Earth Day. Huh.
Happy Earth Day! Is that the right way to phrase that? Merry Earth Day?
I don't think I've ever wished anyone a Happy Earth Day before.
Despite my best intentions over the (OMG 18 years) since I left high school, I've never really done anything to mark Earth Day. I notice it on the calendar, and send the kids off to school to get their dose of what my husband calls "hippie-learning" and then that's it.
This morning, as I threw another cellophane wrapper into the trash, I didn't realize it was Earth Day. But it struck me that our waste situation around this house is out of control. I want to fix that.
I want to plan better so that I shop better.
I want to stop forgetting to put the cloth shopping bags back in the car.
I want to stop being so lazy and buy food in bulk and use our own individual containers.
I want to recycle more efficiently.
I want to waste less and spend less.
Most importantly, I want to appreciate more.
We are very fortunate - and I'd say that while we work hard for what we have, we don't appreciate what we have enough. We buy, use, and toss away without a thought. And I want to change that.
So, for Earth Day 2008 - I'm going to start by getting all those recyclable containers off the counter and into the bin. And then I'm going to throw my grocery bags into the car.
And then I'm going to revamp my master grocery list - and actually use it.
But first, I'm going to have some coffee.
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Comments
I recycled a bunch of shoe boxes this morning but threw out a pickle jar because it still had pickles in it and couldn't fathom the smell of pickles in the trash for another 2 days.
Posted by: kimmie | April 22, 2008 10:12 AM
Good list, how many did you manage before kids and work distracted you? Heh. I didn't manage much, today.
Merry Earth Day!
Posted by: Denise | April 22, 2008 12:57 PM
"I want to stop forgetting to put the cloth shopping bags back in the car."
When you figure out a way to do that, please let me know. :)
Posted by: Vered - MomGrind | April 22, 2008 4:51 PM
Amen. Right there with ya, sister. Pour me a cup.
Posted by: Amy@UWM | April 22, 2008 5:58 PM
That basically looks like my Earth Day list. Although I also added "switch out regular lightbulbs with CFL bulbs as they burn out".
Posted by: Jenni | April 23, 2008 12:17 PM
It's all about priorities... and I am pleased to see you have yours in order. Coffee clears the way for all things good :)
Posted by: jennyonthespot | April 23, 2008 4:45 PM
I would add to your fabulous list things that help with air polution and water polution, like..
figure out how to buy things that manufactured in a way that doesn't pollute the air, drive less, use less electricity. Use the dishwasher and washing machine less, make sure the stuff going down the drain wont be hurting the water supply.
I don't really know how to do any of those things and so perhaps what I need is to be edubacated.
Posted by: Marsha | April 30, 2008 11:24 AM
I absolutely LOVE my Scion xB. It is good on gas mileage, safe, has an auxiliary AND iPod jack, is a "green" vehicle (or at least greener than most), and I just think it's kind of groovy. Is it manly enough for your man?
Posted by: Andi | May 2, 2008 6:11 AM