My Dad Is Green and Doesn't Know It

My dad is 70 years old today. He could care less about polar bears or what's in his drinking water but he is one of the greenest person's you will ever meet. Why? He is cheap.

Part of being green is about buying only what you need. And that is what my dad does. Growing up with him was a pain, he rarely splurged and there had to be a coupon involved. He is still this way.

I remember my mother getting angry with him for not turning on the heater in the winter. And god forbid he bought a car with air conditioning. Our house was always black at night because he would walk behind you and turn off the lights. He owns a very small, very fuel efficient car. He loves to walk and will if he can. He rarely eats out. And never wastes food. Only drinks water from the tap. He rarely shops and when he does it is for necessities. His shoes last him years. His couch is going on 35 years old and I'm sure his bed and dressers are also. He owns one TV, that he has had for 20 years. He doesn't own gadgets like a computer or PDA or iPod. He never travels. I would bet his carbon footprint is neutral.

I look back and disliked living with him as a child. He was so annoying! And so cheap! I froze my butt off every winter. But now in my adult years I look to him and I am proud. He does not even realize it but he is an eco-warrior. I know, he isn't an advocate for fighting global warming or ridding harmful chemicals in what we eat and drink but I still consider him very eco-friendly.

My dad one of a kind. And doesn't even know it.

I love my dad. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Hey, where did the week go?

Sorry for not being around lately, I have been quite busy. Life and school have taken over my time and the last thing I ever get to is my blog.

My photography classes are going great! I am learning so much! The above work is mine! It is my "pop art". I did it in Photoshop and I can't tell you how fun it is to learn Photoshop and all it has to offer! I've learned what a palette is and a filter and a Photoshop Bridge and a magic wand and so much more. I am also learning how to take photos better like which settings are best for different situations and all about cameras and famous photographers. I have not been this excited about learning since my early days at UCSD!

I just wanted to make contact with my blog and let my readers know I have not dropped off the face of the earth. Although I have been thinking that I may change my blog a little and not focus just on being green but my life instead. I will always try to be green but I don't always have something to write so nothing gets posted.

Anyway, I am feeling a little sick today so I may just head to bed for a while.

Be Green.

Today is a magical day. We get to say President Barrack Obama. As many of you know I lean more conservative when I vote but I can't even begin to explain how excited I am to have Barrack Obama as our new leader. I think he brings with him such hope and excitement. I admire him immensely for overcoming numerous and various obstacles in his life and I hope he can be a hero to not just African Americans but everyone. I hope he becomes an example to anyone who must get through boundaries to achieve what they want or need.

Good luck President Obama.

I Can See Clearly Now

Back in August I complained about streaks when I clean my windows and mirrors. I have been going about my cleaning, streaks or no streaks, but I found the answer. The problem seems to stem from the commercial cleaners. The cleaners, over time, leave a waxy build up on your windows and mirrors. The vinegar/water solution is not sufficient in cleaning this. The solution: a little bit of liquid soap in the vinegar/water solution will take those streaks away. I tried yesterday! It works! No streaks.

http://www.vinegartips.com/

Have a green day.

Uh Oh! Water Shortages?

Yesterday I wrote about the beautiful weather we are having but it could be detrimental to our water supply. Well, this morning on the news there is talk about Sonoma County (just north of San Francisco and north-west of me) is considering water rationing. The article states that water levels in their local lake, Lake Mendocino, is at its lowest in 20 years. I bet all lakes and reservoirs in California are low. Are other counties rationing this year? We'll find out come spring.

In the mean time, cut those showers short, don't run the water when you brush your teeth and run around town in a dirty vehicle. Read some of my resources below:

Robin Shreeves: 10 Easy Ways to be More Sustainable with Your Water

100 Ways to Conserve Water

Be Green

Are You Jealous?

I am going to now make some readers angry. Ready? I wore my flip-flops today! It is that warm! 63 degrees. In my house it feels like 80 degrees. I honestly don't like it this warm in January. I prefer our local seasonal weather during the correct season. I'm sure if this weather persists it could throw off the farming industry. That would not be good. It should go back to our regularly schedule cold weather next week.

Now all of you living where you get plenty of precipitation-snow, rain, etc-will scoff me in the summer when we here in California have to ration our water (we should be even if get record rains). I remember summers in Southern California as a kid when residents could get citations for hosing driveways or washing your car. I have not witness that since those early days. Is California stealing water for somewhere else? Because I know there is no more rain than when I was a kid. As a matter of fact in recent years I know we barely reach the 100% mark for precipitation if we reach it at all.

http://www.water.ca.gov/drought/

Well, we can't control the weather, at least to my knowledge, so I will wear my flip flops for now.

Have green day.

Crimes Against Nature-EPA's Most Wanted

These guys could care less about our beautiful earth and its inhabitants. The Environmental Protection Agency has released a list of men and women who are "accused of assaulting nature." From smuggling freon to dumping chemicals illegally, the law breakers are hideous people. Take a gander, do you recognize anyone?

http://www.epa.gov/fugitives/

Organics in 2009

Yesterday I went to Target. I hadn't been there in a couple of weeks when I needed to buy Christmas necessities. I was very surprised to see BATHING SUITS! What is wrong with that picture? Since when did we go from Christmas to bathing suits? Last year I was surprised and almost offended to see Valentine's items at this time of year but, come on, bathing suits. What is the reasoning behind this? Did they not make any money over the holidays so they bring out the bikini? "Hey, people don't have money to spend on the holidays so let's depress them even more and bring out the bathing suits!" "Let's remind all those women that they gained weight in the last couple of weeks." This almost offended me. WHATEVER! Commercialism feels no empathy.

If that was not enough, prices rose. My deodorant cost me $5.39! It's a natural deodorant. At that price nobody is going to buy it and then Target will stop carrying it and then I won't have my favorite deodorant. Oh, my pits will have poison!

And did anyone notice your ice cream container got smaller but stayed the same price? Cereal boxes are shrinking. And don't get me started on eggs.

The year 2009 will definitely be a monetary struggle for so many. Organic food, which is usually a slightly higher price than it's non-organic counterpart, is going to take a negative hit in sales. I can even admit that I have been choosing regular vegetables and fruits over organic. This is so disturbing to me because natural and organic were just starting to go main stream. Now it seems they will take a few steps back. People are not going to care if something is organic when the family struggles to put eggs and milk on their table. So many will choose inexpensive over quality and safety.

I was honestly thinking of not growing a garden again this year and just supporting the local farmers all spring and summer. But now I may change my mind. But ultimately it is my husband's decision, he's the green thumb.

I hope I didn't depress anyone. I just feel this is my wake up call. I need to make sure I make the most of my money and time this year.

But we greenies know that being green actually saves you money in the long run. What we need is someone with popularity to teach that concept. I wonder how green President Obama will be?

Tough Year Ahead For Organic Farmer

Have a green day.

Two Photo Classes and My Camera

Last Christmas my husband bought me a fancy, schmancy camera that I thought for sure I would eventually drop and break. Well, I still have that camera after one whole year but still have no clue to what most of the controls do. I read the manual and followed blogs, like Pioneer Woman, and I still have no clue. So I decided to take a class to teach me. I found a local community college that offers a great photography course of study and I can take the class online. So here I am taking a photography class online. What do you care? Well, I may not be around my blog as much. Did I mention I am also taking a digital photography class with emphasis on Photoshop CS4. I am completely and totally excited about these courses!

Let's break this down. One husband, two kids, a dog, a house, a job search (yes, maybe gonna work this year), a green goal, a life, friends, sleep (sometime), scouts, sports, gym, crochet, facebook, email AND 2 classes and my camera. I know there are people out there more busy than me and frankly if you are out there please comment below and tell me your secret to not becoming a sleep deprived, cranky monster to the people around you.

I'll be around, especially in spring when the green blogs just burst with excitement for their gardens and local foods. And as always I love reading blogs that I have there in my right margin. I love all my green reads, you have become my green rocks. (Hey, that's a great name for a blog!)

Oh, who am I kidding, I won't be able to not blog. I love it. See you tomorrow!

New Year Promises

(Local field in the winter with Mt. Diablo in the background.)

Everyone else does them so I will too. This will be the first time in my life, really, that I have New Year's resolutions. I guess in the past I thought I was perfect and now, in my later 30's, I have finally realized that my thighs really are chubby and I do need to work on being greener. Wow! I have flaws. Ha ha. I think I was always avoiding goals. If I don't have goals I can't be let down. Well, let's see how I do.

2009 Promises to myself:

1. Lose weight. (This is my first time pledging this for a new year, really.)
2. Use less plastic.
3. Prepare for winter by preparing more local foods in the summer.
4. Eat the local frozen foods I prepared.
5. Ride my bike or walk more.
6. Get a job.
7. Be less cranky with my husband. (I can be a real b*tch at times-monthly. lol)

There they are. I may need someone to ride a bit in these throughout the year because I can get pretty distracted.

Be Green '09!

Happy Belated New Year

Happy 2009! My family spent New Years Eve week in San Simeon along the California Coast. Above is a picture of the beautiful sunset that greeted us the first night. It was a wonderful break and the weather couldn't have been any better. We visited Hearst Castle, Morro Bay and elephant seals. I have lived in California all my life and I never get tired of our beautiful state and all it has to offer.
(Hearst Castle)

(Elephant Seal in San Simeon)

(CA coastline on Highway 1)

These are the reasons I try to be green. What would life be without natural beauty?