Breaking News......

Just FYI, I'll be in the Greenville News on Thursday!!! I'll add a link to the article when it hits.....

ETA linkie poo

I Have a Very Frivolous Exception to Make....

Re: compacting.....I meet my friend for coffee once a week (for shame). I've realized that I can't give this up. Though, to make it a wee bit better, I only use change to buy coffee and only get a regular cup and I bring my own mug. Oh, I only support local coffee shops who buy from local roasters-so, it's not that bad, is it??

She's Rocking the Suburbs....

Virginia got a hold of Maddie's guitar and made up a cute little song about a train going down to the track. Unfortunately, the video quality leaves much to be desired, and there is no sound, but it's still cute as hell!

Mamas on the Compact: Official Start Date: 11/06/2007

From The Compact:

The Compact has several aims (more or less prioritized below):

• To go beyond recycling in trying to counteract the negative global environmental and socioeconomic impacts of disposable consumer culture and to support local businesses, farms, etc. -- a step that, we hope, inherits the revolutionary impulse of the Mayflower Compact.
• To reduce clutter and waste in our homes (as in trash Compact-er).
• To simplify our lives (as in Calm-pact)

We've agreed to follow two principles (with exception):

#1 Don't buy new products of any kind (from stores, web sites, etc.)
#2 Borrow, barter, or buy used.

I have been researching compacting for a while. I first came across the concept on MDC. Then, I found the blog, Mamas on the Compact. I realized, that this was exactly what I was looking for. I decided to take the 12 month pledge-no use doing something half-assed! So, without further ado, here is my pledge: I pledge not to buy ANYTHING new. My exceptions are as follows:

• Materials for creating gifts (I will try my best to find these second hand)
• Shoes for the girls (see above) their feet grow so dog-gone fast!!
• Gas and other needed car issues (oil, etc).

This is something I have been trying for a while, without really knowing it. I have implemented a strict reduce, reuse, recycle program in our home. We don't buy individually packaged food items (yogurts, drinks, etc), try to limit buying things with double packaging (bag in a box), try not to buy plastics, etc. I try to support my local farmers and businesses as much as possible. I have been decluttering my home slowly and make a lot of mine and my children's clothing. The Compact has given me a small community for me to glean from. People who are going through similar lifestyle changes to help support me in my journey.

Anywho, here I am finally posting my pledge! Wish me luck!

October 24, 2007

Weather: cloudy, 66 degrees. It's about time! We are in the middle of a massive drought, and it rained for 2 days straight!! I have to work at the Teapot today from 9 to @2:30. Then, we race home to get Maddie and it's sewing city. Here's what I'd like to accomplish:

• Maddie's costume for her play tonight-this is a must-all I have to do is attach the sleeves and fix the closure in the back.
• Maddie's halloween costume:she's a pirate wench
• Go to walmart (*shudders* but they ran every fabric store in town OUT) and get fabric for MY costume: Daisy Buchanan, you know, from The Great Gatsby. I'm very excited! I'll also need to get the accoutrement ie-pearls, notions for dress, makeup, gel....
• Finish my sweater boots. I only have one left to do....
• At 6 we have to be at the UU for the play Maddie's in-Lest We Never Forget by Mierke Tamme. It's about the Salem Witch Trials-Maddie plays an afflicted girl. Moaning and shrieking and whatnot-should be interesting. I also need to bring a dessert....hmmm, maybe I'll make it at work.....
  

29th Anniversary

My surrogate parents-Rob and Suni, Clay (in the middle) is the evil step child (JK!) I work for them at their fine dining restaurant. Rob through this surprise party for Suni, it was pretty cool. Around 8:30, everyone starting piling in and she thought we were going to have to serve them all. Thank goodness we didn't!

Yeah, so Sydney was cutting the cake and I was passing the pieces out. I turn around and SPLAT! She slams a piece of cake into my eye!

I take the piece off my face and smash it into her hair/face.

Really, I think we look like we went on a murderous rampage and slaughtered everyone....all in good fun, of course!

My Baby Is Growing UP

So, it happened. My 4 year old lost her first tooth. I really didn't expect it to happen so soon. I thought maybe later on this year or early next year. But, no. She had to become a big girl.

Two weeks ago it was barely moving. And now it's gone. Gone forever. Literally, we can't find it! She lost it and then she LOST it. But, somehow the tooth fairy knew and gave her $1.12 courtesy of her sister....