green cleaning

Anyone out there who has actually used Vinegar to clean will likely tell you just how good it is. I had my doubts. But I thought, what the heck... I'm not overly fond of the cleaners out there because of Lil M and the dogs. Mostly because of having the baby in the house. So, I bought some white vinegar, and mixed it half and half in a bottle with water. Spray it on the counters and voila! IT WORKS!! If there is something stuck on, just spray and let it sit for a couple of minutes. I guess because of the acidity of vinegar, it will cut through a lot of stuff. Pretty much any food that is on the counters! Woohoo!

It also makes the trashcans smell better. With the typical animal accidents and baby poo in the trash... it can get pretty yucky. So, I sprayed the bottom with vinegar. And, what do you know... it actually worked.

I also made my own laundry detergent. Yes,... I did. Grate up a bar of soap (ivory), add washing soda and borax... 2 C soap, 1C WS and 1C borax... use 2TB for each wash... it actually also works. Sweet!

So, there you go. Vinegar rocks. Not sure if it will actually take up the pet stains like I've read... but I'm trying that tonight.

Peace.

Stay the course

About once a week (or more), I check my bills, finances and bank accounts. Is that excessive? Not for me. lol. It keeps me on track... if I was a better money manager (and I feel like I'm pretty good, when I'm not shopping too much)... I might not feel the need to look at it so often. But I do. This helps me adjust/re-adjust where and when I need to. This year, though, I'm going to try to be more diligent about my actual budget, so maybe I won't have to adjust as much.

I'm going to soak some black beans tonight, so we can have beans and rice, tacos, and stuffed peppers. I think all of these dishes will be made with the beans... unless I'm tired of them, and then I'll break out the ground turkey! ha.

The jury duty thing is going to be fine, since I only have to go one morning a week, for the next 8 weeks. I've decided to make up some of the time by working 1/2 hour extra a day. I am trying to remind myself that I used to be away from Mia more than this when I worked up north... Last week was a little tough, because it was our first full week back to work and daycare. I'm hoping we're both a little less touchy this week.

I bought some Borax at my last shopping trip, and now am going to try to find the other ingredients to make my own washing detergent.... but, only if it is more economical. I'm definitely glad I've gone back to the cloth diapers (except when she's at DC). I like not putting so much in the landfills. And, as someone pointed out, even though I have to wash them... i wasn't accounting for the fact that it takes energy to make the other ones, gases/chemicals, the labor to take them to the landfill and then they don't decompose. SO. I'm definitely more into the idea now...

That being said, Lil M has started the beginnings of potty training. So... it's all good.

Peace.

Line Dry

Lest you think I'm truly nuts... I've been doing a lot more line drying of our clothes these past few months. It's been great. Takes me back to when I was a kid. The clothes smell great. :) I also cloth diaper part-time. What does that mean?

Well, before Lil M came home, I bought a bunch of these new-fangled cloth diapers that have buttons and have a different type of outside layer that keeps them from leaking. I've had really great success with them, actually, and I don't feel like I'm putting as much into landfills as we would be otherwise (obviously). Yes, I do a little bit more laundry, but not too much. Maybe it's 6 one have dozen the other... but... it makes me feel better.

This mommyhood thing has been quite an adventure so far... Lil M used the potty for the first time ever last night. It was cool. It took awhile, and I don't think she's got the idea quite yet. We're going to take it slow, like everything else we've done, but we're trying.

So, have you ever thought of "going green"? And what does that mean to you? I do recycle what I can. But the other stuff's been kind of newer to me and fun. Fun because I made the informed choice myself, it wasn't forced on me. I should take a pic of the clothes on the line, so Lil M can see how crazy her mommy was when she was little!! LOL

Peace.