Why I Was MIA (and how I feel about Earth Day)

SO sorry for the prolonged absence.

I started off the usual busy, then got sick (or rather my allergies kicked in for the season, then I got sick), then I got busier, then Lucy decided to get 3 new teeth, then we quit sleeping for a few days, then I tried to catch up on sleep and work, but it was lovely outside, so I went out there instead, and I went to a few parties, and planted a strawberry patch and a few other hearty plants, and started some wedding projects for Turbo's BFF and his soon-to-be-bride, and began planning our trip to St Pete for their beach nuptials, and I made something (I think) really cool for my cousins soon-to-be-baby, and then Lucy decided to start being 'terrible' early and climbing out of her crib and making messes and laughing at them and talking and tantruming and getting into everything, and next thing you know it's 2 weeks since I posted anything new here. But, I did manage to 'collect' a few new blogs that the Co will be on soon, so in my down time you can always check them...they have lots of cool stuff, like money saving and giveaways. Really, that's almost cooler than me rambling about how nuts the E family is!

Anyhoo... I'm ready to ramble some more now, so prepare yourself!

With Earth Day right around the corner, I think it's a good time to preach some of my 'green' wisdom. I am by no means a devout greenie. I try, and I do what I can when I can, but I don't force it. Nor do I think anyone should. When it feels forced, it isn't fun, and what good is it to repeatedly force yourself into doing something that puts unnecessary pressure on you and your family? (um, answer, none...)

So my little shop has progressed to this 'green' monster. Don't get me wrong, I'm very proud of that. These little steps that we take, I'm now sharing with others and helping them take similar steps. I'm all for doing my part, apparently this is how I was meant to do it.

But because I'm considered 'green' I get lots of questions about how I feel about the uber-trendy eco movement. Sometimes I wonder, if they only knew whom they were asking... but instead I answer as honestly as I can without shooting myself (and my shop) in the foot. It's a hard question for someone as skeptical and opinionated as me, but since you already know that, here is how I feel about it...

I firmly believe that if everyone did a little something, anything that fits into how they live their life, we'll all be al little better off. I don't care if it's replacing your bottle of water with a reusable one so you can still go to Starbucks every morning, or running all your errands in one afternoon so you can drive to the city on the weekends, or opening the shades all day so your kids can have a light on all night.

I think every little step you can make, that works for your family without interrupting your daily routine is a step you should take. Can't give up your daily bottle of Gatorade? Don't skip it. Can't bring yourself to diaper your kids in cloth? Don't do it. Can't get every recyclable material in the bin? Don't sweat it.

But, if you can use a cloth instead of a disposable paper towel, do it. If you can grow some veggies in your own garden or make it to a farmers market, try it. If you can upcycle old things (crayons/clothes/towels) into something new. go for it. You don't have to do everything, just something.

We do try to do as much as we can around here to follow the 3R's (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle). Nothing terribly difficult, just simple steps with big results.  I'll try to share a few of our secrets over the next few weeks in case there is something we do that can help you too. Who knows, maybe you'll find you're 'greener' than you thought! (I certainly did!)