public service announcement

I'm sure you're wondering what the hell I mean by that. Well, read on. :)

I bought a new Air Conditioner the other day. My electric bill shocked me into upgrading from the hand-me-down 10 year old one (that actually works perfectly fine) to a newer, more energy efficient one. It's amazing how technology just keeps getting better and better. :)

Anyway, so I had the old one that I wasn't sure what to do with. I'm not going to put it in any other room as that would defeat the purpose of my replacing it and I don't really care if the other rooms are hot. I didn't want to throw it away, I mean, it works fine! It kept the bedroom so nice and cool (although I can see a difference between the new and old with how little effort the new one uses to keep it as cool).

#Begin Public Service Announcement--

Here's where the PSA comes in. I don't like filling up land fills. I recycle pretty much everything I can. I have very little trash (1-2 small kitchen bags every 2 weeks), but my recycling usually takes 2 bins (for plastic and glass) and a box the size of a computer box (for paper and cardboard). I recycle everything I can as my way of helping to save the earth ('cuz you have to admit we're completely destroying it - we have no respect at all) and every little bit helps!

I found a group online called Freecycle. This snippet from the site explains it best:

"The Freecycle Network was started in May 2003 to promote waste reduction in Tucson's downtown and help save desert landscape from being taken over by landfills. The Network provides individuals and non-profits an electronic forum to "recycle" unwanted items. One person's trash can truly be another's treasure!"

If you're not a yard sale kind of person, I can see where other people's stuff might creep you out. For me, it's the perfect way to get rid of in-good-workable-condition stuff that I don't want to just sit in a landfill. Stuff that other people may need, but can't afford to get right then. The AC is a perfect example of that. I've also received a few things as well - a piece of plastic lattice that someone had over-bought for a project and never got around to returning. That was used to close up some of the wider escape routes from my deck. The person got that space back. I didn't have to spend $20 to buy it. It didn't sit in a landfill for the rest of the time the earth is around. Everybody wins. :)

It's what works for me. :) For the rest of you I ask that you be a little more ecologically conscious. That's all. Do whatever you feel comfortable doing - you don't have to join Freecycle - you don't have to start recycling if you currently don't - you don't have to do anything you don't want to do. Just be aware. :)

#End Public Service Announcement--

As far as yesterday went, I did not mow the lawn like I said I was going to. No surprise there. But I did get everything out to the curb, and emptied the kitty litter box, and swept all of the floors. I was dripping sweat everywhere and you could tell where I had been by the trail of drips on the floor. It was awful and disgusting. So, by 8:30pm, I decided I didn't want to fight it anymore and I retired to the very cool and comfy bedroom. It did help that the dogs were all sitting by the bedroom door every time I walked by. I took that to mean that they had had it with the heat too. :) So I gave everybody a bone to munch on to keep them busy while I finished my book. I realized that I was far more tired than I thought when I couldn't even finish the last 2 chapters. Crazy. So I passed out around 9:30am and woke up feeling pretty damn refreshed! Amazing what the right amount of sleep with do to you. ;)

Tonight I have PT, but that's really the only thing I have to do. I'd be really impressed with myself if I could get the dishes done so Kim could see the sink while she's staying here. ;) I have to go food shopping at some point this week too, as well as head to the New Balance outlet to get new sneaks. Other than that, the week seems pretty peaceful!

D