Neighborhood-Kids All Local. All for Kids. All the Time.

Okay, so the Shutterfly photo album was a complete hit, and I can't believe it took me so long to suggest it (see my previous post if you're feeling lost). All those class pictures from the kinder and early grade years, along with the school pictures taken every year, are now catalogued in an easy-flip-through book and not just filed away in a dark corner of the file cabinet. Leah feels well-loved, I suspect, now that her mom has finally gotten into virual scrapbook mode. (She still doesn't realize that she did all the work, and I didn't really do anything except offer the idea and the money, but maybe that's enough. If I can get out of scrapbooking without her realizing, I'm happy.)

Anyway, now I'm looking at that cavernous basket of photos with a new eye. There's an article in the latest Parents magazine called "Organizing Your Family Photos." I feel overwhelmed every time I thnk about scanning millions of photos, but maybe if I tape this article to my wall, it won't seem so techy after the tenth read through. If your kids are still little, I recommend moving on it now. Of course, if your kids are still little, you're probably totally digital anyway, and it's a non-issue. It's those pre-digital photos that are tripping me up.

Need a Christmas idea? Shutterfly is it, man. I'm a new disciple.

Have you been to Digs on the corner of Holly and Commercial? I went in there recently to buy an eco-travel mug—ceramic rather than metal and plastic—and fell in love with the children’s section. Only I don’t have really young children anymore so I’ll have to content myself with baby shower gifts.

I was impressed with the kids' books they had, including a beautiful gardening-with-kids book, and the toys, and the bedding, and the glass baby bottles with silicone sleeves to prevent easy breakage. Glass bottles weren't even on my radar when my kids were babies--in fact, I don't think they existed 12 years ago--but if I had a baby now, I'd probably have her drinking from glass like in the old days. Most stuff, like I said, is for the younger set, but Leah does have her eye on the waste-free lunch box--the older kids' version of avoiding plastic.

So, if you’re looking for something a little different, probably organic, and you haven’t been to Digs, I recommend checking it out.

So I read this book quite some time ago with mixed reaction, but I've been thinking about it because today I was telling a friend about travel writer Rolf Potts, who wrote the most hilarious review of it.

My friend and I agreed that Gilbert is just too whiny, but still we both read the book, anyway. Some vicarious living going on for us mothers, I suspect, and, according to Potts, for women in general.

Whether you loved this book or didn't, whether you're a man or a woman, you can't help but appreciate Potts' writing.

I am putting out an impassioned plea for all cyclists to wear bike helmets all the time, even if you’re only riding to your friend’s house a few blocks away (and I can tell you, I am mightily guilty of riding without a helmet back in the day).

If you’re one of those parents who put helmets on their kids but not themselves, then get with it and get yours on too. Go buy one if you have to because your kids want you around for their high school graduations.

Here’s why I care: Last week a friend was out on a training ride one evening when he was hit by a car from behind. He was thrown up onto the car, breaking the windshield as he went, to somersault over the back and land on his head. His helmet saved his life. Even so, he suffered a major concussion, deep, deep bruising, broken ribs, and broken vertebrae, as well as acres of road rash. His healing process will be lengthy. If he hadn’t been wearing a helmet, well, I don’t need to say it.

All it takes is one inattentive driver. Get yourself a helmet. For your kids' sake.

A couple nights ago, my daughter listed the most environmentally friendly ways to wash cars. We never wash our cars so I’m not really one to care, but I did learn something.

1. The best way to be environmental is to use a professional car wash business. They are required to dispose of grey water properly.

2. If you're too cheap to pay for a professional job, be sure to wash your car on gravel or grass. Both will act as filters for the water before it hits the water table.

3. Avoid washing your car on cement at all costs. The soapy water will run straight to the storm water drains. This is the least environmental option.

Since we don’t have grass or gravel to park our car on (Leah pointed out), we need to go to the car wash place.

Ah.

“Besides, I’ve never been through a real car wash.”

Uh huh.