Lovely Hubby Guest Post…

Hubby wrote this for me, un-asked.
Some of it is a bit soppy, and made me a bit teary eyed, and I considered editing it out, but I am going to leave it, un-altered. Because he rocks. And you should all know that.

I’ll admit it I took some persuading to jump on board. But I’m glad I did. What Jen has achieved over the course of the last 12 months has been truly incredible from being on the radio, to a spread in the Sun (still pinned to the notice board at my work), being shortlisted for an award, and talking at TEDx. I’m so proud of her. I was proud of her pre-MMDAMY of course! But she needs to know how fantastic she is.

 I think we both thought the year would involve fixing a few things here and there and making some presents but we have learned so much that will stay with us as we move on. Much of what we have started we will continue with for example…

•  We now take all our stretchy plastic bags to the recycling points at the local supermarkets. When we did the Bin Slimming we identified that bags and packing accounted for quite a high volume of our rubbish. Now we keep all the bags in one big bag and drop them of once a week. No real hardship there and I’m sure more people could try it
• I’m sure we will continue to make some of the presents we give to each other and to family and friends, just remember to start nice and early…..
• Fixing stuff is really good fun and satisfying. Maybe the laundry basket has been over fixed but it’s still here and doing its job. Before, we definitely would have got another one
• Sugru is just magic! I’m not sure we would have discovered it without MMDAMY. Now if I can just find the best way to store an open packet without the edges going off I’d be a very happy man.
• Ebay has been used a bit more than before and we have had some good and bad experiences but it is amazing what is out there if you are patient and look hard enough.

 You may have read about our Make Do and Mend pet, Speedy the Tortoise.
Well the old Girl ( I can call her that she was born before the war!) is in need of a new home to fit in our garden and give her everything she needs (we got a book from the library, it’s scary what we don’t know about Tortoise care…).
I envisage a sleeping area, sitting room and a conservatory along with heating, insulation and access to a run and then the garden beyond.
Yikes!
But within the space of a week I have started to amass the things I need just from what others are throwing away.
Watch out for more on the build later.

 The main thing I have learned is that Making Do & Mending , thinking and acting on the wider environmental implications of our daily lives really isn’t that hard.
You don’t have to live in a Yurt and make your clothes from old sacks.
You can drive a car, just think about what type of car and when you drive it.
You can shop on the high street just think about what you are buying and from whom.
You can live in a normal house just think about the energy you use, the things you buy and probably most importantly what you throw away.

 Just think.
That’s what I’m taking on from here. 
Hats off to Jen my darling, gorgeous wife for opening my eyes. And hopefully some of yours too.

Awww, *blushes*
Thanks lovely hubby. Couldn’t have done it without you.