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The Journey to the Green Kingdom–How did I Get Here???

August 11, 2007 By: Anna16 Comments

sunflowers

Photo by Az~Kate, used by permission under Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 license

Do you ever get up in the morning, and know you need to take care of something? Last night, I was on some people’s blogs and admiring how I was able to get to know them through their posts. It was so easy for them to let their readers into their lives. I felt like I was listening to an old friend tell me a story.

So, I started to read the sections of their blogs to learn more about the authors of the different blogs. My favorite About pages were the ones that were personal.  So, I questioned my own blog. Do people understand why I am writing this blog? Do my readers feel that they know me? Have I become an old friend to them?  Does my own About page tell my story?

I knew the answer.  My About page only tells you why I started Green Talk but nothing about how I got to this green station in my life. I decided simply telling you that I built a green house and wishing to help others was just not good enough. I want my readers to know the why. So I decided to dish.

My story is not as exciting as the Brad/Jen/Angelina triangle or as sexy as Dr. Christian Troy of Nip/Tuck (go ahead and click on the link and you will see why I mention “Dr Troy”)

How did I become so green?

I was a practicing lawyer until I could not longer balance work and motherhood. The Law just did not seem as interesting as the three little minds that I had at home. Then came my fourth child (all boys) and life was spent on the soccer field, in my dirty car, and at the playgrounds. Ida at the drive through at Burger King became my best friend. She even knew my voice when I ordered. (How many of you can relate??)

During their early school years, I was confronted with each of their learning disabilities and became absorbed into finding the right therapies to help them. It started to become my identity.

Then we moved into a house that had a lot of its own unique issues. Its energy bills were high, I could not go up into the attic without coughing, drafts that came out of nowhere and so on and so on. This house was my education into the building world. Without it, I would never have learned how to build green. I thank it for giving me this experience even though at the time I hated this house for a long time. It was a gift in the weirdest way.

See, I am the type of person that has to fix things. I was a born fixer and this house was my project. I started looking into all these solutions to fix this house. It was my springboard to building energy efficient and sustainable. I started keeping a notebook of products that I liked. It was thick. I started talking the talk. Not many people did at the time.

After six years, we decided to stop renovating this house, and we started looking for land to build. I was determined to build a healthy home for my children. No more nose bleeds, coughing, and viruses that ran through the house. Could the building products that surrounded them have caused their allergies and learning issues? I was convinced they did.

Well, we built this new wonderful house despite many subcontractors and vendors shaking their heads at me and saying that product is not what you want. I loved every minute of the building process, and would do it again given the chance. Unfortunately, my family would leave me if we built again

Building was not without its challenges and struggles. Every caulk, primer, etc. had to be chosen by me. I did not have the help that is available today. Just the internet and books.

Just to give you an example how crazy we were (my husband would tell you it was all my craziness), the plumbing primer had to be low toxic, all construction adhesive were nontoxic, and even the fireproof caulk had to be nontoxic. My contractor relied on me to find these products. His patience and understanding was greatly appreciated. He never tried to talk me out of my decisions and flowed with whatever I wanted as long as I could find it timely.

I was regrettably talked out of some things I wanted to do (i.e. a rain harvesting system) but am still scheming on how I am going to do install it now. This new house has moved me from just building green to places I would never have dreamed of. I have become passionate about recycling, energy, and organic gardening. I am still evolving, and I am still working on this house.

As for my children, I hope that this new green house is making their lives better. I also hope they will take what they learned from me about the environment and use it as they become adults in the world. Only if I could get them to turn the lights off when they leave a room or remember not to throw plastic bottles in the trash can.

So now you know how Green Talk came into being. Here’s what I need you to do:

  • Happy reading.
  •  Post a comment or question, I love hearing from everyone except spammers.
  • Let me know what you would like to see on the site. ANYTHING! It can be lonely in the big world of blogging. (*sign*)
  • Get involved on the site.  Green Talk is community.

I hope by revealing a part of me today that we can become like old friends.  With old friends, I hope you will visit often and let me know about your journey.  Is this what friends are for?

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About Anna

Anna Hackman is the editor of Green Talk, and owner of The Naked Botanical and a avid (okay obsessed) gardener. She also loves video and podcasting and hosts Green Talk TV and Green Talk Radio. Her most important role is being a mother of four boys.

Chat with her on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest , and Google+.

Comments

  1. 1

    Micaela says

    August 27, 2007 at 5:00 pm

    Hi there – I just discovered your blog – it’s great! I’m looking forward to checking back again soon. I have a green living blog called Mindful Momma – check it out if you have a chance!

    Reply
  2. 2

    Green Talk says

    August 27, 2007 at 11:17 pm

    Hi Micaela-Thank you for the compliment on Green Talk! I did check out your site and liked it as well. Readers, check out her site because you may feel a kinship with Micaela’s journey. As she states why she started her blog, “because I am struggling to find a balance between living green and going broke. Because I don’t have the time to find the eco-solution to every problem. Because I need an outlet to share all my crazy thoughts and ideas. Because I bet there are more people out there like me. Because I want to share some of the ups and downs of mindful motherhood. Because I could use some advise myself. And just because…”

    How many of you feel the same way as Micaela? I know I do.

    Hope to see your comments again, Micaela!

    Reply
  3. 3

    Chantal says

    October 2, 2007 at 6:51 pm

    Hi! I’ve just read your story, and it’s great! I’m in the learning process, and not quite in the building stage but will be within the next five years, and imagine if i keep poking around the site, there is a lot to learn from you.

    Why I’m writing is to learn what kind of law you were involved with. I’m starting a green web-based company, and not sure who to speak with regarding my terms etc.. would appreciate any advice!

    Thanks so much, so glad to have come across your blog.

    Reply
  4. 4

    Green Talk says

    October 3, 2007 at 12:19 am

    Hi Chantal-Thank you for the compliment.

    In answer to your question, I am a real estate lawyer, and do not specialize in computer law. I don’t know what stage you are in with your online business but would suggest going to a lawyer who specializes in online businesses. I strongly recommend that you talk to him or her about the form of the entity your new company will take (ie if a corporation is the right vehicle for you) and what kind of documents you need on your website to protect your company. Seeking legal advice is well worth the money. Do it right the first time.

    In addition, amazon.com has a book called Start and Online Business for Dummies. I don’t mean to insult your intelligence but I love these books since they are very down to earth and may give you some ideas of things you wish to discuss with your lawyer.

    Good Luck and keep us posted about your new venture. Also, come back to comment!!

    Reply
  5. 5

    Chantal says

    October 3, 2007 at 12:27 am

    Thank you! Don’t work, from here I can count at least eight Dummies books on my bookcases.. I have a large library, and they are always a great resource. I also explain to people that I love them whenever I suggest one.

    I hadn’t come across the title you mentioned, and will make sure to get a copy. I’m nearly a year into my research and planning, and am incorporating, but wasn’t sure about the online logistics when it come to law. Thank you for the advice!

    Will certainly let you know when we launch, it should be this month, and would be great to have your site featured on ours!

    Reply
  6. 6

    Kelly says

    May 30, 2009 at 12:32 am

    I’m so happy to have found your blog. Reading this post made me smile, think of my young kids, how much I hate my house and can’t wait to build my own greener, healthier and more energy efficient home as well as my own journey into the green kingdom.

    I first read your post on snails and am more determined than ever to find a toad to eat up my snails. My husband suggested we use them as bait… Obviously he’s never touched one in his life.

    Reply
    • 7

      Green Talk says

      May 30, 2009 at 1:54 am

      Kelly, I am glad I made you smile! Welcome to Green Talk and hope I see alot of your comments in the future. Anna

      Reply

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