How to vermicompost or make a worm bin.
So, I have had a few people ask about the vermicomposting, or worm composting. This is something we did in my classroom years ago, as composting is part of NCs standard course of study. If you want to build one, here are some basic steps. I learned from Susan, who visited my class years ago and who graciously had us over to her house to build ours yesterday. If you are in the Raleigh, NC area, I advise you to contact her at redhen@nc.rr.com
So, you need:
- newspaper (shredded into 1/2 inch strips… moisten with a spray bottle so they are good and damp).
- 2- 10 gallon solid tubs (you don’t want clear… the light should not go through)
- organic food scraps (peelings, rotting veggies/fruits, coffee grinds, etc)
- Drill
- a brick, piece of styrafoam, tupperware container, or something that can help leave a gap between the two containers
- Worms (We got ours from Susan, but there are sites online where you can find them. Just search: red worms)
Drill holes in the bottom of one of the containers. We drilled about 20-30 holes.
Then drill holes along the top of the same container about 2 inches apart. This creates circulation for air for the worms.
Put the brick or whatever you are using for a spacer, in the bottom of the undrilled bin. Then nest the other in it. This creates a place to catch any moisture that drips from your bin or worms that are on the move (this happens at the beginning sometimes because they are frightened and fleeing).
Layer the drilled bin with about an inch of moist newspaper.
Put the worms, and whatever dirt they have in shipping, on top of the newspaper.
Then, place about an inch of your organic food scraps on 1/2 of the area. This will leave the other half to use the next time. If you put too much, it will not get eaten quick enough.
Cover the entire area with about 1-2 more inches of moist newspaper.
Then, leave the bin in a well lit area for 24/7. They need to get acclimated. The light detours them from wanting to escape. You can keep it in your house. It will not smell. You can put the lid on top to keep animals/kids out. I have left ours open for the moment to keep the light on them.
After a week or so you should see the pile of refuge starting to go down. Once it looks like it is being sufficiently eaten, you can put food on the other half. Do not use meats, cheeses, milk products, etc. Only plant material (fruits, veggies, etc). Don’t let the newspaper get too dry. Though the food should keep it fairly moist, it can sometimes get dry. I use a spray bottle to keep things moist and the worms happy.
Another tip: The worms need to stay between 65-80 degrees. Don’t let the bin be in the direct sun… it will kill them. If the temperature gets below 65 they will stop moving around and eating. I plan on putting our bin in the bathroom closet during the winter (though dh doesn’t know that yet! ;)).
Hope this gives you enough information!!!! Let me or Susan know if you have other questions. Good luck!!!!!
Mama, I feel yucky.
Kids woke with temps of about 101. Both were fairly lathargic. So, I finally gave them a little tylenol. They both perked up pretty quickly. We spent the day morning drinking my juice/salt/water mixture, watching Barney (yes, though this would be my last choice, they ARE sick…), changing nasty sick poo diapers, getting lots of snuggles, and reading books.
I let them stay in their jammies. I figured they would be much more comfortable… and I would love to be able to stay in mine while sick. So, we put on some clean ones and they have been comfortable all morning.
I myself DID shower. I thought about staying in my night gown all day. But since R was due to come around noon (yes, she was coming since she is also sick), I decided a shower was a necessity.
So, I have graced the day in very SEXY mommy attire. I have on an oversized t-shirt… decorated with some juice, maybe a bit of snot, and some tylenol (gotta give hugs when needed). I have on some baggy, but extremely comfortable capris. Glasses and frizzy hair in pig tails complete the look. Maybe I should submit my picture for “best dressed”! lol
Anyway, the kids are doing OK. Their temp has stayed around 100 or below since the 1 dose of tylenol around 7:30. I have been loading them up on liquids, soft foods, emergen-c, and rest. Hopefully, they will be ready to get back to the park soon.
Our new pets, worms!!!!
Today we went with some friends to build a worm bin. Jaime and Bailey gave me this for my birthday present. The kids loved it!
They had purchased a tupperware container. With Susan (the worm lady)’s help, we drilled holes in the container. Then we lined it with wet newspaper strips. Next, we put the worms in. Finally, we covered it with more wet newspaper strips.
When I got home, we put the bin in the kitchen, so it could get light for 24 hours. Then we gave it some of our compost scraps. It was a blast!
If you are in the Triangle area interested in building one, getting worms, or getting meal worms, contact redhen@nc.rr.com
Susan was awesome!!!!!!
Sadness
This week a horrible tragedy happened, just blocks from our house. It is on a road often traveled, and often traveled too fast. A six year old got off the school bus and was crossing the street on her way home. She got struck by a car and was killed. All the children on the bus witnessed it. I feel so bad for the mother… and I feel bad for the woman she will never get to grow up to become. I also feel sad for the children who will keep this memory tucked in their minds for the rest of their lives.
Hug your children a little tighter. Kiss them goodnight, even if they are asleep. Life is short. It is precious. Our children should be treasured… every single moment.
Now a 2 car family, once again
YAY! As of yesterday, we are back to 2 vehicles! DH found a used 2003 Acura from a friend of a friend. It is nice and roomy! It also has space for all 4 of us to ride comfortably. The best part is the sports shifter. It is fun to act like I’m back in a manual vehicle! I miss my old Ford Ranger with the stick shift. 
Made me feel like a strong woman!
Yes, we had been with only 1 vehicle for a little over a month. On July 14th DH was headed to Charlotte (about 2-3 hours) and the head gasket on his Buick La Saber blew. I had to pack up the kids and head out on an empromptu journey. The good thing was, DHs kettle bell class he had help set up was right down the street from my MILs. So, the kids and I had a nice visit.
I was fine with having only one car, in the sense that I felt we were being more green. We have so many cars on the road here in the USA. It was nice to feel like I was saving a little bit of the environment (along with my recycling, cloth diapers, composting, eating organics, etc). However, after a few weeks I started feeling depressed.
With near 100degree days here, there wasn’t a whole lot to do. We played trains, made pictures, played in our little pool, rode bikes, etc. But 1 adult and 3 toddlers is hard in itself. It was even harder being stuck at home most days. On top of it, Zane has continued to struggle with sleeping in his “Big Boy” bed. So, naptime is spent putting him back in bed and bedtime is a bit of a battle. I was getting worn out!
Now we have the van back to ourselves. I am sad to have 2 vehicles on the road, for 1 family. But, for my sanity, it had to be done. We celebrated yesterday by going to the airport to watch the planes and by going to the park with some friends today. Sanity is slowly returning.
Wordless Wednesday
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Quick carrot cake pancakes
With money being tight I have been trying to use up all the food in our cupboards, rather than go to the store once a week. So, last week I had to come up with something for breakfast. We were out of the usual yogurt, oatmeal, and cereal. However, I did find a box of instant carrot cake mix.
So, I mixed up the cake mix and added a cup of apple sauce to it. Mixed it up and poured it on the griddle. I tried to make Mickey mouse shapes, but no luck.
The pancakes were DELICIOUS!!!!! Maybe not the healthiest… but I figured it was better than donuts. I gave the kids some fruit and milk with it… Poof! An almost nutritious breakfast! The kids loved it!
Alot can happen in 5 minutes!
As you know, we put our kids in toddler beds recently. Sometimes it goes well, sometimes it doesn’t. The other day we put the Wondertwins to bed for nap and went out on the porch for a bit. We had the monitor on, but our little man was stealth. We heard movement, then quiet. We figured he had fallen right asleep. 5 minutes later I look up at the patio door and see Zane standing in his sleep sack. We went inside and found he had opened the art cabinet and explored his artistic talents. lol
Cleaning the garbage disposal without harsh chemicals
Recently, on my local mommy forum, I saw someone post about cleaning the garbage disposal. It can get pretty nasty. So, how do I clean it without using harsh chemicals?
1. I put white vinegar in an ice cube tray and freeze it over night.
2. I sprinkle baking soda down into the disposal area.
3. I place about 5-6 white vinegar cubes in the disposal and turn it on. I let it run until it is all chopped up.
4. I run hot hot water down the drain to rinse.
You can store the extra cubes in a ziploc bag in the freezer to use for next time.
Wordless Wednesday
