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Look, all these tools are so new that there really are "no rules of the road" or "etiquette." It's not like anyone's Mother raised them and said, "Now, don't accept a Friend request on Facebook unless..." (OMG, will we be the first Moms who have to do this?)
I think the main thing is not to READ INTO other people's reactions. As you can see from this thread, there are no rules. Some people think it's rude not to accept a friend invite. Some think it's rude not to respond, catch up, connect...Others just want to know where people are, so they connect.
Everyone is busy and everyone sees these tools from their own unique vantage points.
Chill. If someone bothers you, tell them. "Hey, I friended you cuz we were good friends in school. I'd like to catch up. Do you have some free time when we could talk or chat online or just exchange emails?"
Maybe they'll say no. They just had a baby. Have a busy job. Have a child with a disability. Got laid off and are depressed. Who knows? Point is, there are no rules for Facebook. Don't take things personally.
And if you want to Friend me, I'm on Facebook!
I think the main thing is not to READ INTO other people's reactions. As you can see from this thread, there are no rules. Some people think it's rude not to accept a friend invite. Some think it's rude not to respond, catch up, connect...Others just want to know where people are, so they connect.
Everyone is busy and everyone sees these tools from their own unique vantage points.
Chill. If someone bothers you, tell them. "Hey, I friended you cuz we were good friends in school. I'd like to catch up. Do you have some free time when we could talk or chat online or just exchange emails?"
Maybe they'll say no. They just had a baby. Have a busy job. Have a child with a disability. Got laid off and are depressed. Who knows? Point is, there are no rules for Facebook. Don't take things personally.
And if you want to Friend me, I'm on Facebook!
I've known about the frozen produce being from China as it is marked on the label. What I didn't know is this concern raised by WJLA that the organic inspector (QAI) has subcontracted the inspection job or not actually inspected it themselves. There is a letter on the WJLA website from QAI but it is not opening up so I can't read it.
WF response to these concerns is disappointing. This is very bad public relations. A high ranking official should have appeared on camera to reassure their customers and address concerns directly.
Instead, all I can find from them is a comment from their organics inspector...I've copied it below...
Hi Everyone,
I’m Joe Dickson, Organic Certification Coordinator for Whole Foods Market. I read last night’s news script with disbelief and disappointment as it is totally misleading. To help clarify, I have taken the time to address the various claims made in the news segment to offer clarification and our point of view. Visit http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/wjla.html to see points inserted into the script of the story. A few points we address are:
-Organic products from China are absolutely certified organic to the exact same standard as domestic products.
-Since 2002, the USDA’s National Organic Standards have governed exactly what can be sold as organic in the US – how it’s grown, processed and handled - regardless of where in the world it’s grown, INCLUDING China. Organic integrity is ensured every step of the way.
-We routinely visit farms supplying our products all over the world. Here are some standards we apply to the organic farms and facilities we work with in China:
---Organic certification to the USDA organic standard by USDA-accredited certifiers
---Food safety audits by accredited companies using internationally recognized standards
---Targeted social accountability assessments using world class auditing agencies
---Supplementary verification to validate the aspects above
---Random testing of finished product for safety and organic integrity, including tests for environmental contaminants such as heavy metals and pesticides.
-Whole Foods Market is a pioneer in promoting and selling natural and organic foods and we have done more in our history as a company to promote and build organics than any other retailer.
-Of the thousands of private label products we offer, a very small percentage are from China. And even though it is not currently required, we label the country of origin on each of these products.
Thanks,
Joe Dickson
Organic Certification Coordinator
Whole Foods Market
WF response to these concerns is disappointing. This is very bad public relations. A high ranking official should have appeared on camera to reassure their customers and address concerns directly.
Instead, all I can find from them is a comment from their organics inspector...I've copied it below...
Hi Everyone,
I’m Joe Dickson, Organic Certification Coordinator for Whole Foods Market. I read last night’s news script with disbelief and disappointment as it is totally misleading. To help clarify, I have taken the time to address the various claims made in the news segment to offer clarification and our point of view. Visit http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/wjla.html to see points inserted into the script of the story. A few points we address are:
-Organic products from China are absolutely certified organic to the exact same standard as domestic products.
-Since 2002, the USDA’s National Organic Standards have governed exactly what can be sold as organic in the US – how it’s grown, processed and handled - regardless of where in the world it’s grown, INCLUDING China. Organic integrity is ensured every step of the way.
-We routinely visit farms supplying our products all over the world. Here are some standards we apply to the organic farms and facilities we work with in China:
---Organic certification to the USDA organic standard by USDA-accredited certifiers
---Food safety audits by accredited companies using internationally recognized standards
---Targeted social accountability assessments using world class auditing agencies
---Supplementary verification to validate the aspects above
---Random testing of finished product for safety and organic integrity, including tests for environmental contaminants such as heavy metals and pesticides.
-Whole Foods Market is a pioneer in promoting and selling natural and organic foods and we have done more in our history as a company to promote and build organics than any other retailer.
-Of the thousands of private label products we offer, a very small percentage are from China. And even though it is not currently required, we label the country of origin on each of these products.
Thanks,
Joe Dickson
Organic Certification Coordinator
Whole Foods Market
How much does Costco charge for half gallons of organic milk? And is it really organic or just hormone-free?
And for the person who didn't know Mom's...it's great! I have some savings tips up on my blog now from their store, plus others in the archive if you search.
See:
http://organicmania.com/2008/05/23/10-tips-to-green-your-memorial-day-picnic-green-and-organic-savings-friday/
And for the person who didn't know Mom's...it's great! I have some savings tips up on my blog now from their store, plus others in the archive if you search.
See:
http://organicmania.com/2008/05/23/10-tips-to-green-your-memorial-day-picnic-green-and-organic-savings-friday/
I just tried Clorox Green Works (which is a green cleaner) on the moldy shower curtain liner and it worked really easily - better than the toxic stuff we used to use, and the other eco-friendly stuff we tried. I was thinking it would probably work well on bath toys too.
Can someone recommend a good pediatric dentist n DC or MD? Thanks.
In case you missed it (didn't see it on board), the US government finally issued a report critical of BPA. It's a draft report, so we'll see more on this and Canada is rumored to be classifying it as a "dangerous substance" as early as today. Of course, DCUMs have been burning up the forums on this subject since last year and the listserv was discussing as early as '05. Maybe this latest media coverage will finally get the word out to all women - not just those who are Internet savvy.
We have hardwood floors, and have had two crawling babies on them! Actually, hardwood is better than some carpets, which can let off gases that are not very good for a baby to inhale.
I've never heard of bruised knees!
I think the main thing is to remove your shoes so that you are not tracking in chemicals, pesticides, and oils from the streets and sidewalks.
A broom and a damp mop work wonders!
Good luck and have fun with Mobile Baby!
I've never heard of bruised knees!
I think the main thing is to remove your shoes so that you are not tracking in chemicals, pesticides, and oils from the streets and sidewalks.
A broom and a damp mop work wonders!
Good luck and have fun with Mobile Baby!
I found nursing tops to be really well designed to minimize any exposure. That, combined with a nursing cape or shawl worked really well for me. With baby #1, I purchased a shawl whereas with #2 I just bought a really inexpensive colorful scarf at an Indian shop and it's worked great. I actually have a lightweight one for summer and a heavier one for winter.
Motherhood has the best prices on nursing tops - you can often find them on sale for about $10. If you go to Rehoboth Beach, you can stock up at the outlet on sale items with no tax. And they recently introduced an organic cotton line that is also the cheapest I've seen. You can get an organic cotton nursing top there for under $15.
Good luck!
And I was never given the beady eye when nursing in public! Women around here will actually smile warmly at you!
Motherhood has the best prices on nursing tops - you can often find them on sale for about $10. If you go to Rehoboth Beach, you can stock up at the outlet on sale items with no tax. And they recently introduced an organic cotton line that is also the cheapest I've seen. You can get an organic cotton nursing top there for under $15.
Good luck!
And I was never given the beady eye when nursing in public! Women around here will actually smile warmly at you!
Hi, this is OrganicMania here...(not sure if I'm still signed in) ...I'd suggest you let the companies you do business with know how you feel. Many now have blogs where it's easy to leave a comment, or at least an online form. Most companies these days are looking for ways to go more "green" or eco-friendly but they don't even know where to start! And in huge companies, the right hand may not know what the left hand is doing...they may have a sustainability group that hasn't yet addressed the packaging issue. It's rampant...my wedding china came packed in less packaging than my son's plastic toys! And a publisher just sent me a review copy of an eco-book -- all wrapped up in a plastic bubble envelope!
I happened to be listening when the transition happened...it was strange...they said goodbye, there was static for about 60 seconds or more and then the new station came on.
Check out "Wiggle Room" in Bethesda. They sell new organic baby clothing and toys as well as high quality used gear - which may not be "organic" but is green because you are re-using it.
Hanna Andersson will also be coming to Montgomery Mall this spring. They offer organic clothing for kids and adults.
Finally, the organic supermarkets - Whole Foods and Roots come to mind - increasingly are offering organic baby toys and clothing too.
Good luck!
Lynn
Hanna Andersson will also be coming to Montgomery Mall this spring. They offer organic clothing for kids and adults.
Finally, the organic supermarkets - Whole Foods and Roots come to mind - increasingly are offering organic baby toys and clothing too.
Good luck!
Lynn
If you are in Maryland, check out the fishmonger who comes to the parking lot of the Bethesda Community Store every Friday afternoon. They also go to Kensington.
Does anyone happen to know what times Salt River will be at the Bethesda Community store today for pick-up of Valentines special? Their website is not updated and no one is answering the cell. Thanks.
PP here, hit submit to soon...point is, I can identify with her having a crush on him. I did, and that was before realizing he was gay...although my friend quickly informed me. And that fact that I even REMEMBER this! He definitely makes an impression!