all_sewn_up

has anyone noticed the saturation of the consumer market with "disposable" products lately? i mean, of course there are the old standbys- disposable flatware, cups, plates, napkins, diapers, etc. etc., but there has recently been this HUUUUGE infiltration of these things, the catalyst of which being, i think, the swiffer broom, which led to the swiffer duster, the swiffer wet jet, "disposable" toilet bowl cleaners, one use dishrags with soap included, and now, incredibly, baby washcloths! are we that self involved that we can't waste five minutes of our precious lives rinsing out a rag, or throwing a washcloth in the washing machine? we have to throw it in the (non-biodegradable, surely) garbage bag? oh yeah, that's right... we're americans.

i admit, as of now i'm part of the problem. my nanny job is 30 miles from my house, and i have no choice but to drive my junker to and from everyday. but come sept.6 i start for a family about 5 miles from me, a half hour bike ride and a 20 minute bus ride. NO MORE CAR!! FREEDOM!!!

it seems as though the 'environmental bug' has bitten me recently... i've felt of late the blooming of an intense social responsibility that has always been a well nurtured seedling within me. it may be due to my career change, going from mall slave replete with irregular hours and stressful situations to self employed nanny with 9-5 days and a lot of free time at work- or maybe it's just the fact that i feel a responsibility to the kids i work for to be a positive influence in their lives concerning the environment. though their parents are democrats and do not support bush, you'd be hard pressed to prove it- mom drives an SUV and absolutely REFUSES to recycle. goes out of her way NOT to recycle. ANYTHING. it literally makes me sick to watch her crushing up plastic milk gallons and throwing them in the trash- i've taken to gathering up recyclable materials during the course of the day and bringing them to my own house! and it makes me so sad to think that if she's like this, there have to be many others just like her. i just can't comprehend peoples aversion to common sense.