Parallel Lives

Let me introduce you to a friend of mine.

In 2002, she had her first little boy. Great baby! Easy temperament. Shortly after his birth, she became an independent consultant with Southern Living at HOME. Then boy #2 was born. What a little pistol he was! W.I.L.D. C.H.I.L.D!!! She began wondering if she wanted more children. Then there was a change in her husband's job and move. Not fun moving with 2 little ones, but she fell in love with her house and was happy to settle in.

Ok, by now some of you are wondering if I'm talking about myself because that's my story. I promise I am not. This is the short version of my friend, Laurel. She and I realize we are living parallel lives and it doesn't end there...

In 2006, I called her with the news that I was pregnant. Telling her that I couldn't do this alone, I demanded she get pregnant as well! (Not really, but I did suggest it! LOL!) And wouldn't you know it, about 5 weeks later she calls with the news of her pregnancy! We both had our third boy earlier this year.

Now, she and I are not completely the same let me assure you. She wants more kids; I do not. She is thinking of home schooling; I am not. She is looking into cloth diapers; I am not. She just got her nose pierced; I will not. :) However, she is one of my best friends and I thought I'd direct you to her blog, Happy at Home.

She is doing a social experiment right now of trying not to shop at chains and compacting: not buying anything new (with a few exceptions). I have been intrigued by the whole concept of "not buying new" lately. For example, I've been wanting a Jumperoo for Witt, but decided to wait for the children's consignment shop to open instead of just buying a new one. Found a book at Books A Million and decided not to buy it new when I can get it used online. Just these few little things will keep something out of the landfill. She also told me about Free Cycle: basically no money exchange, just giving/taking something someone doesn't want to keep it out of the landfill. There are yahoo groups for this - do a search for Free Cycle and the name of your town. Again, here I am talking "green". :)

Anyway, Laurel has some great thoughts on the whole thing and I thought I'd pass them along. Be sure to leave her a comment, let her know I sent ya!