Recent Safety Recalls

Safety is one of the most important things to parents. With all the recalls now, its hard to keep up on them. Here's 10 of the latest safety recalls. For a complete list go to http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prerel.html



Cranium Cadoo Board Games Recalled Due to Violation of Lead Paint Standard

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Cranium Inc., of Seattle, Wash., is voluntarily recalling about 38,000 Cranium Cadoo Board Games. The surface paint on the die contains excessive levels of lead, violating the federal lead paint standard.

Pottery Barn Recalls Decorative Candles Due to Fire Hazard

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Pottery Barn of San Francisco, Calif., is voluntarily recalling about 185,000 Round and Egg-Shaped Decorative Candles. The candle’s exterior coating can ignite, posing a fire hazard.

The Wick & Petal Co. Recalls Candles Due to Fire Hazard

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), The Wick & Petal Co. of Indianapolis, Ind., is voluntarily recalling about 1,300 Jar candles. The candles can burn with a high flame, posing a fire hazard.

Sears and Kmart Recall Play Stoves Due to Tip-over Hazard

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Sears, Roebuck and Co. and Kmart Corp., of Hoffman Estates, Ill., are voluntarily recalling about 17,000 “My First Kenmore” Play Stoves. A metal bracket connecting the door to the stove can cause a tip-over when the door is opened. This poses a risk of injury to young children.

Photo Frames Recalled by The Gift Wrap Company Due to Violation of Lead Paint Standard

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), The Gift Wrap Co., of Atlanta, Ga., is voluntarily recalling about 600 Hanging Photo Frames. Surface paint on the photo frames contains excessive levels of lead, violating the federal lead paint standard.

Inversion Therapy Tables Recalled by Stamina Products Due to Fall Hazard

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Stamina Products Inc., of Springfield, Mo., is voluntarily recalling about 2000 Inversion Therapy Tables. A weld in the center of the inversion table can fail when the table is in an inverted position, posing a fall hazard to consumers.

Discount School Supply Recalls Play Mats Due to Violation of Lead Paint Standard

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Discount School Supply, of Monterey, Calif., is voluntarily recalling about 60 Tic Tac Turtle Toss Mats. The paint on the Tic Tac Turtle Toss mats contains excess levels of lead, violating the federal lead paint standard.

John Deere Tractors Recalled Due to Collision Hazard

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Deere & Company, of Moline, Ill., is voluntarily recalling about 5,400 John Deere Compact Utility Tractors. The forward drive pedal can get stuck, posing a risk of loss of control and injury to the operator and bystanders.

Toy Wrestler Figures Recalled by A.A. of America Due to Violation of Lead Paint Standard

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), A.A. of America Inc., of East Brunswick, N.J., is voluntarily recalling 5,400 Toy Wrestler Figures. The surface paint contains high levels of lead, violating the federal lead paint standard.

Hunting Tree Stand Manufacturer Agrees To Pay $420,000 Civil Penalty

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced today that a Wisconsin-based tree stand manufacturer has agreed to pay the government a $420,000 civil penalty. The penalty settles a government lawsuit alleging that Ardisam Inc, of Cumberland, Wis., failed to immediately report to the CPSC serious injuries to hunters with its Big Foot and Lite Foot series hunting tree stands. In July 2004, 78,000 of these tree stands were recalled by the company.

First Time Mommy Tips

I'm a first time mommy, my daughter is 8 months old. Here are some tips I've put together to help anyone who needs it (& it might make you laugh too).

1. You can NEVER take too many pictures of your new baby. Take as many as you want!

2. For the first month or so, it's ok to keep checking them to make sure they're breathing.

3. Get used to lots of messes....especially smelly ones.

4. If you think they're sick, and have any question about whether to take them to the doctor or not....TAKE THEM. We really do have maternal instincts.

5. Don't be afraid to ask your pediatrician questions. That's what they're there for.

6. Keep up to date on the car seat requirements, they change frequently.

7. Babies will eat when they're hungry & they know when they've had enough.

8. They will most likely say "dada" first. As much as us moms try & hope, it's just easier for them to form the "d" sound than the "m" sound.

9. Don't worry that your not going to be a good mommy, it will come to you...and you'll be the only one they have, and you'll be the perfect one for them.

10. Kiss them a million times every day, at least until they'll still let you!

Work at Home Jobs

I've been searching for REAL work at home jobs for awhile now. Here's what I've found.

1. Medical Transcription - I am actually taking classes right now to learn how to do this. I think it is a very legit, and semi-easy way to make money from home. I can't wait to get done with my classes so I can actually start doing it! I'm taking classes online from PennFoster.
The online courses are pretty easy...but it is kinda tough trying to read & study with a curious 8 month old on the loose here!

2. Filling out surveys online - I tried this, it took too much time, and didn't pay very much. I'm too impatient, and got really bored. A lot of the surveys are from the same company, and you can't take them more than once. Also, most people who promote these sites get most of their money from referrals.

3. Processing applications - DON'T fall for this SCAM like I did. They say you can process applications from you home computer, and make $10-$15 per application. They tell you there is a 1 time non-refundable fee to send a "training manual", its usually about $10-$15. After your payment is procesed thru paypal, you get the training manual. All it is is a bunch of stupid stuff that everyone already knows. They tell you in the training manual to advertise & send people this same email for $10-$15 each. They say IN THE MANUAL...."this is not a scam"...but it is. It's basically like a chain letter, but with money.

4. Processing Rebates - This is yet another misleading home biz op. You pay from $40 - $200 supposedly to process rebates for this company. They say they'll pay you $15 for each rebate you process. Once again...its really affiliate stuff. They actually show you how to sell products online, then show you how to advertise for the products. They tell you in your ad to offer a "rebate" for the product so that people are more likely to buy it. I think you can make money, but it doesn't happen like they say it will.

My London Trip

While I was in Norway, I took 2 trips to London, England. Everyone traveled on the weekends, which was so much fun. I went to London one weekend with all the girls, and we had a really good time. I didn't get to do everything I wanted though, so I went back the next weekend. I stayed at the same place & I had figured out how to use the Tube (the underground rail system). So I though I would be okay by myself.....

Little did I know, when I got there, the Tube was on STRIKE! OMIGOSH...I didn't know what to do. I couldn't figure out the bus system. There were a lot of students trying to figure out how to get to their hotel, and we were all going to share a cab. There was a lady & her daughter from Mississippi at the bus station waiting on their bus, and I sat down & started crying cause I had no idea what to do.

The lady came over to me & was telling me it would be ok, I would figure it out. I had a cell phone that I bought in Norway, but it didn't work very well in the UK. I called my mom to try and get her help, but my phone ran out of time before we got a resolution. Finally a bus came (it was like 12 am by then) & a bunch of students from other places that I didn't even really know told me the bus could probably take us close to where we needed to be.

So I got on the bus, and when I started recognizing where I was, I figured I would get off and that I could walk from there. Well, I got confused cause it was dark...and finally I saw a taxi, and flagged him down. I knew he would know where to take me. I got in and told him where I wanted to go & he started asking if I had ever been to London, etc. He ended up proposing to me....SERIOUSLY. He wasn't kidding! I told him I had a boyfriend, sorry. He dropped me off at my hostel, The Generator, & I went in to get my room key.

I got to my room, which was shared with 4 other people (that's how hostels work). I walked in & everyone was asleep, so I tried to be quiet and put my stuff away. Then I realized....there were all GUYS in this room! Whaaat? I specifically asked to room with only girls. I just didn't feel comfortable sleeping in the same room with 3 guys! I went back down to the check in desk, and told them there must be some mistake. The guy told me that was only room they had left, so there was nothing they could do. I was so mad, but it was really late, and I had no where else to go.

I went back up to the room & the guys were awake now. They were all like, we're brothers and we're nice guys...we're not gonna hurt you or anything. I didn't really think they were gonna hurt me, it was just kinda weird. Anyway, when I woke up the next morning they were all gone anyway. I got up, and went site seeing....and shopping. I went to the Tower of London, and Picadilly Circus, lots of fun places. I actually had a really fun time by myself! The Tube was back up and running that afternoon...so it was a lot easier to get around.

Overall, I learned A LOT about travelling...how to get around, how to handle unexpected problems. Oh, and never get engaged to a taxi driver while your in another country! It's just weird.

Studying abroad

In the summer of 2004, I studied abroad in Norway. I was there for about a month and 2 weeks. About 15 other Tech students went also, and a professor from Tech who arranged the whole trip. It was definitely a learning experience!

We lived in a small town in Norway called Honefoss. We each had our own little one room apartments with a bathroom & kitchen. I took 2 classes while there, International Marketing, and International Management. Every day, I walked down this huge hill to the school....(and I fell a couple times going down). Everyone in Norway was really nice. They all spoke English, but communication was still a little hard.

If I wanted to go anywhere, I had to walk. They had a tiny mall downtown, and some of us would walk down there every once in awhile. It was probably about a 3 mile walk from my apartment to downtown, and back.

Pretty much EVERYTHING was different there. The food was weird! They put butter on their sandwiches, instead of mayo or mustard. And the lunch meat that was on there was very questionable. They put corn on hamburgers & pizza. And everyone ate pizza with a fork and knife. One big staple there was hot dogs from the local gas station. I searched ALL OVER for a Dr. Pepper, and finally found one.

Also, everything was very expensive there....about 3 times what it is here. Like a coke was about 3 dollars. I went to the grocery store several times. I had to buy laundry detergent to wash my clothes. I could not read the labels on the boxes, and almost bought just fabric softener. I had to ask the cashier at the front "Is this to wash your clothes?" She looked at me & said, "No, this make....um clothes soft".

I bought some frozen pizzas to cook in my little oven, and they tasted really gross. Who knew it would be so different? I had to ask the guy at the grocery store if this bottle of white liquid was ranch dressing....he said no, it is sauce to put on pizza. Good enough for me...that's what I wanted it for. I actually brought some food, though so I was good. I looked forward to eating Velveeta mac & cheese every day....haha.

I got really homesick while I was there also. I knew I would miss everyone, but I never realized just how much. I talked to David on the phone every day, and cried every day. We spent A LOT of money on calling cards.

The whole studying abroad experience was something I am very glad I did. I learned so much about other cultures, and how to deal with all kinds of people. I learned a lot about how to get around when traveling. If you are considering studying abroad, do it...it's a once in a lifetime experience. It will teach you so much more than you would ever imagine!

Helping People

One reason I wanted to start blogging is because I love to write. I've been writing since I was really young. I used to win contests in school, and participate in UIL events.

Another reason is that I want to try and share some of my infinite knowledge. Haha...ok so I'm not that experienced in a lot of things, but any little bit helps, right? I like to help people, and enjoy sharing ideas.

The third reason ties in to the second one. I am a very indecisive person. Sometimes this is bad, but sometimes it is good. A lot of people (my Mom & my hunny), just say that I'm picky. But the thing about it is that I like to research any decisions that I make very thoroughly so that I will get the best outcome I can.

My sister laughed at me a while back because I was looking for a new shower curtain. Every store we went to, I was looking at them....and comparing them to what I had already seen. I just wanted to get the "perfect" one for me & my style & get a good deal at the same time. Needless to say, it took me about 3 months to finally find it!

So I've done a lot of research on a lot of things. I hope to share some of my wisdom with anyone who wants it.

Here's a list of what I hope to provide with this blog.

1. Work at home info....what's a scam, what's not.
2. Education help, college, etc.
3. Mommy tips, resources, stay at home mom stuff.
4. How to's on random stuff.
5. How to pick the BEST shower curtain for you! (haha....no really)
6. Travel help, tips,.....studying abroad
7. And many, many more to come.

My First Blog

Hi everyone. My name is Macie, and I just decided to start blogging. I am a 25 year old mother of one beautiful, precious little girl, Lindsey. I'm also pretty much a wife, to her Daddy....and my sweetheart of 5 and a half years, David. I have a Bachelor of Business Administration degree with a major in Marketing from Texas Tech University.

Currently, I am a stay at home Mommy. After graduating from college, I searched for a job here in Lubbock for awhile. Starting out in the business world is actually not so easy. You have to know someone, or have lots of experience. It's kinda hard to get experience, though, when no one will hire you because you don't have any. Anyway, I got a customer service job at a well-known cell phone call center in August of 2006.

Soon after that, I found out I was pregnant. It was a surprise, but I actually was really excited and happy. It was hard to tell my parents because David and I are not married yet. We have been together for 5 years, but neither one of us are in a hurry to get married. Although, now, I keep hinting for a rock....(I don't think he gets the hints)!

Anyway, I had Lindsey May 1st of 2007. It was a very challenging, and scary experience. After inducing me, I was in labor for almost 23 hours....and still no baby! So they asked me if I wanted to have a C-section. I was really scared because I've never had any kind of major surgery. But I knew that that little jelly bean had to come out....and I was way too tired to do it myself.

So, I was actually gone from work for 11 weeks for the whole baby experience. I had 3 weeks of bedrest, then 8 weeks of maternity leave. I DREADED the day that I had to go back to work. My mom, sister, and David's mom watched Lindsey during the summer. But my mom & sister had to go back to work in August (they work at a school), and Mary had obligations to take care of my nephew in Abilene. So I knew I had to either put my 3 month old daughter in day-care, or quit my job and stay home with her.

I think I made the right decision, because I absolutely love staying home with my baby. I can't imagine anything else. David works in the oilfield, so he makes enough money to cover our bills. I love him sooooo much for allowing me to stay home with our daughter.

Lindsey is now 8 months old, and growing so fast!!! I think if you want to stay home with your kids, and financially you can....DO IT!!!