It's STILL tough and not getting better - so how are we coping?

ceridwen

thriftmonster wrote: »

I also think most OSers are fairly green and if the rest of the country joined us it would be a lot better - except there wouldn't be a lot in the charity shops to buy:D

But I also read a lot about it - found Sharon Astyk's writings via Ceridwen's blog - and whilst I admire her immensely, a lot of the time it depresses me because I can't do all that. Same with things like "It's Not Easy Being Green"

So I shall keep stumbling on, doing the best I can here in my time and place and trying to be as green as I can.

I have very mixed feelings about Sharon - as there is one thing that absolutely SCREAMS at me about her level of "greenness"/environmental consciousness - so I alternate between reading/agreeing with a lot of what she says and then thinking "But don't forget where she personally flew straight in the face of being green...." on the other hand (the exact same thing as Rob Hopkins - her British equivalent - in fact). I admire Rob a lot and, having met him, he's a nice person - but has the identical Blind Spot personally - so more very mixed feelings.....

her blog is:

http://sharonastyk.com/

thriftmonster

Although she has addressed that in a few posts - if it's the number of kids that you're referring to.

I enjoy her writing, as I said, but then I start thinking "Well how do I start digging wells here in the outskirts of Belfast?" and start worrying that the only 4 legged things round here are two elderly dogs, who wouldn't feed us for very long (only joking!!) and then that sort of thinking can stop me concentrating on what I can do here and now to make a difference.

taplady

EstherH wrote: »

Oh taplady that is a stressful day for you. Hope it goes well for them both.

Esther

thankyou Esther - am a bag of nerves this morning for both of the boys.

thriftmonster - I'm with you - I try and be as green as I can but within reason - we freecycle, recycle and try and not waste anything. We grow some of our own veg, make our own compost and try and cook a lot from scratch. I do get annoyed with people who dont recycle as I hate seeing the amount that goes to landfill.It doesn't take a lot of effort to separate the rubbish but it can make such a difference.

mardatha

Ok butttttt ( insert devil smiley) if you were to bring in a law that all people were to have only one child, then many people would think that was stomping and trampling all over their lives, wouldnt they ?
I have very mixed feelings about being "green". My dad was a real old-style countryman and most of this stuff was second nature pure commonsense to him ...but without trumpeting about it and going to extremes like some of them do.
Saying we need to get rid of cars and use bicycles for instance, is no use to all the people who live miles & bloody miles out in the country! Without a car I would never get to the bank/shops/doctor/hospital or see my kids. And if all the country dwellers move into towns to be closer to work so they can cycle....then what happens to the countryside, nevermind their quality of life?:D
I think supermarkets and big stores could use a hell of a lot less packaging, that is a big moan of mine. You can get a lot of stuff into an OS string bag if they jsut left the veg open on the shelves like real greengrocers did.
Is too early to think. I need more tea :rotfl:

Skint_Lynne

This is the modern world and modern Britain. Yes, people flock here because they seem to think that they will have a better life if they come here. I happen to think that yes, this country is full up and overflowing. (Before anyone says, no, I do not have anything against any individual person, If I like you, I like you, if I don't, then I don't).

Consumerism will not go away, in fact it might get worse. People will have as many kids as they want to, or may choose not to have any. People will buy things if they like, and other people will reuse things and go to charity shops.

I live with my husband (some of the time as he is a squaddie). I use things within an inch of their lives, and am not adverse to 2nd hand stuff. He is totally different, deisgner clothes, 4x4 vehicle, good times, you get the picture. He drives me mad because of his spending and gadget hunting, I drive him mad beause of my 'odd' ways. But we are together because we suit each other and want to be. Oil and water can mix sometimes.

We are all different, it would not do if we were all the same. This is a country where we can do as we please as long as the law is not broken. Everyone is entitled to their own views and way of life.

Just one last thing, if all these people who embrace the 'throw away society' did not exist, then the rest of us could not buy their cast offs.:D

D&DD

Will catch up later trying to clean my extremely grubby house
DS3 decided he wanted a new lunchbox in the end and chose a lovely polar gear one and has trotted off to school beaming :T
As he got on the bus two of the boys called out morning to him who he knows and he was chatting away..I didn't even get so much as a wave:rotfl:
He had a 'spray' before he went cos 'I'm growed up now' but didn't want Lynx as he doesn't want the girls chasing him like they do on the adverts..bless he cracks me up!:rotfl:

My house will be spotless tonight gotta scrub keep my mind off him lol

lambanana

taplady I hope both your DSs are successful inn their interviews

narabanekeater

sorry ive been away for a few days. Sadly we had to ave our puppy PTS. When I saw her that day I knew it was the right thing to do. Shes resting in the garden now buried with her toys. DD took it very well. DS on the other hand ended up down A&E due to trapping his lip and is now on a mouth spray and 2 different types of anti biotics which is making him high as a kite lol. DD is back at school tommorow so im expecting my little 'shadow' back
Weve not to much planned for today with it being the last day on the holidays and the weather doesnt look to good either
Wishing you all a great Thurday and im sending hugs to whoever need them and positive thoughts

crickett1234

Oh, Nkb, I am so sorry to hear that! Bless you, and your children, and I hope the pain gets better soon. *blinking away tears*

On happier news, my Dad is out of hospital and is now at home. He is being very deliberate and a bit slow about things, but he is doing them. When I called this morning, he was organising all his pills because they were a bit higgeldy-piggeldy. Nice to see his control freakery coming back! I am really happy though, because now Mum doesn't have to drive 40 miles every day! She said that she didn't know what she was going to do with all the free time she now had...I suggested she sit down and chill out a little bit!!

I did the menu and the shopping list last night, and will do the supermarket shop tonight. Then I have a glamourous evening of cleaning and ironing (although I might just say to hell with it and stitch all night! Stitching forever, Housework whenever!!). I have been ever so good with the menus recently. I have been doing regular freezer audits so that I know what we have available, and it is working out really well. I am also planning on having a bit of bakeathon this weekend so we have some cake and some cookies to munch at during the week. Not sure how I am going to fit it all in with a hairdressing appointment, a session at the gym and a possible visit to the Chatsworth Country Fair as well!

Have a wonderful day folks. I am alone in the office - good thing because it is quiet, bad thing because I am the only financial person in the college at the moment! Argh! Here's hoping people stay quiet for the rest of the day.

kidcat

Hi everyone, sending big hugs to everyone cos it seems most need it. My youngest DD4 started school today, she is normally very confident and (well bossy if I am honest) but today she cried when I was leaving her, was gutted, then she threw a tantrum - at least school know what they are getting now, she has the face of an angel and shes tiny, however her temper is not small at all!!
Seems wierd that all four are now at school

We put an offer in on a house last week, its a 50% ownership but looks like we wont get it, our income is too high!! But not high enough to purchase the next level (75%)?? Seems a strange rule.