I could have used some more extra hours this weekend, but I did the best with what I had.
This weekend was pretty packed...the longest UNO game E-V-E-R, meal planning and grocery shopping, It's The Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown, a little cleaning, Halloween with our close friends, Church, Girl Scout troop training, a little personal reading, some writing, some beta-reading critiqing (a lot of -ing's). I was feeling pretty good about getting it all done and keeping a smile on my face.
But when I tried to fry some chicken tonight (something I don't even claim to know how to do) I got frustrated when the last batch got burned.
I find this to be a trend in my life - worrying over something little and not showing gratitude for everything else this trivial event blocks out. My focus is too narrow and lacking the appreciation that I should have for the many accomplishments that I actually did achieve.
Rather than thanking God 100x each day for waking up, not getting into a car accident, not struggling with the symptoms of a fatal disease, not being oppressed or the victim of a hate-crime, or simply for having a plethora of blessings (wonderful family, beautiful home, two working cars, family close by, full-time job with benefits, democracy, etc.)...I think about the inconveniences in my life and those I love.
You wouldn't believe how stupid I sound having one-sided conversations with the horrible drivers on the roads of Charlotte (seriously we are right up there with New Yorkers). My heart rate speeds up and I allow myself to actually wish there was a police officer around to "give them what they deserve." How awful is that? I should pray for them and think loving thoughts instead of getting angry.
Occasionally, I admit to feeling like I deserve to spend money on manicures and pedicures, and try to think of ways to work this into our normal budget. How petty! Why do I deserve this? Less money than the cost of a mani-pedi could support a child in a third world country and yet I struggle with that idea. The desire to treat myself is so strong it actually hurts sometimes.
I will think no more about this chicken. And I will eat the chicken. Granted, I'll smother it in extra Thai sauce, but I will not toss it. As I chew...and chew...I'll remember that it takes a few mistakes to appreciate perfection and that not everything will meet my stringent expectations.
Showing posts with label community. Show all posts
Showing posts with label community. Show all posts
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Climate Blog Day
Today many bloggers are uniting on an important issue: Climate Change
It's not just a crazy futuristic idea, it's a scientific event that we need to educate ourselves on. The EPA has information you can read about recent changes:
http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/science/recentcc.html
They talk about the impact humans have had since the Industrial Revolution, including greenhouse gases and aerosols. We have been burning fossil fuels and cutting down oxygen producing forests.
I found this bullet point from the Temperature tab scary: "Average temperatures in the Arctic have increased at almost twice the global rate in the past 100 years."
The earth is getting warmer and warmer. GlobalIssues.org talks about this in a recently updated article on global warming:
http://www.globalissues.org/issue/178/climate-change-and-global-warming
They also discuss changes in our overall ecosystem, due to decreases in species (animals and bugs) and habitats (trees, clean water, etc).
WHAT CAN WE DO ABOUT IT?
http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/wycd/index.html
At Home - these are taken straight from EPA site
1. Change 5 lights
Replace the conventional bulbs in your 5 most frequently used light fixtures with bulbs that have the ENERGY STAR and you will help the environment while saving money on energy bills. If every household in the U.S. took this one simple action we would prevent greenhouse gases equivalent to the emissions from nearly 10 million cars.
2. Look for ENERGY STAR qualified products
Look for ENERGY STAR qualified products in more than 50 product categories, including lighting, home electronics, heating and cooling equipment and appliances.
3. Heat and cool smartly
Simple steps like cleaning air filters regularly and having your heating and cooling equipment tuned annually by a licensed contractor can save energy and increase comfort at home, and at the same time reduce greenhouse gas emissions. When it's time to replace your old equipment, choose a high efficiency model, and make sure it is properly sized and installed.
4. Seal and insulate your home
Seal air leaks and add more insulation to your home. The biggest leaks are usually found in the attic and basement. If you are planning to replace windows, choose ENERGY STAR qualified windows for better performance. Seal and insulate any ducts in attics and crawlspaces to improve the efficiency of your home.
5. Use green power
Green power is environmentally friendly electricity that is generated from renewable energy sources such as wind and the sun. There are two ways to use green power: you can buy green power or you can modify your house to generate your own green power.
6. Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle
If there is a recycling program in your community, recycle your newspapers, beverage containers, paper and other goods. Use products in containers that can be recycled and items that can be repaired or reused. In addition, support recycling markets by buying products made from recycled materials.
7. Be green in your yard
Use a push mower, which, unlike a gas or electric mower, consumes no fossil fuels and emits no greenhouse gases. If you do use a power mower, make sure it is a mulching mower to reduce grass clippings. Composting your food and yard waste reduces the amount of garbage that you send to landfills and reduces greenhouse gas emissions.
8. Use water efficiently
There are also simple actions you can take to save water: Be smart when irrigating your lawn or landscape; only water when needed and do it during the coolest part of the day, early morning is best. Turn the water off while shaving or brushing teeth. Do not use your toilet as a waste basket - water is wasted with each flush. And did you know a leaky toilet can waste 200 gallons of water per day? Repair all toilet and faucet leaks right away.
9. Spread the Word
Tell family and friends that energy efficiency is good for their homes and good for the environment because it lowers greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution. Tell 5 people and together we can help our homes help us all.
I thought those were great Ideas. The EPA has tips for the office, the school and on the road!
If you can't adopt 5 at least find 1 way to contribute!!
It's not just a crazy futuristic idea, it's a scientific event that we need to educate ourselves on. The EPA has information you can read about recent changes:
http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/science/recentcc.html
They talk about the impact humans have had since the Industrial Revolution, including greenhouse gases and aerosols. We have been burning fossil fuels and cutting down oxygen producing forests.
I found this bullet point from the Temperature tab scary: "Average temperatures in the Arctic have increased at almost twice the global rate in the past 100 years."
The earth is getting warmer and warmer. GlobalIssues.org talks about this in a recently updated article on global warming:
http://www.globalissues.org/issue/178/climate-change-and-global-warming
They also discuss changes in our overall ecosystem, due to decreases in species (animals and bugs) and habitats (trees, clean water, etc).
WHAT CAN WE DO ABOUT IT?
http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/wycd/index.html
At Home - these are taken straight from EPA site
1. Change 5 lights
Replace the conventional bulbs in your 5 most frequently used light fixtures with bulbs that have the ENERGY STAR and you will help the environment while saving money on energy bills. If every household in the U.S. took this one simple action we would prevent greenhouse gases equivalent to the emissions from nearly 10 million cars.
2. Look for ENERGY STAR qualified products
Look for ENERGY STAR qualified products in more than 50 product categories, including lighting, home electronics, heating and cooling equipment and appliances.
3. Heat and cool smartly
Simple steps like cleaning air filters regularly and having your heating and cooling equipment tuned annually by a licensed contractor can save energy and increase comfort at home, and at the same time reduce greenhouse gas emissions. When it's time to replace your old equipment, choose a high efficiency model, and make sure it is properly sized and installed.
4. Seal and insulate your home
Seal air leaks and add more insulation to your home. The biggest leaks are usually found in the attic and basement. If you are planning to replace windows, choose ENERGY STAR qualified windows for better performance. Seal and insulate any ducts in attics and crawlspaces to improve the efficiency of your home.
5. Use green power
Green power is environmentally friendly electricity that is generated from renewable energy sources such as wind and the sun. There are two ways to use green power: you can buy green power or you can modify your house to generate your own green power.
6. Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle
If there is a recycling program in your community, recycle your newspapers, beverage containers, paper and other goods. Use products in containers that can be recycled and items that can be repaired or reused. In addition, support recycling markets by buying products made from recycled materials.
7. Be green in your yard
Use a push mower, which, unlike a gas or electric mower, consumes no fossil fuels and emits no greenhouse gases. If you do use a power mower, make sure it is a mulching mower to reduce grass clippings. Composting your food and yard waste reduces the amount of garbage that you send to landfills and reduces greenhouse gas emissions.
8. Use water efficiently
There are also simple actions you can take to save water: Be smart when irrigating your lawn or landscape; only water when needed and do it during the coolest part of the day, early morning is best. Turn the water off while shaving or brushing teeth. Do not use your toilet as a waste basket - water is wasted with each flush. And did you know a leaky toilet can waste 200 gallons of water per day? Repair all toilet and faucet leaks right away.
9. Spread the Word
Tell family and friends that energy efficiency is good for their homes and good for the environment because it lowers greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution. Tell 5 people and together we can help our homes help us all.
I thought those were great Ideas. The EPA has tips for the office, the school and on the road!
If you can't adopt 5 at least find 1 way to contribute!!
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