If you have an old clunker that fits the bill for the Cash for Clunkers program, the vouchers may be used as of yesterday. My in-laws are trading in their old Chevy truck for a Chevy Equinox. The Equinox is definitely an improvement in fuel efficiency The smaller of the two engines offered on the Chevy Equinox gets 22 mpg in the city and 32 mpg highway. Only time will tell if the Cash for Clunkers program will make a difference for auto manufacturers and for the environment. Check out this article about whether or not the cash for clunkers program will make a difference.
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Friday, July 3, 2009
Cash for Clunkers Bill Passed!
I meant to post this news when it happened, but I guess better late than never. The Cash for Clunkers bill passed. So if you have a clunker (vehicle no older than 25 years that gets less than 18 mpg), you can get a voucher towards the purchase of a new, more efficient vehicle. The window of opportunity is from July 1 to Nov 1 2009. For more information, check out this article from US News and World Report about the Cash for Clunkers program which includes a question and answer section (http://usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/cars-trucks/Cash-for-Clunkers/).
Monday, June 8, 2009
Time to Declutter
Decluttering is not an easy thing for me. I am a pack-rat. In fact, I have the bad habit of hanging onto things "just in case" I might need it some day. I hang onto things for sentimental reasons. I also feel bad about getting rid of things that someone gave me because it was a "gift." I think you get the picture.
Recently, I've come to realize that not only is it okay to part with things that you don't need or use, but that it's really a necessary thing to do. Otherwise, you will be overrun with stuff, which is how I've been feeling lately.
The concept of recycling and reusing things appeals to me because it helps me to let go of things that I would otherwise keep hanging onto. Knowing that I don't need something anymore and that I can give it to someone who can use it, makes the process of getting rid of stuff easier.
When we moved last fall, I was very pregnant and stressed so I just let the packers pack EVERYTHING and we moved it all to our new location. Now, that I'm finally feeling a little more settled into the rental house, I'm feeling like it's time to clean house. I'm more than a little behind on my spring cleaning so it has now become summer cleaning.
I started with the kids' bedroom. I went through my son's closet and dresser drawers and took out all the clothes that he has outgrown. Since they were still in great condition, I put them in a box and posted an ad on a reuse group site offering 3T boy clothes. Within a couple of hours, I had numerous responses. I picked someone, arranged a pick-up time and that was it. The clothes were picked up the very next day...simple!
So, I haven't gotten very far on decluttering the house, but hey, I started the process! I plan on doing a little each day and hopefully, it will all get done in the near future.
Recently, I've come to realize that not only is it okay to part with things that you don't need or use, but that it's really a necessary thing to do. Otherwise, you will be overrun with stuff, which is how I've been feeling lately.
The concept of recycling and reusing things appeals to me because it helps me to let go of things that I would otherwise keep hanging onto. Knowing that I don't need something anymore and that I can give it to someone who can use it, makes the process of getting rid of stuff easier.
When we moved last fall, I was very pregnant and stressed so I just let the packers pack EVERYTHING and we moved it all to our new location. Now, that I'm finally feeling a little more settled into the rental house, I'm feeling like it's time to clean house. I'm more than a little behind on my spring cleaning so it has now become summer cleaning.
I started with the kids' bedroom. I went through my son's closet and dresser drawers and took out all the clothes that he has outgrown. Since they were still in great condition, I put them in a box and posted an ad on a reuse group site offering 3T boy clothes. Within a couple of hours, I had numerous responses. I picked someone, arranged a pick-up time and that was it. The clothes were picked up the very next day...simple!
So, I haven't gotten very far on decluttering the house, but hey, I started the process! I plan on doing a little each day and hopefully, it will all get done in the near future.
Monday, May 18, 2009
Cash for Clunkers
Have you heard about the "Cash for Clunkers" proposal in Congress which is supposed to be a plan to help the American Auto Industry as well as the environment by putting more fuel-efficient vehicles on the road? Under the plan, consumers have a monetary incentive to swap out "old" vehicles that get less than 18 mpg with cars that get at least 22 mpg. If the new car's mpg is at least 4 mpg better than the old vehicle, the consumer would receive a $3500 voucher. If the new car's fuel efficiency is 10 mpg better than the old vehicle, the consumer would receive a $4500 voucher.
For light-duty trucks, the standard is even less stringent. If the new truck or SUV gets only 2 mpg more, the voucher would be worth $3,500. If the mileage improved just 5 mpg, the voucher would be worth $4500. There are other incentives for work trucks and larger light-duty trucks.
Is this a good idea? There is alot of controversy. Would it increase auto sales? Maybe. Proponents use Germany as an example where they have a similar program and auto sales have increased. One huge difference I'm seeing between what is proposed here and what is happening in Germany is that in Germany, people don't drive huge gas-guzzling vehicles. They buy and drive more fuel-efficient vehicles.
This program seems like it would allow people to trade in vehicles that are running just fine for vehicles that get marginally better fuel economy. Vehicles that get only 22 mpg are still substandard. The cost of the plan itself is estimated at 3-4 billion dollars. The plan would be in effect for a year and is projected to boost car and truck sales by 1 million. Hopefully, people will buy vehicles that get substantially better gas mileage than 22 mpg instead of doing something like trading in a Hummer and getting a Suburban. My in-laws are planning on trading in an old truck and buying a Toyota Prius. It doesn't help the US Auto manufacturers, but the Prius is definitely very fuel-efficient.
I guess we'll see what happens with this plan in Congress though it appears that it will be passed and probably in the very near future.
For light-duty trucks, the standard is even less stringent. If the new truck or SUV gets only 2 mpg more, the voucher would be worth $3,500. If the mileage improved just 5 mpg, the voucher would be worth $4500. There are other incentives for work trucks and larger light-duty trucks.
Is this a good idea? There is alot of controversy. Would it increase auto sales? Maybe. Proponents use Germany as an example where they have a similar program and auto sales have increased. One huge difference I'm seeing between what is proposed here and what is happening in Germany is that in Germany, people don't drive huge gas-guzzling vehicles. They buy and drive more fuel-efficient vehicles.
This program seems like it would allow people to trade in vehicles that are running just fine for vehicles that get marginally better fuel economy. Vehicles that get only 22 mpg are still substandard. The cost of the plan itself is estimated at 3-4 billion dollars. The plan would be in effect for a year and is projected to boost car and truck sales by 1 million. Hopefully, people will buy vehicles that get substantially better gas mileage than 22 mpg instead of doing something like trading in a Hummer and getting a Suburban. My in-laws are planning on trading in an old truck and buying a Toyota Prius. It doesn't help the US Auto manufacturers, but the Prius is definitely very fuel-efficient.
I guess we'll see what happens with this plan in Congress though it appears that it will be passed and probably in the very near future.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Contact Paper Wall Art
Since we are living in a rental place, I didn’t want to do anything permanent to the walls. So, I designed some wall lettering for the living room and art for the nursery and painted the designs onto clear contact paper. Then I cut out the pictures and phrases and pasted them to the wall. Contact paper isn’t very sticky and easily peels off walls without taking off the paint. An entire roll of contact paper costs around $5.00-$6.00 for the larger size so you can do quite a bit of decorating. I did all the pictures in the nursery and the letters for the front room and still had left over material.
This is the phrase in the living room. I used my inkjet printer to print the letters in the size (3” tall) and font that I wanted. Then I placed the contact paper over the letters and traced the outline of the letters using a black marker. I painted in the lines using charcoal-colored craft paint and then cut out ‘A Happy Family’ and ‘is Heaven on Earth’ as two separate pieces. Make sure your wall is clean and dry and then stick the contact paper to the wall.
The design is reusable. I actually made this phrase and used it in our last house. I pulled the words off the wall at our previous house and put them on wax paper, rolled it up, and then peeled it off the wax paper and put it on the new wall. It doesn’t hurt the wax paper either so that can be re-used.
Unless you cut out each letter, you can sometimes see the clear contact paper on the wall. I haven’t had anyone say that they thought it looked awful. On the contrary, most people that have been to my home want to know how I made the letters and the pictures. They’ll think you’re creative and you definitely can be. The sky’s the limit when it comes to what you can design.
So besides the fact that it’s very inexpensive and not really all that time-consuming to make your own wall letters and art, I also like the fact that you can customize it with multiple colors or however you want. It’s hard to see, but in the phrase ‘It’s a Jungle Out There’ the words are outlined in a deep green and then painted in with a mint green.
I free-handed the animals using the bedding and some nursery toys as my inspiration. You can make some pretty large designs. You can buy contact paper that is 18” wide so that would be the width limit, but the length is whatever you would like. The giraffe is probably a foot or so tall. I also put colored spots all over the walls. I used different sized cups and bowls and traced circles which I then painted different colors.
My sister-in-law calls me the queen of contact paper..lol! Have fun decorating with contact paper…I sure do!
This is the phrase in the living room. I used my inkjet printer to print the letters in the size (3” tall) and font that I wanted. Then I placed the contact paper over the letters and traced the outline of the letters using a black marker. I painted in the lines using charcoal-colored craft paint and then cut out ‘A Happy Family’ and ‘is Heaven on Earth’ as two separate pieces. Make sure your wall is clean and dry and then stick the contact paper to the wall.
The design is reusable. I actually made this phrase and used it in our last house. I pulled the words off the wall at our previous house and put them on wax paper, rolled it up, and then peeled it off the wax paper and put it on the new wall. It doesn’t hurt the wax paper either so that can be re-used.
Unless you cut out each letter, you can sometimes see the clear contact paper on the wall. I haven’t had anyone say that they thought it looked awful. On the contrary, most people that have been to my home want to know how I made the letters and the pictures. They’ll think you’re creative and you definitely can be. The sky’s the limit when it comes to what you can design.
So besides the fact that it’s very inexpensive and not really all that time-consuming to make your own wall letters and art, I also like the fact that you can customize it with multiple colors or however you want. It’s hard to see, but in the phrase ‘It’s a Jungle Out There’ the words are outlined in a deep green and then painted in with a mint green.
I free-handed the animals using the bedding and some nursery toys as my inspiration. You can make some pretty large designs. You can buy contact paper that is 18” wide so that would be the width limit, but the length is whatever you would like. The giraffe is probably a foot or so tall. I also put colored spots all over the walls. I used different sized cups and bowls and traced circles which I then painted different colors.
My sister-in-law calls me the queen of contact paper..lol! Have fun decorating with contact paper…I sure do!
Monday, April 27, 2009
Recipes for Fun
The local paper (Edmond Sun) this week had some fun recipes for Sidewalk Paint and No fuss Play Dough. My kids love playdough and they love to paint so we are going to try out the recipes this week. Plus, what's nice about these homemade recipes for fun is that the products are non-toxic and use ingredients that most people already have.
No Fuss Play Dough
1 cup cold water
1 cup salt
2 tsp vegetable oil
2 cups flour
2 tbs corn starch
food coloring
In a large bowl, mix together water, salt, oil and a few drops of food coloring. Mix flour and corn starch and add 1/2 cup at a time, stirring constantly (you may need a little more or a little less than 2 cups flour so make sure you stir until it is the right consistency. Knead for a few minutes with flour on your hands.
Sidewalk Paint
1/4 cup corn starch
1/2 cup water
food coloring
Combine the corn starch and water. Stir until you have worked any lumps out and have a nice smooth consistency. One option is to do this in cleaned yogurt or sour cream containers. Add food coloring and mix well. It's ready to be used for painting.
Have fun!
No Fuss Play Dough
1 cup cold water
1 cup salt
2 tsp vegetable oil
2 cups flour
2 tbs corn starch
food coloring
In a large bowl, mix together water, salt, oil and a few drops of food coloring. Mix flour and corn starch and add 1/2 cup at a time, stirring constantly (you may need a little more or a little less than 2 cups flour so make sure you stir until it is the right consistency. Knead for a few minutes with flour on your hands.
Sidewalk Paint
1/4 cup corn starch
1/2 cup water
food coloring
Combine the corn starch and water. Stir until you have worked any lumps out and have a nice smooth consistency. One option is to do this in cleaned yogurt or sour cream containers. Add food coloring and mix well. It's ready to be used for painting.
Have fun!
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Earth Day 2009
My major as an undergraduate student was Conservation Biology. It was as a young college student that I was first introduced to the wonderful works of people like Aldo Leopold, Rachel Carson, and Wendell Berry, to name just a few. In honor of Earth Day, here are a few of my favorite quotes about Earth (in no particular order).
Happy Earth Day Everyone!
- The earth is what we all have in common. (Wendell Berry)
- We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children. (Native American Proverb)
- Earth provides enough to satisfy every man's need, but not every man's greed. (Mahatma Gandhi)
- We abuse land because we regard it as a commodity belonging to us. When we see land as a community to which we belong, we may begin to use it with love and respect. (Aldo Leopold)
- Those who contemplate the beauty of the earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts. (Rachel Carson)
Happy Earth Day Everyone!
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Teach Kids About Earth Day
I am part of a preschool co-op that my son attends one morning each week. Today was my turn to teach and the theme of course was Earth Day! I think kids are never too young to learn that they can play an important role in keeping the planet healthy. My son who is 4 reminds me to turn off the light when we leave a room. He knows that we have bins in our garage into which we place our recyclable items. He loves to help Daddy smash aluminum cans and to put plastics and paper in their respective bins.
As part of a hands on learning experience, I dumped a bunch of cans, paper, and plastic containers into a clean garbage sack. I set out three bins labeled paper, plastic, and cans. I told the kids we were going to sort trash for recycling. They all said “yuck” at first. But, once we got going, they were so excited. They immediately pointed it out when something was “accidentally” placed in the wrong bins.
We also made 3D Paper Earth crafts and stapled a string to them so the kids could hang them up when they got home. If you are looking for ways to celebrate Earth Day or for creative crafts to do with your kids, just type in Earth Day and you will be flooded with sites that have lots of fun and interesting information.
I also downloaded the Happy Earth Day Coloring and Activities Book and talked about ways to make the earth a better place.
So…How are we going to celebrate Earth Day tomorrow? We’ll probably just play outside and enjoy the beautiful spring weather. And, we’ll continue to try and do our part to make the earth a better place. After all, can’t or shouldn’t every day be Earth Day?
As part of a hands on learning experience, I dumped a bunch of cans, paper, and plastic containers into a clean garbage sack. I set out three bins labeled paper, plastic, and cans. I told the kids we were going to sort trash for recycling. They all said “yuck” at first. But, once we got going, they were so excited. They immediately pointed it out when something was “accidentally” placed in the wrong bins.
We also made 3D Paper Earth crafts and stapled a string to them so the kids could hang them up when they got home. If you are looking for ways to celebrate Earth Day or for creative crafts to do with your kids, just type in Earth Day and you will be flooded with sites that have lots of fun and interesting information.
I also downloaded the Happy Earth Day Coloring and Activities Book and talked about ways to make the earth a better place.
- Keep your neighborhood clean by picking up litter and trash
- Recycle cans, plastics, glass, and paper
- Help keep the air clean-walk or ride your bicycle
- Save paper-use both sides
- Help save water-don’t leave the water running when brushing your teeth
- Help save energy-turn off the TV when you are done watching and turn out the lights when you leave the room
- Wash fruits and vegetables-to clean off dirt
So…How are we going to celebrate Earth Day tomorrow? We’ll probably just play outside and enjoy the beautiful spring weather. And, we’ll continue to try and do our part to make the earth a better place. After all, can’t or shouldn’t every day be Earth Day?
Monday, April 20, 2009
Green Furniture
While I was in the mood for buying new furniture, I came across an interesting online furniture store that sells couches, loveseats, and sectionals. It is called Home Reserve.com.
They use all USA made raw materials. The wood frame is made of strand-board which is strong and comes from high-yielding, fast-growing trees that have the Sustainable Forestry Initiative label. Their products make use of recycled foam. The company prides themselves on the “renewability” of their products. In other words, all the various parts of the furniture can be serviced. Foam and fabric components can be replaced.
This is a quote from their website:
The most important element in conservation, is to keep consumer products out of the landfill and waste cycle. If a product can be maintained, parts replaced and the service life extended, that has the biggest positive impact upon the environment. It eliminates the need for the consumption of more raw materials, the production of electrical power to be used in manufacturing, and the use of fuel in transportation.
I also like the furniture because I have young children. The furniture has built-in storage and has been “kid-tested” using tests developed by Purdue University for the US Government. The furniture also has a 5-year frame warranty.
If you are interested in purchasing new furniture and care about the environment, check out Home Reserve.com.
Oil Man's Wife-Not!
The last two weeks were a little strange for me. I think I might have been experiencing some kind of inner turmoil between my wanting to live a more sustainable lifestyle yet not being able to shake the notion of wanting more STUFF!
I started with wanting a house. There's nothing wrong with that except that it really doesn't make any sense for us. For starters, we aren't sure that we are planning on staying here long term. We might move with his company again in the near future or there is always the potential for being laid off. Since moving from Houston, DH has survived 5 layoffs in 8 months. Last reason for not buying a house is that we have relocation benefits for another 2 years.
After I shook the notion of buying a house, I decided that I wanted new furniture/home decor items. Which, after thinking about it, I thought was a silly notion as well. After all, I just wanted new things to deck out the rental place that we currently live in and which we may not be living in much longer depending on the circumstances. We definitely won't be living here after the relocation benefits run out. I do plan on making some smaller purchases since I haven't done much with the house because my attitude has been that we won't be here long. I decided against big ticket items, but I would like to make this place feel like home. So, I'm going to get some things that I know I will use for a long time and that I can take with me wherever we end up.
DH told a friend at work about my wanting more STUFF. His friend said that I was becoming an oil man's wife. When I heard about it, I told DH that he should tell his friend that I am not an oil man's wife. DH is an ecologist's husband...lol! Poor DH doesn't own that 4X4 he wants. He doesn't get to go off-roading since I am opposed to it. I keep the thermostat between 80-82 in the summer and 70-72 in the winter. We replace our bulbs with the energy-saving fluorescent type. I could go on, but I think you get the picture.
If I am not a conservationist, then I would label myself as a cheapskate. I had thought about re-naming the blog Cheapskate Mommy, but it just didn't sound as good...lol! I don't think there is anything wrong with wanting or having high quality items. For myself, I just don't believe in paying a premium for things I just want and don't need. I really like abiding by the 3 r's in my life. It's important to me and I think it makes good sense to reduce, reuse and recycle.
I started with wanting a house. There's nothing wrong with that except that it really doesn't make any sense for us. For starters, we aren't sure that we are planning on staying here long term. We might move with his company again in the near future or there is always the potential for being laid off. Since moving from Houston, DH has survived 5 layoffs in 8 months. Last reason for not buying a house is that we have relocation benefits for another 2 years.
After I shook the notion of buying a house, I decided that I wanted new furniture/home decor items. Which, after thinking about it, I thought was a silly notion as well. After all, I just wanted new things to deck out the rental place that we currently live in and which we may not be living in much longer depending on the circumstances. We definitely won't be living here after the relocation benefits run out. I do plan on making some smaller purchases since I haven't done much with the house because my attitude has been that we won't be here long. I decided against big ticket items, but I would like to make this place feel like home. So, I'm going to get some things that I know I will use for a long time and that I can take with me wherever we end up.
DH told a friend at work about my wanting more STUFF. His friend said that I was becoming an oil man's wife. When I heard about it, I told DH that he should tell his friend that I am not an oil man's wife. DH is an ecologist's husband...lol! Poor DH doesn't own that 4X4 he wants. He doesn't get to go off-roading since I am opposed to it. I keep the thermostat between 80-82 in the summer and 70-72 in the winter. We replace our bulbs with the energy-saving fluorescent type. I could go on, but I think you get the picture.
If I am not a conservationist, then I would label myself as a cheapskate. I had thought about re-naming the blog Cheapskate Mommy, but it just didn't sound as good...lol! I don't think there is anything wrong with wanting or having high quality items. For myself, I just don't believe in paying a premium for things I just want and don't need. I really like abiding by the 3 r's in my life. It's important to me and I think it makes good sense to reduce, reuse and recycle.
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Green Easter
Here are some things we try and do to have a greener Easter.
- Re-use the same container each year. I stopped buying those cheap Easter baskets that you find at the dollar store or Walmart. Instead, I opted for plastic buckets that are sturdy and can be used year after year. My son will be turning 4 this year, and this will be the 3rd time he is using the same bucket. My daughter also has her same bucket from last year. Next Easter, for my youngest daughter, I may try making a bag or maybe even making my own basket . She’s too young to participate in any Easter egg hunts this year.
- Keep the plastic eggs and re-use them each year or hide real eggs. Keep count of how many boiled eggs you’ve hidden or you will be sorry.
- Skip the plastic Easter grass (what we do) or if you must have it, try using shredded paper which can then be recycled.
- Use natural Easter egg dyes or use food coloring and vinegar to color your eggs instead of buying those wasteful dye kits.
- We teach our kids that Easter is not about new clothes, flowers, Easter bunnies, fluffy chicks, candy, Easter eggs or Easter egg hunts, but that it is about remembering the Atonement and Resurrection of Jesus Christ (which is something we should always keep in remembrance).
Monday, April 6, 2009
Veggie Tales Lesson
I watched the Veggie Tale video Madame Blueberry with my kids tonight. The theme was about being thankful. I love the part at the beginning where Larry the Cucumber says he needs the Suzy Action Camper, jet skis, and other accessories to go with this Suzy Action Jeep and then he would be happy. Bob the Tomato basically asks him how much stuff he needs to be happy and Larry says, "I don't know. How much stuff is there?" The answer was humorus yet on some level disturbing since it is human nature to want the things that we don't have. We think if I had this or if this happened, then I would be happy. The video told the story of Madame Blueberry who already had alot of things, but was still "blue." In the end, she realizes that material things do not bring happiness. The take home message is that "a thankful heart is a happy heart."
If you haven't ever seen the Veggie Tale videos, they are a lot of fun and teach kids great principles. I enjoy watching them with my kids. Tonight I was reminded about how rich I am in blessings. I had already been thinking lately, especially given the current economy, how blessed I am that my husband has a good job, that we have a roof over our heads, food to eat, and that my kids are generally healthy and happy. I also have a wonderful extended family and the best friends anyone could ever ask for. I want to reach the point where I can be content and happy regardless of my external circumstances. At this point, I must still constantly remind myself that I should be thankful and happy with the things that I have and where I am in life. Less really can be more. I want to teach my kids that quality of life is not equated with the number of material possessions that we own. Happiness and contentment come from within.
If you haven't ever seen the Veggie Tale videos, they are a lot of fun and teach kids great principles. I enjoy watching them with my kids. Tonight I was reminded about how rich I am in blessings. I had already been thinking lately, especially given the current economy, how blessed I am that my husband has a good job, that we have a roof over our heads, food to eat, and that my kids are generally healthy and happy. I also have a wonderful extended family and the best friends anyone could ever ask for. I want to reach the point where I can be content and happy regardless of my external circumstances. At this point, I must still constantly remind myself that I should be thankful and happy with the things that I have and where I am in life. Less really can be more. I want to teach my kids that quality of life is not equated with the number of material possessions that we own. Happiness and contentment come from within.
Friday, April 3, 2009
Hazardous Waste Disposal in Edmond, OK
PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY DREW HARMON / The Edmond Sun
Most places probably have a place where you can properly dispose of hazardous waste without dumping it in your trash. If you live in Edmond, OK, there is a free household hazardous waste collection day this saturday (April 6, 2009) from 8am to noon at the University of Central Oklahoma campus. Items that can disposed of include: telvisions, computer supplies, VCR and DVD players, microwaves, typewriters, camcorders and cameras.
Other hazardous waste materials that may be accepted at this site include cleaning supplies, painting supplies, indoor home supplies, garden supplies, automotive fluids, home and car batteries, hobby supplies, and florescent lamps.
Most landfills now have liners and leachate collection systems that prevent leakage of hazardous materials into groundwater. Putting your hazardous waste into the trash is still a better alternative to dumping your waste someplace where it does not end up in the landfill. The purpose of these hazardous collection sites is to ensure that hazardous waste is disposed of properly.
If you can find a place to properly dispose of your hazardous materials, please do it. If not, placing your computer in the trash is still an EPA-approved method of collection. Do not drive your trash to some remote location and dump it. Then the lead, mercury, and other toxic materials will not be properly contained. Many of these contaminants are damaging to your nervous system and may even cause cancer.
If your electronics are still functional or you have excess paint from a project for example, post a listing on a re-use group or Craigslist. Give someone else the opportunity to use or re-use it.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Try Belize
My uncle lives in Belize. He has a travel/tourism business called the Orchid Garden Eco-Village. My uncle loves nature and is just an overall great guy. He has wanted me to come visit for years. I just felt like I never had enough time or money to spend on a vacation. This year DH and I have decided that we are going to go visit Belize. My parents are coming also. It should be a lot of fun. I am excited to see my uncle’s place. I’m not going until July so it will be awhile. But, if you are interested, check out his website and see what you think. I have read that Belize is a beautiful place. I can’t wait to go!
Monday, March 30, 2009
Where was I during Earth Hour?
I was sad I was not at home for Earth Hour yesterday. DH is actually a petroleum geologist so I was previously committed to attending a dinner with him scheduled for last night. Larry Nichols, the CEO of Devon Energy, was the keynote speaker. Here are some highlights from his talk (from memory...I didn’t take actual notes).
In the US, 25 barrels of oil per year is the average consumption per person. In China, it is 2 barrels per person per year. Of course in areas such as China and India, consumption of oil is expected to increase. China recently exceeded Japan in the number of cars bought. It is expected to exceed the number of cars bought in the US in just a few years.
Ethanol fuel is not a viable alternative for a sustainable fuel source. Corn uses 40% more fertilizer than other crops. It is not a clean-burning fuel. Even if all the corn in the US was made into Ethanol fuel, it would only compensate for 15% of the US demand for oil. Despite the drawbacks, the US government is giving the industry an 8 billion dollar subsidy.
Personally, I don’t think ethanol is a good alternative to fossil fuels. It is not as efficient as gasoline and studies have shown only a modest decrease in greenhouse gas emissions.
Currently, proposed taxes on oil and gas companies would result in decreased production and in a very short while, increased (up to 30%) in the costs of consumer goods. The oil and gas companies will survive. It is the consumer that will suffer.
The basic take home message was that more production is needed. He said that if companies were allowed to drill in all areas around both coasts and the Gulf of Mexico, there would be 160,000 new jobs generated and we would be able to meet a large proportion of the US demand for oil. The US government would also generate 1 Trillion dollars in revenue from the increased drilling and production.
Mr. Nichols did mention alternative sources of energy such as solar and wind and pursuing technology in all areas of energy production. DH asked me what I thought of his talk. I thought it was typical of what someone from oil and gas would say.
I am not wild about talk of increasing energy consumption and increasing drilling. I also do not believe that technology will always be there to help keep up with consumer demand for energy. I think that people need to learn to live more sustainably. People need to recognize that oil and gas are non-renewable resources. What is in store for our grandchildren and their children?
I was not home to observe Earth Hour as I would have liked. I liked the idea of Earth Hour because I believe that energy conservation is a good thing whether or not you agree with the criticisms about global warming and climate change effects. When you’re not in a room, turn off the lights!
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Earth Hour Slide Show
Earth Hour 2009 was today, March 28 at 8:30pm. Here is a link to a slide show on Yahoo! News related to Earth Hour. Many landmarks worldwide went dark in observance of Earth Hour. (I think there is something wrong with the posted time for this blog since it is now 10:30pm, not 8:30pm).
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
New Soil Carbon Sequestration Book
There was a March 6, 2009 press release by the Soil Science Society of America (SSSA) for the second edition of the book Soil Carbon Sequestration and the Greenhouse Effect. The bulk of Chapter 12 is comprised of results from my dissertation research. If you find the science of soil carbon sequestration at all interesting, check it out. I was just excited to see that the book is now available since the final manuscript for the chapter I co-authored was submitted and approved way back in the summer of 2007…better late than never I guess!
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Vote Earth
I just found out about Earth Hour 2009. Earth Hour began in Sydney when 2.2 million homes and businesses switched off their lights for 1 hour. In 2008, Earth Hour had grown into a worldwide movement with 50 million people switching off their lights.
Mark your calendars! On March 28, 2009 at 8:30pm no matter where on earth you live, you can VOTE EARTH by switching your lights off for one hour or you can VOTE GLOBAL WARMING by leaving them on. The results of this election will be presented at the Global Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen this year. The goal is 1 BILLION votes for earth to let world leaders know that we must take action against global warming.
Remember that every vote counts so VOTE EARTH!
Monday, March 23, 2009
Recycling Center
There is currently no curbside recycling center where we live since we live outside any city limits so in order to recycle, we have to take everything to town. DH is still skeptical that people will recycle if it causes any kind of inconvenience to them. He went with me to drop off our recyclables and was surprised that the place was hopping! The parking lot was full and there were people coming in and out with their bins of recyclables.
Here is a list of items that can usually be taken at a recycling center.
Paper: Office paper, junk mail, shredded paper, paper egg cartons, paper cereal boxes, cardboard
Plastics: It depends, but often plastics marked 1-7 can be recycled.
Glass: Clear, brown, and green glass
Metals: Aluminum cans and tin cans
I set up bins in my garage and make the trip to the recycling center when the bins fill up. It’s really pretty simple!
Here is a list of items that can usually be taken at a recycling center.
Paper: Office paper, junk mail, shredded paper, paper egg cartons, paper cereal boxes, cardboard
Plastics: It depends, but often plastics marked 1-7 can be recycled.
Glass: Clear, brown, and green glass
Metals: Aluminum cans and tin cans
I set up bins in my garage and make the trip to the recycling center when the bins fill up. It’s really pretty simple!
Friday, March 20, 2009
Reusable Shopping Bags
I recycle the plastic bags that I get at the grocery store, but I’ve been thinking about making some reusable shopping bags. I love to sew and crochet so I looked online to see what was out there in terms of making a reusable bag. I found a pattern for a crocheted plastic tote bag using “yarn” made of plastic shopping bags. Click here to see the pattern.
I also came across another site that explained how you can fuse plastic bags together. The fused plastic is then strong enough that it an be used like fabric for sewing or other craft projects. The fusing plastic bag tutorial can be found here.
I’m not sure when I’ll get these done since I’m strapped for time with 3 little ones running around but I am going to get started today.
I also came across another site that explained how you can fuse plastic bags together. The fused plastic is then strong enough that it an be used like fabric for sewing or other craft projects. The fusing plastic bag tutorial can be found here.
I’m not sure when I’ll get these done since I’m strapped for time with 3 little ones running around but I am going to get started today.
Sunday, March 15, 2009
How much house do I need?
When we were first married, DH and I were living in a 2-bedroom 700 sq. ft. apartment. The other bedroom was occupied by my husband’s brother for awhile. The apartment made great use of space and I didn’t really feel cramped at all. The apartment was really old and had mold problems so I wasn’t sad to leave the place.
Then upon graduation, we moved to an 1100 sq. ft. apartment. The apartment seemed so big at the time. By then we had added a son to our little family and the apartment still seemed to have plenty of space to fill our needs. Although the apartment was a newer construction, it was not well-insulated. Our utility bills were large (usually around $200.00 and once even closer to $400.00) considering I kept the thermostat at 82 degrees F in the summer and 68 in the winter.
When we bought our first house, I anticipated that we would stay for some time so we bought a 2300 sq. ft. house with 3 good-sized bedrooms and a “bonus room.” It seemed extravagant by my standards, but I was anticipating having room to grow. The floor-plan made very good use of space so the house seemed much bigger than it really was. This home was very energy efficient. I kept the thermostat at 78 degrees F in the summer and 70 in the winter. Our bills rarely exceeded $120.00 in the summer and with the natural gas heating, well less than $100.00 in the winter.
Unfortunately, we were relocated by my husband’s company so we had to sell our house. We now live in a rental house that is roughly the same size as our last house. We have since added one more child to our brood. I have been mulling over the question of when we do buy another house, do we need a bigger home since we have more children now? My answer is no. I like the size of homes that we have been living in for the past few years. The children share rooms. I shared a room with my siblings growing up and enjoyed it. My husband also shared a room with his brother.
I believe that being conservation-minded entails knowing the difference between our needs and our wants. I really liked the Less Is More...Especially When Being Green post on MyGreenHomeBlog since I think it basically summed up my thoughts that quantity need not trump quality and comfort when it comes to our homes. I am going to check out Sarah Susanka’s book ‘The Not So Big House.’
The U.S. produces 1/5 of the world’s CO2 emissions and buildings (homes, office buildings, warehouses, malls) not cars, emit the most CO2. Homes today are roughly 45% larger than what they were some 30 years ago. DH says that most people are not conservation-minded, nor do they care about the environment. The following is from an article in National Geographic entitled It Starts at Home: "In a 2007 survey of Americans, 60 percent said they didn't have enough savings to pay for energy-related renovations. If given an extra $10,000 to work with, only 24 percent said they would invest in efficiency. What did the rest want? Granite countertops.”
I guess that survey shows where our priorities are. DH might be right about most people not being conservation-minded, but I say it doesn’t hurt to live more sustainably and to encourage others to do the same.
Then upon graduation, we moved to an 1100 sq. ft. apartment. The apartment seemed so big at the time. By then we had added a son to our little family and the apartment still seemed to have plenty of space to fill our needs. Although the apartment was a newer construction, it was not well-insulated. Our utility bills were large (usually around $200.00 and once even closer to $400.00) considering I kept the thermostat at 82 degrees F in the summer and 68 in the winter.
When we bought our first house, I anticipated that we would stay for some time so we bought a 2300 sq. ft. house with 3 good-sized bedrooms and a “bonus room.” It seemed extravagant by my standards, but I was anticipating having room to grow. The floor-plan made very good use of space so the house seemed much bigger than it really was. This home was very energy efficient. I kept the thermostat at 78 degrees F in the summer and 70 in the winter. Our bills rarely exceeded $120.00 in the summer and with the natural gas heating, well less than $100.00 in the winter.
Unfortunately, we were relocated by my husband’s company so we had to sell our house. We now live in a rental house that is roughly the same size as our last house. We have since added one more child to our brood. I have been mulling over the question of when we do buy another house, do we need a bigger home since we have more children now? My answer is no. I like the size of homes that we have been living in for the past few years. The children share rooms. I shared a room with my siblings growing up and enjoyed it. My husband also shared a room with his brother.
I believe that being conservation-minded entails knowing the difference between our needs and our wants. I really liked the Less Is More...Especially When Being Green post on MyGreenHomeBlog since I think it basically summed up my thoughts that quantity need not trump quality and comfort when it comes to our homes. I am going to check out Sarah Susanka’s book ‘The Not So Big House.’
The U.S. produces 1/5 of the world’s CO2 emissions and buildings (homes, office buildings, warehouses, malls) not cars, emit the most CO2. Homes today are roughly 45% larger than what they were some 30 years ago. DH says that most people are not conservation-minded, nor do they care about the environment. The following is from an article in National Geographic entitled It Starts at Home: "In a 2007 survey of Americans, 60 percent said they didn't have enough savings to pay for energy-related renovations. If given an extra $10,000 to work with, only 24 percent said they would invest in efficiency. What did the rest want? Granite countertops.”
I guess that survey shows where our priorities are. DH might be right about most people not being conservation-minded, but I say it doesn’t hurt to live more sustainably and to encourage others to do the same.
Thursday, March 12, 2009
I love my Mazda 5!
I had a 1990 Honda Civic that I just loved! All I ever had to do to the car was regular maintenance and replacing some parts when they finally wore out. The car had roughly 294,000 miles on it when I finally traded it in.
DH and I thought about a mini-van to accomodate our growing family. I wasn't wild about driving a large vehicle nor was I too thrilled with the gas mileage of the large mini-vans. DH came across the Mazda 5 and thought that I might like it. He was right. We traded in our 1990 Honda 18 years to the day and bought the 2008 Mazda 5.
Pros:
- I have consistenly gotten better than the 22/27 EPA estimated mileage for the vehicles. Around town I generally get 26-28 miles per gallon and on the highway, I've gotten around 30 miles per gallon.
- The vehicle seats 6. I wouldn't recommend adults in the third row, but the car has plenty of space for 4 kids and carseats.
- The seats in the back row have a 50/50 split and fold down for ample cargo space. I haul around 3 kids and still have room for groceries and my stroller.
- 2nd row seats also fold down and have storage underneath the seats and a fold-out tray with cupholders.
- The cargo area in the back also has storage beneath. DH keeps tools and roadside emergency kit materials in the storage area.
- The car has a tight turning radius so it is easy to maneuver around parking lots and in tight spots.
- Because of the smaller size, the vehicle drives and handles like a car rather than a van. It definitely is way more zoom-zoom than any large mini-van. DH and I both really enjoy driving the Mazda 5.
- The passenger doors slide just like any other mini-van.
- There is a manual transmission option on the sport model. DH and I both enjoy driving a manual.
- The MSRP is around $18,000 for the sport model. Even the basic model comes with loads of features such as power locks and windows, anti-lock brakes, cruise control, 2nd row ducts and controls for air-conditioning, and driver and passenger-side airbags.
Cons:
- This is definitely a smaller vehicle. With the 3rd row up, there is not a whole lot of space left. I generally have enough for groceries though. I read someone's blog that said they could fit 8 standard paper grocery sacks in the back.
- I wish the back window opened so that you could more easily fit things in the back without trying to keep things from falling out.
- The Mazda 5 comes with 17" rims so the tires will definitely be more expensive to replace later on than if it had come standard with 16" rims.
I really love the Mazda 5 and can't think of much that I don't like about it other than what I already mentioned. On the rare occasion that we need more space, DH and I bought a Thule roof rack (easily fits onto the top of the Mazda 5 since the hardware to accomodate the rack is already there) and a Yakima cargo bag. Even with the car loaded with 3 kids, a beagle, luggage inside and on top of the car, and 2 adults, we still averaged 28-30 miles per gallon. We were pleasantly surprised at how much we could carry with the roof rack and bag and still get the same gas mileage. This is a great vehicle for anyone looking for something that has a sporty look, the functionality of a minivan, and good fuel economy.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Stray Animals
On the way home from running an errand on friday, I came across a dog in the middle of the road. I drove slowly up to the dog thinking it would run off the road. The dog never moved so I pulled off the road. My neighbor who was in the car with me went and checked on the dog. The dog flipped over on its back (all of this taking place in the middle of the road still) so my neighbor picked her up. The dog had no collar. We didn't want to leave the dog in the middle of the road since she clearly did not know what to do around cars so I took her home.
My neighbor and I posted found ads on Craigslist and the newspaper (generally free to post found ads) and she also put up found signs in the area where we picked up the dog. I called the local shelters and left descriptions of the dog in case someone was looking for her. We also contacted a nearby vet that said people can bring in lost animals for a free scan to see if the owner had a chip implanted.
To make a long story short, someone called and said that the dog belonged to his brother. My neighbor drove the dog back to its owner. She talked with him about his dog. The owner said that the dog often roamed the streets when he went out since she seemed to have a knack for getting out of fenced areas. My neighbor asked if the dog had been spayed since she was not kept indoors all the time. Of course he said no. The dog also likely has not had any vaccinations.
I think if someone is going to own a pet, they should make sure that the pet at a minimum has been spayed or neutered (especially if it is going to be roaming about) and has current vaccinations. When I called the local shelters to see if anyone had reported this particular dog missing, I found out that the area in which I live has no leash laws which means people don't bother putting collars or tags on their animals and the animals are free to roam about. My husband was riding his bike through a nearby neighborhood and he was bitten by a dog who of course was not on a leash. My husband located the owner and was able to determine that the dog was at least vaccinated.
Since I live outside city limits, apparently a lot of people also commonly dump unwanted animals in the country. I've seen lots of mangy-looking dogs that look like they have been out on their own for some time. It's very, very sad to me that people don't at least try to find their pets a new home or in the worst case scenario, take them to a shelter when they no longer want the pet.
So the bottom line is, if you are going to own a pet, please be responsible for that animal. It depends on you to take care of him/her. If you are no longer able to care for the animal or you just don't want it anymore, please don't just dump it out like it was trash. Be Responsible!
My neighbor and I posted found ads on Craigslist and the newspaper (generally free to post found ads) and she also put up found signs in the area where we picked up the dog. I called the local shelters and left descriptions of the dog in case someone was looking for her. We also contacted a nearby vet that said people can bring in lost animals for a free scan to see if the owner had a chip implanted.
To make a long story short, someone called and said that the dog belonged to his brother. My neighbor drove the dog back to its owner. She talked with him about his dog. The owner said that the dog often roamed the streets when he went out since she seemed to have a knack for getting out of fenced areas. My neighbor asked if the dog had been spayed since she was not kept indoors all the time. Of course he said no. The dog also likely has not had any vaccinations.
I think if someone is going to own a pet, they should make sure that the pet at a minimum has been spayed or neutered (especially if it is going to be roaming about) and has current vaccinations. When I called the local shelters to see if anyone had reported this particular dog missing, I found out that the area in which I live has no leash laws which means people don't bother putting collars or tags on their animals and the animals are free to roam about. My husband was riding his bike through a nearby neighborhood and he was bitten by a dog who of course was not on a leash. My husband located the owner and was able to determine that the dog was at least vaccinated.
Since I live outside city limits, apparently a lot of people also commonly dump unwanted animals in the country. I've seen lots of mangy-looking dogs that look like they have been out on their own for some time. It's very, very sad to me that people don't at least try to find their pets a new home or in the worst case scenario, take them to a shelter when they no longer want the pet.
So the bottom line is, if you are going to own a pet, please be responsible for that animal. It depends on you to take care of him/her. If you are no longer able to care for the animal or you just don't want it anymore, please don't just dump it out like it was trash. Be Responsible!
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Guilty of Using Disposable Diapers
I exclusively used disposable diapers on my firstborn (don't ask me why...I claim temporary insanity). When my second child was born, my conscience had kicked in and I decided to minimize the use of disposables by trying to use the Elimination Communication method (EC). It worked out rather well. In a nutshell, after careful observation, I was able to figure out when my daughter needed to go to the potty. Then whenever I took her, I would say pee-pee or poo-poo (some people say shhh...or make some other sound). The baby becomes "conditioned" to going whenever the sound is made. In between potty sessions, I used disposable diapers to prevent "accidents."
In the beginning, when I was trying to figure out the elimination patterns of my baby, I used cloth diapers. I finally gave up on the cloth diapers because newborns need to eliminate quite frequently and I just couldn't keep up with the demand. I had bought 12 cloth diapers to start out with...definitely not enough. I was also unwilling to have my baby go diaperless around the house as some people do when using EC. After a few weeks of using cloth diapers, I finally gave it up and used disposable diapers in conjunction with EC. By the time my baby was a couple of months old, she used on average only 2-3 disposable diapers a day. On bad days, I might have used 5 diapers. I also used baby sign language with my baby and made the "toilet" sign each time she showed signs of needing to potty.
My daughter is not quite 2 yet. She is able to talk and tells me when she needs to go potty (my children never quite took to the infant sign language). She still is not totally consistent, but she averages only a couple of diapers a day. I think she will be diaper-free fairly soon.
My son was potty-trained by age 2. He has been pretty-much accident free both night and day. I never had to have him wear pull-ups at night. I also didn't use pull-ups for potty-training because they are too much like diapers. In the beginning, I did use pull-ups when we traveled or went out. He was always good about going so I didn't bother with using the pull-ups after a very short while.
Potty-training early (by age 2 or 2.5 years) is being touted as a way to "go green." It significantly reduces the number of diapers that end up in landfills. The average age at which a child is potty-trained is around 3 years of age...a little earlier for girls, a little later for boys. Nowadays, it is not unheard of for children aged 4 and older to still wear diapers. Diaper sizes now range from newborn to size 7! My son only used up to size 3 diapers.
I read that the average number of diapers used before a child is potty-trained is around 5000. The average number of diapers used weekly by the average 6-month old is 70. Apparently some 18 billion diapers are used in the U.S. annually.
By using EC, I estimated that I used roughly 20 diapers a week for each child. That is a little more than 1000 diapers for the year, and around 2000 diapers by the time my child was potty-trained by age 2.
My third child was born a few months ago. I have been using the EC method with her as well and trying to decide if I would like to give cloth diapers another go. There are many articles and studies detailing the pros and cons of disposable vs. cloth diapers. I think that because using EC and disposable diapers worked so well with my other daughter, I may go that route again.
I might be guilty of using disposable diapers, but I think I have made a good effort at minimizing the amount of diapers that my family contributes to landfills. I also try and dispose of any solid waste in the diapers before I throw them in the trash. This method has worked well for me and I think it is a good compromise between going green and maintaining my sanity.
In the beginning, when I was trying to figure out the elimination patterns of my baby, I used cloth diapers. I finally gave up on the cloth diapers because newborns need to eliminate quite frequently and I just couldn't keep up with the demand. I had bought 12 cloth diapers to start out with...definitely not enough. I was also unwilling to have my baby go diaperless around the house as some people do when using EC. After a few weeks of using cloth diapers, I finally gave it up and used disposable diapers in conjunction with EC. By the time my baby was a couple of months old, she used on average only 2-3 disposable diapers a day. On bad days, I might have used 5 diapers. I also used baby sign language with my baby and made the "toilet" sign each time she showed signs of needing to potty.
My daughter is not quite 2 yet. She is able to talk and tells me when she needs to go potty (my children never quite took to the infant sign language). She still is not totally consistent, but she averages only a couple of diapers a day. I think she will be diaper-free fairly soon.
My son was potty-trained by age 2. He has been pretty-much accident free both night and day. I never had to have him wear pull-ups at night. I also didn't use pull-ups for potty-training because they are too much like diapers. In the beginning, I did use pull-ups when we traveled or went out. He was always good about going so I didn't bother with using the pull-ups after a very short while.
Potty-training early (by age 2 or 2.5 years) is being touted as a way to "go green." It significantly reduces the number of diapers that end up in landfills. The average age at which a child is potty-trained is around 3 years of age...a little earlier for girls, a little later for boys. Nowadays, it is not unheard of for children aged 4 and older to still wear diapers. Diaper sizes now range from newborn to size 7! My son only used up to size 3 diapers.
I read that the average number of diapers used before a child is potty-trained is around 5000. The average number of diapers used weekly by the average 6-month old is 70. Apparently some 18 billion diapers are used in the U.S. annually.
By using EC, I estimated that I used roughly 20 diapers a week for each child. That is a little more than 1000 diapers for the year, and around 2000 diapers by the time my child was potty-trained by age 2.
My third child was born a few months ago. I have been using the EC method with her as well and trying to decide if I would like to give cloth diapers another go. There are many articles and studies detailing the pros and cons of disposable vs. cloth diapers. I think that because using EC and disposable diapers worked so well with my other daughter, I may go that route again.
I might be guilty of using disposable diapers, but I think I have made a good effort at minimizing the amount of diapers that my family contributes to landfills. I also try and dispose of any solid waste in the diapers before I throw them in the trash. This method has worked well for me and I think it is a good compromise between going green and maintaining my sanity.
Monday, March 2, 2009
Reuse Groups
In keeping with my motto of trying to reduce, reuse, and recycle, I am a member of a reuse group. There are various resuse groups which allow members to offer usable items to interested parties. This way, items that are still functional do not end up in landfills.
Reuse groups such as the Freecycle Network, FreeSharing.org, and the ReUseIt Network are some groups that utilize email to offer items and to arrange for pickup. Many of these Networks have local groups that are moderated by volunteers. I am a member of a local Freecycle group. Their motto is "changing the world one gift at a time."
I have given away items that are still in good condition, but that I no longer need or that do not meet my needs. For example, I had a small crockpot that I used in college to cook for just one person-me. Since I have a larger family now, we have a larger crockpot and I offered the smaller one to someone who could use it.
In turn, I have also received items that my kids have been able to use. I was able to get a functional bicycle for my son and another ride on toy. I also gave away kids videos that my children were no longer interested in and received other videos that they enjoy.
I think the world is a better place when people are willing to give of themselves and also to receive with gratitude. I hate the idea of usable items being thrown away which is one of the many reasons why I choose to recycle.
Freecycle also allows want posts for members to ask for items for which they have need. I myself have never posted a want listing, but I think it is a good thing for people to be able to seek for things which they need. Of course there are always some who try and abuse the system, but I believe that most people that are part of these reuse groups have a genuine interest in reducing waste and having a more positive impact on the environment.
So, find a reuse group near you and recycle!
Reuse groups such as the Freecycle Network, FreeSharing.org, and the ReUseIt Network are some groups that utilize email to offer items and to arrange for pickup. Many of these Networks have local groups that are moderated by volunteers. I am a member of a local Freecycle group. Their motto is "changing the world one gift at a time."
I have given away items that are still in good condition, but that I no longer need or that do not meet my needs. For example, I had a small crockpot that I used in college to cook for just one person-me. Since I have a larger family now, we have a larger crockpot and I offered the smaller one to someone who could use it.
In turn, I have also received items that my kids have been able to use. I was able to get a functional bicycle for my son and another ride on toy. I also gave away kids videos that my children were no longer interested in and received other videos that they enjoy.
I think the world is a better place when people are willing to give of themselves and also to receive with gratitude. I hate the idea of usable items being thrown away which is one of the many reasons why I choose to recycle.
Freecycle also allows want posts for members to ask for items for which they have need. I myself have never posted a want listing, but I think it is a good thing for people to be able to seek for things which they need. Of course there are always some who try and abuse the system, but I believe that most people that are part of these reuse groups have a genuine interest in reducing waste and having a more positive impact on the environment.
So, find a reuse group near you and recycle!
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Furniture
There is nothing functionally wrong with the furniture that I own. It's just that almost every piece of furniture I own is a hand-me down from the college years. I have thought about upgrading, but I always feel guilty because the only reason I want new furniture is to have a more pulled together look. I dream about my house looking like what you see inside the covers of home decorating books or magazines. Of course, I am too practical or cheap I guess to actually bring myself to buy new furniture. So, I came up with some inexpensive ideas for how I could have a more pulled together look but still use my existing mismatched furniture.
The first thing that I thought would be easy to do was to recover our 20 year old, hand-me down, striped, multi-colored couch. I wanted it to match our tan, microfiber La-Z-Boy recliner which is the only piece of furniture that was purchased new for us by my MIL. I thought about re-upholstering or making a slipcover. As I researched both options, I discovered that it would be very expensive to recover the couch as upholstery fabric often costs in excess of $10.00 per yard. It was also expensive to purchase enough yards of fabric to make a slipcover. I estimated that I would need on the order of 17-26 yards of fabric depending on whether or not I wanted a skirted look for the couch.
I looked on ebay, craigslist, and other online sources for clearance slipcovers. I finally found a loveseat slipcover and sofa slipcover at Wal-Mart for less than $100.00 for both. The slipcovers were a light tan, microfiber material so they would match the recliner. I found a clearance brown and red accent pillow that I liked which I used as inspiration for other accent pillows. I was able to purchase 2 brown microfiber pillows for $5.00. I took apart an old curtain that I had and made three additional accent pillows (2 plain and one with fringe). I had an extra couch cushion that I took apart and re-used the stuffing for the 3 pillows. If you can sew a straight edge, you can sew a pillow or cushion.
To keep the slipcovers from "slipping," I stuffed rolled up magazines behind the cushions. A slipcovered look does not look as nice as reupholstered furniture or new furniture, but it is a simple and relatively inexpensive way to update the look of your furniture.
The first thing that I thought would be easy to do was to recover our 20 year old, hand-me down, striped, multi-colored couch. I wanted it to match our tan, microfiber La-Z-Boy recliner which is the only piece of furniture that was purchased new for us by my MIL. I thought about re-upholstering or making a slipcover. As I researched both options, I discovered that it would be very expensive to recover the couch as upholstery fabric often costs in excess of $10.00 per yard. It was also expensive to purchase enough yards of fabric to make a slipcover. I estimated that I would need on the order of 17-26 yards of fabric depending on whether or not I wanted a skirted look for the couch.
I looked on ebay, craigslist, and other online sources for clearance slipcovers. I finally found a loveseat slipcover and sofa slipcover at Wal-Mart for less than $100.00 for both. The slipcovers were a light tan, microfiber material so they would match the recliner. I found a clearance brown and red accent pillow that I liked which I used as inspiration for other accent pillows. I was able to purchase 2 brown microfiber pillows for $5.00. I took apart an old curtain that I had and made three additional accent pillows (2 plain and one with fringe). I had an extra couch cushion that I took apart and re-used the stuffing for the 3 pillows. If you can sew a straight edge, you can sew a pillow or cushion.
To keep the slipcovers from "slipping," I stuffed rolled up magazines behind the cushions. A slipcovered look does not look as nice as reupholstered furniture or new furniture, but it is a simple and relatively inexpensive way to update the look of your furniture.
Here is a before picture of the couch before it was slipcovered (at a different house). If you could see it close up you would see that the cushions are worn and some of them are ripped. I also wasn't wild about the stripes and multiple colors. It is a very comfortable couch though and has a sturdy construction so definitely worth keeping.
The "after" photo of the slipcovered couch with accent pillows. I also painted our thrift store coffee table that was scratched and discolored in some places. It was an easy "fix" to get a more updated look. The new rug was courtesy of my parents so it didn't cost me anything.
I have lots of other "project" ideas for things that I want to do around the house such as fixing up some old cabinets and dressers. But, of course, these things take time so it will be a work in progress.
Computer Upgrade
I have schemed for years about getting a new laptop. The one I used all through graduate school is now more than 10 years old and is falling apart. Awhile back, my brother was nice enough to give me an old desktop computer he had. Our family has been using this old computer for a number of years now and I decided recently that I was going to get rid of the old junker and buy that new laptop I've been wanting.
I felt bad getting rid of the old desktop which is still fully functional and meets most of my needs. There were a few programs I could not run because I did not have enough RAM. I finally decided that I didn't need a new computer. DH helped me do some research and discovered that we could upgrade the 240MB of RAM on the computer to 2 Gigs. We also purchased a refurbished monitor from Dell since the old CRT monitor is going out. Upgrading the RAM was simple and cost around $70.00. The monitor cost around $120.00. So, for less than $200.00, I now have a "new" computer that meets my needs.
The process of upgrading the RAM was relatively simple. First, DH looked on the motherboard to see what type we had. He looked it up on the internet and found that it could support up to 2 Gigs of RAM. DH shopped around on the internet to find the best price for the sticks of RAM. Note, the older your computer is, the more expensive it is to upgrade the RAM. Overall, though, it was still an inexpensive upgrade. The sticks or RAM plug into the motherboard. It's just that simple. Be sure that you are grounded (touch something metal) before you mess with the computer.
I felt bad getting rid of the old desktop which is still fully functional and meets most of my needs. There were a few programs I could not run because I did not have enough RAM. I finally decided that I didn't need a new computer. DH helped me do some research and discovered that we could upgrade the 240MB of RAM on the computer to 2 Gigs. We also purchased a refurbished monitor from Dell since the old CRT monitor is going out. Upgrading the RAM was simple and cost around $70.00. The monitor cost around $120.00. So, for less than $200.00, I now have a "new" computer that meets my needs.
The process of upgrading the RAM was relatively simple. First, DH looked on the motherboard to see what type we had. He looked it up on the internet and found that it could support up to 2 Gigs of RAM. DH shopped around on the internet to find the best price for the sticks of RAM. Note, the older your computer is, the more expensive it is to upgrade the RAM. Overall, though, it was still an inexpensive upgrade. The sticks or RAM plug into the motherboard. It's just that simple. Be sure that you are grounded (touch something metal) before you mess with the computer.
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