A sampling from the last week . . .

From Simon (4 years old):

How strong is God? Is he bigger than a tornado? Could he pick up a tornado and put it back down? What if the tornado’s only this big [makes a little fist]? We could let it in the house, and all the people would say, “Oh, what a cute little tornado!”

What does it look like inside our tummies? Is it light or dark?

How does the plane tell the pilot where to go? Is there a mouth in there?

From Ian (2 years old):

[After trying urgently to get Jason’s attention in the car]: Dad! Dad! Dad! Do people have wings?

Are you going to be a daddy, Mommy?

I have a poopy diaper. Jesus can help me?

I’m so, so far from the most consistently green/crunchy person around (or, really, the most consistently *anything* person). But as I do make changes in my life—ever so slowly so much of the time—they do tend toward the health-conscious, the environmentally responsible, and the frugal side of things. Perhaps that’s obvious, as it’d be hard to imagine someone consciously making decisions in the opposite direction, but just go with me on this. In theory, I’d like to be considerably more crunchy than I am/we are as a family. But realistically, there are so many aspects to consider—so many habits, so many products, so many projects, so many ideas, so many opinions, so much information—and I know from experience that if I try to make too many changes too fast I get way overwhelmed and end up paralyzed and discouraged.

Some changes seem to take a long time brewing. After considering (and not doing) it for at least three years, we finally took the plunge to participate in a CSA this summer. It has been quite a challenge—in a good way—to use all the beautiful vegetables that we get in the box each week. The best surprise has been how much the boys (especially Ian) have taken to the veggies; I had to cut Ian off of beet greens because I worried what all the fiber would do to his little digestive system.

Other changes are more along the lines of impulse buys. A few days ago I found a recipe for homemade toothpaste on Pinterest and thought it sounded magical. Plus I had a little helper eager to stir the “gredients.” (He also looks like he could host a cooking show. I would totally watch that.)

And, oh good heavens, we will not be making the switch to homemade toothpaste—at least not with this particular recipe. I don’t want to say anything too bad about it because I actually can see how you could get used to it. I think, though, that Jason was relieved when I admitted I didn’t think I could do it. For me it was mainly texture, partly taste—perhaps both. And I suppose that you could tweak it a bit to fix that (more baking soda? more peppermint?), but for now I’m going to concentrate on finding other uses for the rest of the coconut oil.

The same day I made toothpaste, however, I also made some baking soda “shampoo” and apple cider “conditioner.” I’m going to give going ‘Poo Free at least a month. So far, so good.

I’d be so eager to hear what other people do (or don’t do) to be healthy/crunchy/green/frugal/some or all of the above. What books and blogs do you read? What do you make instead of buy? What products do you use? Which ones do you do without? How do you decide? Discuss.

Tonight at small group, we will be playing this get to know you game. Everybody stands in a circle, and if the statement is true of you, you step in. Then you look everybody in the eye because you have that particular something in common. Actually, I won’t be there because both Simon and I are ailing.So, Internet, I’m looking you in the eye.

1. I ate out for lunch today. (No)
2. I am left-handed. (No)
3. I have sung a solo in public. (Yes)
4. I know how to make a White Russian. (Yes)
5. I have seen the new James Bond film (No) (I want to see the new James Bond film [Yes]).
6. I know my Meyers-Briggs personality type. (Yes)
7. My parents are divorced. (No)
8. I have been to a Husker football game. (Yes)
9. I remember the name of my kindergarten teacher. (No)
10. I have a green thumb. (No)
11. I am an only child. (No)
12. I have neices and/or nephews. (No)
13. I grew up somewhere other than Nebraska. (No)
14. I am an extrovert. (No)
15. I worked out today. (No)
16. I have cried at least once within the last month. (Yes)
17. I am traveling for Thanksgiving. (Yes)
18. I know how to change a flat tire. (No)
19. I am feeling less than 100 percent. (Yes)
20. I listen to NPR. (Yes)
21. Most days I like my job. (Yes)
22. I grew up in a Christian home. (Yes)
23. I have played on a sports team. (Yes)
24. I have been in Awana. (No)
25. I have a melancholy disposition. (Yes)
26. I have had braces. (Yes)
27. I have taken piano lessons. (Yes)
28. I have traveled overseas. (Yes)
29. I can’t live without my morning coffee. (No)
30. I have a Facebook account. (Yes)
31. Given the chance, I would choose a different college. (Yes)
32. I follow at least one TV show. (Yes)
33. I believe I have been discriminated against in my life. (No)
34. I think Tobey could beat Adam in a fight. (Yes)
35. My bed is made. (No)
36. My life has been in danger at least once. (No)

For a long time (at least two years), Jason and I have been planning to paint the dining room some great shade of red. More recently, we have been dreaming about decorating our fabulous red dining room with photographs we take when we visit the O’Donnells in Japan next spring (can’t wait! can’t wait! can’t wait!).

But then I was watching an episode of Top Design, and I fell in love with this tree:

And now I kind of want one in our home. I’m thinking on the dining room’s north wall—with the bookcase, opposite the kitchen. (I am also loving the tree in the new Indigo Bridge Books down in the Haymarket). What do you (including you, Jason) think?

Hey, does anybody know of a co-op type farm near Lincoln? (Brenda, I’m looking at you.) I would like to look into buying fresh, buying local as much as possible this year.

When do sweet little feet cross the line from totally edible to not so much?