November 2009 Archives
A couple of years ago I found a great hook that can handle a heavy wreath, didn't scratch the door, and held up to wind and weather. I've been able to use it year-round to hold this door basket on the basement door, which is completely exposed to the elements and is subject to inadvertent slams and "hurry abuse" that the front door just doesn't get. You can see it has held up just fine, and let me point out that the door basket is probably 25 pounds when it is wet, yet the hook doesn't waver.
I'm happy to report the hooks are available this year at Southern Accents on highway 31 in Pelham for only $2.99. The hooks are near the checkout stand and on and endcap along the back aisle, where you can also find heavy duty magnet sets that secure wreaths to glass windows or storm doors for $9.99.
Although the puny hangers are displayed beside these heavier, sturdier ones, you'll have no trouble seeing the difference. They come in other finishes.
Give up on the brittle plastic and thin brass-finish wreath hangers. One of the these will serve just as well as a pricey catalog version.
This year marks the 70th anniversary of the making of the classic movie, The Wizard of Oz, which created cultural icons in technicolor (Dorothy, Toto, and the bunch) and defined our mental image of a wicked witch. We couldn't have had Halloween a few weeks ago without all the costumes with blue gingham dresses and red shoes or those pointy black hats.
If you or your kids are fans of the story, you should ride out your next Big Mac Attack (although none of us BirminghamMoms would acknowledge this phenomenon) in Riverchase near the Galleria. The McDonalds on Highway 31 across from the Galleria is a monument to the Wizard of Oz, complete with a yellow brick road that leads to the Emerald City (in this case, the restroom - oh, how appropriate for those of us who have had toddlers!).
The main decorating features include a display of large dolls from the Franklin Mint, like Glenda the Good Witch, the Wicked Witch of the West, Dorothy and the Scarecrow. Near the back is a collection of smaller dolls that include the more obscure characters of the story. Although the restaurant's theme is classic cinema, with photos of Laruel & Hardy, Shirley Temple, and the Three Stooges, Wizard definitely dominates.
Now, I can't pretend this McDonald's is anything more than a 25-year old establishment that has been operating continuously. She's a little worn down at the heels, but you have to be impressed by the fact that the 80's patterned formica tabletops have held up so well. The curving booths with padded seatbacks make good perches for watching the play area or portioning out Chicken McNuggets. Even if it's not Somewhere Over the Rainbow, the kids will love the two funhouse mirrors stationed along the winding yellow brick path (an excellent diversion for when you are trying to order, by the way).
A Happy Meal is the same at any McDonald's, so you may as well have yours in a restaurant that offers the novelty of characters the kids know and like. As much as anything, it's an opportunity to appreciate an enduring story, uncommon talent, and a film that has entertained generations. Who knows? Seventy years from now, there may be a Sponge Bob Square Pants themed McDonalds. Sponges, Chumbuckets and Snails? Oh, my!
Obviously a lot of folks are unemployed this season, and many who are working won't be receivng the bonus they were accustomed to enjoying in previous years. Where the temptation to overspend might have seemed merely unwise in years past, this year it seems it could even be unrecoverable, perhaps beginning a long struggle in 2010.
Most of us were probably due to trim back our holiday expenditures and expectations. We haven't been devastated when the Christmas bills comes due in January based on the implicit assurance that there would be other raises, bonuses or hours to pick up later. There are no such assurances now.
It's tough on us moms because we feel it is incumbent upon us to produce the holiday for our families. We bake (even if we never do so otherwise), burn smelly candles to invoke the holiday spirits, deck the halls and walls, and hunt high and low for gifts we imagine will delight the kids. This is tremendous pressure, more than people seem to realize (and by "people" I mean anyone who is eating food we prepared) and of course it is all self inflicted. We imagine that the holiday won't even happen for the family otherwise.
So we must find a way to balance the desire to fulfill everyone's Christmas wishes with the reality of our pocketbooks. Maybe the best thing a BirminghamMom can do is determine not to go for broke this holiday. We haven't been clipping coupons and skipping manicures for nothing. The last thing we need to do is lose our resolve now. Some fiscal restraint now will be the best means of avoiding a holiday hangover in 2010.
Although the chore of sending holiday cards almost always falls to mom, receiving reciprocal cards makes it all worth the effort. The most welcome holiday cards are from the friends we see less than we'd like, either because they live elsewhere or because their orbits somehow don't overlap ours. Cards with photos are the very best, whether they are part of the card itself or are just slipped into a regular card.
If you're doing photos, why not send something that conveys a real sense of place rather than a studio or the living room mantle? Birmingham has so much more to offer. (By the way, if you think it's cheesy to pose in a public space, I ask you, how is that any worse than reclining in front of a fake fireplace among prop presents?)
Vulcan Park - stand at the overlook near the viewing binoculars for one of the best skyline shots in the city. If you're a skilled photographer you could get a great shot at dusk with the city lights in the background. The park is open late (until 10 p.m., in fact). Evening admission includes Vulcan's observation tower for $3 each.
The Carousel at the Galleria. During the holidays the usual animals on the carousel are swapped for reindeer. You'll need to go early or late, when there isn't a crowd. BirminghamMom note: If you are in the photo, do not position yourself near the rear of a reindeer unless you want to imagine unflattering comparisons once the photos are printed.
Another Galleria option is the upper level facing out over the food court near J.Jill. The background is chock full of suspended lights and decorations, and the red and white carousel top really sparkles. Even the lit elevators on the other side make a festive backdrop.
The fountain at Five Points - an iconic symbol of Birmingham and the church behind it makes a beautiful background. You may have to zoom in if you don't want to include loiterers in the background. Hey, this is authentic.
The outdoor chess set in Crestline Village makes for an interesting photo. If you live there, you take it for granted, but non-neighbors think its pretty cool.
The Cabose in Helena across from The Depot - hop on the back for a fun photo with the perfect red background. Your young Thomas the Tank fan would love it. Note to the mayor: Slap a wreath on that thing and encourage photo ops for the best PR you could ever wish!
Personally, I prefer the photos of the whole family for the simple reason that I know some kids only through their parents and might not recognize them otherwise. The majority of photos we receive only include the kids, and I understand because it's harder to coordinate having the whole family in a picture (besides scheduling, who will set up the camera?).
Sadly, I have a girlfriend who has long proclaimed she won't be in the Christmas photo until she's lost X pounds. As you can guess, she hasn't been in one this decade. BirminghamMoms, don't let something like this keep you from posing with your family. Besides, now seems a good time to extoll the benefits of digital reprints: cropping and smudging.
It's common practice to receive a register tape with an offer for a gift card in return for completing an online or phone survey. Target, Home Depot, and Wal-Mart routinely offer a shot at a giveaways for your opinion.
Those are okay, but it's apparent the odds winning that $500 bounty are unlikely given the number of entries or the infrequency of the award (sometimes as seldom as once a quarter). Much better is a receipt that offers a giveaway or discount on a future purchase, especially if you like the store and are likely to return. If you hastily file away or toss your receipt, you may be missing a opportunity to save during your next visit.
Burger King receipts offer a free Whopper or Original Chicken sandwich with any size drink and fries after completing a survey. Order from the value menu and you only spend pocket change.
JCPenney: Most receipts offer a 15% off code for your next purchase when you complete a survey within 7 days. Buy a smaller item, then plan to return later for the bigger purchase with your 15% savings code in hand.
Arby's frequently has a free food deal for a completed survey. Compare the survey deal, which usually requires a drink purchase, with the current combo deals.
Michael's - There's always a coupon in the Sunday paper, but if you don't subscribe, you can buy something small at the register to generate a coupon for later. However, since practically everything in the store goes on sale systematically, you're never more than a week or two away from finding whatever you want on sale.
CVS - there are people who have elevated couponing with CVS into an art form, particularly with the CVS rewards card program.
Some would argue the whole survey thing is a ruse to get you back into the store to spend again later. Sure it is. But that's good strategy if it also offers you something useful saves money.
Take an extra second to look over your receipt, front AND back. You might find a discount you didn't know you had.
This week was Friends and Family day at the school. Several of us moms donned aprons and disposable gloves to help slop dressing and plate up special requests (what do kids have against sweet potatoes?) since the cafeteria would be serving more than twice its usual capacity. After all my years being at the mercy of lunch ladies, I got the experience of eyes silently beseeching me not to let the green beans touch the dressing.
As we fumbled with unwieldy trays and consolidated the aluminum pans, it was apparent we were not in our element. When the line backed up, we furitively tapped the spoons harder and shook the rolls apart in an effort to speed up. One mom confessed, "I'm just happy I don't do this everyday. It will be such a relief to be finished." It occurred to me what a skill it is to keep a food line moving, and the importance of leaving a spot open for the milk carton.
Only the regular lunchroom staff could have been more relieved than we were to see the mini-shift end. While they had done all the hard work of preparing the food and manning the kitchen, we had a new respect for what it takes to serve a hot meal to a few hundred people every day.
So to cafeteria workers everywhere, from school lunchroom personnel to the volunteers at the Jimmy Hale mission, here's a grateful thanks and a promise not to complain when the roll tips over into the gravy.
Aren't these the cutest things? Little girls who are weary of the same old bows might enjoy the novelty of having something different in their hair. These hairbows are at Tricia's Baby Station in Vestavia off Hwy 31.
Even the simplest outfit would be festive accessorized with a hairbow like one of these. I'll bet some of the Christmas elves who begin visiting next week would get a kick out of the elf hairbow. Some of them probably have girls in their homes who would love an elf hairbow to remind them of their elf at home, getting ready for mischief...
Jann Robinson, founder of Backstage Catering Company, is a BirminghamMom of six young children who was widowed when her husband, Dave, lost his battle with lymphoma a couple of years ago. Although she has continued to maintain and develop her customer base, the recession has had a negative impact on her business.
Like many, Jann has subsequently faced financial difficulties. Martha Stewart herself will tell you about the considerable hours and effort inherent in the catering business. (Jann and her late husband sold fried turkeys at Thanksgiving for several years. I'm anxious just thinking about dressing the turkey in my freezer for family; I can't imagine being responsible for anybody else's turkey.) Despite all her efforts, it's understandably a huge challenge to support six kids. In particular, her mortgage has been a strain, and some members of her community have decided they are going to do what they can to keep Jann in her house.
This Saturday, November 21, Jann's friends, neighbors, and friends-of-friends will be having a yard sale to benefit Jann's family and help them stay in her home. The large sale will be held at Mountain Brook Baptist Church beginning at 8 a.m. and Jann herself will be selling some of her culinary specialties. Just by shopping this sale, you can help a family and probably find some great bargains for yourself.
This story offers many points for us to ponder. First, how many of us would be prepared or able to support our children if we suddenly lost our spouse?
What family, friendships, and community ties would see us through? You've read the studies that show happiness correlates with relationships, not material things. Doesn't it seem apparent at a time like this? How would you feel to pull into a parking lot and see it full of people who had come to support you? To see all the things given by people, some of whom you hadn't even met, who wanted to help in some way and keep you in your home? That's a lesson in the power of community that Jann's kids will never forget.
Isn't it encouraging to hear about a group of concerned neighbors and friends who will mobilize to make a difference?
There are a lot of people who are hurting right now in addition to the Robinsons. We've all heard the expression "the wolf is always at the door," but maybe until now the wolf has been at someone else's door in another place. Today even affluent areas are feeling a bit of the insecurity that is a part of everyday living for some in our communities. We are all, it turns out, more vulnerable than we thought. Visit the yard sale and help a Birmingham family keep the proverbial wolf at bay.
I received a notice that ABC's Supernanny is casting for parents from Alabama to be on Season 6 of the show (I cheerfully presume I received this notice due to BirminghamMom.com and NOT because a neighbor tipped off the producers to my dubious parenting skills).
You've probably seen the show, where some seemingly incorrigible child has taken brattiness to a new level and the parents have either rolled over in defeat or become de facto prison wardens. Conditions have usually gotten so out of control that the family is desperate for help. Enter Supernanny Jo Frost, or "Jo-Jo", to observe the family in action and provide a discipline plan, establish a routine, and introduce the structure that puts everyone back on the road to familial bliss. What is it about a British accent that's so authoritarian and credible?
I find that the nanny and dog training reality shows (ex., It's Me or the Dog - another British accent) often have a genuine educational value because deal with behavioral issues, a universal topic for every mom. Even if we can recognize an ineffective parenting technique when we see one, we can admit we've also mishandled situations ourselves. The truth is that we all struggle occasionally with appropriate discipline, boundaries, and avoiding good cop/bad cop routines between parents or caregivers.
I'd like to think it is a sincere desire for help and not fame (balloon boy) that motivates participants. Even though we observers can smugly tsk tsk the parents we see, it's insightful to recognize our own negative tendencies. In these parenting shows, as in shows on improving dog behavior, the final revelation is always that most problems are actually rooted in the expectations and behavior of the adults who are in charge. With apologies to Gandhi, it turns out that we must be the change we want to see in our families.
Here's what Supernanny's producers are seeking: "...unique families with toddlers to teens with ordinary to extraordinary circumstances; teen moms; siblings raising siblings; grandparents raising grandchildren; same sex parents; stage moms; pageant moms; parents with mean girls or bullying boys; culturally diverse parents; and blended families where both sides are seeking help."
If you're interested, you may email Jen Walsh along with the reason for your interest in having Supernanny's guidance: JWalsh@shedmediaus.com. You may also nominate a family for the show. Perhaps a family you know (maybe your own) could replace its whining with a bit of the legendary British stiff upper lip.
Note: The Supernanny site includes reward charts, bedtime routines, and parent generated suggestions.
It's time to bust open a time-saving tip for the good of moms everywhere and share that late November is the best time to see Santa.
See, Santa doesn't just set up his North Pole photo opportunity on the day after Thanksgiving. In most of the places he works, the decorations have been being assembled piece by piece during the weeks leading up to the holidays, with his helpers being assigned and trainied while stanchions, cash registers, and digital cameras are being set up. The operation can't wait until Black Friday to discover any bugs in the system, so the Jolly Elf starts receiving guests a few days early to be sure everyone's well practiced by the time the lines form.
During the days leading up to Thanksgiving, all the sets are fresh, the elves aren't rushed, and Santa is practically twiddling his thumbs. If you've got a child who will be thrust onto Santa's lap this year, you will thank yourself a thousand times if you take him her to visit before the holidays are in full swing.
When you wait until everyone else has gotten to Santa's outpost, you'll find that each minute spent in the line just increases any anxiety or dread your child may already be experiencing. After the hundredth lap sit of the day, Santa's eyes may understandably glaze over for the next kid reciting a wish list. Most of all, you don't want to be standing in line for 30 minutes and then have to frantically trick your exhausted kid into smiling. Haven't you seen the carpet worn down from moms rocking strollers back and forth where they stood in line with an upset toddler?
Here are some other tips to make the most of Santa in the least amount of time:
- Go when the shopping complex is dead. Mondays and Tuesdays are excellent, as there are fewer shoppers and lines. Early Sunday when the stores first open (and the kids may be dressed up already) has also been a good time.
- Be sure everyone is well rested and fed.
- Rehearse a bit, but without any pressure. "What two or three things are you going to tell Santa about?" is a good start. Some kids are stuck trying to think of an exhaustive list, which gets exasperating. The catch-all category of "surprises" is never wrong.
- Older, extremely conscientous kids may worry if they forget to mention something on their list in their meeting with Santa. It's sort of like realizing you forgot to say "no onions" when you ordered your burger (remember when Ralphie, in A Christmas Story, crawled back up the slide to ask for his Red Ryder BB gun?). A do-over isn't necessary, since a note slipped to a helper or dropped in the mail will do just fine.
Finally, have low expectations. If you make an attempt early in the season but your kids aren't in the mood, at least you'll still have time to try again later. If they're truly terrified, just skip the Santa encounter altogether. It might be the best gift you could give him and his helpers.
Anyone who has ever had pregnancy brain can only chuckle self-consciously at this "checklist" posted inside Butch Cassidy's, a burger joint in Mobile. Maybe the second column of the list would have been really funny, even preposterous, before kids, but now you know that it does indeed take a checklist to successfully go to or return from any destination.
This realization begins when you start having to pack a diaper bag. What used to be a quick trip to the market is more like preparing for a camping excursion. At minimum, you need several diapers+wipes+formula+bottle+bib+ extra change of clothes+pacifier+blanky+toy+ your own keys+license+debit card+lipstick+cell phone.
This is before you get in the car. Starting the ignition kicks off the pre-departure mental checklist: Do I have diaper bag, doors locked, oven/iron turned off, baby locked in securely, coupons, wallet, do shoes match?
When there is more than one kid to handle, multiply all the above and and include different sizes or add sports uniforms. It's no wonder I know more than one mom who has attempted to back out of the garage before the door was fully up (trust me, it's repairable).
While I used to think it was pretty meticulous of Santa to be "making a list, checking it twice," now I understand it's the only way he can ever come to town.
BirminghamMoms who sent photos to Ursula for a sketch were not disappointed. Look at what she did with this 4x6 photo. Now the image has been transformed into a classic piece with much more presence and a timeless quality. Oil portrait, no; inheritable and still budget-friendly, definitely.
Contact Ursula directly at Ustroebel@yahoo.com for BirminghamMom preferred pricing of $60 per sketch and an unforgettable Christmas gift. No additional sittings are required.
Note: This frame is ready-made from Michael's and can be had from $19.99 to $25 on sale, depending on whether the mat material is white or linen (shown here).
There's no finer way to honor Veterans than with a parade, and if you're a BirminghamMom, you owe it to yourself and your kids to experience our local Veterans Day parade that is the nation's oldest. Raymond Weeks, a Birmingham veteran, initiated the first celebration in 1947.
Although it's a somber occasion in that we are remembering those who have fallen during combat, it is also a proud moment for those who made it through the perils of war and active military service. You can't help but be touched by the sight of aged veterans riding a parade float and offering a slow wave from beneath their jaunty caps. It's with irony that you remember some of them fought in the "War to End All Wars."
Then there is a crowd favorite, the Rosie the Riveter crew, all smiling and sporting the signature red polka-dot hair wrap. In contrast to the older vets are the young kids of Marion Military Institute, in dress uniform and in perfect formation, followed by various National Guard units stepping by in cadence.
It's not all formal and serious. There are Boy Scout troops, show horses and their riders, and even the Birmingham City Police driving carefully synchronized motorcycle routines (this must be the fun police stuff we never get to see). Of course there are a few beauty queens in convertibles - would it be a parade otherwise? - and lots of Buicks, which are apparently the ride of choice for senior vets.
The parade begins at 1:30 and comes south down 19th Street. You'll have a better time if you take a collapsible chair or two, and a small flag will be good for waving (several vendors will be happy to sell you a flag and some cotton candy, so be warned). If you want to grab lunch and make a day of it, Chic-fil-A, Zoe's, and Quizno's are just off 19th street. The second floor of Harbert Plaza also has deli sandwiches, barbeque, and Chinese in a food court setting, although navigating the escalator and arranging a table is probably too much work with small children.
This is truly old fashioned entertainment, with nothing flashy and no stunts, but the meaningfulness behind it is profound. Consider that many of these veterans left all they knew to go to other parts of the world in the name of our country. Some of them were forever changed by their experiences as a witness to history. It almost seems a bit mundane for us to just be lined up with our kids, clapping and waving flags along a city street. However, I like to think they are as happy to see us as we are to see them, sharing this simple moment that they fought to make possible.
The Moss Rock Festival at The Preserve in Hoover is a perfect fall afternoon for the family. The setting is an architecturally planned community surrounded by tall trees and soft, picnic-blanket turf right down its center axis. It's here that musicians will play and kids will gallop and you can just pause to enjoy the fiery leaves all around.
The streetscape is stroller friendly and there are plenty of leashed dogs mingling with their people. It's easiest to leave your car at Regions Park off hwy 150 and ride one of the school bus shuttles into the festival. When else do you have an excuse to ride a school bus? The windows are partially lowered, the wind whips your hair, and you're a kid on a field trip again. Of course you should take restroom breaks before you arrive; port-o-lets are the only public facility.
Artists pitch display tents all around the perimeter of the Green, and the materials and subjects are fascinating. You'll also see exhibits of student-created projects exploring the topic of protecting the environment and conserving energy. It's fitting that, during this season of abundance, you will be reminded of the importance of conserving precious resources.
Bring a reusable bag or pick one up here, because there will be plenty to carry. One year we received a long-leaf pine seedling to transplant as well as paper that incorporated wildflower seeds (the wildflowers did fine, the seedling, not so well). There are craft areas for the kids to make mobiles and paper mosaics with salvaged materials. Frankly, these aren't likely to make it to your fridge door display, but they are entertaining for the kids nonetheless. This means a few minutes of peace and quiet for you.
There are plenty of exhibits describing eco-conscious products. In the usual irony, bottled water is also for sale, but you can bring your own aluminum bottle and demonstrate that you are already a convert to conservaton. If you have any remodeling in your future, take some time to see booths like those showing bamboo flooring and natural floor coverings. Sometimes there are promotional deals available.
You may be able to complete some of your holiday shopping with greeting cards, handmade ornaments, and locally made goods. The fun is in the mix of participants and sponsors peddling everything from magazines to pottery. Food is also available, so plan to hang out awhile if you can. Head over to the Moss Rock Preserve to see beautiful rock formations and maybe take a short hike while you're out (it's just crowded enough that, even with a wrong turn, someone is bound to find you). Signs will point the way and there will be plenty of others out exploring.
You may get to watch some rock climbers while you're at Moss Rock. Wonder if those little mats they use incase of falling would be extra security for the bed-jumping daredevils in your home? On second thought, better mosey on past the rock-climbers before anybody in your party gets inspired to try and scale the rock facade back at the house.
