green my apple

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Kid last week, house this week?

This does all seem a bit sureal. We have been looking to but a house for the last 5 months, and had many issues, or perhaps we are just fussy, and not having enough cash what with the prices in Sydney. We had certain requirements and always seemed to be pushing about our means. We lost out on 4 houses by people just bidding above us. We must have looked at about 1500 houses online and visited about 100 (every sat). And then there were the concerns of affordability with Jac being of work with Archie for this year.

Well of course, one week after the birth, we just signed a contract on a place, with a '5 day cooling off period'. I needed it as it has been quite sweaty this last week. Fingers crossed - we will be in in 7 weeks.

It's on the Northern Beaches in a place called Cromer/Collaroy Plateau, about ~15K's up the coast from the city, and best of all 5 minutes from the sea, is in ok nick, but has room for improvement - such as eco'ing it up a bit...















Some links here and google maps here:

Suggestions for ethical living

I was put onto Treehugger by my mate Paul. Seems like a good site - check it out - the momentum is happening - be part of it - change one thing in your life today, and tomorrow, and the next day. This was one link to an smh article.... different people who life ethical lives and their recommendations... link above. How do you stack up?....

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Suggestions for ethical living
Steve Douglas
Ecological consultant

1. Realise that you are part of nature; everything is connected

2. Reduce and localise your consumption to minimise your impact

3. Generate your own energy or buy "green" power. Cover your other energy use with carbon offsets but understand that they are definitely not the answer to greenhouse gas pollution

4. You cannot buy your way to happiness

5. Vote with your conscience, not just for your wallet

Emma Rush
Social researcher

1. Drive less

2. Fly less

3. Join a group advocating societal structural change

4. Think hard about buying only what is necessary

5. Focus on what is really important

Ben Thurley
Poverty campaigner

1. Volunteer

2. Meaningfully support an organisation

3. Consume less; an abundance of possessions is pretty empty

4. Vote with your values

5. Engage with more vulnerable members of our society

Greg Bourne
Environmental leader, with suggestions to business

1. Make investments in society and the environment through prescribed private funds

2. Look for products and services you can afford that make a difference, for example, hybrid cars and solar panels

3. Offset all of your emissions

4. Start thinking about what you can do with your house or houses to make them more energy efficient but still luxurious

5. Invest in harmony and Australian society, be it through a school, secular agencies or your church. Encourage and promote good citizenship within your group.

Archie

We are very proud to announce the birth of our second son, Archie.

full name : archie emmanuel joseph taylor
born: 4th October 2006, 5.05am
location: royal north shore hospital, north sydney, australia
weight: 2.875Kg (6.34lbs) length: 49cms (19")

So he can call himself archie, manu or joe!

Jac's labour was the complete opposite from last time. We left home at 4.45am, arrived at the hospital at 4.55am and he came into this world at 5.05am! She was/is very relieved...
Total labour time - 3 hours. He nearly identical to Noah in size.

In the pic above, if you look carefully, you can see the last pic of us at the hospital - noah's birth.















So far baby is peaceful, good natured, and has suffered his brothers pokes and prods, and numerous kisses, without complaint. He is sleeping lots, as is to be expected.















You can catch more photos here and his 1st week here.

All photos are uploaded in hi-res archive quality, so family can download by selecting the image, chose 'All Sizes', select 'Original' and then 'Download', or even choose to print and get them delivered from flickr (the photo hosting site) direct.















Cheers
James, Jac, Noah & Archie x