Wednesday, November 30, 2016
Graceful Bizbeth
Elizabeth started ballet this fall. This is something she has been begging to do for years. We are very fortunate to live near a dance studio that is quite good and run/owned by a Christian. E takes ballet on Mondays from Ms Amy. It is sweet to watch the 6-7 little girls trying to imitate the older more experienced ballerina. I have been impressed with how much dancing actually goes on. Aside from the first 10 minutes of warming up, it is all ballet. E is not sure about the exercise for 45 minutes, but she still enjoys the class. She is one of the youngest ones in there (some are 2 years older) and many of the other girls attend several classes a week and have been doing it for years. For all that, E is not that far behind. I can already see improvement over the two months we have been doing this class. Dance, sweet ballerina!
All things teeth
David lost his first tooth in July and only because it was being pushed out by an adult tooth. At the time, the second tooth (also top center) was also loose. We were just biding time for it to come out. As time went by, the tooth did not loosen significantly. But meanwhile, the adult tooth under it was coming in too. The tooth was halfway in and no sign of the baby tooth leaving. It had just filled the gap between his front two (thanks to the curse of the missing lateral incisors). We knew we had a dentist appointment and so had a grave talk with the dentist that day about whether the tooth had to be pulled. She declared it would and David's appointment went from just a tooth cleaning to the more ominous tooth extraction. Meanwhile, I was having my teeth cleaned so M was sitting with David. When I came in, Michael looked like he was about to pass out. :) David was extremely brave and took the rather longer-than-expected procedure without any complaining or wincing. Let's just say the tooth fairy paid him lavishly with a rare $2 bill.
After D's appointment, E had her cleaning. She wasn't quite as brave during the minutes they put sealants on her teeth. Hah! But as in many areas, she is not too far behind David. She went to the dentist with her first loose tooth (bottom). While driving through the HEB parking lot on Monday, she started squealing in the back seat. Apparently, her tooth had come out then and there. She had not swallowed it but Mommy somehow misplaced it (or accidentally threw it out) when we got home. I told her we would write a note to the tooth fairy to put under her pillow. I knew the tooth fairy would be understanding. I am sure she would have been had she found the note. Unfortunately, the tooth fairy fell down on the job and forgot entirely to check under the pillow. It was with such a sad expression that E came downstairs the next morning. I almost wanted to cry with her. Fortunately, the tooth fairy patched everything up while E's back was turned and when I encouraged her to go back upstairs and look more carefully under her pillow, she found a $1 bill. And she immediately chirped up!
And not to be left out, Abigail went to her first dentist appointment this week. She hates having her teeth brushed but did exceptionally well without wincing during her first cleaning. She kicked off her shoes and laid back. She also had a smile on her face the whole time!
After D's appointment, E had her cleaning. She wasn't quite as brave during the minutes they put sealants on her teeth. Hah! But as in many areas, she is not too far behind David. She went to the dentist with her first loose tooth (bottom). While driving through the HEB parking lot on Monday, she started squealing in the back seat. Apparently, her tooth had come out then and there. She had not swallowed it but Mommy somehow misplaced it (or accidentally threw it out) when we got home. I told her we would write a note to the tooth fairy to put under her pillow. I knew the tooth fairy would be understanding. I am sure she would have been had she found the note. Unfortunately, the tooth fairy fell down on the job and forgot entirely to check under the pillow. It was with such a sad expression that E came downstairs the next morning. I almost wanted to cry with her. Fortunately, the tooth fairy patched everything up while E's back was turned and when I encouraged her to go back upstairs and look more carefully under her pillow, she found a $1 bill. And she immediately chirped up!
And not to be left out, Abigail went to her first dentist appointment this week. She hates having her teeth brushed but did exceptionally well without wincing during her first cleaning. She kicked off her shoes and laid back. She also had a smile on her face the whole time!
From four wheels to two
I was so thankful to have Michael around to patiently teach David how to ride his bike. I envisioned days of teaching. Michael took one afternoon to start the process. David astounded me by being a super quick learner. Within a few hours, he was able to get up on his bike and riding on his own without training wheels. Within another hour, he was no longer wobbly and could stop, start, and turn. Go, David!
(and many thanks to Michael!)
Monday, October 31, 2016
Friday, October 21, 2016
Wisdom from the smallest creatures
Every year we have an influx of ants for a few weeks. This year, the problem cropped up in the dining room. (Thanks to sweet middle who is the messiest eater I know) I have been tirelessly trying to keep up with the crumbs. We found the ant trail and put ant poison at the source. I thought I had gotten rid of all of them along with all crumbs. We ate in the other room for several days. When we came back into the dining room a few days later, here is what I saw:
This is the same place that the ants had been disappearing under the wall. I had to laugh. The ants could not fit these large unnoticed crumbs through the tiny wall cracks. They were moved to the wall and abandoned. Although, the same ant that staggered to cross the room under the weight of several crumbs that are more than twice its size, likely was not abandoning. That ant would have to come back on multiple trips for piece after piece.
There is a reason the Bible talks about the ant~
This is the same place that the ants had been disappearing under the wall. I had to laugh. The ants could not fit these large unnoticed crumbs through the tiny wall cracks. They were moved to the wall and abandoned. Although, the same ant that staggered to cross the room under the weight of several crumbs that are more than twice its size, likely was not abandoning. That ant would have to come back on multiple trips for piece after piece.
There is a reason the Bible talks about the ant~
"Go to the ant, you sluggard! Consider her ways and be wise, |
7 Which, having no captain, Overseer or ruler, |
8 Provides her supplies in the summer, And gathers her food in the harvest."Proverbs 6:6-8 |
Saturday, October 1, 2016
From 900,000+ to 595 and back again...
About a year and a half ago, I found the perfect "job." I say it was a job, but it was not one that I ever got paid for...not in the sense of money.
I first learned about reviewing Amazon products at discount through a random blog post I read. After doing some research, I decided to take the jump. I signed up for a few free sites and was able to view available products from sellers who provided discount codes in exchange for a customer's honest review. Sellers do this in order to build their brand and in hopes that you like their product. Many of the products are free...others just heavily discounted. I was told by my younger sister a while ago that the reason I loved technology and gadgets is because I am an oldest child. The combination of this trait along with another "oldest child" trait (the quest to research everything before purchasing) made for a perfect fit.
I had reviewed 2-3 products on Amazon before I started this. I kept seeing products that were available for people who had an Amazon ranking of less than 500K. Who knew Amazon even gave ranking to reviewers??? It was a whole other world of which I had yet to learn. My ranking was far from that...900,000something. I was shocked to think that there were that many Amazon reviewers...little did I realize that I have seen since a ranking of 2million something so I was doing pretty well. :) I started small. I reviewed some cell phone car holders. As well as some vitamin supplements. These items are pretty low down on the food chain.
As an oldest child, I can be a very detailed person...perhaps more detail than the average person wants, but... I write reviews that are detailed and as quantifiable as possible. I don't give as much opinion and more facts to allow you to decide for yourself. Both pros and cons. Since I am such a researcher when I purchase items, I knew there is often a dearth of such reviews. Many give two thumbs up but without the details of what the item can/not do. Or how well it works in comparison with other products etc... I must have resounded with the other first born purchasers because my reviews kept being marked as helpful. This in turn dropped my reviewer ranking and allowed me to review more new and exciting products--like bluetooth headphones, bluetooth speakers, colored pencils, kitchen appliances, clothing, bags, cameras, camping gear, household stuff...you name it! I could only justify this non-paying job if I didn't spend any money so almost all the items I reviewed I received free "in exchange for my honest review." The few I paid for were no more than $1-2 and were covered by Amazon gift cards that I had gotten for doing surveys or swagbucks. Once I saw my ranking dip below 5000, I placed a goal on myself to get below the 1000 mark. You earn "badges" from Amazon for being in the top 1000 reviewers and also another one in the top 500 of reviewers. I knew the lower I got, the more competitive it got and the harder it would be to get a top ranking. By this time, I had learned quite a bit more about this subworld of Amazon. It could get nasty and bitter. I determined to stay out of the picture as much as possible and just focus on reviewing.
The day came. I dropped below top 1000 reviewers on Amazon and got my first badge. Now there was the label "top 1000 reviewer" next to my name on Amazon! The goal then moved to being top 500 reviewer. Meanwhile, I was getting to do what I loved! I was being contacted by companies directly to see if I was interested in trying out their latest products for free. I was getting to try the newest items that just hit the market--often about 20-30 items a week. I was one step ahead of the fads. Maybe in some small way, I was helping create or destroy fads. My ranking hit 595. I was getting 10+ positive review feedbacks/day (this is one of the main criteria in ranking). I was only days away from hitting top 500 reviewer status. Then Amazon froze the rankings for a couple of months. I was just waiting for it to unfreeze again...
And then one day, just like that. It was all gone. That morning, I had gone to look at potential items to review, checked my account, pondered what I was going to review that day. By mid afternoon I had received an email from Amazon saying that I had violated my terms of reviewing and my reviewer status was rescinded. "This was a final decision." There was no explanation of what terms were violated. I was quite familiar with the terms of service and had never knowingly violated these terms. There were a few times in the past, I had accidentally left off the required disclosure at the end. These had been addressed and the disclosure added. Since then, I had been ultra careful to include it EVERY SINGLE time. I was only left to guess what they thought I had violated. My reviewing days were done. BUT what was far more crushing...ALL my reviews....EVERY SINGLE ONE (of more than 700)...were removed with no warning. No time to copy them for my records (true...one thing this first born did not remember to plan for). Just gone! Hours and hours and hours and hours of time. I have since written two emails to Amazon and tried to appeal. Both with no response. Amazon, the world's mover and shaker is too big to get personal or get any answers.
So many raw emotions swirled through me. There was freedom. No longer was I a responsible slave to writing reviews. My time was my own...and my family's (although I woke early and tried to avoid taking family time to do any of this). I knew if there way any struggle with pride, that too was gone. And yet, I had found something that I loved to do! It was all taken away in a second! So unexplainedly. So completely. I kept coming back to the fact that this was NEVER outside of God's capable hands. How happy I am that my hope does not lie with Amazon but with a good God!
Isaiah 40
Addendum:
It has been about a month. I had already started a shopping research blog about 3 years ago that had never been populated with posts. I will probably start posting a few of my favorite review items back onto that blog in the coming days just in case you, like me, are a first born child who likes to research before purchasing. :)
I first learned about reviewing Amazon products at discount through a random blog post I read. After doing some research, I decided to take the jump. I signed up for a few free sites and was able to view available products from sellers who provided discount codes in exchange for a customer's honest review. Sellers do this in order to build their brand and in hopes that you like their product. Many of the products are free...others just heavily discounted. I was told by my younger sister a while ago that the reason I loved technology and gadgets is because I am an oldest child. The combination of this trait along with another "oldest child" trait (the quest to research everything before purchasing) made for a perfect fit.
I had reviewed 2-3 products on Amazon before I started this. I kept seeing products that were available for people who had an Amazon ranking of less than 500K. Who knew Amazon even gave ranking to reviewers??? It was a whole other world of which I had yet to learn. My ranking was far from that...900,000something. I was shocked to think that there were that many Amazon reviewers...little did I realize that I have seen since a ranking of 2million something so I was doing pretty well. :) I started small. I reviewed some cell phone car holders. As well as some vitamin supplements. These items are pretty low down on the food chain.
As an oldest child, I can be a very detailed person...perhaps more detail than the average person wants, but... I write reviews that are detailed and as quantifiable as possible. I don't give as much opinion and more facts to allow you to decide for yourself. Both pros and cons. Since I am such a researcher when I purchase items, I knew there is often a dearth of such reviews. Many give two thumbs up but without the details of what the item can/not do. Or how well it works in comparison with other products etc... I must have resounded with the other first born purchasers because my reviews kept being marked as helpful. This in turn dropped my reviewer ranking and allowed me to review more new and exciting products--like bluetooth headphones, bluetooth speakers, colored pencils, kitchen appliances, clothing, bags, cameras, camping gear, household stuff...you name it! I could only justify this non-paying job if I didn't spend any money so almost all the items I reviewed I received free "in exchange for my honest review." The few I paid for were no more than $1-2 and were covered by Amazon gift cards that I had gotten for doing surveys or swagbucks. Once I saw my ranking dip below 5000, I placed a goal on myself to get below the 1000 mark. You earn "badges" from Amazon for being in the top 1000 reviewers and also another one in the top 500 of reviewers. I knew the lower I got, the more competitive it got and the harder it would be to get a top ranking. By this time, I had learned quite a bit more about this subworld of Amazon. It could get nasty and bitter. I determined to stay out of the picture as much as possible and just focus on reviewing.
The day came. I dropped below top 1000 reviewers on Amazon and got my first badge. Now there was the label "top 1000 reviewer" next to my name on Amazon! The goal then moved to being top 500 reviewer. Meanwhile, I was getting to do what I loved! I was being contacted by companies directly to see if I was interested in trying out their latest products for free. I was getting to try the newest items that just hit the market--often about 20-30 items a week. I was one step ahead of the fads. Maybe in some small way, I was helping create or destroy fads. My ranking hit 595. I was getting 10+ positive review feedbacks/day (this is one of the main criteria in ranking). I was only days away from hitting top 500 reviewer status. Then Amazon froze the rankings for a couple of months. I was just waiting for it to unfreeze again...
And then one day, just like that. It was all gone. That morning, I had gone to look at potential items to review, checked my account, pondered what I was going to review that day. By mid afternoon I had received an email from Amazon saying that I had violated my terms of reviewing and my reviewer status was rescinded. "This was a final decision." There was no explanation of what terms were violated. I was quite familiar with the terms of service and had never knowingly violated these terms. There were a few times in the past, I had accidentally left off the required disclosure at the end. These had been addressed and the disclosure added. Since then, I had been ultra careful to include it EVERY SINGLE time. I was only left to guess what they thought I had violated. My reviewing days were done. BUT what was far more crushing...ALL my reviews....EVERY SINGLE ONE (of more than 700)...were removed with no warning. No time to copy them for my records (true...one thing this first born did not remember to plan for). Just gone! Hours and hours and hours and hours of time. I have since written two emails to Amazon and tried to appeal. Both with no response. Amazon, the world's mover and shaker is too big to get personal or get any answers.
So many raw emotions swirled through me. There was freedom. No longer was I a responsible slave to writing reviews. My time was my own...and my family's (although I woke early and tried to avoid taking family time to do any of this). I knew if there way any struggle with pride, that too was gone. And yet, I had found something that I loved to do! It was all taken away in a second! So unexplainedly. So completely. I kept coming back to the fact that this was NEVER outside of God's capable hands. How happy I am that my hope does not lie with Amazon but with a good God!
Isaiah 40
7The grass withers and the flowers fall,
because the breath of the Lord blows on them.
Surely the people are grass.
8The grass withers and the flowers fall,
but the word of our God endures forever.”Addendum:
It has been about a month. I had already started a shopping research blog about 3 years ago that had never been populated with posts. I will probably start posting a few of my favorite review items back onto that blog in the coming days just in case you, like me, are a first born child who likes to research before purchasing. :)
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