This has been a very very rough 3-4 months for me. The move, while great, has been stressful, and then adding on the fact that my job situation is less than stellar....
Then, the cat ran away...
And then... Wham, my mom tells us two weeks ago that she has been diagnosed with Breast Cancer. We anticipate a full recovery, it is still very hard and it starts one down that path of thinking of mortality, yours and your parents. Of course the guilt of being overseas contributes to that some too.
Now.... Wham again. My sister Trish is 24 weeks pregnant, she had her water break yesterday and is now confined to a hospital bed for the rest of her pregnancy. It is so very heartwrenching to know there is nothing we can do but wait. The longer they can stay pregnant, they higher chances the baby has. If she can make it to 30 weeks... it is so much better. Make it to 35... better still, but right now, she is hoping for 24 weeks and 3 days. Each day she holds onto that baby, the better his chances are...
OK, so there is the adage that you are only as strong as the tests provided to you and surviving them... but I am done. How about some good news for a change?
Friday, September 17, 2004
Friday, September 10, 2004
Ever think about sustainability?
I do, I guess that is probably not normal, but I do think about it. I also think about what a shame it is that since moving to Singapore, I throw so much more GARBAGE away. And, how Singapore, like many other countries, dumps lots of its garbage into the open ocean. The rest they incinerate. OH, I think my calling maybe to teach the rest of the world about recycling... but first I have to practice what I preach.
This weekends goal. To set up (hopefully not have to buy items to accomplish this) a recycle center in our home. We have a small recycle area downstairs, and I am going to follow up with the Condo management to see if they actually do recycle, or if it is tossed down the shoot.
Anyway. Sustainability.
Environmental Sustainability has been defined as meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs.
Here are the top 10 things you can do to live sustainably. (Cribbed from a great website called the New Colonist. http://www.newcolonist.com/topten3.html.
) Recycle everything you can.
2) Most appliances that use power supplies consume electricity even when they are turned off. Plug these appliances into power strips and turn the power strip off at night.
3) Don't buy overly-packaged goods. Buy equivalent goods in minimal packaging.
4) Shop at local stores, and discover the joys of personal service, quality products, and a business model that lets them special order anything out of the ordinary that you might need.
5) When you ship packages, or buy by mail, phone, or internet, use ground service rather than overnight; ground shipping generally goes by rail, which is far more fuel-efficient than air.
6) Use public transit to get to work, if you don't live near enough to walk.
7) If you live where there is rail service, use the train instead of flying for trips of under three hundred miles.
8) Sell your car, and rent one when you really need it.
9) If you own your own laundry facilities, buy a front-loading washer, and if possible, dry your laundry on a clothesline.
10) Move to a high-density mixed-use community, where you can walk or bicycle to at least the three destinations you visit the most often: grocery, dry cleaner, video rental, library, work, etc.
Most of these are pretty easy if you live in the city, but even those who live in suburbs could be challenged to do a few of these... like walking to the local store in McMinnville. I think my sister who lives in Tigard would have trouble with this, but my Mom could do it to the local Fred Meyer for those little shopping trips. The key is having a cart you can use to get your items home and not have to carry them!
Love to you all-
Simply,
Kristy
This weekends goal. To set up (hopefully not have to buy items to accomplish this) a recycle center in our home. We have a small recycle area downstairs, and I am going to follow up with the Condo management to see if they actually do recycle, or if it is tossed down the shoot.
Anyway. Sustainability.
Environmental Sustainability has been defined as meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs.
Here are the top 10 things you can do to live sustainably. (Cribbed from a great website called the New Colonist. http://www.newcolonist.com/topten3.html.
) Recycle everything you can.
2) Most appliances that use power supplies consume electricity even when they are turned off. Plug these appliances into power strips and turn the power strip off at night.
3) Don't buy overly-packaged goods. Buy equivalent goods in minimal packaging.
4) Shop at local stores, and discover the joys of personal service, quality products, and a business model that lets them special order anything out of the ordinary that you might need.
5) When you ship packages, or buy by mail, phone, or internet, use ground service rather than overnight; ground shipping generally goes by rail, which is far more fuel-efficient than air.
6) Use public transit to get to work, if you don't live near enough to walk.
7) If you live where there is rail service, use the train instead of flying for trips of under three hundred miles.
8) Sell your car, and rent one when you really need it.
9) If you own your own laundry facilities, buy a front-loading washer, and if possible, dry your laundry on a clothesline.
10) Move to a high-density mixed-use community, where you can walk or bicycle to at least the three destinations you visit the most often: grocery, dry cleaner, video rental, library, work, etc.
Most of these are pretty easy if you live in the city, but even those who live in suburbs could be challenged to do a few of these... like walking to the local store in McMinnville. I think my sister who lives in Tigard would have trouble with this, but my Mom could do it to the local Fred Meyer for those little shopping trips. The key is having a cart you can use to get your items home and not have to carry them!
Love to you all-
Simply,
Kristy
Wednesday, September 08, 2004
Sourdough Chocolate Chip Cookies
Trying our first sourdough recipe today. Declan and I baked sourdough Choc. Chip Cookies. If the recipe turns out, I will post it! *btw, I am so happy to have a real oven again*
On one of the lists that I am on, one gal promotes shopping for a years worth of food. And, then keeping it and using it up from a pantry. I guess I am not quite sure I could do a full pantry... but then I do remember having a pantry out on Orchard View when we were growing up, and Bonnie keeps a well stocked pantry. I guess part of the rationale behind a pantry is "survival". In the event of a storm, power outage, or your random act of terrorism... the fact is that if you keep a stocked pantry, that you will have some food, water and basics to survive at least in the short term. While I can only think of one or two days in my WHOLE life (including the Typhoon right after Declan was born) that I was completely housebound, for some, it is probably a very real issue. The second part of having a pantry is that by shopping in advance, you can purchase those items that you need-in bulk- store them and use them up over a period of time. Saving time and money shopping.
The gal on my list (she lives in upper BC, Canada) has prepared a list that each week, that adds only a few key items (and the goal is less than 15-20 dollars) to your "normal" shopping list, and therefore, you gradually stock up. Then, if you follow the planned shopping list, over the following year, you consume the goods and replentish every 3-6-9-12 months- as you use it... again in bulk. This gal has been feeding her family (she and her husband I believe) this way for a couple of years. She does not keep more than about 9-12 months of food "stored" in pantry, but she does store a years worth of consumables (shampoo, soap, and the like). She also swears that after a few months her weekly grocery expense DECREASES...
It is an interesting thought, and one that I may adopt, partially. Living in a tropical climate will make storage of flours and the like more difficult as they stale quickly and are prone to bugs. But, in terms of stocking up on basic canned goods, TP, soaps, staples, might take further exploration.
Family update:
I am going to post a picture from Declan's makeshift birthday party. On his birthday we had cake with a couple of the Waldorf School moms who attended a craft session (these gals get together once a week to knit or sew or make Waldorf inspired play items for the children). I don't know if I posted about Declan's birthday, but it was very simple. He only got 2 presents. One was a great water toy that he saw and played with at the toy store in McMinnville (which then got packed back to Singapore) and a wooden car. But, frankly both toys were very well received and he has spent many hours playing with both. 2 toys was enough!
On one of the lists that I am on, one gal promotes shopping for a years worth of food. And, then keeping it and using it up from a pantry. I guess I am not quite sure I could do a full pantry... but then I do remember having a pantry out on Orchard View when we were growing up, and Bonnie keeps a well stocked pantry. I guess part of the rationale behind a pantry is "survival". In the event of a storm, power outage, or your random act of terrorism... the fact is that if you keep a stocked pantry, that you will have some food, water and basics to survive at least in the short term. While I can only think of one or two days in my WHOLE life (including the Typhoon right after Declan was born) that I was completely housebound, for some, it is probably a very real issue. The second part of having a pantry is that by shopping in advance, you can purchase those items that you need-in bulk- store them and use them up over a period of time. Saving time and money shopping.
The gal on my list (she lives in upper BC, Canada) has prepared a list that each week, that adds only a few key items (and the goal is less than 15-20 dollars) to your "normal" shopping list, and therefore, you gradually stock up. Then, if you follow the planned shopping list, over the following year, you consume the goods and replentish every 3-6-9-12 months- as you use it... again in bulk. This gal has been feeding her family (she and her husband I believe) this way for a couple of years. She does not keep more than about 9-12 months of food "stored" in pantry, but she does store a years worth of consumables (shampoo, soap, and the like). She also swears that after a few months her weekly grocery expense DECREASES...
It is an interesting thought, and one that I may adopt, partially. Living in a tropical climate will make storage of flours and the like more difficult as they stale quickly and are prone to bugs. But, in terms of stocking up on basic canned goods, TP, soaps, staples, might take further exploration.
Family update:
I am going to post a picture from Declan's makeshift birthday party. On his birthday we had cake with a couple of the Waldorf School moms who attended a craft session (these gals get together once a week to knit or sew or make Waldorf inspired play items for the children). I don't know if I posted about Declan's birthday, but it was very simple. He only got 2 presents. One was a great water toy that he saw and played with at the toy store in McMinnville (which then got packed back to Singapore) and a wooden car. But, frankly both toys were very well received and he has spent many hours playing with both. 2 toys was enough!
Tuesday, September 07, 2004
Toys (reduce step 1)
OK, so the first step of toy purge has taken place. I have only concurred the living room toys and still have the bedroom toys, but first half accomplished.
First-
I threw away all of those toys that were broken.
Second-
Put away toys that were clearly baby toys. Will either donate or keep for a little while longer.
Third-
Sorted toys that still had "value" to them and put them into two piles. The donate pile and the keep and store pile.
The keep and store pile went into the closet and will get rotated out while the donate pile went into a plastic bag and will either go to the salvation army or will go with Jeff and Bonnie to Mexico for the orphans. (Jeff and Bonnie will come to visit in November).
So far, the living room has about half the toys it did before, and the kids don't seem to miss any that are gone.
Next step:
Pull out all of the VCR/DVDs and trash the clearly broken... divide remainder in half. Store half with toys in storage and rotate out after 2 months.
Next to last step:
Repeat step 1 in the kids bedroom.
Last Step:
Discuss with family what toys the kids need and what other alternatives we can do for holidays/birthdays in the future.
Ongoing process... always ongoing!
Simply,
Kristy
First-
I threw away all of those toys that were broken.
Second-
Put away toys that were clearly baby toys. Will either donate or keep for a little while longer.
Third-
Sorted toys that still had "value" to them and put them into two piles. The donate pile and the keep and store pile.
The keep and store pile went into the closet and will get rotated out while the donate pile went into a plastic bag and will either go to the salvation army or will go with Jeff and Bonnie to Mexico for the orphans. (Jeff and Bonnie will come to visit in November).
So far, the living room has about half the toys it did before, and the kids don't seem to miss any that are gone.
Next step:
Pull out all of the VCR/DVDs and trash the clearly broken... divide remainder in half. Store half with toys in storage and rotate out after 2 months.
Next to last step:
Repeat step 1 in the kids bedroom.
Last Step:
Discuss with family what toys the kids need and what other alternatives we can do for holidays/birthdays in the future.
Ongoing process... always ongoing!
Simply,
Kristy
Monday, September 06, 2004
Frugal Weekend
I was a busy camper this weekend. We thought long and hard about having a weekend out, but rather than go out for dinner, and rather than take the kids out, we spent a bit more on groceries, bought a bottle of wine and had a nice grilled dinner with homemade salsa and grilled tuna instead.
Compare this to the cost of a dinner out:
Tuna steak $8.00 Sing (about 4 US)
Wine $19.90 Sing (about 10 US)
Asparagus $2.80 Sing (1.40 US)
Salsa and Chips total cost (not including prep time) $5.00 US
I think that the total cost of the dinner was around 20 for 2. Now granted, it was not prepared by a gourmet chef- nor did it have the "ambiance" but it was pretty darn good if I do say so myself (not that I was the grill cook, I leave that to Jeff!)
Other frugal things over the weekend included starting my own sourdough starter. I have it "cooking" on the shelf in the kitchen and it should be ready for our first loaf of homemade bread by the end of the week. I know that bread at the store is cheap, but the kids like playing with the bread dough, I can make it with whole grain flour and not include all of the sugars and preservatives. We won't survive off home baked bread, but a loaf a week should cut back our dependence on processed foods and it will be a fun day to boot!
I also saved I figure at least 150 dollars this week (US$). Rather than buy a new rug for the kids play area, I dyed one that I already had. back when we lived in Taipei, I purchased two very nice white rugs for about 15 bucks each on sale at Ikea. I figured while Declan was an infant (right before he was born is when I got them) I could still do white. Well, needless to say, there is so much ambient dirt in Taiwan, that they were dirty within 2 weeks, even though we don't wear shoes in the house! So, they got put away when we moved to Lotus Hill in XiZhi and I could not throw stained but otherwise in perfect condition rugs away. SO... When I was home in the states this summer I spent about $20 on navy Rit dye. I dyed one of the rugs this weekend, and it turned out surprisingly well. I figure that is at least the cost of a new rug (around 100-150 dollars for sure!)
Remember the cardinal rules:
1. reduce
2. reuse
3. recycle
Every step helps...
Tomorrow, the purge of toys report...
Simply,
Kristy
Compare this to the cost of a dinner out:
Tuna steak $8.00 Sing (about 4 US)
Wine $19.90 Sing (about 10 US)
Asparagus $2.80 Sing (1.40 US)
Salsa and Chips total cost (not including prep time) $5.00 US
I think that the total cost of the dinner was around 20 for 2. Now granted, it was not prepared by a gourmet chef- nor did it have the "ambiance" but it was pretty darn good if I do say so myself (not that I was the grill cook, I leave that to Jeff!)
Other frugal things over the weekend included starting my own sourdough starter. I have it "cooking" on the shelf in the kitchen and it should be ready for our first loaf of homemade bread by the end of the week. I know that bread at the store is cheap, but the kids like playing with the bread dough, I can make it with whole grain flour and not include all of the sugars and preservatives. We won't survive off home baked bread, but a loaf a week should cut back our dependence on processed foods and it will be a fun day to boot!
I also saved I figure at least 150 dollars this week (US$). Rather than buy a new rug for the kids play area, I dyed one that I already had. back when we lived in Taipei, I purchased two very nice white rugs for about 15 bucks each on sale at Ikea. I figured while Declan was an infant (right before he was born is when I got them) I could still do white. Well, needless to say, there is so much ambient dirt in Taiwan, that they were dirty within 2 weeks, even though we don't wear shoes in the house! So, they got put away when we moved to Lotus Hill in XiZhi and I could not throw stained but otherwise in perfect condition rugs away. SO... When I was home in the states this summer I spent about $20 on navy Rit dye. I dyed one of the rugs this weekend, and it turned out surprisingly well. I figure that is at least the cost of a new rug (around 100-150 dollars for sure!)
Remember the cardinal rules:
1. reduce
2. reuse
3. recycle
Every step helps...
Tomorrow, the purge of toys report...
Simply,
Kristy
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