Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Save Handmade Toys

So I might be a little slow to get on the bandwagon, but here it is: Save Handmade Toys. Because of all the insanity in toy safety in 2007 there have been some modifications to laws on toys. Good and bad. Anyway, visit the following link (or the previous one) for more info and help save handmade goodies.

Cool Mom Picks gives an overview of what's going on and easy tips and links on how to get involved. It's where you can get the source code for that cute Save Handmade button, too.

I could say a lot more about this whole state of affairs, my hubby sure is saying a lot - you should see the instant messages pouring in from him about it! Well maybe it's better you didn't, he's a little bit harsh - but I'd rather keep this site pleasant and free from too much of that heavy stuff that happens in everyday life. There are plenty of places to read rants and raves I don't think I need to add to it. (^_^). Perhaps I can encourage my hubby to start his own blog though. Hm. But promise you won't disown me through association!

Thanks for all the support and visits. Please go check out the news on Cool Mom Picks and even if you just click the vote button on Change.org it's a start.

Sunday, December 28, 2008

It's good to be home

Ok. I've been back from Thailand now for three weeks and the Christmas rush is over so I guess it's time to check in.

Thailand was...certainly a trip to remember. Other than some physical ailments on my part and the most wonderful closing of both airports in our area, due to that almost coup like protest, we did have a great time. My daughter especially had a great time. She met family she didn't know we had and experienced a whole different way of life. The weather was warm and humid but not too bad. The mosquitos were few. Thank goodness because I blow up like a blimp from mosquito bites.


Most of our trip was spent either near Bangkok where my mother is staying at my aunt’s or at Hua Hin and Cha Am which is less than three hours away from there. Because of the airport fiascos we didn’t make it to Chiang Mai to see my friend on Thanksgiving – I was really bummed about that. A few days later my friend brought her hubby and daughter to see us though which turned out marvelous. They drove their own car down. It was like a 7-8 hour drive I think. I owe her. Then we stayed at the Sheraton Resort and Spa in Hua Hin thanks to her frequent flier miles. Did I mention I owe her?

Getting a flight home was also tricky. There was a lot of calling of airlines and travel agents. The airports opened at the last minute and in the end my flight was delayed by only one day. However it now included a 12 hour layover at Narita Airport in Tokyo. If we weren’t so sick and tired and just wanting to get home I might have been excited about a 12 hour layover in Japan. But as it was we stayed at the airport, slept most of the morning at the gate, and then just shopped at the gift shops in the terminal. Again, I was blessed with a 6 year old that didn’t seem phased by anything. Oh I hadn’t mentioned yet what a trooper my daughter was; very minimal complaining or fussing on her part. Thank goodness because I would’ve certainly lost it otherwise. I did however get airsick for the first time. On the last flight home there was bad turbulence. We were on a totally full 737. The turbulence was so bad they had to stop serving dinner. The turbulence was so bad people were screeching. The turbulence was so bad my daughter kept asking me if we were landing already. Yea. Scary. Thankfully we both fell asleep and woke up about 2 hours prior to landing. Woohoo!

We’re so glad to be home but I missed the best of the holiday season I think. Missing Thanksgiving really messed up my Christmas season. My husband didn’t get to go on the trip with us either so that was a big bummer. Ah well, it’s done and we’re home.

So, when will I get back to crafting? To be honest I’m not sure. I have a feeling I’ll be trying to make a sackboy (from the videogame Little Big Planet) soon. My husband is actually hunting for the Simply Knitting Jan issue. Stay tuned…

Happy New Year!