Summer is loaded with opportunities to reduceyour energy usage and energy bills.  For an energy-smart lifestyle try these tips for warm weather savings.

• Take a shorter shower to lower water-heating bills.
• Lower the temperature of your water heater.
• Enlist the kids to turn off all the household printers and computers.
• Close your windows and blinds.
• Obey the speed limit on your way to school or work to reduce the amount of fuel used.
• Turn up the thermostat or program the thermostat to adjust at specific times.
• Change the filter in your A/C.
• Run ceiling fans instead of the A/C.
• Leave the lights off – keeping them off will keep a room cooler.
• Prepared dinner on the outdoor grill. 
• Fill up that dishwasher, a full dishwasher uses less water than hand washing so load up those dishes and press the energy-efficient cycle button.

SAVING ISN’T JUST FOR ENERGY – Can’t live through July and August without A/C, but still want to cut costs? Try saving on your BACK TO SCHOOL clothes budget instead.  Shop and/or sell online at Consignment Crossroads today.  Tell us how much you saved.

First of all, congratulations! And welcome to the mommy club!  Here at Consignment Crossroads you will find all kinds of wonderful baby “tools”. New and pre-loved clothing, bibs, diaper bags, hair accessories, and totes just to name a few.  Maternity items as well.  And most finds are in excellent to barely used condition because babies quickly outgrow items before they wear items out.  Anyway, preparing for the arrival of your baby can be overwhelming and confusing!  It is a good thing moms have nine months to prepare!  Below are some suggestions to planning for the birth of your baby to ensure you are prepared and to give mom peace of mind!

Tips for preparing for baby:

• Know the route to the hospital where you will deliver and ensure your driver does too!  I also found scheduling & taking a tour of the Labor & Delivery floor to be comforting. If you plan on home birthing, know the route to the hospital in case of emergency.
• Prepare home birthing area if needed (sheets, towels, blankets, water pool, etc).
• Attend a childbirth class to know what to expect.
• Purchase the crib and accessories such as sheets, mobile, blankets etc.
• Buy the appropriate car seat (rear facing) and make sure you have it installed properly. 
• This one is fun!  Make a list of baby names.  Baby name books and websites are helpful tools.  
• If your baby is a boy, decide ahead of time whether or not to circumcise.  Discuss with your OB or pediatricain what to expect and proper care.
• Make the decision to breastfeed or bottle feed, or alternate between the two.
• Select a pediatrician BEFORE baby arrives. Many doctors will allow and encourage you to make an appointment to “interview” them before your delivery.  I met with two or three before I made my decision.  I went with my gut feeling and who I felt most comfortable with.   Discuss care with them.  ***Ask for a number of business cards.  You should bring at least one business card with you to the hospital as they will ask for your pediatrician’s information on several forms. 
• Purchase a book on parenting; this is especially helpful for the first-time parents.
• Make sure you have the necessary toiletries at home such as baby-powder, diapers, baby wash, thermometer, layette items, wipes etc.  You probably won’t need to bring any to the hospital as they will provide these for you.  Call the hospital ahead of time just to make sure.
• A baby sling is a HUGE asset! Whether this is your firstborn or 5th child, you will need your hands free and baby loves the closeness of mama.
• It amazing how excited friends and family get when one is having a baby and will offer to help and overwhelm you with gifts.  One of the many items you may receive will be baby blankets and I say you can never have too many of these.  Stick one in the car, the second car, baby’s room, family room, in the pack n play, in the car seat…. You get the point.
• Wash all the baby’s bedding, clothes, etc. baby’s skin will be delicate and anything his/her skin will touch should be washed in mild detergent.  Dreft is a great detergent to use when washing baby clothes.  Don’t forget to wash any items that will touch baby’s skin.  This includes sheets, blankets, burp cloths, bibs, etc.
• Make sure you have a supply of heavy-duty pads waiting at home!  The hospital will provide sanitary pads, which you’ll need because even after a c-section, you’ll bleed after delivery.

I hope you found this blog helpful – please feel free to add any comments below or helpful tips for our other readers.  I wish you well in your pregnancy and you’re parenting journey!  Enjoy every…parenting…minute!  God bless!

Joyfully,

Julie

***Stay tuned for next week’s blog on tips for what to bring to the hospital for the big day.

Charity Hodges and her husband, David, are saving up to adopt a child.  To learn more about the Hodges Adoption Journey please visit http://hodgesadoptionjourney.blogspot.com/

Would you like to help the Hodges family by donating your Pre♥loved items to their online auction? Do we have a feel-good project you!!

Consignment Crossroads is sponsoring an auction specifically for the Hodges Adoption Journey (fee FREE). You can help by 1) listing your items for sale 2) shopping or 3) both.

HOW DOES IT WORK?
Well, simply join our community here at http://ConsignmentCrossroads.com/

Next list your items with our FREE listings!!
Start listing your pre♥loved items today, tomorrow, & over the weekend.  We will promote the event to shoppers for the following dates: June 11 – June 15, 2010.  100% proceeds go to the Hodges Adoption Journey fund.

Please place all items under the designated category: Hodges Adoption Journey AUCTION.

Collect payments directly via Paypal or Google Checkout. If you don’t have a Paypal or Google Checkout account you are welcome to elect to have the funds deposited directly into the Hodges Paypal account.

Let me know if you need any help. julie@ConsignmentCrossroads.com

Please keep starting bids LOW or try to list at least 5 items that are each $5 or less (including shipping). This will generate interest, create sales and keep it FUN for all.

You can also help by shopping online from the comfort of your own home during the designated dates and purchase from others who are donating 100% proceeds to the Hodges family. Good luck to the Hodges!! Thank you & God Bless!!

Top Ten Things You Can do to be Successful when Consigning Items on Consignment Crossroads

1. Research the item: Be sure to research your item to determine
an approximate value. You can do so by doing a Google search.

2. Reasonably low prices. Keep item prices reasonable. We all want to
make top dollar for our belongings, but remember, these are items that
have served their purpose for us and the buyer looks forward to a
considerable amount off the original price.

3. Have items listed by Sunday afternoon for Sunday evening shoppers.
That is prime time for people to be on their computers and shopping!
eBay traffic proves that’s a great time!

4. Include Important Keywords in the Title. Did you know that your
title is critically important to your listing & is the main way people
will find your item? For that reason, research all the important
words that people associate with this item. Look at other listings to
see keywords others have included in their listings for similar
items.

5. Write a catchy description and include all details. Write as if
you were writing an ad—because you are! The description & photos are
the only way buyers can learn about the item & decide to buy. Include
all flaws or damage about the item. People get very upset & leave
negative feedback if you are not honest about the condition.

6. Take great photos. Great photos in good lighting is crucial!
Include as many photos as you need to show all the features of the
item. Take close ups of significant features of the piece. Make it
easy for prospective buyers to get excited about your item! Then they
will purchase more from you!

7. Keep Shipping Costs Low or Free. Set shipping prices low. Use the
Paypal shipping feature that allows you to print US Post Office labels
from home with free delivery confirmation included. The mail carrier
picks them up from you for FREE- so no more trips to the post office.
See our website’s FAQs for more details.

8. Be available during the day to answer questions. Check your e-mail
often throughout the day and evening. People will have questions &
they expect timely responses, so answer them promptly.

9. Ship the items as soon as you are paid. I love accepting Paypal,
since they handle the entire financial portion of the transaction.
Once a payment is in your Paypal account, you can ship, since it is
considered cleared. Buyers LOVE it when you ship quickly. That helps
encourage positive feedback!

10. Be generous with positive feedback. I leave glowing positive
feedback as soon as I ship the item to a buyer. This sets a pleasant
tone & the buyer is in a positive frame of mind when they receive
their item. Then, they are much more likely to leave me positive
feedback!

Written May 8, 2010

Well, Mom, tomorrow is Mother’s Day, and I miss you more than I can ever say.  As I walk through the local grocery store and retail shops it hard to forget that it is Mother’s Day.  Its on the radio, newspaper, etc.  I see large bouquets of flowers and think to myself what kind of floral arrangement should I send you this year?  And then it hits me …again. I cannot send you anything to show you how much I appreciate you…for you are no longer here.

Many of you may not know this, but this is my first Mother’s Day without her.
After living every moment of my life knowing that I had my mother with me, it’s strange to me that I no longer do. I realize many of you know what that feels like ….long before I did.

For those of us who don’t have our mothers with us anymore, we can try to tell those who do that there is never enough time. They think they know but they don’t know. It’s like trying to tell a young person how short life is. They think they know but they don’t know. And they won’t until time is no longer on their side. For all of you who have lost your mom — May you find comfort in your beautiful memories of your very special *mom* this Mother’s Day.
For those of you, who still have your moms this Mother’s Day, don’t miss a moment of what you can still have today but which will slip away from you someday all too soon. Honor her in every way possible, the best way being time spent with her. Laugh, love, cry, celebrate and, by all means, reminisce.

So, here’s to you mom.

You’ve been gone a short while and I still think of you all the time and all the things you did to make sure your family had what they needed to survive.  You showed your love in your service to us.

You were truly giving and understanding to all five of us, and to the many more children besides your own. In Heaven, all the roses are white; there are no tears. Truly the pain of not having you here with me is awful to know, I can hardly bear it. But I am grateful to have known a Mother’s love which is unconditional & purely given – rarely received on earth.  Oh, that all love should be as this love is. So tender, so considerate, so transcending.

So this Mother’s Day I WILL give you a gift.  With the blessings of my immediate family and from my wonderful husband, this Mother’s Day I will give my unborn daughter your middle name.  Jean.  She will be Alexis Jean when she finally arrives in late July.  I knew that would make you smile.  To my Alexis Jean in heaven, as you grow and prepare for your descent to earth, give Mom/Grandma a kiss and “I love you” from me.  I know you will.

And Mom, in passing, should you bump into Miss Layla Grace – please give her a big hug and a kiss from all of us who know of her. 

Love, your daughter, Julie

Happy Mother’s Day to all of us and to you, Mom.

Mother’s Day will be hard but I’m sure mom is right here watching over me and very proud.