moving sale is over - we've moved

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!

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.

a note for Buzzie Bee Families...

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

credit card snafu

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!

tea at the governor's mansion

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

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

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!

cloth makes a comeback

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!

buzzie bee is growing!

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

birthday coming up!

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.

Buzzing on the Air

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.

Welcome!

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.