The Biggest Little Snow in Town

You'd have to be a local to understand the title that goes with the first picture. On March 1, 2009, we had the biggest snow we've had in years. We had 10 inches here in the 'burg with some of the surrounding counties getting up to 14 inches. I realize that's not big to North Easterners, but here it is. The anticipation was great - first the weather reports, then the trying not to get too excited because it probably wasn't going to happen anyway. Sunday evening it started sleeting and snowing around 7:00 PM. By 7:45 I was happily planning a walk and bundling up. (I got to wear my new boots!) We started up the street but the sleet was stinging our faces so we turned and walked down the street. After getting splashed by several passing cars, we walked faster. When we got back to the house I felt so energized - my heart rate was up and I could breathe! It was terrific if only for a short time.

Monday morning when I woke, the neighborhood was blanketed in the beautiful fluffy stuff. What a joy it was to see and smell and feel. We shoveled the drive and sidewalk in no time at all. Two glorious snow days home!

Re-use and Recycle

March 9, 2009

After years of off and on recycling, I've made a commitment to be more consistent with my recycling efforts. Re-use has ALWAYS been a priority with me but I've been lack at times with the recycling. Another priority of mine has been to save as much as possible on electricity. I admit, this has been more of a self-centered endeavor as it's been to cut down the cost of my use of electricity. I cringe and am amazed when I go to someones house and it seems every light is on in the house and the TV runs constantly with no one watching. Growing up here in the city, the local schools really promoted recycling and reusing with my sons class, with many of the schools having their own recycling programs and contests. The students were excited and had valuable life long learning experiences. Speaking of re-use, I've discovered reusable shopping totes and have stocked up! My house is running over with plastic bags. I re-use them for a lot of things but not nearly enough to keep up with the constant supply. How sad is it to see these bags stuck in tree and shrubbery flapping in the breeze all the time? It occured to me several months ago to just make my own shopping totes. My son thought that was a lame idea (obviously he doesn't appreciate my sense of creativity or coolness). I nixed that idea as soon as I saw more and more of the reusables popping up at my favorite shopping destinations. What really inspired me was the cute cute cute totes at Walgreens. By the way, JoAnn Fabrics has some awesome reusable green bags and they hold about what three regular sized grocery store plastics hold. I was under the impression you had to actually have the store brand bag in order to use it in a particular store. Not so I found out yesterday as I used my first one in the grocery store. I felt a sense of accomplishment as I picked up my tote and walked back to my car. What normally takes about three bags only took the one. This girl is sold on reusable totes!!!