Too much to put on Facebook all at one time. First was "I miss you when you're not with me -- when you're at work." Then she was pretending I was a baby and feeding me raisins and she waved her index finger at me and said "Just eat one raisin baby, not a whole pile" And finally she told me she was "full of love."
She pulled a book off the shelf, told me it was her wedding book, and asked if I wanted her to read it to me. I said yes:
So once upon a time I wanted to go for a wedding but it was too rainy. There are all the pictures in my book. She didn't want to go to the wedding, but it was too dangerous. That's sweet. Bryan was here at my wedding and Mama was here at my wedding. And at my wedding all by myself, and here's my book. Oh it is saying "You want to see my wedding pictures?" One two three, buckle my shoe, three four, shut the doo-o--oor. One two three four five. Five. Do you want to hear my wedding story? No, I'm done with my wedding story. I have to find a lot more pictures. Do you want to hear my wedding book? You've got to put the wrapper [dust jacket - ed.] on baby because I putted the wrapper out and on again. I got a flower upside-down and I got a flower right-side-up. I want my... what is that? What's this? This is the yellow page and this is the green page. It looks like, but it's red not pink. Just red, baby. What's my grandma-bear's favorite color? Are you done? This is the wrapper and this is my book.
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Advocacy and energy use
Advocacy
What I do well: I guess this here blog. If anyone asks me, I tell them how great the farmer's market is, how surprisingly easy cloth diapering is, how I got a free composter from the city, etc. I did host a "Green Cleaning Party" for some friends and neighbors.
What I could do better: Well, surprisingly (since I blurt my whole life out here anonymously), I'm not that talkative in public. Oh, I mean, about other things I sort of am, but I try not to say anything that seems like it judges other people's choices.* So I don't just proselytize unless other people bring stuff up first. And it's not as though I don't have a forum -- I could TOTALLY be indoctrinating my students. Not even during class time -- at lunch I could comment on the styrofoam badness they all eat their noodles from and compliment the kids who bring lunch in reusable containers.
How can I fix it? I'm thinking about asking for permission and collaboration regarding starting a compost bin at school. I might make it teachers-only to begin with, as kids are notoriously bad about not putting stuff where it goes (when we had a recycling bin with a GIANT sign that said "cans and bottles only," the bin was always half full of gum and food and white paper). And although I brought it up yesterday in the packaging discussion, I think it fits here, too; I can contact companies about their policies. I know Nabisco doesn't give a shit that I don't buy their 100-calorie packs because of the packaging (presumably, it sells just fine), but they say one person who calls represents ten people who feel the same way, so maybe it makes a tiny dent.
What's the crazy hippie version I'll probably never do? It's not a hippie thing so much as an over-the-top thing -- I'll never criticize other people for their choices. If I go to a party and there's no bag for recycling my Diet Pepsi can, I'll just quietly slip it into my purse. No need to say "You're not recycling? Oh my gosh! But it's so easy with the bins! And the earth will thank you!" I mean, people like that don't get invited back to parties.
Energy
What I do well: I use cold water for pretty much all the laundry. We don't turn lights on if we don't need them. We use CFLs. We try to line dry instead of always using the dryer. We don't leave lights on. We set our heat and air to pretty reasonable levels and keep them on a timer
What I could do better: Lots of things in our house constantly suck just a little bit of power. The laptops. The cable box. The TV. At night, when the house is dark, there are little LED lights everywhere. The toaster, even. And, well, I could definitely line dry more stuff. I tend to skip it in the summer months when it's just too darn hot to stand out there and hang it all.
How can I fix it? I think power strips are a good option. We could hook the TV/game console/stereo/cable box setup all into the same one, then just flip one switch to turn it off when we're not using it. I'm honestly not sure how much energy that would even save, but saving a little is better than saving nothing, right?
What's the crazy hippie version I'll probably never do? That involves the central heat and air. I'm not not not going without those. We really limit their use, but I love them and I appreciate them and I feel like I need them, even though it's maybe not exactly a need.
*And I really don't judge. Some people close to me (I won't say who, but readers of this very blog) sometimes have me over and offer Zadie and me a snack, and then apologize for it not being a local, organic, farmer's market snack. For the record, being invited into your home, treated kindly, and offered snacks in the first place is much more meaningful to me than whether I'm eating a Chilean pesticide-berry (*wink*). I am truly grateful for anything served with love. And I really hope I don't come across as the kind of prig who feels otherwise.
What I do well: I guess this here blog. If anyone asks me, I tell them how great the farmer's market is, how surprisingly easy cloth diapering is, how I got a free composter from the city, etc. I did host a "Green Cleaning Party" for some friends and neighbors.
What I could do better: Well, surprisingly (since I blurt my whole life out here anonymously), I'm not that talkative in public. Oh, I mean, about other things I sort of am, but I try not to say anything that seems like it judges other people's choices.* So I don't just proselytize unless other people bring stuff up first. And it's not as though I don't have a forum -- I could TOTALLY be indoctrinating my students. Not even during class time -- at lunch I could comment on the styrofoam badness they all eat their noodles from and compliment the kids who bring lunch in reusable containers.
How can I fix it? I'm thinking about asking for permission and collaboration regarding starting a compost bin at school. I might make it teachers-only to begin with, as kids are notoriously bad about not putting stuff where it goes (when we had a recycling bin with a GIANT sign that said "cans and bottles only," the bin was always half full of gum and food and white paper). And although I brought it up yesterday in the packaging discussion, I think it fits here, too; I can contact companies about their policies. I know Nabisco doesn't give a shit that I don't buy their 100-calorie packs because of the packaging (presumably, it sells just fine), but they say one person who calls represents ten people who feel the same way, so maybe it makes a tiny dent.
What's the crazy hippie version I'll probably never do? It's not a hippie thing so much as an over-the-top thing -- I'll never criticize other people for their choices. If I go to a party and there's no bag for recycling my Diet Pepsi can, I'll just quietly slip it into my purse. No need to say "You're not recycling? Oh my gosh! But it's so easy with the bins! And the earth will thank you!" I mean, people like that don't get invited back to parties.
Energy
What I do well: I use cold water for pretty much all the laundry. We don't turn lights on if we don't need them. We use CFLs. We try to line dry instead of always using the dryer. We don't leave lights on. We set our heat and air to pretty reasonable levels and keep them on a timer
What I could do better: Lots of things in our house constantly suck just a little bit of power. The laptops. The cable box. The TV. At night, when the house is dark, there are little LED lights everywhere. The toaster, even. And, well, I could definitely line dry more stuff. I tend to skip it in the summer months when it's just too darn hot to stand out there and hang it all.
How can I fix it? I think power strips are a good option. We could hook the TV/game console/stereo/cable box setup all into the same one, then just flip one switch to turn it off when we're not using it. I'm honestly not sure how much energy that would even save, but saving a little is better than saving nothing, right?
What's the crazy hippie version I'll probably never do? That involves the central heat and air. I'm not not not going without those. We really limit their use, but I love them and I appreciate them and I feel like I need them, even though it's maybe not exactly a need.
*And I really don't judge. Some people close to me (I won't say who, but readers of this very blog) sometimes have me over and offer Zadie and me a snack, and then apologize for it not being a local, organic, farmer's market snack. For the record, being invited into your home, treated kindly, and offered snacks in the first place is much more meaningful to me than whether I'm eating a Chilean pesticide-berry (*wink*). I am truly grateful for anything served with love. And I really hope I don't come across as the kind of prig who feels otherwise.
Monday, April 26, 2010
Oh yeah, and also?
Yesterday I rode my bike to the farmer's market. Today I brought home my compostables from my lunch. At dinner, we used cloth napkins. I am my own anthropologist! (That totally made sense to me, but I'm guessing it didn't to anyone else.)
Check out my package
A quick one tonight, since I need to tidy and go to bed.
What I do well: I try to buy things with less packaging. For example, I'll buy loose carrots instead of the cut ones in the plastic tub. I bought some cookies recently that came in individual packages, but felt too guilty and returned to my old kind in the big tub. When we can, I go to Costco, and I find that some things in bulk are packaged less wastefully (like the big box of Morningstar sausages vs. several small boxes).
What I don't do well: This ties in with tomorrow's topic, advocacy. I may not buy a product that I think is over-packaged, but I never shoot an email to the company telling them why I'm not buying it. I think that can have a positive effect, and I ought to. And of course, as with everything I've mentioned, sometimes I get lazy -- making my own pizza sauce would be less wasteful than buying little plastic packages of sauce.
How can I fix it? The advocacy part is easy, especially with this here internet. I could take three minutes to say "Hey Trader Joes: I don't buy your low-sodium soup broth because it's a cardboard box filled with foil packets, all to contain about 6 tablespoons of concentrated broth. Fix it." As for making my own broth, making my own pizza sauce -- yeah, in a perfect world. But in this world, there are at best four hours each weekday for me to spend with my kid. If something saves me time, I'm going to go ahead and make that compromise.
What's the crazy hippie version I'll probably never do? I don't know that there is one here, either. Although I do remember long ago reading a suggestion that you take things out of the packaging and leave the packaging in the store, because if everyone did it, we'd have a revolution and the stores would contact the manufacturers and they'd change their wicked ways! Yeah, I think what's more likely is that some put-upon bag boy would have to pick up my shit and no one would get any kind of "message." I guess maybe there's a crazy hippie version where you, like, take containers to a local butter-y* and buy butter in bulk so you don't have to use packaging at all, but all that transportation would have a carbon footprint too, you know?
*Butter-er? Butter factory? Buttress?
What I do well: I try to buy things with less packaging. For example, I'll buy loose carrots instead of the cut ones in the plastic tub. I bought some cookies recently that came in individual packages, but felt too guilty and returned to my old kind in the big tub. When we can, I go to Costco, and I find that some things in bulk are packaged less wastefully (like the big box of Morningstar sausages vs. several small boxes).
What I don't do well: This ties in with tomorrow's topic, advocacy. I may not buy a product that I think is over-packaged, but I never shoot an email to the company telling them why I'm not buying it. I think that can have a positive effect, and I ought to. And of course, as with everything I've mentioned, sometimes I get lazy -- making my own pizza sauce would be less wasteful than buying little plastic packages of sauce.
How can I fix it? The advocacy part is easy, especially with this here internet. I could take three minutes to say "Hey Trader Joes: I don't buy your low-sodium soup broth because it's a cardboard box filled with foil packets, all to contain about 6 tablespoons of concentrated broth. Fix it." As for making my own broth, making my own pizza sauce -- yeah, in a perfect world. But in this world, there are at best four hours each weekday for me to spend with my kid. If something saves me time, I'm going to go ahead and make that compromise.
What's the crazy hippie version I'll probably never do? I don't know that there is one here, either. Although I do remember long ago reading a suggestion that you take things out of the packaging and leave the packaging in the store, because if everyone did it, we'd have a revolution and the stores would contact the manufacturers and they'd change their wicked ways! Yeah, I think what's more likely is that some put-upon bag boy would have to pick up my shit and no one would get any kind of "message." I guess maybe there's a crazy hippie version where you, like, take containers to a local butter-y* and buy butter in bulk so you don't have to use packaging at all, but all that transportation would have a carbon footprint too, you know?
*Butter-er? Butter factory? Buttress?
First French braids!
First French braids!
Originally uploaded by countmockula
Can you believe I French-braided her baby-fine halo?
Sunday, April 25, 2010
On waste
I noticed that my next topic of the ones I originally brainstormed was "compost and recycling and trash." So here goes -- they're all related.
What I do well: We have reduced our trash to, typically, 1 1/2 bags per week. I called the city and got a smaller trash can, so we're saving money. I recycle almost everything recyclable at home. We are also really good re-users. For example, I use the same Ziploc baggie for my snack at school for months. I've been using the same plastic fork at school for months. We re-use a half a paper towel to microwave breakfast on - one lasts a week. I also make an effort to buy and prepare foods that don't have as much packaging.
What I don't do well: When I get lazy (what's new?), I sometimes throw out things that could be recycled. Not often and not much, but sometimes. For example, the little package of Boboli pizza sauce? To recycle it, you have to cut it open and wash it out. About half the time, I actually do that. Or if, god forbid, a forgotten yogurt goes moldy in the back of the fridge, I'm not going to spend a lot of time touching it in order to clean it -- into the trash it goes! I also don't bring recyclables home from work (not that I have very many, but once in a while I have a Weight Watchers frozen meal, and I don't bring the tray or box home). And I am a terrible composter. It is a pain in the ass. You have to cut up all the food waste into tiny pieces, carry it outside, and put it in the bin. I usually can't do it while cooking, since I don't want to leave the food unattended, and then when the food is done, we usually eat right away, so I leave it, and then after dinner I don't want to do chores. So I skip it a lot of the time, especially if I have the least excuse, like it's hot, it's cold, it's raining, or the pieces are hard to cut (like pineapple or hard squash). And I never bring home my banana peel from school.
How can I fix it?: Just freaking commit to the compost. And washing the recycling. As for toting stuff home from work, I'm not a huge fan of carrying or sorting through garbage, but I suppose I could put a gallon-size zip-top bag in my work bag for that purpose.
What's the crazy hippie version I'll probably never do? I don't know -- can you think of one for this category? I use Gdiaper inserts for Zadie's diapers overnight, and those are technically compostable, but I don't see myself snipping the pee-filled rectangles into bits and adding the human waste to our compost. I also will probably never do worm composting, although I know it works well and isn't gross. I'm just afraid I'd neglect them and they'd die and then their little worm lives would be on my head. And I'd have a box of dead worms and rotting food.
What I do well: We have reduced our trash to, typically, 1 1/2 bags per week. I called the city and got a smaller trash can, so we're saving money. I recycle almost everything recyclable at home. We are also really good re-users. For example, I use the same Ziploc baggie for my snack at school for months. I've been using the same plastic fork at school for months. We re-use a half a paper towel to microwave breakfast on - one lasts a week. I also make an effort to buy and prepare foods that don't have as much packaging.
What I don't do well: When I get lazy (what's new?), I sometimes throw out things that could be recycled. Not often and not much, but sometimes. For example, the little package of Boboli pizza sauce? To recycle it, you have to cut it open and wash it out. About half the time, I actually do that. Or if, god forbid, a forgotten yogurt goes moldy in the back of the fridge, I'm not going to spend a lot of time touching it in order to clean it -- into the trash it goes! I also don't bring recyclables home from work (not that I have very many, but once in a while I have a Weight Watchers frozen meal, and I don't bring the tray or box home). And I am a terrible composter. It is a pain in the ass. You have to cut up all the food waste into tiny pieces, carry it outside, and put it in the bin. I usually can't do it while cooking, since I don't want to leave the food unattended, and then when the food is done, we usually eat right away, so I leave it, and then after dinner I don't want to do chores. So I skip it a lot of the time, especially if I have the least excuse, like it's hot, it's cold, it's raining, or the pieces are hard to cut (like pineapple or hard squash). And I never bring home my banana peel from school.
How can I fix it?: Just freaking commit to the compost. And washing the recycling. As for toting stuff home from work, I'm not a huge fan of carrying or sorting through garbage, but I suppose I could put a gallon-size zip-top bag in my work bag for that purpose.
What's the crazy hippie version I'll probably never do? I don't know -- can you think of one for this category? I use Gdiaper inserts for Zadie's diapers overnight, and those are technically compostable, but I don't see myself snipping the pee-filled rectangles into bits and adding the human waste to our compost. I also will probably never do worm composting, although I know it works well and isn't gross. I'm just afraid I'd neglect them and they'd die and then their little worm lives would be on my head. And I'd have a box of dead worms and rotting food.
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Scottish festival redux (and pictures of freaks)
You remember me writing about our school's Scottish festival. I talked briefly to the clan chief, and he invited me to the games this weekend. We were initially supposed to go camping at Yosemite, but it got called off due to snow. So I waffled on whether I'd go to the games or not, and finally this morning I decided we would.
I called my aunt to see if she wanted to go, but she already had plans, so after a minor appliance disaster and clean-up, we packed a baby bag and headed out.
We had a great time, and I'm so glad I went! We went first into a shop area with a lot of jewelry and tchotchkes, along with some renaissance faire-type clothing. I thought it would be a fairly small event, so I decided to just hit the whole thing in a clockwise direction and go back to whatever we liked. It wasn't that simple. The event was actually really big. We passed a lot of clothing booths, some tents that we ignored at first (it was labeled the "clan area" or something, and featured a lot of people sitting in chairs), and we heard a band. Zadie clapped and seemed fascinated, but when I tried to move her into the shade, she got squirrely, so we moved on. We saw a band called the Wicked Tinkers. They must be a big deal in some community I'm not familiar with, because they had a huge crowd! It was a rock band (ish), but they had a didgeridoo and a bagpiper. It was actually pretty upbeat and cool.
Then we wandered just a few yards away, really, and saw a group of pipers and drummers practicing before the competition. We watched them for a while, wandered through some Ren Faire-type stuff, and then saw a highland dance competition. Honestly, until last Friday I had seen very little highland dance, and I quite like it. It's a bit like ballet (the folk dancing steps) and a bit like Irish step-dancing, and they're very light on their feet. We stayed and watched a few dances. They were really good. I actually also saw that young girl who danced at our school, and I was relieved to see her in jeans, playing ball with some other girls (well, she just looked so serious!).
Then we watched about two minutes of caber-tossing and wandered over to the animals. After that we saw more goods for sale, including some nice garden ornaments, a pennant I bought for my grandma, and more jewelry and t-shirts and things. Then I realized we'd missed a whole center section, which mostly had food and stuff to buy again. Zadie wanted a snack, so I got her a soft-serve, then I decided to make one more round to see if we'd missed anything else. I went into the clan area and realized that many of them had lists of all the names that belonged to one clan. I started scanning the names to see if I could find my great-grandmother's, McGaw. I went around to several booths, not feeling particularly optimistic about finding it, when I ran across one with a fairly similar name. As I was looking, the woman working the booth asked if I wanted her to look up a name. I said yes, and she found it quickly. It doesn't belong under another clan's umbrella, so to speak, but the McGaws are their own clan.
All right, I know you're just scrolling down for the freak show, so here we are.
Now, there were plenty of people in very traditional kilts with sporrans, flashes, and whatnot. Even women.
There were a lot of people who were about half dressed -- the kilts and t-shirts or Birkenstocks crowd.
Then there were the people who had made an effort, but were mostly in street clothes.
Like this gal in her utilikilt.
Or this one with her plaid.
More plaid.
Or these kids with their... um... head things.
Then there's the "whaddya mean there's no Renaissance Faire this weekend?" crowd.
(I'm not sure lavender velour is "period")
And finally... the "any excuse" crowd.
Okay, bye!!
I called my aunt to see if she wanted to go, but she already had plans, so after a minor appliance disaster and clean-up, we packed a baby bag and headed out.
We had a great time, and I'm so glad I went! We went first into a shop area with a lot of jewelry and tchotchkes, along with some renaissance faire-type clothing. I thought it would be a fairly small event, so I decided to just hit the whole thing in a clockwise direction and go back to whatever we liked. It wasn't that simple. The event was actually really big. We passed a lot of clothing booths, some tents that we ignored at first (it was labeled the "clan area" or something, and featured a lot of people sitting in chairs), and we heard a band. Zadie clapped and seemed fascinated, but when I tried to move her into the shade, she got squirrely, so we moved on. We saw a band called the Wicked Tinkers. They must be a big deal in some community I'm not familiar with, because they had a huge crowd! It was a rock band (ish), but they had a didgeridoo and a bagpiper. It was actually pretty upbeat and cool.
Then we wandered just a few yards away, really, and saw a group of pipers and drummers practicing before the competition. We watched them for a while, wandered through some Ren Faire-type stuff, and then saw a highland dance competition. Honestly, until last Friday I had seen very little highland dance, and I quite like it. It's a bit like ballet (the folk dancing steps) and a bit like Irish step-dancing, and they're very light on their feet. We stayed and watched a few dances. They were really good. I actually also saw that young girl who danced at our school, and I was relieved to see her in jeans, playing ball with some other girls (well, she just looked so serious!).
Then we watched about two minutes of caber-tossing and wandered over to the animals. After that we saw more goods for sale, including some nice garden ornaments, a pennant I bought for my grandma, and more jewelry and t-shirts and things. Then I realized we'd missed a whole center section, which mostly had food and stuff to buy again. Zadie wanted a snack, so I got her a soft-serve, then I decided to make one more round to see if we'd missed anything else. I went into the clan area and realized that many of them had lists of all the names that belonged to one clan. I started scanning the names to see if I could find my great-grandmother's, McGaw. I went around to several booths, not feeling particularly optimistic about finding it, when I ran across one with a fairly similar name. As I was looking, the woman working the booth asked if I wanted her to look up a name. I said yes, and she found it quickly. It doesn't belong under another clan's umbrella, so to speak, but the McGaws are their own clan.
All right, I know you're just scrolling down for the freak show, so here we are.
Now, there were plenty of people in very traditional kilts with sporrans, flashes, and whatnot. Even women.
There were a lot of people who were about half dressed -- the kilts and t-shirts or Birkenstocks crowd.
Then there were the people who had made an effort, but were mostly in street clothes.
Like this gal in her utilikilt.
Or this one with her plaid.
More plaid.
Or these kids with their... um... head things.
Then there's the "whaddya mean there's no Renaissance Faire this weekend?" crowd.
(I'm not sure lavender velour is "period")
And finally... the "any excuse" crowd.
Okay, bye!!
Food and driving. And driving to get food.
Food
What I do well: I'm a vegetarian. I tried to find some academic sources that indicated how much of a difference that makes, and it looks like it is actually pretty beneficial. I also do my best to eat local, in season, and organic foods. We also cook a lot instead of relying on processed foods. Less packaging, less factories spewing waste... it's all good. We also recently started gardening, so we'll have some of our own veggies!
What I don't do well: I read recently that meat substitutes and tofu are probably as bad for the environment as meat, and worse that local, pasture-fed meat. We don't use them every day, but a couple times a week. The other area where I'm a little weak here is just a knowledge issue. Like I really have no idea what has a higher carbon footprint -- buying canned refried beans (which are processed elsewhere and then there's the can) or making them myself (the packaging is a bit less, but I leave a slow cooker on all day). I'm not saying I'm going to start making all my choices based on what has the least environmental impact, but it might make a difference.
How can I fix it? A little research and reading. And maybe cut down on the meat substitutes, although to be perfectly honest, I don't feel that bad about them. My Lightlife sausage once a week isn't doing nearly the damage of someone who has a double-double with cheese every day for lunch. We could probably seek out more organics, too, although our budget does have a limit...
What's the crazy hippie version that I'll never do? Go vegan. Sorry, I've tried it. Rice Dream sucks. Pizza with no cheese sucks. Not eating cake at birthday parties sucks.
Driving.
What I do well: I don't drive as much as many people. I have had my car for a little over three months, and my dealership just sent me my "Hey, you've probably hit 5,000 miles, so come in for a service" letter. Nope -- I've only put 2500 miles on it. And I commute to work daily. Plus, I am the only driver in our household, so I do all the shopping, errands, etc. So you know I'm doing my best to keep the mileage down.
What I don't do well: Two huge things. First, there are a TON of people I work with who live near me. I could make an effort to carpool a day or two a week. I haven't because it's a pain -- what if I want to stay late? What if I don't and the other person does? -- but that doesn't mean I shouldn't even try. And the other thing is (I'm so ashamed to admit it)... do you remember when Chris Farley from Saturday Night Live would hit himself in the head and yell "Stupid, stupid, stupid!!"? That was me when I figured out that my fancy, more-powerful engine (that I don't even really need) means I have MUCH WORSE gas mileage than my last car. I do not have a fuel-efficient vehicle, but I totally can't replace it now. Ugh.
How can I fix it? Well, I can try out the carpool idea. Now that Z is cool with the bike trailer, I can take her more places in it, especially on the weekends. But as for the car -- I'm kind of stuck for now.
What's the crazy hippie version I'll probably never do? Get rid of the car completely. You know, sometimes you have to take a kid to the doctor and you don't want to spend 90 minutes on the bus both ways, call your already-over-leaned-upon mother to take you, or take the bike trailer in the rain. I also don't see myself commuting via light rail. It's very expensive, and I'd be spending almost two full hours a day commuting 16 miles. And of course, any two hours I add to my work day is two hours I have to ask Mom to watch the kid for. It's just not happening.
Hey, incidentally, all this reflection has made a difference already. I've got a load of laundry on the line outside. I kept the kid in cloth today, even though we went to a festival. I have wiped several things up with rags instead of paper towels, and I have wiped my hands on the dishtowel. I looked up some stuff about rainwater catchment, although I haven't made any decisions yet. And I remembered to take a tupperware to the frozen yogurt shop so we didn't have to use a foam cup.
What I do well: I'm a vegetarian. I tried to find some academic sources that indicated how much of a difference that makes, and it looks like it is actually pretty beneficial. I also do my best to eat local, in season, and organic foods. We also cook a lot instead of relying on processed foods. Less packaging, less factories spewing waste... it's all good. We also recently started gardening, so we'll have some of our own veggies!
What I don't do well: I read recently that meat substitutes and tofu are probably as bad for the environment as meat, and worse that local, pasture-fed meat. We don't use them every day, but a couple times a week. The other area where I'm a little weak here is just a knowledge issue. Like I really have no idea what has a higher carbon footprint -- buying canned refried beans (which are processed elsewhere and then there's the can) or making them myself (the packaging is a bit less, but I leave a slow cooker on all day). I'm not saying I'm going to start making all my choices based on what has the least environmental impact, but it might make a difference.
How can I fix it? A little research and reading. And maybe cut down on the meat substitutes, although to be perfectly honest, I don't feel that bad about them. My Lightlife sausage once a week isn't doing nearly the damage of someone who has a double-double with cheese every day for lunch. We could probably seek out more organics, too, although our budget does have a limit...
What's the crazy hippie version that I'll never do? Go vegan. Sorry, I've tried it. Rice Dream sucks. Pizza with no cheese sucks. Not eating cake at birthday parties sucks.
Driving.
What I do well: I don't drive as much as many people. I have had my car for a little over three months, and my dealership just sent me my "Hey, you've probably hit 5,000 miles, so come in for a service" letter. Nope -- I've only put 2500 miles on it. And I commute to work daily. Plus, I am the only driver in our household, so I do all the shopping, errands, etc. So you know I'm doing my best to keep the mileage down.
What I don't do well: Two huge things. First, there are a TON of people I work with who live near me. I could make an effort to carpool a day or two a week. I haven't because it's a pain -- what if I want to stay late? What if I don't and the other person does? -- but that doesn't mean I shouldn't even try. And the other thing is (I'm so ashamed to admit it)... do you remember when Chris Farley from Saturday Night Live would hit himself in the head and yell "Stupid, stupid, stupid!!"? That was me when I figured out that my fancy, more-powerful engine (that I don't even really need) means I have MUCH WORSE gas mileage than my last car. I do not have a fuel-efficient vehicle, but I totally can't replace it now. Ugh.
How can I fix it? Well, I can try out the carpool idea. Now that Z is cool with the bike trailer, I can take her more places in it, especially on the weekends. But as for the car -- I'm kind of stuck for now.
What's the crazy hippie version I'll probably never do? Get rid of the car completely. You know, sometimes you have to take a kid to the doctor and you don't want to spend 90 minutes on the bus both ways, call your already-over-leaned-upon mother to take you, or take the bike trailer in the rain. I also don't see myself commuting via light rail. It's very expensive, and I'd be spending almost two full hours a day commuting 16 miles. And of course, any two hours I add to my work day is two hours I have to ask Mom to watch the kid for. It's just not happening.
Hey, incidentally, all this reflection has made a difference already. I've got a load of laundry on the line outside. I kept the kid in cloth today, even though we went to a festival. I have wiped several things up with rags instead of paper towels, and I have wiped my hands on the dishtowel. I looked up some stuff about rainwater catchment, although I haven't made any decisions yet. And I remembered to take a tupperware to the frozen yogurt shop so we didn't have to use a foam cup.
Friday, April 23, 2010
On paper products.
What I do well: We don't go through many paper towels -- we buy them at Costco, but I know we've been on the same (giant, bulk-sized) pack since around October. And there are still 5 or 6 rolls in there, so I'd say we go through less than two packs per year, even given the fact that I take some to school to use them there. We actually tear paper towels in half most of the time and use them that way. It is a pretty rare occasion that we use paper plates here (once every 6 weeks?).
What I don't do well: I know we don't have to use paper towels almost at all. I'm a bit of a germophobe, so I've never been very interested in using kitchen towels to wipe my hands on while I'm preparing dinner. I probably use one or two every night while cooking, then another to clean the baby's face and hands. I also occasionally clean with them. We use rags for most of our cleaning, but the germophobe thing makes it difficult -- I think that once you've wiped the floor with a rag, it's done for.
How can I fix it? Well, just don't use them. For example, I could wash the baby's face with a washcloth. If I needed to wipe my eyes when cutting onions (a frequent occurrence), I could use a hanky or washcloth there, too. I even bought cloth napkins for us to use with dinner, and we used them for a while, but fell out of the habit. We should go back to that.
What's the crazy hippie version that I'll never do? Carry our own plates to other people's homes and then carry them home so that there's no chance we'll ever be responsible for the use of a paper plate. It's a great idea -- we know people who do it -- but let's face it, it makes you look weird.
Toxic chemicals in your home? What will kill you, tonight at 11.
What I do well: I don't use toxic cleaners most of the time. We buy dish soap in bulk from the co-op, make our own spray cleaner out of vinegar and water, don't spray chemicals on our lawn or plants...
What I don't do well: Did you catch that "most"? Yeah, I have some "Kaboom" that probably kills several dolphins per spray, but the shit works SO WELL on our grimy shower floor. And Sweetie prefers Comet to the less-toxic Bon Ami for scrubbing jobs. I have seen the BBC cleaning show and I know you can use baking soda or salt and lemons for cleaning. I wouldn't mind it myself, but Sweetie does most of the scrubbing, so I try not to dictate how he should do it.
How can I fix it? Well, this one is sort of easy, but sort of not. I suppose I could just ask Sweetie if he wouldn't mind going back to the Bon Ami or using some other abrasive, like baking soda. But would we be sacrificing cleaning quality and our time? I mean, scrubbing out the shower after Kaboom-ing it is a lot easier than after applying some lemon.
What's the crazy hippie version that I'll never do? I'm not sure there is a hippie version of cleaning that I wouldn't do. I mean, the hippiest versions I've heard are things like using "soap nuts" in the laundry or making cleaners out of tea tree oil. I guess I'm not breaking down the doors of the hippie store to buy soap nuts, but it's not that I wouldn't. Maybe I should...
Thinking of both yesterday's and today's posts, I'm definitely seeing a pattern. I am trying to make good choices, but am often too lazy or set in my ways to really commit. But I think I can. Perhaps tomorrow I'll tell you about one of my worst failings... composting.
I hope this isn't boring you. As always, the blog is more about navel-gazing than anything else.
Oh yeah, and a disclaimer -- most people who read this know me pretty well, but I've been seeing more comments from people I don't know in real life. You guys are SO welcome, and I'm happy to have you. But what you don't know that my friends do is that I'm pretty non-judgmental. If you use disposable diapers, go through paper towels like they're free, and bleach the shit out of your sink, I really don't care at all. Please live your life in the way that makes you happy. I am just trying to live mine in the same fashion. And if I come over to your house someday and you offer me a sandwich on a paper plate with a paper napkin and a... I don't know... a cup of phthalates, I'll happily munch my sandwich. I'm not uptight about other people's choices at all.
What I do well: We don't go through many paper towels -- we buy them at Costco, but I know we've been on the same (giant, bulk-sized) pack since around October. And there are still 5 or 6 rolls in there, so I'd say we go through less than two packs per year, even given the fact that I take some to school to use them there. We actually tear paper towels in half most of the time and use them that way. It is a pretty rare occasion that we use paper plates here (once every 6 weeks?).
What I don't do well: I know we don't have to use paper towels almost at all. I'm a bit of a germophobe, so I've never been very interested in using kitchen towels to wipe my hands on while I'm preparing dinner. I probably use one or two every night while cooking, then another to clean the baby's face and hands. I also occasionally clean with them. We use rags for most of our cleaning, but the germophobe thing makes it difficult -- I think that once you've wiped the floor with a rag, it's done for.
How can I fix it? Well, just don't use them. For example, I could wash the baby's face with a washcloth. If I needed to wipe my eyes when cutting onions (a frequent occurrence), I could use a hanky or washcloth there, too. I even bought cloth napkins for us to use with dinner, and we used them for a while, but fell out of the habit. We should go back to that.
What's the crazy hippie version that I'll never do? Carry our own plates to other people's homes and then carry them home so that there's no chance we'll ever be responsible for the use of a paper plate. It's a great idea -- we know people who do it -- but let's face it, it makes you look weird.
Toxic chemicals in your home? What will kill you, tonight at 11.
What I do well: I don't use toxic cleaners most of the time. We buy dish soap in bulk from the co-op, make our own spray cleaner out of vinegar and water, don't spray chemicals on our lawn or plants...
What I don't do well: Did you catch that "most"? Yeah, I have some "Kaboom" that probably kills several dolphins per spray, but the shit works SO WELL on our grimy shower floor. And Sweetie prefers Comet to the less-toxic Bon Ami for scrubbing jobs. I have seen the BBC cleaning show and I know you can use baking soda or salt and lemons for cleaning. I wouldn't mind it myself, but Sweetie does most of the scrubbing, so I try not to dictate how he should do it.
How can I fix it? Well, this one is sort of easy, but sort of not. I suppose I could just ask Sweetie if he wouldn't mind going back to the Bon Ami or using some other abrasive, like baking soda. But would we be sacrificing cleaning quality and our time? I mean, scrubbing out the shower after Kaboom-ing it is a lot easier than after applying some lemon.
What's the crazy hippie version that I'll never do? I'm not sure there is a hippie version of cleaning that I wouldn't do. I mean, the hippiest versions I've heard are things like using "soap nuts" in the laundry or making cleaners out of tea tree oil. I guess I'm not breaking down the doors of the hippie store to buy soap nuts, but it's not that I wouldn't. Maybe I should...
Thinking of both yesterday's and today's posts, I'm definitely seeing a pattern. I am trying to make good choices, but am often too lazy or set in my ways to really commit. But I think I can. Perhaps tomorrow I'll tell you about one of my worst failings... composting.
I hope this isn't boring you. As always, the blog is more about navel-gazing than anything else.
Oh yeah, and a disclaimer -- most people who read this know me pretty well, but I've been seeing more comments from people I don't know in real life. You guys are SO welcome, and I'm happy to have you. But what you don't know that my friends do is that I'm pretty non-judgmental. If you use disposable diapers, go through paper towels like they're free, and bleach the shit out of your sink, I really don't care at all. Please live your life in the way that makes you happy. I am just trying to live mine in the same fashion. And if I come over to your house someday and you offer me a sandwich on a paper plate with a paper napkin and a... I don't know... a cup of phthalates, I'll happily munch my sandwich. I'm not uptight about other people's choices at all.
Thursday, April 22, 2010
In honor of Earth Day
I'll try to post each day about something I'm working on improving about my impact on the environment. As I have reflected a little in preparation for writing this, I realized that most of the places I fall short of where I'd like to be are because I am a very, very lazy person.
Initially, I considered documenting all my trash for a week. I realized right away what would happen -- I would reduce my trash use to look better. It's like how anthropologists almost inevitably change the culture they're observing. Of course, reducing my trash, for whatever reason, isn't a bad thing. I decided that instead of documenting all the trash, I'm going to examine a number of my practices and hopefully, the examination will have the same effect.
Let's start with the diapers.
What I do well: I cloth diaper about 90% of the time. I do it for many reasons, but one of them is definitely environmental. Instead of filling up landfills with plastic diapers, I am re-using the same cloth diapers and have been for two years. They still have an impact of course, because I use energy and water to wash them, but my understanding is that it's still a better choice.
What I don't do well: That ten percent. I do put Zadie in plastic diapers a few times a week, mainly when I'm washing her diapers and all the covers are in the wash. I also use them if I know we have a ton of errands to run or if we're going to be driving for a long time. It's easier to wrap up a disposable when we're on the run, and they do keep the wetness away from her skin longer. The other time I use them is when we travel. There's just no way I'm carrying around wet and poopy diapers while visiting family or picnicking on the beach.
How can I fix it? Well, it won't matter for long. She'll be out of diapers soon. But I will try to cut down on the disposables for day trips, and I'll work on getting the wash done quickly so that I don't rely on the disposables for too long.
What's the crazy hippie version that I'll never do? Elimination communication. These are people who figure out which little grunty face their babies make right before they pee, whip their pants down, and hold them over a toilet. Not into it, sorry.
On to water...
What I do well: We re-landscaped our backyard so that we don't have a lawn to water. We don't let the water run when we brush our teeth or anything. I have big plans in the future to replace or reduce the front yard's water needs by replacing a lot of the lawn with drought-tolerant plants.
What I don't do well: We let the water run in the shower FOREVER. Our water heater takes a long time to warm up, so I usually turn it on, go to the kitchen and prepare my coffee, come back to the bathroom and pee, feel the water to see if it's warm, weigh myself, tweeze something, feel the water...
How can I fix it? Well, I think there are two main things I can do. First, we could buy a new water heater. That's a big outlay of money, but it's probably worth it. Second, it's almost into hippie-land, but I think I could handle keeping a bucket in the shower for the water that runs as it heats up. Then we could water the plants with it or whatever. Honestly, we could also probably get one of those rain-gathering barrels for the yard.
What's the crazy hippie version that I'll never do? If it's yellow, let it mellow. (I could handle it, actually, but Sweetie says no.) Also, I'm not doing anything that compromises my grooming -- no dry shampoo or anything that involves me not washing my body.
Look for the following topics (and maybe others, if I think of them) in the days to come.
Paper towels vs. cloth.
Reducing toxic chemicals.
Driving.
Food.
Compost and recycling and trash.
Packaging.
Advocacy.
Household energy use.
Initially, I considered documenting all my trash for a week. I realized right away what would happen -- I would reduce my trash use to look better. It's like how anthropologists almost inevitably change the culture they're observing. Of course, reducing my trash, for whatever reason, isn't a bad thing. I decided that instead of documenting all the trash, I'm going to examine a number of my practices and hopefully, the examination will have the same effect.
Let's start with the diapers.
What I do well: I cloth diaper about 90% of the time. I do it for many reasons, but one of them is definitely environmental. Instead of filling up landfills with plastic diapers, I am re-using the same cloth diapers and have been for two years. They still have an impact of course, because I use energy and water to wash them, but my understanding is that it's still a better choice.
What I don't do well: That ten percent. I do put Zadie in plastic diapers a few times a week, mainly when I'm washing her diapers and all the covers are in the wash. I also use them if I know we have a ton of errands to run or if we're going to be driving for a long time. It's easier to wrap up a disposable when we're on the run, and they do keep the wetness away from her skin longer. The other time I use them is when we travel. There's just no way I'm carrying around wet and poopy diapers while visiting family or picnicking on the beach.
How can I fix it? Well, it won't matter for long. She'll be out of diapers soon. But I will try to cut down on the disposables for day trips, and I'll work on getting the wash done quickly so that I don't rely on the disposables for too long.
What's the crazy hippie version that I'll never do? Elimination communication. These are people who figure out which little grunty face their babies make right before they pee, whip their pants down, and hold them over a toilet. Not into it, sorry.
On to water...
What I do well: We re-landscaped our backyard so that we don't have a lawn to water. We don't let the water run when we brush our teeth or anything. I have big plans in the future to replace or reduce the front yard's water needs by replacing a lot of the lawn with drought-tolerant plants.
What I don't do well: We let the water run in the shower FOREVER. Our water heater takes a long time to warm up, so I usually turn it on, go to the kitchen and prepare my coffee, come back to the bathroom and pee, feel the water to see if it's warm, weigh myself, tweeze something, feel the water...
How can I fix it? Well, I think there are two main things I can do. First, we could buy a new water heater. That's a big outlay of money, but it's probably worth it. Second, it's almost into hippie-land, but I think I could handle keeping a bucket in the shower for the water that runs as it heats up. Then we could water the plants with it or whatever. Honestly, we could also probably get one of those rain-gathering barrels for the yard.
What's the crazy hippie version that I'll never do? If it's yellow, let it mellow. (I could handle it, actually, but Sweetie says no.) Also, I'm not doing anything that compromises my grooming -- no dry shampoo or anything that involves me not washing my body.
Look for the following topics (and maybe others, if I think of them) in the days to come.
Paper towels vs. cloth.
Reducing toxic chemicals.
Driving.
Food.
Compost and recycling and trash.
Packaging.
Advocacy.
Household energy use.
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Just one note.
I have lost twenty (and a half) pounds. In related news, the digit in the tens place in my weight has changed for the third time since I started my diet and exercise program in early January.
Whoo!
Whoo!
Friday, April 16, 2010
What a great day (and a small world!)
We've been planning our annual cultural festival at school. Our small learning community's focus is international studies, so we have these big shindigs with guest speakers, performances, costumes, etc. Since I've worked at my school, we've done Greece, the Aztecs, Japan, Pan-Arab, and this year is Scotland.
I always try to dress the part (well, except for the Japanese festival, when I'd just had a baby), so I ordered a tartan skirt and sash and wore them today. As I was getting ready to leave the house, Mom casually said "Well, you have a little Scottish in you, you know." I said no. She reminded me that my great-grandmother's name was McGaw, but I had always thought that was Irish! You really do learn something new every day.
Anyway, at school, my first period class was gathered in the library to see Highland dancers accompanied by a bagpiper. He gave us a little history of the instrument, and before each dance, the instructor would tell us a little about it. Most of their dances are hundreds of years old, and they represent things like a character named Flora McDonald who helped smuggle Bonnie Prince Charlie to France after his defeat. Another dance was done over crossed swords, and soldiers used to do the dance the night before a battle -- if they stepped on or kicked a sword, it was a bad omen. My favorite was the dance about the "Seann Trubhas," or old, raggedy trousers. I guess at one point, England outlawed anything typically Scottish, kilts included, and the dance includes lots of leg shaking, as if to say "get these horrible pants off me." Close to the end, the dancer claps and throws her hands in the air, changing briefly to a "Highland fling" to represent the repeal of the law, which allowed them to wear kilts again.
Anyway, the dancers were just fantastic, as was the piper. There was one little girl who was a fantastic dancer, but SO SERIOUS! She had little frown lines on her brow. But she was just a dynamo. I talked to her mother, and apparently she will be in a big competition next year.
Our next speaker wasn't quite that amazing, but it would be hard to beat the dancers. He gave a talk on animals of Scotland. I actually found it quite interesting. Apparently, the largest and smallest breeds of horse both come from Scotland. I also learned a bit more about why border collies got their name, and we saw some interesting breeds of dogs and cats I hadn't seen before. My 3rd period saw the dancers again, and afterward I briefly talked to the piper. I admitted to him (as I am admitting to you now) that I am a bit of a bagpipe groupie. Since I was very small and heard the Animals' "Sky Pilot," I have loved the bagpipes. I begged my parents to buy me a chanter (the part that you finger like a recorder), and they did. I think it's in a box in the garage. I never did learn to play it, and then the reed broke, so I did not become a bagpiper.
I was thinking about my grandfather, too. At his funeral, there was a bagpiper, and it was beautiful and mournful and perfect for the moment, and I'll never forget it. I wondered whether this gentleman could possibly have been the one that played the funeral, but I didn't want to ask. It's a bit depressing as well as being a fairly small chance. Instead I thanked him and the dancers.
After that, the festival proper started. I toured around outside, and there were lots of carnival-type booths (pop the balloons on Nessie, etc.) and some pretty-close-to-authentic Scottish games, like the caber toss and a hammer throw. We had more food than we've ever had at a festival (shortbread, meringues, root beer, puddings, lamb, turkey burgers, barbecued chicken, chicken casserole, scones, and much more), and the kids had all done displays on aspects of Scottish culture. Lots of things were for "sale" (we used photocopied Euros), and I "bought" a beaded circlet and an iced tea and some shortbread. The shortbread was the best I've ever, ever had. In fact, I just took one (though they were giving away five per plate) because I don't usually like it much, but once I tasted it, I went back for a second plate so Mom and Zadie could try some.
My room was the "pub," where they had root beer, more scones, and a guitarist playing. It was quiet at the beginning, but then it got quite lively, with my kids drinking fake whiskey (primarily apple cider vinegar) and pretending to be drunk. (Not my idea, by the way.)
After we cleaned up and I entered my attendance, I took off, because it was a minimum day! Whee!! Zadie and I went to Fox and Goose for lunch. Sweetie and I met some friends there two weeks ago at about 11, and I had thought I'd get lunch that day, but didn't. Still, I had looked at the lunch menu and it looked appealing. I had the ploughman's lunch today (bread, cheese, apples, Branston pickle, pepperoncinis, and pickled onions), and I loved it, so now I can't wait to go back and try their sandwiches or a vegetarian pasty. Seriously, Fox and Goose is one of the most veggie-friendly places in town. Besides the ploughman's lunch and the pasty, there are six sandwiches (both hot and cold) that are vegetarian. That's crazy! I'm going to have to go back seven more times to try everything!
Then we came home and had a long, long, long nap. I was really beat. None of us felt much like dinner, but at around 6:45, I finally made a stir-fry.
I checked my email and found a message from the bagpiper. It was a link to some pictures he had taken, but he also asked if I knew Vida and Joy -- my grandmother and aunt. I said of course. Not only does he know them, he was the piper who played at my grandfather's funeral!
I looked at the pictures from the performance. I had been paying so much attention to the dancers, I hadn't really looked at my kids. There are pictures of them watching intently, leaning in to see better, smiling, and clapping. I'm so glad we do this. I know they'll remember stuff like this for years.
I always try to dress the part (well, except for the Japanese festival, when I'd just had a baby), so I ordered a tartan skirt and sash and wore them today. As I was getting ready to leave the house, Mom casually said "Well, you have a little Scottish in you, you know." I said no. She reminded me that my great-grandmother's name was McGaw, but I had always thought that was Irish! You really do learn something new every day.
Anyway, at school, my first period class was gathered in the library to see Highland dancers accompanied by a bagpiper. He gave us a little history of the instrument, and before each dance, the instructor would tell us a little about it. Most of their dances are hundreds of years old, and they represent things like a character named Flora McDonald who helped smuggle Bonnie Prince Charlie to France after his defeat. Another dance was done over crossed swords, and soldiers used to do the dance the night before a battle -- if they stepped on or kicked a sword, it was a bad omen. My favorite was the dance about the "Seann Trubhas," or old, raggedy trousers. I guess at one point, England outlawed anything typically Scottish, kilts included, and the dance includes lots of leg shaking, as if to say "get these horrible pants off me." Close to the end, the dancer claps and throws her hands in the air, changing briefly to a "Highland fling" to represent the repeal of the law, which allowed them to wear kilts again.
Anyway, the dancers were just fantastic, as was the piper. There was one little girl who was a fantastic dancer, but SO SERIOUS! She had little frown lines on her brow. But she was just a dynamo. I talked to her mother, and apparently she will be in a big competition next year.
Our next speaker wasn't quite that amazing, but it would be hard to beat the dancers. He gave a talk on animals of Scotland. I actually found it quite interesting. Apparently, the largest and smallest breeds of horse both come from Scotland. I also learned a bit more about why border collies got their name, and we saw some interesting breeds of dogs and cats I hadn't seen before. My 3rd period saw the dancers again, and afterward I briefly talked to the piper. I admitted to him (as I am admitting to you now) that I am a bit of a bagpipe groupie. Since I was very small and heard the Animals' "Sky Pilot," I have loved the bagpipes. I begged my parents to buy me a chanter (the part that you finger like a recorder), and they did. I think it's in a box in the garage. I never did learn to play it, and then the reed broke, so I did not become a bagpiper.
I was thinking about my grandfather, too. At his funeral, there was a bagpiper, and it was beautiful and mournful and perfect for the moment, and I'll never forget it. I wondered whether this gentleman could possibly have been the one that played the funeral, but I didn't want to ask. It's a bit depressing as well as being a fairly small chance. Instead I thanked him and the dancers.
After that, the festival proper started. I toured around outside, and there were lots of carnival-type booths (pop the balloons on Nessie, etc.) and some pretty-close-to-authentic Scottish games, like the caber toss and a hammer throw. We had more food than we've ever had at a festival (shortbread, meringues, root beer, puddings, lamb, turkey burgers, barbecued chicken, chicken casserole, scones, and much more), and the kids had all done displays on aspects of Scottish culture. Lots of things were for "sale" (we used photocopied Euros), and I "bought" a beaded circlet and an iced tea and some shortbread. The shortbread was the best I've ever, ever had. In fact, I just took one (though they were giving away five per plate) because I don't usually like it much, but once I tasted it, I went back for a second plate so Mom and Zadie could try some.
My room was the "pub," where they had root beer, more scones, and a guitarist playing. It was quiet at the beginning, but then it got quite lively, with my kids drinking fake whiskey (primarily apple cider vinegar) and pretending to be drunk. (Not my idea, by the way.)
After we cleaned up and I entered my attendance, I took off, because it was a minimum day! Whee!! Zadie and I went to Fox and Goose for lunch. Sweetie and I met some friends there two weeks ago at about 11, and I had thought I'd get lunch that day, but didn't. Still, I had looked at the lunch menu and it looked appealing. I had the ploughman's lunch today (bread, cheese, apples, Branston pickle, pepperoncinis, and pickled onions), and I loved it, so now I can't wait to go back and try their sandwiches or a vegetarian pasty. Seriously, Fox and Goose is one of the most veggie-friendly places in town. Besides the ploughman's lunch and the pasty, there are six sandwiches (both hot and cold) that are vegetarian. That's crazy! I'm going to have to go back seven more times to try everything!
Then we came home and had a long, long, long nap. I was really beat. None of us felt much like dinner, but at around 6:45, I finally made a stir-fry.
I checked my email and found a message from the bagpiper. It was a link to some pictures he had taken, but he also asked if I knew Vida and Joy -- my grandmother and aunt. I said of course. Not only does he know them, he was the piper who played at my grandfather's funeral!
I looked at the pictures from the performance. I had been paying so much attention to the dancers, I hadn't really looked at my kids. There are pictures of them watching intently, leaning in to see better, smiling, and clapping. I'm so glad we do this. I know they'll remember stuff like this for years.
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Guilty pleasures!
Okay, I would go ahead and say that approximately 60% of my music is guilty in one way or another, so I've decided to divide it into categories.
Top 40 dance pop songs
Let's begin here. I'm talking about C&C Music Factory's "Everybody Dance Now." I'm talking about Dee-Lite's "Groove is in the Heart." I'm talking "Gypsy Woman."
Straight-up poppy pop badness that should be left in its decade.
Whatever, if Ace of Base's "The Sign" came on the radio right now, I would sing along.
Big overblown rock operas
I don't think it's bad music, but I understand why it should be embarrassing.
Trashy southern rock
Nobody could be embarrassed by liking "Sweet Home Alabama." But maybe by BTO.
80s butt rock
This is brilliant. Lots of this music is.
"Alternative"-yet-cheesy-pop
This will almost certainly make the list. Laugh if you will, I sing along to this every time I hear it, "doo-be-doo-be-dip" included.
Am I actually embarrassed by any of this? Not really. If I was, I probably wouldn't have posted this to the world. But anyway, I have to figure out what to put on my list. Any ideas?
Top 40 dance pop songs
Let's begin here. I'm talking about C&C Music Factory's "Everybody Dance Now." I'm talking about Dee-Lite's "Groove is in the Heart." I'm talking "Gypsy Woman."
Straight-up poppy pop badness that should be left in its decade.
Whatever, if Ace of Base's "The Sign" came on the radio right now, I would sing along.
Big overblown rock operas
I don't think it's bad music, but I understand why it should be embarrassing.
Trashy southern rock
Nobody could be embarrassed by liking "Sweet Home Alabama." But maybe by BTO.
80s butt rock
This is brilliant. Lots of this music is.
"Alternative"-yet-cheesy-pop
This will almost certainly make the list. Laugh if you will, I sing along to this every time I hear it, "doo-be-doo-be-dip" included.
Am I actually embarrassed by any of this? Not really. If I was, I probably wouldn't have posted this to the world. But anyway, I have to figure out what to put on my list. Any ideas?
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Quickie
Glee is fantastic.
Am I setting the kid up to be bullied? The other night she told me "I prefer to walk."
Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution would be better if A: He would follow the rules (he NEVER seems to have the required veggies/bread whatever according to the school's rules). B: there were something really on the line -- I just read a study that yes, kids eat more healthy foods when offered them. So, duh.
Got a poker night playlist coming up: guilty pleasures. I think there's a whole blog post in that. I love SO much music that I should probably be embarrassed by.
I feel really busy this week.
Scottish festival is Friday. Been doing a lot of work to prepare. Remembered how much I love Robert Burns. Seriously.
Z might be weaning. This is the 4th night in a row she hasn't asked to nurse before bed. She still wants booby time in the morning, though.
I've lost just about 20 pounds. My fat pants are falling down. My medium-fat pants fit well. On to the not-fat pants!
Been thinking about an old friend that I de-friended. Not that I want to reconnect, but that I have a lot to thank her for. That might be a post sometime, too.
I posted a few things at Count Broccula. I'm trying to be more creative in my cooking, and I intend to perfect the art of pie.
Gotta go to bed. Take care, all!
Am I setting the kid up to be bullied? The other night she told me "I prefer to walk."
Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution would be better if A: He would follow the rules (he NEVER seems to have the required veggies/bread whatever according to the school's rules). B: there were something really on the line -- I just read a study that yes, kids eat more healthy foods when offered them. So, duh.
Got a poker night playlist coming up: guilty pleasures. I think there's a whole blog post in that. I love SO much music that I should probably be embarrassed by.
I feel really busy this week.
Scottish festival is Friday. Been doing a lot of work to prepare. Remembered how much I love Robert Burns. Seriously.
Z might be weaning. This is the 4th night in a row she hasn't asked to nurse before bed. She still wants booby time in the morning, though.
I've lost just about 20 pounds. My fat pants are falling down. My medium-fat pants fit well. On to the not-fat pants!
Been thinking about an old friend that I de-friended. Not that I want to reconnect, but that I have a lot to thank her for. That might be a post sometime, too.
I posted a few things at Count Broccula. I'm trying to be more creative in my cooking, and I intend to perfect the art of pie.
Gotta go to bed. Take care, all!
Friday, April 09, 2010
Odd little evening
Zadie had a late nap, and she got home at about 4:30. I had told Sweetie we'd meet him at our favorite sushi restaurant at 5:15 or 5:20, so after I changed her diaper and did a few things, we left.
Dinner was so-so. The food was great, but Z was being a bit grumpy and throwing food.
The couple at the table next to us had two kids, maybe 4 and 6. I overheard one say "Once you put food in your stomach, you can't get it out, right?" The mom answered that that was true. Then the kid said "Except as poop!" I kept a straight face as the mom shushed the kid, but then the older boy whipped around to see if we had heard. I laughed. He turned around and stage-whispered "she heard!"
When we got home, we saw that our neighbors had their baby out on the lawn. Zadie really wanted to see him, so we went over. Her attention span sometimes veers between baby and running-down-the-street, so our conversation was frequently interrupted, but she was very sweet to the baby. She recited "Baa baa black sheep" for him, taught him some signs (dog, apple, more, and milk), gave him several hugs, tried to hold his hand (but she was having trouble interlacing their fingers, and I heard grunting as she pulled on his arm, so I put the kibosh on that), and at one point, tried to pick him up while saying "Let's clean you up, baby." It was sweet.
Back at home, we read some stories, then went into the backyard. I was on the hammock, Sweetie was watering, and Zadie was exploring. I was idly thinking how odd it is that she's so insensitive to some things, like she rarely cries when she falls down, and she frequently walks in bare feet on the decomposed granite in our backyard. But just as I was thinking that, she walked over some of the DG and started to really pitch a fit and cry! Sweetie rescued her and put her on the hammock with me and she was soon over it. We went inside, had some milk, and read some more stories, when she asked what the owie on her foot was. It was a stinger! So I think she must have stepped on a bee! Heck, when I stepped on a bee, I was about 6, and I cried my ass off. She's such a brave, tough little munchkin. She did not, for the record, like it when I held her and Daddy got the stinger out.
We also had a funny conversation. She was saying what it would be like to have a sister, and she was kind of going on and on about how great it would be. I finally said, well, you know, Mama would have to pay half her attention to a sister. Would that make you sad? She immediately said no. I said "Well, sometimes, you'd want to play with me, but I'd have the sister on my lap and couldn't play. Wouldn't that be awful?" She nodded, then changed her mind and shook her head no. I said "Well, what if it was a brother? Would you want a brother?" "No!" "But a brother is just like a sister, only a boy." "No!" "What if he was like baby Miles?" "No!" So at least we have clarity on the issue of the sibling she is not getting.
It looks like a somewhat busy weekend, with cleaning, Second Saturday, a birthday party (and birthday shopping), groceries, etc. But I'm sure we'll have fun. It's hard not to.
Dinner was so-so. The food was great, but Z was being a bit grumpy and throwing food.
The couple at the table next to us had two kids, maybe 4 and 6. I overheard one say "Once you put food in your stomach, you can't get it out, right?" The mom answered that that was true. Then the kid said "Except as poop!" I kept a straight face as the mom shushed the kid, but then the older boy whipped around to see if we had heard. I laughed. He turned around and stage-whispered "she heard!"
When we got home, we saw that our neighbors had their baby out on the lawn. Zadie really wanted to see him, so we went over. Her attention span sometimes veers between baby and running-down-the-street, so our conversation was frequently interrupted, but she was very sweet to the baby. She recited "Baa baa black sheep" for him, taught him some signs (dog, apple, more, and milk), gave him several hugs, tried to hold his hand (but she was having trouble interlacing their fingers, and I heard grunting as she pulled on his arm, so I put the kibosh on that), and at one point, tried to pick him up while saying "Let's clean you up, baby." It was sweet.
Back at home, we read some stories, then went into the backyard. I was on the hammock, Sweetie was watering, and Zadie was exploring. I was idly thinking how odd it is that she's so insensitive to some things, like she rarely cries when she falls down, and she frequently walks in bare feet on the decomposed granite in our backyard. But just as I was thinking that, she walked over some of the DG and started to really pitch a fit and cry! Sweetie rescued her and put her on the hammock with me and she was soon over it. We went inside, had some milk, and read some more stories, when she asked what the owie on her foot was. It was a stinger! So I think she must have stepped on a bee! Heck, when I stepped on a bee, I was about 6, and I cried my ass off. She's such a brave, tough little munchkin. She did not, for the record, like it when I held her and Daddy got the stinger out.
We also had a funny conversation. She was saying what it would be like to have a sister, and she was kind of going on and on about how great it would be. I finally said, well, you know, Mama would have to pay half her attention to a sister. Would that make you sad? She immediately said no. I said "Well, sometimes, you'd want to play with me, but I'd have the sister on my lap and couldn't play. Wouldn't that be awful?" She nodded, then changed her mind and shook her head no. I said "Well, what if it was a brother? Would you want a brother?" "No!" "But a brother is just like a sister, only a boy." "No!" "What if he was like baby Miles?" "No!" So at least we have clarity on the issue of the sibling she is not getting.
It looks like a somewhat busy weekend, with cleaning, Second Saturday, a birthday party (and birthday shopping), groceries, etc. But I'm sure we'll have fun. It's hard not to.
Good hair day
IMG_1552
Originally uploaded by countmockula
I was given about 18 separate compliments on my hair today. It was described as "ravishing" and "incredible," among other things.
Ironically, what I did to it was I took the towel off my damp hair, thought "eh, that looks okay," and sprayed the shit out of it with hairspray.
Monday, April 05, 2010
Sunday, April 04, 2010
Friday, April 02, 2010
Bless my heart.
I thought I could take the kid to the mall today and get a quick picture with the Easter Bunny, since it's a weekday.
Go ahead... say "Bless your heart." Because now I understand how incredibly naive that was.
I've never taken her for Santa pictures or anything of the sort before, so when I walked up and saw only three families in line, I thought "Hey, perfect!" We planted ourselves behind the third family and started to look at the decor. Then the people in front of us turned around and said "Are you in line for the Easter Bunny?" "Uh-huh!" I happily answered, "Is there somewhere else we're supposed to start?" He glanced behind us, to the... wait for it... line of about fifty people in a big U-shape in one of the side hallways of the mall. Yeah.
I may be naive, but I'm not stupid enough to try to make a two-year-old stand in line for an hour (at least) with no snack. Fortunately, she wasn't fixated on meeting the rabbit, so we contented ourselves with riding up and down escalators and looking at shoes. She also quite enjoyed sitting on the squishy ball-chair-thing at the Apple store and talking into an iPod Touch.
This Spring break has been a bit quiet. We did the party and the bike ride, and we've done some errands and some cooking and some gardening and some playing and we've been to Bounce Town and Borders and the gym, but nothing really extraordinary. Today we're coloring eggs and eating pizza for dinner. It's nice, but I'm sad my vacation is almost over. Naps with the baby are quite nice, and I know we probably don't have that many more snuggly naps in store. She's getting so big all the time. Yesterday, she took her first shower without me holding her. Sigh.
Go ahead... say "Bless your heart." Because now I understand how incredibly naive that was.
I've never taken her for Santa pictures or anything of the sort before, so when I walked up and saw only three families in line, I thought "Hey, perfect!" We planted ourselves behind the third family and started to look at the decor. Then the people in front of us turned around and said "Are you in line for the Easter Bunny?" "Uh-huh!" I happily answered, "Is there somewhere else we're supposed to start?" He glanced behind us, to the... wait for it... line of about fifty people in a big U-shape in one of the side hallways of the mall. Yeah.
I may be naive, but I'm not stupid enough to try to make a two-year-old stand in line for an hour (at least) with no snack. Fortunately, she wasn't fixated on meeting the rabbit, so we contented ourselves with riding up and down escalators and looking at shoes. She also quite enjoyed sitting on the squishy ball-chair-thing at the Apple store and talking into an iPod Touch.
This Spring break has been a bit quiet. We did the party and the bike ride, and we've done some errands and some cooking and some gardening and some playing and we've been to Bounce Town and Borders and the gym, but nothing really extraordinary. Today we're coloring eggs and eating pizza for dinner. It's nice, but I'm sad my vacation is almost over. Naps with the baby are quite nice, and I know we probably don't have that many more snuggly naps in store. She's getting so big all the time. Yesterday, she took her first shower without me holding her. Sigh.
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