My attempt at going Green!

First of all look at me updating regularly.

So recently I have attempted to make small changes around the house to save money and to be more environmentally friendly.  It would be so much easier if my husband didn't think I was nuts.
I have switched to moping the floor with vinegar (diluted obviously) instead of Mr.Clean.  I find that it cleans just as well and it isn't full of chemicals.  D whines that it makes the whole house smell like vinegar, so I may try adding a little orange essential oil to my mix.

I have also started making my own laundry detergent.  I won't take the time to write out the instructions because there are several recipes all over the internet.  I made the powdered version with ivory soap (shredded), borax, washing soda and baking soda.  So far I think it works great, it makes me want to wash all the things.  Once again my husband looked at me like I was insane while I was preparing the detergent.  He said "you know you can just buy laundry soap right?"  Yes dear I am aware of that fact.  I don't really care what he thinks as this home made laundry soap is dirt cheap.

I may update later with more of my "going green" efforts.

Squeaker

As I mentioned before, I have a new cat.  My husband loves cats, a lot.  He has been begging for a cat for quite some time.  I didn't really want a cat so I kept saying no.  Until I met Squeaker.

Could you say no to this face?

This Christmas we went for Christmas Dinner at my aunt and uncle's house.  As soon as we walked in the door we discovered they had a new pet, a kitten.  D being the cat lover that he is said a quick hello to everyone and then made a beeline to the kitty.  Right away my uncle offers Squeaker to us.
My cousin had found Squeaker in a ditch, someone had thrown her away.  She was almost dead, but my cousin nursed her back to health.  Cousin already has 4 cats and her boyfriend said no more, so my aunt and uncle took her.  Unfortunately my aunt is allergic to cats so they needed a new home for her.  My heart melted the instant I saw this pretty little girl so I said yes we would take her.

Snuggled up on the couch in her new home.

  We are pretty sure that she is at least part Lynx Point Siamese.  She loves to play fetch and nap in the bathtub.  D loves this cat so much it is ridiculous, he calls her a princess and sings to her sometimes.  I have to say I am pretty in love with her too.

Update: A cat, an anniversary, and fertility testing

Well a lot has happened since I last updated. D and I got a cat, her name is Squeaker. She deserves her own post so I won't say much about her now.  But she is beautiful.
D and I celebrated our first year of marriage.
And as the title of this post mentions, we started getting the ball rolling on fertility testing.  D and I have been trying to concieve for over 5 years. What 5 years? But you've only been married for 1 year.  Well don't judge, lest ye be judged.
After 5 years, it became very clear that something wasn't right, especially if you consider that accidental pregnancies run in both our families. I wanted to get testing sooner, but D was too nervous and part of me felt we didn't have the right to testing because we weren't married.  I will also admit that part of me thought that once we got married, God would let us get pregnant.  Obviously that didn't happen.  So this May at my yearly physical I talked to my doctor about testing.  She had already tested my blood sugar and thyroid and both were great, I'm not diabetic and I don't have a thyroid problem.  She sent me for more blood work to check my hormone levels and since my husband doesn't have a doctor she said I could bring him to my follow up appointment and she would get him set up with a SA (sperm analysis).
My hormone levels were all good. No obvious problems.  D will be dropping off his sperm sample soon, he needed awhile to work himself up to it. He is terrified that he is the problem.  I just want some answers so we can decide where to go from here.
I have always wanted to be a mother, and I always thought I would be done having kids by the time I was thirty.  I turn thirty this month and I haven't even started.  I am terrified that I will never have children.  I know D and I are not comfortable with pursuing IVF. I have done my research and IVF would cost us around the same amount as domestic infant adoption.  If we are going to spend that much money I would rather pursue adoption rather than IVF.  That is just a personal choice, not a judgement of those who choose IVF. The more I think about it the more I feel drawn to adoption from foster care. There are so many kids in the foster care system waiting for their forever homes.  I am open to an older child, but D would prefer a child that is five or younger. Part of me worries that our application will be denied, that they will say we aren't good enough to be parents. We will cross that bridge when we get there though.
This post ended up being much longer than I intended, but it feels good to get it out there.