Kermit was wrong

Kermit the Frog sang a song titled, "It's not easy being green." Well, Kermit, I hereby say YOU WERE WRONG!! The green movement has seemingly taken over society in the past 20 years. You can buy books about living a "green" lifestyle and a whole new sector of products has been made for those that want to live "green."
I think much of this is just hodge-podge! If we just lived how our grandparents lived (here I go again, I must have an OLD soul) we wouldn't need any of the above.

How our family lives "green." (And we could do a much better job, but unfortunately I am also a product of my convenient life sometimes).

1. Cloth diapers- I've talked about this a lot of former blogs, but I don't care what you read in magazines...I wash all my own diapers in a HE washer. I rinse all the poo with our toilet sprayer. And I dry on the line whenever available (I mean, it is OHIO). The little bit of water I am using is nothing compared to all the resources going in to the 'sposies, plus all the trash. Average baby will produce a TON of trash of diapers. YUCK!

2. Energy- Brian and I are both into energy efficiency. We had blown-in insulation put in the attic. Brian is now installing new basement windows and more insulation in the basement.

3. Gas- I don't know if I can ever drive a huge SUV. We just purchased a 2007 Honda Fit for Brian's work and it gets around 40 miles/gallon. We took all of our stuff and a 6 month old to the beach in August with a hatchback (ok, mom and dad took a few larger items)...but really, you don't need a giant SUV.

4. Washing- Hang it out on the line. Brian attached two clips to the end of a clothesline. I put one on a hook on the house, one around the tree. Wa la! A clothesline. Most Europeans and Aussies don't even know the word "dryer." They've never owned one...and surprise! They have lived!

5. Recycle- I almost have a hernia every time I am at my parent's and they throw away a water bottle (sorry mom and dad). It's so easy to recycle these days, there is really no excuse. Put a cardboard box in a closet, under the sink, or basement and throw all your plastic containers, cardboard, and cans in there. Then find your nearest drop off center. It will take 10 minutes once a month to take the stuff there.

6. Reuse- I may get some slack here, but I really have a hard time buying new clothes. It seems so wasteful. I know some 12 yr old is sitting there in Bangladesh putting my cotton t-shirt together...and it hurts my feelings. While she at least has a job, I'm sure the conditions are bad and the pollution is bad, etc. Anyhow, if you must buy new clothes for yourself because of your burgeoning ego, please please please buy used clothes for your children. At least babies. Jackson has more clothes than anyone I've met. But he needs them because he has shirt/pants on about 5.6 seconds before it is covered in food, vomit, or pee. I went to Goodwill last week and spent $3.50 and bought him 2 pairs of pants, a t-shirt and a pair of pajamas. I would have spent more than that on one item at WalMart, Target, etc...and I just reused someone's "Trash" that had no stains, tears, etc. I can not spend more than $3 on a new item for Jackson unless it is the cutest thing since a newborn kitten. Brian's Gram sews everything before it gets thrown away!!! When Brian's grandpa was alive, I saw stitches in his socks! While I'm probably never going to sew up socks (but I will use them for rags) I still think it is irresponsible to purchase new clothing when we can get used for the same price. One thing I would really like to try soon is a clothing swap among friends...Any thoughts on this or have any of you done it?

I may think of more thoughts...but here is my rant for now! :)

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