Gypsy Child

Four babies later and the youngest in her teens, would I use cloth diapers if I had it all to do again?

Definitely!

You might be thinking, “Oh, she used cloth diapers because she mothered her children in a different time.”

Let me tell you that I was outnumbered even then.

It was very unusual to see another mother using cloth diapers. When I lived in Key West, there was a large alternative community there. I had strong support there. But when I went for a visit back home I was the only one using them. It really did not faze me because I couldn’t imagine using any thing else.

It was so easy using cloth diapers.

I loved the softness I was putting next to my child at every diaper change.

The hard plastic tape on plastic diapers (now I think some use the soft tape), would sometimes end up wiggling next to the babies hips and leave red marks.

The thought of me adding all that plastic to the landfill; I just couldn’t do it. It was a rare moment that my child had a plastic diaper on.

cloth diapers everywhere

Jeremy 1 week old; wrong way to put on a diaper

I remember the first diaper change. Bob changed all the diapers for the first two weeks. We hadn’t planned it that way and to this day I have no idea how it happened. He did the first change and I just said how well he did it and he kept doing it.

He didn’t do it the best way but it worked. I think the midwife showed him how to do it properly on the third day. The pictures are so cute.

The correct way to put on a cloth diaper

pic from wikimedia--the fastest way to put on a diaper

When our first was two months old we headed out of Key West for the long trip up North. This was a yearly pilgrimage as it was just too hot in the Keys in the summer.

Read more »

Free market poster

Went to the Really Really Free Market in Naples, Florida today.

The whole community is invited to come and share anything (within reason) for FREE.

Free, really?

Yes it really is all for FREE.

That’s why its called the Really Really Free Market.

The concept is simple. Recycle and share.

Recycle things that you have sitting in your space that you longer want or need. I’ll list a few things I have given away as examples: bread maker, pots and pans, clothing, beads, file cabinet, fossil purse. You get the idea.

The way it is considered recycled is because it is not ending up in the dump. It is being reused by someone else who is usually thrilled to receive it.

A few months ago I brought a bread maker that had been used a few times and was in perfect condition. Today when I went a women came up to me and said she was the one that I gave the bread maker to and it works great and she loves it. Today she got a bottle of laundry detergent (my new washer only uses front loader type) from me and was thrilled once again. The joy on seeing something that was annoying to me make someone else happy is well worth the trip into Naples.

As an added bonus, afterwards we go to eat at the health food restaurant right around the corner, Food and Thought. They have great food that is all organic. When were done eating we shop in their store which has reasonable prices for some of the best looking organic produce among many other healthy choices.

Free Pep Talk

Here’s how the share part works. Need a pep talk. All you need to do is walk up to the lady with the huge sign that reads “Need a Pep Talk”. She’ll give you one for free. Want to teach a yoga class. Make a sign that reads “Free Yoga class”. Your sure to get some students pretty quick. I saw a women paint a piece of art in oils and give it away. Anything you can think of to share that creates happiness for others or yourself is great. There are no organizers. All they ask is you be respectful of others and leave no trace you were there behind when you leave.

Great documentary. I went to a showing today at the Nature Conservatory in Naples, Florida. I recommend all to buy it. Here’s the web site. http://whatsorganicmovie.org/

SORRY, Lee County doesn't recycle styrofoam!

Is that a real panther enjoying the styrofoam?

where did the head come from?

Read my post in gypsychant.com

Should I stay or should I go?

Growing up in St John has many advantages and a few disadvantages. I always felt it was an ideal place to be until your teenage years. Some teens may argue with me about this and actually I could come up with a few good arguments myself, but who better to argue with than myself.

Here it goes.

The beach is a great daytime activity for anyone of any age. There are walks on the beach and trails close to the beach for young and old; there is windsurfing, sailing, and body surfing. Depending on the weather there is surfing, skin boarding, and kite surfing. When you add an actual boat into the picture then you have dinghies, motorboats, jet skis and sailboats. A boat can pull you by ropes to wake boards and ski. You can go spear fishing and scuba diving.

A lot of this takes money and if the money’s not there, these kids still find a way; they work for the vendors for trade to use their boats, they find friends with boats or they just hang out at the beach.

Read more »