Earth Day Resolutions

I always start these blog posts out by saying, "I was watching Oprah the other day". Okay, I really do like her show. She had on families that were being challenged, "Can you live on less?" These two families were challenged to spend less; less money on groceries and eating out, less time shopping, watching TV, on the computer, video games, and turning on and off lights. They were also challenged to get rid of the plastic water bottles and Oprah provided them with a Brita.

It was really amazing to see these people struggle because they're just like the rest of us. These families, one with three teenagers and another with two younger kids had TVs and computers in every room and literally struggled as you kept hearing them profess how bored they were and how there was NOTHING to do.

By the end of the week they were eating more family dinners together, interacting more with one another, and becoming more physically active.

Personally, I remember the greatest thing about being a kid was being outdoors, running around, and FINDING things to do. Everything was an adventure, an exploration where we used our creativity to find things to do.

I watched this mom talk about how when she took the video games away from her son, it was similar to watching a drug addict go through withdrawals.

I admit, we watch a fair amount of TV, we don't have one in every room, and we limit ourselves on the computer. Dom and I agreed we are happy that we do always sit down for meals together and thank GOD he's not one of those ADULTS who are addicted to Playstation. Yet, we do eat out a little more than we should.

What I did decide to change was the energy habits such as leaving lights on, the computer on, and even the coffee pot plugged in all the time. I'm starting to turn off the fax machine/copier when I'm not using it. I'm listening to the radio less. Silence is nice. I've even started purchasing the energy efficient light bulbs which Dominic has been putting in the lights we use the most.

I hope my family enjoys the last supply of water bottles. They are no more. I bought a Brita and we'll be using that from now on. Yes, the bottles are convenient, but they are creating too much waste, even though they are recyclable.

Then I also noticed how many paper towels I go through. Maybe a roll every couple DAYS! I can happily say this last week, I only used one roll.

Yeah, so I know all this living GREEN is the rage now, the politically correct movement of our country, but everyone now agrees our planet is in danger and our government is taking steps, even if both parties aren't agreeable. I used to think one family, one person wouldn't make much difference. Well, I USED to think that way. Now that I'm committed to some change, I hope I can pass that along to you.

Senses Alive!

Even though, my Massimo has been sound asleep for an hour and a half already and I'm sitting here working, I can hear the hum of the lawn mowers outside in my backyard and the faint smell of fresh cut grass wafting in from the OPEN windows. I feel like going barefoot and putting on a halter top. I won't even complain if the noise wakes up my baby.

Happy Birthday Dominic

Husband, Daddy, Son, Brother, Entrepreneur, & lover of all things AUTOMOTIVE. You are so good to all of us!

Back in the Swing

Its been 6 years - gasp - since I've taken an education course and here I am, taking yet one of many more I'm sure I'll be taking in the future. Since I plan on returning to the classroom in the near future, whether it be substituting, volunteering, tutoring, part-time, or even full-time, its important, no wait, its required for accredited teachers to have their state certificate up to current speed.

Its an online class too, which means all the coursework is done via an instructor sending us materials via e-mail that we read and essentially respond to with a paper. Towards the end of the ten weeks, we will also be having a few video-conferences with the professor. Sounds easy right?? I'm not sure because I've never done this before, but I'm excited at the challenge.

I think I'm going to miss the face-to face with a professor and a classroom full of educators where discussions are probably a lot more engaging, but for the sake of time and my little guy, an online course is a great option.

After this I am required to take a course entitled, "Quantitative Research". Ugh.

Wish me luck!

Like Father, Like Son

DISC LOGIC

Okay, how many of you have a CD or DVD that skips, especially during your favorite song or part of the show.

For us, its Elmo's World the WILD WILD West DVD given to him for Christmas from my BFF Nicole. He LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOVES it. It a was made a few years back, however, the part where Travis Tritt, yup, the mullet-sporting country crooner, Travis Tritt sings with Elmo, it starts to skip. So, MY little boy goes up to the DVD player, pushes the button to open it, takes it out and hands it to me, "MehlmoHHH" which means Elmo in 15 month old baby language. Its become so bad that every times he ejects it form the machine, he scratches it a little bit more and a little bit more, until one day, the DVD player announced on the screen that my son's beloved disc was "unreadable". It also said, "check disc". Okay, I'm checking it, giving it a thorough examination here, and yup, its SCRATCHED.

What are solutions to the scratched disc? Do I need a buffing kit??

According to my almost 15 year old step-daughter, flushing the disc down the toilet is the cure. Yes, I admit it sounds gross, but amazingly enough it WORKED.

I did try another remedy given to me by my (age witheld) sister-in-law, handed down from HER sister, and a remedy they swear by and that's good old peanut-butter.

I tried the peanut butter for kicks. I actually used Massimo's soy nut butter because our peanut butter is the extra-crunchy variety and I didn't want to risk more scratches. You know how pesky peanuts can be when you're rubbing them on things other than toast. I massaged a think layer on the back of the disc and rubbed it in in a circular motion. Then, I rinsed and gently pat dry with a paper towel. No such luck.

So, I resorted to the toilet, two flushes, then a rinse with warm soapy water and light dry with again, a paper towel.

"ALA Peanut Butter Sandwiches!!!!" (you old school Sesame Street people know that line) IT WORKED. Maybe it was the warm water, who knows, maybe it wasn't scratched as bad as it might have just been severely smudged. Anyway....his disc is working great now, thanks to the porcelain GOD!

Anyone else have a remedy??????