I started recycling a while ago and have made Mr. Pickle more aware and even got him to throw his cans in the recycling garbage can instead of the garbage garbage can. Up until a few years ago I was lame and didn't recycle because it wasn't convenient. However now it is just second nature, plus it is easier to recycle when you live in a house vs. an apartment.
We drink a lot of water, so we were going through a ton of plastic water bottles. We purchased a water dispenser that we fill up for $1.75 for 5 gallons and use reusable water bottles. I am in love with my Insulated Camelbak water bottle. It keeps my water cold for hours.
I do still get plastic bags at the grocery store because I use them all the time at home to clean up dog messes, but about once every three months I take a large amount of bags back to the grocery store so they can reuse them.
I have gotten a lot better at keeping the lights, heater/AC and other electrical items turned off when not in use or not needed. I get so frustrated when Mr. Pickle is watching TV downstairs and then comes upstairs and doesn't turn off the TV or the lights. Ummmmm hello, you are obviously not using it anymore, so turn it off. Plus, HE pays that bill so you think he would be smarter about it.
Let's see....I only do dishes or laundry when I have full loads and I air dry a lot of my dishes and clothes. Plus I clean the lint filter after each use (this allows the dryer to use less energy) and I wash most of my clothes in cold water.
Mr. Pickle and I have started carpooling to work. Well he actually takes BART (public transportation), but I drop him off at his station on my way to work and pick him up after work. Plus I am hoping to ride my bike more places.
At work we have all done our part in trying to print less and recycle paper. I couldn't believe the amount of paper that was just being thrown away at the office. It really doesn't take that much of an effort to recycle paper instead of throwing it away. We also stopped using Styrofoam coffee cups. Now we bring in our own mugs.
Like I said, nothing too major, but it is a start!!
By the next Earth Day I am hopeful that I can add the following things to my list:
- Replace our old windows in our hours with new energy efficient ones.
- Replace older appliance with new energy efficient ones.
- Use cloth napkins and hand towels instead of paper towels. I am a big paper towel waster.
- Bring reusable bags shopping. (I have them, but ALWAYS forget them.)
Even the little changes can make a difference!
Pics from Google Images
While reading Real Simple the other night, the activity of taking stock of where your time is spent was brought up. I thought it would be interesting to see where I spend my 'free' time. So here you have it my friends...Although it is rather difficult to read this is my life and where all my time goes.
I adopted my dog, 
My grandma was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease when I was younger. She lived with the disease for 11 or 12 years before she passed away. Although she managed to stay with it for a long time after being diagnosed, the last few years were really hard on the family. I have such fond memories of my grandma and such respect for my grandpa who took care of her by himself for the majority of the time she was living with disease. It is a horrible disease and wish I had the money to send to them to assist them with finding a cure and help those in need of support. I have been involved with the Memory Walk (put on by the 
