Tips:  What to do with your used electronics

REFURBISH – Check all used electronics to see if it is in good working order, if it can be repaired take the steps to fix any problems, so that it can be donated.

REUSE –  Donate used electronics to local nonprofit organizations, lower-income families or schools.  (electronics in working order) This insures that others may have access to computers and electronics not currently available to them.

RECYCLE –  If electronics can not be repaired or reused then computers and other electronics can be recycled. Sites like Earth911 and Electronic Industries Alliance’s Consumer Education Initiative can be used to get information on local programs.

Links:

US Environmental Protection Agency

Earth911

TechSoup

Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation (RBRC)

While shopping everyone at least once has glanced to see what other shoppers have in their shopping carts. Have you ever notice after going through the check out line, who has brought their own bags? The reusable kind. I’ve been doing it recently and I feel like my family is in the minority. All though in recent years they have become more popular to buy, I’m just not seeing them used as frequently.

Last week at the grocery store, I didn’t notice a single shopper that brought reusable bags to put their purchases in. One of my biggest pet peeves is those plastic bags, almost every retailer in my area uses. I have almost banished them completely from my house. We try always to have reusable bags on hand, for the big grocery-shopping day, the spur of the moment stop, or while on my lunch I decided to do little shopping

This is a good way to minimize your “Carbon Footprint”. Here are 5 excellent places to get reusable bags so everyone can start to do their part.

#1 – Local retailers are now offering reusable bags for sale, like Target,

Walmart, and even Macy’s.

#2 – Etsy.com is a perfect place to purchase reusable bags. Not only are

these handmade, but also can be customized to fit your needs. All

you have to do is contact the seller and specify what you want.

#3 – Reusablebags.com – This is an eco-friendly website that caters to your

reusable bag needs.

#4 – Ecobags.com is another eco-friendly website that has awesome

produce bags.

#5 – You don’t have to run out and buy a bag. Use what you got! I ‘m sure

you have at least one bag of some kind that you can use instead of

packing another plastic bag home.

Now that you know were to purchase them, REUSE them.

The Sweet Potato Queen’s first Big-Ass Novel (Stuff we didn’t actually do, but could have and may yet) by Jill Conner

Do you know how hard it is not to bust out laughing while riding in a full elevator and listening to this book on your mp3 player? Very hard. Not only did Jill Conner write this book, but she also is the

voice reading it on the audio. There is no mistaking the southern twang in her voice and it makes the book come alive. As a work of fiction the book borders on almost or could be true, as Jill Conner goes from invisible teen to becoming boss of the Sweet Potato Queens. The book centers around friendship development and knee slapping one-liners. Makes everyone want to dig out there green bridesmaid dresses and go down south for the annual St. Patty’s day parade.

Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card

As a boy, Ender Wiggin is taken from his home and thrust in the world of Battle School. To prepare for his destiny, at a time were children are taught as early as six to live and breath the battle, he is sent on a psychological mind game trip in preparation for what he is to become.

I don’t “do” New Years Resolutions, I just don’t believe in them. Nor do I participate or partake in the yearly ritual of organizing and/or decluttering of ones life. However, I will put forth a modest effort to cleanse my soul. So to speak.

Every morning I creep around the corner in the parking garage on my way to my parking spot were I work., and cringe at the thought of were and how my “neighbor” has pulled into his space. Not only does this person go the wrong way in the parking garage to park his car, he doesn’t even pull in straight. He is going to one day plow into someone or another car, which would so make my day, but would put an end to the, the cleansing of the soul thing. Let’s just say he has a way of unleashing my inner “bitch”.

(Said “neighbors” parking spot.)

I’m usually easy, going, calm, and not easily excitable. Once I enter the parking garage it’s a whole different ball game. I happen to park in one of the few underground parking garages around town and it is tight. Driving a midsize SUV and having a parking space between said “neighbor” and a wall, you can only imagine my want to do unspeakable things. I have to back into my space and hope that my “neighbor” is not hugging up to it too close to my spot.

I thought about a nice note, suggesting that maybe he should park closer to the support column that way we would both would have room to get in and out of our cars. Then I thought, the hell with that all I want to do is spit on his car. Not very lady like I know, and if any thing I would only result in my spitting on myself, thus defeating the purpose intended. (I never got the whole spitting thing down)

My first Soul Cleansing Proclamation is to rid myself of such desires to spit, key, kick, dump sticky liquid beside and/or on windshield, throw trash on, write notes to put under windshield wiper, etc. of said “neighbor’s” car.

I have no idea as to how I shall accomplish this task. Since, said “neighbor” is a total moron and oblivious to the fact that he 1) can’t park 2) got his license from the back of a cereal box and 3) pissed off a complete bitch when provoked.

I’m going to hell, I’m sure of it. After all the nasty names flying from my mouth, and if my momma knew she would totally send me straight to the bathroom for some soap. (ok, I love my momma dearly however she has a fouler mouth then me and would totally beat me at the nasty name calling, then send me to the bathroom for some soap)

So, my plan is simple. Think happy thoughts, remind myself that said “neighbor” (AKA: window licker) is a productive member of society and it is not his fault that he is a complete retard and needs to have his license revoked. I’ll try my best to not to let it get to me, and promise not to think bad thoughts about said “neighbor’s” demise.

End of Vent

BEST OF THE BOOKS I READ IN 2008

BEST FICTION

1. A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini
2. Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen
3. Soulby Tobsha Learner

BEST NON-FICITION

1. Bonk; the curious coupling of science and sex by Mary Roach  

(My pick is biased since I only read one Non-fiction book. However, it was the funniest book I read this year)

BEST FANTASY

1.I ll Wind (The Weather Warden, book 1) by Rachel Caine

2. Strange Candy by Laurell K. Hamilton

3. The Wheel of Time Series by Robert Jordan

BEST PARANORMAL ROMANCE BOOK/SERIES

1. The Black Dagger Brotherhood Series by JR Ward
   

    

    

    

2. Demon’s Kiss by Eve Silver
3. Halfway to the Grave (The Night Huntress Book 1) by Jeanine Frost

BEST SERIES

1. The Black Dagger Brotherhood by JR Ward
   

    

    

    

2. The Fever Series by Karen Marie Moning
3. The Drake Sisters Series by Christine Feehan

BEST EROTICA/PARANORMAL BOOK/SERIES

1. Breed Series by Lora Leigh
2. The Hunters Series by Shiloh Walker

BOOKS THAT ABSOLUTELY SUCKED

1. Witchlingby Yasmine Galnorn
2. The Gatheringby Ann Enright
3. A Gift of Dragonsby Ann McCaffery

BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT

Twilight by Stephenie Meyer

I know there are a lot of twilight fans out there and most of them should be teenagers, if there not everything has gone to hell in hand basket. Stephenie Meyer is an awesome writer, I have to give her that. I was intrigued from the beginning and the book was a diffident page-turner. I am however an adult on most occasions and live vicariously through books. I enjoy a lot of sex, blood, and senseless violence in my books (doesn’t everyone?) and Twilight was lacking in all those areas. It was a young adult book I get that, but the book is about vampires. No feeding, blood, or sex, all of which make the vampire what it is leaves the reader wondering (WTF).  Out of all the YA books I’ve read, I feel that the reader was cheated on this one. I also read somewhere that Stephenie Meyer is a Mormon. Which leads me to believe that her religious beliefs helped to shape the out come of this book.

ALL TIME FAVORITE BOOK FOR 2008

ALL TIME FAVORITE SERIES FOR 2008

The Black Dagger Brotherhood by JR Ward

{All picks based on the 65 books I read during 2008}

Kanawha County’s recyclables collection has resumed. They have struck a deal and I now have a place for my recycling to go. I have been so bummed out by the hold that the Solid Waste Authority had put on Kanawha County. I just got my family in the groove of recycling and then the market bottoms out and we are told to stockpile.  I stopped recycling because I had no were else to put mine. Now I have a place for it to go. I’m sure alot of other residents had stopped as well.  It would not have been good for our community or the environment for it to continue. 

Thanks to all involved in this venture. My family and the planet breaths a sigh of releif. (I’m not sure on how long my family could have taken my complaining)

Read the article from the Gazette Kanawha to resume recyclables collection http://zi.ma/8f03e7.

As I was riding the elevator this morning and on several other occasions my thoughts tend to wonder to, “Do these people have any Elevator Etiquette?”, “Someone needs to tell here she smells like a box full of those tree  air -freshners.”, and “OMG, Who left the special “smelly” package in here!.  The whole Elevator Etiquette thought prompted me to look it up so to speak. I can across this website www.elevatorrules.com. As, I read some of the “Elevator Rules” I decided  that I must blog it. These are some of the rules, and then basically what I think about their rules. 

Talking, Singing and other noise annoyances.

“If passengers board while conversing, DO NOT think this is an invitation to join their conversation. Do not cut in unless you are invited to join the discussion.”

Ok, if I’m totally annoyed, then 9 chances out of 10 I’m joining in. It is one of many, ways I’ve learned to shut them up.

“Do not make fun of people when they get off the elevator. You never know if other passengers in the car know the person. “

Of course not, you wait until it is just you and your elevator-riding buddy and then you do it. Duh! Everyone knows that.

“When talking on an elevator be considerate, talk softly and do not assume that everyone in the car cares about what you are saying.”

Good observation, most of the time we DON’T care.

 No re-pressing
”Pay attention to which buttons have been pressed when you enter the elevator. Once a button has been pressed, nothing more can be done. Re-pressing the floor button will not make the elevator get you to your floor any faster. Re-pressing is disrespectful to the person that has already pressed the button and is generally irritating.”

What? I think it says, “ I’m also going to that floor, and by me pressing the button again it will definitely get us there faster.”

Check the Direction 

To save yourself from embarrassment, always check the direction of the car before boarding. If you cannot see an indicator lamp, politely ask the riders of the car which direction the car is traveling. DO NOT stop the doors from closing to do this.

So, it’s not expectable to change the direction of the indicator lamp arrows, when no one is looking? Gotcha.

Blocking the Door

It is inappropriate to block an elevator door from the outside for any reason. Do not abuse the safety devices built in to the elevator door. Refrain from sticking feet, hands, umbrellas, briefcases or other items in front of a closing elevator door.

I’m gonna go out on a limb here and say, maybe it’s not ok to hurry up and push the close door button while people are running to board, just so you can see if they will stick something in the door to stop it. (Hoping that maybe it closes on it.)

 Who’s on First?

“In general those standing nearest the door should be allowed to board first. Gentlemen should allow ladies to board first to the extent that this is practical.”

1.      It was always my understanding that a gentleman should board first to ensure it is operating properly.  (comment from site)

Yeah, what they said!

No were did it say:

 “Do not fart and run”

“Do not were obnoxious perfume and try to suffocate other passangers”,

“Do not think its ok to board just to go up and/or down 1 floor” (people will secretly want to kill you)

“

HOW GREEN ARE YOU?

This year I have been slowing inserting “Green” into my family’s daily lives. Muhahaa! They are totally oblivious, but will be very thankful later. I cringe at the thought of the state the earth will be in by the time my child has children. I’ve not overly exuberant about it; I just want to do my part. Here are some changes I have made:

1. Compact Fluorescent Lights (CFL) – changed every light bulb in the house to these.
2. Paper Back Swap (www.paperbackswap.com) – Instead of purchasing new books, I read and swap the books I own for books I haven’t read.
3. Stopped buying petroleum based products – Seventh Generation products(www.seventhgeneration.com) save trees and petroleum. (as much as I ca
4. Buy local – I buy local produce and meats as much as I can. It doesn’t have to be West Virginia grown to be local. Just the shortest route from where it’s grown to your house. Better to buy from California then from Chile.
5. Natural and Organic – I started purchasing natural and organic goods and products. From toothpaste to Orange juice. (Kroger http://zi.ma/6699b7  is now carrying a lot more organic goods, I also get a lot from Target http://zi.ma/c2a206
6. Reusable shopping bags – One of my pet peeves is those plastic shopping bags that all the stores have. I loath them. I make sure I always have some of the reusable ones in my car at all times, just in case I have to stop at a store.
7. Recycling- I started recycling as much as a could and I could see a significant difference in how much garbage actually made it to the curb.

    

    

   Do to the recent economy woes the recycling center on Slack Street is telling everyone to stockpile there recyclables until further notice. I do not live in city limits so I always had to take my recycling to Southridge. They put a notice up before thanksgiving saying that they would be removing the bin until further notice. I can’t stock pile my stuff. I’m reduced to the same carbon footprint as before until further notice. I was doing so well with my recycling thing. I had my family involved.

    

   So my question to you is How green are You? I hope that I have somehow motivated, someone to at least think on it. Who knows it may become more then a trend, but a way of life.

    

   http://www.thegreenguide.com/

   http://www.treehugger.com/

   http://www.ourearth.org/

   www.green.org/

   www.ThinkGreen.com/

        

    

Today on this day my thoughts and prayers go out to the soldiers and there loved ones. Me as an individual have never taken a side on much of anything. I’m always as the neutral, never the forward. Growing up I’ve only had one person close to me that has been in the military and been in an actual war. My grandfather served in the Korean War.

Never has it been spoken of, I have no stories to tell. Its like “fight club”, first rule of fight club “don’t talk about fight club.” If he has had post-traumatic stress disorder, I am unaware. Since, those years in the military and ever year after he dawns his uniform proudly for the country he served and for the people he swore to protect. He has become a prominent fixture in our society. As a loving husband and father, a deacon at his church, he has surpassed many in life and lives on as a reminder to all of what he fought for us to keep. I’m honored and humbled by his choice, wishing that I could be as brave as he. It’s a different time a different war now, but the reasons are the same. Freedom is a choice that we have and our hope is that it is one that we can keep.