What a Dump!

What does this look like to you? Well I'll tell you what it's supposed to be. A "recycling facility." Yeah. Right. If you been following my blog you know that I have been reading up on being green. My wonderful sister-in-law Abbey inspired me. Then when I started using cloth diapers, I learned a lot from other cloth diapering mommas. We don't have curbside recycling offered here, or of course we would do it. So I decided to try and find a local place where we could drop off stuff. Easier said than done. I found lots of places that take junk cars, metal, appliances. But actual paper/plastic/glass, not so much. Lafayette has a curbside program and I found out that I could drop off stuff to their facility. It would be a lot easier (and save gas) if there were a local place. I kept looking, and read somewhere online that 2 fire stations in the parish had "recycling facilities" and one was about 5 mins from us. Sounded great. Not so much. I drive over and THIS is what I see. I got out, there was just trash and rain water in the bins. I didn't even leave anything there b/c something gave me the idea it wouldn't actually be recycled. So, I contacted SPEAK and got some helpful info. I still plan to check out the other place in Lafayette. I don't think it would be very green having to waste gas to make a special trip just to drop off stuff so I guess I will figure out a once a week drop off when we are going somewhere nearby.

But, I have learned that reducing and reusing are far more efficient than recycling. It takes a lot of energy to recycle, and things can only be recycled so many times. Some people even make money selling things they normally would throw away, like these super cute gift tags or this jewelry made out of coke cans on Etsy.  Instead of throwing away t-shirt or jeans that have holes or stains, you can cut them up and use the fabric for other things. I am making a cute little stuffed owl for Jhett with some pj's that are too small for him. Don't worry, I will post a pic when I am finished!



Made this with some help from MeMe

If you read my previous post, you have already seen these recycled bibs. I decided it couldn't be that hard. I had no problems fusing the bags and cutting the bib, but when the time came to sew the bias tape around, I needed a professional. So I called MeMe of course, and she whipped it up real quick! Thank you MeMe!

Just need to add a velcro dot and throw it in the diaper bag!

Jhett's Wipes

I cut up flannel receiving blankets about 10x10 and MeMe generously serged the edges for me. I bought some empty spray bottles and I'm going to make solution. I'm really wanting to try some Butt Beans.

Diaper Stash

Still working on it, have a few more packages on the way. In the pic: extra Little Lions unbleached prefolds, Babykicks Bumboo side snapping OS pocket, kiwi GroVia with extra soaker, emerald Haute Pocket, retro cars fitted by Little Fancy Pants, b&w skull Cooshie Tooshies AIO, white Yucky Duck pocket, and five Fluffy's covers stuffed with Little Lions prefolds. Next pic: 3 dream eze fitteds, one vanilla and one mandarin GroBaby with 3 soakers. I'd like to try some bottombumpers, knickernappies, haute pocket with snaps instead of applix, and BG's.

Way Cool!

I was browsing MSN and saw this cool article with pics included. I have been fascinated with repurposed shipping containers since I first saw them in a ReadyMade mag. I was telling Corey how cool it would be, when we get a place with a big backyard, to have a place for the boys to hang out. Corey says he needs one for himself! I guess I wouldn't mind him having his own xbox retreat. These things are really neat!

Cloth Convert

Jhett is going to be a c.d. baby! I don't know why, all of a sudden one day I just decided to switch. I'm making cloth wipes and solution, and buying from diaperswappers and hyena cart here and there until we run out of pampers. I have been eyeing a couple patterns and thinking *maybe* MeMe could make us some, or maybe if I ever learn how to use my sewing machine I could try. We'll see!

Homemade Laundry Detergent

Someone was asking me about my homemade laundry detergent earlier today, so I decided to post the recipe here. You can google and find tons of recipes, but this is the one I use:

1 bar zote soap, grated
1 c. borax
1 c. washing soda



I use the white Zote soap. I have tried the pink but it doesn't grate into a powder like the white one does. Some people use Ivory soap too. That is Corey's only chore around the house, grating the soap. And he only has to do it once every few months, b/c this stuff lasts a long time! I normally do a double batch of it. I store it in a juice pitcher and keep a spoon in there. I use two spoons per load. I haven't actually done the math myself, but I've read that it ends up costing about .03 per load. This works great for people with sensitive skin. None of us have that, but we use it because it's cheaper. A few years ago, I could never imagine myself making my own laundry detergent. Why would I want to do that? I'd just buy whatever smelled good at the store. But when I became a SAHM, I started using coupons and learning how to save money since we only had one income. I read online about making your own laundry detergent and decided to check it out. I still buy stuff at the store if it's on a really good sale, like 2.99 or less. CVS and WAGS both have good sales.