I have been keeping a mental list of things I need to look up on the internet.   I finally got time to do it.  Here is my list and what I found out:

1.  Pizza Hut Book It Beginners Program- Geetle saw a poster at Pizza Hut mentioning this.  She could not read all of it, but recognized “pizza,” “book,” and the picture of the Berenstein Bears.   I looked it up tonite and it is something teachers have to enroll in.  But its just like the Book It program we all did as kids, except for preschoolers and the “read to me” crowd.  Its too late to enroll this year, but I am printing it out to send to her school.  Maybe they will want to do it next year.

2.  Natural Choice Environmentally Sensitive Diapers -I saw these at Meijer and was intrigued.  They were just a dollar or so more expensive than the Meijer brand (I don’t do expensive name brands in something designed to be pooped on and thrown away).

Approximately two-thirds of the materials used in the leading diaper brands are synthetic and are derived from non-renewable resources. The production of these materials consumes valuable petrochemical resources and in some cases creates adverse environmental impacts. Natural Choice Diapers are designed to reduce the environmental footprint created the the production and consumption of disposable diapers. Unlike most diapers, the absorbent padding material in Natural Choice diapers is totally Chlorine-Free. Dioxins and organochlorides are not released into the air or water. Natural Choice diapers also use less synthetic gel material in the absorbent core by blending an innovative bio-based absorbent matieral with traditional absorbent gel material. Finally, the backsheet and topsheet of Natural Choice diapers contain 50% plant-starch based Ingeo (TM) fiber, an annually renewable resource.

OK.  But is it really that big of a deal?  Are they really something I should do?  I think its a step.  But if I could afford it, I think I would go all the way to the g diapers.   They have a flushable liner.  Although it must be a bit hard to flush, since they come with a poking stick you are supposedto use to break them up and push them down.  But the pee-soaked ones can be composted.  We don’t compost, but heck, if I moved to these diapers, starting a compost pile would be an easy second step.   I don’t know.  By the time I figure it out, she’ll be potty trained anyway.

3.  The wind mill farm near Paw Paw IL.  We drove by this on our way to/from Peoria last weekend.   Each year, the farms make enough electricity to power 13,000 homes.   They are crazy big.   The blades are each 40 feet long.  We had heard that they were operational, but no one bought the electricity.  Not true, these wind farmers are under contract with ComEd.   I did not need to know anything specific about the windmills.  I just thought they were cool and wanted to know more.

4.  Pancakes for a Penny?  Could it be true?  Yes, it is.  Apparently we can get pancakes for a penny (limit 25 per person) at Colonial Cafe on May 8th.  It doesn’t sound like there is a catch…although I am sure there will be a line.

5.   There is a raccoon living under our deck.  Good?  Bad? Indifferent?  I am worried about it gnawing on my children, so I do think we need to get rid of him.  But I don’t know if I have the attention span to set a live trap, lure it out, and then dispose of it.  I am also too cheap to hire someone.  What to do?  Apparently throwing some mothballs under the deck will work.  Sounds cheap and easy, just like me.  I mean, just the way I like it.  I mean…oh shut up.

6.   What is the purpose of Vitamin B6 and Magnesium?  Are they safe for kids?  - I will go into this more at a later date.  My research continues.

7.  How to get rid of the baby belly - breathing?   Call me old fashioned, but I assumed it would take more than breathing.  My research continues.  In the mean time, I go to the gym 3 times a week.  30 minutes of cardio, 8 weight exercises (arms and legs, 3 sets of 10 each) and as many crunches as I can do.

8.  I am considering getting a clothes line.   You may look at this post and think I am overly eco-concerned.  Well, I am eco-concerned, but I am also cheap.  This is a cheap thing, not an eco thing.   I am not sure if I should get a retractable one, or just a regular set of poles.  I see the purpose of a retractable one, but are they as sturdy?   I will consult with BAGD.  I am not allowed to use cement without his approval.  He is so overbearing.