My Holiday Tips

–Use old posters, posters from mail, schools, old maps, reused paper to wrap gifts.
–Reuse old christmas cards by removing the fronts. Send as post cards or stick in envelopes.
–Shop in antique shops and thrift stores. So much great items out there already in circulation.
–Look at ebay, criag’s list, any local classified ads for items being [...]

2 month anniversary

Well, its coming up on two months of not buying new this weekend. Overall its been pretty easy, but I’ve slipped up a couple of times. Mostly in regards to biking — some parts here & there, the Xtracycle. Also had one relapse to Target and bought a few kid’s books [...]

Bear with jar on head shot in busy town

Off the subject, but this is so sad:

A bear whose head was stuck in a plastic food jar was photographed near an entrance to Itasca State Park on July 22 by Adam Guy, a state park naturalist intern. The bear was shot and killed near Frazee on Saturday.

The wanderings of a black bear [...]

My new SUV!!!

Whoo hoo! Got my xtracycle rigged up yesterday! We took it for a spin – me on back. Its awesome! Need to come up with a contraption for Oscar now. Here he is looking nervous:

Will design save the day?!

That Citroen car is sweet!
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/09/business/worldbusiness/09greencar.html

Almost 4 weeks

So far this has been an excellent experience. I didn’t realize what a shopper I was. And how much time it consumed. Plus I’m discovering all kinds of new stuff. Like finally figured out the library – I know – DUH! Its awesome. And I was able to go almost 4 weeks [...]

Breaking up with Target

Sorry Big T. It was fun, but its been 4 weeks and I don’t miss you. Not one bit. I won’t be back, so don’t wait for me. I’m with Vinny now. (As in Saint Vincent DePaul). Needed a fan and there they were – just a few to pick [...]

so….What’s New With You?

brings a whole new meaning to that question. Love to now answer……”Nothings new with me……you?” ha!

Kids birthday party

So, I have a 6 year old girl’s party this weekend. This will be my first “not buy new” challenge.  I did find a very sweet hoodie at the Sally, which I will give her.  (Tags still on – does that count?  It goes to a good cause, Right?)  But what else to give her?  [...]

Where it all started

Cheers to these guys for the original inspired leap:
http://sfcompact.blogspot.com
And to the people who lived before Target and Walmart and mass consumerism. Its only been the last 50 years that we’ve gotten brainwashed into thinking more, more, more is better. We can turn it around I think, fairly easily – if we just put [...]