing the finishing touch to your fully decorated room (and we know that getting to that point is monumental), then you don't want to undermine your efforts with cheap looking hardware. This especially applies in rooms like the dining room where you'll entertan guests, or a master bedroom where you're likely to prefer sumptuous textiles and light control. Even simple linen curtains gain added presence (but not fuss) when they're set off with strong hardware.

There is a store in town that can special order hardware for delivery within 24 - 48 hours, and it doesn't cost an arm and a leg. Gotcha Covered in Lee Branch is a national chain, but the design staff there has lined up suppliers so that they can obtain first-quality window hardware in over a dozen finishes and a variety of styles. I learned about them from a designer I had known in my dealings with a fabric store. 

The 2 1/2" diameter rod, rings, brackets and finials shown above, for example, can be ordered for scant more than $100 and received within two days. If you have compared prices for individual components of this size, you know that each one can run $30 to $50.  When you consider the quality and selection at Gotcha Covered, along with the ability to customize shapes, sizes and finishes, these really are a value.

  

It's time for teacher conferences and I took the opportunity to ask a few captive teachers on the bus en route to a field trip for some ideas. I got some excellent suggestions and am passing along these insider tips. My favorites are in italics:

*Remember that most teachers offer extended conference schedules in an effort to meet your needs. They are usually provided one school day for teacher conferences and any appointments outside of that are on their own time. Be mindful of the fact that the teacher has had to adjust his or her family's schedule to arrange the conference, so you can certainly make it a priority to adjust yours.

*Likewise, be prompt and conscientous about using this time. There are probably appointments after yours and running late will get the entire schedule off track.

*If you're early, don't go on into the room. The teacher may be wrapping up from a previous meeting or using the time to prepare for your meeting.

*Call if you're runnig late or can't make the meeting. Ask the teacher for an alternate number to call since no one will be in the office after school hours to answer a call there.

*The conference is your time to focus on your child's progress.  Save any inquiries for your conference, not an occasion like parent night or open house when your teacher is hosting others in the classroom and isn't at liberty to engage in a real discussion.

*Prepare for the meeting by considering not only your child's acadmic progress but also the social and emotional aspects of his development. While the teacher will review the same basic information with everyone, it helps make the most of your time together if you have your own agenda of questions and concerns ready to review.

*Finally, a teacher shared what she is doing for her own daughter's teacher at an upcoming conference. As a gesture of gratitude for the teacher's time, she is bringing a loaf of breakfast bread from Panera for the teacher so she and her family can have a treat at breakfast the following morning. (I love this suggestion. Wouldn't you be delighted to receive something that helped make your harried evening/morning just a little better?)

Of course, no teacher expects to receive anything at a conference. That's the beauty of it! If you really want to show your appreciation, it seems more appropriate to do something that reinforces the teacher's time and effort rather than waiting to offer an obligatory soap basket during the holidays.

You know I'm a big fan or roasted chickens from the market and consider them to be cheaper to buy than to prepare at home, especiallly the larger ones that come from a Sam's or Costco. However, there are ways to eke even more value out of this take home meal solution.

My goal is to get my money's worth from the first meal, then enjoy everything else as a bonus. Here is an example of frugal fowl:

It starts as a roast chicken dinner with sides and rolls, serving the drumsticks for the kids and sliced chicken breast for mom and dad.

After that meal, pull and shred remaining meat to simmer in taco seasoning for tacos or enchiladas casserole. It's also good preapared with barbeque sauce to top a baked potato or to make barbeque sandwiches. If there is a good deal of white meat left over, chicken salad is always an option. For winter, a pot pie may be even better. 

Perhaps you've noticed that gelatinous substance in the bottom of the plastic pan used for transporting the chicken. Moms, this is gourmet gold, which you can make into a wonderful base for chicken stock and broth. Emeril Lagasse would never let this stuff go to waste.

I shake these pan drippings into a stew pot along with the rest of the chicken carcass and cover with water, then add celery, carrot, bay leaf, onion and some oregano. Once this has simmered for 30 minutes or so, I have a rich, golden broth to strain and then freeze for upcoming recipes or soups. Last week I used the broth I'd prepared from a single roasted chicken in black bean soup, zuppa toscana, and mashed potatoes.  

This process isn't nearly as much trouble as it sounds. The chicken simmers on the stove while we have dinner and cools while we settle into our evening routine afterwards. I come back to the kitchen to strain the broth directly into plastic containers that go into the freezer. The pot goes into the dishwasher to run overnight. It couldn't be simpler and it is gratifying to have your own homemade broth ready when you're in the mood to cook. 

Given that a can of chicken broth is around $1 for a 14 ounce can and I can make about five from one hen, that's like getting five cans free with each bird. If they offered that deal at the supermarket you would take it and run.

By working your roasted chicken,  you can transform your humble $6 purchase into an impressive $10 value, giving you 2/3 more for your money. That's a great way to stretch your buck and your bird.  

Get a jump on your Christmas list with the Shop, Save & Share card (try saying that five times fast) from the Junior League of Birmingham.

The card costs $40 and gives you 20% discounts at over 500 merchants, from Alabama Outdoors to Z Galleries. Several fun restaurants are participating (Saw's Barbeque, Hamburger Heaven) as are jewelers, hardware stores and salons. It appears that Larry Langford himself could have saved several thousand dollars at Remon's Clothiers had he availed himself of the Shop, Save & Share card discount during his alleged purchasing streak. A BirminghamMom knows to shop with a discount!

The card discounts apply from October 22nd - November 1st. and you may order online. Proceeds directly benefit the community projects of the Junior League, which are designed to improve the lives of women and children in and around Birmingham.  

October is Family Health Month and I was lucky enough to be contacted by a publicist sharing several products that  BirminghamMoms might find of interest. I thought the best thing to do would be to give them away to fellow BirminghamMoms in hopes you can benefit from these products and perhaps even share your evaluations.

I have not personally tried these items but have looked them over carefully and will be discussing them on WBRC Fox 6 News at Noon on Monday, October 19th. Here are my observations:

Allergy Free Passport -  This book has an extensive listing of the all sorts of cuisine designed for those who have food sensitivities or allergies (peanut, shellfish, etc.). It lists factors to consider such as common ingredients, method of preparation, and accompaniments that may be triggers to those with known allergies. The information is clearly indexed so you can quickly fine any type of cuisine as well as helpful information when dining out. In addition to the main guide book, there are smaller pocket guides for international travel. I can only imagine the constant vigilance required of moms of children with allergies. This information could replace fear of dining out with the assurance that you have asked the right questions and are taking measures to avoid a potential reaction.

ThermaCELL Patio Lantern - Lots of moms aren't keen on DEET, a common insect repellant that we know all too well in our mosquitto-ridden south. This lantern uses an insecticide (a substance naturally occurring in chrysanthemum flowers) to repel mosquittos in a 15x15 area. A small butane cartridge inside heats the insecticide pad and provides lamp light, although either feature can be used independently. 

VitaClay Multicooker - This is a programmable rice cooker and slow cooker in one. Once the cooking time has been programmed, the unit switches to a "keep warm" feature so you can sit tight when traffic/practice/carpool takes longer than expected. The insert is made from Zisha clay, not stoneware or metals. This clay is from a particular region in China (yes, it does feel like everything comes from China these days) and the claim is that the clay is rich in minerals and retains moisture better than other conventional products.

Personally, I'm intrigued by the promise of a programmable rice cooker. The requirement to simmer rice under a tight lid until most of the liquid had evaporated seemed an impossible task until the advent of glass lids. Even so, can anyone do this without keeping an eye on the pot to be sure it doesn't dry out? I'd like to be free of watching the pot boil, so to speak, and if anything can babysit cooking rice, I'm guessing it's clay straight from China.

Aquajoggger - Like it sounds, this product allows one to "jog" in water, using the water's resistance to exercise in place. It includes a belt (my daughter asked if it was an adult swim ring, but it looks nothing like that - it's compact, close to the body, and adjustable) to suspend the wearer in water at shoulder level so that her arms and legs can move freely. This package includes an instructional video as well as additional accessories for hands and feet to increase resistance. I know the folks at my Y have used these products enthusiastically in their water aerobics program.

Auto AirTamer - This device plugs into your car's power adaptor to purify the air without filters or fans. The accompanying material says it forces polluted air away from your "personal space" (do moms have any of that?) and reduces smoke particles, dust, dander, pollen, etc. through ionic technology. I suppose this product is proof that I should have paid more attention to those negatively/positively charged ion discussions in high school chemistry class. I don't claim to know how this technology works, but I would agree that keeping the air in my car anywhere near purified would require the latest scientific advances, probably something from NASA. I wish someone would have sent a clabbered sippy cup on the last mission - now THAT would be an experiment.

Mouthwatchers Nano Silver Anti-bacterial toothbrush - I remember when a toothbrush was just a toothbrush, and you were happy to take whatever the dentist gave you for free. Now toothbrushes are as segmented as the cereal aisle and there are angles, grips, palate cleaners and rotating brushes to consider. This toothbrush, designed by a dentist, has bristles impregnated with nano-silver, which the manufacturer says lasts longer than typical nylon bristles and surpresses the growth of bacteria. As far as how these nano particles have greater relative surface area, inhibiting bacteria...well, that's another reason I should have listened more closely in chemistry class.

IF YOU'RE INTERESTED IN WINNING ONE OF THESE PRODUCTS, SIMPLY E-MAIL info@BirminghamMom.com and include the product(s) of interest somewhere in your e-mail or subject line. I will draw a contact at random for each on Monday, October 26th, and notify winners that evening. Please be aware that, while every effort will be made that the original packaging is intact, there may be a few rumpled box corners by the time I have toted them in and out of the Fox 6 studio.

I'm struggling a bit with raising wired children (and thriving myself) in a wired society. Maybe you share my issues. Do any of these sound familiar?

• Your son is playing Club Penguin on the computer in the kitchen; your daughter is simultaneously playing Club Penguin in the same "virtual world" from a computer in the family room. Meanwhile, your backyard swingset sits empty and forlorn.
• You notice kids standing together at the bus stop. They aren't speaking to each other. Their heads are down as they all text furiously.
• A co-worker across the aisle sends you an instant message asking, "Where's lunch?" She could have swiveled in her chair to ask you directly, saving herself almost 20 keystrokes and seeing you wince at her initial restaurant suggestion, which would have saved yet 20 more keystrokes in reply.
• You send a funny e-mail to a cubicle mate a row away. She responds "LOL" (laugh out loud), yet you never actually heard her laugh out loud. This gives you pause. Was your e-mail funny or is she just sparing your feelings with a social fib?

I am reminded more and more of the terms that best describe these phenomena: Digital Immigrants and Digital Natives.  I am the former because, although the PC revolution came about while I was in school, the machines were clunky, slow, and not yet part of daily living. I've had to make an effort to learn everything I know, which makes me a digitial immigrant.

Our kids, on the other hand, are all digital natives. They've grown up using the computer and all other digital devices. MS Office is their second language. Digital life is so intuitive for them, they learned to attach a file before they learned to tie their shoes.

Thinking in terms of the native/immigrant metaphor helps explain why we need each other to navigate. The "natives" need us as mentors on how to relate in the real, three-dimensional world, where you converse in person - not via text message - while we need them to help us keep up to speed with seamlessly integrating technology into our lives. We may have joked about programming our own parents' VCRs, but our kids will show us the apps that will help us run the household, get things done, and generally make life easier. They'll also inform us that "laugh out loud" isn't always meant literally. 

I'll probably never understand some digital native pursuits, like spending hours clothing virtual penguins and decorating virtual igloos. I'm just hoping these diversions will keep them from developing a virtual "visit your digital immigrant mom in the nursing home" app one day, LOL.

When you have kids you can't maintan the luxury of personal illusions. When our daughter casually pointed out my husband's mildly thinning hair, there was no malice intended. Likewise, when my son noticed one of my strained buttons, I knew I couldn't keep blaming the dryer for shrinking all my clothes when we continue to have to tighten his adjustable wastebands (which, by the way, should be updated and incorporated into adult clothing). What can I say? It is what it is. 

That's why these magnets from Wrapsody in Patton Creek are such fun. For $3.45, you can steal your kids' thunder and lampoon your situation yourself, as I did. There are several other pieces, including stationery products and keychains, but I knew this message on the fridge ("If you ignore my muffin top, I'll ignore your bald spot") would get a good-natured laugh in the days leading up to our anniversary. Another favorite piece in the collection lauds "Livin' the minivan dream." A few are a little on the bawdy side and bound to evoke a chuckle.

As for the heightened awareness our kids bring to our lives, I concede it will only get worse when they are teenagers and even our best efforts to be current (not to be confused with "hip," which of course could never happen by their estimation) will seem inadequate. And for now, maybe it's not fair to compare a muffin top to a bald spot. After all, a bald spot is dictated by heredity, whereas a muffin top is theoretically preventable with a little exercise and diet modification. 

Maybe the second bonus of this magnet is that a muffin top reminder on the fridge will discourage rummaging around for a late night snack.

 

 

Check out this recent headline:

Vital Signs:  Study Finds Women Wear Shoes That Cause Pain

This is so obvious to me that it is laughable. These researchers could have saved a grant's worth of money by asking almost any woman on the street about her footwear. She would likely admit that, as fabulous as her shoes might look, she wasn't necessarily comfortable.

Stillettos obviously were never intended to be practical footwear. Neither are most other options like pointy-toed boots, mules, strappy sandals, platform pumps, or heels of any sort. Some women can wear heels for 16 hour days (models, politicians, and ministers' wives come to mind), but that is due to years of conditioning. For the less proficient heel wearers, if the height doesn't propel the wearer into a perpetually forward motion, the toe box pinches her into itty-bitty geisha steps. I've known women who were so accustomed to heels they couldn't wear anything else, and some who could rock a pair of pumps but whose abused feet would look positively diseased in revealing flip-flops.  

Personally, I refuse to wear uncomfortable shoes routinely but am not above suffering occasional discomfort for a good cause, i.e., special events that are sure to be photographed. It's not a practical nature so much as a personal limitation I've recognized. As marvelous as heels look, I can't overcome the exteremely foul mood they put me into. When your brain sends a continuous  throbbing signal to SIT DOWN, everything else is just an annoyance.

The headlined article goes on to mention that, while women's shoe choices are evidently setting them up for later dependence on a podiatrist, only 2% of men wear uncomfortable shoes.

Didn't we already know that as well?

Your can treat your halloween visitors or be prepared for your own cravings this fall.

At participating Wendy's, a $1 donation to the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption will be met with a gift book of 10 coupons, each for a Jr. Frosty.

At participating Burger King restaurants, a $1 donation to the Burger King Scholars program will be met with a gift book of eight coupons, each for a value size fry.

 Between these coupons and the value menus at these chains, you can make yourself a portion-controlled combo.

My closest personal encounter with domestic violence was during college, when a roommate and good friend locked herself in her room for hours. When she came out we noticed her swollen eyes (from crying) and a bump on her head. She finally confessed that she and her boyfriend had gotten into a fight and he had shoved her, knocking her into a wall and causing the bump. We were alarmed and shocked speechless. They had dated for several months and he was a good student, preparing for medical school. She was attractive, smart, and incredibly sweet. Who dared handle her like this? And why had she even wasted time with this jerk? 

From our perspective, it was understood that this was unacceptable and that boyfriend had to go. But to our great amazement, despite having her choice of dates and concerned friends, she reconciled with him. For our part, we loathed him and rejoiced when they finally broke up. But none of us could believe it had happened to someone we knew so well. Wasn't this brutish behavior the stuff of trailer parks? Weren't the victims supposed to be powerless women, not girls in their prime who had the whole world open to them? And weren't the perpetrators uneducated men in the classic tank shirt, not good-looking upperclassmen in honor societies?

Of course, none of those stereotypes is true. Domestic violence cuts across all socioeconomic and ethnic lines, and for some reason it's often considered a "women's issue" even though men are usually the abusers.  The Women's Fund of Greater Birmingham is addressing the problem of domestic violence through fundraising and grants. They intend to lower domestic violence by 25% in greater Birmingham by 2015.

Did you know that there are 34 separate municipalities in the greater Birmingham area with no system for sharing domestic violence arrest records? This, of course, hampers the ability to investigate and prosecute these crimes and hold perpetrators accountable. Enabled by fundraising led by the Women's Section of the Birmingham Bar, the Women's Fund is providing innovative solutions to this problem by supporting staff for the Jefferson County Family Violence Coordinated Community Response Team a YWCA court advocate, and the technology to connect courtrooms throughout the area. You can view their deliberate plan and progress thus far and donate at www.thewomensfundbham.org.

This post is part of a concentrated effort, Blogging About Violence, taking place October 7th and coordinated by the Terminal and NBC-13. It's clear that the victims of domestic violence in Birmingham need our advocacy and the perpetrators need to be held accountable (you may have read about an unsettling encounter several months ago in which I witnessed domestic violence here in broad daylight). You can be part of the conversation by tuning in and by sharing the message through your own social media outlets.

This is a basic $60 office chair of the sort sold at any large retailer or office supply store. For few years its black leather upholstery has been like a pair of sensible shoes, servicable but not any fun.

With nothing to lose, I decided to give this grim-looking chair a makeover with a $5 remnant of upholstery-grade fabric, and it's nothing you can't do.

The most difficult part was the back cover. I took the arms off, leaving the back and base separate (We had assembled the chair when we purchased it and it was easy enough to unscrew and remove the arms. Howevver, this is an excellent example of why you should keep the allen wrench that comes with the chair). I simply folded the fabric over the back wrong side to wrong side and pinned the sides together to form a sort of pillowcase. A standard 52" wide fabric can fold over the back with plenty of fabric left on each side.

I stitched along the sides,trimmed them, turned this "pillowcase" inside out, and pulled it down over the back of the chair, then stapled the fabric edges together along the bottom. With the chair put back together, this edge doesn't even show.

I took the remaining fabric and stretched it over the base of the chair, stapling it around the underside. The arms are then easy to reattach by feeling for the bolts underneath the fabric and cutting small slits for the screws to go back through. Voila, the plain black office chair is reborn with two seams and some staples.

Don't settle for a harsh black chair if you desire a more stylish or feminine one. Until attractive office chair slipcovers are mass produced (and isn't it past time?), this is an option you can try for yourself.

As the memory keeper for the family, most of us have hung on to objects for sentimental reasons even though there is no hope of them ever having a practical use for us again. Here's a novel way to retain an item in a tangible form without cluttering up a hope chest or drawer.  It's from  MikCon Creations, an exhibitor at the Bluff Park Art Show.

The blue pens at left are actually made of denim from a pair of old blue jeans. Could you recycle the jeans that represent your carefree, pre-kid years into a pen for a new phase of life? Maybe you could talk your husband into getting rid of his old holey pair and getting a grown-up pen for his desk in the bargain.

The dark red pen near the bottom left of the photo is made from rose petals. Who says romance isn't practical? I wonder how many women still have some brittle bouquet/corsage petals rotting away somewhere. Here's one way to preserve the memory of a special occasion. 

The wooden pen is an example of an instrument made out of wood from an old homestead. The final look is always determined by the qualities of the original wood, but the artist has made pens from all sorts of pieces, from old gymnasium floors to trees from a beloved farm.

The bottom pen is made from an antler and the shell casing from a boy's first successful deer hunt. A pen has got to be faster and cheaper than taxidermy, and maybe his mom decided she was not having another deer head on her wall at home.

It appears that almost any of your raw material can be comined with artistry, resin, and mechanical parts to render a writing implement. You can choose from ball point, fountain, gel ink, and sketching leads, and all use conventional refills (most by Parker).

Prices start at only $35 and go up depending on the time required. These are reasonable prices considering what most keepsake pens cost these days. If you've given Waterman and Parker pens as graduation and professional gifts, you know they are not inexpensive, even from discounters like TJ Maxx. A handmade pen can be a beautiful work of art, and nobody has to know you're holding a throwback to your days as a size 4.

Patti Black is a Certified Financial Planner and BirminghamMom of twins who advises high net worth individuals. She has some practical advice for rest of us as well.

It's no surprise that moms of average means are having to carefully budget and allocate resources during these economic times. Patti says even her wealthy clients have to make thoughtful choices in light of their overall financial goals. It just goes to show that, no matter your situation, you have to be attuned to your personal values and objectives in order to ensure your long-term success. Here's Patti:

It feels like everyone is talking about money these days. But it’s not the money excess we’ve seen in the past when conversations were about where a friend got her new pair of premium jeans! The conversations today are about clipping coupons and worrying about who is next to lose a job. We’re worried about whether we have “enough” - enough to send our children to college, enough to retire, enough to pay for a kitchen remodel, enough some months even to pay bills.

Almost regardless of the number of zeros at the end of your net worth, people are worried. So, what can you do about all these worries? First, identify what your real fear is. You may be upset that the balance on your investment account statement has been decreasing instead of increasing, but what is the true issue? Is it that your children won’t go to college? Or that you’ll have to work until you die?

Once you’ve identified your fears, prioritize them by what is likely to happen soon, what may happen in the future, and what is unlikely to happen. Then decide what action you can take now to address the fears that are likely to happen. Even baby steps will help reduce your stress level. However, just as there are no secrets to losing weight (you have to do the hard work of burning more calories than you consume) there are no “get rich quick tricks” to “having enough.”

The answer is boring and the work is hard: you have to save more than you spend. This process requires sacrifice in the short term to get to a long-term goal. It is also very personal. The choices I make to reduce spending will be different than the ones you will make. For example, I’m willing to shop at consignment stores as long as I can still get my hair cut and highlighted at the same salon!

But, sometimes these sacrifices are larger than giving up your hairdresser or your premium jeans. Sometimes you decide to give up the big stuff. You may need to downsize the house, downgrade the car, or eliminate the club membership to get where you want to be in the future (or maybe just to sleep better at night right now). During this process, you may also realize that you’ve been teaching your children some unintended financial lessons. If you tell your children the importance of giving to the poor, but yet your budget doesn't allow you to do so, what are your children learning? Are they paying more attention to your words or to your action?

It’s time to reevaluate priorities and focus on what really matters to you and to your family. The good news is that there’s no better time to have these conversations and make these decisions. Being smart with your money has never been so fashionable!

Any views or opinions are solely those of the individual author and do not necessarily represent those of Charles D. Haines, LLC.

View Patti's previous article on college savings.