I'm taking a break from the vortex of stroller research to ask for your help.
First, I have a clothesline dilemma.
This is my current clothesline rig... a long rope wrapped around a bunch of Loblolly Pines in the far corner of the backyard. It works. But it's a temporary thing. And now that we've made the switch to cloth diaper wipes, I sometimes run out of space on the line. Plus I don't think it's the best idea to loop rope around trees. Right?
So do you know of a good, cheap or free, solution? I'd like to get more clothesline in less space if possible. I'm okay with using the trees as anchors but not sure how best to do that.I have thought about doing some kind of double line - like two rows of lines - because I use the clothesline primarily for diapers and they're not really long or anything.
Second, I also have these little friends at my feet as I hang diapers on the line.
They are the fastest-growing, most resilient little cacti I've ever met. I've tried stomping on them and Jonathan's run over them with the mower and they just keep right on sprouting and giving my toes invisible little splinters. I suppose the best solution is to dig them up? Anyone want a cactus or two?
And third, is there a good way to handle pine needles?
I went 2 days without sweeping the back patio and it looked like this. These needles are intense. Jonathan and I talked about one day having a lush, grassy yard... but I'm not sure if that can really be done with so many falling needles. So I've been trying to think of a way to make peace with the pines rather than fighting them at every turn... I just don't know how to do that. Do people out here seriously sweep and rake on the daily?
Okay faithful readers, have at it. The clothesline, cacti, and pine needle problems need solutions. For now, I'm off to help with some curtain hanging.
First, I have a clothesline dilemma.
This is my current clothesline rig... a long rope wrapped around a bunch of Loblolly Pines in the far corner of the backyard. It works. But it's a temporary thing. And now that we've made the switch to cloth diaper wipes, I sometimes run out of space on the line. Plus I don't think it's the best idea to loop rope around trees. Right?
So do you know of a good, cheap or free, solution? I'd like to get more clothesline in less space if possible. I'm okay with using the trees as anchors but not sure how best to do that.I have thought about doing some kind of double line - like two rows of lines - because I use the clothesline primarily for diapers and they're not really long or anything.
Second, I also have these little friends at my feet as I hang diapers on the line.
They are the fastest-growing, most resilient little cacti I've ever met. I've tried stomping on them and Jonathan's run over them with the mower and they just keep right on sprouting and giving my toes invisible little splinters. I suppose the best solution is to dig them up? Anyone want a cactus or two?
And third, is there a good way to handle pine needles?
I went 2 days without sweeping the back patio and it looked like this. These needles are intense. Jonathan and I talked about one day having a lush, grassy yard... but I'm not sure if that can really be done with so many falling needles. So I've been trying to think of a way to make peace with the pines rather than fighting them at every turn... I just don't know how to do that. Do people out here seriously sweep and rake on the daily?
Okay faithful readers, have at it. The clothesline, cacti, and pine needle problems need solutions. For now, I'm off to help with some curtain hanging.
Comments
The clothesline deal: It's not the best for your trees to have the ropes, but it's also not going to mess them up like a wire would. I'd research "clothesline solutions" or something like that.
And, finally: The pine needles. Buy a really good broom that you love a lot and then start thinking about how therapeutic the act of sweeping is.
Hope this helps.
I love you and am SO SO thankful I get to come here every day and feel like I'm right there.
xoxo
Did you buy cloth wipes or make them? And are you soaking them in some sort of solution or using a spray bottle? And how is it going? And is the cloth diapering in general still going well?
And that's enough interrogation for today! Evelyn is adorable as always. Congrats on the rolling, and I hope you guys are well!
Flit
I bought some Imse Vimse flannel wipes just because I go to my local cloth diapering store at least once a week so I grabbed them. They would be so easy to make... in theory... if I could sew at all! I've read that you can just cut flannel with pinking shears and not sew at all but I would have to buy the shears so that's not happening either :) So yes, I bought 'em. I bought 12 which is NOT ENOUGH! I'm not sure how many would be enough, but I'm always running out right now.
We got 3 of those little plastic spray bottles from target (like $1 each) and I filled them with a few drops of her bath soap (we use California Baby lavender soap but it doesn't really matter what kind) and water. I keep the wipes dry and just spray before each use. It does take quite a few sprays to get wet enough, but after the first few times it just becomes second nature.