Line Drying in Winter

As I sit here watching the cold, fall rain come down, I am reminded of my line-drying challenges during the winter months. All summer long I pondered this conundrum, trying to find a good solution. And I think I might have it.

My solution involves some PVC piping, another rope, and the floor supports in the ceiling of my unfinished laundry room. I will lay the pipes on top of the supports and string the rope similar to my outdoor line. I have been working to clean out the storage areas and have found some room near the furnace area. The line will be rather low to the ground, comparatively, but that means I will have to hang tall items differently, that's all.

Here is hoping it will work out as I envision!

The Coming of October, and Light September

So far this September I have not had to purchase any personal care products. I did purchase laundry soap, and while I chose a dye/fragrance free detergent, I know there are more ecological choices out there. I just need to research it some more. But my decision to limit my personal care purchases has not been tested this month.

Which brings me to October and yet another decision. I am doing this to try to create new habits that will help me lead the lifestyle I desire to have. This means that I need to choose a change that will challenge my current habits. hmmmmm makes me think - I do not know what to change yet.

So I think some more.

Do Free Items Count?

I went to the dentist the other day, and they gave me my requisite free samples of Crest toothpaste and (some brand name I can't recall off the top of my head) dental floss. I, being frugal, naturally accepted (sans little plastic bag to carry home in) all three items, and headed home.

So my question is, do these freebies count towards my Sept. goal of 1)reducing personal care product usage (neither tooth brushing nor flossing has ever been on the list to eliminate!) and 2)buying low-er impact products?

Hmmmm. Maybe I should have passed on the freebies.

I actually have passed on regular floss before. I have very tight teeth and floss just shreds in my mouth. I have specific requirements on floss; their new brand meets my requirements. And, oddly enough, my hygienist is very green and eco-minded and does not use traditional products either. In fact, she rarely even offers me the toothpaste because I don't use it ... but it was cinnamon flavored and I love cinnamon.

Anyway, I guess this is a failure then. Turns out so far I have not had to purchase any personal care products so far this month. So maybe this was not a good month to adopt this particular change. Ah, it is sort of a freebie now!

It was SO annoying!

I went to a local Big-Box store today to purchase one item. Being of the mind set that a bag is truly not necessary for one little item, I wasn't expecting a bag for my purchase. However, I never thought to mention this to the cashier. So, after I paid for my purchase I was very surprised to see my item in a large plastic bag.

"Oh, I don't need a bag for just one item," I say. Then, wanting her to realize just why I said this, I added, "Save some plastic and let another person who has multiple items use it."

We smile nicely at each other, and I turn to walk away. She grabs the bag and throws it in her garbage can.

I stop, dumbfounded. Didn't I just explain to her why I was not taking the bag; that I wanted to save some plastic from entering our landfill? OK, apparently I was not explicit enough. Note to self, be more explicit next time I forget to tell the cashier ahead of time not to bag my item.

But, not wanting to loose this moment, I say,"You still could use that bag, and save some plastic from entering our landfill. It is perfectly good still."

She rolls her eyes at me, obviously annoyed. "It is more hassle for me to use the bag now that it is all wrinkled up."

I am sure my mouth dropped open, and my own eyes rolled a few times (apparently I am a huge eye-roller, but I never know I am doing it) as I weighed my new options as how to respond to this scenario. Then, I did it.

"Well, if your just going to throw it away, hand it to me and I'll dispose of it in a more appropriate manner."

...and so tonight Gherkie and Ziggy made parachutes for their dolls out of Big-Box Store plastic bags.

A Slight Delay

My TP removal has hit a snag. FM is attached to our too-small flannel sheets, and does not want me to repurpose them. When I asked if he minded me cutting up and repurposing the sheet, he asked what I was going to use it for. I said rags (grin) because, really that is what they are going to be. He was upset that I was going to use it for rags. So I mentioned making something for the girls to wear; apparently the fabric is not good enough quality for clothing, but too good for rags. Well, now I guess I will contemplate another possibility.

Hmmm, I do have a pile of old cloth diapers from way back when ....

Adding Another Change for Sept

Yes, this is going to be a TMI entry. So, be forewarned ... if you are squeamish or just do not want to know personal things about me, ignore this entry!

I have been contemplating ways to reduce all those single use products in my life, and toilet paper was one item that I simply was blocked on precisely HOW to eliminate it. At first, cloth wipes just did not enter my mind (duh!) then when I suggested using cloth wipes instead of TP I was met with intense opposition from FM. And then only because I am oh so good at creating my own obstacles before I even attempt something new - I envisioned Gherkie and Ziggy using them too and flushing them down the crapper. Not a pleasant scenario. So I have never embarked on this journey.

Until now. Inspired by my friend Crunchy Chicken (I am totally OK pretending we are best friends!) and her now annual cloth wipe challenge, I'm jumping on board with this idea I've been mulling around for quite a few years.

I am going to use the moist-wipe method, created from repurposed flannel sheets and stored in an old wipe container from babyhood days, and disposed into an old lidded coffee canister. I have quite a few empty canisters lying around waiting for SOME purpose, and now I have found the perfect purpose for my stash!

I'll keep everyone posted on the results and pitfalls, etc. I know you are just waiting with baited breath on this one!! TMI