Kids Exchange - State Fairgrounds, Raleigh

I know I have a few moms and future moms that read my blog so I wanted to pass this info along. This weekend the Jim Graham building at the state fairgrounds will be housing the annual (I think) Kids Exchange sale. I am actually selling all my daughter's newborn and 0-3 month clothing in the sale. Yesterday when I went to drop everything off, I was treated to a preview. This sale is MASSIVE. I love being able to re-use other's clothing and for others to use mine. I've quickly learned that babies grow so fast that some of her clothing has never even been worn by the time she outgrows it!

I had no idea as to the enormity of this sale before yesterday and I cannot wait to go to the seller's pre-sale on Thursday!! It's absolutely not just clothing and everything looks so well organized (down to toys being sectioned by gender and type). The public sales are:

Friday, July 24 9am-6pm

Saturday, July 25 9am-5pm

Sunday, July 26 10am-5pm 50% Off Day

I loved that they give you the choice to either pick up your unsold items at the end or donate to charity. I'll let you know how I make out. I'm hoping to just break even, but I secretly know there's no way that will happen!!!

I miss you

I started back at work last week and it went pretty well with the whole being-separated-from-baby-after-11-weeks-and-putting-her-in-the-hands-of-strangers thing. But for some reason, this week has been harder, especially today. I miss her terribly today, I wonder why?

Rabbits rabbits rabbits

Did you remember to say it?

We did.

My holiday break was a nice, low-key one, exactly what I had hoped for. I enjoyed a lot of rich food, mostly sweets, and a lot of time with my loved ones. Though I'm happy to start a fresh new year, I look back and reflect (how can one not?) at 2008. In my 32 years alive, it was definitely the best and most eventful so far.

We bought a house and moved into a fantastic family and dog-oriented neighborhood with a huge park and a dog park.

I married the man of my dreams, barefoot, on a beautiful day on an empty beach in the presence of 3 friends.

I jumped out of a plane at 13,000 feet and got to free fall for 60 seconds and then enjoy a 10 minute parachute ride on a gorgeous day in May.

I got to spend a week alone with my new husband, swimming, and sipping tropical drinks in a pool while overlooking beautiful volcanic hills and ocean scenery in warm St. Lucia.

I watched the sea lions at Pier 39 for at least an hour and I ate fantastic fresh seafood with my oldest, bestest girlfriend.

Later, that September, I got to spend her 30th birthday with her and her new husband!

I became pregnant with our first child. I had no morning sickness and an easy, breezy first two trimesters.

On a sunny day in late June, I got to splash around with, and throw my squealing nieces and nephews in Lake Gaston.

I also got to jet ski!

Alongside my mother, I watched my sister win a gold medal in the Special Olympics for swimming.

I took my sister to her first concert.

I had dinner with my little brother in his first place (and boy, is it nice)!

I had the pleasure of tracking down and meeting two of my husbands oldest and dearest friends from when he was in the service, for his 30th birthday.

I got to watch my husband relive his youthful early 20s for 4 days :)

My family and friends had a healthy year, which as I get older, I've learned is a blessing in itself.

Though I had my share of flops , I enjoyed much success in my cooking and even learned that I like to bake a little too!

What more could a gal ask for, really?

I indeed found happy and I managed to keep it.

I wish everyone a great start to a truly happy new year.

Your thoughts please...

I have a question for you parents and non-parents alike. In your opinion, what types of restaurants are appropriate to take young, loud children to? I'm talking about babies in stroller through bouncy 4-5 year olds that can't seem to be contained to their own table.

My boss said her and her husband use this rule of thumb, if there are paper tablecloths, it's kid appropriate. I think that's a good rule of thumb. Buffets, places with menus with photos of food on them, paper napkins, plastic cups, pizzerias, etc. I definitely expect kids.

Why is it that some people just DON'T GET IT?????? Come on people. We're eating sushi in a dimly lit, mod-decorated place, dropping like $50 on dinner. Young children do not belong here. Why on earth would you not have the common decency to just order take out OR get a sitter and have your own romantic dinner? I know kids are unpredictable. I know life changes dramatically when you have them, but I would still think that basic manners should apply. I suppose these are the same people that probably talk on their phones in restaurants and bathrooms as well though. I did enjoy the one couple that had a screaming baby, waiting on their takeout order that paced with the baby in front of our table trying to calm him. I can't be the only one that this annoys the crap out of, what say you?