one small change: wipes no more!

If you haven't heard, over at Hip Mountain Mama there is a challenge. A challenge to make one small change. A change that will bring you closer to being the green mama you've always

wanted to be :)

My one small change came unexpectanctly. I had wanted to participate, but didn't want to bite off more than I can chew. One day, last week, as I sat down to change a diaper (the story of my life for the past 13 years! not bitter, I'm just saying....) and called for someone, anyone to bring me baby wipes. A sad call echoed back, "We're all out, out, out..." Now, this is not the first time I have been in this place; a squirming, naked adorably fat baby in one hand with a, ahemm, less than clean rump and nothing in the other.

this rump is clean :)

Normally, I would feel a sense of panic, carry said baby to the bath tub, wash and dry as needed, then proceed to the store where I would purchase the industrial size of much "needed" wipes and vow to never let this happen again. Well, not this time! This time, I called for a wet wash cloth and did my job. No panic, no bath, no trip to the store. It was lovely. And then a revelation, I don't need those wipes! I was just fine with out them! This is my one small change! "It's over between us wipes! My dependence on you is through!"

So, what to do? In my newly liberated state ideas came quickly. I took a thrifted pillowcase, cut it in half, long ways,

sewed up the cut side, added some elastic to one end and a handle at the other.

And what to fill it with? Well, after 8 little ones,

I have more receiving blankets than I knew (catch the tense change :) what to do with.

I tore them into wipe-size rectangles and voila! lovely soft reusable wipes.

Now when I call out for wipes, there is a small stampede because everyone wants to use the new contraption. I know their enthusiasm wont last long, but I'll enjoy it while I can.

I really love this new system. It is so much easier than I could have imagined. The transition has been painless. I believe I owe the handmade challege a load of thanks for transforming my way of thinking.

What to get rid of next?!