Dementia for 2

Is it Wednesday already? I heard on the news today that Thanksgiving is only 3 weeks away! Where did this year go? Since Wednesday is all about recycling over at Small Footprints, and , the challenge this week was my idea, I thought I better post.

I almost titled this "Redneck Recycling" but I changed my mind. A little too Mississippi for some I think. This week is a 3 part challenge. Take 1 item from your home/office and list all the different ways to reuse/recycle it. Or write about things many folks throw out but are recyclable. And, last but not least, investigate the recycling centers in your area and make an effort to try them out.

I thought I would start from the bottom and work my way up. I am very fortunate that my little town just started a recycling program. Instead of the little bins to place curbside, I have a dumpster as large as my regular trash dumpster. They take just about everything except Styrofoam and plastic bags. So, I am able to recycle quite a bit without leaving my home. However, I do recycle my aluminum cans and other metals at a metal recycling center. Since there are 3 different metal recycling centers close together, I can make the most of my trip.

As far as things that people throw away, just about all of your yard materials and organic materials from your kitchen can be composted. I think that many people don't realize that egg shells, shrimp tails, and even pet hair can be composted. I don't do the pet hair thing but it is an interesting fact.

Now for the item that I chose and all the ways to recycle/reuse it. I chose plastic bags because it seems as though I just cannot keep them out of my house no matter how hard I try. I recruited my mom in on this one and we came up with some unusual ways to reuse this item. So without further ado, here is the list.

1. You can cut them into strips and crochet them together for a very sturdy rug. Bread bags can also be used for this as can many other plastic bags. You can find a plethora of videos on You Tube to instruct you in the method.

2. These make great packing material for shipping. If you are like most, you have enough of these laying around to ship several packages.

3. For those that walk their pets in areas that require you to clean up after them, take a few bags with you and use these.

4. During the winter when I have to wear rubber boots to throw papers, I put a bag on each foot between my sock and the boot. This acts as insulation for my toes and I can save money by not buying those heat warmers. My mom has also put them on the outside of her shoes for protection while walking in the wet yard.

5. You can also use these at the grocer's to put loose produce in. This will keep you from using those other plastic bags and having even more of them at home.

If none of these ideas appeal to you, Wal Mart does accept them for recycling. Just ask the door greeter when you enter the store where their recycling barrel/box is located. Some local grocers also offer a recycling bin for you to put them in.

I hope that my little list has given you some new ideas and that you can reduce the amount of plastic bags in your home.

As some of you may know, I am the "Dumpster Diva". Since I periodically throw newspapers for a friend, I always check out the trash. I have been able to accumulate quite a collection of things from this.

Last year I able to get many house and yard plants, large flower pots, a patio table and chairs that my daughter has since taken and many other items.

This year I have gotten yet another patio table and chairs that I gave to my grandson and his mom, and a few other patio items that I have kept.

I also got a whiskey barrel for my mom. There were 3 of them but I was only able to empty one of them and put it in my car. In the process of doing this, I skinned my knee up pretty bad. I don't know if any of you have ever tried this but, a whiskey barrel full of dirt and rocks is HEAVY. I am not a big or young woman so this was no small feat.



I was able to go and visit my grandmother for a bit yesterday and showed her my injury. When she asked me how it happened, I just told her I was moving a whiskey barrel. All she heard was the word whiskey. She immediately yells, "Good! That's what you get dammit!" I had to laugh since she obviously thought I had been out drinking and had hurt myself. You should have seen the look on her face. It was too funny. I even got the finger pointing at me and everything.

She is doing really well and is almost always in good spirits. I do miss her terribly and look forward to spending more time with her in a few weeks.

While I could never be Lee Stroud, I do try to live a little greener life these days. I find that it takes a conscious effort and some planning to live like this.

My newest adventure is to read my food labels more. This is a real chore for me since I absolutely HATE to go to the grocer. I just want in and out. Even though I go in the wee hours of the morning, it still such a chore! All that label reading...ugh! But, I have noticed that a lot of quick foods are very high in sodium. This has caused me to rethink what I put in my lunches. No more fast food from the grocer if I can help it.

I also have a compost bin that I have decided is too small. Hubs and I built if from pallets and it has lasted about 3 years now. I thought of buying one of those enclosed tumbler types, but, they are quite expensive. So I found some plans on the web to build my own for around 60 bucks if I can reuse some of the items required. If not, it still won't cost near what they are going for.

I have replaced most of my light bulbs with the new florescent ones. These are more expensive but they do last longer. I also discovered that Home Depot will take the burned ones and recycle them for free. So now I know where to take them when I have to replace them.

I use those reusable grocery bags to cut down on my plastic use. These I love! I find that the cashier will put more in these bags than they do those plastic ones. I also reuse my produce plastic bags. I will eventually buy some reusable produce bags, but for now, I have plenty of these to use til I have to recycle them.

Since my glasses kept disappearing from the kitchen, I started using jelly/pickle/mayo jars several years ago. The reasoning behind this is simple. If you want to take a glass with you, take one of those so I can keep my matching glasses. Unfortunately, now that is about all I have in the cupboard. If I ever do any real entertaining, I will have to invest in some decent glasses.

When the kids come over for dinner, they always want to take home the leftovers. This is a good and bad situation. Good because it frees up room in my fridge. Bad because they take my Tupperware with them never to be seen by me again. So I have started saving my butter/cheese/cool whip type bowls. Even stuff I get from the deli that comes in a resealable bowl I save. Now when they come over, they can take stuff home in those. What is funny about this is they will bring that stuff back for refills. Go figure.

I also recycle cans, newspapers, etc. I have a lot of mixed metal in my garage that I need to get rid of soon. Magazines can be donated to your local schools,libraries, or even nursing homes.

So there is my green list. I do have some things I want to accomplish this year to live a little greener. I don't know if I will get to all of them since some are quite expensive, but every little bit helps. I have found that I save money in the long run by doing some of these things, and that is never a bad thing.

So this week's challenge by Small Footprints is what we down her in the south call a real booger bear.

Are you ready for this? No paper towels for a week!! 7 whole days. The Styrofoam thing was really tough because there are so many things that you buy that are only packaged with Styrofoam. But this...well this really takes some creativity on my part.

I don't use a lot of paper towels but when I do, it seems as though that is the only thing that will do. We use a redneck version of a cloth napkin and I use old towels that I have torn for drying dishes and the like.

But...when I cook I wash my meat and lay it on paper towels to dry a little before cooking. In order to reduce my use I have decided to use my colander to replace the paper towels.

I also use paper towels to dry my cast iron cookware. I have begun to use towels for this also.

The problem is french fries. I love french fries! But I have to find an alternative to drain them on. I used to use paper grocery bags but they seem to be extinct. I guess I could also use my colander for that too. We will see.

Anyway, the good news is that my family is starting to get into the groove of this. Hubs is all over it but my daughter B has been a little reluctant. But she is making a serious effort to get on board and I applaud her valiant efforts.

Fall is in the air here in Elvisland. Cooler nights and tolerable days. I love it!! This summer was not the usual humid,rainless summer that is the norm for us. I am curious as to how that will affect our winter.

I have managed to get more accomplished this summer than I thought I would. Before I list my many accomplishments, I must tell you I am a shameless dumpster diver. I know it sounds tacky and somewhat desperate, but I just can't help myself. I see perfectly good stuff at the curb, and I am compelled to bring it home. This summer has been an especially profitable one for me. So far, I have collected:
1 rather large clay flower pot that I used to plant some annuals in
2 matching urn pots for more annuals
2 mountain bikes that need a total of about 30 bucks worth of work done to them.
1 whiskey barrel for my yard.
1 glass top patio table to set in my yard.
4 matching patio chairs from a different location.
2 mix matched patio chairs.
1 box of dress racks.

All in all not a bad haul if I do say so myself! Hubs tilled me a new flower bed in the backyard and I was able to use my compost to enrich the soil and move some of my plants from my very crowded front yard to the back. So that was free. With the addition of the smaller patio table and chairs, I have a nice sitting area in the back yard away from the deck.

I have also cleaned out the attic and am now almost done with the storage unit I have. Most of the stuff has been donated. That is good for me as a tax write off, and good for the Vietnam Vets which is my charity of choice for these type of items. I have also put some stuff on Freecycle that the Vets can't take.

I also planted a very small garden this year. So I have put up tomatoes and used peppers in my salsa. I managed to frequent the Farmer's Market some this year and was able to get some blackberries and other assorted fruits and veggies. I have a friend that was able to locate some inexpensive peas for me already shelled no less, and I put some of those up along with some green beans I acquired from my mom's garden. Since this was my first year to do this type of thing, I learned a lot. The main thing being I need a bigger kitchen.

I am already starting a list of things I want to do inside this winter, so maybe I will have it all together by next spring. Hubs is going to just love that.

Rather than post on what I donate, I though I would expand on 2 of my favorite charities.

The one charity that I donate the most is Vietnam Veterans of America. They will come to your house and pick up anything you decide to donate. After the first donation, you will envelopes in the mail periodically, that contain their yellow donation bags with a date they will be in your area. What I like the most about this organization is that the proceeds go directly to help Vietnam Vets. They help with legal issues, medical issues, jobs, training, and the Veteran's Homes.

The second charity that I use the most is Dress for Success. This organization helps women that are returning/joining the workforce with a suit appropriate for an interview. You must have an interview scheduled to be eligible for a suit. To get a second outfit, you must be working. This organization helps women from all walks of life. From homeless shelters, to stay at home moms returning to work. They also offer many different programs to help women that are entering the workforce. Dress for Success will take any interview appropriate clothing. Suits, dresses, blouses, skirts, shoes, handbags and accessories.

There is a similar organization for men call Career Gear. This organization is similar to Dress for Success. They are not as widespread but they are growing and you can contact them about affiliates in certain cities.

While I am sure there is a plethora of good charitable organizations out there, these are my top 3. I like the feeling of know that what I have donated is going to an individual that really needs it. I also feel better knowing that in some small way, I am helping some woman/vet/man make a better life for themselves and their families.

My local radio station has the usual "morning show" type format. Usually it is pretty mundane but on occasion they do have some interesting interviews.

Recently they interviewed the author of "Throw Out Fifty Things: Clear the Clutter, Find Your Life" by Gail Blanke. After hearing this short interview, I thought I would try and throw out 50 things. She does say you should recycle, reuse, donate or throw out. So I went through my junk drawer. I hate that drawer! I did manage to get rid of quite a few things in there including several sets of old keys. Next on the list was my kitchen utensils. Since I go through those on a pretty regular basis, not much there. Then I headed to my closet. I have a large walk-in closet that is FULL. So I started going through my clothes first. I have several suits that are "classic" in their design that I no longer wear. Since I didn't want to just give them away in a yard sale or donate them to Goodwill I called Dress for Success. Next hubs and I hit the garage. This took a full day. But when we were done it was a beautiful thing.

All this cleaning has gotten me to thinking about my cluttered mind. Do I have 50 things in my mind or heart that I need to get rid of? Don't we all have at least 5? So this week while I am continuing the cleaning of my home, I will be focusing on what I need to throw out that is cluttering up my relationship with God. I know that this "spring cleaning" will not be as fast as the physical cleaning but it will be far more rewarding in the long run. I may have to take these things one at a time. My list in no particular order is:

1. My thoughts. I let my mind get away from me far to much. I need to stay focused on what the task at hand is for me in God's eyes and not what others are doing. The "Martha Syndrome".

2. My words. I can be unduly harsh towards others far too easily. I try to blame it on other things like fatigue or stress. The truth is I am not thinking before I speak at these times.

3. My countenance. My mouth can be saying one thing but the look on my face says something else. I need to reflect the love of Christ to others through my expressions.

I think these 3 will keep me busy for quite awhile:) I hope this post has encouraged you to really look at what you are hanging on to both physically and emotionally. If so, there are several places that you can donate a variety of things and recycle centers are popping up everywhere. Maybe, just maybe while you are at it, you will have the desire to clear your mind as well. Good luck and happy cleaning!