Going green...to the extreme...

OK so I have to admit, this is going to be a very uncomfortable post. For me and you both. It will require me to discuss intimate personal habits. I am still going to do it and if you are sort of squeamish about it, then quit reading now and go onwards across the 'net. If you are very very brave, then continue.

What on earth could this be about, you wonder?

I will start where it started for me. Cloth diapers. As I change Wee One's nappies many times a day and wash them faithfully every other day all in an effort to prevent another disposable from getting dumped into a landfill to never decompose, I started to wonder about other things I could do. One thing I didn't realize before breast feeding was your menstrual cycle (mine is affectionately called Judy) does not return until the breastfeeding slows or stops. For me it came back about the time Wee One was really starting to eat his solids, around 6 or 7 months of age.

Let me also say Judy had changed. Judy used to be very punctual. She is now more painful than before and very unreliable, showing up all willy-nilly like. A woman needs to be prepared at all times with a friend like Judy.

So I was thinking about ways to make Judy's visit much more green. Instead of clogging up Mother Earth with all kinds of yuckiness (you know, the disposable products that also cost a fortune every month), why not go reusable?

So I went to Whole Foods and got me a Diva Cup. Here is some propaganda from their site that worked on me. The statistic about the amount of waste created yearly from disposable tampons and pads is incredibly shocking. I won't lie, it took some getting used to as it is inserted a little bit differently than a tampon. I have to say now it is awesome! I was able to go swimming with Wee One and shopping afterwards without a hitch. The best part is, you don't have to empty it but once every 12 hours, that's only twice a day! (I even read online about a woman who empties the contents in a watering can half filled with water and waters her houseplants and flowers with this super-nutrient rich water. I have been contemplating this one...) However, I do like to wear a little backup with the cup to protect the clothing and for peace of mind.

And so I give you...the cutest little "backup" in the history of Knitsburgh.






I found THIS TUTORIAL at Sew Green and it was very easy to make them. I did splurge and bought some flannel for the outside part. We didn't have any flannel shirts or sheets that were ready to be re-used and I felt weird about using Wee One's flannel baby receiving blankets for this purpose (and I have some other things in mind for them). So I got the fabric with flowers you see here and some with mushrooms which I haven't quite made yet. I made eight to start off with and test, then will make more if all goes well. I also need to make the lining pads which go into the outer pockets I sewed. I have some old towels which I will reuse for this purpose. I like how the linings or inner pads will all be customizable too--as thick or thin as you like and need them to be. And did I mention how cute they are?

Funny thing is Nature Boy said the sewing on these was very professional- looking...of course it's on something no one else will really ever see! I think I am slowly getting better at sewing.

I would just say, to all the brave folks that read this far, to consider these options and maybe try one of them out. You are rather brave, after all. You can buy the pockets and pads online (try Etsy) and if you can't find the Diva near you, it can be purchased online too. Or you can make your own pockets and pads. Or if it's not for you, maybe green up something else in your life. Now go forth and love thy earth-mother!

Proof!

We had a visitor! Tracks down the driveway

Closeup of footprints

He or she must have came by while we were sleeping. If you are reading this City Deer, you can come upon the grounds to see us anytime you like but we would love to see you and hope you will visit us before our bedtime. We also have some questions:

1. What were you doing, running down the driveway?
2. Where do you sleep, in this city?
3. Why are your footprints so very cute?

There has also been some slow progress on the Every Way Wrap. After getting this far with one ball of yarn, it's safe to say I will most likely require...wait for it...more yarn. Of course, as that is my way. Wish me luck trying to find more in the same dye lot! The moss stitch and cabling were just begun this week as I was perched on the couch watching The Hills and The City. I know, very educational. Hey, we've been watching America: The Story of Us on the History Channel on Sundays so I think it cancels it out and my brain cells stay the same in the end.

Mother's Day was fabulous indeed, Kay seemed to like all her presents and even wore her flower corsage out to dinner. Dinner was delicious, time with family was priceless. Oh and I didn't even tell you what Nature Boy did! He gave me a rather substantial gift certificate to a local spa that is VEGAN! I have never had a pedicure or massage in my life so I think I will go for those treats. It's hard to pick, but I figure with all the cleaning and diapering a manicure would not last two seconds and a facial wouldn't have the restorative healthy power I envision a massage would.

One last thing. Who has a neighbor that steals a yucca plant then pretends he found it lying in the alley? Even after you tell him you just walked through the alley 30 minutes before and it was not lying in the middle of the alley? Granted we put it behind our garage on the side of the alley but come on, lots of our neighbors put little shrubs and flowers on the side of the road and no one decides they are free to take. I swear, I might go and get that massage today. It is happily back where it should be and I told him if he needs something to just ask first. If he really needed a yucca he could so have it but he was gathering up materials to put through his wood chipper so I think that's where he intended it to go. Maybe that's his hobby, chipping?

A shout out to the mamas...

With proper Knitsburgh pomp and fanfare, I present to you the (da da da DAH!)...

All-Handmade Mother's Day Giftage!

A brag book (details here), earrings and flower corsage pin.

Earring close-up.

Flower corsage (tutorial here).

Back pocket...

...with surprise!
Herbed wheat bread from scratch.

The best part for me was I was able to make everything from things I had around the house, except for one purchase. I bought some pin backs at the local national crafty chain store and used a 40% off coupon, so the big pack of them only came to $1.92. I now am the proud owner of 59 pin backs so if you need any, let me know...

The earrings were made because last week, I took Kay out to the local mall with the Wee One for some shopping and lunch. She was looking for some pale yellow earrings to match a new shirt she had acquired. We did not find them; only two stores in and something went awry. Her oxygen tank ran out! So we had to head back home with nary a pair of earrings and settled for a drive-thru window for lunch.

The corsage pin, I'm not sure she will so much love to wear but I do know the picture inside will make her happy! The changes I made from the tutorial are as follows:

-used polyester felt instead of wool (because as a vegan I don't have wool felt nor shall I ever)

-sewed everything instead of gluing everything (again, so it is more vegan-friendly)

-for the center of the flower I made a bunch of French knots instead of gluing the pinking-sheared strip of felt inside.

The bread isn't really a Mother's Day gift, just bread for eating everyday. One loaf is in the freezer and the other is almost gone, loafin' around the kitchen. (I know, I'm just too much).

Happy Mother's Day to all the Mamas. Mamas of the babies, whether they are human babies or animal babies. Or even plants. Mamas just nourish life and I bet you are doing that even if you don't think about it. Yay mamas!