Don’t poo-poo this post….

Contrary to my husband’s belief, I don’t think that I’m always right (just usually).  Actually, I believe that, for most tasks, there are many “right” ways to get the job done.  However, there is this one thing that, as far as I am concerned, there is ONLY one right way to it.  My way, naturally. 

It’s pretty simple really--putting the toilet paper on the roll.  Oh, yes, good ol’ TP hanging.  There is no arguing with me on this one--the toilet paper should ALWAYS be placed so the loose sheets hang over the top of the roll.   Why?  Because, by golly, it’s saving the world (and right).

In order to assure you that I have not gone off the deep end, let me explain.  In short, hanging the loose sheets over the roll (read:  correctly) allows for easy, quick one-handed tearing.  Hanging the roll so the loose sheets are under the roll (read:  incorrectly) results in erratic, unexpected unrolling of the TP when attempting to tear.  You get too much (I know you aren’t re-rolling the extra every time…don’t lie).  Then you waste it.  Considering the number of times a day you use the restroom, this is no small matter.  You can get the full (scientifically sound) details here:  http://currentconfig.com/2005/02/22/essential-life-lesson-1-over-is-right-under-is-wrong/

Come on, all.  This is one thing we can all do to save the world.  Don’t be afraid to adjust your friends’ rolls a dinner parties too.  You know I will be doing it. 

PS.  MM,  there is nothing about not changing the toilet paper roll that saves the world.  Don’t even try it. 

PPS.  Shout out to T expressed upon me the seriousness of TP hanging. 

Waste Not, Want Not

God and all his people know I don’t like leftovers.  Except chili.  And Uncle Jim’s lasagna.  I try not to make more food than what will be eaten in one sitting.  Admittedly, sometimes I pack my husband’s  lunch only so I can make sure someone besides me is taking care of those leftovers.   But, for those leftovers we do end up with, the ones I dutifully put in the fridge, if the human garbage disposal known as my husband refuses to eat them chances are, they get trashed.  Sadly, we throw things away that have gone bad because we simply didn’t eat them fast enough more than I care to admit. 

I’m sort of losing sleep about the amount of food we are wasting.  Not only it is KILLING the world, but it’s not so great for our budget either.  This whole panic was spurred by the fact that we returned from a vacation on Monday and I threw out 2/3 of what was in the fridge.  And there was still plenty left to eat.  I felt pretty ashamed.  We had house guests prior to leaving on vacation and may have over-bought in anticipation of their stay.  Or just over-bought in general over the course of a couple weeks (read: months).  And went out to eat more than expected.  I’m full of excuses, huh (such a subtle pun I have to point it out)? Anyway, I can’t peacefully sleep at night if I continue to throw away food excessive amounts of food. 

How can I stop the madness?  How can I cleverly waste less food?  Do I simply have to suck it up and eat more leftovers?   Never eat out again?  

I don’t have the perfect answer….YET.

But, I do have the ability to try to do better.  I’m a superb try-er (and modest to boot).   So, I’ll try to buy less.  I’ll try to cook what’s going to go bad first.  I’ll try to be more creative in the kitchen so I use up the orphan foods.  We’ll see what happens. 

Things are Looking Up

Per Wikipedia (the most reliable source if you ask me), upcycling is:

“ the process of converting waste materials or useless products into new materials or products of better quality or a higher environmental value.”

Or, per Jenipedia (also a reliable source), upcycling is making old stuff into new stuff.   It sounds a lot like recycling, but it’s different because you skip a step — breaking something down to raw  materials — and save even more energy than you would with just plain old recycling.  Furniture, toys, paper, pots and pans…there’s a zillion things you can upcycle. 

In case my detailed definition wasn’t sufficient…here’s my real-life example.*

Old t-shirt once belonging to the nice gentleman that lives with me:

A bit of cutting, a little bit of sewing, and a little bit more cutting:

A new (pit stain free) shirt for me (don't know why I look so serious...must have taken a lot of concentration to push that button...):

Turns out, I love upcycling.  I’m off to raid my closet.   Or someone else’s.   

*Disclaimer: I have an awesome camera but couldn’t get it set up at the correct height so I used a crappy phone camera.  Whatever.

Sometimes you're a winner and sometimes you're a winner

And the winner of the “Lunch Bag Contest” is…..YOU.  What the heck, it’s my contest and I’ll sew if I want to.  I’m making a lunch bag for every single entrant (it sounds better if I say “every single entrant” than “all six entrants.” 

I won’t name names, but there’s a certain individual who entered the contest who will HAVE to know who the “real” winner is so I still did a random number generator. 

And…..*drumroll”….Congratulations, Mom!  I hope it’s not a let-down that everyone gets a bag not just you, Mom.  Or that you are a better sewer than me but you have to pretend to like a bag from me anyway.   Really, you are still a winner because you get your bag first and you're just a winning kinda lady anyway. 

Everyone, send me your color choices (2 colors please!).    

PS.  Sorry for the delay in the announcement. We have guests, I haven’t touched a computer at home in days.   I hope you didn’t lose too much sleep. 

PPS.  The delay in making the bags will  be much longer than the announcement.  Summer = house guests, traveling, biking, beach, and, in general, not sewing.  But it will happen.