Just sending out this quick post to say I haven't forgotten about this blog, just life has been crazy. Hope to give a full update in a couple of days!
Stay simple and green everyone!
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Friday, October 9, 2009
Next item to reuse??
So, my theme for today is 55 gallon drum reuse. Where I'm at, winter is just around the bin, so this next idea I won't be able to try out for my self until spring comes back around. Anyway, I would like to reuse a 55 gallon drum to make a compost tumbler for a garden next year. I've never really done the whole gardening using compost, there's a first time for everything. As part of this new simple and green lifestyle the wife and I are going to try and grow as much of our own produce as we possibly can. Now our house is located on an extremely small lot, so we're going to have to be inventive as far as how and where we can plant things. Community garden plot may be on our horizon. Here is a video of just one way to use the 55 gallon drum for the tumbling composter.
I think I'll be on this kick for a while....hmmmm *pondering thoughts* what else could be made using a 55 gallon drum....oh this story will continue, don't worry!
As a quick side note.....part of my simple and green living will also deal with finding deals, reusing other people's wasted materials, bartering, and anything else along those lines. So in all of my posts I will always give the source and the process I used to go about and get my materials for whatever project.
I think I'll be on this kick for a while....hmmmm *pondering thoughts* what else could be made using a 55 gallon drum....oh this story will continue, don't worry!
As a quick side note.....part of my simple and green living will also deal with finding deals, reusing other people's wasted materials, bartering, and anything else along those lines. So in all of my posts I will always give the source and the process I used to go about and get my materials for whatever project.
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Reuse, reuse, reuse!
So, as I eluded to in yesterday's blog, I have learned the greatness of claiming old for new, along with the good old fashioned barter system.
It's going to make gorgeous stuff. I can't wait. I will try to secretly post pictures of finished products if I can trust the wife won't catch wind of it! :-)
Also in the spirit of re-use. Here's a fun way to reuse your juice containers...by turning them into wallets! Takes 10 minutes, and it's just a fun idea.
If you would like to know how to do the wallet go to: http://jas.familyfun.go.com/crafts?page=CraftDisplay&craftid=12121
A little about myself....I really enjoy working with wood, creating all sorts of things out of it. It is my own personal goal to make as many of my Christmas presents as humanly possible. Most will be made from wood, but I have ideas for others that will be recycling/reusing materials as well. I would go into further detail about some of the things I'm making for presents, but I can't divulge that at this time, considering most of them are for my wife...and in case she reads this, I just can't let the surprise be broken!
Anyhoo...through the wonderful Craigslist, I was able to deal my way into a large amount of old barn wood, which is absolutely gorgeous!!! I've been slowly getting it all sanded down, letting all the wonderful rustic grains show through, I can't wait to see the final products. See exhibit A.
Exhibit A
It's going to make gorgeous stuff. I can't wait. I will try to secretly post pictures of finished products if I can trust the wife won't catch wind of it! :-)Now, onto the second pile of wood. This I bartered for through something called Buy, Sell, Trade that is done through my work. I have offered my labor on any project for this great pile of wood that I am using to build the better half and I a new platform bed. Since she knows about this one, I will post the step by step pictures as I build, just in case anyone out there wants to do this also. This wood had been purchased for the use in building a house, but was left over. It had been taking up space in a garage for 6 years. Nothing too fancy, just a bunch of 2x12's, but in the end, I saved them from going to the dump, and it saved me about $80.
Also in the spirit of re-use. Here's a fun way to reuse your juice containers...by turning them into wallets! Takes 10 minutes, and it's just a fun idea.
If you would like to know how to do the wallet go to: http://jas.familyfun.go.com/crafts?page=CraftDisplay&craftid=12121
It's family fun magazine, a great place to get crafty ideas and my favorite magazine by far!
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Simple living step #1: NO TV
So, today, October 7th marks the sixth day my wife and I have not watched television. When I thought about doing this a couple of months ago, I thought it'd be impossible. To tell you the truth, the whole downturn for tv in our household started more out of cost savings then a drive to live simpler.....though that is a wonderful side effect.
We cancelled DirecTV mmm....about 3 weeks ago. We're now going old fasion bunny ears and the digital converter box. We can get quite a bit in, more then I assumed, but it flickers in and out, and after a half hour of broken up tv, it was not long before it went off. So it was kind of a slow progression really. Now, it really doesn't seem like we're missing much. Though we may tun in from time to time over football season to root on our beloved Steelers! (We love you Hines Ward).
My wife and I were having a conversation during dinner the other night. She said "Ya know, I really like this us not having a tv in the living room thing. It means we talk alot more. Sometimes I miss it when I sit down for lunch, but for the most part it's nice." I agree, we're rediscovering ourselves. Learning to communicate better, which I don't know any relationship that isn't made stronger from communicating well. All in all it's a really great thing. I get time for more things like this blog, we get to work on crafts together, I'm getting back into my wood working (all from reclaimed/scrapped wood, more to come on that in a further blog).
It's just nice being simple, being a family, and saving a couple bucks while we're at it! :-)
We cancelled DirecTV mmm....about 3 weeks ago. We're now going old fasion bunny ears and the digital converter box. We can get quite a bit in, more then I assumed, but it flickers in and out, and after a half hour of broken up tv, it was not long before it went off. So it was kind of a slow progression really. Now, it really doesn't seem like we're missing much. Though we may tun in from time to time over football season to root on our beloved Steelers! (We love you Hines Ward).
My wife and I were having a conversation during dinner the other night. She said "Ya know, I really like this us not having a tv in the living room thing. It means we talk alot more. Sometimes I miss it when I sit down for lunch, but for the most part it's nice." I agree, we're rediscovering ourselves. Learning to communicate better, which I don't know any relationship that isn't made stronger from communicating well. All in all it's a really great thing. I get time for more things like this blog, we get to work on crafts together, I'm getting back into my wood working (all from reclaimed/scrapped wood, more to come on that in a further blog).
It's just nice being simple, being a family, and saving a couple bucks while we're at it! :-)
Friday, October 2, 2009
How Simple is Simple?
Okay, so....I just turned too close to 30 to speak too much about it before bursting into tears. As with many people, this year has seemed a good one for reflection. Through this deep thought, I really began to think on what makes me truly happy. Is it the money I make? Mmmm....not really. Is it all the gadgets and toys I have (Best Buy is like porn to me)? No....not really that either. I sit and I think back to when was I the most satisfied and truly happy on the inside.
I remembered being a child. I grew up poor for most of my life. Sometimes my Mom and I would go weeks with nothing but saltine crackers and peanut butter to eat. Though being that broke stressed me out as a kid, there was something about it that was calming. I realized though sometimes I felt like "why can't I have that?", like any child does....for the most part, I was happy. I was happy with the refrigerator box Mom found that I turned into an AWESOME fort and play house....all by myself. I was happy with the homemade Birthday and Christmas presents, and most of all I was happy because without the cable tv, the cell phones, the computer, the fancy battery operated toys......all there was was family. Spending time with someone you love.
I have my wife now....and she is most definitely the love of my life....we are happy....but we've both been noticing that we could do with more together time. Though we spend every evening together, it still began to feel like....like we weren't REALLY spending time together. I mean sure, we'd talk and have fun watching tv together, maybe an occassional board game here and there....but still, it didn't seem real, it didn't seem like we were really enjoying the time with eachother. As time has gone on we've talked more and more about having children together and how we would want to raise them. We don't want them sitting in front of the tv for hours, in fact we'd be okay if there was no tv in the house at all. We want them to spend time doing crafts, learning, playing games together as a family....just being in eachother's presence, and not wanting to be any where else.
Think about that.....just tilt your head back, close your eyes, and breathe deep. Think of the little house, filled with animals and kids, laughter streaming abundantly through the house, kids running barefoot through the garden chasing the dog. OMG, it's heavenly, isn't it, can't you smell the breeze, and feel the sun shining brightly on your face. That's it, that's what I want.
So, now that leads me to here. Simple Earth. I want to live my life simply, as well as green. To use and reuse, to get the most I can out of resources....and to live for spending time with my family....leave the tv behind.
This leads to the question how simple is simple??? Hmmm....well, Directv gone, check. Crafts abundant through the house, check. Laughter, check. Instead of buying everything we need or buying gifts, looking for how to make them, looking for chances to recycle....definitely check.
I feel better already, I feel as if I can breathe deeper, I feel like my eyes are sparkling again, like my smile can't fade, and like I've never laughed or loved so hard before!
I remembered being a child. I grew up poor for most of my life. Sometimes my Mom and I would go weeks with nothing but saltine crackers and peanut butter to eat. Though being that broke stressed me out as a kid, there was something about it that was calming. I realized though sometimes I felt like "why can't I have that?", like any child does....for the most part, I was happy. I was happy with the refrigerator box Mom found that I turned into an AWESOME fort and play house....all by myself. I was happy with the homemade Birthday and Christmas presents, and most of all I was happy because without the cable tv, the cell phones, the computer, the fancy battery operated toys......all there was was family. Spending time with someone you love.
I have my wife now....and she is most definitely the love of my life....we are happy....but we've both been noticing that we could do with more together time. Though we spend every evening together, it still began to feel like....like we weren't REALLY spending time together. I mean sure, we'd talk and have fun watching tv together, maybe an occassional board game here and there....but still, it didn't seem real, it didn't seem like we were really enjoying the time with eachother. As time has gone on we've talked more and more about having children together and how we would want to raise them. We don't want them sitting in front of the tv for hours, in fact we'd be okay if there was no tv in the house at all. We want them to spend time doing crafts, learning, playing games together as a family....just being in eachother's presence, and not wanting to be any where else.
Think about that.....just tilt your head back, close your eyes, and breathe deep. Think of the little house, filled with animals and kids, laughter streaming abundantly through the house, kids running barefoot through the garden chasing the dog. OMG, it's heavenly, isn't it, can't you smell the breeze, and feel the sun shining brightly on your face. That's it, that's what I want.
So, now that leads me to here. Simple Earth. I want to live my life simply, as well as green. To use and reuse, to get the most I can out of resources....and to live for spending time with my family....leave the tv behind.
This leads to the question how simple is simple??? Hmmm....well, Directv gone, check. Crafts abundant through the house, check. Laughter, check. Instead of buying everything we need or buying gifts, looking for how to make them, looking for chances to recycle....definitely check.
I feel better already, I feel as if I can breathe deeper, I feel like my eyes are sparkling again, like my smile can't fade, and like I've never laughed or loved so hard before!
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