Posted on 28th January 2009 by Mish in frugal
freecycle, frugal, green, recycle, yard sale
It often seems like it’s difficult to “be green” all of the time. A lot of us simply don’t think we have the time. It seems much easier to just buy a new this or that and put the old one on the curb, rather than take the time to recycle it; donate it; or fix it.
My dryer is acting goofy. It runs, but it doesn’t heat up. And when it runs, it either blows out the breaker – or keeps running and doesn’t stop unless I go and stop it. So, the first problem is that I have to remember to go and stop it…let’s just say that I’m not good at remembering.
Because it is fantastically below zero here in Green Bay right now, I do depend on judicious use of my dryer. I try and hang a lot of things, but with six kids – some things just need to get dry!
I recently bought a new washing machine – a super-efficient, water and electricity-saving front loader – basically my dream washer. Yes, I bought it new – but it was the floor model and because it had a ding in the front I got it for half it’s original price. Anyway, I’m not really in the market for a new dryer. But, because this one was getting giving me such a hassle – I almost just went out and bought one anyway. Especially after super Mr. Fix-It hubby realized that he didn’t have the correct stuff to fix it.
I was frustrated and ready to put an ad on Craigslist for it. But, doing some quick math, I realized that calling a repairman (yes, they still have those!) would most likely be cheaper than a new dryer. Hopefully, he’ll be able to fix it and I will have saved both my wallet and the planet an extra bit of junk!
The same is true for a pair of great clogs I have with a broken buckle. I found one of the last few cobblers in the world works out of my city. I intend to take my clogs there and for about $5 he can save my $75 clogs (the ones my sister gave me for Christmas). Totally worth it! I also found out that he fixes coat zippers – which is fabulous because in my old town, no one did, and I often had to buy new (used) coats for the kids who are always breaking their zippers.
So – one great way to be green everyday is to find ways to reuse or fix things that you are tempted to throw out. Just look at it and say, what can I do to not put this in the trash? You might be surprised! And if you really must part with it – add it to your yard sale stash or put it up for free on Craigslist or Freecycle. Someone might have the time or knowledge to fix it.
Technorati Tags: freecycle, frugal, green, recycle, yard sale
Posted on 22nd January 2009 by Mish in birth
birth, c-section, natural childbirth
I am currently 16 weeks pregnant with my 7th child – in case you missed that info. I am in a new city (well, I lived here before but that was over 6 years ago) and there is only one certified nurse midwife. Only one! Anyway, going with my new insurance provider network, I selected an OB/GYN firm of three women to have my first appointment here in my new town. So far so good. I really like my new doctor – she is very “midwifey” in spirit – although she did have me do a dating ultrasound right off the bat (but was cool with my refusal of other tests).
During the ultrasound, it was discovered that I have a complete placenta previa as of right now. According to the Mayo Clinic placenta previa is: “Early in pregnancy, the placenta may implant in the lower part of the uterus. As the uterus grows, the placenta usually moves up and away from the opening of the uterus (cervix). If it doesn’t, the cervix may be blocked. This is known as placenta previa. (more…)
Technorati Tags: birth, c-section, natural childbirth
Posted on 19th January 2009 by Mish in frugal
frugal, frugality, simple living
I read – a lot. And because I am constantly striving to live more simply, more frugally and more eco-consciously – I read a lot of books about those topics.
What follows are my top five picks for some of the best reading for living simply and frugally. I have been inspired by these books and awed by them. I hope you’ll enjoy them:
Posted on 14th January 2009 by Mish in frugal
frugal, frugality
#1) I forgot how inexpensive things are here. I am so used to having to make stop at my local general store (because I didn’t want to drive 45 miles to the closest grocery store) and spending $5 or $6 on the tiny can of coffee. I love that I can stop at any one of five or six stores and grab milk and coffee and spend less than $5 for both! In Vermont, that little jaunt would have easily cost me $10 or more!
#2) My floors are staying reasonable clean even in the middle of winter! No more trucking in sand/snow/slush from the 400 trips to the woodpile! Not to mention the trips up from the driveway (that used to be 100 yards away from the house).
#3) I love that I can walk places – like the park, and the store and the library, and to the kids’ schools (yes, they’re going to school now – more on that later). I still have my truck, but I can exercise my right to be really green and ride a bike or walk! I could have done this in Vermont, I suppose…but the mountain I had to climb to get home was amazingly steep and a heck of a climb with kids in strollers or wagons!
#4) It only took me 20 minutes to clear the snow from the driveway, walkways and sidewalk – and I didn’t have to hire anyone to help (I used to spend $35 per plow in Vermont)!
#5) OK – I have to put it on this list – the pizza. I’m sorry, but I’ve been aching for delivered pizza once in a while for years…I love my own pizza best of course – and it is the most frugal and yummy option – but how nice to be able to take a night off once in a while! Don’t worry y’all – I still have my crockpot and use it!
Technorati Tags: frugal, frugality
Posted on 14th January 2009 by Mish in miscellaneous
miscellaneous
I think it’s that I don’t like the idea of only writing. I’m the kind of person who likes to go do stuff and then write about it later. I hate the idea of just sitting at my computer every morning “waiting for inspiration.”
So – there. That’s it in a nutshell. I like to write – I just don’t want to “be a writer.” Is that weird?
When I was a teenager and a young adult, I used to peruse the Sunday want-ads each week, imagining getting different jobs. I thought about applying for all kinds of stuff – as each ad held the promise of a new and different life.
What I really like, is not being just one “thing” – having just one career. Perhaps that’s why I like being a mother so much. Because I get to be a chauffeur, a cook, a nurse, a housecleaner, a tailor, a gardener – you name it.
Maybe I’m just having a mid-life crisis. Maybe I have the winter blahs… Either way, I feel a little out of sorts. 
Technorati Tags: miscellaneous
Posted on 12th January 2009 by Mish in miscellaneous
life, miscellaneous
First, a quick apology for the lack of posts. I have been overruled by the most amazing case of writer’s block. That – and I have started to seriously wonder about my future as a blogger and as a writer. To be honest, I often feel that there is so much out there already that there is no way that I could contribute to it further. How is my voice any different? What if it’s not?
Should I really be spending so much time writing about these things when, perhaps, I could be helping the world in some greater – or at least, more specific – fashion?
I also lack the motivation to live a “writer’s” life. I don’t want to talk about writing and publishing anymore. It seems so self-indulgent. I’ve accomplished as much as I could ever want as a writer – except, of course, that elusive “Oprah” bestseller! I must be the only person on the planet who was called three times by Oprah and rejected everytime – talk about the Gods trying to tell you something…
And it’s not that I’m disillusioned with being writer, so much as I just feel like it’s time for me to move on to something else. I spent the last 15+ years of my life working to be a successful (meaning, published) writer. I’ve written 12 books. I’ve been on NPR – three times. I’ve been on TV, had book signings, been on numerous radio shows and even been published in The New York Times.
I’m tired of trying to convince 20 something editors that they should publish my “12 tips for a simpler life” or my “50 ways to get your kids to eat their vegetables.” I truly just don’t care that much anymore – it all seems so silly and unworthwhile (is that a word?)
Anyway – so aside from the fact that I am due with number seven this summer, I guess I’m looking for a new something to work towards…a new gig, as it were.
Thoughts anyone?
Technorati Tags: life, miscellaneous
Please click here to download the plugin required to make recent comments work!