Friday, September 27, 2013

Photo Friday

Hello all!

Happy Friday! I have to confess, I am a horrible picture-taker. No, I don't take bad pictures. I just don't take any pictures at all.

The last birthday album I made for my son was for his 1rst birthday. He's 7. (I do have some pictures on the computer..)

And my blogger profile picture? I think that's about 5 years old, conveniently the mug is blocking half of my face. (I am not a fan of having my picture taken.) M and I like to say we "live the moments" rather than "record them". ;)

I don't have aspirations to become a photographer, or even a scrapbooker but, I am challenging myself to take at least one photo a week, and post it here. Because there is some really great stuff out there to take pictures of.



There's my clothesline, sporting some second hand pocket diapers I picked up for our future baby (due in about a month). I thought the little cloth diapers looked so cute hanging on the line! ( I have to say, despite what the er, hold, I find cloth diapers to be extremely adorable.)

This is the view from my deck. Not to shabby if you discount the ramshackle fence. Ah well, were not all perfect :)

Have a wonderful weekend!

Katie

Tuesday, September 24, 2013

The Autmnal Equinox, or Hello Autumn

"Today is the autumnal equinox," my husband (M) said to me.
"Yeah, it's officially fall," was my response.
"What is an equinox Kate?"
"Oh, you know, it's something with the sun and how it's not summer anymore."
"Yes I know, but, what, exactly?"

Then I realized that I really did not know the specifics of the equinox, and neither did my husband, and shouldn't we know something like that? I am grateful for my husband's child like questions (not saying he is childish or meant in a negative, just that he is always curious and wanting to learn knew things.)

So, in normal course of our partnership, M puts out the questions, and K (that's me) searches for the answers. (I admit to making one up for him time to time when I do not know the answer. Usually he can tell).

And for those who are just as ignorant as us, the Autumnal Equinox is the day when the Earth's equator passes the center of the sun, and the axis neither points toward nor away from it. Now, because it is the autumnal equinox, my part of the world (The United States) will start to point away from the sun, and it will get cooler, and eventually become winter.

I live in Pennsylvania, where we have 4 distinct seasons. The Fall weather is my favorite. The mornings are chilly (it is 45 this morning), and a sweatshirt and a hot beverage are in order. The afternoons are warm (75) and one can shed their sweatshirt and be comfortable in short sleeves. Then, when night falls, it gets chilly again. To me, this is just perfect.

I look at fall a beautiful disaster. The leaves become magnificent shades of orange, red, and yellow. The tree lined streets become wondrous works of art.

But, behind the beauty, the leaves are actually dying, which is actually sort of depressing. I can remember in my early days this was a time when sadness would settle over me.
Now, as an adult, I embrace it. Because I know just around the corner (after the darkness of winter) is the Vernal Equinox, and soon enough I'll be singing the praises of spring.


So, M and I got our answers. These are the kind of things I wish I had learned in school. And now I'm off to research M's next question about evergreen trees.

Have a beautiful fall day! :)

Katie

Friday, September 20, 2013

The Liebster Award

The lovely blogger Joy of Joyfully Green has been nominated for a Liebster award, and has graciously acknowledged me in her blog nominees. I feel honored! Joy's blog is wonderful if you have not read it yet. She writes from my home state of  New Jersey, where she will make you rethink every negative stereotype you ever had about the state. She blogs about green things, takes beautiful pictures, and she has great book recommendations, especially green books for children.

Part of the Liebster nomination is answering a set of questions asked by Joy. Without further ado, here they are.

1.) Knowing what you know, what advice would you give your 13 year old self?

It gets better! You will not be here forever. You won't always have braces and frizzy hair. You will not care what those girls think of you. And you will score yourself the cute (and kind) guy in 5 years. :)

2.) What is your idea of perfect bliss?

Hmm, I have a lot of ideas. Laying on the beach with my feet buried in the sand. Floating on my back in the lake. Getting in bed at night and knowing I don't have to get up for anything the next day. Drinking chardonnay and eating chocolate and curling up with a good book.

3.) What books have been the most influential/inspiring to you?

Alan Watts- The Book: On the Taboo Against Knowing Who You Are

Howard Zinn- A People's History of the United States

Toni Weschler- Taking Charge of Your Fertility

Beth Terry- Plastic Free

4.) What's the biggest lesson you've learned about life? About blogging?

Things always change!! Nothing stays the same. The world can be a beautiful place if you let yourself see it that way.
Blogging is probably not going to by my career. I can't make money advertising on a blog that is anti-consumerist. I blog simply for the need to write and ship my ideas into the world.

5.) What single quality do you appreciate most in people?

Forgiveness. We all make mistakes.

6.) What or who is underrated? What or who is overrated?

Underrated-
the Library, aka my favorite place. Come on, it's a place you go and take a whole bunch of books and leave without paying for them. And then bring them back for new ones. Did I mention it's free??

Nurses- in my experience nurses run the show. I think they are under appreciated. I have had so many excellent nurses take care of me.

Teachers- had to throw this one in there.

Overrated-
Facebook, Twitter, variations there of.
I'll throw smart phones in there too.
Sometimes I just want to be alone, and not have anyone be able to contact me. (Have I mentioned I'm an introvert?)

Reality TV. Dancing with the Stars and variations there of. I really don't understand the interest in celebrities lives. They are just people who pretend to be other people for a living.

7.) What do you avoid at all costs?

Places like Chuck E Cheese. Long Lines, screaming children...

8.) What's your guiltiest pleasure?

Long, hot baths. I know it's a waste of water,  but boy does it ever feel good. When I am sick or have had a long stressful day I love to get into a nice hot bubble bath with a glass of wine and a good book. (Not while pregnant, of course).

9.) What do people say about you after the leave the room?

"Hello, she needs a filter. I really didn't need to hear about her bowel disorder!"
Hopefully that I am a nice, interesting, intelligent person who contributes to society...

10.) What's your favorite post that you have written?

Probably something about babies  Low Waste Baby

I've got a lot of posts in my head that I haven't had the guts to publish that I like better though.


To conclude this Liebster nomination, we are supposed to nominate lesser known bloggers and add our own set of questions for them. I think most of the blogs I read are written by bloggers more popular than me, so I will just give a couple links of my favorite blogs that you may (or may not) already be reading.

 Live to List

My Journey to Ithaca

Living Simply Free




 Here are my questions for them:

1.) What's your favorite thing to make for dinner?

2.) What was your childhood dream career?

3.)What are the top 3 places you would like to see/ travel too (if money were no object)?

4.) What is your favorite fiction book? Non-fiction book?

5.) What inspired you to start a blog?






  • Knowing what you know now, what advice would you give your 13-year-old self?
  • What is your idea of perfect bliss?
  • What books have been the most influential or inspiring to you?
  • What's the biggest lesson you've learned about life? About blogging? (A two-parter!)
  • What single quality do you most appreciate in people?
  • What or who is under-rated? What or who is over-rated? (Another two-parter!)
  • What do you avoid at all costs?
  • What's your guiltiest pleasure?
  • What do you want people to say about you after you leave the room?
  • What's your favorite post that you've written? (Link, please!)
  • - See more at: http://www.joyfullygreen.com/2013/09/spreading-the-words.html#sthash.L70xMsj6.dpuf







  • Knowing what you know now, what advice would you give your 13-year-old self?
  • What is your idea of perfect bliss?
  • What books have been the most influential or inspiring to you?
  • What's the biggest lesson you've learned about life? About blogging? (A two-parter!)
  • What single quality do you most appreciate in people?
  • What or who is under-rated? What or who is over-rated? (Another two-parter!)
  • What do you avoid at all costs?
  • What's your guiltiest pleasure?
  • What do you want people to say about you after you leave the room?
  • What's your favorite post that you've written? (Link, please!)
  • - See more at: http://www.joyfullygreen.com/2013/09/spreading-the-words.html#sthash.L70xMsj6.dpuf

    Wednesday, September 18, 2013

    Thoughts on Medical Waste

    My son had surgery on Monday. Nothing serious, it went well, and he is doing great.

    But, sitting in the waiting room at the hospital got me thinking about all the trash that generates from the medical field.

    It's a lot.

    I would love to hear every one's opinions on this, because as far as I can see a lot of medical waste cannot be avoided, and that is one area I'm willing to let slide.

    I was looking at his IV bag and tubing, what could be a replacement for that? Hm, maybe the bag could be something else that they reuse. But, the flexible tubing that connects to the IV needle- I'm not sure what could replace that. And I don't know that I'd want it re-used.

    The medical instruments used for the surgery are reused. They are mostly metal (I'm assuming?) and sterilized in the enclave sterilizer. At least they aren't disposable (yet).

    He had to wear special surgery pajamas the hospital provided. To my surprise, the hospital takes them back and cleans them for the next patient. (My son was disappointed, he wanted to keep his surgery pajamas.)

    The prescription bottles are an easy fix. They could be glass, washed, and refilled. Or, we could save our plastic prescription bottles and bring them in to be refilled. Especially if you have a drug you take regularly. Does anybody do this? I have yet to find a pharmacy that does this. My son's albuterol comes in single doses in plastic viles. That's an easy fix. Put the liquid in one big bottle and measure it out. ( I should get my letter to the company started).

    All in all I was actually impressed at the minimal waste in this particular hospital (and of course how well they did with my son, we are blessed to live near the best Children's Hospital in the country (CHOP).

    What are your thoughts on Medical/Hospital waste? Do you think it is inevitable?

    Katie






    Saturday, September 14, 2013

    The August No Electric Dryer Outcome

    For the month of August I finally stopped using my clothes dryer. I wanted to see how much electricity/money I could save (I explained in this post). Our electric bill was outrageous in June ($134.00).

    My husband hung some rope we use when we camp to hang out clothes, and my mom had a container of clothes pins I was able to snag. So, the cost of the line drying operation was free.

    Between the thermostat being turned down 2 degrees (this post) and not using the clothes dryer, my electric bill was $90.00 this month. But, most of the savings was from turning up the air conditioner.
    The dryer only saved about $10. $10.00 is $120/year, which is better than nothing!

    Even know it wasn't a big chunk of change, hanging wash out on the line is surprisingly cathartic. I like being outside, and being out there hanging clothes gave me time to just be. Finding beauty in the everyday is so amazing. I would take my time to stare at the sky, feel the grass in my toes. Things I don't normally do, especially when just shoving clothes in the dryer.

    I plan on hanging my wash outside until the weather is no longer suitable, and then I will hang it inside (I hang all the undies inside. I'm not there yet). But, I know once the baby comes I might be turning on the dryer.

    Do you line dry your clothes?

    Katie

    Tuesday, September 10, 2013

    September 2-8 Plastic Waste Tally



    This is all my plastic waste I saved from last week. A total of 11 items, all of them food related except for 1- I received a Vegetarian Times magazine wrapped in plastic in the mail (I have cancelled the subscription). But, seriously folks, do we have to shrink wrap a magazine in plastic? I mean, really?

    Not pictured are 2 meat wrappers (bacteria!) and 2 cups (one from Panera bread, and one from King Smoothie). The cups could have easily been avoided. I could have said no or brought my own.

    I need help refusing things.

    The food waste is a bread bag, a corn chip bag, flaxseed bag, rice bag, lentil bag, 2 produce bags, and a deli cheese bag. Oh, and a cup of Ritz Bits. Someone gave them to my son, and I am sorry to say, I ate them. (Yeah, yeah, they're not good for you).

    I know all of this stuff could be avoided. The nearest Bulk Food Store to me is 12 miles, and I have plenty of Grocery Stores/Farm Markets in walking / biking distance. It is a constant toss up- waste gas or waste plastic? Right now I choose to waste plastic, because I just don't feel like driving.

    Did you participate in Zero Waste Week?

    Katie

    Wednesday, September 4, 2013

    Zero Waste Actions So Far This Week

    I have been very conscious of my waste this week for Zero Waste Week. Here are some things I have done :

    1.) Made yogurt out of milk that was past it's sell by date.
    (didn't smell funky, but no one really wanted to drink it. voila, yogurt!)

    2.) Put some tired apples in my homemade cinnamon apple oatmeal.

    Tired fruits and vegetables (which is what I call mushy wilting things but are not moldy yet) are a lot more appealing cooked. And, it tasted great!

    3.) Re used a plastic bread bag to pack a sandwich for my son.

    4.) Packed a zero waste snack for me- a banana! Bananas are such a great snack, they come in their own package!

    5.) Just received my order of Econobums cloth diapers for baby.

    (I had to watch a you tube tutorial of how to put them on and practice on a doll, I am embarrassed to admit.)

    I am also still reading Garbagology by Edward Humes. I am taking a long time to get through it (especially since we all just started back to school!!)

    Are you participating in Zero Waste Week?

    Katie