Gettin' eco-freaky!

I have plans to get back on my eco-path. I have been consuming much more mindfully. I'm probably driving Hub nuts keeping lights off. Just wait until I get power strips to reduce our phantom load! I think he'll be happy about the money savings, though.

I want him to put up a clothesline this week. Even if I use it only a few times a week, it will reduce the amount of energy we use to dry clothes. I will also be ordering a garden bed from Square Foot Gardening. I have been deciding what veggies to grow. Peppers, definitely. Zuchinni, eggplant, tomatoes, lettuce. Herbs--rosemary, parsely, basil, oregano. I may try to grow some sweet corn. Very cool.

What's going on?

This has been such an unsettling day. Hub and I have been spatting off and on. I don't know if it's because I'm hormonal (a new experience for me) or if we are both just stressed about money and finances. We really had a yelling match today and Bean walked in on it. Heck of a thing to come home from college to your parents fighting.

So, I put in a pork roast (Hub's suggestion), took it out and the veggies aren't done. I'll let it go another 20 minutes and check again. Of course, now Hub is napping. He didn't tell me he was going to nap and for some reason that pisses me off. I am never this easily upset, so I don't know what to think. I am really just trying to keep my mouth shut to keep the peace.

I haven't accomplished anything, really. I guess I cleaned up a bit, did some dishes and laundry. We took the dogs to the park, which they totally loved.

I have an appointment Feb 26 to see Dr. Huse again. I know this bothers Hub because of our money situation, but I need to try. I have been picking up extra hours at work and will continue to do so.

I have to admit--I made a purchase last week at the scrapbook store. I really didn't mean to spend $50. So, I am staying out of stores. I would prefer to do the household shopping along with Hub, to keep us both honest. It really is easier to save money that it is to earn it.

I have been using interlibrary loan and am waiting for my books to come in. So much cheaper than buying, but I still get to browse on Amazon!

Hub has talked about getting another job, at least for a while. I hate that. It would limit our time together. It would limit our time to work on the house.

Somehow, I feel our financial situation is all my fault. I know it took both of us, but I still feel pressure to be the one to fix it.

Such a bad girl

I had a stressful work week and often found myself at the convenience store or McDonald's. I truly need to work to be more prepared. My major consumption issues tend to relate to food products. It is so hard to find the energy to cook from scratch. Not time, energy. And I really enjoy cooking.

I applied for a new job week before last, but I haven't heard back yet. I know it would pay less, but the hours would be a dream. I hope I at least get called for an interview. I have a friend who works there, she told me it can take them a while to respond to applications. I'll keep my fingers crossed.

eco-stuff

OK, trying to get back on my more eco-friendly path. I do pretty well most of the time, but often convenience is tempting. When I take my lunch to work, I do a "trash in, trash out" kind of thing. I use re-usable containers and bring any cans home to recycle.

I have become interested in this whole "phantom load" thing. I know electronics use power, even when you turn them off. I would like to try power strips so the whole shebang can be turned off, the TV, computer, dvd player, microwave, etc. I wonder how much the dollar savings would be? My house is total electric, so it would be easy to track.

I am also looking into having chickens. How much fun would that be?? About four would be nice, I think. We use a lot of eggs, making frittatas, stratas, quiche. They cut down on pests, clear the ground, use up kitchen scraps, make fertilizer--sounds good.

I just wish I could do better with my transporation. I have to drive 22 miles to work. Walking to shop and to social/community events isn't feasible because we live just too far out. It's something I'll have to think about, maybe I can come up with something better.

Bean's mom

She is driving us nuts! She can't seem to get it through her head that Bean is 17 years old, four months shy of 18, and isn't going to take any more of her crap. She is making demands and threats, which isn't unusual. But she has not paid a penny to us for the child's upkeep. I gladly do that. She may as well be my daughter, I have always treated her thus. She has never gotten over Hub getting primary custody. It has been stuck in her craw for years.

Bean handles it pretty well. Better than I would. I just worry when Bean is a young adult, out in the working world. I'm just betting that she will be pestered by her mom and that side of the family for money. I've told her that she needs to put her foot down from the start, that she is not going to give them money. It would be so much better to not have to even start that kind of nonsense.

Bean deserves a good life. A life free of chaos and drama. Her mom lives on drama. If there isn't some tragedy going on, she thinks she's not living.

I wish she would back off on the religion thing, too. Bean doesn't think she wants to be Mormon. If she decides that's what she wants, fine. But Hub and I think she should be free to choose. Of course, being raised by a pagan step-mom makes you open your eyes to all the truths in the world. I'm glad Bean has an open mind.

I am so proud of her. I think she has a wonderful life ahead.

Cease and desist order

I suppose if I wanted peace and quiet in my household, Hub and I should not have adopted Kya and Sophie. The cats had just become accustomed to life without a dog, then we bring not just one, but two canines in the house. Kya only bothers the cats if they get near her food. Sophie thinks they are her personal toys. Jasper isn't afraid of her, he will smack the snot out of her muzzle if she gets too close.

Of course, I brought this chaos on myself. I only have a twinge of regret when I am trying to quietly read, then Sophie will dash into the room and across the couch, knocking me and the cats everywhere. Duchess has taken to staying upstairs in Bean's room a lot. It is safer there. And quieter. Heck, I might start hanging out there when the fur is flying.

Having Kya has been good for my activity level. She insists on going for walks a couple of times a day. Won't let me back out of it, either. She can give me the look-you know, the one dogs give when they are guilt tripping you. So, out the door we go. For a more peaceful walk for both of us, I have been leaving Sophie behind. That gives my time to bond with my dog.