A Different Shade of Green

So, I have this problem. I want to become active about the environment and my families health. Yes, we have the "swirly" light bulbs. And, yes, I buy organic soaps and Burts Bees shampoo, clean with non-toxic kitchen ingredients, try not to buy anything in a can, make my own laundry soap, purchased a water filtration system for our kitchen sink, buy second hand clothing, and try to buy more healthy foods for my family. That is most of what I do to be "green". And, thats ok. But the problem lies in the "other kind of green". The different shade of green I am talking about is money green.


I wonder, why in the world is "being green" so dang expensive? Go to any store and compare the prices of cleaners. Which costs more? Go to the grocery store and compare processed foods with nutritious foods. Which costs more? Dont even get me started on the fact that our little hick town DOES NOT HAVE garbage recycling for people. Hmm, not that I have heard of anyways. So, therein lies my problem. I want to be a green person but I dont have the right shade of green to become green. Does that make sense?


Secondly, I want a simpler life. I want to NOT have so much junk. I want to downsize from where I live. Please give me insight on how to do this. A couple facts about us first: We rent right now, not own. Our credit sucks so we would need to buy an acre or less of land with income tax money and then build slowly little by little. We REALLY want to build green (use solar power and such). I would even like our house to have a compost toillette. 500 square feet will be plenty for us since our kids are getting close to being grown. Two bedrooms. Am I being realistic??? I have researched hours and hours on different ways to build cheap. Cob, strawbale, tires, containers, tiny houses. I dont even know where to begin. Please Please help me and my family figure this out. Any ideas?

Going The Distance

Today I am going through all my photos. I dont feel very well and its just something I have been putting off. Grr. Its going to take forever. Its gonna require me to be selfish and "camp out" at my computer. As long as the kids dont get too pissed at me, it should go well. I have so many things to get done, but no energy to do any of it so I figured I would tackle whatever takes the least energy lol.
A couple months ago I bought a Canon EOS Rebel XS and I have taken hundreds of photos with it. Problem is, I keep every one. lol. But I am starting to really learn my camera so I see no need in keeping every single one. Note to self: No, Gloria, you dont need the shot of the sofa arm just because its in good focus!
By the way, I have a real photoshoot. The parents of a baby want me to do a photoshoot of their little baby girl. I am so excited. Im not a pro, but I have always (since 11 or so) dreamed of being a "REAL PHOTOGRAPHER". So, that makes me smile.
Something to look forward to perhaps?