The reason for my recent lack of entries is because of a combination of a family vacation to San Diego and coming home to a computer hard drive crash. Technology and I have a love/hate relationship! I love the ease and quickness of paying bills, emailing and accessing knowledge. I hate discovering my paralysis when technology is not available to me!
Modern technology is amazing! I love the size of Ipods and the huge amount of music they can hold. But, when your on a family road trip, like we were to San Diego, and my husband and I are in the front seat talking to our three kids about the plans we have once we arrive at our destination...talking about when the kids were little...talking about other trips we have enjoyed with them and laughing at the comments we are making...I turn around to see their reaction and they are smiling back at me, quietly listening to us...and my husband and I talk some more about the funny cute things that we have seen our children do and this goes on for an hour or so...then I ask the kids a question and they don't answer. I turn around and ask them again and they are smiling at me like before and I ask louder and all three "pop" an Ipod earpiece out of their ear and say, "What?" AND thus we discovered that the last hour or so they hadn't heard a thing we said because they'd been tuned into their IPODS! I hated that!!!
I love the fact that I can drive practically anywhere in the world and not get lost using GPS systems. A couple years ago my husband and I traveled through Europe by car. It was a wonderful trip to remember if he can ever get past the fact that we got lost...many times and drove right by the Black Forest--which was supposed to be a highlight of our time there--we drove past it because we were using a caveman map and not a modern GPS. We never did see the Black Forest, among other things. As soon as we returned, my husband purchased a GPS which he lovingly named "Thomasina" and she has a lovely voice.
A couple months ago, we drove to Yellowstone and had Thomasina on the dash of my jeep where I also have my own jeep navigational system--which I named "Geeps" and he is always telling me I drive him crazy! We decided to have both systems turned on at the same time to see if they would give the same directions. I would never recommend doing this...especially in the vicinity of Montana or honey bees!
We pulled into a gas station to find out where the nearest off-roading experience was and the attendant gave us a map, but I said, "That's OK, we have a GPS." A lady in line immediately piped up and said, "GPS's are wiping out the honey bee!" We all looked at her and she went on, "They are confusing the honey bees tracking systems." Hmmmmmmm. Other than that I really didn't have anything else to say. CLEARLY... I wasn't going to mention I had two. I walked back to the jeep visualizing confused honey bees all across Montana and Wyoming pollinating doorknobs, lamp posts and stop signs!
Another reason to not have two GPS's going at the same time is because they begin to argue. It went something like this:
Thomasina, in her lovely voice: "Turn right ahead."
Geeps: "Make a U turn as soon as possible."
Thomasina: "Turn right ahead and then take the motorway."
Geeps: "Take the next left and turn around as soon as possible."
Thomasina: "Turn right and stay to the left...keep straight."
Geeps: "What the %$#@?"
Oh wait, that last one was my husband!
It was like having another couple in the car and we had to turn them off and pull out the caveman map with the signs and symbols... and, we had just driven past our destination!
Truly, technology can drive us crazy.
By the way... another thing I wouldn't do again is change Thomasina's voice to a deep, male voice--my husband almost got into a car accident when he heard it and was trying to change it back!
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Here lies "Joe the Heckler"
This week there has been several media references to racial biases. One reference related the event of Representative Joe Wilson or as I call him,"Joe the Heckler," yelling "You Lie" during President Obama's health care speech as having racial motivation behind it. Personally, I cannot attribute anything about "You Lie" as racial other than the fact that the media bought into it because of former President Jimmy Carter declaring it was racial. I think that the media could have passed this into a back page story, but instead decided to inform us to get a slant on a news story, and this is where the lying occurs.
I am not biased against the media! During college I was a stringer reporter for the city newspaper. (I could just leave my statement at that, but it would be out of context because it doesn't contain all the facts) The facts are: I only wrote 2 very small articles and they were almost completely rewritten by my editor, because I apparently was that bad! CLEARLY...It was nice of him to even pay me!
In college I took a few journalism classes and the gist of what I can remember learning carried an overall tone of: keep your facts straight, tell the truth and be totally unbiased. I missed the class called Blowing Facts and Figures Out of Proportion 101. Back then that was called Creative Writing!
In regards to the current racial references--I don't have all the answers to making all people "respecters of persons"--but, where our President stands? I have one thing to say, he is our current President--I did not vote for him (I liked the policies of another candidate.) But, to define President Obama as our "black" President is mistaken. What I believe to be a true way of looking at any President, regardless of his or her background, is not the "black" President or the "white" President or the "female" President, but the United States President with the dignity and respect that office should receive.
In order for the issues to succeed, (These issues of health care reform, the economy, social security and the environment to just name a few) I believe it is the social responsibility of the media, politicians and citizens to concentrate on the true facts by not sensationalizing, exaggerating, lying and deceiving for gain. These gains of power, money or slanting a story to sell are the lies.
The truth is that we live in a free country with a wealth of possibilities for us, and even if a few continue to condone and support the fabrications and deceptions--we could lose our freedom in these lies. I believe the media could be the interpreter's of this possibility and loss of our freedoms if they do not become more socially responsible. And...we as citizens need to search out the truth--no matter the difficulty--so that we can be socially responsible for our future.
I am sorry that "Joe the Heckler" has been given so much notoriety--he did a distasteful thing. But, I am more sorry for those of us who are trying to search out the truth from the lies in the internet, cable or paper media so that we can understand a wide range of policies and choices that our government is making which can and will affect us!
I am not biased against the media! During college I was a stringer reporter for the city newspaper. (I could just leave my statement at that, but it would be out of context because it doesn't contain all the facts) The facts are: I only wrote 2 very small articles and they were almost completely rewritten by my editor, because I apparently was that bad! CLEARLY...It was nice of him to even pay me!
In college I took a few journalism classes and the gist of what I can remember learning carried an overall tone of: keep your facts straight, tell the truth and be totally unbiased. I missed the class called Blowing Facts and Figures Out of Proportion 101. Back then that was called Creative Writing!
In regards to the current racial references--I don't have all the answers to making all people "respecters of persons"--but, where our President stands? I have one thing to say, he is our current President--I did not vote for him (I liked the policies of another candidate.) But, to define President Obama as our "black" President is mistaken. What I believe to be a true way of looking at any President, regardless of his or her background, is not the "black" President or the "white" President or the "female" President, but the United States President with the dignity and respect that office should receive.
In order for the issues to succeed, (These issues of health care reform, the economy, social security and the environment to just name a few) I believe it is the social responsibility of the media, politicians and citizens to concentrate on the true facts by not sensationalizing, exaggerating, lying and deceiving for gain. These gains of power, money or slanting a story to sell are the lies.
The truth is that we live in a free country with a wealth of possibilities for us, and even if a few continue to condone and support the fabrications and deceptions--we could lose our freedom in these lies. I believe the media could be the interpreter's of this possibility and loss of our freedoms if they do not become more socially responsible. And...we as citizens need to search out the truth--no matter the difficulty--so that we can be socially responsible for our future.
I am sorry that "Joe the Heckler" has been given so much notoriety--he did a distasteful thing. But, I am more sorry for those of us who are trying to search out the truth from the lies in the internet, cable or paper media so that we can understand a wide range of policies and choices that our government is making which can and will affect us!
Friday, September 11, 2009
Niner Niner Niner
This past Wednesday, 9-9-9, was an awesome date! I had planned on throwing a party, but it was the middle of the week and a school night. Instead I did 9 minutes of many different things. I slept in for 9 minutes and hit my snooze 9 times. I worked out for 9 minutes, cleaned my house for 9, weeded for 9, Facebooked for 9 minutes, emailed for 9 minutes, researched for 9 and a few more things on the computer for 9 minutes each, which really didn't seem like 81 minutes on the computer. Since I normally go from one thing to the other anyway I probably spent twice as much time doing what I normally do and felt like I had a very productive day! Whew!
With that said, let me touch base on my Bigfoot to Glass Slipper news... Today we finally received our 45 gallon recycle container--one step closer to reducing our Carbon footprint! It was great to load all the plastics and aluminum stuff I had been storing on my pantry floor for a few days into our new container. It is now full and I have 13 days until the curbside collection comes. HMMMMMM! I wonder if they have 200 gallon recycle containers? CLEARLY...They should probably be paying me! I know..I know..we should be using less.
I just have to write about how my daughter--a senior in high school--got asked to homecoming and we were so excited for her. Until, the issue of the dress came up! Clearly...they should all just wear uniforms--you know, in the school colors--because this would clear up a hole range of issues in regards to fashion, modesty and cost!
As parents, we automatically thought she would wear one of her older sisters dresses--apparently this is a fashionista faux pas. So, my darling daughter went to a friends and brought home a dress, put it on and my mouth dropped open--for only a moment--before I began to verbally scandalize the dress. I do not expect her to dress like an Amish person, but was very surprised by her choice. Only the day before she had been telling me how she wanted to cover her back, shoulders and...cleavage. She went up to her room very upset.
The next day she was heard telling her friend how her parents should not be making her decisions for how to dress for this most important of dances--by the way--she is going with a very nice, highly respectable young man, who is very popular at the school.
When I heard what she had told her friend, I took a deep breath and decided to approach things on a different level. After discussing my decision with my husband we took our daughter aside and told her we would let her make the decision about the dress and that we hoped she would remember the standards she has, in the past, set for herself. She instantly was upset, saying that we would still impose harsh circumstances if she didn't do what we wanted. Of course I wanted to take her cell phone and car away, but bottom line, we wanted her to make the decision for herself. We did tell her that the curfew would CLEARLY not be 1:00 am or 2:00am, but probably a respectable 11:30 pm or midnight no matter what!
I am happy to say that--on her own--she told us last night that she wanted to be an example to her friends and to feel good about the standards she already held for herself. That she wanted to not feel uncomfortable at the dance. Then she put on a dress she had borrowed from her cousin. It was so beautiful and made our already pretty daughter sparkle! I am so excited for her. She had thought she would be so grown up wearing the revealing dress, but instead made a very grown up decision, in a world where modesty is looked down upon and we are very proud of her--but her curfew will still not be 1:00am!
I am now hearing my sensei speaking in my head..."Wise parents counsel wisely!" Whatever! Parenting teenagers kicks my butt everytime karate man!
With that said, let me touch base on my Bigfoot to Glass Slipper news... Today we finally received our 45 gallon recycle container--one step closer to reducing our Carbon footprint! It was great to load all the plastics and aluminum stuff I had been storing on my pantry floor for a few days into our new container. It is now full and I have 13 days until the curbside collection comes. HMMMMMM! I wonder if they have 200 gallon recycle containers? CLEARLY...They should probably be paying me! I know..I know..we should be using less.
I just have to write about how my daughter--a senior in high school--got asked to homecoming and we were so excited for her. Until, the issue of the dress came up! Clearly...they should all just wear uniforms--you know, in the school colors--because this would clear up a hole range of issues in regards to fashion, modesty and cost!
As parents, we automatically thought she would wear one of her older sisters dresses--apparently this is a fashionista faux pas. So, my darling daughter went to a friends and brought home a dress, put it on and my mouth dropped open--for only a moment--before I began to verbally scandalize the dress. I do not expect her to dress like an Amish person, but was very surprised by her choice. Only the day before she had been telling me how she wanted to cover her back, shoulders and...cleavage. She went up to her room very upset.
The next day she was heard telling her friend how her parents should not be making her decisions for how to dress for this most important of dances--by the way--she is going with a very nice, highly respectable young man, who is very popular at the school.
When I heard what she had told her friend, I took a deep breath and decided to approach things on a different level. After discussing my decision with my husband we took our daughter aside and told her we would let her make the decision about the dress and that we hoped she would remember the standards she has, in the past, set for herself. She instantly was upset, saying that we would still impose harsh circumstances if she didn't do what we wanted. Of course I wanted to take her cell phone and car away, but bottom line, we wanted her to make the decision for herself. We did tell her that the curfew would CLEARLY not be 1:00 am or 2:00am, but probably a respectable 11:30 pm or midnight no matter what!
I am happy to say that--on her own--she told us last night that she wanted to be an example to her friends and to feel good about the standards she already held for herself. That she wanted to not feel uncomfortable at the dance. Then she put on a dress she had borrowed from her cousin. It was so beautiful and made our already pretty daughter sparkle! I am so excited for her. She had thought she would be so grown up wearing the revealing dress, but instead made a very grown up decision, in a world where modesty is looked down upon and we are very proud of her--but her curfew will still not be 1:00am!
I am now hearing my sensei speaking in my head..."Wise parents counsel wisely!" Whatever! Parenting teenagers kicks my butt everytime karate man!
Monday, September 7, 2009
I am NOT a Poseur!
This week I took up a crusade to show that I am serious about reducing our carbon imprint. I did this because my good husband asked me where all this was coming from because he didn't know I was so passionate about the environment! Like I am a poseur or something. CLEARLY... much of what we have done was so natural that he didn't even know it was a green thing to do! It was just common sense! Such as: switching all our light bulbs to compact fluorescent lights or CFL's, (I sold the old energy stealing light bulbs at a garage sale we held--was that bad?) running the dishwasher or laundry only if full, watering less, and one that is really fun: a vegetable garden.
For Mother's Day this past spring I asked for a garden! My husband jumped on this idea and the following day he and my son built me a 10'x10' garden. Not a large area, but it was a start! As my kids got lawn chairs out and sat and watched, I formed my garden rows and hills. My daughter said in a cute voice, "Ahhhh Mom! We got you your own sandbox to play in!" I looked up to see my three almost grown children sunning themselves and watching me. I felt like a child again and insisted they come play too! So with a little help we planted tomatoes, cucumbers, squash, beets, onions and some herbs.
It isn't the prettiest of gardens because my wirehair pointer, Sadie, decided to jump in and rub her back in the center of the growing onions and beets. But, we have made several large bowls of salsa and we have made our own pesto sauce--YUM! It is very rewarding!
So...This past week I called to have our milk delivered to our door and called the recycle company to sign up for their automatic pickup and they said they would drop off the containers last Friday. Recycling is not mandatory in our city. We received our first milk delivery--very tasty milk--but, our recycling company never came through with our recycle bins. Hm mm, maybe they think I'm just a poseur!!!
Today, for Labor Day, we labored and bought two large Autumn Blaze Maples and planted them in our front yard. By the way, many nurseries are having huge sales right now--these trees were 70% off.
I am taking our carbon footprint down at least 15 sizes! Any objections?
For Mother's Day this past spring I asked for a garden! My husband jumped on this idea and the following day he and my son built me a 10'x10' garden. Not a large area, but it was a start! As my kids got lawn chairs out and sat and watched, I formed my garden rows and hills. My daughter said in a cute voice, "Ahhhh Mom! We got you your own sandbox to play in!" I looked up to see my three almost grown children sunning themselves and watching me. I felt like a child again and insisted they come play too! So with a little help we planted tomatoes, cucumbers, squash, beets, onions and some herbs.
It isn't the prettiest of gardens because my wirehair pointer, Sadie, decided to jump in and rub her back in the center of the growing onions and beets. But, we have made several large bowls of salsa and we have made our own pesto sauce--YUM! It is very rewarding!
So...This past week I called to have our milk delivered to our door and called the recycle company to sign up for their automatic pickup and they said they would drop off the containers last Friday. Recycling is not mandatory in our city. We received our first milk delivery--very tasty milk--but, our recycling company never came through with our recycle bins. Hm mm, maybe they think I'm just a poseur!!!
Today, for Labor Day, we labored and bought two large Autumn Blaze Maples and planted them in our front yard. By the way, many nurseries are having huge sales right now--these trees were 70% off.
I am taking our carbon footprint down at least 15 sizes! Any objections?
Monday, August 31, 2009
A Gigantically BIG FOOT
I have heard mentioned on the news and elsewhere about reducing our carbon footprint. I did not really understand the full scope of what that meant until this week. I decided to search for "calculating my carbon footprint" and see where my family of 5 stood. This carbon footprint is the tonnes of CO2 we emit which causes environmental damage like greenhouse gases.
The sight I pulled up http://www.carbonfootprint.com/ had questions about how much utility usage we had and how much recycling we do. It also asked what type of food, cars and other purchases we make.
I received a shock when I discovered my family of 5 has a carbon footprint double the average of other footprints in the United States. CLEARLY we wear a size 47 shoe in a world where only size 5 is available!
So I hit the print button and used up the rest of my print cartridge printing this report with my HUGE BLACK BIGFOOT symbol. And I am so sorry! CLEARLY...my family and I have a lot to learn!
Where do I start? Then I heard my Sensei in the back of my mind telling me "it would be better to turn the light off over the kitchen sink." (I just got up and turned it off) My Sensei is definitely the wise voice of reason! He also mentioned, "There is no need to wear shoes."
When I spoke to my family about how we need to do more than what we are doing to help the planet, my daughter said, "Great, our life is going to suck!" CLEARLY...there is a misconception that being green can be difficult. To be honest I must confess that going totally green would be overwhelming for me, but for my family and I, we are going to pursue this the best we can.
So I got in my jeep and drove to the bookstore and bought "Green Living for Dummies by Yvonne Jeffery, Liz Barclay, and Michael Grosvenor." CLEARLY...this title spoke or actually shouted to me! When I returned home I wondered if driving to the bookstore and purchasing this book was something a dummy would do and maybe I should have ordered it online!? So much to learn...
The sight I pulled up http://www.carbonfootprint.com/ had questions about how much utility usage we had and how much recycling we do. It also asked what type of food, cars and other purchases we make.
I received a shock when I discovered my family of 5 has a carbon footprint double the average of other footprints in the United States. CLEARLY we wear a size 47 shoe in a world where only size 5 is available!
So I hit the print button and used up the rest of my print cartridge printing this report with my HUGE BLACK BIGFOOT symbol. And I am so sorry! CLEARLY...my family and I have a lot to learn!
Where do I start? Then I heard my Sensei in the back of my mind telling me "it would be better to turn the light off over the kitchen sink." (I just got up and turned it off) My Sensei is definitely the wise voice of reason! He also mentioned, "There is no need to wear shoes."
When I spoke to my family about how we need to do more than what we are doing to help the planet, my daughter said, "Great, our life is going to suck!" CLEARLY...there is a misconception that being green can be difficult. To be honest I must confess that going totally green would be overwhelming for me, but for my family and I, we are going to pursue this the best we can.
So I got in my jeep and drove to the bookstore and bought "Green Living for Dummies by Yvonne Jeffery, Liz Barclay, and Michael Grosvenor." CLEARLY...this title spoke or actually shouted to me! When I returned home I wondered if driving to the bookstore and purchasing this book was something a dummy would do and maybe I should have ordered it online!? So much to learn...
First and Foremost: My Claims
Although I admire those people who do not dispose of anything, do not have trash and do not shop for an item unless it is gone and... live in 350 square feet of space--I am not there! I also admire those who have extensive training and education in their field--I have just a few classes left to get my BA degree and it has been years since I have been a student, so I am not quite there! I also admire close, loving and maybe a little imperfect families--I am here!
All of these environments I take quite seriously--but humor moves me forward and takes the stress out of accomplishing difficult feats! Thus, this blog, which I hope will commit me to taking my non-green, CO2 emitting family from Bigfoot size 39 to Glass Slipper size 5 and improve the environment of our earth.
And the environment of my family? Who doesn't want to improve the relationships of their family? I know this is an everyday endeavor for me! I have teenagers and one in college. Yikes!
And my mind? Well, let's just say I'm a lifelong learner, and some would say a slow one at that!
And... for you wonderful tree huggers out there remember I am trying to offset not upset! So maybe--just maybe--I can inspire others who aren't quite there and help improve three vitally fundamental environments.
My next post will be how I discovered my family is the equivalent of a ginormous Bigfoot when it comes to our carbon footprint.
All of these environments I take quite seriously--but humor moves me forward and takes the stress out of accomplishing difficult feats! Thus, this blog, which I hope will commit me to taking my non-green, CO2 emitting family from Bigfoot size 39 to Glass Slipper size 5 and improve the environment of our earth.
And the environment of my family? Who doesn't want to improve the relationships of their family? I know this is an everyday endeavor for me! I have teenagers and one in college. Yikes!
And my mind? Well, let's just say I'm a lifelong learner, and some would say a slow one at that!
And... for you wonderful tree huggers out there remember I am trying to offset not upset! So maybe--just maybe--I can inspire others who aren't quite there and help improve three vitally fundamental environments.
My next post will be how I discovered my family is the equivalent of a ginormous Bigfoot when it comes to our carbon footprint.
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