It Was A Very Good Day For A Parade

I'm becoming concerned with her inability to relax.

NATIONAL CHAMPIONS!!!!

ROCK CHALK BABY!!!!

Rock Chalk

Tried to put this on several times today...finally worked.

ROCK CHALK!!!!

I'm too nervous to talk about it.

(rock chalk)

Our Father, who art in Lawrence,
Hallowed be thy Game.
Thy tourney come,
Thy championship will be done,
In San Antonio as it is in Allen Field House.
Give us this day our deserved victories.
And forgive us our turnovers,
As we forgive Roy who double-crossed against us.
And lead us not into defeat,
But deliver us from East Coast bias,
For Kansas is the basketball kingdom,
And the tradition,
And the glory,
For ever and ever.
Amen.

(This was sent to me by my Jayhawk buddy Jody...no idea who the author is)

If I Get A Minute

I remember the lazy afternoons in January and February. Spent dozing on the futon with a good book and the critters snoring near me.

Yeah...I'd nap if I got a minute.

Rowing is in full swing. Filling my afternoons (and some evenings and most Saturdays) with goofy teenagers, interesting adults (they're goofy, too), sunshine, and water.

Yesterday was sooo much fun. The kids had a great row. Relaxed and productive. Everyone is improving and enjoying our time on the water.

We are slowly getting adjusted to the boatyard. We have a storage shed now. I feel like I've gone to coach heaven...I have somewhere to hang my keys, leave a notebook...you know...spread out my coaching paraphernalia. Good stuff.

It is much harder to be green when I am so busy.

I have been using the dryer more...when I actually have time to do the laundry.

The recycling has piled up some...Andrew and I will drop it off tomorrow when he comes to spend the day with me.

I noticed this morning that I left several lights on as I sped around getting ready for work.

I'm still striving not to purchase unneeded plastic and refusing all styrofoam. I will begin a compost as soon as I have the time to put together a compost spot. The clothes line will go up...yeah...when I get a minute.

I'm eating on the run and need to put some take home containers in my purse/car so I have options for food. It's interesting how limited my food options are when I'm in a hurry, need to eat and want to eat 'green'. I'll post some of the options I've discovered...again, when I get a minute.

There are several good challenges out right now. Crunchy Chicken has a great Buy Nothing Challenge.

I'll participate but informally.

Chile is challenging us to declutter.

Love it!! But...I'll not commit...only follow along and try...when I get a minute.

Anyhow...driving the big red truck today...feeling a bit like I'm catching a cold.

Maybe the fire gods will smile on us and I'll get a nap...if I get a minute.

(and can I just say how glad I am the spell check is working again!!)

And She Recycles, Too

We've got another!

My roomie Amanda (my cousin as well) has started a blog.

Since it's warming up she shouldn't be complaining about freezing her buns off but i"m sure she will share a unique insight to the fur covered, animal filled place we call home.

Go take a look at Her Series Of Blonde Moments.

A Boy I Know

I cannot believe how quickly you are growing, changing.

I love you just the way you are.

But, I loved you at 1 and at 2 and 3 and 4 and 5.

I expect I’ll love you at 6, too.

You see...today, you ARE 6.

Amazes me.

Happy Birthday Coconut!!

It's a Green, Green Life (Rock Chalk)

In the beginning there was so much to talk about.

How was I going to decrease my carbon footprint, lessen my personal impact on this earth?

Where would I put a recycling bin?

Exactly how DO you eat local and not go completely nutso?

Could I live without the dryer?

Could I break my addiction to ziplock bags?

I have, over time, found the answers to those questions and many others. It has not been hard or burdensome. It can be done.

There are other things I'm still working on. Composting, biking to work, etc.

But there is less to talk about. It's just the way I live.

ROCK CHALK JAYHAWK GO KU!!

My Mother...And Easter

My Mother is the never ending hostess.
If there is a holiday, a family event...a sunny day...my Mom has people at her house. Feeding them, providing hostessness, drinks etc.

She always does it up on Easter. Quiche, potatoes and many other yummies. We all come over. Grand Parents, evil step sister et al, step brother and his darling children, sis and her crowd, worthless brother and the girl friend he doesn't deserve.

This year Kimmy was on call and I really wanted to spend Easter with her boys. We explained to Mom. She was disappointed but she loves us so it wasn't a huge deal.

I called her early. She was up...cooking already. I so wished I was there. Often I spend the night before big gatherings. Getting up with her to help in the kitchen. Both of us cooking, drinking coffee, dancing around one another as we create a meal. I love this time with my Mom.

So I went to Kim's. We had Mom's recipes. We'd have her food. We put together the quiche and Kim had the potatoes ready.

Then the door bell rang.

Kenny answered and I heard a familiar voice.

My Mother entertained the whole family at her house. Cooked and fed them all.

And then got in her car and drove to KC because she wanted to be with her kids.

I have the BEST Mom!

I sure love her a lot.

Kansas advances to Sweet 16 with 75-56 victory over UNLV

Whew...it wasn't an easy one.

Rock Chalk

Please...please let us Rock Chalk!
(They've come out 0-3 in the first half against UNLV...thought maybe they needed an internet cheer)

Spring Break 2008

Before the haircut...no wonder the girls are smitten.
After the haircut...I don't think his mom is gonna go for the straightened look.

A budding musician.
Cute isn't he? Unless he's glued to you for 5 days...
Handsome.

Gettin' some sun.
Notice the blue lips...not a reflection from the suit.

We had a GREAT time but it sure is good to be home.

My Parents Are Crazy

But fun...

Much To Do

Laundry, clean the car, buy dog food, water the plants, drop off the overflowing recycling, muck out the frig...oh yeah...pack.

The stinky nephews and I hit the road bright and early tomorrow heading to the great state of Texas to spend some time with my Dad.

It's a trip we've made before...with and without their parents.

Andrew looked at me with all seriousness "long car drive" he said.

He's right. 10 hours. But the payoff is huge.

Fishing, swinging, boat rides, maybe a little jet skiing if it's not too cold. I think we'll probably go to the aquarium, the Texas State Fisheries, ride bikes and just hang out.

I have a little anxiety about greeness. I've decided that I will make green choices for myself on this trip but I won't force it on the boys. I'll bring some snacks to cut down on the trash but drinks...honestly...a plastic bottle with a lid is probably a good thing for the boys...I'll just look away.

See ya later...

Ummm...it's Wednesday already?

How'd that happen?

Been at the lake ya know. Lot's of rowing. Good stuff.

Go outside today, ya'll.

Sunday Musings From The Big Red Chair

"what did you dream about?" Andrew asked this morning almost before my eyes were open...long before my first cup of coffee.

He spent the night after we went to a party at Scott and Lisa's (9 or 10 kids...most little boys under 8)

It took me a while to remember but I dreamed of hummingbirds. I can't wait unitl they come back fo the summer. The soft humming of their wings. The zipping and zooming as they chase each other through the porch.

The tulips and the humming birds are my favorite spring things.

Kimmy came to pick him up and we lounged around on my big girl furniture for a while visiting.

Got to talking about recycling, etc...yeah...big shocker there.

I think the thing that has had the biggest impact on me is all of the reading I have done. Blogs and articles and whatnot.

Some scientific, some opinion, some preachy.

Knowledge is always good but is lack of knowledge an excuse?

One writer asked "when will we stop urinating in fresh, clean water?" Never really thought about it before...but isn't sanitation and disease control also our responsibility.

Someone asked me recently..."why so worried about water?" Doesn't it all stay here on the planet?

I suppose? I don't really know...

It takes resources to move and treat the water so it is safe for us to use. We are slowly depleating the water deep under the earth. But where DOES the water go?

So many people don't really understand what they can recycle.

And what that really means.

Is it okay to get a plastic bag if you 'recycle' it? IS it really 'recycling' if you fill it with trash and then throw it away. It ends up in the landfill either way...

Deffenbaugh Industries is the trash hauler for many of us.

Here is a list of what you can put in your green bin....


Advertising Inserts
Carrier Stock
Catalogs
Corrugated Cartons
Chipboard
Envelopes
Junk Mail
Magazines
Manila File Folders
Newspaper
Office Paper
Telephone Books

#1 PET Plastic Containers
#2 HDPE Plastic Containers
Aluminum Cans
Steel (tin) food & beverage cans

Recyclables can be commingled loosely in the recycling bin.
Corrugated cartons should be cut or reduced to 2' X 2' and placed under the recycling bin.
All containers should be thoroughly rinsed.

Here is what they won't take:

Glass-(this can be taken to many recycling centers)
#3 - #7 Plastics (Try not to buy anything in 3-7 plastic)
Automotive Product Bottles
Blueprints
Carbon Paper
Construction Paper (I have been putting this in the green paper collectors at local schools...oops)
Deli or Salad Bar "Clamshells" (Bring your own container)
Drink Pouches (skip)
Egg Cartons (many local farmers markets will take these when you buy fresh eggs)
Film Canisters (who doesn't have digital?)
Foil (Many recycling centers will take)
Frozen Food Containers (yuck...fresh is better)
Frozen Juice Containers or Straws (fresh...hello)
Gift Wrap (wrap in brown craft paper)
Hanging Folders
Hardback Books (salvation army)
Microwave Trays (Yuck)
Motor Oil Bottles
Paper Plates or Cups (oh gosh...just use real stuff)
Paper Towels (I had decided that there are a few...feline intestinal issues that could sure use a paper towel)
Paperback Books (salvation army)
Photographs
Plastic Bags (the grocery store usually has a bin)
Plastic Cereal Box or Cake Box Liner Bags (this one is hard...gotta have my cherios)
Plastic Lids or 6-Pack Holders
Scrap Metal (there is a place at 635 and Merriam Lane that will buy scrap metal)
Shredded Paper (the green paper bins at school will take shredded)
Tissue Paper
Trash
Vitamin or Prescription Bottles
Wax Cardboard
Yogurt or Margarine Tubs

Interestingly...Deffenbaugh won't pick up your glass but you can drop it off at their recycling center 8905 Kaw DriveKANSAS CITY, KS 66111

so...that's all I got.

"Tis The Season

The season for rowing.

Just a quick note to remind everyone that my life gets down right out of control this time of year and while I read all of your blogs and try to comment if I have any energy, I often go several days between posts of my own.

We spent our first afternoon at the new boatyard yesterday.

Oh my gosh! What a lovely place it will be to coach and row and learn! It's quiet, and private and tucked back in the woods. Not surrounded by concrete and cars.

But...it's a bit like moving into a new house. Nothing is unpacked. The couch is upside down and the beds aren't put together.

It was fun to be there and the kids had a blast but there is a lot of work to be done. I hope to spend a lot of time there in the next week sorting through things and figuring out how to live in our new space.

I'll take some pictures this coming week so you can see how nice it is.

(PS...it's snowing again and it still sucks)

And yes...before Manda tells you...apparently I like to keep my conditioner in the refrigerator.

(anyone want to guess what season it is?)

Our Walk

Stress Less In March Challege

Original photo: Pierre Pouliquin.

Our Friend
Chile has a March Challenge for us.

Commit to 30 minutes per day of some kind of mindfulness. It can be yoga, meditation, relaxation, prayer, focused exercise, or whatever works for you. Choose a time block that you will keep from thinking about all the problems in the world and in your life, but don't just fill your mind with distractions (like TV or playing a video game).

Does doing my Yoga tape On the TV count as not using TV a distraction?

I commit to daily Yoga either at home or with a class.

And I will turn the TV off in the afternoons.

As many of you know I am moving into the craziest time of my year. The spring is so busy and stressful.

I would like to focus and be more calm and connected and present. Less scattered and short tempered.

We'll see.

(a post on the success of the February challenge soon)

A Catch Up For An Old Friend

Mags...she's 14 and going strong. Loves to snuggle and get into the trash. A good friend to all, cats, dogs, little kids. Bed hog. Gus...camera shy. I'll work on a better picture. He's part Maine Coon, part hermit. He will observe but never get involved. He needs the water bowl completely full. And has to sleep near my right shoulder and if the pillow is too far to the right...he'll let me know.
Rescue...smartest dog I've ever know. And maybe the most challenging. She's a one human dog and I'm her human. She is about 90% blind. Has some sight left in her right eye. Loves to swim, sit on the porch and will still chase the frisbee even if she can no longer catch it.
Jack...he's a freak but very cute. Scared of everyone and everything. Most people have only seen him in pictures. He is needy and vocal. He has to be where I am and be the center on my world. Unless we have company...then he cannot be found.

And me...this picture was taken by my 5 year old nephew Andrew. It....really looks like me. Single, set in my ways, self centered, busy, lover of nephews and animals, coach of rowers and basketball boys, driver of the big red truck and trying to live my life with less ecological impact.

Concessions

Had lunch with the Petty Girls yesterday. It's a standing Wednesday lunch date with my mother, my aunt, my little sis and two of my cousins. We've been lunching since last spring and it has become a wonderful touchstone for all of us. We've always been connected by our shared experiences but now we feel connected in our present. It's so great.

Mostly.

It also can be the time when our mothers can bug us about stuff (smiling). Or vice versa, really.

Yesterday it was my turn to be bugged.

My cousin's daughter has become my roommate. Sharing my house and the crazy love of all of our crazy animals. She added two nutty cats to my menagerie of two dogs and two cats. (I know, I know...I really am the crazy cat lady...4 cats AND reusing the tinfoil...oye!)

It's going very well...everyone is getting along and Manda and I are managing to keep up with the cat hair and the litter box. Manda's great fun. She's young and darling and cool to be around.

And she's freezing.

She's been a great sport but my mother read me the riot act and told me...in that way that only mothers can...to turn the heat up already!

So I did. Only a little.

And I bought a thermostat and will aim for a temp around 64 degrees.

And Manda can put on a sweater.

Choices Not Sacrifices

I hate organic peanut butter. Hate it. It tastes like glue. I tried it. And then I bought a jar (plastic) of creamy Jiff. But I unplugged my dryer and hang my clothes to dry.

I will make a special (extra) trip every once in a while in my car to get fresh organic produce. But I will ride my bike to work.

I’m not ready to give up scoopable cat litter…especially with my new house guests. But I have replaced all the light bulbs with CFLs.

I will use my air conditioner this summer. But I will continue to recycle.

I will still travel several times a year to Texas to see my family. But I am rewashing ziplock bags and occasionally reusing tinfoil.

We buy meat in Styrofoam packaging at the little grocery near the station because they don’t sell it any other way (and my fire guys need meat, don’t ya know). But I bring dishtowels and cloth napkins for us to use instead of paper towels.

I will run the space heater in the garage (one of those really safe ones plugged into a power strip) for the dogs on really cold nights when I’m at work. But I take my own bags when I go shopping.

I will run the hose while washing my fire truck. But I won’t idle in my car (or my fire truck for that matter).

I’m not giving up Jelly Bellys or Cheezits. But I will freeze my buns off all winter.

I will color my hair. But I will Freecycle instead of throwing away.

This journey into greenness has required a paradigm shift. In the beginning I was very intense, making sacrifices that made me feel...somewhat superior.

That wasn't really working.

Over time I began to realize that I could do the things that fill me. The things that make me, me. I can make choices that are good for me...and good for those whales.

And I can continue to do some of the things that I enjoy.

I don't have to give it all up.

Neither do you.

Just think. If each one of us made our lives 50% greener. Think about how much of a difference we can make.

It's not realistic to think that we can live on this planet with no impact. We WILL over time use up this earth.

But...if we are more mindful of the impact that our lives have we can begin to slow the process. Let's not think about saving the planet for our kids but saving the planet for the kids to come, generations and generations from now.

Spam A Lot

I'm adding that very annoying word varification to the comments for a bit.





I've been getting some spam commenting...





Sorry.

Winter In Kansas

My good friend the Ronneblogger sent this to me. Maybe she's freezin too!
(I tried to link to the Freezin Challenge but I can't get it to work...the link is in my side bar)

And for those of you not enjoying this KC winter...it's 15 and sleeting.

Good times.

Freeze Update

Still cold.

Today...really, really cold. Just checked, it's 9 degrees outside.

This, of course, is the day that my darling dog found a place in the back fence she could get through. So I had to spend 20 minutes putting in a chainlink patch. Did I mention that it's 9 degrees.

I love her...really. Don't worry about the kicking. (just kidding...maybe)

I made a purchase that I'm going to allow on my spending freeze. A grain bed warmer! Oh...ya gotta get one! 3 minutes in the microwave and my toes were not cold at all.

And I bought a t-shirt for my dad. He was in the hospital last week and he's been on my mind a lot.

And then there was the new pannier bag that was on clearance when I went to get tubes for my bike tires...

Okay so the spending freeze hasn't been a complete sucess.

But...

I haven't been to Target or Walmart or any of those stores that get us all in trouble.

Of course I can justify all of the purchases...a gift for my dad, a bag I needed for my bicycle commuting that will begin....eventually, a foot warmer to keep me from freezing to death in my very cold house.

But I'm trying...

Snow, Snow Go Away!

Remember much we loved the first snow of the winter. Or how much we wanted it to snow at Christmas time. It was beautiful, magical. Now it just sucks.

And because someone will ask...yes, he was wearing pants.

Unusual...I know.

Jock Straps....Everywhere

Just imagine this nice floor lamp...now imagine it with underware and jock straps hanging on it. Yep, jock straps. And those were the clean ones...

Just a little a glimpse of my day yesterday...oh, it gets even better.

Thursday Thoughts From My Green(er) World

An automatic timer on the coffee maker is essential as it's too freakin cold to stand in the kitchen and make the coffee. A hot cuppa is needed...quick.

Without the dryer ALWAYS check pockets for kleenex. Little bits of white fuzz on everything...please overlook.

CFL's in the cold garage take a long time to warm up. So...getting something out of the cold garage in a hurry...requires a flashlight.

It takes about 36 hours to line dry clothing in the basement. Preplanning is a must.

Weening myself off of plastic bags has been very easy. Not using styrofoam is another story. We get take out at the station when we are busy and so far it always comes in styrofoam. I'm making a list of the places I can't get takeout from. I'll miss I-Hot...and that great little deli over by Kim's office.

I need more practice making bread. But I made my own butter! Very cool!

It will be warm enough next week to ride my bike to work! I think Thursday's the day!!!

Have you made any green changes?

Busted Part 2

It's REALLY hard to pretend you are innocent when you shut yourself in the bathroom while getting into the trash and you have to bark to get someone to let you out!!