Over the past few months, we’ve been getting our house ready in preparation for our new little one. We’ve done a bit of a shuffle with four rooms, and are happy to report that we’re pretty much finished!
Our top priority was getting Henry’s new room ready so we could transition him into it months before the new baby arrived. Over the holidays, we moved him out of his crib/the nursery and into his new room. It took about one week to settle in, and since then we’ve had only a few problems revolving around naptime.
We’re really happy with how it turned out – it’s fun and very boyish and kind of grown-up. We got this Eric Carle bedspread and these dark brown insulating blackout curtains, and we found the dresser at a great price on Craigslist. The enormous green clock is from Target and the Ikea coffee table we used to use as a puzzle table in the old “reading room.” It makes a perfect play surface for Henry.
Last Saturday was also Cristin’s baby shower. It was a well-planned and very lovely, super fun event. I’m so glad I got to share in the festivities and was happy to be a hostess.
I don’t have any good photos (too busy having a good time) but you can read Cristin’s post here and see all her photos here.
I knew that Thanksgiving dinner wouldn’t last more than 15-20 minutes, so I was loathe to put hours of work into a lovely gourmet Thanksgiving meal. When Ruth asked if she could fry a turkey for anyone, I jumped at the chance. I’ve always wanted to have a fried turkey but would never take the plunge.
So, Thursday morning we dropped off our turkey and had a nice visit with Ruth, Ruth’s Dad, Scott, Hannah and Ian. Not too long after we got home, we got the call to come pick up Tom Turkey in all his lovely, fried glory.
My mom joined us for an early afternoon dinner and the menu was perfectly simple:
Growing up, my dad would always drain the hamburger meat over the sink, running hot water to help keep the grease flowing down the pipes. This should have been the evidence we needed to realize that grease does not belong in the drain pipes. When the grease gets further down the pipes and the hot water stops flowing, the grease solidifies, narrowing the pipes and creating a surface on which other solids can get caught.
According to the 2008-2009 Wastewater Collection and Treatment System Report (WCTSR), the City of Raleigh experienced 56 sanitary sewer overflows. Twenty-one percent of these overflows were a result of grease. Sewer overflows occur when problems in the system cause sewage to come out of manhole covers, service cleanouts or plumbing fixtures. Gross!
So, when tempted to pour grease down the sink, choose another option such as pouring it into an empty can or jar and then dispose of it in the garbage. Alternatively, Raleigh has just announced a new Curbside Grease Collection Pilot Program that will start on November 1st. Learn more about it!
While we’re on the subject of sewer overflows, it’s worth mentioning that 30% of the sewer overflows experienced last year were a result of debris. The WCTSR describes debris as “such items as rags, flushable wipes, sticks, rocks, feminine hygiene products, etc., all of which are illegal to discharge into the sanitary sewer system.”
According to this 2005 N&O article, “it is illegal to introduce (that’s polite sanitary sewer system lingo for flush, drop or pour) anything besides human waste, toilet tissue and used water into the sewer system. That means nothing, not even food scraps or this morning’s bacon grease, is supposed to go down any household drain, toilet or garbage disposal.”
Do you use the toilet as a trashcan, tossing toilet tissue and Kleenex indiscriminately in there? Or do you use those so-called “flushable” wipes or, heaven forbid, flush sanitary napkins or tampons down the toilet? Bad idea. The wastewater treatment system is not designed to handle debris like this. Learn more about Raleigh’s recent ban on flushing “flushable wipes” in this May 2009 N&O article.
This EPA sponsored video helps you understand how non-flushable items behave and the effects they can have on our environment.
With that in mind, here are some general guidelines for your household:
Collect grease in a container and dispose of it in the garbage.
Never flush food scraps down the toilet or kitchen sink garbage disposal. Place food scraps in waste containers or garbage bags for disposal with solid waste, or start a compost pile or vermicompost bin.
Place a wastebasket in the bathroom to dispose of solid waste, including facial tissue, cotton balls, flushable wipes, disposable diapers, condoms and personal hygiene products.
What’s your beauty routine like? How long does it take? I’m interested to know what the spectrum is like.
Here’s mine.
In the evenings, I take a shower. Shower usually lasts around 10-20 minutes depending on how long my day has been. In the shower, I wash and condition my hair (every other day), lather down and wash my face.
Total Time: 15 minutes
Out of the shower, I apply moisturizer to my face and since it’s winter and I’m pregnant, I make a devoted effort to apply lotion all over. Sometimes I moisturize my hair.
Total Time: 7 minutes
In the morning, I attempt to flatiron my hair into submission. I wash my face and apply moisturizer again. I brush my teeth, apply deodorant, spritz on some perfume, I’m ready to go.
Total Time: 15 minutes or longer, depending on how unruly my hair is.
So, all told, I’d say that say that I spend about 40 minutes a day on my “beauty routine.” How’s that compare to yours?
Over the last two weeks, I’ve given away the contents of my worm bins to several people. One fella was retired, quite nice, and made off with a bin full of worms and compost. He seemed pretty excited. Another woman harvested the compost for herself, kept a handful of worms for a mini-bin, and brought me back most of the worms. Then I set up a friend with a bin and worms so she can get her own bin started.
I decided after about 4 or 5 years that it was time for a break. It’s been so hectic around here, I barely have time to look after myself, much less the worms. They did not get a lot of love over the previous 12 months. Also, I felt like our crawlspace needed a break, too. The moth problem was annoying and I never could seem to break the cycle. Perhaps having no food source for a year will rid us of the little buggers.
So, that’s it for a little while for me and vermicomposting. I am happy to have made this decision, and to have come to it on my own. I fully intend to go back to it, maybe when Henry is a little older and can help us feed the worms!
I’ve been seriously considering a subscription to a local CSA farm.
“Over the last 20 years, Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) has become a popular way for consumers to buy local, seasonal food directly from a farmer. Here are the basics: a farmer offers a certain number of “shares” to the public. Typically the share consists of a box of vegetables, but other farm products may be included. Interested consumers purchase a share (aka a “membership” or a “subscription”) and in return receive a box (bag, basket) of seasonal produce each week throughout the farming season.” source
I’ve spoken with Edible Earthscapes and Double-T Farm. I know there are a few others out there, too. I’m wondering if anyone out there has any experience and would like to offer their feedback.
I like the idea of locally grown organic produce at a good price. I also like the challenge of cooking with the seasons. I’d feel like the Iron Chef – what’s the secret ingredient?!
