TBT -- Chill Out!

For this week's Throwback Thursday and in honor of the 90+ degree whether we've been having lately, I decided to revisit a post from July 2011. I hope you find the info helpful. 

Image by Peter Griffin

 
Between the introduction into the world of hot flashes and night sweats and the insanely hot weather, I am desperate to find ways to cool down.
So you can imagine my delight when this month's Good Housekeeping magazine decided to address this very issue in an article.
Here's what I learned:

• AC (no kidding). Keep it set between 70 -75 degrees when you're home. Set it to 80 degrees when you're not. Bottom line on this -- if you let your house get too hot, it will take a lot more energy to cool it down. But make sure you don't have any heat-producing devices (TVs, computers, lights, appliances, etc.) located close to your thermostat. Some of you may be gasping at the recommendation to set it so low while you're home. But for me and my hot flashes, that's just the way it is going to be. Note: If your central AC unit is more than 12 years old or if your portable unit has been hanging out the window for more than 10 seasons, you may want to consider replacing it. The result could be a 30% savings on your electric bill.
• Location, location, location. If at all possible, put your portable AC units on the north side of your home. Or plant some nice shade trees near the unit. Keeping your AC out of the sun can lower your energy use between 10% and 25%.
• Keep the shades drawn. When sunlight is streaming through your windows, the temp inside your home can rise by as much as 20 degrees. Whoa!
• Turn on the fan. Circulating air feels 8 degrees cooler. But make sure you turn off the fans when you're not in the room. After all, they don't actually cool. They just make you feel cooler. If you don't have or don't want to use your AC, consider buying a couple of window fans -- one that pulls air in and another that blows air out.
• Set up a dehumidifier or two. We actually have 3 running in our house.
• Take a cool shower or lukewarm bath. Supposedly, this will cool your body 25 times faster than hanging out in the breeze. Make sure you run your exhaust fan for at least 20 minutes afterward to dry out the air.
• Remove your plants. I know I'm always telling you to load up your rooms with plant in order to help remove toxins, but in the heat of the summer, they actually are counterproductive. Plants produce moisture, thus making your indoor air a bit more humid.
• Grab a sterling silver dinner knife. According to Heloise, this old-fashioned (and green) trick is pretty effective. Simply press the flat part of the knife against the back of your neck or inside of your wrist. Since your blood vessels are close to the skin in those places, the cool metal will immediately cool them. No sterling in the house? Grab an ice cube instead. It's a bit messy, but it will work.

Uh oh. I feel a hot flash coming on. Think I'd head down to the silverware drawer. If you have any tips of your own to share, please do. I can use all the help I can get!

Trying to keep cool,

TBT -- Summertime... time to get away

Today's Throwback Thursday's post originally appeared on the blog on June 30, 2010. Not much has changed for me since then. I still feel the exact same way.

We have never been big on vacations in our house. How about you? Do you save up all year so you can escape normal life for a week or two in the summer? If so, where do you go? Same place each year, or do you like to seek out new places?

I have to admit I'm pretty boring when it comes to travel. I don't like the idea of busy vacations and endless travel. While there are places I'd like to see, the travel part just doesn't appeal to me. For me, a vacation in Orlando would be a nightmare, although we did do it once. To spend long days and nights at amusement parks is not my idea of a vacation. And, of course, flying has become such a hassle, I want no part of it. Between figuring out what you can pack, how much you can pack and paying extra if you pack too much only to arrive at your destination without your luggage anyway...not my idea of fun. Certainly not my idea of relaxation.

Then there's the driving option. I used to enjoy that, but let's face it: there seems to be a whole lot more idiots on the road these days. It's hard to enjoy a drive across the state, much less across the country! And that's not to mention the cost at the gas pump and the ongoing oil crisis we're facing!

If I had my way, I'd travel by train as much as possible. I love riding the rails. Traveling by train is a greener option as well because trains generate less pollution than cars and, according to Joseph R. Provey and Owen Lockwood in The Little Green Book, they "produce about two to three times less CO2 per person per mile than planes generate." They also point out that "according to some estimates, emitting CO2 into the upper stmosphere -- which planes do -- does more than twice the damage of the same amount of CO2 emitted at ground level." I'm sold. Put me on a train.

Regardless of how you get there, here are some other eco-friendly tips when it comes to vacations:

Before you leave home, invest in some timers for your lights, particularly your outdoor lights. That way you don't have to leave your porch light on all the time, which in addition to being a waste of money and energy, also is an invitation for burglars, since it's an advertisement of your being gone.

If you have a family member or friend traveling over to your house to pick up your mail everyday, consider putting a hold on it with the post office. This will save gas for the person taking care of it for you. Oh, and make sure you cancel your newspaper subscription for the days you're gone. Paper's a major waste issue in the landfills, so save a bit and keep the burglars guessing.

Pull the shades down or close the drapes before you go, which will keep your home cooler (or warmer in the winter, thus cutting back on the energy used to heat your empty house). If it's hot when you return and you turn on the AC, it won't take as long to cool down the house. If you choose to leave the AC on while you're gone, at least turn the thermostat up to 85 degrees (or down to 50 degrees in the winter). At our house, we rarely use the AC, so we have it turned off when we leave, no matter how hot it may be. Up until this year, we always had birds in the house, so we had to leave the heat turned up a bit for them. Now that the only pets we have are furry kitties, we're confident they'll be warm enough in the winter...and as long as the summer's not too hot, they'll be okay then, too.

One more thing you want to do before you head out the door for a few days or weeks...unplug, unplug, unplug!! Other than your refrigerator, of course, there's no reason to keep your appliances plugged in. By unplugging your TVs, office machinery, washer/dryer, etc., you'll be saving money and energy.

So, maybe that's enough for now. Ways to be green at home when you're away. Whatever you do this summer, and whatever mode of transportation you choose, enjoy your vacations. Rest, relax, revive and remember it's up to you to preserve your little corner of the earth. Someday, future generations will appreciate you for it.

Keeping it green,

A grandfather clock, a family of bluebirds, and a lifelong friend

“Friendship is unnecessary, like philosophy, like art… 

It has no survival value; rather it is one of those things that give value to survival.” 

-- C.S. Lewis                          

  

As I sit in the dining room of my best friend Dawn's home, I am thinking about the value of a friendship that has withstood the test of time -- the test of new friends coming and going, of divorce, widowhood, single motherhood, getting back in the dating game, remarriage, step-children, new careers. The list could go on and on. For 50 years, Dawn and I have been there for each other. 

As I listen to the birds flocking to Dawn's menagerie of bird feeders outside, the grandfather clock in the living room chimes, a lovely reminder of the love her grandpa had for her grandma as he crafted it for her as a wedding gift oh so many years ago. A Van Gogh print hangs on the wall behind me and simple, but elegant furnishings surround me.

I've been here since Friday. Today, Dawn and her husband rose early and headed to work. I am alone.

This house has become a haven for me during this time of transition as I've been forced to face the rest of my life without my mother. Since Mom's death in January, I've made multiple trips to my hometown of Manheim, Pennsylvania to tend to the multitude of things one must deal with when their parents are gone but the family home is not. My sisters, niece, nephew and my own kids live in Los Angeles, Las Vegas, NYC, Binghamton, Washington (PA), and Pittsburgh. No one lives here. So when we merge on our childhood home for time together (of work, laughter, memories, and tears), there isn't enough room for all of us to sleep in the three-bedroom house where we grew up.

That's why, while they're all dealing with a chaotic morning of the little ones' energy spurts (they're four, three, and two) and the baby's demands (and five-week-old Marley has been quite demanding), I am spending the early part of my day in the peaceful oasis Dawn calls 'home.' I don't want to leave.

As I made my tea this morning, I watched out the window as a family of bluebirds took turns visiting the feeder filled with meal worms. Happiness? Yep.

Perhaps, as C.S. Lewis said, friendship isn't necessary. But I sure wouldn't want to try to survive without it.

Sharing my Monday morning thoughts with you,

Hana

Supermom! How I birthed my baby -- Part 5

I've had three children, all born naturally.

With my first, I quickly decided I wanted to have midwives help me and found a midwifery group that will deliver in the hospital or my home.

Uncertain of how things would go, I knew I wanted a hospital birth, and wanted to try to deliver naturally. Two days overdue, I felt the beginning cramps of labour at 4:30 am. After finally convincing the midwife that this first-time mama was really in full-blown labour, I got to the hospital at 8:00 am, and quickly delivered my first baby, a boy, at 9:33 am.

Within five quick hours, I had gone from a restless sleep to holding my 7 lbs, 5 oz boy. I did not have time to run a tub of warm water. I did not have time to think about (let alone ask for) pain meds. I went home after 3.5 hours and recovered very nicely in the comfort of my own home.

20 months later, I found myself in a very similar predicament. I was 39 weeks pregnant with #2, a girl this time. A month or so beforehand, our midwives had told us to be prepared for a home-birth. Since I was only in labour for five hours the first time, it could go even quicker this time. So we were ready. We had everything on the list for a home-birth. But we were still planning a hospital birth.

I woke up around 4:15 am (again) and knew I was in labour. We chatted with our midwife who said, “If you go to the hospital, it will be in an ambulance because you could have this baby at any moment. If you stay at home, I will be there in a few minutes and you can call if anything changes.” I decided to stay home.

I had the freedom to walk around my house as I laboured. Eventually, the midwife broke the membrane, knowing that my body was ready and that it would speed things up. I was in labour another hour or so and got to use a birthing stool to deliver her. I had my lovely baby girl, weighing 7 lb 6 oz, around 10:20 am, seven days before my Estimated Due Date (EDD).

One of my favourite memories from this day is that as we sat on the couch, just an hour or two after our little girl entered the world, Aaron made breakfast for everyone. We sat visiting, midwives (three of them by now), Grandma, and the four of us, over omelets and toast. It was such a happy moment, one I will cherish, knowing how special and unique it was.

21 months later, waddaya know... I found myself labouring at home again, planned this time.

It was around 8:00 in the morning, one week before the due date. I just started not feeling right and thought, “Here we go again.” Since it was my third time around, I was very comfortable and at-ease. This video, was taken 4.5 hours before #3 was born. We were singing and dancing!

I don't remember a whole lot from this day, because it went just as expected. Once again, our midwife came to help through the final hours of labour. Just as happened with #2, the midwife broke my membranes and I had #3 about an hour later on the birthing stool. He was born in my bedroom around 2:10 pm, weighing exactly 7 lbs.

Things I loved about my birth experiences:

My midwives. Whether you plan to give birth at a hospital or at home, midwives are amazing. Having seen other people's birth experiences, I would always choose midwives. Even if your pregnancy develops complications and they have to refer you to a doctor, they will still be involved in your care. (At least that is the case here in Ontario.)

My husband. Aaron was so good about going along with whatever I needed or wanted regarding our children's births. He has a servant's heart and was there, ready to do what was needed, and ready to keep his hands off when I didn't want anyone touching me.

Low moaning. I laughed when the midwives told us this, but it works! Low moaning is the best way to relax your body when you're in pain. If you scream, it tenses your body up. Low moaning relaxes your muscles. And it's a great alternative to whining and complaining.

My extended family. It must have been so hard for them (I'm thinking of our mothers) to not be there when their grand-children were born. My mother came to help after each of the kids was born, but she missed their actual birthdays. Aaron's mom wanted to be right there when they were born but I asked her to stay away until I was ready for her. Staying with the younger kids on the lower level of our house as I was labouring on the upper level must have been torture for her!

Home. With all three, I loved being home. Home right after or home during. It was so nice to be home, where I was most comfortable.

Everybody has a different story, a different experience. I know that my stories are very different from most others. But we can each tell our stories and share them so that other new moms can read them and feel a little more sure of themselves going into the whole ordeal. Birth is messy and painful. It doesn't always happen the way we want. Sometimes there are life-altering complications. But God can use the messiness of it all to tell a beautiful story, if we let Him.

Wanda is a wife and stay-at-home mom who can be found writing about the ups and downs of life over at Wanda Willy WhoopieCushion. She has previously written for Green Grandma when she reviewed the Diva Cup and you can find her review of Green Grandma’s Vinegar Friday’s over here.

Let the celebration begin!

Green Grandma with her Siberian Forest Cat, Theo Van Gogh

Three years ago today, I launched this blog and Green Grandma was born. So today is sort of an anniversary and birthday all rolled into one. I must admit, GG takes up a lot more time than I ever anticipated... a whole lot more. But the rewards have been countless, as I see lives changed and hear stories about how GG has helped people in a variety of ways.

Like this story from Courtney (my favorite, by far):

Recently I got a book titled “Vinegar Fridays” written by a woman named Hana Haatainen Caye, who also has a blog entitled “Green Grandma” (Check it out). Anyways, thanks to this book, I have replaced almost every harmful chemical in my house with vinegar and water mixtures. Including, shampoo! So, today, I was hanging out having my morning coffee and banana, when I hear my 9 Month old rustling in something. For those of us who have or have had 9 month olds, they get into EVERYTHING.  I walk over, just to take a peek, and she is sucking on the nozzle of a spray bottle from under our sink. Now, 2 months ago, that would have been a very harmful chemical based cleaner with bleach as the primary ingredient. But, thanks to this book, all it was, was Vinegar and water! Thank you to VInegar Fridays and awesome people like Green Grandma for sharing the wealth! Do yourself a favor and check out her blog. Also, check out Vinegar Fridays, it helps you save money, the environment, and obviously, my 9 Month old’s life!!

Can it get any better than that?!

Of course, no one's life has changed more than mine due to GG. After all, I started off simply talking about cloth diapers. I wanted to inform others about the toxins in disposable diapers and the dangers they present to your little one's health. That was important to me. As time went by, I started learning more and more about toxins and their threat to us as a society. As I learned, I shared. And I started ridding my own home of toxins I didn't even realize were dangerous. Sometimes, I shake my head in disbelief that I could have been so stupid. After all, I have a severe chemical sensitivity, yet I was still using fabric softener two years ago and spraying Febreeze around as recently as a year ago. Gasp! What was wrong with me?! Unfortunately, I'm sure there are things I'm still using that I won't be a year from now! Every week, I learn something new. I learn. I grow. I change the way I do things.

A year ago, I'd never heard of Monsanto. I didn't know what a GMO was. I hadn't tried coconut oil or coconut sugar. I hadn't discovered the wonders of Wildwood Soapworks or Clean and Green Odor and Stain Remover. Now, not only am I totally sold on the products of both companies, but I'm also thrilled to welcome them as sponsors of my blogiversary celebration event!

That's one of the best parts of having this blog... meeting wonderful people in this community, including the owners of businesses who believe in what Green Grandma stands for and are choosing to stand beside me to make this an awesome event! People like Mama Melinda from the incomparable Earth Mama Angel Baby, Adam and Lilli from Happy Baby Company, Al and Trina from Leaf and Bud Naturals, Jen from big {happy} wall, Jill from Green Baby Clothing Company, and so many more.

Throughout this coming week, I will be posting separate Rafflecopters for each of the following prizes. Each day from Tuesday through Friday will be themed and you have until midnight EST on August 31st to enter to win. Winners will be contacted via email on September 1st and will have 48 hours to respond. If I do not receive a response in that time, I will select a different winner. And, yes, you can will more than one prize. It's all up to the Rafflecopter to make the selections. However, I will verify the entries.

Here are the prizes up for grabs:

Tuesdays are for Cleaning up!

• Medium box (100 loads) of Eco Nuts (value $12)
• Bag of Lulu's in the Fluff and a $20 Gift Certificate to Happy Baby Company (value $33.95)
• Starter kit from Eat Cleaner (value $20)
• Can of Clean+Green® by SeaYu® Odor & Stain Remover (value $9.99)
• 3 pk of HankyBooks (value $17.95)

Wednesdays are for A Hodgepodge of Goodies!

• Fall Mini Photo Session with big {happy} wall (Pittsburgh), including 2-4 images and $25 credit toward prints (value $200)
• Custom-Designed Art/Photo Display Kit from Petite Paintbrush (value $10)
• ECO-Effect book by Neale Godfrey (3 books for 3 winners) (value $16.99 each)
• $25 Gift Certificate for glass straws from Glass Dharma (value $25)
• Healthy Puppy Pack from Natural Products Network (value $60)

Thursdays are for Baby and Mama Care!

• Nipple Cream and Diaper Rash & Thrush Cream from Motherlove (value $19.90)
• 2 pk. Posh Pads Washable Bamboo Nursing Pads and 2 pk 7" Mini Washable It's A Girl Thing PERIOD Panty Liners (value $24.90)
• Tots Bots Easyfit Diaper from Thanks Mama (value $23.95)
• Handmade Plush Crocheted Giraffe from The Crunchy Farm Baby Shop (value $18.00)
• Baltic Amber Teething Necklace from Green Baby Clothing Company (value $17.00)

Fridays are for Personal Care!

• Relax Package from Wildwood Soapworks, including Lavender Soap, Lavender Twist-up Solid Lotion, Golden Slumbers Sleep Balm and Lavender Lime Lip Balm (value $27.80)
• 2 Tubes of Multi Healing Balm and a Snack Pack Cooler (value $25.90+)
• $30 Gift Certificate from Leaf & Bud Naturals (value $30)
• Deodorant for Men & Women by Earthly Remedies by Erin (value $9.50)
• Mama's Herbal First Aid Bundle (value $49.95)

As you can see, it's going to be an awesome week for the Green Grandma community as we embark on our fourth year of sharing our thoughts, ideas, facts and opinions with the community. I hope I can touch your life somehow in the upcoming year.

Stop back tomorrow for a chance to win something in the Cleaning Up package!And thanks for being a part of the best blog community on the web!

Keeping it green and healthy,

Hana

Do it for Ky

When I get in a "complaining about my life" mode, I don't have to look very far to see people who are facing things I can't even comprehend. It's like a slap in the face to me. Knock it off, Hana. 

On Mondays, I usually write about my Sabbath experience. However, today, I'd rather write about someone else.

Ky

Recently, you may have noticed a little widget at the top of the blog that reads, "Ky's Service Dog." Ky is the 2 1/2 year old daughter of a friend of my daughter, Bethany. Ky has Autism, Seizure disorder and Marcus Gunn jaw-winking syndrome (Trigemino-oculomotor Synkineses). An autism service/therapy dog would help Ky in the following ways:

• Behavioral issues -- Since Ky tends to act out in ways which can cause her bodily harm, a dog would be right there to distract/disrupt these behaviors. These dogs are trained to recognize and interrupt them. The dog will also alert Ky's parents when necessary. Since Ky has seizures, this is especially important.
• Speech -- Ky has a very limited vocabulary (which includes the word 'puppy'). Through communicating with the dog with verbal and physical commands, the hope is that Ky's communication skills will expand and improve.
• Social skills -- Ky is often afraid. With a dog to serve as a barrier between her and other people, she will be able to relax into social situations more easily. Bonding with her dog will prove to be invaluable for this precious child.
• Sleeping -- You know what it's like when your child goes through a bout of not sleeping through the night? How would you feel (or function) if your child was like Ky and did not sleep ... period. Her parents give her natural supplements, but they're not much help. A weighted blanket (can you imagine in this heat?) and a weighted teddy bear help calm her, but she prefers having someone in bed with her each night. If Ky gets a service dog, the hope is that the dog will provide enough comfort for her to be able to sleep without any meds or supplements.
• Safety -- We teach our children boundaries as soon as they start to walk. But Ky doesn't understand boundaries. When she's scared or upset, she tends to bolt. A dog could serve as a barrier and keep her from running out of the house or into the street. And, as I mentioned, the dog would be there to alert someone if Ky has a seizure.
• Every day skills -- Walking the dog will eventually give her a sense of responsibility and independence and remove some of the frightening aspects of things like going to unfamiliar places.

Convinced that this little girl and her family would benefit immensely from having an autism service/therapy dog? I am. That's why I gave and I'm sharing this story in hopes that you will give, too. The cost of the dog, along with the training required over the course of a year, is $4,900. The family is hoping to raise $6,000 to cover the additional start up costs (vet bills, spaying/neutering, food, gas to get to training classes and any additional supplies they may need in the first year). Won't you help by donating even a little bit? If all of you gave $10, they'd have their money in no time! 

We are all so blessed by our health, our families, our homes and our stuff. Give a little back. Do it for Ky. 

God bless you for caring.

Hana

RIW -- Backyard birds and fascinated children

While at the Pennwriters Conference in Lancaster last month, I met Suzanne Walls, who wrote a lovely little book called, Backyard Birds of the Piedmont. I mentioned my blog to her and she graciously gave me a copy of her book to review.

Backyard Birds of the Piedmont contains beautiful photographs by wildlife photographer, D.W. Maiden. These creative and stunning pictures of various birds are the perfect accents to the one-page descriptions supplied by Suzanne. She complements the photos in a kid-friendly way without talking down to the kids.

After I returned from the conference, I went out for breakfast with my 3 1/2 year old granddaughter. While we we waiting for our food, I read the book to Laura, who was truly fascinated by the bird facts and pictures. The book held her interest, and mine! I actually learned quite a bit about some common, and not-so-common birds.

As we pulled up to the house, Laura pointed to an orange-breasted bird in the yard and said, "Look Grandma, there's a American Robin." I smiled as it flew away.

The bird descriptions range from their appearance to their songs/calls to their behavioral characteristics. Each page is interesting and well written. This is a book I can read again and again, and plan to as we add to our family of grandbabies. I plan to spend some time with each one of them immersed in the pages of Suzanne L. Walls' wonderful book!

Suzanne was awarded the prestigious Seal of Approval by the Young Voices Foundation for her Exploring Wildlife Series.

On her website, she says this about Backyard Birds of the Piedmont:

Explore the wonderful world of Backyard Birds of the Piedmont through the eyes of a child. In this beginning-reader, each bird speaks directly to the reader in an engaging voice, presenting simple facts that encourage further investigation into the world of nature.

If your kiddo is more into creepy crawlers instead of feathered creatures, you might want to check out Suzanne's A Child's Book of Insects.

Visit A Child's Book for more information about Suzanne and her delightful children's books and to order a book or two for your little ones. Opening their eyes to the wonders of nature is one of the first steps toward teaching them to appreciate and care for this marvelous creation.

Butt what??

Photo by Petr Kratochvil

Did you know that cigarette filters are not biodegradable? So what happens to the hundreds of thousands of cigarette butts that are thoughtlessly tossed out of car windows or stomped onto the sidewalks in front of stores? Hmmm. Have you ever even thought about it?

The issue became more real to me as my daughter, Jessica, and I were taking part in the clean up of Brighton Heights here in Pittsburgh back in April. We walked along the neighborhood in the rain, picking up each and every cigarette butt (and other piece of litter) along the edge of the sidewalks. It was a back-aching task. I couldn't help thinking that there sure are a lot of human pigs around. I just don't get it. Why do people litter? Why do smokers think it is someone else's duty to clean up after them? Why? Like I said, I just don't get it.

Anyway, back to cigarette filters. As it turns out, they are made out of plastic, which of course, can leach miserable chemicals into the water supply (as the rain washes them down the sewage drains) and into the ground. Lovely. It's a real problem.

Enter our friends at TerraCycle. Apparently, an anonymous tobacco company decided to tackle this problem and joined forces with TerraCycle to provide postage paid shipping labels so people all across the country could start sending in their butts. Seriously. TerraCycle will turn those disgusting little cigarette butts into industrial pallets. And that's not all.

According to Wendy Koch, with USA Today, "Today, Eco-Tech Displays is starting a company, Cigarette Butt Litter Dream Recycling, to transform butts into products such as jewelry, vases and guitar picks. It collects the butts from hundreds of ashtrays that it has placed outside bars and restaurants in New York City, New Jersey and Chicago." How cool is that?!

Ohio resident, Blake Burich, of InnovaGreen Systems, recently patented a method for recycling cigarette butts and plans to go nationwide with his program. And he's not alone in his one-person effort to solve this mounting problem. The fact is that 38% of roadside litter is made up solely of, you guessed it, discarded cigarette waste. That's approximately 4.5 trillion butts. Now that is a disgusting fact. 

There are evidently positive efforts being made to eliminate this problem, as mentioned above. There are also some negative deterrents to depositing your butts on the ground. In Portland, Maine, there is a $100 fine if you're caught doing so. In Australia, the fine is $200 for tossing a cigarette out of a car and $60 for stomping it out on the ground. Now that would be an expensive smoke!

On the site Litterbutt.com,  I was intrigued when I read the following (which pertains to any kind of littering, including cigarette butts): 

REPORTING LITTERERS

Let people know you caught them littering! If the person resides in one of the participating States (PA, TX and NC), the person reported will receive a letter from the State notifying them they were caught littering and fines for littering, though no fine levied.

Interesting. 

Anyway, I'm glad to see there are folks, and even a tobacco company, that are starting to take this problem seriously. Cigarette butts are not only unsightly, they are also a danger to our health (not to mention our forests, etc.). If you are a smoker, think before you toss!!! This is your world, too. And it's your responsibly, as well as mine, to take care of it.

Keeping it green with less litter,

Hana