A Mom Thing

Trying on a 2-wheel Personality

You all know that with THREE kids under the driving age, I have a 4-wheel personality. I just do. It's my reality -- I drive every-where.  Plus, I'm always running around in such a hurry, it seems there is rarely time for anything other than a car. (Working on this trait...separate post.)

I'm TRYING.  Trying to be more green ... more fiscally responsible. TRYING.  Neither of these are my natural tendencies though (she shamefully admits). 

At any rate, I work part-time and am home on Wednesdays/Fridays. Most days I'm strapped to a computer or blackberry, but I DO also use those days to do boring errands so I don't have to drag the kids everywhere.  I thought -- why not ride a bike instead of drive a car?  Obviously, I'm not picking up drycleaning... but a backpack of groceries works...so does returning videos to blockbuster (I'm a netflix flunkie, remember?).  Seemed worth a try.

One small catch. I have not owned a bike in YEARS.  Ours were stolen about 10 years ago ... and never were replaced.  (Shocking, I know.) So I had to buy a bike...and helmet...and lock...and backpack, first. (The austerity part comes later, right?).  I cheaped out and bought the MAGNA instead of the Schwinn.  It was on sale for 79 bucks?  I mean really... that's 2 weeks of gas in the car?  79 bucks?!  I gotta try this.

Today, I put on my casual sundress and flip flops, strapped on the ugly helmet and rode off to do errands.  I probably only rode a few miles around the hood. But I felt so good.  I felt like I was doing something right. Something good. 

I'm obviously going to need to make this more habitual...but it's a good start!

Catalog Schmatalog!

I really couldn't decide if I should file this under GREEN or AUSTERITY...but alas, I opted for GREEN.

I just learned about this great site that will take you off certain catalog mailing lists. I mean, really, HOW MUCH paper can I save by simply not getting the Victoria's Secret catalogs??  I signed up to have myself taken off 7 catalogs so far...and probably can do more.  When they come in the mail, I set aside the ones I know I don't want again and do them a few at a times.

What a great thing!

Get Bitten!

Due to, well, LIFE, I have been a little slower on my quest for greener pastures.  But now that we're in a rythym, I'm ON it.  Seriously.  Here's what (little) I've done so far...

• Signed up for IdealBite.com daily green tips.  Read about it in a magazine - great concept. We'll see how realistic the tips are...
• Purchased 2 recyclable Dominick's grocery bags.  Love them. Use them when I remember. And did use one on a broken parking meter this week...very nice!
• Recycled some old batteries at the Public Library (thanks to Daughter's bright idea and constant nudging)
• Purchased rechargeable batteries for the kids xmas toys (that counts, right??)
• Called our Alderman's office and Streets/Sanitation to find out where/when we get the blue trash cans. (ASIDE: the guy there was incredibly kind, informative and thoughtful. I asked him if they REALLY separate the blue bags and he promised me they do as long as they aren't overstuffed.  He even offered to drop an extra roll off on our front porch?? AND...apparently we can also drop off our own recyclables in the neighborhood at 6441 North Ravenswood.  Love that.  Could be good weekend family time.)
• Bought reusable water bottles for the kids lunchboxes.
• Started using a reusable water bottle for myself.

Umm.  Well, that's it so far, I think.  But I shall overcome. PROMISE!

Another Middle Guyism...

I SAID going green(er) was going to be a family initiative....

H and I were discussing date night tonite.  Where do we go...do we walk or drive (it's frigid in Chicago). . . do we change or go all grubby...etc. 

MG chimes in, "You should definitely drive. It will save the polar bears. Because probably global warming is going on RIGHT NOW. You should definitely drive..."

Well there ya' go - guess we're walking...

Considering Green

I have laid the gauntlet on the table. I proposed a FAMILY New Years Resolution at a recent Family Meeting. I proposed that this year we AS A FAMILY try to be green(er).  It was very well-received and is currently under consideration.

This is a BIG deal. I am ashamed to say we are very NOT green. In fact, what's the opposite of Green? Purple? Black? We did the Blue Bag for awhile but became disenchanted when we saw it all getting combined anyway.  We composted coffee grounds for a bit .. but gave up. We garden but don't really mulch. We drink out of plastic water bottles (we DO refill them...), we use plastic shopping bags (we Do re-use for DOG), we used a LOT of diapers in our time and we drive EVERYWHERE.

I'm not sure yet what this all means but I'm starting my research. I have until Jan 1, right? I think it could be fun!