Becoming more aware of Enegry Use

Last month one of the MOPS meetings I attended on becoming more green, had these 2 gentlemen that own a business that helps you improve your energy use in your home. I didn't realize all the things you can do to make your home more green.

A few of the things they talked to us about included things we could do that wouldn't cost us anything. I know some of this will sound like common sense stuff to some of you and even though I know a lot of this I forget to do this. Or sometimes it didn't even occur to me.

That being said, I implemented a few of the things they told us about.

Turning off ceiling fans. We always leave the one in the LR on, even when we are not home. Silly to think it would help keep the house cool even if we weren't there since it's only reason for use is to move the air in the room so you feel more comfortable.

Unplugging appliance or gadgets with a three pronged power cord when not in use. Baby monitor's for one. My cell phone charger, they pull current even when your phone isn't plugged into it.

Instead of turning off the AC unit just turn it up, it works harder if left off when you turn it back on and really isn't saving you any money or energy. Cause it's using more energy to cool off the hot house. Another reason not to do this is that the humidity builds when it's turned off, which isn't good for the interior of the house.

When we go out of town I usually will unplug the computer, tv's and other things that won't be in use while we are gone.

I came home that day and started on some of these things. I checked my electric bill for this month and it's lower by $36.00.

I am thrilled with this positive change. It has made me more aware of my consumption of energy and how to lesson my footprint.

not sure what to think

Avery has weaned herself. I am not that thrilled about it. I offered it to her yesterday morning and this morning. She rolled over,yelled at me then took off. My plan was at least 18 months so she could get all the benifits of nursing especially since she has had no vaccinations. But there isn't much I can do about it if she has lost interest. Since we had been going so long between nursing sessions I don't have enough milk to pump so she can at least drink it out of a cup. I am sure I will get over it, it is nice to be able to wear a dress if I want.

I signed up for the gMum program at gDiapers. I am pretty excited about it. I get free things to pass out to people to help spread the word about g's. Oh and a free t-shirt for myself. I also ordered the special limited edition Earth Day gDiaper for Avery, can't wait for it to come in, I will post pictures of her wearing it.

It seems more and more people are making the switch to cloth but I really wish more people would. Either to cloth or a disposable alternative like the g's. Just that small change can make such an impact on our enviroment. I also think that the cloth are a lot more comfortable for the babies, softer on their little bums. Let's think about this, Would we be comfortable in a diaper? It's also a lot more cost effective to use the cloth, you'll spend around $400-to $1000.00 on all your diapers that will last up to 3 kids. The average parent spends around $2500.00 the first year of the babies life on disposables. That's just the first year, if they take longer to potty train the cost continues for another year or two. Just something for you to think about.

Josh spent the $2500. on a new front loading washer and dryer when Aynslee was first born. It was worth every penny the first few loads of wash we did. I wash at least a load of clothes every day except Sunday. Sometimes 2 or 3 loads a day depending on if sheets need to be washed or if it's diaper washing day. When I wash diapers it takes close to 3 hours for the machine to wash because of the sanitary cycle on the machine. Our water bill is $20.00 a month or less that's even with my 2 showers a day, Josh's one shower and the girls baths. Somtimes they don't take a bath together so it might be two seperate tubs of water for them. Not to mention the dishwasher, etc. The amount of money we save is really huge for us.

Well enough of that. I'll stop boring everyone with my cloth diaper rant. Besides that the timer just went off for the sprinklers, I have to go out and move it.

HAPPY EARTH DAY!!!