Go Cloth!

moving sale is over - we've moved

2010-05-13T10:25:00.000-07:00

Buzzie Bee Diapers is now conveniently located within Clean Bee Laundry in Camden. Please visit us at 83 Elm Street (the Renys plaza). We're open 7 days/week - Monday through Saturday, 8 to 7pm. Sunday 12:30 to 5:30. You'll bee glad you did!

2010-05-08T19:02:00.000-07:00

In honor of Mother's Day, the Bremen Library will be hosting a Parenting Resource Fair on Saturday May 8th from 10AM to 12PM in the library's meeting room. Admission is free, but donations will be gladly accepted. There will be numerous representatives from local organizations who support parents and families there to share information and ideas about their products and services. Healthy snacks will be provided and there will be activities for children as well. The library will have a Mother's Day present for every mom who attends and there will be generous door prizes for moms donated by local businesses.

This event was coordinated by one of our longtime customers. We're helping her diaper her second child. She invited us to participate - and when we couldn't be there in person (because not only is Mother's Day, it's our daughters' ballet recital - can't miss it!) she volunteered to represent Buzzie Bee Diapers. She's certainly qualified to do that!

We've donated a Swimmi for the door prize. Should be a fun event - if you're in the Bremen area tomorrow, check it out.

Green Fair 2010

2010-04-08T03:44:00.001-07:00

Buzzie Bee Diapers and its sister company Clean Bee Laundry will bee at Plants Unlimited's Green Fair on April 17. Please come by, introduce yourself, register to win some great diapering products - and take advantage of our on-going 40% off sale (quantities are limited).

We're excited to spend the day in the company of like-minded, eco-conscious consumers and businesses. Hope to see you there!

sale chatter on DiaperSwappers.com

2010-03-14T05:58:00.000-07:00

Thanks to the mama who is helping to spread the word about our sale - I just noticed a thread on Diaper Swappers about Buzzie Bee Diapers. I'm thrilled that the conversation is so positive - and that our little moving sale has helped lots of families on budgets to complete their diaper stashes.

I continue to try to keep the website current - listing items with limited quantities and removing items once they sell out completely.

Go Cloth!

the sale goes on

2010-03-13T03:57:00.000-08:00

I absolutely LOVE cloth diapers. I am not so insanely crazy about website shopping carts. Being that we are a small, family-run business, we do the shopping cart maintenance ourselves... since we are trained in theater and art, this is probably not a good idea. We can't seem to figure out why the cart will tell folks that something is out of stock or not apply the 40% off sale to all items (when I certainly have checked the box that states 'sale ALL').

So... we really want to sell these supplies. We really don't want to pack them up to transport to the new location. That said, if you are having trouble with the shopping cart, please don't give up - please give us a call (542-0505) or send an email (info@buzziebee.com) with what you'd like to order and we'll do our absolute best to get it to you.

Thanks!

Moving Sale! 40% off website purchases!!

2010-03-11T01:33:00.000-08:00

As excited as we are to have Buzzie Bee Diapers fully functioning within Clean Bee Laundry, the idea of moving the retail stock is daunting. So, rather than pack, transport, unpack, etc. we are offering you a sweet deal to simply take the inventory off our hands. All diaper supplies are 40% off starting today. Purchases must be made through the website. And, of course, if we should run out something (that's the goal!), we'll let you know. We'd love your feedback as to what we should carry in the new location too. There's never "bee"n a better time to Go Cloth!

we can help you strip...

2010-03-10T03:40:00.000-08:00

your diapers that is. Sometimes folks who home launder their diapers find that the diapers gradually become less absorbent and perhaps more stinky. This generally means that there has been detergent buildup in the diaper itself, preventing it from absorbing what it's supposed to absorb. There are internet resources about how to strip cloth diapers, it's not that difficult to do, just time intensive. We can help with that: bring your diaper stash to Clean Bee Laundry at 83 Elm Street in Camden. We'll run them through our commercial, energy-efficient, ozone washing machine to completely sterilize them. You can specify if you'd like the diapers dried in our commercial dryer or air-dried. All for just $1.05 per pound - for most diaper stashes wind up being under $25. Just another way we make cloth diapering as easy as can bee.

we're back...

2010-03-10T03:30:00.000-08:00

We're back from a fabulous time in Guatemala. Highlights included visiting at Safe Passage, touring a coffee finca (www.asgoodasitgets.org) [I have always appreciated fair trade coffee, but now after seeing just how much work is involved, will always seek out fair trade coffee...], and spending long, lazy days in the tree cabin outside of Antigua (www.earthlodgeguatemala.com). We experienced some adoption related moments of joy as well. Too much to blog about - but we're hosting a potluck/trip slideshow next Wednesday (3/17)... send me an email for details if you'd like to join us.

The diaper we intended to bring to Guatemala were inadvertently left behind - along with all of Broo's clothes - in my dad's car as he dropped us off at the airport. Oops! We came home to a few requests for diapers for Haiti - so that's where they ultimately went. Really doesn't matter where they go, just that they are being used.

packing for Guatemala

2010-02-06T03:05:00.000-08:00

We leave in just a few days - my family is so excited for this trip... just under two weeks in Guatemala with overnights at my dad's on both ends of the trip. While we are in Guatemala City, we will visit with Marisol of Asofamilia. This is the organization through which we were able to locate Haydee's birth family and provide modest assistance with food and visits. Last time we went to Guatemala, we brought a suitcase of cloth diapers for the orphanage where Haydee had stayed. This time, there is no orphanage. Sadly, the abrupt halt of international adoptions forced many orphanages to close. Guatemala lacks the infrastructure for government lead foster care so many children are either abandoned or stay in their birth families where meeting basic needs is near to impossible. So we'll be bringing more diapers to Marisol for distribution to birth families as needed. We'll also visit Safe Passage to meet the 13 year old girl we've been sponsoring there. We're excited to meet her and hear about her studies. Thirteen is a critical age - we hope to reinforce the importance of staying in school and focusing on studies while there. We're also looking forward to showing Haydee some of the special places from our time there almost four years ago - the Embassy which issued her visa (finally!), the grocery store (EconoSuper) where we walked daily, the little book store where we purchased the Max and Tina series. After our time in the city, we're off to see other parts of Guatemala - including sea turtles in Monterico and tree houses outside of Antigua. Should be a great time!

a note for Buzzie Bee Families...

2010-01-18T06:08:00.000-08:00

We hope that 2010 is off to a great start for you and your children!

We recently celebrated Liefe’s 7th birthday. Seems like just yesterday that we were new parents trying to find a diaper service for her! In a few weeks, we’ll return to Guatemala. Preparation for this trip has brought us back to Haydee’s infancy - how long we waited for her, how quickly her beautiful eyes melted our hearts and how right away we felt silly for wondering if we could love two children as much as one.

Previous trips to Guatemala occurred without interruption to Buzzie Bee Diapers customers. This time, diaper service will be interrupted. We’ll be away February 10-24. Our commercial auto insurance covers only Broo and me, meaning we’re not able to have another delivery driver. We want to be fair to you, to give you options to keep your babies in cloth, and to be somewhat worry free while we experience Guatemala with our children. Three options are explained below.

If you have any questions about this, please give me a call (542-0505) or email (info@buzziebee.com). Thank you, in advance, for your kind understanding!

---indicate your decision and return to us with your payment on your next pick up - February 1. If we don’t hear back from you, we’ll assume you are going with option (c) -----

A) drop off soiled diapers at Clean Bee Laundry* on Monday Feb. 15 and Feb. 22 (between 9 - 4). Label bag of soiled diapers with your name on it. Pick up clean diapers at the same time. Receive $10 credit and a coupon for doing the transportation yourself.

B) wash dirty diapers at home and receive vacation credit for 2 weeks . We’ll give you a print out of cloth diaper industry washing standards. You may begin leaving soiled diapers in your hamper on February 22. Normal pick up and delivery will resume on March 1.

C) leave out all diapers (clean and soiled) on February 8 and stop service until delivery resumes on March 1. Receive vacation credit for 3 weeks.

During this time, we are unable to accommodate change requests for covers, diapers, etc. * Clean Bee Laundry is located at 83 Elm Street (Reny’s plaza) in Camden 236-2530

(delivery) times are changing

2010-01-16T04:35:00.000-08:00

Now that Clean Bee Laundry is in full swing, we're noticing that the diaper delivery route is just plain too long - both in distance and in how long it takes to complete it. We've made some changes already, Rockland and Camden customers are now served by Jennifer and her fearless little ones - thanks in part to Late Start Mondays at South School. The rest are still served by Broo in the Go Cloth Magic Toaster (we love the Scion!) just a wee bit later in the day as we can no longer manage getting up at 4AM to deliver diapers. As always, we will grandmother in existing customers, but we can no longer accept customers that cause us to deviate too much from the current route. I know of a service in another state that also serves a rural area - they have a 7 mile rule, where new customers need to be located within 7 miles of the current delivery route. That service is a lot larger than ours - because they also serve Boston suburbs. Perhaps if we were able to serve a more densely populated area in addition to midcoast Maine, we could make that work. But for now, we'll be taking each inquiry on a case by case basis. Thank goodness for google maps!

Locate a Diaper Service!

2010-01-12T12:44:00.000-08:00

Colleagues at RDIA (real diaper industry association) have finished a page on the RDIA website that every man, woman and child should visit... This has been a dream of mine for a few years now - the page is professional and accurate. Love it! Go Cloth!!

http://diaperservice.realdiaperindustry.org/locate-a-diaper-service

Life at The Bee

2010-01-11T17:47:00.001-08:00

So, here we are, seven months later at Clean Bee Laundry. For the most part, we are having a great time. Liefe and Haydee spend a good amount of time there and seem to really like it. They like to help out - even when they aren't earning quarters for the 'dulce machine' - the vending machine filled with m+m's that is a fundraising project for a home school family in town - otherwise it, like some of the other clutter we purged, would be long gone. One of us is there most days - sometimes we're all there. Here Liefe is helping at the front counter. She prides herself on service with a smile.

we bought a laundromat

2009-07-02T18:50:00.000-07:00

I'm not sure what all this will lead to but on Monday, we finally closed on the purchase of Spotless Cleaners and Tanning (yes, that's right, tanning) in Camden. It's a well-established business whose last owners did a wonderful job building up a strong customer base. We're incredibly excited about the venture. For the time being, we're running it as the previous owners did... once we come up for air, we'll make some changes so that our personalities and values will be evident as well. To the future!

Sisters' Summer Sale at Buzzie Bee

2009-06-18T06:00:00.000-07:00

Sisters’ Summer Sale!
25% off
diaper covers & swim diapers,
los chiquitos fitted diapers,
hemp & organic cotton prefolds,
contoured diapers

(now through July 31)
in stock items only

June marks the month that our youngest daughter came home to our family - while she was in our hearts forever, it was on June 2, 2006 that we all landed on US soil (very wet soil as it was raining so much in Atlanta, we wound up staying the night as the airport was pretty much shut down due to heavy rains). We celebrate it as Sisters Day - the day our girls were "officially" sisters. This year we had a cake (Hermanas Siempre) on which I tried to replicate the Guatemalan flag and went out to dinner at a Mexican restaurant. We realize that Guatemalan food isn't really like Mexican food but in Maine it's about as close as we're going to get. The restaurant (Blue Sky Cantina) uses a quetzal on their sign (the national bird of Guatemala for which they named their currency) so that was pretty good...

cloth in daycare - it can bee done!

2009-06-11T08:10:00.000-07:00

Here at the hive, we keep hearing from parents whose daycare providers are reluctant to plain refusing to allow cloth diapers. This is frustrating on many levels - it's hard to find daycare that is reliable and affordable so when parents have found someone they feel they can trust, it can feel uncomfortable to make any "additional" request. We know because our children have both been in childcare settings - ranging from awesome to awful. By working with other RDIA and RDA members, this topic is going to be addressed on a national level, with practical applications at home. It'll take some time but we're working on it. If you have any daycare diaper stories - successes or opportunities - please pass them along to me.

good sale stuff

2009-04-06T11:37:00.001-07:00

changes are coming to the buzzie bee hive - we've been looking over inventory... in order to make room for new stuff, we're offering sale pricing on some instock items. i'm relatively new to running a sale through a website... please call or email if you have specific questions about any items. let us know if there's something on the buzzie bee site that you'd like to see on sale. thanks!

So Proud! Real Diaper Industry Association website - check it out...

2009-04-01T11:42:00.000-07:00

Mission Statement : The Real Diaper Industry Association will improve business conditions in the cloth diaper industry by sponsoring research, supporting business education and networking, and engaging in promotion and advocacy.

I am so proud of this group. It's wonderful to have colleagues who share this vision. If you are in a cloth diaper business, visit the website. If you own a diaper service or other cloth diaper related business, please contact me - together we really are stronger.

Breast Milk Pumping in the Workplace

2009-03-24T16:45:00.000-07:00

On Monday the Labor Committee voted unanimously to pass the nursing bill out of committee, and send it to the House floor for the big vote. Here is the text of the bill that they passed (I think it’s pretty good):

An employer, including the state of Maine and its subdivisions, shall provide adequate unpaid break time or permit an employee to use paid break time or meal time each day to allow an employee to express breast milk for her nursing child for up to three years following child birth. The employer shall make reasonable efforts to provide a clean room or other location, other than a bathroom, in close proximity to the work area, where an employee may express milk in privacy. No employer shall discriminate in any way against an employee who chooses to express breast milk in the work place.

Why Network?

2009-03-13T03:21:00.000-07:00

Locally I participate in two networks designed to meet the needs of women in business. One is a statewide group, the Maine Women's Network, which has 3 chapters and the other is a local group, the CamRock Network. This is a lot of people contact for someone who is basically an introvert. It took me a while to feel comfortable in this role but now I find that I actually enjoy it. I have gotten to know, like and trust women that otherwise I might not have ever known. And I've had a zillion needs and interests met locally.

Through my connection to these groups, I've found:

a fabulous financial advisor
a realtor to help my mom buy a house in Maine
a programmer who solved most of my shopping cart concerns
customers who bought training pants, diapers and gift certificates
lots and lots of wonderful babysitters
a realtor who helped my best friend buy a house just a few miles away
an insurance agent who is funny and prompt
an editor who encouraged me to write a column for a local paper
other moms with connections to adoption
a diverse group of women who are rooting for Buzzie Bee Diapers to keep growing!

Interested in joining me at a networking event? I'd love to share this... just contact me and we'll work out the details.

Check out the CamRock blog on Village Soup

Bee Mine Sale!

2009-02-10T20:06:00.000-08:00

Bee our Valentine! Most retail items are 14% off now through the rest of the month. Sale applies to online orders only.

Another reason to love Buzzie Bee- we're offering $4 off each Loveybum cover purchased this month. To purchase, give us a call 207.542.0505 or email info (at) buzziebee (dot) com.

Vote for Toy Library

2009-02-06T07:27:00.000-08:00

You can help Toy Library Center in Rockland win up to $5000 simply by voting for it as a deserving non-profit... Bangor Savings Bank is giving away $100,000 - by dividing it up among winning non-profits in Maine.

This funding would be invaluable to Toy Library - in fact it would come close to meeting its annual operating expenses. The Toy Library began over 30 years ago - so it has served several generations - as an open play space for pre-school aged children and their caregivers. The library part is a toy lending library where children make take a special toy home to play with for the time in between gatherings. Toy Library meets at St. Peter's Church in Rockland (although not a religious organization itself, TLC is housed at the church). For us, it was a wonderful way to get to know other families when we first moved to Rockland. And now, it's become part of our weekly routine.

Several months ago, I had the honor of caring for one of Toy Library's founding mothers. She spoke of the vision so long ago to help families come together. She saw Toy Library as a place where children who otherwise might not have met will learn cooperation and tolerance at an early age, helping them to adapt to our ever changing world. Today Toy Library is open to all families regardless of ability to pay and is open to organizations such as the Teen Parent Program who work to strengthening families. Your vote for Toy Library will help Toy Library to be here for our children's children. :)

Thanks!
http://www.bangor.com/YouMatterMore/Voting.aspx

If you'd like more information about Toy Library, let me know or contact the director, Melissa Boggs at 691-6321.

Wonderful WOOL at Buzzie Bee

2009-02-02T18:19:00.000-08:00

New items at Buzzie Bee Diapers! You’re probably heard people raving about wool diaper covers - now you can see for yourself. Just in from Loveybums (a mom owned business in Amherst MA) is a wide assortment of wool covers. Place your order during the month of February and receive $4 off each cover! Orders must be placed over the phone (207.542.0505) or in person.

Wool Crepe Covers $31
Soft and colorful wool crepe covers! Available in Lemon, Green Apple, and Baby Blue.
Loveybums wool crepe is a medium weight cover good for daytime or nighttime use. Snap closures.
NB/SM (birth to 12 lb.)
MD (9-22 lb.)
LG (18-30 lb.)

Wool Jersey Covers $31
Loveybums wool jersey is a super soft, trim diaper cover.
NB/SM (birth to 12 lb.)
Aplix Keylime / Snap Tangerine
MD (9-22 lb.)
Aplix Periwinkle / Snap Keylime
LG (18-30 lb.)
Aplix Aquamarine / Snap Periwinkle

Hand Dyed Organic Wool Covers $37
with snap closures. Each organic wool cover is made with two layers of o~wool.
NB/SM in Maize
MD in Cornflower
LG in Mint

Loveybums-In-Ones $39
Snap closure wool crepe cover with sherpa snap-in diaper. Additional sherpa snap-in diapers available for $14. Organic cotton snap-in diaper available for $16.
LG only in Periwinkle, Aquamarine, Tangerine and Keylime

Nursing Pads $5.75/pack
Loveybums organic cotton nursing pads are made with a layer of organic cotton fleece topped with a layer of soft, luxurious organic velour. Price is per pack (each pack contains two nursing pads).

Wet Bags $19.50
Loveybums wet bags measure approximately 12" wide x 14" tall x 5" deep and can hold several diaper changes. Each wet bag is handmade with an outer cotton print, an inner of PUL, and a sturdy zipper closure to keep wet diapers safely inside.

Lanolin Tube $4
This tube of .25 oz. Lansinoh lanolin is a perfect size to have on hand for lanolizing wool covers.

what a week!

2009-01-23T17:39:00.000-08:00

It's been a great week for many reasons - a successful diaper run, a stress-free visit from my mom, an inauguration that went smoothly followed by some kept promises, even more sales on the website, and a family birthday - Liefe turned 6.

Even though it's often said, it is hard to remember where the time goes. I can't believe I've been Liefe's mom for 6 years! I try to imagine where we'd be if we hadn't become parents. I wonder if we'd be in Maine. I wonder if we'd even think about diapers, let alone running a diaper service. While I was content with my life before Liefe, now that I have know the joys and frustrations of parenting her and Haydee, I'd never want to go back to life before children. Well, not for very long at least! They've taught me to live my life with intention, to stand for what I believe is right and what will benefit us all. Today I am thankful for a growing business, a healing nation, and a supportive family.

credit card snafu

2009-01-08T11:39:00.000-08:00

I am delighted that the Buzzie Bee website store is getting orders! It's wonderful - the people at the post office are congratulating me as they are seeing me much more often. One minor issue is that the cart software isn't recognizing credit cards. But Paypal, check, money order, local delivery and instore pick up all work. So, if you're in need of a baby gift or want to help out new parents by providing them with a month of diaper service, check out the site. Thanks!

making miracles update

2009-01-03T17:43:00.000-08:00

The check is literally in the mail. Finally finished up the December bookkeeping and was delighted to write a check to Bangor Savings Bank for $107 for the Making Miracles fundraiser for Mid-Coast United Charities. Sales in December were definitely up - with our first round of website sales coming in! Thank you to everyone who helped out. Hopefully this time next year we'll be writing a check for five times that amount. It's certainly possible! Go cloth!

Tea at the Blaine House

2008-12-20T20:28:00.000-08:00

Thirty profiled WWC graduates were recognized at a Tea at the Blaine House on November 6, 2008.

Graduates were representative of all four WWC program areas: Leadership, Asset Development, Workforce Development, and Microenterprise in the new publication “Creating Your Future: 30 Stories from the Maine Economy.”

Graduates heard remarks from UMS President Allyson Hughes Handley, shown here with Abby Comee-McCourt, a profilee and UMS Student, and Jennifer Moore Temple, a profilee and owner of Buzzie Bee Diapers in Rockland, with WWC microenterprise staff Eola Ball.

Other speakers included State Representative Jayne Crosby Giles, State Senator Libby Mitchell, and Muriel Mosher, WWC Advisory Council.

Making Miracles 2008: encouraging you to shop locally

2008-12-03T04:01:00.000-08:00

United Mid-Coast Charities has teamed up with Bangor Savings Bank, Village Soup, and Elm Street Printing & Graphics to promote a holiday shopping activity - Making Miracles 2008. On Saturday December 13, participating merchants (Buzzie Bee is one!) will donate a portion of their proceeds to UMCC. 100% of donations will be distributed through UMCC to local non-profits. So, please visit our website - purchases can be made online or by calling us (542-0505) or email (info@buzziebee.com). We offer free delivery along our diaper service route.

Given that Buzzie Bee Diapers is more of a service - and without a brick and mortar storefront, we will donate a portion of our profits from the entire month. Check back to see just how much we're able to send to UMCC.

Here's some information about United Mid-Coast Charities:

Founded in 1942, United Mid-Coast Charities has just completed its 65th year. In its 64th year, UMCC distributed over $500,000 to 60 agencies in Knox and Waldo counties. Just as UMCC has endured for 64 years of giving to charitable organizations serving people in need, so has its original style of operating. They do not waiver from three important tenets:

1. All contributions are distributed. No administrative deductions are ever made.
2. UMCC is an all-volunteer organization. There are no paid staff, only volunteer workers, including their hard-working Directors.
3. An endowment pays all expenses like postage, paper, printing, CPA & office services.

UMCC is determined to keep these tenets for the next 65 years!

Contributions are dicided amongst the agencies with the greatest need. In general, the Directors take into consideration many categories of need as requested by organizations. The funds get divided in approximately this way: 40% to Children's Services, 27% to Community Service, 15% to Medical Service, 13% to Educational Service, and 5% to Adult Literacy Programs. Upon request, contributions may be directed to a specific organization.

The Ultimate Test Drive

2008-11-24T09:46:00.000-08:00

A little over a week ago, a mom who is taking a Women's Studies class on Women and the Environment contacted me about trying cloth diapers on her toddler for a month as her class project. She was turned off by the start up cost for cloth, particularly when she wasn't sure she'd stick with it after the project ended. I decided to loan her a Test Drive Set (which is a bunch of diaper service diapers and supplies to try at home) free of charge (normally it's $16/week with a $175 refundable deposit) and allow her to use my name in her blog about the project. Needless to say, I'm delighted it's going well... Thought you might enjoy reading how she and her daughter are doing as they try to Go Cloth.

all over Maine this weekend

2008-11-07T07:00:00.000-08:00

On Saturday, Buzzie Bee is splitting up - Broo will promote our humble business in Rockland at PenBay's Health Fair and I'll be doing the same in Topsham at the GoGreen Expo. We're hopeful that this divide and conquer approach will bring in lots and lots of new customers! If you'd like to find out more, give us a call 542-0505.

speech!

2008-11-07T02:57:00.000-08:00

I was asked to represent the 30 Women, Work and Community graduates at yesterday's tea...

I studied costuming in school because, while I love the theater, I prefer to be backstage, rather than in the spotlight. British playwright Gladys Stern, said “Silent gratitude isn’t much use to anyone” so I want to thank - out loud - the dedicated staff and supporters who make up Women, Work and Community. Every woman here today is in a better place, personally and professionally, because of the support, guidance and practical tools they found through Women, Work and Community.

In particular I’d like to thank Eola Ball. When I interviewed for Eola’s New Ventures course, I thought I was just going to write a little business plan. I had no idea where Eola and New Ventures would take me and my little business idea.

Five years ago, I was a new mother whose priorities had shifted. I moved to Maine to escape a taxing job with a long commute. Since I had to work - I wanted to get in, do my job, and get home to be with my family. In Rockland, I could walk to work and my job covered my family’s expenses quite nicely. I’d been there about 18 months when I learned that the job was moving almost an hour away - and I was really enjoying the community and the quality of place we’d found in Rockland - more so than I enjoyed the job itself.

I didn’t know what to do - commute again and be miserable yet feel financially secure? Look for a comparable local job which probably didn’t exist? Or try something even bolder - build a business based on what matters most to me? To help me think, I participated in a little retail therapy - downtown at the Grasshopper Shop. I came across a magnet with the zen saying - Leap and the net will appear. I bought the magnet and I leapt, submitted my resignation the next day and crossed my fingers, in hopeful anticipation of that net. Then, I met Eola. Now I’m up to my elbows in diapers - For the last three years, I’ve changing the world, one baby at a time. Without Eola’s guidance, I would have given up in the first six months. She’s prepared me for the ups and downs of small business.

This is what I learned from Eola:
1. Pay yourself from day one. The amount doesn’t matter as much as this act of valuing yourself.
2. Find a cheerleader. This is the person who consistently encourages you because they truly believe in you and your success. Eola is mine - and maybe she’s yours too.
3. Be someone else’s cheerleader - being passionate about someone else’s success will make you both stronger.
4. Listen to your inner apsara. Some facilitators introduce a talking stick to keep class conversations moving. With Eola - it’s an apsara figurine. In eastern religions, the apsara is a divine symbol of happiness. If you’re quiet long enough, and you listen deep enough, apsara will speak and you’ll discover the path to your own happiness.

Women Work and Community graduates are successful because of tireless cheerleaders like Eola. You meet us with acceptance and without judgement - you acknowledge our past, our present, and our future. Then you start to push, push and gently nudge us some more until we embrace the potential that you’d seen all along. Thank you.

tea at the governor's mansion

2008-11-06T07:00:00.000-08:00

Today I'm headed to Augusta for tea at the Blaine House. Buzzie Bee Diapers was selected for inclusion in Women, Work and Community's 30th Anniversary Profile Book. Of all the women who've worked with WW&C over the years, thirty were selected. The profile book will include a description and photo of Buzzie Bee Diapers.

The photo was taken by Sarah Szwajkos/Damn Rabbit Studios. She did a photo shoot at our home this fall. Being camera shy, I wanted to have the girls involved too. Sarah was great with them, even tolerating Liefe's need to have a stuffed horse in every photo. Towards the end of the shoot, Haydee was a bit tired (read: cranky) so Broo took her inside. We finished up on the porch, Liefe and me, surrounded by piles of (clean) diapers as neighbors and friends walked by, probably wondering what Team Temple was up to now.

auction - bid now

2008-11-05T07:06:00.000-08:00

At little harbor technology's request, we've made a donation to the Pen Bay Chamber of Commerce's annual auction. Buzzie Bee was a chamber member a few years ago and now maintains an affiliation with the chamber through our membership in CamRock Network. What's great about the auction this year? It's in person and online! If you or someone you know is looking for a great gift for new or expectant parents, check this out: one month of diaper service!

frozen diapers

2008-11-03T03:22:00.000-08:00

Today's diaper pick ups included the season's first frozen diapers. The last two winters this was a much celebrated event because (1) frozen diapers don't smell nearly as much as their room temperature counterparts and (2) we delivered using a PT Cruiser.This summer we traded the PT Cruiser for a Toyota Tacoma pick-up so smell isn't really as much of a factor anymore. Live and learn!

gently used training pants for sale

2008-09-25T03:27:00.000-07:00

I have 5 pairs of small Bummis Training Pants (for babies 20-30 lbs)that I'm looking to sell. A Buzzie Bee customer tested them with her twins so they've been used just a few times. The set of 5 would retail for $60 new, so I'm asking $30 used, enough to cover my cost to replace them. Please call or email if you're interested. We also have lots and lots of gently used prefolds and Bummis covers which we'd be happy to pass along.

Adios Panales!

2008-05-05T04:03:00.000-07:00

Haydee is out of diapers. Done. Gone. ¡Adios pañales! Yippee! I hesitate to say that she is ‘potty trained’ because in all honesty took very little training. No sugary treats, no promises of a new toy, no real tangible reward other than dry, big girl panties. Definitely many moments of happy singing and dancing, getting puffed up proud, and of course the occasional explanation that, yup, that’s okay, accidents happen.

Each child reaches milestones in her own time and fashion. With our first daughter, who strives to please and maintain order, we packed up her diapers one day shortly after she turned two and never looked back. Being the parent of two children complicates matters in that what worked for one may not work for the other. With Haydee, who’s fiercely independent and wildly messy, I imagined it might take longer to be diaper-free. I thought we’d offer now but if she didn’t take to the potty, we’d just try again later.

Much to my surprise, Haydee wanted to be out of diapers. She’d use the toilet and want us all to know. During the her first diaper-free day, she created her own ritual for positive reinforcement. She wanted Daddy to sing to her. If he wasn’t home, she’d call him with a request, “Daddy, me go pee, you sing ABC Daddy, right now!” Lucky for us all, Daddy was more than happy to oblige.

Staying dry overnight has taken more effort. Haydee sleeps nearly 12 hours at night - a long time to a two year old bladder. We saw three options: put her in a diaper overnight, change wet sheets all the time, or get her up at least once during the night to use the toilet. We tried them all. She wore a diaper overnight for a few nights but then reminded us (with a full blown tantrum) that she was in fact finished with diapers. Over the last two weeks we’ve tired of changing and washing sheets, so we’re intentionally creating a habit of, at least once each night, sitting her on the toilet while she’s sleeping. So far so good. This morning she woke us at 4 AM screaming that she needed to pee. By the time I stumbled out of bed, found my glasses, her bed was wet but at least she knew what she needed to do. That’s progress. It takes three to four weeks to create a habit. I’m confident if we spend the next few weeks sitting her on the toilet before we go to bed, she’ll soon learn to wake herself up to go.

Back in the 1950’s, 95% of American children were out of diapers by the time they turned three. Today, only about half of American children are toilet trained by age three. In the 50’s, nearly all babies were in cloth diapers. Babies in cloth are more aware of their bodily functions as the cloth allows them to feel the sensation of being wet. Not that cloth diapered babies are toddling around sopping wet - because they’re not. But they do feel the wet sensation long enough to connect the feeling to what their body just did. Because of this, around the time that they begin to assert their independence in dressing and feeding themselves, they are typically ready to toilet independently as well. By choosing cloth, parents and children are less likely to encounter the power struggles involved in truly toilet training a three-, four- or even five-year old. There are many reasons to cloth diaper, but for me, as a parent who has a lot on her plate, this is the most compelling reason - easier and earlier toileting means less time in diapers! Less time in diapers means more time for something else.

Know of anyone looking for some gently used cloth diapers? Have them give me a call as Haydee’s diapers are good to go.

cloth makes a comeback

2008-04-07T02:31:00.000-07:00

Last week I was talking to an advertising representative at a downtown Bath networking event. He was there promoting a magazine focused on coastal living. My husband and I were there promoting our businesses. We made a connection in that he’d cloth diapered his children, years and years ago. He was saying that what was once old is now new again. Whenever I go to networking events, I tend to bring along my baby - not my daughters - but the cabbage patch doll that my grandmother stood in line for decades ago. It’s helpful to have a “model” when talking about or demonstrating how to use cloth diapers. The ad rep immediately noticed how much cloth diapers had changed in the last twenty years. He commented that what’s old is new again only better. He got it right: cloth diapering is indeed making a comeback. And here’s why:

Cloth diapering is easy. Baby boomers are surprised to learn two basic facts about modern cloth diapers. Number 1: no pins! Number 2: no toilet dunking! Generations X and Y are delighted by how easy cloth diapering is now. Baby Boomers can’t believe the someone hasn’t thought of it when they were diapering their children. Today’s diapers secure with snaps or Aplix and can be easily washed in a standard washing machine or with a diaper service. Aplix is a type of velcro and usually diapers using this will have laundry tabs to secure so that the velcro stays free of gunk and doesn’t catch on anything else.

More and more information is available, locally and online. The March/April issue of Mothering magazine carries the headline Cloth Diaper Comeback and can be found at the Good Tern. The Real Diaper Association, a national cloth diapering advocacy group, provides internet searchers with facts and directs interested folk to local resources. Four times a year, Mid Coast Hospital offers a free Diapering 101 class. In Maine, there are two diaper services and at least a dozen stores selling quality cloth diapers. Local cloth businesses are more than happy to give demonstrations - often at no cost to you.

Increased awareness of environmental benefits of cloth. More and more transfer stations are introducing pay-by-the-bag. The cost of petroleum products (such as disposable diapers) is rising. Modern cloth diapers can be used, reused and then used some more. Energy efficient washers make it possible to launder cloth diapers with less water and without harsh chemicals. By laundering cloth diapers, waste stays out of the landfill - or wherever your municipality ultimately puts of trash. Cloth diaper manufactures are aware of and open with the sources of the fabrics used in making cloth diapers. Read the ingredient label on the disposable diaper packages... oh, yeah, there isn’t one. Hmm...

Increased awareness of health benefits of cloth. In a time where we are bombarded with chemicals and additives, cloth diapers are a natural haven. Unlike their throwaway counterparts, cloth diapers are pollutant free and contain no dioxin or Tributyl-tin. Dioxin is a cancer-linked chemical while Tributyl-tin is linked to hormonal problems in humans and animals. Back in the 50’s, when nearly every baby was in cloth, most babies potty trained at 18 months old. In the 80’s, when half the babies were in cloth, only 50% of babies were potty trained at 18 months. Now, with over 90% of babies in disposable diapers, two-thirds are still in diapers after their third birthday. Delayed potty training has taken its toll on the environment as well on the child. First there’s the prolonged exposure to chemicals. Second there is the impact on self-esteem in being too old for diapers but still in them.

Availability and options. Cloth diapering parents refer to their collection of diapers as their stash. No two stashes are identical. Selecting diapers is no different than shopping for a car or deciding what you want to be when you grow up. Admittedly, it can be overwhelming and is sometimes sited as reason for inaction. You can try a variety and make up your own mind. You can ask friends and family what worked for them and make up your own mind. If one diaper seems to work better than another, you can switch. You’re not locked in. Anyone who’s looking to try cloth diapers, please give me a call, I’d be happy to show you my stash!

motherhood, adoption and Guatemala

2008-02-05T17:58:00.000-08:00

I wrote the following a few weeks ago. I'd heard that Guatemalan adoptions were to be the subject of a Dateline show and wanted to be share some of our story.

On being a waiting parent...

Haydee has been home just about a year and a half now. Doubling the number of children more than doubled the amount of time, energy and patience I need to make it through each day. Broo and I always knew we’d grow our family through adoption. We discussed it long before we were actually ready to be parents. In September 2005, we learned we’d been waiting for Haydee. Six months passed from the time we first met with the adoption agency to the day we were matched with Haydee. We’d done all the required steps - from an evaluation by a licensed social worker, comprised of three visits to our home and interviews of our friends, to mailing over 50 certified documents to three different government agencies. We were fingerprinted by Immigration and had current passports so we could travel at a moment’s notice. Doctors verified that we were fit to parent and we sent pictures of the local Catholic church to the Guatemalan government agency charged with making the final decision on our adoption. Hoop after hoop - we jumped through it. Every step of the way we met people whose lives are touched by adoption.

We first felt the warmth of the adoption community at an adoption education class required by our adoption agency. Here we found a forum to share how it feels to be “waiting parents”. I tried to liken it to how I felt as an “expectant parent” before Liefe was born but couldn’t. Being pregnant, on a good day, I felt invaded and huge. Even after a series of ultrasounds, I had trouble connecting with the baby inside. The disconnect vanished the first time I held Liefe. With Haydee, from the very start, I felt the connection and the distance. It troubled me to know that somewhere out there was a child waiting. And I wondered who, if anyone, was holding her, talking to her, kissing her good night, telling her how much she was loved. This past summer we attended a mini-reunion with the group to celebrate the fact that each family was finally complete, with four long-awaited children - from Guatemala to Kazakhstan - now home in Maine.

Adoption regulations and requirements vary by country. Guatemala, at the time, allowed parents to once the child had been formally relinquished. This means the child’s DNA test results identified her as the biological child of the birthmother who had signed the necessary court documents relinquishing her parental rights. The time came for us to visit Haydee when she was six months old. We spent a long weekend in Guatemala City. Our time with Haydee was amazing. We snuggled, bathed, fed and played with her. We told her stories of home and all about her big sister. We gave her a cloth book with family pictures. It was so hard to kiss her goodbye and hand her back to the orphanage director.

When Haydee was 8 months old, her visa still in limbo, we couldn’t be without her any longer. The final adoption decree had been signed six weeks prior, making her legally ours in Guatemala. At that time, typically,a visa would have been issued within 10 days of the adoption decree. The visa is a sticker for her passport, allowing her entry into the United States. Back in March, the US Government began talking about requiring all Americans to have passports to re-enter the US from places such as Canada and Mexico which created a rush in passport applications and caused significant delays in processing visa applications. The reason for the delay in Haydee’s homecoming was, at best, a Homeland Security issue.

Mothers Day came. Liefe and I went to wait for the visa with Haydee. We arrived in Guatemala City, unpacked a few things at Casa Grande, and took a taxi to Vida Nueva, the hogar (orphanage) where Haydee lived since she was a few days old. Haydee was in her crib, with the fabric book clipped to the side open to the page with my picture, just as Broo had left it 8 weeks ago when we last kissed her. She responded to my voice but her eyes lit up when she saw Liefe. She immediately bonded with her big sister. We were no longer a “waiting family” at this point. We were together, mother and daughters. And like the day I first held Liefe, this day, when I held Haydee, knowing we’d go home together, my fears lifted, and we’ve been kissing her goodnight, instead of goodbye, ever since.

The day that Haydee left Vida Nueva was a wonderful one. The sky was clear blue. That time of year, it rains almost every afternoon in Guatemala but not that day. The weather was warm, the sun shined brighter than any other day I remember. It felt like the world was on our side. My hesitations as a second time parent were gone. With Haydee in the maya wrap and Liefe holding my hand, it was hard to believe I doubted having enough love to go around.

The girls took to each other immediately. In the coming days, I’d learn how strong the bond was - initially Haydee refused to let me feed her, accepting the bottle only from Liefe. At the hotel, I spread a quilt over the marble floor and they’d play together: Liefe “reading” to Haydee who’d lie on her belly and look up at Liefe with those dark, beautiful eyes, I imagine trying to figure out how this had all happened. We spent the next three weeks at Casa Grande while Broo remained in Maine, keeping our businesses going and doing what he could from home to advocate for Haydee’s visa.

We explored as much of Guatemala City as we could. Our days began with breakfast in the courtyard. A fresh fruit plate worked worked well - no sharing was required as we each preferred different fruit. By the second day, the waiter noticed I needed ‘cafe con leche’ to start the day so he’d have it ready when I snuck down in my pajamas before the girls awoke. We’d stock the diaper bag with ‘agua pura’ (boiled water) and Haydee’s formula ‘nan uno’ and head out. Our first stop was the bank where we’d have to show the contents of the diaper bag to armed guards before we could exchange our travelers cheques for quetzales. Liefe’s favorite part getting a ‘dulce’ from the teller. Mine was, even thought I had to empty the diaper bag each time, they never once asked me to take Haydee out of the sling. With a few bucks in my pocket, we’d walk until our feet hurt, have lunch, and take a taxi back to Casa Grande where we’d nap while it rained. We got to know the walk from the hotel to the grocery store chain EconoSuper, visited a church, the children’s museum, the zoo, bookstores and bakeries. We marched in an anti-hunger parade and visited Safe Passage again. It was a pleasure to spend these days with my daughter in her birth country.

At Casa Grande we formed a community with others in similar situations. Children played together. Parents shared the best deals we’d found at markets for formula and baby bottles. We met informally at the hotel’s open courtyard cafe or on the metal swing set in the yard, shaded by fruit trees. In the evenings, we shared drinks and our stories. I learned there are many reasons why people adopt. And just as much thought goes into choosing the country of origin. Most of the parents we spoke with had chosen Guatemala for some combination of the following reasons. The travel requirement was flexible (some parents live in Guatemala while they are waiting for the adoption to go through, others come for a brief three day pick up). Most waiting children are placed in private foster homes, rather than orphanages. It’s fairly easy to travel to Guatemala, given its proximity to the US. Children whose adoptive parents visit before the visa have American citizenship upon entry into the United States. Guatemala was open to single and/or older parent adoptions. To me, Guatemala evokes images of a strong maternal culture, where mothers wear their babies and children grow up next to generations of strong, hard-working women. I witnessed that strength in the caregivers at Vida Nueva, particularly, Raquelinda, whom we lovingly refer to as Super Nanny, as she could literally do it all. During those three weeks, I found my strength from both ‘cafe con leche’ and in making time to honor Haydee’s birth mother. As adoptive mother, actress and author Jaime Lee Curtis explains, “We look at adoption as a very sacred exchange. It was not done lightly on either side. I would dedicate my life to this child.” And I have. That dedication ties us to Guatemala and to Haydee’s family of origin forever. We wouldn’t have it any other way.

buzzie bee is growing!

2008-02-05T08:10:00.000-08:00

We're getting closer to offering diaper service to the southern area of mid-coast maine. Our start date is February 26th. On Monday February 25th 6-8pm, together with the Mid Coast Medical Group, we're offering a **FREE** Diapering 101 class. We'll demonstrate all sorts of cloth diapers, including the ones offered through Buzzie Bee Diapers, offer tips for home laundering as well details of the diaper service. We'll also provide participants with reasons for choosing cloth diapers. It's sure to be a fun, interactive event - complete with giveaways.

Diapering 101 location:
66 Baribeau Drive, Suite 1B
Brunswick, Maine 04011
(207)729-4392

Confused about cloth?

2007-11-05T11:32:00.000-08:00

The other day a friend told me that she considered cloth diapers for her first child but felt her head spinning with all the cloth options available. She was so overwhelmed that she didn’t know where to begin. She’s now expecting her second child, due in a few months. She recently googled ‘cloth diapers’ and was, once again, confused by all the choices she saw. My hope here is to clear up the confusion about cloth. The first years of a child's life are a special time that will pass all too quickly, and my goal is to help parents make the most of this time and to help them keep their baby healthy, happy, and comfortable. Because shopping for cloth is nothing like going down the baby aisle at the grocery store where the disposable diapers options are neatly placed on shelves all within arms reach. Like parenting, there are various methods of diapering - try a few and ultimately go with the one that best suits you and your child.

There are two categories of cloth diapers - those that require a diaper cover and those that do not. The diaper itself is the cloth part, most commonly made of cotton, hemp or bamboo. The diaper does the absorbing. The cover, made of wool or a polyurethane laminate (PUL), contains the diaper and keeps the baby’s clothing from getting wet. Most covers are gathered at the leg openings and secured to around the waist with velcro or snaps. Today’s cloth diapers barely resemble ones your parents may have used. Gone are the days are diaper pins and rubber pants!

Three types of diapers require a cover- flat, prefold and fitted diapers. Flat: dishtowel-type diapers that are folded multiple times, so that it fits virtually every baby and dries quickly. Prefold: layers of cloth sewn together so that you don’t have to fold them multiple times. Fitted: diapers which are gathered at the leg openings and may be secured around the waist with velcro or snaps. Two types of diapers do not require a separate diaper covers - all-in-ones and pocket diapers. All-in-one (AIO): fitted diapers with the diaper cover built in, making the diaper waterproof. Pocket: water-resistant outer shell with an opening in the back to insert absorbent material.

A quick online search will reveal hundreds of cloth brands and online retailers. Pretty much every diaper out there fits into one of the five types mentioned above. To determine which type will work for your family, identify your motivation and budget for cloth. You’ll need 2-3 dozen diapers and 6-8 covers. Five years ago, we sought a diapering system that was economical and reusable. We chose unbleached prefolds and PUL covers. We experimented with various ways fold the diapers in thirds and my husband, being very visual, created a simple diagram which we posted near the changing table. For covers we went with Bummis super whisper wraps which secure with velro-type tabs. In all, spent just under $300 on diapers for Liefe, birth to potty training. Once she potty trained, her prefolds went to a friend. Now Haydee uses some of the same covers. Our success in cloth diapering Liefe, from the simplicity of her diapering system to her ease in potty training, is influenced the choices available to Buzzie Bee Diapers diaper service customers.

If your motivation centers around convenience, talk to other cloth diaper users about what they find the easiest to use and launder. Pocket diapers and all-in-ones are easy to put on even the most wiggly toddlers. Because the insert comes out before laundering, pocket diapers dry quickly. Using a diaper service takes almost all the work out of diapering, you’ll still have to change your baby, but that’s about it. It’s also perfectly fine to diversify your diapering portfolio, such as pockets or all-in-ones for travel, daycare, or babysitters and prefolds for home use. Diaper users have a wealth of cloth options from which to choose. By being familiar with the basic cloth diaper categories and the reasons to use cloth, I believe everyone can find a cloth diaper to suit their needs and help them to be successful cloth diaper users.

Happy Birthday Sale!

2007-10-13T03:53:00.001-07:00

Birthday Sale!
celebrate 2 years of Buzzie Bee Diapers
Two years ago, Buzzie Bee Diapers brought cloth diapers back to the midcoast, with a modern twist - no pins, no soaking. Now cloth is as easy as can bee! We carry Bummis covers + training pants, Bamboozles, LoveyBums, prefolds (new + gently used), waterproof bags, flannel wipes, doublers, hampers, and more. Free delivery along our diaper service route.
The choice you make when you change your baby is your chance to change the world.

20% off all in stock merchandise
Current diaper service customers may apply their standing 10% discount for total of 30% off. Sale prices valid 10/15-11/15/07.

birthday coming up!

2007-09-06T02:40:00.000-07:00

In just a few weeks, Buzzie Bee Diapers will be 2 years old. Wow. Granted it's a ton of work to get any small business off the ground and many don't do so well if/when they get up and running. I am so grateful that hasn't been the case with Buzzie Bee Diapers. We're actually full - and will start more customers in early November. (Let me know if you'd like to get on the waitlist!)

In celebration of 2 years in business, we're going to have a major sale on retail items, both new and gently used. Look for that in early October. It'll be a great opportunity to get some great items - either for your children or to give as gifts.

Dispose of those disposables!

2007-08-28T21:11:00.000-07:00

a cloth diaper doubles a bib for Haydee while we were in Guatemala City for almost a month last year

Once we decided to use cloth diapers for our children, we began to consider what else we could switch from disposable to reusable. Once we tried, we discovered that just like cloth diapers, it took no more effort - in fact, frequently, it took less effort - to be green in more areas of our lives. Here’s what we’ve done.

baby products: We’ve had the same tub of disposable wipes for Haydee, our youngest daughter, for over a year and it’s about half-full. They are reserved for travel when we know we won’t be near a water supply. Normally we use flannel wipes in lieu of disposable ones. The reasons are just like the reasons for using cloth diapers: easier on baby, wallet and earth. For Liefe, we cut receiving blankets into rectangles. With the advent of Buzzie Bee Diapers and the homecoming of Haydee, we upgraded to two layers of flannel, sewn together. With cloth wipes and washable swim diapers and/or training pants, there is no reason to run to the store. Here again, cloth saves time and money.

cleaning products: The last time we bought paper towels was when we first moved to Maine, just about four years ago. We actually still have that role. It doesn’t feel right to throw it away. Instead of paper towels, we use rags from old cotton clothes, either stained or otherwise unsuitable to be hand-me-downs. We store them in a canister on the kitchen counter and launder as needed. We save money and reduce the amount of needless waste generated. Plus a clean cotton rag is does as much better job at picking up spills or cleaning up messy hands and faces than a scratchy paper towel.

composting: All vegetable food scraps (including egg shells and coffee grounds) go in a large yogurt container (with a lid) on our kitchen counter. When the container is full, one of us brings it out to the compost bin. We keep our compost bin right off the porch so we’re more likely to use it. Composting also cuts down on the amount of trash we produce. This cuts down on the number of trips we need to take to the dump. And, by composting, we wind up with great soil for our flower and vegetable gardens.

gift bags: When you receive a gift from the Temple family, chances are it’s either wrapped in children’s artwork or it’s in a reusable fabric gift bag. Our bags are likely to be made from scraps of old clothing or other household fabrics - like the remnants from curtains. While we do have some wrapping paper left over from the Day After Christmas sales back in 2000, it’s been so much easier to toss presents into a bag and tie with a beautiful ribbon. We always encourage recipient to reuse the bag.

leftover hats: I’m not sure what the technical or even common name for this. It looks like a shower cap, only its made to cover food. I find them from time to time at Family Dollar. We use them in place of plastic wrap. Then we wash them out with soap and water, hang them to dry and re-use again and again.

picnic basket: Eating outside is an adventure for small children. They love how it changes the routine. Liefe says that food always tastes better on a picnic. Rather than use disposable silverware and paper plates, we have a picnic basket with real silverware and washable, durable plastic dishes. We keep the basket loaded and ready to go.

shopping bags: Over the years, we’ve collected dozens of canvas bags. We use them when we go shopping, whether to the farmers market, the good tern, or even to the pharmacy. Many of our bags have been painted by our girls. It’s a fun, safe and easy project. Using and re-using canvas shopping bags reduces the overstock of plastic bags we previously had in several areas of the kitchen.

table linens: Growing up, my family always used cloth napkins and placemats. I share this practice with my family today. Cloth napkins double as baby blankets and boo-boo bear holders. Plus, it’s much more entertaining to do tricks with cloth napkin than it is with a paper one.

Have you done something else to reduce your consumption of single-use household items? If so, please let me know, I’d love to share more ideas...

Save Time and Money (and the earth, too) by Cleaning with Vinegar

2007-08-05T20:55:00.000-07:00

About a month ago, Liefe (my four year old) asked if she could have a chore chart. Since she wasn’t concerned about an allowance or getting paid to do the chores, we agreed. So, she set to work making a list of all the chores she already does. She came up with feeding the dogs, folding her clothes, setting the table, and cleaning the house (or CLN HOZ as she wrote it on her chart). She decided to give herself a sticker when she completed a task on the chart. She challenged herself to fill the entire sheet of paper with stickers. Some days she uses her chart regularly and other days it hangs unnoticed in our kitchen. By far her favorite chore is cleaning up - what four year old doesn’t like a spray bottle!?!

When Liefe is doing chores, I can guarantee that her little sister Haydee is not far behind. They are two very good reasons why we use cleaning products we know are safe. Since they love the spray bottle, it also helps if the products are economical too. Enter: Vinegar. White vinegar is known to kill bacteria, germs and mold, yet it’s harmless to children. (Note: vinegar is likely to be gluten-free as it is not generally made from wheat, but parents of children who are sensitive to gluten should certainly double check, just in case it’s ingested.) As a naturally occurring substance, vinegar is safe for the earth as well.

Equal parts water and vinegar in a clean spray bottle makes an effective cleaning solution for most areas of the home. Vinegar not only cleans, it disinfects and deodorizes as well. The vinegar odor disappears as soon as it dries. We’ve taken the cleaning adventure one step further by cutting old t-shirts into cleaning rags. They don’t unravel in the wash and, unlike paper towels, they can be used over and over again.

With supervision, children learn to be great housekeeping helpers. Haydee’s not quite there yet, but Liefe recently started to clean windows. We use this recipe to avoid streaky windows: 2 cups of water, 1/4 cup of white distilled vinegar, and 1/2 teaspoon of liquid soap or detergent in a spray bottle. The liquid soap breaks down the wax left on the windows from a commercial window spray.

We get rid of fruit flies by setting out a small, shallow dish of undiluted white distilled vinegar. If the fruit flies are particularly stubborn (like at our house where we’ve placed the compost bin just outside the kitchen window so that we’ll actually bring things out to the compost), add a teaspoon of sugar and some dish soap. Children enjoy checking this to see how many fruit flies they’ve trapped.

At our house, children who can dress themselves, can help with the laundry. Vinegar comes in handy in the laundry room as well. Add ½ cup of vinegar to the rinse cycle in place of store bought fabric softener. Vinegar has the added benefit of breaking down laundry detergent more effectively. This has been great in our family as a few of us have sensitive skin.

It is important to make sure all cleaning supplies are well labeled and kept out of the reach of children. While it’s nice to imagine them cleaning without us, perhaps while we enjoy a nice cup of tea or a well-deserved rest, it’s probably not a great idea to leave them alone with even the vinegar-water solution. By using earth friendly cleaning solutions cleaning with our children, we model yet another way to keep our homes healthy. While Liefe and Haydee are spritzing away, they’re actually learning about personal responsibility and team work. Plus, many hands do make light work. And light work means more time to play...

Buzzing on the Air

2007-08-05T02:35:00.000-07:00

Years ago, I majored in English and Theater. I quickly discovered that I liked being backstage infinitely more than being on stage.

For a friend’s thesis, I reluctantly accepted the role of an angel who descends from the ceiling to center stage while playing the flute. For my own thesis, I designed and built the costumes for an equally bizarre performance. From the safely and comfort of a seat in sixth row, I loved seeing my work on stage.

On some level, writing this column has become therapeutic — as it forces me to make the time to reflect on my parenting beliefs. It’s also brought about some name recognition. For example, when I paid by check at the a local hardware store last week, the clerk told me he had read my piece about carbon footprint and how he had shared it with a friend.

So far, the internal and external benefits of Me & The Bee have exceeded my expectations. What I enjoy most is that I do it from home, on my own time, with my own computer, when my children are asleep. I like words. I like being able to think about them before I use them. And I can write, re-write, and re-re-write as much as I like before I send off this column. The process suits me. Just as running a diaper service suits me. Much of the work I do for my business is behind the scenes. I do see my customers, only not that often. And I’ve been able to plan how I want the business to run. Almost two years into it, things are running smoothly and it feels comfortable.

I was pushed out of my comfort zone when I was invited to talk about my business on not one but two upcoming radio shows. The opportunity to promote my business should be welcomed with gratitude and open arms. Like my children, my business will grow in the right direction if given lots of positive attention. So, with that in mind, I took a deep breath and accepted both invitations. The more people who know about the business, the more they are likely to support it. I believe in what I do and why I do it so I imagine I could have an intelligent conversation about it with the hosts. Still, why am I this nervous? Because, unlike words on the computer screen, the spoken word cannot be backspaced or deleted until the right word comes along. Because it’s me who will be interviewed, not my business plan.

Enter two daughters, stage left. Hearing their delicate but knowing voices, I am reminded that for all the planning I do, they balance me by being unwittingly sincere. They say what they mean because they say what immediately comes to mind. I think I’ll follow their lead this time.

Jennifer Moore Temple is the owner of Buzzie Bee Diapers, a cloth diaper service and supply company in Rockland. She can be reached at 542-0505 or via the company Web site, http://www.BuzzieBee.com.

on the air!

2007-07-30T21:11:00.000-07:00

Jennifer Moore Temple, owner of Buzzie Bee Diapers, cloth diaper service and supplies, will be featured on the nationally recognized, Maine-based weekly radio talk show, Back to Business. The show is scheduled to air Saturday August 4th, 2-4 PM, on 103.9 FM with rebroadcast on Wednesday August 8th at 8 AM. Back to Business is an interactive advice and news radio program geared specifically towards the creation and success of small businesses. Each week, host Deb Neuman features Maine business owners with a common theme. The August 4th will bring together Maine entrepreneurs who make a business out of making life easier for their customers.

Buzzie Bee Diapers’ mission is to make cloth diapering more accessible so that more midcoast families will chose cloth diapers. Based in Rockland and serving Knox, Waldo and Lincoln counties, Buzzie Bee Diapers believes and promotes the short and long-term benefits of cloth diapering, energy efficiency, green laundering, and doing business locally. For more information about Buzzie Bee Diapers visit www.BuzzieBee.com or call 542-0505.

long distance diaper service

2007-07-23T21:12:00.000-07:00

this is a gathering of my college friends to welcome the newest of the next generation. little matthew here is wearing buzzie bee diapers, on loan, and his parents wash for him every few days. go bates! go cloth!

3 Simple Steps to Shrink Your Family’s Footprint

2007-07-19T11:29:00.000-07:00

Tiny footprints are great. Our family scrapbook contains the tiny footprints of our two daughters. Liefe’s are the smallest with tiny newborn footprints done just hours after her birth. Haydee’s are a tad bigger as they were done a few hours once she came home to Maine at nine-months old. These images reinforce how both how much they’ve grown and how small they still are. Their tiny footprints remind me of my parental responsibilities to raise them well and to tread as lightly as I can on their earth so they can fulfill their obligation to leave the world a more beautiful place.
There are many tools to help us tread lightly on the earth. One is a calculator to compute individual and household carbon footprints - the annual carbon emissions created by daily living. Climate change is caused by excessive greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide (CO2) in our atmosphere. An online search produces several such calculators. The Nature Conservancy’s carbon calculator gives clear definitions for often misused terms such as global warming and climate change. It depicts one’s carbon footprint relative to others, helping to put a household’s consumption into perspective. For example, for a household of four, the American average is 110 tons of CO2 annually, the world average is 22, and our family comes in with 44. By mainstream American standards, we’re doing well. Since climate change impacts the entire planet, we could and should be doing more.
Here are some ideas which, if you’re not already doing, will easily reduce your family’s carbon footprint. These can all be done with children. By modeling responsible consumption, we help our children shape the footprint of tomorrow. If you have other ideas, please do share them with me and others.

(1) Use cloth napkins on a regular basis. Cloth serves as a better barrier than paper so you’ll probably only need one per person for each meal. Laundered in cold water, along with the other laundry and hung to dry whenever possible, cloth napkins are better for the environment than their paper counterparts. Napkins can be purchased locally or, if you sew, will sew up quickly and can be made of any washable fabric.
(2) Make every effort to limit the amount of time your car sits idling. In other words, when you’re not using your car, turn it off. For most vehicles, you waste more gas idling for one minute than you do by turning off and restarting your car. So, if you’re going to run in to pick up your children from school, please turn off your car. Or, if you’re the the first car to get stuck in construction traffic and you know you’re going to be sitting there several minutes, turn off your car. An idling car gets zero miles per gallon. The larger the vehicle, the more gas is wasted when idling.
(3) Buy from area farmers and at farmers markets. Supermarket food travels an average of 1,300 miles from farm to table. In addition to helping the environment, you’ll get better tasting foods if you buy things grown or raised close to home. Local food is fresher because its journey is shorter than food shipped from away. Purchasing locally, or growing your own, will cost less and will keep more money in the community’s economy. The Rockland Farmers market is at the Public Landing on Thursdays, 9 a.m. -1 p.m. The Camden Farmers market is on Colcord Avenue, Wednesdays 4:30 p.m. -6:00 p.m. and Saturdays 9 a.m. -noon. Local food is also available at many farm stands as well as at The Good Tern Food Co-op, 750 Main Street in Rockland.

Why Go Cloth?

2007-07-02T11:16:00.000-07:00

Parents are obligated to make millions of decisions. Some small - like which brand of mac&cheese to serve and how often - and some very large decisions - such as choosing a child care provider or school. Most parenting decisions impact more than our children on a particular day. Some decisions are made long before we ever hold our babies for the first time. Take, for example, the diaper decision. The way I see it there are three options, none being mutually exclusive: diaper-free, cloth or plastic.
The diaper decision is generally after considering the options and determining the easiest method. Cloth diapers are by far the easiest. They are easy on on our babies, our hearts, our wallets, and our planet.
Easy on our babies. Gone are the days of diapers pins and dunking diapers in the toilet. Cloth diapers have evolved to be as quick and convenient. With velcro or snaps, they are easy to put on... or at least as easy to put on as their plastic counterpart. Washing diapers at home takes the same amount of effort as doing your normal laundry. As cotton contains no chemicals and breathes better than plastic, rashes due to diapering with cloth are virtually nonexistent. Studies show that babies in reusable cloth diapers tend to potty train 6 to 12 months earlier and easier than babies in single-use, throwaway plastic ones. Age-appropriate potty training helps in establishing positive self-esteem and gives toddlers a huge sense of accomplishment and independence.
Easy on our hearts. Changing a newborn in cloth feels very good. Knowing the advantages of cloth instills a sense of pride. Knowing that cloth is gentler on baby and the planet, each diaper change becomes a positive experience for parents and baby. Later on, using cloth offsets some of the challenges of raising of a toddler. In three seconds flat, a toddler can destroy just about anything - from an heirloom quilt to all the information saved on her mother’s laptop. One day a toddler may love a certain food and for some unknown reason, after you’ve stocked up on it, she’ll refuse to eat it. Add diaper after diaper to the mix and the workload more than doubles. A toddler in cloth understands her bodily functions, connecting the feeling of a full bladder with the sensations of elimination, and will naturally begin to potty train.
Easy on our wallets. Using a simple diapering system of prefolds, covers, and washing at home, parents can diaper a baby from birth to potty training for under $400. Most likely the same diapers and covers could be used for a second child, cutting the cost per child in half to $200. Using a diaper service requires even less effort and costs $2350 for two years. Using plastic diapers for three years probably costs about $2300 (assumming $65/month, not including sales tax, disposal fees or the additional impulse buys when running to the store to get diapers). The Real Diaper Association calculates that Americans spend $7 billion annually on disposable diapers (cash register price only, disposal and production expenses are additional). They also estimate that by switching to cloth, Americans would save over $6 billion annually - enough to feed every American child who goes to bed hungry.
Easy on our planet. The diaper-free option, known as elimination communication or EC, has the least impact on our environment. EC will probably surface as its own column topic at a later point but for now, you can learn more about it at www.diaperfreebaby.org. Cloth keeps waste - both plastic and human - out of landfills (and roadsides, lakes, ponds, and any other place where you’re likely to come across a throwaway diaper). The energy and raw materials consumed to produce cloth diapers is minimal, and even less when the product’s reusability is factored in. No one knows how long it takes for plastic diapers to decompose. It’s estimated at 250-500 years. It’s common knowledge that old cloth diapers make the best cleaning rags. Seems to me that cloth diapering is a recycling fundamental- using something again and again until it simply returns to the earth from which it came.

the latest buzz

2007-06-03T18:13:00.000-07:00

bio-soft liners $6 per roll

They make using cloth diapers even easier! Bio-soft liners are flushable diaper liners that make clean-up a breeze – this product is the perfect compromise between convenience and cloth diapers. Bio-soft liners absorb the solid waste - and then you simply discard the soiled liner in the toilet and flush away the mess. They are non-irritating and ever so soft and comfortable against baby's sensitive skin.

Our new Bio-soft liners are made of a non woven material with no binder, and will biodegrade very quickly (within 8 days in a sewage treatment system or 20 days in a septic tank). They are 100% viscose rayon, a cellulosic fiber derived from natural sources, and are made to Bummi’s specifications in England.

100 sheets per roll. Each sheet is approximately 12 X 5 inches.

Please note that the flushing of any biodegradable diaper liner may cause blockage in old or damaged drains and in sensitive septic systems. Please discard pee soaked liners in the garbage and to let the soiled liners soak a few minutes in the toilet before flushing just so that they absorb water and break down a bit before they are released into the system.

swimmi: the grooviest swimsuit in the universe! $11.50

Baby fashion will never be the same - from the Riviera to the neighborhood kiddie pool - your baby will have the cutest bum around. And rest assured - nobody will ever have to empty the pool because of your baby! Fashion and peace of mind - what better combination can there be in a baby swimsuit ....
What should you put inside the SWIMMI? Other than your baby, absolutely nothing!
Sizes
SMALL: 4-7 kg (9-15 lbs) MEDIUM: 7-10 kg (15-22 lbs) LARGE: 10-13.5 kg (22-30 lbs)

Engineered with painstaking attention to detail and functionality:
• A trim and attractive design that has a terrific fit on any baby
• Interior polyester mesh for easy clean ups
• Coated nylon layer sandwiched inside that will hold in the messy stuff
• Fun, unisex cotton prints on the outside
• Adjustable Aplix closures for a snug and comfortable fit
• Stretchy soft lycra bindings to protect baby’s tender skin

Sisters Day has come and gone - WOW!
June 2nd marked one year that Haydee has been home with us. Many of you supported us through the adoption process, which began long before Buzzie Bee Diapers opened in October 2005. Most adoptive families celebrate the adoption day in one way or another. We called it Sisters Day as it’s the day Haydee and Liefe officially became sisters. We spent the weekend with family, looked over Haydee’s scrapbook, dreamed and schemed about our next trip to Guatemala, and ate ice cream cake - a reminder of all the ice cream Liefe ate at Casa Grande, the Guatemalan hotel where we stayed, waiting three weeks for Haydee’s visa to come through.
In celebration of sisters and babies everywhere, we’re pleased to extend a 20% discount on all retail purchases throughout the month of June.

dates of note:
A reminder about holidays - diaper service continues without interruption on all holidays (except Christmas and Thanksgiving). If you plan to be away over the summer holidays, please let is know. We’ll do what we can to accommodate you with a vacation credit.
Deliveries on June 18 & 19 will happen mid morning rather than super early in the morning. This is because Broo (who helps Buzzie Bee by being Monday delivery driver, Tuesday childcare provider, and round-the-clock wonderful husband - who at one point long long ago thought cloth diapers were gross) will be on Vinalhaven participating in a graphic design seminar. We’ve enlisted the help of babysitters but couldn’t find one willing to be here at 4AM...
Family lawn & bake sale June 30 8am-noon at Mid-Coast Children’s Services, 272 Park Street, Rockland. MCCS is one of the most diverse preschool programs in Knox County. A change in funding is causing the school to raise tuition in the fall. The Parents’ Fundraising Committee’s goal is to build a scholarship fund for MCCS. Lemonade stand, children’s items, even some cloth diapers - all at very reasonable prices and for a wonderful cause.

mary kay sample from annie chapman
Enclosed in the Latest Buzz is a Mary Kay sample from Annie Chapman, a friend of mine. We met a few years ago at a networking event. She’s been very supportive of Buzzie Bee Diapers by introducing me to other women business owners and welcoming me to the Maine Women’s Network

buzzie bee in the news
Did you see our column in the Courier? Look for ‘Me and the Bee’ on the first and third Saturdays. We’ll be writing about parenting as well as about cloth diapering. We welcome your feedback and ideas.
Also of note: Buzzie Bee Diapers was recently nominated by Women, Work & Community for the Ms. Foundation’s Fairy Godmother Award. This is a national grant awarded to four woman owned microenterprises. Recipients will be announced later this month.

Buzzie Bee Diapers Nominated for Ms. Foundation Award

2007-05-25T09:38:00.000-07:00

Local cloth diaper service demonstrates growth potential and competitive market advantage.

Rockland, ME - May 24, 2007 - Buzzie Bee Diapers, cloth diaper service and supply company, was recently nominated by Women, Work and Community (WW&C) for the Ms. Foundation’s Fairy Godmother Fund award. This national award is given to a woman owned business which fills a distinct market niche. If selected, Jennifer Moore Temple, business owner, will use funds to generate an educational program to inform consumers of the benefits of reusable diapers. Award recipients will be notified next month.
WW&C Microenterprise Coordinator, Eola Ball, states, “Jennifer has a solid business plan and a green product. Buzzie Bee Diapers offers a valuable service and, given increasing concern for our environment, Buzzie Bee Diapers is well positioned for continued success.” Ball was introduced to Buzzie Bee Diapers in its infancy through Moore Temple's participation in WW&C’s New Ventures Program in 2005. Of services received at Women, Work & Community, Moore Temple says, “I’ve found a place where I can share ideas, give and receive support. This is all done in a way that recognizes I am working mother. I am honored that Eola thought of Buzzie Bee Diapers for this opportunity.”
The Ms. Foundation for Women established the Fairy Godmother Fund in 1997 to support the development of individual microenterprises across the country. Each year, this endowed fund generates micro-equity grants that provide funds to qualified woman-owned businesses. Eligible businesses must be either a start-up business or an existing business. Specifically, the Fund seeks to support businesses based in low-income communities with limited access to capital.
The choice of a business in which to make the equity investment is made through nominations from past and current grantee organizations of the Ms. Foundation’s Collaborative Fund for Women’s Economic Development. These organizations provide financial and technical support to new and/or start-up businesses and make nominations based on documented data on the financial viability of the business.

nominate us on Oprah!

2007-05-21T02:20:00.000-07:00

Oprah is wants to know what gifts new moms enjoy the most. How about a gift certificate to Buzzie Bee Diapers!?! Let Oprah know how easy Buzzie Bee makes it for you to cloth diaper your baby. Thanks!

LoveyBums ... for your lovey's bum

2007-04-14T02:32:00.000-07:00

I've heard such wonderful things about LoveyBums that we're now carrying them. They launder well and are so soft that they've got to be unbelievably comfortable. Pictured here is a LIO - Lovey-in-one - with a wool cover and quick dry snap in diaper. Additional snap in diapers are available to create a colorful, economical diapering system. For the longest time, I've been a prefolds and Bummis covers kind of momma. While I'm still very pleased with the systems I've been using, I do like the color and variety that the LoveyBums add to both my personal and retail supplies.
Can LoveyBums be used with the diaper service?? Absolutely! Buzzie Bee Diapers offers all diaper service customers a 10% discount on all retail purchases (and no shipping charges!). We'd be delighted to launder the LoveyBums for customers. The wool covers need to be hand laundered (and come with a sample of lanolin to get started) but the actual diaper (organic cotton or sherpa) can be washed by us. Pam at LoveyBums assures us that they will hold up well in the wash cycle we've designed for the diaper service. And I can attest that Haydee's diapers are just as bright and beautiful now as when they were new.

buzzie bee helpers

2007-03-20T19:04:00.000-07:00

All kidding aside, my children don't help with the laundry portion of the business. In the pictures, they are both playing in their own diapers :) In their pictures, Haydee is 18 months (taken just few days ago) and Liefe was 11 months (taken a little over 3 years ago). I'm posting the images because these two darling sweeties mean the world to me. They are completely why I keep going with the dream of getting more families to use cloth diapers. Each parent who makes this decision for their child helps all children. Less waste, less environmental damage. Plus, cloth diapering really does influence how people parent. It's a wonderful introduction to mindful or intentional parenting. I'd be curious if others feel similarly or differently?

dates of note:

2007-03-15T10:24:00.000-07:00

Real Diaper Association’s first local Diaper Circle - RDA is cloth diaper advocacy group which Buzzie Bee and Maine Cloth Diaper Company are members. As a joint effort, we are starting a midcoast Diaper Circle - a gathering of those interested in cloth diapering with a chance to see diapering options and share support. Children are welcome. We’ll meet (usually) on the third friday of the month at 9:30 am. The first meeting is March 16th at the Skidompha Public Library, 184 Main St. Damariscotta. Second meeting, April 13 at Bookland’s Community Room, 91 Camden St. Rockland.

Cesarean Support Group - a new group is forming in the Belfast area. Next meeting, March 18, 3-5 pm. I plan to attend the March meeting and would love to carpool if anyone is interested. Here are the details from the group’s flyer: A group for Cesarean Birth Moms - Share your story or listen to others - let’s support each other - share in our grief and healing - gather information. Held at Morningstar Midwifery, Belfast, located at 137 High St. Suite 5. We are in the brick building between the Belfast Co-op and the downtown stoplight (next to the Jumble Shop). Come in the set of double doors marked 137, up the flight of stairs, and we are on the left. Babes in arms are welcome. FMI CONTACT JENNA 593-9208

Belfast Baby Fair - April 7 @ the Troy Howard Middle School. Buzzie Bee will have a table so stop by to say hello and look for some good deals. I haven’t gone in the past but have heard from several parents that it’s a great place to pick up good quality, gently used children’s items.

Buzzie Bee Diapers sends much needed baby items to newborns in Haiti.

2007-02-14T18:28:00.000-08:00

Local cloth diaper service Buzzie Bee Diapers (www.buzziebee.com) announces a clothing drive to benefit babies born at a Doctors Without Borders hospital in Haiti.

Haiti has the highest level of maternal mortality in the Americas, with 523 deaths per 100,000 births. Doctors Without Borders (also known as MSF, Medecins Sans Frontieres) established a 60-bed Jude Anne Hospital in 2006 to assist women living in the most violent parts of Haiti’s capital city, who have difficulty accessing appropriate care, in part, because of poverty and violence. Medical care is provided for women with pregnancies presenting dangers to the mother and child, as well as treatment to help prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV. Emergency obstetric care services are available around the clock.

We're collecting new and gently used cloth diapers, newborn onesies, socks, and hats to be sent with a family friend down to Haiti this month. A second donation will be made in April. Initially the request for donated items was made to the diaper service’s current customers. Word spread and several boxes of baby clothes have already been collected. A group of neighbors in Bremen is even knitting newborn hats, using patterns from the book Knitting for Peace. We’re delighted at the response from our customers and want to open the collection up to the greater community. My family has been sending items to Haitian women and babies in well over ten years now. Everything has always been well received and much appreciated.

For additional information or to make a donation, contact me at info@buzziebee.com. Pick up is available along Buzzie Bee’s delivery route. Donations may also be dropped off at Buzzie Bee Diapers in Rockland. Buzzie Bee Diapers opened in the fall of 2005, providing weekly pick up and delivery of freshly laundered cotton diapers, to make cloth diapering more accessible to mid-coast families. The service is currently available from Bremen to Belfast, Rockland to Washington.

http://www.BuzzieBee.com
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Welcome!

2007-02-01T02:17:00.000-08:00

Wecome to Buzzie Bee Diapers' blog. Here you will (eventually) find musings on what it's like to run a diaper service in 2007 - a colleague in New York was quoted as saying her service was a dinosaur... at some point you'll find out why I feel differently. Also, look here to find details on how the diaper service works, as well as my thoughts on being a working mother, a small business owner, and a Mainer from away.