Lipizzaner Stallions

Last night we went to see the Lipizzaner Stallions!  Totally awesome!

(Photo copyright belongs to Lipizzaner Stallions website linked to above.)

Seriously...I'm not at all a horse gal.  They're a little intimidating and smelly for my taste. 

However, I do have a little cowboy living under my roof!  Not to mention we won the tickets for free just for being a caller #5 (or whatever) to one of our local radio stations.

It was in Baker, FL which is about 40 minutes from where we actually live.  Of course, I thought I was lost a few times on the way up there.  Then I thought I was lost walking to the arena.  Blah...

I wasn't even sure we were in the right place when a woman with a camera walks up to us and asked if she could use Noah's photograph in their local paper.  I was like, "Of course!"  Check it out!  Noah gets A LOT of attention when we're in public....Of course, he is ordinarily wearing a red cowboy hat, so I can't imagine why!

The show was inside (kind of) with florescent lighting.  So being the awesome photographer I am, I couldn't get a decent picture of the horses prancing around for love nor money.  We did sit right next to where they housed the horses when they weren't showing off though, so.....

Here's my little stallion with one of their stallions.

Also, this is why you don't put your child down for a nap with a Hershey's kiss...

Ava wore her first FSU outfit today.  Long overdue, I know.

Tomorrow I'm going to start my week-long love affair with baking soda to see if I can replace most of the chemical cleaners I have in my house.  Can't wait!

Antiquing Is Green

Antiquing is Green!

I'm sure that's a relief for those of you out there with a shopping addiction.

Whenever you feel the urge to shop, go to an antique store or a thrift store and pick out something special! As for me, I love to get new (to me) things, but I hate to be wasteful.

When your treasure (or anything else) starts to get in your way, donate it back to a thrift store, or put it on your local Freecycle webpage . . .unless it's highly valued. In which case, sell it!

Here's a great antique giveaway from the lovely Ms. Jeanette and her hubby.  Many thanks to Libbie at TheMiddlestSister for pointing it out to me.  Like she said, good luck....but I really hope I win!

As far as my blog goes, I don't think I'm going to continue to go number by number through our book anymore.  I'm going to skip to the ones I consider the "meat and potatoes" of it.  You should buy a copy for yourself though, second-hand of course.  I think it's like 18cents + shipping at Amazon.com. 

It's a great coffee table book!   

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This is a picture of my husband and my little guy "shaving" together. 

They used to do it every night when Steven had to work the next day.

It's not very green to waste that shaving cream on a little boy who doesn't even have hair on his face.

And I thought, "Should I really let them do that?"

Now I'm sitting here at the computer.

Steven's at work.

The kids are in bed, and the house is quiet.

I'm missing it.

I don't think it was wasteful . . .

I won't shave my legs tomorrow, you know....for the earth and all.

Joanna Yarrow - Author

I've been doing this about 2 weeks now....and I thought it was about time to find out a little more about the author of the book, Joanna Yarrow.

After doing a little research on the web, I've decided two things:
1.) I would just love to be this gal's personal assistant.
2.) I have a new role model.

First, check out how fabulous Joanna is...

Here's her company:

Plus, she's from the U.K. which means she's "Shaun of The Dead" and "Coupling" funny.

It doesn't get much better than that!

Make your "hunny-do" lists on a dry erase board like the one pictured above (taken from my bathroom) instead of using paper.

My husband works odd shifts and is often sleeping when I'm awake.  When I want to remember to tell him something, I'll write it on our board in our master bathroom.  It's a convenient place where not a lot of other people go, and we go everyday.

Pretty it up by buying some magnets and gluing small flowers on them, and use them to hang important paperwork or bills on the board.

We've had the same marker for about three years now, because it came with the original purchase.  You can buy your own environmentally friendly markers.

Stay tuned for more ways to save the earth.....and tell your friends about followmylittlefootprints.blogspot.com. 

Giveaways will start in a few weeks!

8: Keep Pet Birds Exotic

"8: Keep Pet Birds Exotic - Colorful parrots, macaws, and other birds are better off left in their natural environment, instead of being dragooned as domestic pets.  Undermine trapping and trafficking by not buying.  Instead, save for a trip to the rain forest - setting aside enough to offset your flight's CO2 emissions, of course.  There you can see birds flying in their natural habitat, and your money will help support local communities trying to keep things that way."

From 1,001 Ways To Save The Environment, by Joanna Yarrow


I've never really been big on (real) birds...I like my live animals cuddly. 

Do you like birds?  If so, visit my friend's Etsy site.  She loves birds, too...and makes handmade crafts that are simply adorable.  Man, I love her stuff!

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We went to Aslan's birthday party.  It was a gymnastics party!  Noah loved it. 

Of course, I left my memory card for my camera at home.  Tomorrow.....

7: Don't Be Floored By Choices

"7:Don't be floored by choices - Instead of artificial fibers, choose a natural floor covering such as sisal, jute, coir, or cork."

From 1,001 Ways To Save The Environment, by Joanna Yarrow


Sisal; Sisal Flooring
Jute; Jute Flooring
Coir, Coir Flooring ( I really like this one)
Cork; Cork Flooring

We will have to remember this for when we build our house somewhere in the not too distant future.

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Today I went to yoga class.

I'm still not very good, but it sure is fun.

When I went to pick Noah up from childcare, he was watching Transformers.

Seriously.

He's three.

Ok.

I'm over it.

Just wanted to get that out there.

We had a lovely nothing day after that.

My parents and Steven's parents came over for dinner.

We had chili.  It's wasn't good.

Oh well.

Where was my camera though!?!

Boo.

Both of my babies are sleeping now.

I'm going to go watch TV with my husband.

Birthday party tomorrow.

6: Donate Your Weekend Shave

We started Noah in gymnastics at the Methodist church last week, so today was his second meeting.  I forgot the camera last time as I generally do. 

These are the general going-ons.  Where's Noah....?

He's running around the gym like a lunatic!  Can you see him?

I finally got him to try out this thing.  I thought it would be more cool, but....whatever.

He's supposed to SIT or LAY and roll around on this thing.

I really am the worst picture-taker alive because he was just swinging on this thing, granted I did have Ava in my arms.

The end was his favorite though.  They gave him these rings and told him to ROLL them.

"You mean, I actually have permission to throw these....inside?"

I got a little worried this afternoon because Ava had some purple bumps on one of her legs.  Of course, I "Googled" it.  Bad idea.  I was literally on my way to the E.R. when I remembered she had been in the front carrier the whole hour while he was doing gymnastics, so I think it's just a bruise or whatever....but I'll keep you posted.

We also cleaned out her closet today, and I found this outfit in there. 

It says, "Sorry boys, Daddy says I can't date till I'm 30."

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"6: Donate Your Weekend Shave - Save on water, foam, and balm by forgoing your daily shaving ritual at the weekend.  Your partner might object to your stubble, but just remind them, it's all for the greater good."

From 1,001 Ways To Save The Environment by Joanna Yarrow

I'm not sure it's possible to forgo any more shavings than I already do (I'm a hippie) and still have a husband . . .

4: Buy Softwood & 5:Extremely Cool

"4: Buy Softwood - Does your furniture need to be made out of a rare, slow-growing hardwood when you could use attractive, fast-growing (and so more readily renewable) spruce, cedar, or pine?

5: Extremely Cool - Keep a pitcher or bottle of tap water in the fridge.  This will mean that you don't waste water waiting for it to come cool out of the faucet."

From: 1,001 Ways To Save The Earth, by Joanna Yarrow



Unfortunately, most of our family furniture is made out of, you guessed it, particle board.  Ok, ok.  We do really need to update.  But hey, we've only been out of college for a few years! 

As far as the water thing goes, sounds like a great idea in theory.  I'm really not sure why you would wait for it to come cool out of the faucet....then again, I'm an ice cube person.

Side note: Bottled Water is Killing the Environment; Use tap...it's really the same thing.  Or, use a PUR filter system like the one pictured here, in my fridge.

I think the water actually tastes better than bottled.  May just be the psychological impact it's not having on my wallet. 

We just keep in the fridge and we always have cool water to drink.  It's awesome.  Seriously.  Get one.

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Noah.

Mopping with my ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY MOP.

Doesn't he look old here?

I can't believe how big he's getting.

Like I said, we're growing his hair out right now.

Little Ava is really going at her thumbs now....

3: Lusher Lawns

"3: Lusher Lawns - Longer grass retains moisture better than short turf, so in hot weather let your lawn grow to at least 1 1/2 in. before you cut it to avoid brown patches and unnecessary watering."

From: 1,001 Ways To Save The Earth, by Joanna Yarrow


Currently, we "rent" from my grandparents.  Hence, the handyman decides how to cut the grass at our house.  Boy, does he cut it short, too!


I have heard and read that you should only cut grass like 1/3 of an inch each time you mow, because it will be traumatic to the grass if you cut off too much at one time.  In Florida, our grass grows pretty quickly.  If you only cut it like 1/3 of an inch every time, you'd be cutting the lawn like every three days. 

I know people that do this, mowing the lawn every three days. I'm planning on getting him an electric mower when we're able though.

It just seems like that's a crazy amount of gasoline to use....

So I wonder, what's the neutral point between too short of grass or too much gasoline used....?

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Here's some pictures of my kiddos getting ready for church on Sunday.  This is how they start every morning now.  Side by side watching "Super Why!". 

We're trying to grow Noah's hair out, so you'll have to excuse him.  We're avoiding pictures of him right now until he stops looking like a "throw-away-child", as my mom would say.

Isn't she adorable.  Shortly after I took this picture she spit up all over her dress.  I had to change her into something much less cute which made me sad.

We had a date night last night, and my parents ended up showing up at the restaurant. I really dislike Outback, but it's my Dad's favorite and Steven likes it too.

You may thinking, "how annoying", but Steven and I love seeing my parents, and we're usually so busy. So it was just luck to see them there!

2: Speak Up

"2: Speak Up - If you see something you think might be pollution - from trash dumped in a park to foamy scum on the surface of a river - notify your local government or environmental agency. Perhaps someone else has already pointed it out, but it's far better for the problem to be reported twice than not at all."


From: 1,001 Ways To Save the Earth, by Joanna Yarrow


Do you know where to report a pollution problem in your community?

I do.  Find out, and keep that information on your fridge.

If you live in Okaloosa County, call 850-651-7400.

That's the direct line for the Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office. You can then ask for environmental enforcement. "The deputies deal with a wide spectrum of environmental enforcement including: abandoned cars, run down buildings, illegal dumping, poaching, and watching the local logging operation" (OCSO).


Would you know pollution when you saw it?

I'm going to be on the lookout, and you should too.

"Special wastes" include tires, appliances, rubble (construction debris), yard waste, recyclable items, used oil and can be disposed of free or at a reduced rate at certain locations in the county.

"Household hazardous wastes (HAZ-MAT) " include pesticides, batteries, used oil engine, degreasers, smoke alarms, fire extinguishers, solvents, brake fluid, stale gasoline, anti-freeze, paint, pool chemicals, paint thinners, insecticides, paint strippers, spot removers, furniture polish, fluorescent bulbs, tar, and oil filters.

I didn't know all of those. Did you?

We already recycle our batteries and CFL's, although we did recently switch to rechargeable batteries, we do still have some of the old-fashioned kind lying around. It's so easy to recycle them, there's no reason to. Check out our battery recycling kit!

We got ours from ThinkGreenFromHome

Then, of course, there is noise pollution and litter.



The enviormental enforcement department at the Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office recomends, "Watch what you buy. Read labels. Choose the least toxic. Think about the disposal requirements for the leftover product. Plan ahead. Buy exact amount as needed, use it all immediately, don't store it. Always look for newer, safer alternatives. Avoid product loyalty toward any hazardous project" (OCSO).


How clean is your community?

Check out your community's pollution scorecard by typing in your zip code at Scorecard.

Let me know the results.

1:Offset Your Flight's CO2

"1: Offset Your Flight's CO2- Aviation may soon account for 15% of all greenhouse gas emissions. When there’s no alternative to flying, why not help mitigate the environmental costs? Specialist companies (Better World Club, carbonfund.org) allow you to calculate online your seat’s proportion of the flight’s emissions and negate it by buying “offsets” – a contribution they invest in CO2 (carbon dioxide) reduction measures, such as planting trees. On a return flight between New York and London your 1 ½ tons of CO2 incurs a $15 offset."


From: 1,001 Ways To Save the Earth, by Joanna Yarrow

Ok, so this one is unfairly easy for me, because we NEVER fly. I mean that. I have taken one trip on an airplane my entire life. I'll remember it for future plans though.

If you do fly a lot, consider reducing your ticket to business class or economy class. You can use the extra you would have spent on your ticket offsetting your CO2 emissions. If missing out on your first class seat seems like a fate worse than death, just pretend your ticket was $15 more. Also, if you're flying round trip somewhere, consider only offsetting your return trip until you've grown accustomed to offsetting. Then, it won't feel like such an inconvenience right off.  Better still, whenever you take a flight, plant a quick-gowing species of tree at your own home.  Then you'll get to enjoy knowing you personally offset your CO2 emissions, and you'll get some extra shade.

On a personal note, my little Ava rolled over for the first time today! She's 5 months and 3 days old.

My Mom With Ava

Finding Her Feet

She certianly does love her Daddy...

Introduction To Saving the Earth

Ok. Writing a blog seems a bit narcissistic, doesn't it?


I actually created this blog in August of 2009, and thought I would write about my children and things I learned about being a good mom. The thing is, people can only look at so many pictures of my (adorable) children before they're like, "boring".


Hence, I've decided I'm going to do more.


I'm going to give you special people a little more of something I'm really passionate about.


Going green.


It sure is the trend these days, going green. And while the trend may seem similar to fur-donning boots worn on the outside of pants in 2003, or clip-on glasses of the late eighties.....Please realize, IT's NOT.


It's not a trend. You do have time for a lot of changes.


It's important, and you know it is. There.


What qualifications do I have to suggest that you change your lifestyle, you ask. Well, nearly none.


In 2007 I was head of the UWF Emerald Coast Campus' Recycling Program, which basically means I was an unpaid sanitation worker. If that doesn't get your skirt blown up regarding my skills, maybe this will.

I have a book!  This book...

...and I'm going to show you how easy it can be to save the earth, because I'm going to make these changes at our house.

Best yet, I'm going to include pictures of my adorable family saving the earth for documentation.

It’s going to be great, and trendy if you're into that.

January MOPS

Today we had MOPS (Mothers of Pre-Schoolers) at my church.

We talked about healthful eating and living which always thrills me, since I consider a box of choclate-chip cookies a good meal.

When I got home I decided I was going to make my family start eating a little better. I say "make" because I'm the one that does all the shopping and cooking so it won't really be that difficult.

Turns out, my guys already eat pretty well. Noah has at least three servings of fruits or veggies a day, already. So, I'm making it a goal to increase that number. I think I already have the cookbook "Deceptively Delicious". I just need to get it down out of my cabinet. I also need to monitor how many sweets he eats, though. Since I have such a bad sweet tooth, I often let him munch as well.

Another thing I've decided I want to do is plant a garden. I've been wanting to do it for a while now, so now I have a healthy reason to make Steve help me. I'll be researching exactly what I need to do to plant one tomorrow, because I know you have to get started early and Spring time comes quickly to Florida.....even though it's supposed to be like 18 degrees tonight. Brrr....

For now, I'm going to go finish my homework for the Bible Study we just started on Wednesday called "Growing Kids God's Way. There is supposedly a lot of controversy behind it, so I'll have to post how it goes.

Then, of course, Desperate Housewives.

I've got a ton of pictures to post. I'll do that tomorrow. Steven just went to night-shift, so I'll have more time for blogging now.

I want to figure out the nifty trick of hyperlinking text in a blog too. I'm so computer illiterate.