Wednesday, June 4, 2008

I Did It

Yep, I have started conserving energy. I am definitely on the side of doing what is right for our planet. I know I know, I am beginning to sound like my tree hugging daughter. that is a good thing to me. And this may sound old, but when your grandchildren come to you and say, "Grandma(pa), what did you do to help save our planet?" What are you going to be able to tell them.

I use canvas bags, and not even take bags when I run into the Quickie Store. Come on, do you really need a bag for that gallon of milk when you are 1 block away from home. Come on! We do not buy excessively packaged products. Bulk is best of you can find it. We have just about lost processed foods.

But today I tried something different. I didn't know if I could do it, but I have been reading other blogs, and if they can do it, then I surely can. So, I had three loads of laundry to do today. So I took the first load and when it stopped I took all hangables and put them on coat hangers and hung them around our patio, and laundry room. When the second load of laundry was done, I did the same and added what was left over to the first load I had not dried as of yet. VIOLA! I saved one load in the dryer. I was so proud of myself. And yes, it is the little things that make the difference.

We will be looking into a clothesline in the next few weeks, but with 8 bills due all in the first week of the month, the clothesline may need to wait. My jury rigging will suffice until then.

I am also washing dishes differently. I used to let the water run a bit more freely. So now I fill one side of the sink with a bit of hot water and only rinse when there are enough dishes to make it worth while. I feel rejuvenated. Does that make me a cheap date...no wisecracks from 'ANY' peanut gallery.

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

I think it's great that you have found joy in your new undertaking!

besaroboy said...

The bag issue is one I don't understand. Why do folks need a bag to hold their bag of chips? Here in Portland folks are somewhat aware and getting more so, but the cashiers in most store will still pack your items in a bag unless you say "no bag please." It seems like it should be the revers, we should be asked "do you need a bag for that?" On the flip side if I go to Trader Joes and need a bag, I am often treated with scorn for it, which I think is a bad attitude. Reward me for not using a bag (and if you bring your own bags, you do get to enter a raffle) but don't make me feel bad for not having a canvas bag or used shopping bag. Then again, how are people going to learn?

Red said...

Boy could not have said it any better. I was just thinking that when you commented on it. That cashiers should be asking if you even want a bag with that, and yes, you should be rewarded for bringing your own bag.

And in the same light, if you kept getting scorned, would thet want you to take your business elsewhere that you are not scorned. Let them ring that into their register. HAH!

Freakmom said...

I so want a clothes line, but Mr. Incredible doesn't like them and is too worried about what the neighbors will think in our little suburban subdivision. Bah!

I drive them nuts at my little grocery store, I don't take my own bags, but I refuse to get more than I need. A bag of oranges is already in a bag! I don't need to put a 2 liter of soda in a bag!

Hannah said...

Good for you! And I totally agree with ThisLittlePiggy who points out how the best part is that if it feels good to you as well. I'm so addicted to the fresh smell of line-dried clothes that I think I'll be sticking with it.

Red said...

Hey Freakmom, ask Mr. Incredible if your neighbors will be paying your electric bill. I myself love the look of a clothesline, unless you are sititng in a million dollar community, then that may be a bit different. Still who are they to tell you that you can't have a clothesline, but then it may be in your home-owners rules. Pah!.

I most likely will be getting the single poled clothes line with the ability to twirl the lines themsleves.

Who would have thought. As a kid, I hated hanging clothes, but then again, my mother made us hang clothes in the blistering heat in Florida. I have now figured out a way to hang multiple loads before the sun has begun to do its damage. I...am a genius!

Lauren said...

This is a lot of fun, isn't it?

I just picked up a retractable clothesline at Home Depot for my porch for about $10. Easy to install and can be hidden once you're done with it.

In Switzerland, you are responsible for bagging your own groceries and they provide crummy plastic bags that are small and break. They do that so people bring in their own shopping bags. Genius!

Allana Martian said...

Hi! Found your blog from my friend Denise. I have been doing the same thing with my clothes. I have been putting it ALL on hangers and outside line, though. Then I read in the newspaper that Florida Power and Light are considering a 16% increase in our bills. There go my "not using the dryer" savings right out my wide open window! GRRRR!!!!