Review: Charlies Soap

So I will admit, I was slightly skeptical at first. - Ok fine, I was very skeptical. I remember at the beginning of my cloth-diapering journey, having people tell me how wonderful it was -- *the best* thing, ever. But, in my mind... it was soap. What could be so "special" about it? ~How in the world could just one simple tablespoon wash a whole load of clothes? ~ Esp if it has no smell? Eww. ~ AND, why in the world would I want spend "extra" for it when the store stuff is just fine? (shows how much I really knew! lol). Now, I look back and giggle at myself - what a long way we've come on this journey, indeed.

Of course it didn't help matters, that my sister had to go off, get married, have a baby, and also go crunchy... therefore fueling my already "crazy" desire to want to go natural. - LoL!

One day she called me up all excited. - After reading so many great reviews, she had finally bit the bullet, bought a case (several bags) of Charlies Soap. ~ And turns out... she LOVED it! Still kinda skeptical, she offered to send me some, to try. Hmm, a free sample? Sure, why not! After several loads in, I was sold. My diapers have never looked and smelled so clean.... (yeah, even with no added scents, the laundry acttally didn't stink after all! hee, hee)... my clothes didn't seem any worse for the wear (duh, lol)... and [best of all], there were no yucky chemicals to worry about! (yes, I've learned a bit since those beginning days...) It was awesome!

Unfortunately, with potty-training a toddler, that "sample" my sister sent me (albeit generous) went all too quickly! Leaving me - in desperation/determination not to have to switch back to the old (now deemed:"yucky") stuff - scrambling to find a source, before I was totally out. Thankfully, we have an awesome community around us, and I was able to buy an 80-load bag off another mama... which bought me plenty of time to search out the best price, and get ours ordered. Turns out, at approx 15¢/load (closer to 10¢, when bought by the 5-gal).... it's not only cheaper than traditional detergents, but it also lasts forever! ~ After over a month of use (including nine house-guests, WITH an additional fluffy-butt)... and we are still only three-fifths of the way through that afore mentioned bag!!

Charlies Soap site
(though I have found it's not the most cost effective, to buy directly from them)

Fluffy mail!!

They're here! They're here! That's right! We got fluffy mail on Tuesday! The long awaited new diapers, are finally here!


The new, unwashed prefolds look so rough &... weird!

New "Thirsties" covers: periwinkle blue, lavender & cotton candy pink

And the item I'm probly most thrilled about... The (purple!) wet bag!!!

"What's Your Parenting Style?"

Ok, so for kicks, I decided to take one of those Facebook quizes this afternoon. This one was called "What's Your Parenting Style?" It asked questions like: Where is your baby most seen? a) stroller, B) often in a sling or wrap, but sometimes in a stroller or C) always in a sling or wrap.....

Anyways, here is my result. As usual, there were a few things I disagreed on (duly noted) but overall found it to be quite true, and also semi-comical. What a long way I've come...

Result: Extreme Granola Parenting.

You believe in going back to cave-mom parenting styles. You tend to be untrusting of doctors (They have their place in major medical emergencies.... but in general, are followed way too blindly. I don't think they have all the answers, and definitely are swayed by the influence of the Pharmaceutical companies!) and hostile toward mainstream parenting. (not hostile, but I they do have my condolonces!) You believe cribs and playpens are prisons (lol) pacifiers are evil (not necessarily. I always offered the breast first... but as much as I hated introducing the paci... KB was one of those babes who needed to suck to soothe, and did NOT want milk to always come with it!!) and swings and bouncers are "neglect-o-matics". (they definitely can be (and usually are)... but can be useful when used in very strict moderation!) You gave birth to your kids in your own bed (Actually my own kitchen... lol!) and think hospitals are too interfering. (Amen! Hospitals are for sick people. Birth is not a illness, it's a fact of life... and other than extreme & rare cases, birth doesn't belong in a sterile hospital!) People see you as a tree hugging granola mom and might raise their eyebrows when your 5 year old asks to breastfeed. (I hope so!) But that doesn't bother you! You feel strongly about the way you're raising your kids. (Amen!) Saving the earth is one of your main priorities. You grow your own food and make your own slings, cloth diapers (if you're not doing elimination communication) and wipes. (I believe we should be good steward of the place God has given us to live. I don't make/grow *yet*... but would love to!!! However, we do use cloth diapers & wipes, eat as healthy as possible, and EC.) When people see you with your baby you're always wearing her in a sling or wrap. Your kids don't have beds because they always sleep with you and you wouldn't have it any other way. You're wary of the public school system and believe that the only way to educate your kids is to do it yourself so you can instill in them the same principles you feel strongly about. (The apple doesn't fall far from the tree!!)

I also kinda like the "Kind Of Crunchy" answer, too.. again with a few slight modifications....

"You lean more toward Attachment Parenting, natural births, homepathic remedies, and living green! You tend to question modern medicine and mainstream parenting. (explained above) You tend to delay vaccines or use an alternate schedule. (yup... like, none at all!) You aren't bothered by the fact that people tend to question your parenting style. (heeehee! - I thrive on it!). You feel strongly about the way you're raising your kids. (Amen! If I didn't I wouldn't be doing it this way!) You believe that it's our duty to make the earth a better place for our children by being more eco-friendly. (Good stewardship!) You buy organic foods whenever you can (it's all a balance!) and you use cloth diapers or seriously considered it. (I seriously do!) You've also considered homeschooling. (Planning on it!) When people see you with your baby you're usually wearing her in a sling or wrap. You tell new moms who complain about lack of sleep to try co-sleeping with baby and let them know how much you loved co-sleeping (it's awesome!!!). You believe in breastfeeding and baby led weaning, (Breast is best!) but to a point. And you'll nurse in public but modesty is important to you. (I am not going to purposely flash you... but I am not going to hide, either!) You aren't afraid to disagree with your Dr about delaying solids or vaccines. (Amen!! Solids not till after 6mos - at the earliest!!) You don't like to let your baby cry and cry-it-out methods make you cringe. (eek! ::cringe::) However, if nothing else is working you are willing to try it once the baby reaches a certain age. (A huge, No way!!) You read different books about parenting and take what you feel will work for you and your family. (everyone is at different parts of their journey... as long as you do you research, that's what's important!!) You tend to believe in trusting your instincts when it comes to raising your kids. (there is nothing like it!)"

God Provides: KB's new fluffies!!!

Thanx to a very generous gift, from a very dear friend... I was finally able to order KB some much-needed, new diapers!! I was able to get 2 dozen, brand-new, Chinese prefolds (a HUGE blessing, since ours were handed down from Marmee, are really old, and are quickly becoming thread bare!), several new Thirsties covers, as well as a bonus purchase of a $10 [purple] diaper pail liner... and still remain well into the limits of my monetary "allowance"!! After some research, I decided to order from: Nickisdiapers.com... as they had a trustworthy & professional looking site... the best price for the UBCPF (by the dozen)... and FREE shipping! :-) Then.... I found a separate seller, who had two of the (v1) covers, marked for almost 25% off of the going price..... with no shipping!!! So I was able to get two more covers (the next size up!) to add to my stash.... and only because of the splurged pail liner, did it put me a few dollars over my spending goal!! I am SO excited! Thanx again, JAM.... you're the best! :)

Sheepy Skirt Collection

Oh my... I think I am in LOVE!! I have seen and/or heard awesome things about Wool soakers... but I have never seen anything quite so adorable as these:

http://www.sheepytimeknits.com/knit/skirt.htm

That's right! They are skirted wool soakers! -
So they not only function as a cloth diaper cover... but also clothing!!

::whines:: I want some!!

(Great! Now I think I'm going to have to learn to knit!! heehee...)

Fluffy mail!

Look what I got in the mail today!!In shopping for her own little [soon-coming] blessing... My sister told my about Monkey Toe Diapers... an online store that is preparing to close... and so is selling everything at a marked down price. Since I have been needing to get KB some new diapers - hers are all getting way to small, and we're having trouble with leaking - I decided to take a peek, and see what they had to offer. Turns out they had some Thirsties covers, for a little off of the average going price! The brief experience I have had with Thirsties (someone kindly gave us one Small cover & one Fab-fitted diaper, when KB was a baby) I remember being quite pleased with both the fit, and the quality! Curious as to what they had to offer.... I first clicked the Large. Only 2-3 left... in blue, green... and purple! Purple definitely works for me! Then I went over to Mediums.... oh no! only one left.... just watch it's going to be blue. I hesitantly click... and what should my eyes see... but it's pink! (yay!)- Definitely a sign that it was meant to be! (lol!) I quickly add them to my cart (before anyone else takes it - haha)... along with a few Snappi® Fasteners I have been wanting to try. Ends up, I spent just about $30 ( so a little more than 10% off my order).... and along with my replacement Motherease covers (which should also be coming any day - long story!)... we should be all set in the diaper department for a while, now! yay!

(though I do still want to try out the knit soakers, Samantha was telling me about!! ;-)

I just love fluffy mail!!

Rant: Mainstream - NOT the only way!!

**Warning: rant ahead!!***

I really don't understand these people, who are always trying to push the mainstream way as being the ONLY right way. Or why they think they are doing me any favors by constantly trying to force their conventional methods on me & my family! It annoys me, that they think our choices & decisions are so shallow, that we will just throw them to the side for their "convenience" (or rather laziness & unwillingness to step out of ones comfort zone).... I.think.not!! ~ ARG!! While I understand that much of what we have chosen to do with our family, is beyond that of society's 'norm'.... it DOESN'T make it wrong!! And much of what we do, is "all part of raising them up in the way they should go - we try to start things as we intend [them] to go on." (yes! Well said, Kate! ~ Thanx!) So, YES, I am STILL breastfeeding... and YES, I DO breastfeed in public... and NO, I am not depriving my child, by not letting her eat sugar & crap.... and YES, I wear my toddler, just like I wore her as a baby... and NO I WON'T put my daughter in the nursery (unless I have to - again, forced!)... and YES I use cloth diapers... and NO, I won't waste my money to buy/use disposables for your convenience.... and YES, we plan to homeschool our child(ren).... and yes, we encourage imaginative & creative play, by offering simple toys & everyday items, vs overstimulating toys & tv/videos... and NO, we're NOT overly strict, mean and antisocial parents who expect too much for the age/maturity level... and NO absolutely not, will we go against our hearts, to do what YOU think we should be doing with OUR family!!

Grr....