Wednesday, October 8, 2008

Ben and Jerry's...The Breast Is Best?!


Ok so I totally forgot that I was going to blog about this. Thank you Melanie for reminding me. A few weeks ago I was driving in the car to my Chiropractor appointment to fix the pulled muscles in my neck and back from playing Volleyball with the Young Women. And no it wasn't some hot spike move like you see on Top Gun and the Playin' with the Boys scene...pause...Hot Hot Hot Guys!
Ok back to me driving in the car. So I hear on the radio that the Vice President of PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals), Tracy Reiman has written a letter to Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream Company urging......pause again, I am laughing too hard to even type. Urging them to to replace the use of cow's milk in their product with Human Breast Milk. Yes, you read that correctly and yes, I typed it correctly.
Here is a quote from the letter written:
"PETA officials say a move to human breast milk would lessen the suffering of dairy cows and their babies on factory farms and benefit human health. "

"The fact that human adults consume huge quantities of dairy products made from milk that was meant for a baby cow just doesn't make sense," says PETA Executive Vice President Tracy Reiman. "Everyone knows that 'the breast is best,' so Ben & Jerry's could do consumers and cows a big favor by making the switch to breast milk."
Ok Psycho Sally...are you freaking kidding me? Isn't the whole point of a dairy cow's life to produce milk? Don't the milk commercials say that cows are happy producing milk? She doesn't think it is "fair" that the cow must continually be impregnated to meet the milk consumption demands. Honestly...doesn't she realize that the babies that come from the dairy cows that produce the milk for us also become the meat for us?
And "a favor to consumers"? I would say there would be a huge decline in Ice Cream consumption across the U.S.! I know I would be finding a new dessert!!
Is Tracy Reiman willing to be the first one to take a stand for all cows and pledge the rest of her life to continual pregnancies? $10 bucks says she has NEVER had a baby and NEVER experienced engorged breasts! Her mom must be so proud!
So here is Ben and Jerry's response:
Ben & Jerry's spokesman Rob Michalak said the company applauds PETA's creative approach to bring attention to an issue, but believes that a mother's milk is best used by a child.
My response: The Company laughed hysterically over this letter and couldn't wait to share it with the rest of America. We applaud PETA for another ridiculous suggestion that nearly caused us to either pee our pants or throw up.
See the whole story below:

Monday, October 6, 2008

The Nightmare at Inn on the Creek

It sounds like it should be some horror movie to be released shortly, but no it isn't. It is the description of what should have been a nice relaxing weekend for our Anniversary. A few years ago we went up to this darling bed and breakfast in Midway. It was the Inn on the Creek. We had a great time just enjoying the mountains and sleep! For breakfast we had the BEST Blueberry Cream Cheese Stuffed French Toast. I was pregnant with Ashlyn and it was SO yummy. Ever since then I've wanted to go up there just for the breakfast. When my sister and brother-in-law offered to have Ashlyn come spend the night with them (That's a post in itself) we took them up on it! We decided to go back to the Inn. We were looking forward to sleeping in!
We went up to Heber and had dinner and then headed to Midway. Upon arrival we were greeted by a bleach blonde, pretend I'm still 29, lady with nasty long fake nails. She says, "Oh good, your here, I can go home now." Really...we're glad to be here too. She proceeds to tell us she doesn't know why we picked the room we did, but here's the key. Cole told her he just picked one online and that whatever room she had we would take. She kept us in the same room. As we are leaving to find our room, we mention that we can't wait for Breakfast! She then says, "Oh we don't serve breakfast anymore. We've got new owners and it was too expensive to staff it, so they closed it down, we only serve dinner on Friday and Saturday." So...when you say you are a Bed and Breakfast, what you really mean is your a Bed and...? Nice.
So off we go bummed that we won't be having the fabulous french toast. We pull up to the building that our room-G3- is in and are greeted with a "For Sale" sign. Odd. We go into what looks like an apartment building and proceed up to the top floor. We open the door and we've arrived! I turn the air down since it was only a balmy 76 in there and find a sign that says, Please wait 20 minutes for the air to turn on. Ok whatever. Then I really wanted to watch Juno so I go to put the DVD in and surprise! No DVD player. Online it states that there is one in the room. Ok no big deal. I find Legally Blonde II on TV, lucky Cole! So we are watching the movie and all of a sudden I hear this chirping sound. I asked Cole it he can hear it and he can't. It goes off again...did you hear it? No. So I'm up trying to figure out the source of the mysterious chirping noise. I'm out in the hall listening intently and it goes off again. It's in our room and it is the Smoke Detector. Nice...battery is dying! So I ask Cole to get it down off the vaulted ceiling by balancing on the arm of the couch and take the battery out. At this point I'm sure that 20 min has passed and still no air. Ok...we'll keep waiting and turn on the ceiling fan. Low and behold, the fan is clanking against the ceiling. Are you kidding me? I pick up the Guest Services book to see why the air isn't working. It says that room G1 has control of the air for room G3. WHY?? Well no one is in building G with us so we figure it must be turned off.
As if I hadn't had enough, I go into use the bathroom and notice a dark ring around the tub and the area that you can sit down too. All I'm picturing is a fat hair guy using the tub...gross. Then I pick up the bath towel and can see through it and it smells like mildew. Alright, I'm done! Cole calls down to the front desk and no one answers. Ohhh that's right, she went home. Who closes the front desk of a hotel?? So back to the Guest Services Book--I find a phone number to call in case of an emergency. Well in my book, this is an emergency. I call the number and a guy answers hello? I said, "Is this the number for Inn on the Creek?" "Oh yah it is, this is Ed, what do you need?" I proceed: "Well, I calling about the problems with our room and since no one is answering at the front desk, you get to help us." "Ok what's the problem?" "No I said PROBLEMS" I continue to tell him the above issues. He says to me, "What room are you in?" "G3" "G?" "Yes G, G 3" "G as in game?" "G as in great, gall, gosh, G!" "Why did she put you in G?" "I don't know, all I know is that this is not going to work for us." He tells me to go down to the front desk because someone should be there until 9:30. So we pack up and off we go. We go in and there is no one there...because she left. So the only person we can find is in the Kitchen and he doesn't speak any English. So to make an already long story not so long...here's the jist of it: No one is there, we are trying to communicate to the non English man to call Ed. He calls Elquardo...the cook. So Cole calls Ed and tells him that no one is there to help us. Cole tells him we are leaving and not to charge our card, the man agrees not to and suggests we stay at the Holiday Inn in Heber. Gee, thanks just how I want to spend the weekend. We contemplate going home but decide to see if the Marriott in Park City has any rooms. They do, we book it, it comes with Free Breakfast, we stop at the 7-11 and then check in. They have 1 room with 2 queen beds. Perfect. You get your bed, I'll have mine. :) It was wonderful and the breakfast was fabulous. So we get home and Cole pulls up his credit card account online a few days later and we have been charged for the room from Inn on the Creek. He's ticked and calls the bleached blonde trampy old lady and she says "Well we had to clean it after you left" Cole told her she didn't clean it before we got there! Anyway, I look up Ed's number off of our cell phone account and Cole calls and leaves a message. He never calls back. Surprising. Now we are in a credit card dispute and I'm out to make sure no one else gets ripped off! So as for the Inn on the Creek...THUMBS DOWN! Don't waste your time and money!

Thursday, September 25, 2008

Yippee!! Mommy Mondays it is!!

Ok I am so excited I can hardly stand it! I have felt like a total hobbit lately and I'm really getting sick of it. I'm excited that everyone wants to play :) I think the moms will benefit the most! It sounds like Mondays at 10:00 am twice a month is the majority. So here's an idea of how we can do it: Let's plan the 1st and 3rd Mondays of each month starting Monday October 6 at 10:00 at my house. Then we can set up a rotation schedule of whomever is interested in offering their house and snack and discuss the nitty gritty details! And feel free to invite anyone you please. And yes Emma, you may join us and you don't have to borrow any kids! We'll have plenty! Tonya you are welcome to fly up anytime ;) So I'll see you on Monday October 6!!

Saturday, September 20, 2008

A Little Survey...

Ok I'm so excited that so many of you want to do play dates! Here's an idea, let me know what you think. So how about Monday Mom Days? And what time works best for everyone? And how many times a month do we want to play? Leave me a comment and let me know!

Sunday, September 14, 2008

Calling all Moms!!

So about 1 1/2 years ago our ward was split and we were sent off to the 9th ward. I was really mad and did not want to go, but I went anyway because I knew it was what I was suppose to do. Well, I have to say, it hasn't been all that bad and I have met some really great people. Take my Visiting Teachers, now I'm a terrible visiting teacher so they motivate me to go and see my people. Anyway they came to visit and it was so much fun to have our kids play nicely with each other and for us to just sit back, relax, and chat! It was refreshing for me. I've been dealing with the Fall Blues. I hate it when Summer is over! And it depresses me because I know that the long cooped up days of Winter are not far behind. So I've been thinking about ways to stay in contact with all of the fun moms in the area; and I've decided we will just have to have inside play group! My basement is big enough, why not? Or I'm sure we can take over a kiddie play land somewhere. So if anyone is interested, let me know and we'll get our kids together and play!

Friday, September 12, 2008

A lesson we all could use...

Hello again!
Wow look at me! Two posts in a row! Whatever will you do with yourself?
So for those of you who really know me, you know that I don't put up with a lot of crap from people. Sure we all have our pet peeves and I'll be first to admit that I not perfect. Close, but not perfect. ;) I'll also be the first to say if someone or something is bugging me. Sorry, I use to beat around the bush but it didn't get me anywhere, so I try to be nice but clear.
One of my main issues is I don't like people who are mean or inconsiderate. It drives me up a wall, which is probably why I need a straight jacket every time I return home from driving around and running errands. It's really sad to me that some people can get so caught up in themselves that they don't see the people around them they are hurting. And even more disappointing is some people will never see it.
So this leads me to the link of the lesson we could all use...
http://mystoriesandlore.blogspot.com/2008/09/dont-be-mean-charlene.html

I think I'll use this with my Young Women lesson on Divine Qualities. It's just a good reminder. :) jc

The Swiss Miss reports...

Ok so once again I am playing blog catch up! For the past couple of weeks, I've had those moments of "Oh that would be a great blog..." I've even taken pictures to go along with those moments, only to see that I don't get on and post them! Part of my issue is Cole told me about a month ago that I spend too much time on the computer and I need to focus more on him and Ashlyn. Now many of you know me and know that I don't usually tolerate those type of comments, but I felt he was KIND OF right, not COMPLETELY right, but KIND OF. So I've been trying to limit my time, but in doing so, I haven't been able to update my blog or stay updated with everyones blogs. So I'm going to slowly slip back into my old ways and make time for the blogging! Hey it's cheaper than therapy!


So two weekends ago, I went up to Swiss Days--both days. Now I've never done that before and I can speak from experience now, that the best day to go is Friday! More stuff, less people, less lines, etc. Anyway, I went with my sister and Ashlyn on Saturday and we had a great time just strolling along the booths. I found new things that I had totally missed on Friday, and they are things I think you need to see. So below I will be posting more about them. But first, I must share a story with you about hair girl. So I'm standing in the Swiss Taco Line...by the way, Megan Hinckley has the perfect comment on her blog regarding "Swiss Tacos and Pocahontas" click over and see it. Anyway, back to standing in line... So my sister had decided she was going to get the Swiss Chicken, so she went to stand in that line, while I stayed with Ashlyn in the Taco line. So mind you it is hotter than you know where and I have a fan that clips to my stroller for Ashlyn, but she keeps throwing it, so I have it blowing on me now. Well hair girl is standing behind me and starts talking to me with the usual small talk. Ok, no big deal, I'm a nice, social girl standing in a long line. I'll chat with her. Anyway, she's small talking and Kristin returns with her chicken sandwich and I'm almost to the front of the line, so I say, "Well, it's been nice chatting with you." and I turn around and start talking to my sister. So she taps me on the shoulder and the conversation goes like this: "Can I ask you a question?" "Sure." "Do you have some one who does your hair?" Ok mind you it is hotter than you know where and I have my hair up in my signature summer hair do...the clip. "Yes" I say. "REALLY?!"
(with a look of disbelief)
"Why?" "Did you notice my roots?"
Side note: I realize I hadn't had my hair done in a while, but I had an appointment for that next Wednesday. So she continues "Well, Yes actually I did notice them, that's why I had to ask." and she proceeds to give me her sales pitch of "Hair on Wheels" she comes to me! My sister and I were shocked she had said that. Hello! If you are trying to get new customers, you should say positive uplifting things, like..."No, I just think you have really pretty hair." Anyway, she said, "I look forward to hearing from you" and I said,"I'm sure you will." Rude. Ok enough about miss hair on wheels....and yes, I went to my hair appointment and I'm a brand new girl :)

So back to my Swiss Days finds. The first thing I found that I absolutely love and think everyone with small children needs is this:


The Amazing Action Alphabet. The link is http://www.seeheardocompany.com/ It is the coolest thing! Each letter is an animal that has a story and action to go with it. It teaches the sound the letter makes and helps with letter recognition. I also got the workbook, CD, and place mat. Ashlyn LOVES it and she does the actions and is learning all of the sounds. It's fabulous!!




The second item is: Live Well Stitchery http://www.livewellstitches.com/
I love their stuff! This is the first booth I seek out at Swiss Days. Here are pictures of the ones I bought this year:



The third best find is: The La-Di-Dolls. Those wood dolls with felt dress up clothes. I got Ashlyn the baby and she loves it. Now I just have to cut the clothes out! I think it will be perfect for Sacrament. (Sorry they don't have a website!)
So that's my Swiss Days adventure in a nut shell!