Hello, Ocala mommies!
I'm Elizabeth, mom to Jodi (almost 2! Yikes!) and the editor of OcalaMom.com. I spend way too much time already parenting forums and Yahoo groups so of course had to get in this forum!
I have two bachelor's degrees from UF -- journalism and Spanish -- and was a 4th-generation Gator grad. Though when I was a high school student looking at colleges, my two beloved out-of-state schools w/ the full scholarships looked wonderful, I must admit. Now I just hope UF will take me back for grad school. lol
I was a reporter for the Star-Banner's weeklies, had my daughter and just couldn't put her in daycare. I'm now a stay-at-home mom with Jodi, applying to grad school for nursing and, because apparently I have too much free time, opened an online mommy/baby business last May.
We are also a dog family (Jodi loves, loves, loves dogs -- she calls them "sweet puppies") and have two cockers that keep us busy. (And who knew how much they barked until there's a baby in the house?! Any time a car door closes a mile away I think they have to tell us. lol)
Something I think is unique (or why people look at us like we're crazy sometimes when I tell them this) about our family is we use cloth diapers on Jodi and have since she was born! But now, brighter days loom ahead as we're quickly starting potty training.
I'm a member of the communications committee for the International Cesarean Awareness Network and member of LLL of Marion County. We practice Attachment Parenting.
So, I'm looking forward to getting to "meet" more local moms on here!

This message has been edited. Last edited by: OcalaElizabeth (OcalaMom Host),

Hi Elizabeth! You sound super busy! I am sure UF will take you back :0) I almost went to UF myself for both college and grad school but ended up going to UNF for college and went to grad school in DC. Yeah cloth diapers are very unique... I am wondering... is it more cost effective? Easier? I am curious, let me know! Have a great nite!
-a

Where did you go to school in DC? American was one of my top choices (that and Rhodes College.) I would have *loved* school in DC....

Cloth diapers are TONS cheaper. They are nothing like they used to look like. Some diapers are one-size -- they will fit from birth to potty training! Definitely cheaper. And if you have two in diapers in once, you only have to bring one style of diapers b/c they would fit either kid.
And the real savings come w/ future kids b/c you don't have to buy any more diapers.
They are very simple to use -- some just a couple of snaps (I prefer snaps for their longevity and manufacturer warranties) and others with Velcro/aplix.
Diapers we use now on our children still won't have disintegrated by the time their great-great-great grandchildren have died. (I write press releases for other online diapering stores sometimes and I always use that fact because it seems to be such a strong statement.) That said, we have a super soaker so we cheat and use 'sposies at night. I was tired of the wet clothes -- and a super soaker who sleeps 12+ hrs at once is not a good combination. lol

This site:
Diaper Facts

has a lot of information on diapers -- costs, environment, health, etc...
And there are so many companies and they're always coming out with newer and cooler diapers. I was simply shocked when I first saw how they've progressed.
I could talk a lot about diapers so will stop now while I'm ahead.
And yes, I'm aware I used to not get so excited to talk about diapers and didn't used to look out for our "fluffy mail" to come.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: OcalaElizabeth (OcalaMom Host),

Hi Elizabeth,

So,..... you use a diapering service? There's no scraping the "poopy" out of the diaper yourself and cleaning them in your washing machine?

I'm curious about the cost for the service. With a new baby on the way, we're always looking for ways to go green!

Nope. No diaper service. Just me.
No poop scraping. Now that she's older, I do dump it out -- but what's left is left on the diaper.
As for babies -- still no scraping. Some people use a Diaper Sprayer for all their kids poopy diapers. That makes it too nasty for me. Particularly if you breastfeed, the poop isn't bad anyway. (who knew I could talk about poop so freely one day?!)
We wash w/ Charlie's Soap and sodium percarbonate (aka Oxy Clean) to disinfect. And I've never had a poop-covered shirt yet so I know they get clean as does the washer. (The diapers will let you know anyway if you're not washing them very well. )

Say you purchase some one-size diapers. That's all you'd need as far as sizing goes (if you have tiny babies, though, you could either use disposables in the beginning or buy XS dipes.) You buy some inserts, some accessories -- you're looking at spending $350-400 -- and that's ALL you'd be spending on diapers as long as your baby wears them!
You can find diapers as inexpensive or as expensive as you'd like. I personally feel one-size pockets (unless you're planning on adding a bunch more kids to your family b/c realistically cloth isn't going to last through repeated washings for 8 years ) are the most economical and the easiest to get people using cloth.
Prefolds and covers are inexpensive but not everybody likes them and you'd still have to buy a toddler and NB size. Pockets are great for heavy wetters b/c you can stuff them and make them as absorbent as you need to -- and they're the easiest ones (besides all-in-ones) to convince dads it's OK to use cloth.

how do you change your on screen name? my business one is showing and I am not comfortable with that.

quote:

Originally posted by digitheadgal:
how do you change your on screen name? my business one is showing and I am not comfortable with that.

You should be able to go to "Go" on the top
then Personal Zone
and then Profile where you can change the name.
HTH and let me know if you need anything else!

Hi,

I'm so excited to have found this forum, I'm not even in ocala yet, I'm moving down in July with my husband and six children (yes six) 1-18, my 18 year old will come down with us for the summer then return to NY for 2nd year of college. I am coming into town for vacation and will be looking for work, I have my AA in liberal arts, I've done TA and Social Work so hopefully I will find a job along those lines. I am just happy about the long warm days that wait for us. My sister is already there and has been asking us to come forever but change is scary- finally my husband and I are taking the plunge- if you have any good advice for new comers I would love to hear it
Brown08 (08 in family )

Welcome to town!
Yes, warm days. Very warm days. I'm jealous of snow up north.
6 kids -- what are their ages? Are you moving from NY?
Best advice for newcomers....Lessee. We moved here in fall of '04 and made some friends but found the most after getting involved with playgroups! Find a playgroup or go to story time at the library branch nearest you.
Be active on forums -- like this brand-new one, for instance! You can meet lots of local people this way. (We are into Attachment Parenting and there is a very active forum for that in Gainesville so we met a lot of moms that way, and we met a lot of moms through the postpartum group at the hospital in Gainesville where DD was born. Forums can be very helpful when you are at home all day w/ a child(ren).)
And strike up random conversations in public w/ other parents -- I can always spot a fellow SAHM in the store usually and, since I have a big mouth, find a way to talk to her.
Just enjoy driving around Marion County -- the county is ginormous! There are places I still haven't found. Check out Carney Island, check out hourse country off 475 (I think -- I'm bad w/ roads) and out in the W, too. Enjoy the parks -- the park off Baseline is a playgroup favorite.
And in the summer go blueberry picking.
Welcome to the area (but get ready for the heat in July! lol That's usually when I wish I lived in Alaska.)

This message has been edited. Last edited by: OcalaElizabeth (OcalaMom Host),

It's me again, I currently live in NY and it's been pretty warm this winter, we had a strange ice storm that lasted about 30 minutes and then the sun came out-My kids are Karina 18 Angel 16 Jonathan 13.5 Yoshie (boy) 11 Felicity 3 and baby Penelope 1. So let see- It's funny because here we're indoors because of the cold there we'll probably be in central air- I love it-hope to be there soon.
Brown08

Hi, I'm so glad to find this forum. I'm a mom and have a 4 year old girl ( Aly). We are currently in Nc and considering moving to the Ocala area. We will be vacationing there to consider our moving options soon. We are originally from Miami. I also look foward to warm weather. I've got a Ba in Political Science and considering teaching as a career.
Alida

Welcome!
Had I not gone to UF (my top-choice school didn't have a journalism major) I was going to major in poli sci. I used to want to be a lawyer. What ages do you want to teach? High school I'm guessing?

Welcome ALL!!

Let's see, we moved here to Ocala back in July of 2005. Almost 3 years ago! And boy was it HOT!! We moved from Oklahoma City, which is where I'm from, but my husband is from Orlando and had wanted to move back closer to home for some time. It was hard for me at first, with all my family living back in Oklahoma, but with time, everything gets better! We LOVE Ocala! There is soooo much to do and so many wonderful community activities, especially in the fall.

Playgroups are a wonderful way to meet people! But, when I moved here, I didn't know how to get involved in a play group. Luckily we moved to a great area (Historic downtown area) and moved in across the street from some really great people who had a little boy Campbell's age! They are awesome and have become wonderful friends! But, they also helped us get a pediatrician, find out about story times, and other activities in the area.

Campbell and I also did a Mommy and Me class at Balcony gymnastics (which also offers other classes) and met some really great friends from there too!

Silver Springs is a wonderful place to go with the family on a pretty afternoon or with a playgroup. The kiddos LOVE it! Campbell calls it the Zoo. Wild Waters (connected to Silver Springs) is a little water park that's just the right amount of fun on those blazin' summer days!

There are so many great parks in the area and a local YMCA offers great sports for the kids too.

Yes, I'm looking at teaching at the middle school and highschool level. I might start subbing till a opening comes up.I might check out the Teaching Fair that the schools will have. I look foward to relocating to the area with my little girl. I'm looking at rentals and also the housing market. I'm still researching the area so this forum is great. I'm still looking at all the area....to see where I should move etc ...

WE are basically looking in Ocala rentals or 2nd home depending on the market since we already have a 6.5 acres here in NC Mts. We want to see the best areas in Ocala/ Marion Co.