Comments on: Friday 5+1 (5 Things I Love + 1 Thing I Don’t) – 11.15.19

By: barbara t whitaker

barbara t whitaker — Sun, 17 Nov 2019 22:36:49 +0000

I just observed the “worst” momma in the world, toddler in line in stroller, momma on the phone, searching the web/facebook; the child had a very loud You Tube childs video on to entertain her. The line wasn’t that long, I’ve seen so many people go out of their way to talk to strangers young children to “help” the mom calm the child. I’m heartbroken about a lot of that generation. We don’t know what this does to their brain function and development. We all know how addicting the internet/smart phones are and the great BLOGS; but as adults can usually stop. I love your site and respect your work and quality. My husband owned a body shop for 40 years and he painted our cabinets, bookshelves, furniture, etc with great auto body paint or regular paint. The body shop painters are so talented and what it takes to apply the smooth paint on the autos.

By: Amy Workley

Amy Workley — Sat, 16 Nov 2019 04:05:03 +0000

Hi Jenny,

Have you seen the chunky pumpkins made with the same yarn. A friend and I made them at AR Workshop. That place is awesome.

Also…check out Treetime for Christmas trees. We’ve never had an artificial tree and I want one that looks real. Treetime is located in a suburb of Chicago. We took a trip to Chicago last weekend. We stopped by Treetime. Their trees are beautiful and so real looking. They have a better warranty than most companies. I’m so particular I still didn’t get one…I almost left with the Cumberland Fir. I liked everything about it except that I thought the color was just a little bit light for what we usually buy…a fraser fir. It would cost too much to ship it back and I wasn’t driving back to Chicago to take it back before Christmas…hahaha. So I will keep thinking about it. I’m not sure if they have 10′ trees. I’ve also wondered about whether to get an unlit tree since the lights do seem to have issues and they are cheaper. But one of the reasons my husband wants an artificial tree is so he doesn’t have to deal with putting lights on!

By: Jenny

Jenny — Sat, 16 Nov 2019 01:41:12 +0000

In reply to Nancy. That's a good point Nancy. Although I am surprised with today's "lightbulb technology" that they can't make a pre-lit Christmas tree that can last for a long time!

By: Jenny

Jenny — Sat, 16 Nov 2019 01:34:14 +0000

In reply to Sandra Mosolgo.

That’s exactly what I said to another commenter – communication IS a lost art! You need to know how to talk, make eye contact, shake someone’s hand, etc.. Kids are going to suffer from all of the technology that is available to them. I kind of hope at some point there is a revolt against all of it. And parents being occupied on their phones is a whole ‘nother issue!

By: Jenny

Jenny — Sat, 16 Nov 2019 01:32:37 +0000

In reply to AliJ. You're raising her right! So many kids don't know how to just talk and interact with new people and each other, for that matter. It's a lost art!

By: AliJ

AliJ — Fri, 15 Nov 2019 16:29:02 +0000

I completely agree about babies or toddlers with cell phones/tablets/iPads!! When my daughter was little (she’s now 11), I always carried a bag of stuff for her to restaurants,etc. We would play Uno, Old Maid, color, do a puzzle, travel games. Even now at age 11, she never asks for my phone as she’d rather sit and talk which is a big skill that some kids lack these days.

By: Sandra Mosolgo

Sandra Mosolgo — Fri, 15 Nov 2019 13:16:39 +0000

Amen & Amen to your phone rant. I have been saddened to see parents occupied w their phones instead of talking to their toddlers, pointing out fruits & veggies in stores for instance. Communication is a dying art.

By: Nancy

Nancy — Fri, 15 Nov 2019 13:08:02 +0000

I totally understand the pre-lit vs unlit delimna. On a new un-lit tree, I place (wrap the branches) with strings of lights with “breaks” where the tree disassembles, and pack it away with lights on. Takes more time the first year, but after that, you are home free. I also only use 100 ct lights so when one light burns out, it’s less expensive.

By: Amber

Amber — Fri, 15 Nov 2019 12:28:00 +0000

Completely agree with the phones, and for me, tablets for kids. It is a scary, slippery slope that youtube has become. You start out as something age appropriate, but the recommended options on the side just keep getting worse and worse and it doesn’t take long for their young eyes to see something completely inappropriate. And I also don’t allow online gaming. Too many stories of pedophiles using games to get to kids. My experience as a social worker, have made me very, very leary of people based on who has been on my caseload. More people just haven’t been caught yet than are listed on as a sexual predator. I have 4 kids, 12 to 5. And no longer use a tablet and they don’t have any hand held devices. My phone can be used only to take silly pictures of each other while we wait. Otherwise, they get to learn the art of being bored.