This piece originally appeared in my Green and Simple column on the Old Town Alexandria Patch.

Want to simplify and de-clutter your life? Take cues from constructions sites and kindergarten classrooms.

Construction projects have always fascinated me, especially large-scale projects, like the National Harbor project or the Woodrow Wilson bridge project. I marvel at how a plan evolves, one step at a time, one day at a time, into a finished project. How are so many individuals, machines, and materials brought together in such a way that a slab of raw earth or body of water takes shape as a construction site and eventually into a building (or bridge), series of buildings or whole community before our eyes?

Over the past few years, there has been a lot of deconstruction and new construction on the north end of Old Town. I enjoyed the process of watching the new recreation center being erected and anticipating the impact on the neighborhood. As the construction of new townhomes and condos edges closer to our home from Wythe street headed north, I’ve been captivated by the destruction of the homes that served as the haunted alley this past fall, juxtaposed with the sparkling new homes diagonally across the street, where parking spaces are still being broken in.

When I look at a site, like the two on Madison St., both just a few blocks from our house, I’m reminded of a comment that my seven-year-old daughter made while I was in the midst of one of my major purging episodes: “Mom, you’re not cleaning. You’re making an even bigger mess!”

When buildings are first being taken down, a site also looks like a great big mess. I love to witness how a masses of shingles, bricks, cables, crumbled cement evolves into neatly organized piles of like materials that are eventually taken away. Before long, what remains is a clean slate of earth, ready to be shaped and structured.

It reminds me of a tip I learned from organizing guru Julie Morgenstern who advises us to think like kindergarten teachers when it comes to organizing. She describes how all kindergarten classrooms have clean up time and a place for everything. By organizing our time and space the way a kindergarten teacher organizes her classroom, we create a model for organizing: “clearly labeled, simple systems, with a particular place for everything. And you can’t shortcut cleanup time. You need to build it into the pattern of the day.”

January is National Organizing Month and, while it is not usually on my radar, it coincides nicely with my organizing efforts on the home front. Fortunately for my family, we are passed the disaster stage that comes when I embark on an organizing spree and everything is a mess. Now that we’ve cleared most of the clutter, including everything from candle sticks to random electronics, I’ve enjoyed the process of organizing what remains. Here is where the kindergarten class analogy comes in really handy: creating simple systems to steer clear of clutter by either creating a home for things or letting them go.

The result … a much neater home that’s quite simply more enjoyable for all!

The kindergarten analogy is useful not only for organizing physical objects and spaces, but also our time, our ideas, our passions, and more. One can sort and group all manner of things:

• Shopping and errands: to reduce travel time
• People and passions: get your favorite people involved with your favorite activities and see what happens
• Activities: designate a time to deal with all household administrative duties (phone calls, internet research, bill payments, etc.)

How do you group, sort, and organize your time and space?

How pushing through an irrational fear of bugs led me to become a naturalist and connect on a deeper level with the natural world.

For the past several weeks I have been taking weekly classes as part of the Arlington Regional Master Naturalist training program. I have been astounded by the wealth of resources, information and activities available to those who want to connect with nature.
The decision to apply for the program was a spontaneous one. I hardly knew what a naturalist was. I had only even heard the term a few times, but I knew that the science teacher at my son’s pre-school was a naturalist, and I loved what my son was learning. I loved his respect and appreciation of the natural world – and that of his two older sisters, who had also attended the same preschool.

For a person who grew up in a rural area, in a home bordered by a swamp, a cranberry bog, woods and a cemetery, I felt seriously lacking in my knowledge and understanding of the natural world. As a kid, I played outside with my siblings for hours on end, communing with imagined animals in the woods, struggling to escape supposed quicksand in the swamp, and jumping ditches on the bog in the summer and ice skating on the flooded and frozen bog in the winter. We would catch and release frogs and tadpoles, build forts out of sticks, take refuge in the weeping willow, and create currency out of the leaves that had fallen from trees.

While my exposure to nature was great, my understanding of nature was not. Perhaps because of a scare with a spider as an infant (an older brother dangled a plastic spider above me while I rested in my crib; my mother says I was so frightened that my body left the mattress!) I grew up afraid of almost every thing that crawled. I was so scarred by the event that I would strip clothes from my body if I even suspected that a bug was on me.

That fear carried over into adulthood. I only learned to tame, and in many cases overcome it, when I became a mother. I realized that I did not want to raise a bunch of bug stompers. I did not want my kids to suffer the same irrational fear I had of the insect world, so I pushed through it. I created contraptions to safely capture and release crickets, spiders and other bugs that took up residence in our home. I slept with one eye open for three nights during our first camping trip fearing that I would awaken with my body coated in daddy longlegs. I would espouse the benefits of bugs … spiders eat other bugs! Though it felt torturous at times, it did help my kids to develop a healthier relationship with critters than I have had for most of my life.

While I was proud of my personal growth in transforming my fear into curiosity and in developing an appreciation of (some) bugs, I still felt like I was missing an awful lot. And, as the kids developed their own areas of curiosity (and began asking loads of questions) about the natural world, the gaps in my knowledge and understanding became glaringly clear.

Of course, I am not expected to know everything. And, the kids would learn lots at school and through various nature programs. But as they shared what they were learning and asked questions I could not answer, I realized that I, too, wanted to know more. We made frequent trips to the library and bought lots of field guides covering everything from amphibians to trees to learn the finer details. But, nothing beats seeing, smelling, touching, hearing, and tasting, so we also increased our time outdoors. As their curiosity grew, so did mine. And, as my curiosity grew, so, too, did theirs. The experience of becoming a naturalist has been greatly enhanced by our mutual curiosity.

Over the past sever weeks, I have worn waders while standing in a stream catching critters in a net to examine under a scope, stood in a field in the early morning hours watching a woodpecker go at a tree, dissected and studied plants, and even handled a snake!
It has really been quite an adventure and we have several more weeks in store. Although I grew up in Massachusetts, I am a bit of a weather wimp and my tolerance for prolonged cold, wet weather is pretty low. I look forward to seeing how my newly enhanced appreciation for all things natural holds up over the winter months. I know that even in the most inclement weather, there is so much to behold and there are so many ways to connect with nature. I will keep reminding myself of this as the cold weather takes hold.

Earlier this week, when I looked up to find our nine year old, barefoot and perched in a tree with a book, I was tickled to see the nature connection in action. As I stood watching, I was struck by the way in which she integrated two of her favorite activities: reading books and climbing trees. So green, and simple!

As much as I love living in Old Town Alexandria, some days I find myself feeling especially cramped in our little house. Our dining room is particularly tight, with just enough room for a table that seats six. But with the chairs, there is not enough room to maneuver around the table. So, we made the radical decision a couple of weeks ago to ditch the dining room chairs and replace them with fitness balls.

The change was inspired by my oldest child’s second grade class from a couple of years back – their chairs had been replaced with fitness balls. They started with just a couple in the classroom and with the help of a parent, were able to have fitness balls donated for the rest of the class. The switch had such an impact, the class was featured on the local evening news. The fitness balls were so effective in helping my daughter manage her energy during long days of sitting with only a short recess break, that she began using one at her desk at home to manage energy while doing homework.

We have been struggling with the dining room chair issue for a while and have been researching alternatives in recent weeks. When I came across fitness balls on clearance a couple of weeks ago, I gave my husband a call and asked him to keep an open mind as I shared the idea. He was instantly on board. If it did not work out, we could always donate the fitness balls.

So, we put the chairs down in the crawl space, which had just been cleared out as part of the massive purging process we have underway, pumped up the balls, and rolled them over to the table for dinner.

Things have been rolling along rather smoothly. We adopted some of the rules that had been used in my daughter’s classroom: keep feet on the floor (if they can reach), bottom on the ball, etc. We have had to create contraptions to keep the balls in place when not in use. And, of course, the balls need to be re-inflated every so often. Fortunately, at the least for the time being, our oldest is eager to do this task!

Using the fitness balls at the dining room table has not only helped to address our space issue, it has also increased my awareness of my physical body. Eating breakfast while sitting on a fitness ball is a much gentler way to start the day. At dinner, I find myself sitting up a little straighter and occasionally even find myself softly bouncing a bit as the meal winds down. The kids are able to channel their energy, though it can be a challenge for them not to roll or bounce excessively. This seems to be improving as the noveltiy wears off.

If you were to swing by for a visit or meal, we would have you covered. We keep a spare ball inflated for guests and have regular four-legged hardwoods for those who prefer them.

I dare say, we have indeed been having a ball at dinner!

Freecycle is a (usually) convenient way to give away your stuff for free, and pick up some things at no cost too.  

Though most people do their major purge and deep cleaning in the spring, I am a couple of seasons behind. During our last major purge a couple of summers ago, inspired by the kids, we had a yard sale. They earned money to spend on summer vacation and donated 25% of the proceeds to the Whitehaven Foundation, a non-profit that builds schools in Haiti.

This year, I’ve decided to keep it simple. I now think about purging as a process that evolves over time more than a task to be completed. For the past several weeks, we have been engrossed in this process, combing every closet and dresser drawer, bookshelf and shoe bin for stuff that could better be used by others. I was shocked to find that although our youngest and last child is five years old, we still had baby gear.

In the first in a series of piece on purging, I am highlighting the fun and follies of Freecycle.

What is Freecycle? It’s a network of websites stretching across the country that has a goal to connect people who want to get rid of stuff with people who need/want stuff.

How does it work? You visit the Freecycle website and sign up for your local listserv. Once approved, you post items that you want to offer for free to others, or claim things being offered by others. You can even request things that you want or need. You can check for new posts or check the status of posts on the Freecycle website, or you can get daily digests, which usually contain the 25 most recent posts.

I really like the concept of Freecycle. It is an easy way for people to get rid of things they no longer want or need. It is especially handy for those random things that might not make sense to donate. Spare parts to a blender that no longer works might be a treasure to a person across town who is missing said part. The camera that is five years out of date might be a treasure to someone with a five year old who wants to take their own pictures.

It can be quick! Tired of tripping over the rug in the hall? Post it on Freecycle and then toss it in the wash while you wait for takers. It could be out of your hair by nightfall.

It’s convenient! You do not have to go anywhere. Some people have reservations about having strangers come to their home to pick up goods. Many arrange for porch pick-up, so Freecyclers never even need to meet.

I have used Freecycle a bit over the last few weeks both to collect useful things and to offer things we no longer needed or wanted, and for the most part, it has been easy and successful.

I offered a terrific toddler bed that we had been using as part of a reading nook. I decided that it needed to go immediately, so when the first taker arranged a date and time to pick up and did not show, I was disappointed and frustrated. I was able to find another taker within a few days, but it belabored the process.

The Freecycle site does not allow links or photographs in posts, so you may need to email pictures or links to those who email for more details about things for which a visual is needed.

Be prepared to field at least a handful of emails, especially if you post something that is popular. Once you have a taker, you can post an update stating that the item has been taken pending pick-up. Once it is gone, you can change the post status to “taken” so that you will not receive any more emails of interest.

If you are picking up, only pickup what you claimed. While helping a friend move recently, I witnessed a person who stopped by to pick something up that she had claimed only to find that someone else, who had come to pick up other goods, had taken her item as well.

Freecycle is a wonderful way to reduce, reuse and recycle, right within your local community.

I used to participate in a local exchange based on the same premise that was organized by moms on a local listserv and was held at a local church. I have not particpated in one of those for a while and do not know if they are being held, but Freecycle is a great next best thing.

Stay tuned for more in this series on ways to reduce the clutter!

When thinking about ways to have a more positive planetary impact, don’t forget your feet!
I must admit, it is a question I had not spent much time pondering until very recently. On an errand at T.J.Maxx a couple of weeks ago, I came across a pair of casual, comfortable looking shoes, so I pulled them off the shelf.

My first surprise was the brand name on the inside of the shoes, “Earth.” I had not heard of this brand of footwear before so my curiosity was piqued. Once I slipped the shoes on my feet, I was sold. Aesthetically, the shoes appeal to my earthy-crunchy side and would be great for weekend wear, walks through the woods or around town. With great arch support and a forgiving sole, the shoes cradled my feet with each step.

My second surprise was the $19.99 price tag! Granted, I was shopping at a discount retailer, so the shoes are sure to be at least one season behind current fashion trends. But, anyone who knows me knows that I am far from trendy or fashionable, so being a season or two out of date is not an issue for me. After poking around on the web for a bit to learn more about the company and its products, I learned that I really did get quite a good deal. New shoes, sandals, and boots retail for between $60 and $200.

If you have any “green” blood in your body, you will appreciate that the shoes are made with:

• post-consumer recycled plastic bottles (the foot bed and quarter linings, in most styles)
• water-based adhesives that reduce potentially harmful environmental runoff
• 70% recycled content in the form-fitting cushioning
• biodegradable soles that decompose ten times faster than ordinary shoes

I also found the inspiration for the shoes appealing. Kalso Earth was started by Anne Kalso, a Danish yoga master more than 40 years ago. According to the Kalso Earth website, Kalso wanted to integrate the benefits of yoga into everyday experiences. So, she developed a shoe that would enable people to “attain a feeling of physical wellness like that experienced in the yoga position, “Mountain” pose.

The company even makes vegan shoes!

There are many ways to have a postive planetary impact with your footwear.

TOMS, with its One for One mission, for instance, gives one new pair of shoes to a child in need for each shoe purchased. They have now expanded the same mission to eyeglasses.

PlanetShoes.com features eco-friendly brands that enable consumers to enjoy fashionable shoes while reducing their environmental footprint. Visit the site to learn about ecological shoe materials – from coconut to rice rubber – and explore the 40 brands of shoes for men, women and kids. The site offers eco-friendly bags and accessories as well.

Locally, you can find brands like Kalso Earth at Comfort One on King Street and additional eco-friendly brands at Fine Comfort Footwear on South Union Street.

This piece originally appeared in my Green and Simple column on the Old Town Alexandria Patch.

School is almost out for my girls and my son will likely have an abbreviated summer schedule at his year-round preschool. We have been getting ready for summer fun and recently upgraded our water-toting gear.

We have been using reusable water bottles for ages and have gone through more than I care to count. As one who likes to be prepared, I usually purchase two water bottles for each kid, color-coded to avoid confusion and disputes.

A couple of years ago, we replaced our plastic water bottles with newer BPA-free versions. After that, we replaced them with stainless steel. While those have been working out just fine, when we have a day out, they add a lot of extra weight to my backpack. With bottles that hold 20 ounces each, hauling water for a family of five can be quite a chore.

When one of my daughters spotted a hydration pack on the back of a fellow runner at a recent 5K and pleaded for one, I did a double take. I am not a serious biker or runner, so I was not familiar with hydration packs. But, I was curious to learn more, so we stopped by a sporting goods store later that morning.

Once I saw the price of the packs, I pretty much dismissed the idea, though I agreed to shop around online, with my fingers crossed that I would find a stellar bargain. Unfortunately, the prices online were not much better.

Imagine my delight when we stumbled upon the anniversary sale REI a couple weeks ago – the prices of all of the hydration packs were reduced. I almost squealed when we discovered that they had mini-hybrid models that held a water reservoir and had additional pockets for snacks, a small lunch, sunscreen, a hat, etc. Even with the sale, the price for three packs was still more than I wanted to spend. Fortunately, my sister, Kim, was in town for the week and insisted on buying the packs for her nieces and nephew for their upcoming birthdays. The kids were elated and my back was relieved!

Now, when we head out for an outing or day trip, the kids are responsible for their own water, snacks, lunch, etc. No longer must I cart around a mega-backpack with all of the essentials. I love that the weight is more evenly distributed, that the kids are eager to tote their own gear, and that they have enough water to last the good part of a day. Because they wear the packs on their backs, we no longer have to fret about water bottles left at the park or playground. And, the chilled reservoir serve as personal, on-board cooling system, keeping their bodies comfortable on hot and steamy days.

Although there are many benefits to having the packs, there is one drawback. Because of the fun experiencing life as a camel by carrying water on one’s back and of using the even-more-fun, hands-free water deliver system, the kids really guzzle it up. This, of course, means more frequent trips to the bathroom, which is not always convenient. Fortunately, thanks to three summer pregnancies, I know where to find bathrooms around town in a pinch.

However you take your water, keep it green and simple: use a resuable container and avoid disposable plastic bottles as much as possible.

This piece originally appeared in the Green and Simple column on the Old Town Alexandria Patch.

If you travel along the George Washington Parkway north of town, you will have noticed the massive lush patch of greenery in the middle of the Potomac River that is Theodore Roosevelt Island — another nearby great green escape.

Two and a half miles of shoreline and 88.5 acres of land comprise the island, which is part of the National Park Service and was named in honor of our 26th president.

Heading north on the parkway from Old Town Alexandria, the island is just seven miles away and has ample parking for cars and bikes. An expansive footbridge provides access from the parking lot to this great green gem.

When you first step onto the island, you will see an information board with a map detailing the environment. The first order of business, especially if traveling with kids, is to note the location of the restrooms and then head off to explore.

If you start your escape by following the trails to the left, you eventually will run into rest areas on the right end of the island. This works well for our gang because right at about the time the kids get tired, the environment changes and we encounter the boardwalk.

Along the boardwalk there are several spacious rest areas. On a recent visit, each rest area became a stage for our kids, so we got several dance and theatrical performances along the way, as did passersby. The rest areas offer a serene area where you can sit, observe and listen to the island’s inhabitants and bask in the surroundings. The varieties of trees, grasses, shrubs and other plant life provide a landscape worth savoring.

As you meander through the island, there are a variety of paths from which to choose depending on time and your adventure level. Regardless of where your feet and your curiosity take you, you will see plenty of butterflies, beetles, dragonflies and other insects. Ducks are also a common sight along the water’s edge. Your ears will enjoy the symphony that emerges from the trees and streams as birds, frogs and other creatures embark in their daily rituals.

Along the trails that skirt the water are beachy inlets where one can sit atop large rocks or fallen trees and watch nearby boaters. Water lovers will not be able to resist the temptation to dip their feet in the calm shores.

As you make your way back to your starting point, you will come upon a wide path that leads to the heart of the island, home to a 17-foot statue of President Roosevelt complete with inspirational quotes. Currently undergoing renovations, the plaza where the statue stands is typically a fun gathering spot for snacks and picture taking. The semi-crescent shaped pools, which are currently dry, are usually home to fish and turtles.

While strollers are permitted, they are not always easy to navigate on this terrain. With lots of rocks and tree roots peering from the surface of the trails, the ride can be a little bumpy for a stroller. If it has rained recently, the mud will be more of an issue, creating a swampy atmosphere. Some paths become completely impassable because of the mud and may be partitioned off. But, there are still other trails to hike.

Because of all of the greenery, the temperature usually feels a bit cooler than off the island. Our recent visit was on steamy, hot day but we did not feel it while there. Morning hours are a great time to visit, though we have had good experiences on the weekends and in the afternoon. Parking is a bit tighter, however.

Kids enjoy the experience of being adventurers, selecting trails and pretending that they are the first to venture down them. It is a great place to let kids experience a bit of independence and free exploration by letting them forge ahead on the trails so that they are first to discover the next really neat thing. The enormous statue is also a tremendous sight for little eyes to behold.

Whether you are visiting with kids or without, it is a great place to visit during every season.

Important Things to Know:

• Hours: Open daily, 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
• Best times of day to visit: Morning
• Parking: Ample free parking; Not accessible from Southbound George Washington Parkway
• Cost: Free!
• Water fountains: Yes, but also advise bringing your own
• Restrooms: Yes
• Bikes: No
• Pets: Yes, if on a leash constantly held by owner/guardian
• Strollers: Yes
• Map

For more information: National Park Service

This piece originally appeared in my Green and Simple column on the Old Town Alexandria Patch.

When I was a kid growing up in Massachusetts, my parents always planted a garden. Because we lived in a rural area, we had a sizable yard and a generously sized garden with rows and rows of plantings.

We grew tomatoes, potatoes, carrots, beans, herbs and lots of green leafy things that, as a kid, I would not dare eat. Although I have lively memories of being with my mom, dad and siblings in the garden, I do not remember being particularly helpful in planting or maintaining it. I wish that I had paid closer attention.

In recent years, the kids and I have attempted to grow a few herbs and tomatoes in containers without much success. We would get off to a late start and then, once we got the seeds and plants into containers outdoors, with the distractions and competing demands that come with young children, we never quite got into a consistent groove with watering. The plants suffered.

A few years ago, we rented a garden plot at my older daughter’s elementary school, determined that having a plot would change our fate. We prepped the soil, tenderly planted our seeds and even weeded pretty regularly. But, as the summer wore on, we just were not able to get to the school to water on a consistent basis. The plants suffered.

This year, I really wanted things to be different. As with certain kinds of challenges, like going to the gym regularly, I do better when I have a partner. I approached my neighbor Betsy. I was thinking that if either of us went out of town, we could tend each other’s plants and gardens.

I told Betsy that we were thinking about planting a garden and before I knew it she was offering to share the plot in her yard. I had not even realized that she had one. The previous owner had created it, but over time, it had become just another part of the backyard and eventually, a resting place for her hammock stand. But as the plan for a gardening partnership evolved, the garden once again began to take shape. Betsy would prep the plot, my gang and I would plant the seeds and seedlings, pluck the weeds, and we would all share watering duties and the harvest.

Back in April, after Betsy had weeded and prepped the soil, the kids and I spent a couple of hours here and there planting tomato, pepper, basil and marigold seedlings that we had purchased from the T.C. Williams High School garden plant sale. We also planted sunflower, carrot, cantaloupe, watermelon, loofa and spinach seeds.

Over the past month, the garden has really filled out. The tomatoes have almost outgrown their cages. The basil and spinach are full and hardy and the buoyant carrot tops dance in the breeze. Since this was our first time growing most of these foods, we were a bit over zealous in the number of seeds we planted and had to thin out the crops a bit. We donated a handful or two of hardy cantaloupe plants to my son’s preschool for its garden. Watermelon plants will soon follow.

As much as we look forward to enjoying the gifts that our garden will bring this summer we are already reaping many benefits. In the midst of the daily demands of life, connecting with the earth, literally, is a great way of slowing down.

Because Betsy and I are gardening partners, we have been seeing more of each other. Chatting with a neighbor and friend about the days events while pulling weeds is yet another form of connection. The kids, who have a great sense of pride in and ownership of the garden, are eager to share watering duties and check on our one plum-sized tomato to see if it is yet ready to be picked.

I used to wear gloves when gardening. I wanted to keep the dirt out from under my nails, to avoid thorns and spikes in the weeds, and to avoid creepy crawlers. This year, I tossed the gloves aside. There is something powerful about the feel and texture of the dirt and my hands, of the resistance of weeds as they are being pulled from the ground, and of the good old-fashioned mud that is created when we water.

When my kids were small, I used to tell them that a sign of a good day was a ring of dirt around the bathtub. It told me that they were embracing the outdoors as a full-body experience, using all of their senses. As one who does a good deal of work on a computer, I get a robust sense of satisfaction when I wash my hands after gardening. The stream of brown tainted water spiraling down the drain reaffirms my connection with the earth, even after a long day or week at my desk job.

Regardless of how bountiful our crops turn out to be, our garden has already given far more than what we have put into it.

One of my new endeavors is my Green and Simple column on the Old Town Alexandria Patch web site. If you’re not familiar with Patch.com, check it out. Patch is a network of hyper-local news web sites that span the country. For the past six months I have been writing a weekly column about my family’s effort to reduce our environmental foot print. You can catch up on my past columns on Patch.com and stay tuned here for links and updates to those stories as well.

Stay tuned!