Green Goals!

I received the monthly newsletter from JC at Just Act Natural and he wanted customers to send in their Green Goals for 2010. Of course, I sent one in, but thought that I should have at least a few more. And what a great place to display them for all to see and hold me accountable: my blog!

So here it goes:

1. Get a freezer to utilize my garden better in 2010. I will freeze more than a few things this year and save some money too. I plan on expanding my garden and going to the farmer's market to buy local fruit and veggie items that I won't be growing in my garden (seriously, this is the last year I try for strawberries... If I don't get more than 10, they are DONE!!) and freeze those as well. Thus, reducing my carbon foot print in the winter and saving me some cha-ching!!! How's that for being green and saving green?
2. I have started to read labels more. And not just the ingredients. I have been looking at where the item is being shipped from. I noticed at Woodmans, they sell cheese from Weyauwega and it's cheaper! WHOT! I want to do this more this year. The closer the food, the better for the earth.
3. Dave bought me the DVD, Food, Inc. for Christmas and we watched it over break. All I have to say is WOW! Many of the things that they talk about, I have been aware of, but it was nice to have an alarming reminder of why I like to buy food from farmers who do not use pesticides and hormones and treat their animals ethically!!!
4. And of course, update my blog more often to inspire greenness all around!

PS: I want to welcome Emma as one of my followers... She had been visiting over Christmas and left her Google Reader logged in on my computer... and you know what happened next, don't you? Love ya, Emma! ;)

PPS: Don't forget, GREEN is the new black!!

It's been a while!

Whew! I know that I am way too busy when I haven't updated the blog in a while... I gave a friend of mine, my blog address and thought that I should update it for her 8*)!!

I have been working on buying most of my Christmas gifts locally and have done a pretty good job! I went to one of my favorite shops, Just Act Natural, downtown Appleton and got a few things for my brother and his wife. You know that feeling that you get when you know that you are doing something good... well as I was checking out, I had that feeling! And I was spending money (I never feel that way when I spend money). I totally felt like I was helping someone out!

The kids and I had a good time looking around the shop and Tobin fell in love with this cute stuffed penguin. Like a good mommy I explained that we were buying gifts for other people and we would not be buying stuff for ourselves (plus, we have TONS of stuffed animals at home!). She cried and cried and cried... But I stuck to my ground and left the store without the penguin. She even cried about it before she went to bed. I decided that since she had gotten some money for her birthday she could spend her own money on the penguin. She was satisfied with that and made me promise that I would take her to get the stuffed animal the next day... Low and behold, the first thing she said that morning was, "Mommy, can we go get the penguin today." I was really hoping that she wouldn't remember. Ah well, so we spent even more money locally.

PLASMA?

I had given plasma while I was in college as a nice source of "extra" cash... I made so much money that year that I had to claim it on my taxes! I do have a sweet scar in my arm from it!

I have been throwing around the idea of doing it again since Biolife opened a new site not too far from my house. Dave was strictly opposed with it, stating that it felt like it was a last resort and we weren't that poor. I on the other hand see it as part of the D-Ram plan... a little extra money that can be applied to paying off some debt. Plus, I would love to make some money, doing something easy, and having some "me" time. I remember when I gave in college... I would sit and do my homework while the plasma machine was pumping. It only took an hour, but gave me just enough time!

I could really use some of that time now! Away from the kids... reading a book, catching up on grading, or even surfing the net on my phone (they HAVE to have Wi-fi). Plus, I am giving something that will be recycled (do you see the greenness in this?) to save a life! WHOOT! What more could a burnt out working mommy want?

I am gonna go for it, now that I have Dave convinced that it is a good idea! Little does he know, it is all about me!

NUGGET...

I was ignoring my children and checking up on my RSS feeds and ran across the most BRILLIANT blog, dooce.com. First I found Heather's book, "It Sucked and Then I Cried" through one of my couponing/cooking blogs and went... Shit (if you read her blog, you would know why I must swear) this woman is awesome! I must have the book (and so does my neighbor... you know who you are). Went directly to the blog and thought, damn, I must subscribe!

Heather Armstrong is about as real as a blogger can get! I absolutely love her this is me, take it or leave it attitude... kinda reminds me of... ME! I am so glad to see other's out there like me (and I thought I was the only one)!

BLACK FRIDAY...

Actually was a success! I got up later than I usually do for shopping on the infamous Black Friday, but still found some great deals. Mostly on toys for the kids' birthdays and Christmas and a few gifts for whenever (it's always good to have a few toys to "grab" for a birthday party that I didn't have time to shop for). It was a good day! Now back to my plan to shop local!

How did you do on Black Friday?

D-Ram SALE!!

As Dave and I affectionately call him is having a sale. Who is D-Ram, you may ask? He is a very popular financial advisor, named Dave Ramsey, who "invented" the total money makeover and believes in being 100% debt free.

Dave and I have been working on the D-Ram plan off and on for at least a year and a half... I can proudly say that we have not spent a dime on our credit cards for at least that long! Our goal is to be debt free (except for our Mortgage) in two years!

Dave Ramsey is having a HUGE sale at his website! His book "The Total Money Makeover" is only $10.00 down from $24.95 an awesome savings!! There are numerous other books on sale as well. Check it out here!

MORE SHOPPING...

Christmas that is! I just did a little shopping at My neighbor, Jennifer's house. She has a small business called Blessed Beads. You can just imagine what I purchased... I won't say who I bought for since I don't want to give it away.

So far, I have bought all of my Christmas gifts (including two for me) from local vendors! Not sure if I will be at this point the day after Thanksgiving... I really love to do the day after shopping and Target has some GREAT deals!

Happy Shopping!