What have I done for you lately?

Today is Blog Action Day http://www.blogactionday.com/, and so untold numbers of bloggers around the net are blogging on the same subject- the environment.

It’s kind of a trendy subject nowadays, what with all the green products on the market, and Al Gore (go Al!), but it’s also related to one of the only New Year’s Resolutions I’ve ever been able to keep.

Two years ago, I decided to resolve to only use green cleaning products in my home. I had already started using cloth diapers with my kids, and we try to eat vegetarian when possible, as much for the environment as for health and economic issues. But I did love my bleach and caustic yet pine smelling cleaning solutions.

I gave all my cleaning products to a friend and stocked up on some green certified, organic, natural brands. Toilet cleansers with essential oils, bathtub scrubbers with finely ground marble, vinegar solutions for cleaning the shower. You name it, I bought it.

And two years later, my house is just as clean, the products cost no more or less than the ones I was buying before, and I have just a little bit less guilt about what I’m pouring down the drain.

This one small New Year’s Resolution was the starting point to a period of awareness in my life that has led to many other changes, too numerous (or boring) to list here. A small change in my purchasing has had many effects on my life overall. And that, Mother Earth, is what I have done for you lately.

Due Dates

Well, as it turns out, I won’t actually be pregnant forever– as much as it seems like that now. At my hospital visit today, for blood pressure and baby monitoring (everything’s fine), we scheduled my last two appointments. Another monitoring session for next Monday, and then an appointment on my due date, October 25. The midwife told me that they only let you go 3 days over your due date, so Kate will definitely be born in October. Yeah!

Even better news than that, as hard as it may seem, is my imminent visit to IKEA! Yes, there is a special opening day for Ikea family club members, and I am just waiting for Gemma and Wendy to come pick me up for our first ever visit. WooHoo!