Natural Domestic Living

The Truth About Reusable Bags

I started using reusable shopping bags as part of my Green Step Chanllenge and because of all the bad things I’ve heard about plastic bags.

I thought it would be a good idea to test out my sewing skills and make my own. While the fabrics are cute, it was hard. And my sewing skills left something to be desired. So I’ll show you what they look like from far away.

Maggie wanted in the picture. And like any good momma I wiped off her eye boogers before I took it.

I took my reusable bags to go shopping. I forgot to take into account that while I had three shopping bags with me, I usually use 10 or more on my shopping trips because I shop for groceries two weeks at a time. Ooops.

I also didn’t realize that I could barely fit a cereal box in my homemade bags. Or that I became so attached to them that I was afraid of hurting them and ruining all my hard work. Which ended up being a legitimate worry because I packed one full of cans and when I picked it up heard that terrifying sound of a ripped stitch.

I also didn’t realize how awkward I would feel having people wait on me in line as I struggle to fit things in my reusable bags only to have them collapse and puddle around my grocery items. It is definately nessecary to get bags that stand up.

This going green thing is harder than I thought.

The Truth About Recycling

So I mentioned that I needed a break. So far I’ve started recycling, using reusable shopping bags, gotten a new shower curtain, started saving energy in our house, and used homemade cleaning products.

While I’m so happy I’ve made these changes, and I don’t regret any of them because I feel that I’m bettering myself and my earth. Let me tell you about the little struggles I’ve encountered.

When I went to take my first batch of recycling items to the place where you recycle them. It took me like 30 min to find it, that’s a long time for living in Great Falls since it only takes 10 min to get from one end of town to the other. When I pull into the place it doesn’t look like anywhere my dad took me to recycle growing up. It was just some big junk yard with tractor/fork lift type things everywhere. There were no neat containers that said glass, plastic, cardboard, cans.

Nope I was really confused and intimidated.

So I parked on the curb and called the place…because I saw no office. They told me all I could recycle there was aluminum cans.

Me: What?

Guy:You have to take your plastics somewhere else.

Me: Where?!

Guy: I don’t know

Me: Don’t you now I’m trying to save the earth here!!? Don’t you know I have to blog about this and look appear to be a green goddess to my ~~all my readers~~ one reader? (Thanks Mom)

S0 I sorted through it, left my cans there, and took my plastic back home to……

wait for it…..

THROW IT IN THE TRASH

There I said it.

Don’t judge me.

I DID make sure to cut all the plastic little rings…..

so this didn’t happen to innocent ~~little~~ big turtles.

Breaks my heart.

Let’s Get Back to the Northwest

First of all sorry I missed Mindful Monday and Green Tip Tuesday AND this weeks Green Step, but I’ve been super busy trying to get applications, resumes, cover letters, and references around to apply for teaching jobs for next year.

You see living in Great Falls has been..uh….a challenge. We moved here because they have the only PTA, Physical Therapist Assistant, program in the state and while the view and recreational options leave much to be desired, fortunately I have made some great new friends and been welcomed into the Great Falls School District.

One of the beautiful falls here....but no mountains or hiking.

Unfortunately a levy didn’t pass here which means that there will be many teacher cuts for the upcoming school year. SO with a husband still in school, there is no way I’m putting all my eggs in one basket. I need to try to find a teaching position elsewhere.

Kalipell FVCC has recently announced that they will be startig a PTA program ….and it just so happens to be closer to the gorgeous….

: Flathead Lake

and…

Glacier National Park

and…

this girl

Lets take a sec and look at a few more…

After white water rafting.

Enjoying some drinks in Bigfork last summer...

Trisha's b-day a few years ago...I think it was her 21st!

Sip and Dip Lounge

So I am applying at every possible teaching option over that way in Bigfork, Kalispell, Whitefish, Somers, and Columbia Falls.

I’m hoping that something will come through but as my dad always says, everything happens for a reason. This is when I realize as long as a try my best to get what I want for my family, after a certain point it is out of my control and things will work out for the best. I know things don’t work out like I plan them and I need to trust that there is a reason for everything that happens in our lives, good and bad.

Today was supposed to be my Green Step but I didn’t feel like it. And I will tell you why in a different post. All this change is hard, and frustrating. And I need a break.

Virginia City, Montana

This weeks spotlight is on Virginia City, MT. I love Montana and one of the reasons, besides the mountains, is all the little places in between the wide open spaces. Virginia City is one of the fascinating old west towns.

Virginia City was hoping mining town in the 1800′s. It’s now a ghost town-completely [...]

Homemade Cleaning Products

Wednesday I discussed why the cleaning products we buy in our super market our unsafe for us and our environment. This leads me to my Green Step for this week-I’m using all homemade cleaning products. You won’t believe how easy and inexpensive this is.

There are three things I think about when buying products [...]

Corn Chowder

My momma made this soup growing up. It is delicious-And once I got married I started making it too. I like it because it makes A LOT so I can freeze it and pull it out for a quick dinner.

I also like this soup because it is the only soup the hubby likes. [...]

Bunko

So today’s post was going to give you a list of homemade cleaning products but…..I got invited by some ladies I worked with at Roosevelt Elementary School to play Bunko!

No, I’m not quite sure what bunko is but I was told there will be food….and probably wine…..and since it can be hard meeting [...]

How do babies crawl all day long??

SO I’ve been working on a little yard project and just about finished today so I thought I would share. You know when I was talking about how our yard is a mud and poop filled mess? Well I wasn;t lying. We are too lazy in the winter to actually walk our dogs on [...]

Natural Cleaning Products

We use cleaning products to make our homes CLEAN. But did you know that most cleaners you find in the supermarket contain harmful toxins that are bad for your family and the earth? Not to mention the dent that these products can put on your wallet.

These products that we use [...]

House Plant for Clean Air

Green Tip Tuesday!

According to a two-year study by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), many indoor plants absorb air pollutants through their leaves and roots and convert them into breathable air. Within 24 hours, some plants can remove up to 87 percent of toxic indoor air.

Get a [...]

Natural Domestic Living

The Truth About Reusable Bags