A really neat quiz...

I will admit that I am a bit brain-dead today, so I thought that instead of rambling on about the goings-on of my life and experiences, I would do some 'stumbling' around on the internet looking for some unique 'Marebare Necessities' related content. 

Success!  The website:  Cool Tools for Greener Living has a list of neat environmental quizzes that you can do...  I did most of them, and my favorite by far was the 'Environmental Footprint' one.  It is a very thorough questionnaire that really makes you question your day-to-day habits and practices.  I am not going to disclose my results here, but suffice it to say that although I am doing slightly better than our 'national average' in most categories, I could still be doing A LOT better!  It really made me think about what other changes I could be making on a daily basis to help reduce my environmental footprint. 

As an aside, I just want to say that there was a time when looking at sites such as these ones would have honestly given me an anxiety attack, or worse, nightmares.  I think it is because I felt so inconsequential in the grand scheme of things - much like the conversation I shared with you between Cheryle and I in previous posts.  Lately though, I have come to realize that it is a matter of perspective.  It is not realistic to expect yourself (or anyone else around you for that matter) to be perfect.  Alternatively, I would suggest that you could aspire to be a slightly better version of yourself.  In other words, small changes can have a great impact in the long run.  Making smaller changes (rather than gigantic ones), also makes these new behaviors more likely to last over the long term.  I guess what I am trying to say is, try not to get overwhelmed by the negative facts that you will likely see on these sites.  Instead, try to focus in on what you are doing right and build on that...  That is how I choose to look at it anyway.  So, if you have some time, try some of the quizzes, they really are pretty cool!

The earth is what we all have in common. - Wendell Berry Author, farmer, cultural critic


Sweet Dreams,

Marebare :)
 

Who doesn't love FREE STUFF?!

Hey!  I just found out about a really rad group/organization called 'Freecycle'.  A good friend of my family - Cindy, turned me onto this group recently, and I have since joined my local chapter in Spruce Grove.  How it works is you apply to sign up to your local organization and they provide you with a medium in which to post and reply to entries from other folks who are trying to get rid of/want other people's stuff.  In other words, 'one man's trash is another man's treasure'.  The best part is?  It is all FREE.  You heard me, FREE!  And who doesn't love free stuff?  From what I have seen so far, this is a very well-run and efficient organization, so I highly encourage you to join in the fun!

Here is the link to the Freecycle Website - join your local chapter today!  Here is a quote from this website:

“ I gave a loveseat to a lady who had nothing. Her husband had walked out on her and her children, and they were starting over from scratch. She was so thankful she cried - over a loveseat I would have probably thrown away.” 
—Louisville, KY

Now doesn't this just warm your heart?

Marebare :)

The No Impact Experiment

As I have alluded to in previous blog entries, I realize that I am certainly not the first (nor hopefully the last) to commit to a challenge such as this one.  I did a bit of 'surfing' today and stumbled upon some really cool and inspiring stuff out there.  One of my favorites, was the 'No Impact Man' blog.  A few years ago, No Impact Man, AKA Colin Beavan and his family committed to living off the grid in New York city afor one full year.  Colin's project has grown exponentially since then and he now has a huge following, as well as both a book and a movie deal (!)  Colin has an 'experiment' for his readers to try out, so, given that it is very fitting with what I am trying to do, I thought that I would sign up for his challenge, as well as challenge YOU (yes, you) to do this one week challenge with me as well. The date for the challenge this spring hasn't been set yet, so you still have time.  The site also has lots of information if you have any questions about it.  If you decide to join, let me know and I think it would super rad to post all of our experiences on this blog as well. Go to the No Impact Project site and sign up under 'experiment' today!

On a related topic, while I was digging around on Colin's site, I was also reminded of this little video: The Story of Stuff.  It is absolutely AMAZING!  If you haven't seen it yet, watch it today.  Her other videos are well worth watching too!

So, today's theme is: GET INVOLVED (aka 'everybody's doing it') - even if it's just for a week.  If you do decide to join in the fun, I want to hear about it!

The gauntlet has been laid...
Marebare :)

One project done and another begun

Well, I finished my first sewing project - a set of 6 placemats.  And, considering the EPIC amount of errors that I made while making them, they actually look half decent, as long as you don't look at them too closely.  Trent is actually in absolute awe that I was able to complete this project at all - considering that I completed half of the project WHILE SEWING WITH THE FOOT OF THE MACHINE UP!!!  (How was I supposed to know that you were supposed to put it down?)  Anyway, he figures that I must have mad skills just given the fact that I was able to sew anything like that at all.  Luckily, he came home before the final step was done and was able to save me from screwing up the project all together. 
On a totally different topic, I wrote a funny little poem today - mostly for kids, but I promised my mom that I would post it on here so that she could share it with her friends.  I was inspired by the guest author that I met last week - Lori Nunn of Canmore, so I finally put pen to paper today and wrote this little number:

What's for Dinner?

My tummy is rumbling, I can't wait to get home
My bus driver's so slow, it's making me moan
We finally arrive at my stop, I'm elated
I near pass out in my driveway, but soon I'll be sated

I stumble in through the door and into the hall
I'm seeing stars on the ceiling, the stairs and the wall
I drag myself to the kitchen for a most tasty dish
But instead I am greeted with a plate full of fish!

I put my hand to my mouth, I think I might retch
I ran for the sink, which made a quick catch 
The problem is this, I don't like things new
I just like what I like, and lately that's stew

Bubbling and yummy and filled with good stuff
When stew's on the table I just can't get enough
My mom, she knows this, but she's giving me a 'look'
The one that means this: 'I'm no short order cook'

'But mom' I cry out, I'm starting to bawl
'You know that the stew makes me grow big and tall!
For the last time I ate it I grew a whole inch!'
(If you're short, you should try it, it was really a cinch)

So tonight I'll go hungry, at least 'till I check
Just what good this fish does, (what a pain in the neck)
With a growl in my tummy and a scowl on my face
I trudge up to my bedroom, my own special place

I turn on the computer and the screen comes aglow
And I click onto google, for they always know
I type in the word 'fish' and get 9 million hits
My mom's dinner plans are giving me fits!

I begin to click onto page after page
Pickeral, trout and red herrings are making me rage!
Salmon and scallops, well they start with 'S'
Doesn't make them worth eating, that is my guess

I keep on clicking and clicking until I suddenly stop
I don't even know which fish we have got!
'Mom' I yell down the stairs with a whine
'That gross fish that you're serving, do you know what kind?'

'Tuna!' she bellows, I can tell she's annoyed
'Well you should've served stew, which you know I enjoy!'
Still hungry as ever I returned to my work
My search was near over, I thought with a smirk

Aha! I did find it, the answer I sought
I found out exactly what's in that fish that we've got
'Oh wow!' I cried, 'Oh my, and Oh Gee!'
Did you know that tuna have high Vitamin B?

Now that I know this, I guess I can eat
I sure hope that this fish tastes better than feet
I sit down at the table, under mom's watchful gaze
My stubbornness no doubt, never ceasing to amaze

I took my first bite and I started to grin
After all, tunafish tastes kind of like chicken!
And chicken goes in stew, but I guess you knew that
So with glee I finished up, in no time flat

After the dishes, I headed on up to bed
With visions of tunafish, swimming in my head
The next day I awoke to a day that was sunny
But I noticed right away, that I felt a bit funny

My day was sure busy, which was just as well
I did great in math class and man could I spell!
I got all the answers right on a geography test
Which I usually don't, even when trying my best

I thought to myself, could it be, is it fact?
Can tunafish make you smarter like that?
If this is the case that I must not delay
I will trade in my stew for tuna today!

I got onto the bus, hungry as usual
I am dreaming of tunafish, starting to drool
At long last I am home, I leap like a frog!
But when I rushed through the door I found a.... hot dog?


Now, I know that this poem is slightly off topic - but I thought that I would share it anyway, hope you enjoyed it!

Marebear :P

Local Thrift Shops, Stellar Finds and more SEWING

So, I had some time yesterday (thanks to my super-amazing-baby-watcher Rachel!) and I was finally able to poke my head in the door of the two local thrift shops in Spruce Grove and Stony Plain.  At the Stony Plain shop, I bought:

• A big farm for Chephren
• Two puzzles for Chephren
• Eight books for Chephren

All of this for guess how much?  GUESS?!  Only $8!!!!! (Which by the way, is what one of those books would have cost if it was 'new')

Then, I was extremely pleased with the United Church's Thrift store in Spruce Grove.  It was quite big and they had quite a bit of good 'stuff' there.  I managed to find a few huge pieces of fabric (for sewing, remember) and some other crafty stuff like yarn, string, etc.  So, I should be busy for the next little while trying to knit/sew my gifts for the next year.  Given the fact that I am new at the sewing thing, it might take me a while to get any good at it so I thought that I had better start on the Christmas gifts NOW!

Well, you won't believe what I woke up and did today?!  I got up and started sewing!  Like, with a MACHINE and everything!  And Trent wasn't even here to help me.  No one was actually.  Luckily, the color of thread that was already 'loaded' on the machine kind of worked for my project, because I have no idea how to change it (or anything else for that matter!).  All's I know is you push the little pedal and pull the fabric through and 'zing' - you're sewing!

I must say, the 'project' that I am working on is shaping up quite nicely, I will have to post pics as soon as they're done, which will hopefully be tonight sometime.

Cannot people realize how large an income is thrift? ~Cicero (Does this mean I am off the hook for working?!)


Peace n' love!
Marebear :)

Addicted to Convenience

So I am just over two weeks in and things are going fairly well, although I would be lying if I said that there were certain things that I didn't miss...

First of all, Starbucks.  Now, I know that this sounds ridiculous, but honestly, this is the thing that I miss the most.  When I ask myself exactly what it is that I miss about it though, it isn't the coffee itself, or the ambiance of the store, or even the way that little white cup feels in my hot little hands (sigh), but it is actually the convenience that I miss the very most.  I miss going into town and not having to 'plan' to bring along my thermos of coffee or tea, (which is mostly what I have been doing, otherwise, I tend to go without).  I miss buying myself a 'treat' when I am finished doing a task that I mostly dislike (like getting the oil changed or taking Chephren for his shots).

And there are other things that I 'need' (read: am pining for) that would be just so easy to go and get new, and they aren't even that expensive... For example: bread pans.  I need some new bread pans, as I have been making all of my own bread for myself and my folks, and I only have two that are the 'right' size.  I have been looking for them on-line and in used goods shops, but these things are so cheap that you can't really find them used.  I also need a large metal bread bowl (or 2) for the same purpose.  Now, admittedly, I am making do with what I have, but it would be so much easier (and more convenient - there's that word again) if I could just go out and buy these things new.  

When I really think about it, I think that most of the money that I have spent (ie. wasted) in the past has been largely due to convenience, and of course, my impulsivity.  A huge benefit of this project for me then, is that I am being forced to evaluate which things are worth putting the time in to find used, and which things are simply easier to buy new.  For now, the search continues for these inexpensive items!

There is no reason that the universe should be designed for our convenience. - John D. Barrow
(says who John!?)

Hope the sun is shining wherever you are!
Marebear :)

So, you want to learn to sew do you?

Those of you who know me well (and even some strangers on the street) have probably heard me brag about my husband's sewing ability.  He has got some absolutely MAD skills in this department.  In the past, he has sewn me a duvet covers, pillowcases, curtains for our VW van and of course, repaired every single thing of mine that has ever needed mending.  How could such a thing happen you might wonder?  Well, my husband took home economics throughout Junior High, and not because of his love for home-making activities, oh no.  It was more about the anticipated ratio between girls and boys in the class.  Pretty clever hey? That is my Trentie - he is no dummy!  Alas, I was not one of the gals in those classes, hence, he is the sewing master while I am sadly and ridiculously unskilled in this area.

Given that it is apparently going to be a year of new challenges to be undertaken, I have decided that I am going to try to learn to sew.  Also, given the fact that I am trying to save money, I will be attempting to do so mostly on my own, (likely with Trent's help of course).  I started today in fact.  I actually sewed buttons (yes, buttons) onto the end of our duvet cover (which was cheap and poorly made to begin with, but oh-so-pretty!).  So, after months of it driving me bonkers, I finally did something about it.  Plus, get this - I didn't even have all of the correct buttons to sew back on, so (gasp!) I had to use some extra buttons that I have been especially saving for just such an occasion.  I can't even tell you the kind of satisfaction that I got from such a ridiculously juvenile task.  And no, they don't look that great even, BUT, my quilt will now have to refrain from falling out the bottom of the cover and onto the floor during the night, and this gives me great joy!

I will keep you posted on the remainder of my sewing adventures as they arise, and should you be the (un)lucky recipient of a hand-made gift that I may sew for you in the next year, I hereby apologize in advance!

“One has to look out for engineers they begin with sewing machines and end up with the atomic bomb” - Marcel Pagnol

Happy sewing!
Marebear :)