How to Make an Awesome Orange Julius
Top 10 New Mom Must-Haves No One Tells You About
Homemade Mallobars - Yum! Marshmallow, chocolate and graham crackers - where could you go wrong with this recipe? Must try it!
5 Homemade DIY Natural Fabric Softeners | Apartment Therapy Re-Nest
Been noticing a significant improvement in the sensitive skin department (due to pregnancy hormones) after not only switching out my face-wash and body wash to sensitive only - but also switching our laundry detergent to a dye and fragrance free (so painful - I love my lavender scented stuff) version. Now looking to replace our fabric softener too. Either going the free and clear route from the store or these DIY ideas.
Free downloadable swing set plans :: Money Saving Mom℠
Can we say - hubby weekend project??
5 Reasons Why To Bake These Cupcakes « Slow Like Honey
More marshmallow and chocolate recipe loveliness. Sweet tooth, what??
Showing posts with label green. Show all posts
Showing posts with label green. Show all posts
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Web Finds Wednesday
6 Ways to Green Clean Your Couch
Strawberry Lime Slush (our abundance of strawberries this year and the random lime left in the fridge is spurring me on towards this recipe!)
Tropical Smoothies
Mama Carolla's Bruschetta
Crochet Pattern Provence Summer String Bag
Grilled Citrus Chicken Teriyaki
Mediterranean Turkey Bagelwiches
Root Beer Barbeque Beef Sandwiches
Strawberry Lime Slush (our abundance of strawberries this year and the random lime left in the fridge is spurring me on towards this recipe!)
Tropical Smoothies
Mama Carolla's Bruschetta
Crochet Pattern Provence Summer String Bag
Grilled Citrus Chicken Teriyaki
Mediterranean Turkey Bagelwiches
Root Beer Barbeque Beef Sandwiches
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Web Finds Wednesday!
4 Ways To Clean Green With Fresh Herbs
18 Antibug Cleaning Tips: Fighting Off the Summer Bug Invasion
5 Things You Might Not Know About Watering Plants
Sewn Stash Baskets
Lemon-Kissed Buttermilk Cupcakes with the World's Fluffiest Cream Cheese Frosting
Tart Cherry Crumb Cake
Rhubarb Crumb Bars
Rhubarb and Blackberry Snack Cake
Rhubarb Iced Tea
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Friday, September 4, 2009
Web Finds Wednesday! (Friday Edition)
I realize it is no longer Wednesday - but hey, apparently my draft for Wednesday was never put into publish mode - sigh. So here ya go! :)
Downloadable Pocket Stitch Book
Katharine Hepburn Brownie Recipe
Microwaved Lime Cheesecake Tarts
75 Things You Can Compost
How To: Make Your Own Worm Bin
Downloadable Pocket Stitch Book
Katharine Hepburn Brownie Recipe
Microwaved Lime Cheesecake Tarts
75 Things You Can Compost
How To: Make Your Own Worm Bin
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Rain Barrel Installed
We finally got our rain barrel all set up! Only took a good 5-10 minutes of listening to ear splitting screeches as my hubby cut through the gutter with his new hack saw. Fun.
The barrel is already completely full with the rains we had last week!
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Rain Barrel 101
So, I made myself a rain barrel at Invoke Yoga Studio's Go Green Rain Barrel Workshop! :) I even drilled (most) of the holes myself...I was a little wary of drilling the hole for the 3/4 inch spout because it had to be just right or the spout wouldn't fit in right. Was actually pretty easy to make and I can't wait to go out and buy myself a 7/8 drill bit, water sealant caulking, a female connector - which you cannot see in this picture as it is inside the barrel connected to the other end of the spout, screen and a few more food-grade barrels (which is the hard part to find, I guess). So, if anyone knows where I can get my hands on a few (3-4 more) let me know!
I want to set up a system of barrels on the west side of the house, inside the fence - under our downspout. That side is always mucky when it rains and we never use that area...so I think a few rain barrels would be perfect! We can connect the rain barrels through the over flow hole I made at the top of the barrel - you can see it in the picture above - using a connector and some hosing. The thing I need to remember is to stagger the height of the barrels using a foundation of bricks or concrete blocks and stagger the over flow holes in each additional barrel so it is lower than the first connecting barrel..and, of course, to insert a spout on each additional barrel.
(Here's a visual of how barrels can be connected - see how they are at different heights? Image from http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/watercon/rbfaq.htm)
(Here's a picture that illustrates how my rain barrel will work - see how the down spout is raised so it just pours in? And how the rain barrel itself is raised on a layer of brick to increase water pressure through gravity. Image from : http://www.metrocouncil.org/Directions/water/water2007/yardcare.htm)
Not so excited about the color - but we were told that we could use clear plastic primer to coat the barrels and then paint them whatever color we choose, though I have a vision of creating some sort of lattice screen with some sort of climbing flower or plant.
To get the water out, you can attach any sort of hose, soaker or otherwise, or simple fill a watering can. As long as the barrel is raised on top of a layer or two of concrete blocks or bricks you will have enough water pressure to reach the end of your hose - though of course it won't be anything crazy - but we were told it does reach the end of a soaker hose.
Another thing to note is what to do with the barrels in the winter season. You will definitely want to empty the barrel of any water as the barrel will expand and probably sustain damage if the water freezes inside.
Woohoo! We have our first rain barrel!! I love going green! First recycling, then our compost bin and now our rain barrels! Love it!!
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Gaiam Great Green Giveaway!
Green lifestyle company Gaiam is sponsoring this Great Green Giveaway over at the Alternative Consumer. One lucky winner will be able to dry their threads powered by the sun and wind. How cool is that?? Save money, save the planet and save your threads.
The easy-to-assemble, folding Umbrella Clothes Dryer allows for easy clothes hanging. Height adjusts from 4 feet to 6 feet. Polished aluminum post fits into permanent ground box. Arms are galvanized steel.
To Enter this Random Drawing, simply:
Visit gaiam.com. Then leave a comment on the giveaway post over the Alternative Consumer, telling them why you like the Umbrella Dryer, and how it suits your lifestyle.
One lucky winner will be selected in their Random Drawing, and notified by email on Friday, March 13 at approximately 6p (ET). Winner has 24 hours to claim their prize, or offer is null and void. Winner’s name will also be included on this post.
Friday, October 3, 2008
Proposed IndyGo Changes
PROPOSED INDYGO CHANGES
These proposed changes will be decided at an Oct. 30 meeting of the IndyGo board at 5 p.m. at the transportation agency's boardroom, 1501 W. Washington St.:
»Increase all fares in 2009, including raising a full fare from $1.50 to $1.75, a day pass from $3.50 to $4, a seven-day pass from $17 to $20 and a 31-day pass from $55 to $60.
»Charge regular fares beginning next year on the Red Line Circulator, which is now free.
»Create a new $30 monthly S-Pass for college and university students.
» Eliminate the Route 18-26 (Nora and Keystone) Sunday north loop to the Far Northside in November and Route 55 (English to the Far Eastside) in February.
» Move the west end of Route 8 (Washington Street) from the current Indianapolis International Airport terminal to the new midfield terminal in November.
»Reduce service on Routes 5 (East 25th Street/North Harding), 11 (East 16th Street), 28 (St. Vincent) and 31 (Greenwood) in November and on Routes 2 (East 34th Street), 4 (Fort Harrison) and 30 (30th Street Crosstown) in February.
HOW INDYGO COMPARES
INDIANAPOLIS
System: IndyGo.
Annual ridership: 8.4 million. Fare: $1.50.
COLUMBUS, OHIO
System: COTA: Central Ohio Transit Authority.
Annual ridership: More than 14.8 million. Fare: $1.50.
CINCINNATI
System: Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority.
Annual ridership: About 23 million. Fare: $1.50.
LOUISVILLE, KY.
System: TARC: Transit Authority of River City.
Annual ridership: About 15.8 million. Fare: $1.50.
ST. LOUIS
System: Metro (bus, light rail).
Annual ridership: 54 million. Fare: $1.75.
Source: Star library research
---------------------------------------------------------
Hmmm, not sure how I feel about all this. I mean ridership is up - so why all the cut backs? Seems like the wrong time to do that.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Our Last Living, Lean & Green Class and Chimney Swifts
The Living Lean & Green Class I've been taking every Wednesday for the last month came to a close last night. We spent the last class having a pitch-in, a green elephant gift exchange (I somehow wound up with Bath & Body Works products - go figure) and summing up what we've learned and the pounds we've shaved off our footprints.
It was very rewarding to hear every one's story about changing their daily habits - taking shorter showers, recycling, turn off lights, unplugging electrical cords, turning the thermostat up a few degrees, driving less, etc.
I managed to take an additional 2,400 lbs of our carbon footprint with installing our new Energy Star washing machine (-500lbs), washing more dishes by hand instead of using the dish washer (-125lbs), planting a tree in our front yard (-25) - we haven't done this yet but we are going to before winter, getting a tune-up on my car (-1,500) and installing another low flow shower head (-250).
While chatting with my friend, Jessie, after our green class - we spotted a flock of chimney swifts turning in for the evening in a nearby building. I had never seen anything like it before. They were all swarming in the sky and just dropping into the chimney - it was crazy and there were so many!
It was very rewarding to hear every one's story about changing their daily habits - taking shorter showers, recycling, turn off lights, unplugging electrical cords, turning the thermostat up a few degrees, driving less, etc.
I managed to take an additional 2,400 lbs of our carbon footprint with installing our new Energy Star washing machine (-500lbs), washing more dishes by hand instead of using the dish washer (-125lbs), planting a tree in our front yard (-25) - we haven't done this yet but we are going to before winter, getting a tune-up on my car (-1,500) and installing another low flow shower head (-250).
While chatting with my friend, Jessie, after our green class - we spotted a flock of chimney swifts turning in for the evening in a nearby building. I had never seen anything like it before. They were all swarming in the sky and just dropping into the chimney - it was crazy and there were so many!
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Living Lean & Green: Class 4
Well, yesterday I thought I would brave it and take the Route 8 IndyGo bus to the library where I take my Living Lean & Green class. Ha! That didn't work out so well.
I had picked up a route map a few days prior - but those maps are pretty much useless when it comes to learning a new route. For one, they only list a fraction of the stops - maybe 8 out of 30. And the route map doesn't really show the route on a road map in relation to where streets are. So you can't really guess where it is going to be at when. I mean they give times, but they are never on time - not even close.
I was perusing around downtown Indianapolis trying to find a Eastbound bus along my chosen route and I couldn't find one....it was awful. And I was getting blisters the size of Taiwan on my heels from new "comfortable" shoes (snort) - ended up limping 8 blocks until I was finally able to wave down a bus. Wasn't at a stop - just an intersection but the driver was a saint and let me on.
The trip home wasn't much better. Thankfully my friend, who I go to the green class with, brought the most marvelous band aids ever - so my heels were finally getting relief - but I could see out the window from where our class was and I watched hopefully as a bus went by at 7:00 - then another at 7:38....thinking, "OK, so class gets out at 8 and another bus should go by right?!" NO. I sat out in an unfamiliar neighborhood in the dark for more than 30 minutes before breaking down and calling my friend to drive me back to my car. Sigh.
So riding the bus to my green class to be more green....fail.
Oh well, the last class is next Wednesday and we are going to have a little pitch-in and green elephant gift exchange - so I am just going to drive. I would rather use up some gas than go through all that again.
I STILL ride the bus to work everyday on normal days...days when I don't have to be anywhere at a specific time. But what I've learned and am still learning is that you just can't rely on the bus to get you where you want on time. It isn't a very reliable source of transportation for people on a rigid schedule.
Heck, one morning we all boarded the bus to head downtown and as the driver fired her up to pull away from the curb - the thing just died. And we waited probably 15 minutes because we really didn't know what was going on and the driver at no point apologized or explained what was happening or what was going to happen. Was another bus going to come in time to take us where we needed to be? Answer ended up being no. That bus was supposed to leave at 8:10 and get downtown by 8:30...well since it broke down, the next bus that would come through wouldn't be until 8:38...which means it wouldn't get downtown until at least 9. Everyone had to get off and get back into their cars and drive to work. The sad thing is that we had already paid our bus fares and the driver couldn't reimburse us.
In retrospect, I think riding the bus is great in many ways, but unrealistic in others.
Sorry for the bus rant there....my heels are still smarting this morning...and I had to sit next to a breather-mcstinky-breath this morning and it was no fun.
Anyways, back to my Green Class.
I got drilled again by squinty eyes about my carbon footprint. I had to give her the low down about what all I was doing to get it so low. Honestly, it is like the perfect alignment. We just bought our first new home and it is insulated well and came fully equipped with all Energy Star appliances. Our community pays for curbside recycling and we have compost out back. With the bus and my husband's new job being so close - we have cut our miles down to nothing.
One of the things we talked about last night was pretty intriguing though - battery powered lawn mowers. Huh...I guess they come with a key start ignition so maybe I could even run the darn thing!
After all my ranting I think I should participate in Thankful Thursdays - a great idea by garden blogger Thyme for Herbs.
I had picked up a route map a few days prior - but those maps are pretty much useless when it comes to learning a new route. For one, they only list a fraction of the stops - maybe 8 out of 30. And the route map doesn't really show the route on a road map in relation to where streets are. So you can't really guess where it is going to be at when. I mean they give times, but they are never on time - not even close.
I was perusing around downtown Indianapolis trying to find a Eastbound bus along my chosen route and I couldn't find one....it was awful. And I was getting blisters the size of Taiwan on my heels from new "comfortable" shoes (snort) - ended up limping 8 blocks until I was finally able to wave down a bus. Wasn't at a stop - just an intersection but the driver was a saint and let me on.
The trip home wasn't much better. Thankfully my friend, who I go to the green class with, brought the most marvelous band aids ever - so my heels were finally getting relief - but I could see out the window from where our class was and I watched hopefully as a bus went by at 7:00 - then another at 7:38....thinking, "OK, so class gets out at 8 and another bus should go by right?!" NO. I sat out in an unfamiliar neighborhood in the dark for more than 30 minutes before breaking down and calling my friend to drive me back to my car. Sigh.
So riding the bus to my green class to be more green....fail.
Oh well, the last class is next Wednesday and we are going to have a little pitch-in and green elephant gift exchange - so I am just going to drive. I would rather use up some gas than go through all that again.
I STILL ride the bus to work everyday on normal days...days when I don't have to be anywhere at a specific time. But what I've learned and am still learning is that you just can't rely on the bus to get you where you want on time. It isn't a very reliable source of transportation for people on a rigid schedule.
Heck, one morning we all boarded the bus to head downtown and as the driver fired her up to pull away from the curb - the thing just died. And we waited probably 15 minutes because we really didn't know what was going on and the driver at no point apologized or explained what was happening or what was going to happen. Was another bus going to come in time to take us where we needed to be? Answer ended up being no. That bus was supposed to leave at 8:10 and get downtown by 8:30...well since it broke down, the next bus that would come through wouldn't be until 8:38...which means it wouldn't get downtown until at least 9. Everyone had to get off and get back into their cars and drive to work. The sad thing is that we had already paid our bus fares and the driver couldn't reimburse us.
In retrospect, I think riding the bus is great in many ways, but unrealistic in others.
Sorry for the bus rant there....my heels are still smarting this morning...and I had to sit next to a breather-mcstinky-breath this morning and it was no fun.
Anyways, back to my Green Class.
I got drilled again by squinty eyes about my carbon footprint. I had to give her the low down about what all I was doing to get it so low. Honestly, it is like the perfect alignment. We just bought our first new home and it is insulated well and came fully equipped with all Energy Star appliances. Our community pays for curbside recycling and we have compost out back. With the bus and my husband's new job being so close - we have cut our miles down to nothing.
One of the things we talked about last night was pretty intriguing though - battery powered lawn mowers. Huh...I guess they come with a key start ignition so maybe I could even run the darn thing!
After all my ranting I think I should participate in Thankful Thursdays - a great idea by garden blogger Thyme for Herbs.
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Greening Our Appliances
So I can officially swipe 500 more lbs off our Carbon Footprint after the delivery guys brought this bad boy out to the house. Our new GE Front Loading washing machine just lumbers over our old dinky dryer! Lola, of course, is scared of it. I leave the door open between loads to let it air dry inside and she will sit outside the room and bark and bark - like some intruder is in the house.
Let me tell you, this washer is amazing! It can fit an king sized comforter inside! It is QUIET - so quiet you have no idea it is running. Our old washer pretty much threw a tantrum every time it hit the spin cycle. It was so loud you could hear it downstairs. One down side to the new washer is the cycle time - 59min. BUT the clothes are almost practically dry by the time you it finishes its spin cycle so you can cut your dryer time in half! Talk about saving energy! One thing I didn't know, as I watched it cycle through, is that it doesn't actually fill with water. It uses just enough to get the clothes wet - you never see a water line or anything up the side of the glass...pretty cool considering how much water a regular washing machine has to use. So far I am very happy with our purchase - despite it's original misgivings (having to be bought on Matt's birthday - etc).
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Living Lean & Green
Well tonight was my second (the series' third) workshop on Living, Lean and Green. (I missed a session last week when I was out of town.) Our first homework assignment was to figure out our carbon footprint, which I did - but when I wrote it on my cut-out construction paper footprint I am pretty sure the facilitator didn't believe me - it was met with some pretty squinty eyes.
The typical American household's footprint is 54,600 lb.
Ours is 7,709lb according the online calculator. Pretty big difference I KNOW - but I AM and always have been a huge dork when it comes to recycling, composting, etc - just ask my coworkers and husband!
I attribute our great score to the following factors:
- We just bought a newer home last year that has excellent insulation and windows and almost all Energy Star appliances.
- I am cold blooded so I LOVE it when it is hot and tend to leave the air off most of the summer. In the winter we have a down comforter in addition to our duvet to sleep with at night.
- We compost and recycle so we only produce one bag of trash a week - IF that.
- My husband only drives 5 miles to work each day.
- I drive 4 when I ride the bus - which I normally do.
- We have newer cars that have pretty decent gas mileage.
Here's another pic from our class - Fred, here, is explaining how he showers...no really! :)
Today I got a free Energy Efficiency Kit from IPL which included two energy saving light bulbs, a night light, insulation strips, a shower head and a hot water gauge. I would have gotten a programmable thermostat but I am not a Citizen's Gas customer - boo!
Pretty excited to see if I can get our footprint even lower! Here are some things we will be working on:
- We are installing a new Energy Star Front Loading Washing Machine so that is a step
- Look at what our water heater is set
- Get a programmable thermostat so we can set it to turn off at certain times of the day. We are so busy we tend to forget to turn the air back to a lower setting when we leave the house.
- I want to get away from paper towels.
- Work on unplugging our chargers when we aren't using them as well.
If you are interested in taking the Living, Lean & Green workshop - visit the Central Indiana Environmental Education Program online and see where and when the next presentation or workshop takes place! They are free you just need to sign-up and show up!
Web Find Wednesday!
Not much to report today - been busy, busy, busy AND tired....
But I do have this! A link I stumbled about all the off-the-wall things you can compost.
http://www.ecosalon.com/title/30_Unexpected_and_Unusual_Things_You_Can_Still_Put_in_the_Compost
But I do have this! A link I stumbled about all the off-the-wall things you can compost.
http://www.ecosalon.com/title/30_Unexpected_and_Unusual_Things_You_Can_Still_Put_in_the_Compost
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
What's Your Carbon Footprint?
We calculated our carbon footprint today! It was the "homework" I am supposed to do for the "Living Lean & Green" series of classes I am taking with a friend at a local library. I had never actually done the calculations before so I didn't know what to expect really. So, I sat down tonight and logged on to our accounts at our electric and gas company - found our average usage for a year and answered a few other questions from the Low Carbon Diet Calculator and wahla!
Our total emissions are only 7,709 lbs!
(The average American household's emissions are 54,600 lbs)
We are at a level 9 out of 10! Pretty snazzy!
I caulk it up to our recycling, composting, keeping the house at 75 degrees in the summer, my riding the bus and my husband only working 6 miles from home - makes a huge difference apparently!
What's your carbon footprint? Lower or higher than you though it would be?
Our total emissions are only 7,709 lbs!
(The average American household's emissions are 54,600 lbs)
We are at a level 9 out of 10! Pretty snazzy!
I caulk it up to our recycling, composting, keeping the house at 75 degrees in the summer, my riding the bus and my husband only working 6 miles from home - makes a huge difference apparently!
What's your carbon footprint? Lower or higher than you though it would be?
Monday, June 30, 2008
Look What I Found!
My husband and I have a compost bin - it is no secret, I've told you all about it already. :) But in what it takes to keep up a compost bin - that I haven't devulged in. Our bin is clear in the back of the yard - a definite trek if it is raining or dark out. And who wants to make that trek to the corner of the yard where the humongo spiders live just to put 2 egg shells in the bin?? Not I!Solution? We stash up our items in an old icecream tub with the lid sealed...once it is full or nearly full...or we have the gumption to go out to the compost bin...we empty it. Having your compostable items in an airtight container really isn't ideal for their decomposition and it usually leads to rot instead of decomposing nicely. And a see-through tub of egg shells, banana peels and coffee grounds isn't exactly what I call cute kitchen decor.
I have had my eye on one of these cute Compost Buckets for quite a while and NOW I have found one within driving distance at a reasonable price at a cute store that seems like it would be fun to shop in (World Market). AND I have a coupon for a free tote no purchase necessary!
I am feeling a trip to the northside come Thursday (hubby's day off)! ;)
Monday, June 16, 2008
Bus Update/Trying to Keep Things in Perspective
Well, I thought I should update everyone since I haven't talked about it in awhile, I AM still riding the bus to work - it is working out quite well. Especially since I don't seem to be prone to car sickness thank goodness. Except maybe on those awful rainy days when the bus seems to get extra full to the point of standing and the interior becomes so muggy that your skins feels disgustingly moist - yuck! Or when you manage to get the bus in the morning who has the AC set on arctic blast but you get the bus in the afternoon that lacks any sort of AC capability when the temperature hits 90. But, I dress in layers anyways and always have my handy flip flops in my bag so I am fairly prepared - though I need to remember to pack a cool beverage for those warm trips home in the afternoon AND I need to invest in some sort of mini-(preferably polka dotted)-umbrella to keep with me at all times tucked inside my little tote for the days that the weather men and women fail to warn me of impeding storms - has already happened once dangit. AND I love my umbrella - hubby bought it for me on Valentine's Day a year or two ago I think - it is grey and pink and HUGE - it is a golf umbrella I think - but it keeps me dry and also keeps a 5 foot radius clear around me on the sidewalk which is nice. :) But there are days that I inevitably forget to bring it and need a back up and I have been eying the mini-umbrellas at Borders and at Target...cute!
In having rode the bus for so long now I am beginning to reevaulate it all. Is it worth it? Am I really saving money? Because, really, I end up filling up my tank once a week anyway - but instead of filling up the whole tank and spending upwards of $50 I am only needing to fill up half my tank with maybe $25 worth of gas.
So, ok, I spend $15 a week on bus fare...$1.50 a ride, two rides a day. And I spend $25 in gas. That's $40 - and if I wasn't riding the bus I would be spending $50 to fill up a full tank at least once a week...So... Am I saving money?? Probably - in the long run. I am using my car less - less miles means less frequent trips for an oil change, less wear and tear, etc. BUT instead of leaving my car in a nice shaded garage I am now leaving it out in the elements at the park and ride lot....probably succumbing my tires to dry rot and putting stress on my leather interior and risking golf ball sized hail that our weather has been known to produce. :(
But in retrospect - I am now only driving 11 miles a day (5.5 to the mall and back) instead of 36 miles (17.8 to work and back) and I am not battling rush hour traffic on I-65. So I dunno.
I do get to read a lot more - I think I have finished about 5 books (scratch that it is 6!) in the last couple of weeks since I started riding the bus - whereas it would have taken me all summer to read that many if I didn't have the extra 40 minutes a day to do so.
Books I have been able to finish since I started riding the bus:
The Red Heart by James Alexander Thom
Run by Ann Patchett
Love in the Time of Cholera (Oprah's Book Club) by Gabriel Garcia Marquez
The Annunciation of Francesca Dunn: A Novel (P.S.) by Janis Hallowell
The Freedom Manifesto: How to Free Yourself from Anxiety,... by Tom Hodgkinson
(interest ideas about how to live different from mainstream - may be the topic of a later post)
Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers - EXCELLENT BOOK!!
Currently reading:
Knit Together: Discover God's Pattern for Your Life by Debbie Macomber
(this is my evening wind down book by our bed)
How to Think Like a Great Graphic Designer by Debbie Millman
(and this is my current bus book)
Interesting how the two books I am reading now are both by women named Debbie whose last names both start with M...huh. Weird.
BUT...once the weather turns cold...I dunno if I want to deal with riding the bus. I mean I can barely write off the benefits now when I am often stranded outside in summer thunderstorms getting soggy waiting 20-30 minutes for the bus to finally make it my way or when the weather is 90 some degrees out and the stop lacks a place to sit other than the sidewalk.
So, come winter, I dunno. Ice, snow, walking a few blocks in all that....hmmm. Will the new ICE route be worth it for me to keep riding the bus in the winter. It will be a nicer bus and hopefully on a more reliable schedule. Hmm...time will tell. No definite decisions now.
In having rode the bus for so long now I am beginning to reevaulate it all. Is it worth it? Am I really saving money? Because, really, I end up filling up my tank once a week anyway - but instead of filling up the whole tank and spending upwards of $50 I am only needing to fill up half my tank with maybe $25 worth of gas.
So, ok, I spend $15 a week on bus fare...$1.50 a ride, two rides a day. And I spend $25 in gas. That's $40 - and if I wasn't riding the bus I would be spending $50 to fill up a full tank at least once a week...So... Am I saving money?? Probably - in the long run. I am using my car less - less miles means less frequent trips for an oil change, less wear and tear, etc. BUT instead of leaving my car in a nice shaded garage I am now leaving it out in the elements at the park and ride lot....probably succumbing my tires to dry rot and putting stress on my leather interior and risking golf ball sized hail that our weather has been known to produce. :(
But in retrospect - I am now only driving 11 miles a day (5.5 to the mall and back) instead of 36 miles (17.8 to work and back) and I am not battling rush hour traffic on I-65. So I dunno.
I do get to read a lot more - I think I have finished about 5 books (scratch that it is 6!) in the last couple of weeks since I started riding the bus - whereas it would have taken me all summer to read that many if I didn't have the extra 40 minutes a day to do so.
Books I have been able to finish since I started riding the bus:
The Red Heart by James Alexander Thom
Run by Ann Patchett
Love in the Time of Cholera (Oprah's Book Club) by Gabriel Garcia Marquez
The Annunciation of Francesca Dunn: A Novel (P.S.) by Janis Hallowell
The Freedom Manifesto: How to Free Yourself from Anxiety,... by Tom Hodgkinson
(interest ideas about how to live different from mainstream - may be the topic of a later post)
Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers - EXCELLENT BOOK!!
Currently reading:
Knit Together: Discover God's Pattern for Your Life by Debbie Macomber
(this is my evening wind down book by our bed)
How to Think Like a Great Graphic Designer by Debbie Millman
(and this is my current bus book)
Interesting how the two books I am reading now are both by women named Debbie whose last names both start with M...huh. Weird.
BUT...once the weather turns cold...I dunno if I want to deal with riding the bus. I mean I can barely write off the benefits now when I am often stranded outside in summer thunderstorms getting soggy waiting 20-30 minutes for the bus to finally make it my way or when the weather is 90 some degrees out and the stop lacks a place to sit other than the sidewalk.
So, come winter, I dunno. Ice, snow, walking a few blocks in all that....hmmm. Will the new ICE route be worth it for me to keep riding the bus in the winter. It will be a nicer bus and hopefully on a more reliable schedule. Hmm...time will tell. No definite decisions now.
Friday, May 30, 2008
Greenwood-Indianapolis IndyGo express route planned
Click on the link below to view the video I'm in! Wohoo - though I do think it makes my butt look big the way I am lumbering up the steps to get onto the bus - oh well - at least they cut out the part where I fumbled for 3 minutes for spare change! :)
Greenwood-Indianapolis IndyGo express route planned
If the link above doesn't work - just try going to the article with the link below and clicking on the video link in the upper left hand corner of the article. -not sure why the link isn't working but it won't :(
here is the link to the article...
AND the exciting part is the actual story - they ARE planning an Express route for Greenwood - yay!
Look! It's me at the very end getting on the bus - lol! :) My 10 seconds of fame...or two - whatever. :)
ACTUALLY, my real ten seconds of fame was not that long ago - when they shot a commercial for IUPUI that I was in - they actually interviewed me and did makeup and everything! I think it still plays on TV every now and then. :) Hmm...I will have to find a copy of that.
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