Second Day Fail and Other Odds and Ends.

1. On Day Two of my I’m Going to Only Shop Made in the USA Hooray! extravaganza, I bought something made in China.

It was a digital converter box and technically I didn’t buy it (thank you, Mr. Government). It was the only kind at Target and I could either waste time and money looking (likely without success) for a digital converter box made in the US, not watch TV ever again, or buy a new TV-slash-get cable.

Anyway, it made me realize – along with several wonderful comments from you all – that I need to set some more guidelines for myself. :)

* When given the option, I will choose made in the US, even if it’s more costly.
* I will not stop drinking coffee, I’ll just purchase fair trade coffee! (And other fair trade things are okay, too.)
* If I cannot find my item made in the US, I’ll consider if I could do without it.
* Sometimes, instead of finding Made in the USA, I’ll have to be happy with (as a very minimum) not Made in China.
* We drive a Honda Accord, and I have no apologies. It was assembled in Michigan, actually, which is very close.

2. I heard a dad in a parking lot today say to his little girl, “I’m your dad, I’m supposed to buy you everything you want.”

Um, no, dude. That’s actually not your job. It made me a little sick.

3. I got a 25% off coupon for Michael’s today. Get excited. If I can find anything in there not made in China! :)

4. I’m leaving for Juarez, Mexico tomorrow and I’m equal parts nervous and excited. Excited it’s going to be in the 80’s! I can’t wait to wear my Tevas. Nervous because the State Department put out an alert last month about traveling to Mexico, with special mention about how Juarez is insanely dangerous. (almost 2,000 murders since January 2008. Great.) There have been firefights and shootouts in PUBLIC, leaving some American tourists trapped. My coworker who’s going with me waves my fear off, “We’re gonna be fine. Media hype!” Uh, what? Please, please, please pray for us, cross your fingers, light a candle, send us good vibes, anything! And if I die? Um, don’t let this be the last post, okay?

5. I’ve seriously been awful at commenting and keeping in touch in general. What with traveling and work and Etsy and design jobs, it’s been tough. Be patient with me. I still adore all of you.

6. I made a laptop sleeve for my shop and I couldn’t be more excited about it. Seriously, just ask my sisters and Mike. All weekend, I’ve been stroking it with delight. Stop judging me.