Flats Challange Day 1- Ready Set go.

So today is the day. My sweet baby and I embark on the flats challenge presented by Kim Rosas from the dirtydiaperlaundry.com.

I will be using 12 osocozy bleached flats and 12 Diaper rite flats 4 flip covers (2 applix and 2 snap one converted by me using the kam snap pliers more on this later) and 1 econobum cover.

I will be washing in my tub and drying on the shower rod. Hoping my hands can withstand the washing and wringing out. The pioneers did it right in the dead of winter I can too right?? I am already starting to appreciate my washer and dryer more already.

I have been home all day and need to pack the diaper bag. I don't want any temptations so all my other diapers and put away and out of sight.

My baby is pooping like crazy these days. I am hoping the flats and covers can keep it contained. So far so good. We had one really icky diaper but it did not get on anything except the flat and cover, the cover will definitely need washed. I'm wanting to just pad fold the diaper for convenience sake but since he poops so often I might run out of covers so I am trying out the fancy origami fold, kite and still need to look up and learn more folds. It's kind of fun.

Not sure what we are doing for nighttime probably a flat wrapped around a prefold and a fleece liner. Will let you know how the washing and the nighttime diaper works tomorrow.

VOTE FOR LEVY? ........

I applaud the cost saving actions that our school district has recently undertaken, But before we ask taxpayers to dig a little deeper, into already leaner pockets, there are still some questions to be answered.

Why has the district created a new position to write "curriculum's" with an $80,000 dollar price tag?

Our District has 530,000.00 in a dedicated shortfall fund from the last levy.

Our District has 330 full time employees,(who collect full benefits) of which 145 are certified teachers. Does it really take 185 non teaching positions to support our teachers?

Can our busing system be more efficient? Buses running four times a day over the same roads with very few students raise questions in efficiency.

Instead of a "Cadillac policy" should not our Districts health care policy match the majority of those in the private sector?

Do we really need a principal at every school? Can we look at the possibility of splitting a principal between two smaller schools?

Can management become a little less top heavy and do more with fewer personnel?

Recent State tax revenues have increased, promising new money for our district--up to 400,000.00.

It's time for our district to find the best way to educate our kids with the resources they have, we do sympathize with them over the loss funding, however, none of us believe that this large recession that we are in, is something only the private sector should experience. The district will not look into more efficient ways of operating if this levy passes, why should it? Until all areas are seriously addressed for efficiency and savings to balance our districts budgets--- you should vote no on this coming school levy. It's the right thing for all of our families budgets-it's the right thing for you.

Flats and Handwashing challange

I have been cloth diapering our newest little addition Jarrett since his birth and exclusively now for over a month. And I love it. I have been learning from the best and one of my favorite blogs to follow is kim rosas dirty diaper laundry.
So when she presented the flats challenge. Which consists of only use flats the diapers our grandmothers used, only hand washing and air drying for a week. I was up for it. With they way the econmoy has been and continues to be this is a wonderful way how prove that cloth diapering can be done for as little as 60- 100 dollars from birth to potty. Considering most people spend 50-80 a month that can be a substanchal saving. It has been reported that many people are having to pick between food or diapers, some have been leaving their children in the disposables for a reallly long time or even trying to clean and blow dry the diapers for reuseICKKKK. Here is a link to one of the stories http://manhattan.ny1.com/content/ny1_living/health/136289/high-cost-of-diapers-forces-some-parents-into-risky-practices?r=8793973370. Many families do not have access to washers and dryers and feel cloth diapering is not an option for them. But is doable. So for one week I will be putting away my fancy pocket diapers and all the other fancy cloth diapers I am so fortune to have And be doing it old school. I am so excited!! For more information on the this challenge check out http://dirtydiaperlaundry.com/take-the-flats-and-handwashing-challenge-may-23-30/