DC Metro Moms

CPSIA, or How to Lose Your Small Business and the Shirt Off Your Back

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of serious injury or death from thousands of types of consumer products under the agency's jurisdiction. The CPSC is committed to protecting consumers and families from products that pose a fire, electrical, chemical, or mechanical hazard. The CPSC's work to ensure the safety of consumer products - such as toys, cribs, power tools, cigarette lighters, and household chemicals - contributed significantly to the decline in the rate of deaths and injuries associated with consumer products over the past 30 years.

The emphasis was added by me.  I'm sitting here at my computer trying to think of something thoughtful and coherent to write about this new law known as the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) which goes into effect on February 10, 2009.  I'm at a loss.  No, wait.  Losing is what is about to happen to me. 

Maybe you have heard about it, maybe you haven't.  A result of that horrible fiasco with Mattel a year ago when they provided China with the lead-free paint and the manufacturers sold the lead-free paint and slapped on lead-FILLED paint on toys, Congress rushed this lead testing legislation right on through.  In fact, it received one"nay" in the House on the first pass (Thank you very much, Ron Paul).  The Senate?  Nearly as pathetic. 

I guess the bailout was not meant to help small businesses

I'm a work-at-home mom.  I think that is the wording if you own your own business, you run it from your basement and there is absolutely no escape from your children attempting to climb into vats of screenprinting ink while you work.  I also like to tell people I am a freelance writer, since that too pays the bills.  Sometimes it sounds more glamourous than Screenprinter of Edgy and Entertaining Tee Shirts.  But whatever the title, I'm just another person trying to make a buck in this world.  Daily it seems that is tougher and tougher to do. 

There is talk, talk, talk these days about the bailout.  Oh, I'm sorry.  That would be the bailouts.  Plural.  Married to an economist, I put my hands in my head ever single time the price tag goes up.  Whether or not saving Bank A or infusing money into Corporation B will help depends on your view of markets or the economy.

But like all Americans, I find myself most interested in what happens specifically to me.  I watched with great interest on November 10, 2008, when American Express was granted it's request to become a bank holding company.  It is a little funny since American Express never wanted to be regulated like a bank until banks were being written big ol' TARP checks.  The media was all over it (along with other bailout news), saying this is what the economy needed to keep going.  Congress praised itself for looking out for all of us little folks.

Oh, I'll give you unpolitical

I have been invited to an un-politics party this week.  I'm not going.  My story will be that I can't find a babysitter or that I have to shampoo the cat.  In reality, I don't want to go.

You see, I find myself in what feels like a somewhat unique political situation.  I find myself displeased with both my options.  Don't get me wrong.  It's not just this election.  I have been displeased with both my options for election after election, nearly as long as I have been voting. I keep telling myself that in a country this large, this was the best we can do?  But at this late date, you are hard pressed to find people that AREN'T completely, utterly and totally enthusiastic about their political choice.  And really want to have you come to their side.  And want to tell you what an idiot you are if you don't come to their side.  Thing is, I've had about all I can take of politics. 

My friend once said you don't know isolation until you are an atheist in the deep south.  I'm feeling it now. 

Can we go directly to the keypad only menu?

I'm not very good with things like bank accounts and bill paying.  This may be cause for concern for some (my husband, what with that being my job and all), but I just can't get a handle on things.  I know the general balance of my bank account and the general due date of bills but beyond that is a mystery.

It's not like there is a lot of disposable income around here.  Don't get me wrong.  I just have excellent luck.  I vaguely remember a bill due date and make a payment.  Some would suggest automatic bill pay but we are confident over here that some elaborate scam is going on

Sex and the City is going to fall flat? I think not.

Rumor on the street is that Sex and the City will be a wham, bam, thank you man.  Predicting a strong opening weekend then then a big drop off, analyst Jeff Bock of box office tracker Reel Source said the following when interviewed for a piece that landed in the Seattle Times.

"There's no getting around that this is a film oriented to women and gay men," he said. "It will be very hard to get past that, especially with a lot of testosterone-driven films out there this summer."

Classic. It kills

What not to wear

You always hear the saying, "It's all about location, location, location."  When I moved to the DC Metro area, I thought that only referred to the address on the front of your house.  It has only taken me about 10 years to realize that also means being in the right place at the right time. 

Or knowing the right people.  Like today, for instance.  How often do you actually know someone who can actually invite you to eat lunch at the White House?  I mean, not belly up to the desk

I feel guilty because I don't feel guilty

Today is our big topic day about Mommy Guilt.  We all have it, right?  I mean, isn't it some sort of chemical reaction that occurs upon conception?  I would say upon birth, but I think we have all had that second fast food cheeseburger while pregnant and thought, "what kind of mother does this to her child?"  No, wait, maybe that's just me.

The problem?  I don't feel guilty.  I mean, don't get me wrong.  I have felt LOADS of mommy guilt.  All

Not your average, overpriced Valentine's dinner in the District

Last week I took the boys into the District on a cold winter's day to meet their dad for lunch.  It didn't take me long to decide on the National Museum of the American Indian.  It was an easy choice because there was a parking spot right out front on Independence Avenue.

The American Indian museum for lunch, you ask?

Dora '08

It’s gotta be said, Internet.  I’m confused as to why everyone assumes that because a woman is running for president, and I'm a woman, I’m going to vote for the female candidate.  I'm also confused that if I identify myself with anyone other than a Democrat, I "don't care" about women's issues or my children or the economy.  This blow coming from the sisterhood.  I guess we can just dispel two rumors right now.  I would sooner vote for Dora for President and I’m not voting blue anytime soon.   

I’m not particularly red either, but I would have to say if I was going to pick a color, I would definitely choose red over blue.  But I’m not really feeling the love of the red these days either.  I'm in a tough spot here.  Attorney, small business owner, work at home mother, country living woman married to an economist.  That and I have been around the block enough to realize that what is said today may mean absolutely NOTHING 360 days from now.  That state and local elections can be much more important.  Still I find myself confused.  Am I going to get stuck voting for the lesser of the two evils yet again? 

Train rides for kids (without annoying the general public)

The biggest struggle I have during the holiday season is trying to figure out how to help my children learn the real purpose of Christmas.  I want my children to learn that giving is even more important than getting.  I think that's a delicate balance when children are young but it isn't necessarily impossible.  You just have to make the giving fun. 

That's why I think the Santa Trains run by the Virginia Railway Express, rock. 

My kids have ridden the VRE with Dad on his way to work before but the excitement of riding the train was lost between the repeated "shushing" as to not bother the other commuters and the reminders to "stop kicking that seat, for heaven's sake."  How fun is that?  Not very.  No, wait.  That was me.