From Blogland - Somewhere

Lions and Tigers and Bears – Oh My!

We aren’t in Kansas anymore Toto. Nope. We are actually going to be hard pressed to find a forest if the world keeps gobbling up resources at the current rate it is chopping. Your morning coffee, the newspaper…CHOCOLATE. It all stems from a forest.
One of life’s morning essentials grow naturally in rain forests [...]

We aren’t in Kansas anymore Toto. Nope. We are actually going to be hard pressed to find a forest if the world keeps gobbling up resources at the current rate it is chopping. Your morning coffee, the newspaper…CHOCOLATE. It all stems from a forest.

One of life’s morning essentials grow naturally in rain forests as well as a big majority of the medicinal products that are prescribed in the United States. Paper comes from forests across the planet. Can you imagine how you would take care of the morning business without your Charmin? That is the direction this planet is heading unless we take the environment more seriously.

Where are all the trees going? In tropical places, trees are being used for fuel and building all of those homes people need to live in paradise. Mahogany, teak and other tropical hardwoods make great furniture don’t they? That supply has to come from somewhere. You love that juicy steak that you are eating for dinner? Well congratulations, the land that cattle grazed on was once a beautiful forest in the Midwest. Gone.

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Happy Bday Momma

Today is my momma’s birthday. She is 45 today. (If I am only 29….she can be 45) Happy Birthday Momma – I love you!!!!!
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On to my post:
As I sit here this morning sipping on my Vanilla Soy Latte (Thank you Jasmine for pointing this little slice of heaven out to me), I pondered whether [...]

Today is my momma’s birthday. She is 45 today. (If I am only 29….she can be 45) Happy Birthday Momma – I love you!!!!!
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On to my post:

As I sit here this morning sipping on my Vanilla Soy Latte (Thank you Jasmine for pointing this little slice of heaven out to me), I pondered whether or not this was an appropriate beverage choice for a green loving veg gal like me. I mean, I know that soy is a complete protein. It is made from plants and not animal products (ewww). I know that this Starbucks Venti Soy Latte contains less calories and fat than most people’s cup of coffee they will have when they get to work this morning. So yes, soy is way better for my bod. But….what does it do to our environment?

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Yep, redirect.

Paper or Plastic

Every time we go into a grocery store, we are asked paper or plastic. What is a green going, semi aware person to say to that? Listen up so that you can become a green going and EDUCATED person.
Plastic bags wind up in our oceans, get stuck in our trees, and blow around our sidewalks. [...]

Every time we go into a grocery store, we are asked paper or plastic. What is a green going, semi aware person to say to that? Listen up so that you can become a green going and EDUCATED person.

Plastic bags wind up in our oceans, get stuck in our trees, and blow around our sidewalks. Each year, more than 500 BILLION plastic bags are used. A very small part of them are ever recycled. Most people use them to move the groceries from point A to point B and then toss them in the garbage. Do you know what happens to those bags after they hit your trash bin? They wind up in our landfills where they can last over a thousand years. Eventually they begin to break down into itty bitty toxins that wind up in our soil and water. Yep, just what I want to be drinking.

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PS – I am not here today so yes, you will be redirected to my other blog.

Not Here Today

I don’t know how many of you realize that I have more than one blog which I write for. Last year, I experienced blogger burn out more times than I care to count. So, with a new year staring at me, I decided to make some changes. The main one being that I realized that [...]

I don’t know how many of you realize that I have more than one blog which I write for. Last year, I experienced blogger burn out more times than I care to count. So, with a new year staring at me, I decided to make some changes. The main one being that I realized that I LOVE to write but I didn’t love being stressed about it. The brilliant solution that I came up with? I am simply going to tell you where I am when I am not here and I am going to write what I want when I feel like writing it. So….today…I am not here. And from this point on, when I am not here, you will find something like what is below on the days that you visit and I am elsewhere. Enjoy!

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It is a known fact that being overweight is bad for you. But did you know that it is also not good for our planet? Think about it? If a person is heavier, they are more than likely eating processed foods, visiting establishments that aren’t green, driving more and walking or biking less….it just all adds up.

I know that when I was heavier, it was a result of a life of ease and convenience, plus I was lazy. I ate what I could find quickly and that usually meant *gasp* fast food. It also meant Styrofoam, plastic containers and tons and tons of paper to serve my food to me. I didn’t own a bicycle – nor did I want to. The thought of putting my fat ass on one was enough to toss me into fits of giggles. So starting today, let’s look at ways that we can better ourselves while we better the planet.

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PS – yes you will be redirected to my other blog.

I think its vacation

I am setting at my sister’s dining room table this morning. I can look out the picture window and see her bird feeder. There are cardinals, blue jays and some cute little black and yellow birds that I have yet to identify hopping around not 5 feet from me. The rest of the house is [...]

I am setting at my sister’s dining room table this morning. I can look out the picture window and see her bird feeder. There are cardinals, blue jays and some cute little black and yellow birds that I have yet to identify hopping around not 5 feet from me. The rest of the house is still sleeping. I woke up this am in weird mood. It might be because I am heading home tomorrow. I am thinking that it is more likely because I haven’t blogged. It didn’t really bother me that I haven’t. It just felt….weird. This blog has been where I have documented the things that are wandering around my brain for over 4 years. It only takes 21 days to make a habit. So here I am. While I am on vacation.

We arrived on Sunday. Unannounced. My sister was surprised to say the least. It’s been great. The kids are having great time. The adults are having a good time. It’s beautiful here in Summerville. Green trees, green grass and flowers everywhere. We spent the day at the beach yesterday. Soaked up sunshine and relaxed while the kids played endlessly in the sand and surf. It occurred to me yesterday though, while I was enjoying our picture perfect day that I am a Miami girl. In 9 years, that city has fused into my blood. I miss it when I am not there. We don’t live in downtown, but it’s a big assed city. I bitch about the influx of Cubans.I complain about 85% of our population not speaking english. It’s hot as hell. We have mosquitos and hurricanes. People are too busy to even notice anyone else. But, I love it there and I can not imagine my life anywhere else. Odd isn’t it? Here I am in this beautiful city and I miss the chaos of Miami.

We have toured Charleston. It is a gorgeous city. You feel like you aren’t in a large city, even though you are. Tons of history and GHOSTS. I can’t wait to come back here and scope all of THAT out. We spent Monday in the downown area of Charleston, shopping our asses off. There are people here that make their living weaving baskets out of palmetto palms. I touched one of the really cool baskets, thinking that it might be a way cool piece of this trip to take home since it is the livelyhood of so many here. Then Mom caught the price of said basket. $320!!!! It wasn’t even big enough to hold a half dozen apples. Yeah. I am not that into supporting the local economy. Step away from the baskets Queenie.

Our favorite stop of the trip has been the rock store. I think technically it is called the Mineral Shop but….rocks. Everywhere. I picked up a nifty wind chime and some teaching materials. I snagged my sissy a moonstone pendant and the kids grabbed up some cool stuff too. Yes, we drove all the way to South Carolina to buy rocks. Oh…and peaches. We bought a bushel of peaches and before Mom and I head back south, we are grabbing another one. OMG!!!!

Today, our agenda is a walking tour of the historic Summerville. I hope to be a bit better about taking photos. Right now, I am not very happy with my camera. Most of our photos from the beach trip yesterday came out blurry and cloudy. I think that it might be time to replace the trusty old point and shoot again. I normally get a couple of years out of them. This one has lasted me almost 4. I won’t complain.

For your viewing pleasure:

The family. Minus Mom who snapped this one. After much effort because how can we ALL possibly stand and smile pretty for a photo?

PS – Baby, I miss you like crazy. Will be home tomorrow. Please talk to your daddy and clear the weather for us so we can make it a quick and stress free ride. I love you.