Tonight hubby and I dropped off our applications for the first step to getting a condo we looked at yesterday. We are renting, not buying, since we're not quite ready for a house and want to move beyond an apartment. Our current 600 square footage 1 bedroom apartment is quickly becoming smaller as RaeRae is closely approaching 5 months!
We love the environment where we live but with no washer/dryer in our unit and doing cloth-diapers full-time on our own, it's time to move on. We had been emailing back and forth with the owners of the condo with questions and them sharing about the place since the current tenants hadn't moved out (lived there for 5 years and moving back to the east). We saw a nearby condo there before but didn't take it because hubby wasn't confident about it. This condo we're looking at has 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, larger kitchen, a built-in hutch, large living room area, patio with sun space (great for sunning diapers, and maybe hubby will install a better clothesline than the rack we have now--since the rack is breaking apart), and across street from a cute family park. There's a small farmer's market within walking distance. It's also about 2 minutes from the freeway entrance (great for hubby's commute to work) yet still somewhat secluded within housing.
So after months of searching, we think we have found our next home. New washer/dryer are being installed tomorrow and within the next few weeks, the carpets will be redone as well as the bathroom vanities and mirrors. If all goes well and our applications go through, we will move in July 23!
So these next few weeks will be a bit more crazy with packing and also on top of that, we are traveling a lot for family events and weddings. July will be one crazy month for sure--for us. And then August should be quieter.
Monday, June 27, 2011
Friday, June 24, 2011
You have to be Deaf to Understand
Just wanted to share this poem by William J. Madsen, written in 1971. I have it printed in a frame on my living room wall. I have so many personal connections to this poem.
"You have to be Deaf to Understand"
By William J. Madsen, 1971
What is it like to "hear" a hand?
You have to be deaf to understand!
What is it like to be a small child,
In a school, in a room void of sound --
With a teacher who talks and talks and talks;
And then when she does come around to you,
She expects you to know what she's said?
You have to be deaf to understand.
Or the teacher who thinks that to make you smart
You must first learn how to talk with your voice;
So mumbo-jumbo with hands on your face
For hours and hours without patience or end,
Until out comes a faint resembling sound?
You have to be deaf to understand.
What is it like to be curious,
To thirst for knowledge you can call your own,
With an inner desire that's set on fire --
And you ask a brother, sister, or friend
Who looks in answer and says, "Never mind!"?
You have to be deaf to understand.
What is it like in a corner to stand,
Though there's nothing you've done really wrong
Other than try to make use of your hands
To a silent peer to communicate
A thought that comes to your mind all at once?
You have to be deaf to understand.
What is it like to be shouted at
When one thinks that will help you to hear;
Or misunderstand the words of a friend
Who is trying to make a joke clear,
And you don't get the point because he's failed?
You have to be deaf to understand. What is it like to be laughed in the face
When you try to repeat what is said;
Just to make sure that you ve understood,
And you find that the words were misread --
And you want to cry out, "Please help me, friend!"?
You have to be deaf to understand.
What is it like to have to depend
Upon one who can hear to phone a friend;
Or place a call to a business firm
And be forced to share what's personal, and
Then find that your message wasn't made clear?
You have to be deaf to understand.
What is it like to be deaf and alone
In the company of those who can hear --
And you only guess as you go along,
For no one's there with a helping hand,
As you try to keep up with words and song?
You have to be deaf to understand.
What is it like on the road of life
To meet with a stranger who opens his mouth --
And speaks out a line at a rapid pace;
And you can't understand the look in his face
Because it is new and you're lost in the race?
You have to be deaf to understand.
What is it like to comprehend
Some nimble fingers that paint the scene,
And make you smile and feel serene
With the "spoken word" of the moving hand
That makes you part of the world at large?
You have to be deaf to understand.
What is it like to "hear" a hand?
Yes, you have to be deaf to understand
"You have to be Deaf to Understand"
By William J. Madsen, 1971
What is it like to "hear" a hand?
You have to be deaf to understand!
What is it like to be a small child,
In a school, in a room void of sound --
With a teacher who talks and talks and talks;
And then when she does come around to you,
She expects you to know what she's said?
You have to be deaf to understand.
Or the teacher who thinks that to make you smart
You must first learn how to talk with your voice;
So mumbo-jumbo with hands on your face
For hours and hours without patience or end,
Until out comes a faint resembling sound?
You have to be deaf to understand.
What is it like to be curious,
To thirst for knowledge you can call your own,
With an inner desire that's set on fire --
And you ask a brother, sister, or friend
Who looks in answer and says, "Never mind!"?
You have to be deaf to understand.
What is it like in a corner to stand,
Though there's nothing you've done really wrong
Other than try to make use of your hands
To a silent peer to communicate
A thought that comes to your mind all at once?
You have to be deaf to understand.
What is it like to be shouted at
When one thinks that will help you to hear;
Or misunderstand the words of a friend
Who is trying to make a joke clear,
And you don't get the point because he's failed?
You have to be deaf to understand. What is it like to be laughed in the face
When you try to repeat what is said;
Just to make sure that you ve understood,
And you find that the words were misread --
And you want to cry out, "Please help me, friend!"?
You have to be deaf to understand.
What is it like to have to depend
Upon one who can hear to phone a friend;
Or place a call to a business firm
And be forced to share what's personal, and
Then find that your message wasn't made clear?
You have to be deaf to understand.
What is it like to be deaf and alone
In the company of those who can hear --
And you only guess as you go along,
For no one's there with a helping hand,
As you try to keep up with words and song?
You have to be deaf to understand.
What is it like on the road of life
To meet with a stranger who opens his mouth --
And speaks out a line at a rapid pace;
And you can't understand the look in his face
Because it is new and you're lost in the race?
You have to be deaf to understand.
What is it like to comprehend
Some nimble fingers that paint the scene,
And make you smile and feel serene
With the "spoken word" of the moving hand
That makes you part of the world at large?
You have to be deaf to understand.
What is it like to "hear" a hand?
Yes, you have to be deaf to understand
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
First Day of Summer Began with...
Our first day of summer began with 70 degree weather at 8 in the morning and eventually warming up to 90 degrees in the afternoon. We live in a 600 square feet apartment upstairs with no air conditioning. Blech.
Most housing where we live don't have air-conditioning because we are technically the "bay area," meaning we live close to the bay--the water. Well, with global warming and us being a bit more east than other Bay Area cities, it gets pretty hot. On Monday, it was 91 degrees where we were at. That was just too hot for us, especially with a 4 month old baby. The heat affects her eating and napping, all making a crabby baby.
So we finally bought a one-room window air conditioner! I asked my landlady if it was possible since I saw her at her apartment (she lives on the complex too, and is truly one of the best landladies, or residential manager if you call it, we have truly experienced). She said "absolutely" and explained how to set it up. I felt very excited about having AC soon!
We love living here but having to do coin laundry with a baby is rather difficult, and upstairs at that. Even though we are planning to move soon, we went ahead and bought the Haire one room air-conditioner. Hubby's commute to work is another story.
But part of the project to installing the air-conditioner was getting a piece of glass to fit in the window since our window slides from the side, not from the top. We visited a place called Tap Plastics in Fremont, CA shortly before they closed. Even though we had the length and height of the space we needed glass for, we didn't know the width of the glass needed. This store was neat. They had other things beside just glass/plastic. They carried supplies for those who needed displays for footballs/baseballs/etc, clipboards, neon signs, posters, picture frames, various containers, etc. Just all of these neat little gadgets and potential ideas for creative projects.
We actually browsed the store for fun, and I found this neat little gadget that will be useful for our coin laundry and later for extra money in the car!
So on Tuesday morning, we went back to Tap Plastics with all the measurements needed, got a sheet of glass (thick plastic really, but I didn't ask for the actual components), and went home!
RaeRae watched Daddy as he read the instructions for how to set up the AC. I wasn't feeling too well so I watched and helped a little. It was too cute to see her watching him though.
After about 20 minutes or so of putting the AC on the window and taping the glass around the edges, we had relief. It felt so wonderful. We had it on full blast for the rest of the day (electric bill will probably go way up if we did it like this everyday, but today, it was needed).
End result:
Most housing where we live don't have air-conditioning because we are technically the "bay area," meaning we live close to the bay--the water. Well, with global warming and us being a bit more east than other Bay Area cities, it gets pretty hot. On Monday, it was 91 degrees where we were at. That was just too hot for us, especially with a 4 month old baby. The heat affects her eating and napping, all making a crabby baby.
So we finally bought a one-room window air conditioner! I asked my landlady if it was possible since I saw her at her apartment (she lives on the complex too, and is truly one of the best landladies, or residential manager if you call it, we have truly experienced). She said "absolutely" and explained how to set it up. I felt very excited about having AC soon!
We love living here but having to do coin laundry with a baby is rather difficult, and upstairs at that. Even though we are planning to move soon, we went ahead and bought the Haire one room air-conditioner. Hubby's commute to work is another story.
But part of the project to installing the air-conditioner was getting a piece of glass to fit in the window since our window slides from the side, not from the top. We visited a place called Tap Plastics in Fremont, CA shortly before they closed. Even though we had the length and height of the space we needed glass for, we didn't know the width of the glass needed. This store was neat. They had other things beside just glass/plastic. They carried supplies for those who needed displays for footballs/baseballs/etc, clipboards, neon signs, posters, picture frames, various containers, etc. Just all of these neat little gadgets and potential ideas for creative projects.
We actually browsed the store for fun, and I found this neat little gadget that will be useful for our coin laundry and later for extra money in the car!
So on Tuesday morning, we went back to Tap Plastics with all the measurements needed, got a sheet of glass (thick plastic really, but I didn't ask for the actual components), and went home!
RaeRae watched Daddy as he read the instructions for how to set up the AC. I wasn't feeling too well so I watched and helped a little. It was too cute to see her watching him though.
After about 20 minutes or so of putting the AC on the window and taping the glass around the edges, we had relief. It felt so wonderful. We had it on full blast for the rest of the day (electric bill will probably go way up if we did it like this everyday, but today, it was needed).
End result:
Project: Diaper Sprayer
I am excited to report that we have successfully installed a diaper sprayer in our bathroom! (Well, my hubby did since I was nursing RaeRae in our cool bedroom...yep, a new window A/C. Will write about that soon too).
For new cloth-diapering mamas or my readers not-so-familiar with cloth-diapering, a diaper sprayer is a tool that hooks up to your toilet quite easily. It's like a mini-hose that shoots high-pressure water to help get off baby poo. It also can be used a personal bidet or for postpartum rinsing (although the pressure seems a bit too hard for the latter in my opinion).
From Everything Birth, Inc.'s page, the description for this diaper sprayer says this:
Cleaning diapers has never been so easy! Simple instructions to attach this shower directly to your toilet.
No need to dunk in the toilet water again!
Cloth Diaper Sprayer - Great for rinsing off soiled cloth diapers in the toilet instead of dunking and soaking. The easy to handle, multi-hole, jet spray is perfect for rinsing even the most heavily stuck-on soiled diapers.
Hand Held Bidet - The Mini Shower allows you to comfortably sit on the commode and enjoy the gentle and soothing benefits of cleaning your most sensitive areas with cool fresh running water.
Feminine Hygiene - Fresh water cleansing is the most soothing and enjoyable way to achieve the highest level of freshness for total personal hygiene.
Hemorrhoids - Tissue paper can be irritating and even painful. Doctors recommend a cool water rinse for any type of edema or swelling in the rectal area. New and improved quality made solid brass, chrome plated Tee connector with long lasting, ABS, ceramic core, 1/4 turn valve, easily connects to commodes with out tools or plumbers.
Easy clip spray wand holder on side of tank.
Mini-Size, clear hose stays supper flexible under pressure and is less noticeable in bathroom.
Quick connect hose fittings allows you to cut the 6 ft. hose to any length for right or left handed use.
Adjustable Water Pressure - Multi-hole jet spray with pressure control valve makes personal hygiene, commode cleaning, and even cloth diaper rinsing quick and easy.
Quick and Easy Installation no plumber needed and installs in just minutes. Tools are not usually needed for installation. Note: Toilet must have a flexible water supply line.
Made in the USA
RaeRae is EBF (Exclusively Breast-fed, for those of you unfamiliar with the term) so that means her poo is water soluble and her diapers can go straight into the washer without a diaper sprayer. However, since she is approaching 5 months, her poo-plosions are getting bigger and I was just tired of dealing with those yellow stains. Even though sunning helps, they were getting to the point where there was just too much poo for the diaper to contain and I wanted to make washing earlier.
We are also going to be introducing other foods to her when she reaches 6 months. I had the opportunity to buy one through Everything Birth, Inc. , of which through Diaper Parties is associated.
My hubby said it took him just about 10 minutes to set it up after reading the directions. The plastic tubing for the water flow can be trimmed based on how far/tall your toilet is from the ground. We decided to leave the plastic tubing at the length because we will be moving really soon.
Here is a pic of the diaper sprayer set-up in our bathroom:
The "sprayer" is on the left side of the toilet tank and comes off when ready to use. It's connected to the long plastic tubing of which the water flows through. The water flows through when I turn a little knob with the blue mark (looks like a button in this picture) to the right. We turn the knob off when we are done using the sprayer. Then squeeze the sprayer to relieve any remaining pressure in the hose (to prevent leaking).
If you need a diaper sprayer, I happen to sell them! You can buy them here.
Just make sure to put my full name in at the page where it says "How did you hear about us." If you need help ordering or have any questions about it, feel free to comment here or email me. I'm always glad to help someone out.
Meanwhile, I will occasionally comment on how the diaper sprayer is working for us. I am feeling optimistic about it. I tried it for the first time today and I was honestly amazed how well it rinsed off the poo.
For my CD mamas, do you have a diaper sprayer? If you do, what do you use? What do you like or not like about it?
For new cloth-diapering mamas or my readers not-so-familiar with cloth-diapering, a diaper sprayer is a tool that hooks up to your toilet quite easily. It's like a mini-hose that shoots high-pressure water to help get off baby poo. It also can be used a personal bidet or for postpartum rinsing (although the pressure seems a bit too hard for the latter in my opinion).
From Everything Birth, Inc.'s page, the description for this diaper sprayer says this:
Cleaning diapers has never been so easy! Simple instructions to attach this shower directly to your toilet.
No need to dunk in the toilet water again!
Cloth Diaper Sprayer - Great for rinsing off soiled cloth diapers in the toilet instead of dunking and soaking. The easy to handle, multi-hole, jet spray is perfect for rinsing even the most heavily stuck-on soiled diapers.
Hand Held Bidet - The Mini Shower allows you to comfortably sit on the commode and enjoy the gentle and soothing benefits of cleaning your most sensitive areas with cool fresh running water.
Feminine Hygiene - Fresh water cleansing is the most soothing and enjoyable way to achieve the highest level of freshness for total personal hygiene.
Hemorrhoids - Tissue paper can be irritating and even painful. Doctors recommend a cool water rinse for any type of edema or swelling in the rectal area. New and improved quality made solid brass, chrome plated Tee connector with long lasting, ABS, ceramic core, 1/4 turn valve, easily connects to commodes with out tools or plumbers.
Easy clip spray wand holder on side of tank.
Mini-Size, clear hose stays supper flexible under pressure and is less noticeable in bathroom.
Quick connect hose fittings allows you to cut the 6 ft. hose to any length for right or left handed use.
Adjustable Water Pressure - Multi-hole jet spray with pressure control valve makes personal hygiene, commode cleaning, and even cloth diaper rinsing quick and easy.
Quick and Easy Installation no plumber needed and installs in just minutes. Tools are not usually needed for installation. Note: Toilet must have a flexible water supply line.
Made in the USA
RaeRae is EBF (Exclusively Breast-fed, for those of you unfamiliar with the term) so that means her poo is water soluble and her diapers can go straight into the washer without a diaper sprayer. However, since she is approaching 5 months, her poo-plosions are getting bigger and I was just tired of dealing with those yellow stains. Even though sunning helps, they were getting to the point where there was just too much poo for the diaper to contain and I wanted to make washing earlier.
We are also going to be introducing other foods to her when she reaches 6 months. I had the opportunity to buy one through Everything Birth, Inc. , of which through Diaper Parties is associated.
My hubby said it took him just about 10 minutes to set it up after reading the directions. The plastic tubing for the water flow can be trimmed based on how far/tall your toilet is from the ground. We decided to leave the plastic tubing at the length because we will be moving really soon.
Here is a pic of the diaper sprayer set-up in our bathroom:
If you need a diaper sprayer, I happen to sell them! You can buy them here.
Just make sure to put my full name in at the page where it says "How did you hear about us." If you need help ordering or have any questions about it, feel free to comment here or email me. I'm always glad to help someone out.
Meanwhile, I will occasionally comment on how the diaper sprayer is working for us. I am feeling optimistic about it. I tried it for the first time today and I was honestly amazed how well it rinsed off the poo.
For my CD mamas, do you have a diaper sprayer? If you do, what do you use? What do you like or not like about it?
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
DIY: Cloth napkins
Over the last few weeks, I had been busy with a project:
Do-it-yourself cloth napkins.
Thanks to my good friend "Y," I learned the basics of a sewing machine and also borrowed her machine to sew about 50-ish cocktail sized cloth napkins in different colors to use for both my Diaper Parties and at home. (A note about "Y," she is truly amazing. I met her when she was just a beginning ASL student and now she graduated from her local interpreting program last year and works at two colleges as an interpreter. She also interpreted for RaeRae's birth--stayed all three days---truly an amazing friend and I'm forever grateful).
I always wanted to have some cute cloth napkins to use at home because I was tired of buying the paper napkins often, even it was for cheap at the Dollar Tree store. I had found some large white cloth napkins at Target but I wanted something smaller and that matched our kitchen theme. For my Diaper Parties, I thought I would offer to bring a set to use at each party because we were already focused on the theme of growing green through the use of cloth diapers. The napkins could be rewashed without a problem!
1. Fabric Store visit
The process of D.I.Y. cloth napkins began with a trip to a local fabric and craft store called Jo-Ann. It is similar to Michael's but I liked Jo-Ann much better because it was bigger and had more options (or at least the location I went to). When I walked into the fabric selection of the store, I was amazed with the hundreds (probably thousands) of options of fabric to choose from. So many colors, prints, and also different blends of material. I focused on getting 100 percent cotton because I knew that's what I wanted and thought it would be more absorbent than a polyester blend. For colors, I picked out three different prints in red, black, and white (our kitchen colors). I got one yard of each fabric on recommendation from my friend.
2. Measuring and cutting each napkin
After washing the fabric, I got them all ready to be cut through ironing them and laying them flat. I had my materials ready: scissors, measuring tape (from sewing kit), and a little bag meant for disposing extra thread and pieces of fabric so it doesn't get all over the place.
For cocktail-sized napkins, I measured squares of fabric 6" by 6" so it would give an almost 5" by 5" napkin, but I wasn't too strict on the measurements as long as they pretty much looked the same in size. It was my first time so I knew it wouldn't be perfect in size. I wanted the napkins to be double-layer though so I would have two sides. Instead of cutting two individual squares (one for each side of napkin), I cut one long piece that could be folded in half.
3. Preparing each napkin
After the cutting was done, I prepared each napkin for the sewing machine by using needles to hold them in place. These needles would be taken out as I sewed along the sides. I sewed the squares inside out (like in the picture) and left one side open so I could open it inside out after sewing three sides.
4. Sewing machine time!
I'm not going to explain how to use a sewing machine here, but this part was fun! Click-clack fast on the track! It took some practice to get the right speed and keep the thread straight on the fabric. But I got better at it with each napkin I finished.
5. Sewing continues (outside part).
For the last side, I folded the edges inside so the frayed part didn't stick out then sewed along all four edges again so it looked nice and was sealed.
6. Finished product!
I have several of these following beautiful colors! I love them! I think they turned out great. We have an extra wetbag to use in our kitchen to put used napkins and wash when they are done! I like how they are small enough for simple use and the colors too.
I had much fun and thank you to my friend "Y" for helping me learn how to use the sewing machine and having patience with me during the lessons. =)
Do-it-yourself cloth napkins.
Thanks to my good friend "Y," I learned the basics of a sewing machine and also borrowed her machine to sew about 50-ish cocktail sized cloth napkins in different colors to use for both my Diaper Parties and at home. (A note about "Y," she is truly amazing. I met her when she was just a beginning ASL student and now she graduated from her local interpreting program last year and works at two colleges as an interpreter. She also interpreted for RaeRae's birth--stayed all three days---truly an amazing friend and I'm forever grateful).
I always wanted to have some cute cloth napkins to use at home because I was tired of buying the paper napkins often, even it was for cheap at the Dollar Tree store. I had found some large white cloth napkins at Target but I wanted something smaller and that matched our kitchen theme. For my Diaper Parties, I thought I would offer to bring a set to use at each party because we were already focused on the theme of growing green through the use of cloth diapers. The napkins could be rewashed without a problem!
1. Fabric Store visit
The process of D.I.Y. cloth napkins began with a trip to a local fabric and craft store called Jo-Ann. It is similar to Michael's but I liked Jo-Ann much better because it was bigger and had more options (or at least the location I went to). When I walked into the fabric selection of the store, I was amazed with the hundreds (probably thousands) of options of fabric to choose from. So many colors, prints, and also different blends of material. I focused on getting 100 percent cotton because I knew that's what I wanted and thought it would be more absorbent than a polyester blend. For colors, I picked out three different prints in red, black, and white (our kitchen colors). I got one yard of each fabric on recommendation from my friend.
2. Measuring and cutting each napkin
After washing the fabric, I got them all ready to be cut through ironing them and laying them flat. I had my materials ready: scissors, measuring tape (from sewing kit), and a little bag meant for disposing extra thread and pieces of fabric so it doesn't get all over the place.
For cocktail-sized napkins, I measured squares of fabric 6" by 6" so it would give an almost 5" by 5" napkin, but I wasn't too strict on the measurements as long as they pretty much looked the same in size. It was my first time so I knew it wouldn't be perfect in size. I wanted the napkins to be double-layer though so I would have two sides. Instead of cutting two individual squares (one for each side of napkin), I cut one long piece that could be folded in half.
3. Preparing each napkin
After the cutting was done, I prepared each napkin for the sewing machine by using needles to hold them in place. These needles would be taken out as I sewed along the sides. I sewed the squares inside out (like in the picture) and left one side open so I could open it inside out after sewing three sides.
4. Sewing machine time!
I'm not going to explain how to use a sewing machine here, but this part was fun! Click-clack fast on the track! It took some practice to get the right speed and keep the thread straight on the fabric. But I got better at it with each napkin I finished.
 |
| Sewed inside out on 3 sides |
For the last side, I folded the edges inside so the frayed part didn't stick out then sewed along all four edges again so it looked nice and was sealed.
6. Finished product!
I have several of these following beautiful colors! I love them! I think they turned out great. We have an extra wetbag to use in our kitchen to put used napkins and wash when they are done! I like how they are small enough for simple use and the colors too.
I had much fun and thank you to my friend "Y" for helping me learn how to use the sewing machine and having patience with me during the lessons. =)
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Watching RaeRae grow
My little girl will be 4 months old on Monday. 4 months! I remember when she was born. It was an exciting time when we finally got to meet her outside of the womb. 7lbs 5oz of wonder is now just about 13lbs.
The past couple of weeks have been more exciting for all of us as RaeRae has learned how to grab! It was an amazing moment when she put her hands together to grab a toy placed in front of her. It happened during bath time. Since then, it's like a light bulb has gone off in her head and she wants to get her hands on everything that is reachable. Her grabbing isn't perfect but she knows that she can put her arms/hands together to bring an object close to her face. I love it.
She is also working on rolling over to her side and from her back to her belly, sitting up with support, and stretching her heads as if to try to stand when we attempt to sit her down. She almost has a little laugh. Her outfit now requires a constant bib....sigh. Droolfest begins! Tummy time is more fun as she can lift her head up and turn it around.
Before we know it, she will be sitting on her own and crawling....
Watching RaeRae grow is amazing...and any baby/child growing too.
The past couple of weeks have been more exciting for all of us as RaeRae has learned how to grab! It was an amazing moment when she put her hands together to grab a toy placed in front of her. It happened during bath time. Since then, it's like a light bulb has gone off in her head and she wants to get her hands on everything that is reachable. Her grabbing isn't perfect but she knows that she can put her arms/hands together to bring an object close to her face. I love it.
She is also working on rolling over to her side and from her back to her belly, sitting up with support, and stretching her heads as if to try to stand when we attempt to sit her down. She almost has a little laugh. Her outfit now requires a constant bib....sigh. Droolfest begins! Tummy time is more fun as she can lift her head up and turn it around.
Before we know it, she will be sitting on her own and crawling....
Watching RaeRae grow is amazing...and any baby/child growing too.
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