Cherish Earth Each Day

Earth Day was last week and many people attended events that promote environmental awareness.  I have never actually attended such events, but I am an advocate for making changes to help alleviate the stress we are causing our planet.  For decades, some people have been talking about the damage we are doing to Earth.  Finally it is becoming trendy to "Go Green."  I'm all for this since many people will get on board.  It's especially important to influence children since they will eventually have to deal with the consequences of our current actions.  

I recycle what I can.  I refill my water bottles before dropping them into the recycling bin.  I have a few reusable chico bags and canvas bags that I will take with me next time I go shopping.  I've been getting more tips from the eco-hip blog, but I just want to do more.  Any suggestions?

A Heartbreaking Tale

I just finished Snow Flower and the Secret Fan this weekend. It was based in 19th century China and well researched.  I actually stumbled upon this book at a library book sale, and snatched it up since I heard good things about it.  

I just started reading Eat, Pray, Love.  I've heard mixed reviews about this one, but I'll give it a chance.  

15 Minutes a Day

The Flylady says you can do anything for 15 minutes at a time.  I think about daunting tasks at home and don't know where to start.  But just doing a little bit, just 15 minutes, can put a dent in a project.  I've conquered a few paper piles in the past few weeks by doing this, so I know it really can make a difference.  Now I want to add writing daily into the mix.  If I can do more, great.  I imagine getting into the habit of this will help my writing tremendously.   

Ice, Ice, Baby

When I go to the gym, I bring my ipod and have a playlist ready to go.  I still can hear the music the gyms plays, though.  They usually play top 40 type music.  I imagine they have a their own playlist so no one has to bother changing the songs.  When I got there on Sunday, they had some easy listening song on which just didn't seem right.  Oh well, I thought.  Maybe it's a fluke.  But the rest of the songs were flashbacks from the 90's.  Some songs were ones I really liked from way back when, so this was better than being subjected to mostly rap and hip hop songs for an hour. (I used to like that kind of music many years ago, but now I've broadened my music library.)  Of course this flashback mix would not have been complete without a Vanilla Ice song thrown in.  I thought I would have seen more snickers.  I kept picturing Jim Carrey's parody of Ice, Ice, Baby on In Living Color.  Glad Carrey's still entertaining us, but I miss that show!  And you could catch Vanilla Ice on a Surreal Life rerun.  

Good at Starting

I like getting started on new tasks or programs.  I can envision what the results will be and that keeps me going.  To a point.  Then I find something else to begin and put the current projects on hold.  I have been successful with exercising at least 3 times a week for a few months now, so all is not lost.  I want to fit in writing and decluttering daily.  Maybe even alternate days for each.  Hmm, that seems possible.  Well, I'll give it a whirl this week and see how it goes.  

Back Home Again

Getting away was just what I needed.  Now I'm back and refreshed, ready to work on organizing my home and cooking healthier meals for my family.  

When I was with my parents, I spent some times cooking a few special meals with my mom. Working side by side, we were able to have some bonding time.  Since they have been living in another state for 2 years, moments like this help us reconnect.  We had agreed upon making tamales a few days into my visit.  We had all the ingredients and set up a plan to get 'em done by the afternoon.  We made at least 45 tamales and shared some with my uncle and his wife.  They were just as good as any other batch we've made before.  I was tempted to take a couple back with me, but there were hardly any left by the time I had to leave.  I haven't tried to make tamales on my own, so I think I'll give it whirl before they visit us in a few months.  I don't expect them to come out as delicious as those were, but at least I could try. 

A Little Free Time

My second week off work and I'm a total slacker.  Well, I'm also out of town visiting my parents, so I have somewhat of an excuse.  Between homecooked meals and continuous babysitting, I can read a book or surf the web without feeling guilty.  I leave in a few days, so this oasis will fade soon enough.  I've been stressing out lately, so I really needed this.