A New Year

I am really looking forward to 2009. Closing out the books on 2008 and moving forward. I've got too many ideas swishing around in my head but I know that 2009 will bring good things. I've got one big project that remains unfinished for 2008 but am hoping to wrap it up in the next week or two. I am the constant procrastinator. Without hard deadlines, I tend to flounder.

The last couple of weeks we were hit with some crazy weather. We probably had close to two feet of snow here in the Pacific Northwest. It was beautiful but it sure made driving a crazy experience. We were pretty much fine until the snow turned into this weird ice/slush mixture.


Our Christmas packages are still rolling in from the various postal services but Christmas was wonderful. We had power. We had hot food. We had our health. It was good and I was definitely spoiled.


I hope everyone has safe celebrations tonight and warm beds to crawl into after the festivities are over.

Happy holidays, warm winter wishes, and ring in the new year!

A Thank You & Good News!

I just wanted to thank everyone for the nice comments on the gift tags. It really made me smile each time I opened an e-mail with a thank you! I promise more goodies like that in the future.

On to some really good news. Darsie's teacher called me up the other day and wants to move Darsie up the older class in her preschool! She has been in the 3-year old class for a second year for a variety of reasons, mainly being that she is still two years out from kindergarten (our cut off is September 1st and she was born September 19th) and the teachers also wanted to give her a good opportunity to really succeed in school and help her become a leader.

Well, she has. She has impressed us all with her growth this year and her willingness and eagerness to learn. So, after the winter break, Darsie will be in the 4-year old class! It is a nice class because there will be four other girls (she has been with all boys!) and there are also typical peers in the new class. A good mix for typical and outstanding kids like D.

I'm really proud, to say the least.

Happy Holidays from Us to You!

Because I can't send each and everyone of you a gift for the Holidays, I created a sheet of gift tags that you can download, print out, and cut on the guides. Write a name on the back in your prettiest handwriting. And just a punch a hole in a corner and string some bakers twine or ribbon to tie to your package. 8 tags per page.

Download Penguin Holiday Gift Tags

A Plea for Small Businesses

Come February 9, 2009 countless small businesses will have their means ripped away from them when the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) goes into effect.

It basically states that any product manufactured for children under 12 or that a child under 12 could come into contact with will have to be tested for lead. This isn't just the big companies, it is ANYBODY - people that sell on Ebay, Etsy, private webs ites, boutiques, wholesale, even craft fairs and garage sales. All of the charitable stores (Goodwill, Salvation Army) will not be able to re-sell any child related item. Educational materials will need to be tested. ANYTHING that a child 12 or under could come into contact with - clothes, soap, toys, books, etc. etc..

Only HUGE corporations will be able to comply. The little folks will be decimated. Seriously.

Below are some great and helpful links..please read them and lets get going on this!

http://www.cpsc.gov/about/cpsia/cpsial.html
http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=mfreisinger&view=videos
http://www.fashion-incubator.com/category/news-and-events/
http://mollyodesigns.blogspot.com/

Please help, this effects EVERY ONE.