I'm reading a lot of books right now- many of them I've read before. I received an email with some great questions about one of my previous posts and putting my thoughts together to respond on my blog. So this morning I was reading this book I got for my birthday last year called ENOUGH: Contentment in an Age of Excess. It's really good.
I am going to post something I read (pg. 61)- it's a harsh reality of the American church.
You spend too much time thinking about and wishing for the end of the world. Why are you so anxious to bring about God's judgment? And what kinds of people you have become, thinking the world will end tomorrow? In your arrogance and laziness you have forgotten why I have placed you here. You have endless conferences and seminars on "how to do church," but you have forgotten to be the church, a people who live as an alternative community, pointing all people toward me through loving service You grown rich exploiting the poor. You bring a tiny pittance of that money back to me and say, "God, you have been so good to us." But your money smells like crap in my nostrils. It sickens me and I don't want it. Give it back to the poor from which it came. You grow more food than you need by destroying the very soil I gave you to tend. You sit down to a sumptuous buffet and say, "Look how God has blessed us." I have not blessed you. I have left you to your own destruction. There will come a day when the womb of the earth will no longer produce and the poor will rise up and pledge never to sew a cheap garment again. You will grow hungry and your shopping malls will close. Then you will turn to me and cry, "God, why you have you rejected us?" And I will say, "I have not rejected you. I have been here all along, waiting for you all along." So turn your face toward me now. Seek after me. Live out my commands. Do you want to be people after my own heart? Then care for the poor, the needy, the marginalized, those for whom my heart beats loudly. Cease your endless Bible studies, searching for the answer to righteous living. Commit yourselves to following what I already told you to do. Don't believe you are pursing me if you are not seeking to do justice. Care for the planet. .You have become so worried about who might advocate this course of action that you forgot it was one of my first commandments to you. Tend well what I have give you. Seek the welfare of your community. As people in exile, your future and the future of the planet you live are one and the same. So make your world more whole, that you might be more holy. And live in love. I had hoped that you'd get that message when my Son joined humanity and demonstrated sacrificial love in action. But you are so worried about his return that you forgot why he came. Be a people shaped by the model of Jesus, not just the prospect of escaping the world I have asked you to help heal.
David applied for a scholarship this past year and he didn't get it. It would have given us a large sum of money each year for the next four years. The scholarship is given to students going into family practice. With the news that he didn't get the scholarship David decided to rethink his options. He has decided to do internal medicine/pediatrics. Family residency programs in Detroit are really lacking, and the Detroit Medical Center (DMC) has IM/PED residency that looks really good. Because Arizona only has one medical school it doesn't have the greatest residency programs for what we want. So at this point we are looking into staying in Detroit for the next 4 years. (The IM/PED program is 4 years instead of 3).
We still have a few months to think and pray about this. I know many of you have been praying for us and I wanted to make sure I keep you updated. :)
8.25.2010
"Do small things with great love" - Mother Teresa
"Or don't open the door!" -Shane Claiborne
Last year I heard Shane Claiborne at the CCDA conference- going again in 2 weeks in CHICAGO!!!
Anyway, he lives in inner city Philly and they have a policy in their community house about being willing to love on each person that they open the door to, and if you're too tired or worn out or whatever... you just don't open the door.
So yesterday I had a few experiences happen that forced me to think about the emotions behind some of the things I have been/and will be writing about. The first thing was I got a comment on my previous blog entry that caused me to stop and think. It was mostly helpful in seeing the truth behind some of the words and implications I made- and I made adjustments accordingly. More on that later. The second thing was a dear friend of mine (from Detroit- we'll call her Christie shared with me how it was painful to hear another friend (lives in surrounding suburb)- we'll call her Mary- not want to move here because essentially it's not good enough for her and her family. Initially I was mad about the comment on my blog, but after talking with Christie about some of the comments that were painful, I realized we all love where we come from. And often people from the outside see things that either are not the reality of life in that place- or say things that are true, but hard to hear. I'd like to defend and reveal to you the reasons for the "harsh" language... In defense of Nogales- I LOVE Nogales. It's one of my favorite places. I love the culture- the people- the fact that David's family is there and takes me to the most delicious restaurants and I can buy lots of cheap things at the "cinderella" stores. I have never felt unwelcomed or unsafe. If God wills- I would LOVE to return to Nogales one day to raise my children there. Also, the landscape in Nogales is BEAUTIFUL. With that said, many people who are operating on a different value system- or who only read the news find it to be a "dangerous" place. I use quotations with dangerous because I don't feel unsafe when I'm there, but there are drug wars going on. I also know that there were people who thought the Crawfords were a little crazy for moving there with kids. Yes, I know- this thought is infuriating, but it's true. I use Nogales as a contrast of Detroit because it's a place that people are afraid of- or unwilling to raise their kids there- and don't necessarily want to go to- unless they're traveling through to go to the Mexican side and eat out or shop. Back to Detroit. David and I were challenged on more than one occasion that living in Detroit is a bad idea and that we're putting our lives in danger. Ok, I don't feel unsafe here. There are things I avoid- gas stations after dark, walks after dark... but there are MANY more things I do- walks with the boys alone, finding niches around the city I like to go to- and enjoying some great things big cities have to offer. I have friends who feel uncomfortable getting gas or even driving alone to my house- I think I have had at least 3 girlfriends who are unwilling to drive here alone (they live in other cities). This is not a mean thing to say, it's the truth of something I have experienced. If I told my neighbors this they'd probably say something like, "For real?! They don't have to be scared. Detroit isn't THAT bad!" Inside they'd probably be a little insulted. My friend Christie felt this way. She struggled to hear that Mary wouldn't feel comfortable putting her kids in the schools here. My challenge in posting things like this is to challenge the truth behind our thoughts. When we won't move to a place because the schools are bad or it's "unsafe" or for whatever reason- we are making the implication that those people are not good enough for me and mine. It continues the cycles of being divided. I'm not telling you all to get up and move to poor areas- well I guess I am- but I am not being JUDGMENTAL about it- I'm just putting the challenge out there. I love you, my readers, and I want to celebrate what God is doing in your lives- and share what He's doing in mine. So let this be the post that lays the foundation for when I talk about Nogales or Detroit. I love both cities. And I say things that aren't necessarily true- especially to people from those places- but I am saying them and contrasting them because a lot of people believe they're true- and there's some sarcasm behind my words- most probably know this- but if you don't know me I can see how you would misinterpret what I am trying to say, especially when my writing isn't as clear as I'd like it to be.
Anyway, I apologize for initially mis-representing Nogales and I hope I've adequately changed the wording. I apologize if any ofmy words and challenging and painful to read. I'm likely to make lots of mistakes on my blog and I've changed my comments so they come through me first- so if you want to suggest something I will read it and consider to change a post. :)
I get very frustrated with people sometimes and I am very passionate about what I do. I have a HOT list of topics that if you get me going I will use strong words and defend what I think is true to the point of exhaustian. :) This is something you all should love about me, and help shape me to do this, but with love. I am proud to have strong convictions, but not necessarily in making people feel badly.
The big conversation around here lately has been about education. In case you've missed the news, or David's mentioning it on his blog- the education system in Detroit is failing. It's failing children. Twenty-five percent of freshman who START high school will graduate. Many students won't even step in the doors. Elementary schools are full (like around the country), but there are many disciplinary problems due to the lack of adequate parenting. Teachers are overwhelmed and tired. Schools continue to close forcing many to go job hunting again. It's a mess, a real mess. There are some charter schools that seem to be acceptable, and two high schools that appear to be great- but students are accepted into them. The reason education has been topic of conversation is many of the families at Mack Ave community Church moved into this city. We come from resourced families and solid backgrounds. We've always had our needs met. We came to this city to live among people and do life with people. We aren't here to do anything to anybody, but alongside. My kids play with the kids all up and down our block and they have a great time. And now we're being faced with the coveted educational options. Many families that have moved here can afford Ambleside School (a Christian school in SW Detroit), the Waldorf (around the corner where our church currently meets), or they can afford surrounding suburban private schools. These are not necessarily bad options, but then what we're doing is saying- I'm willing to live here in Detroit- surround myself with the drama, but I am not willing to let my kids go to school with your kids because your school isn't good enough for my kids. Now don't get feisty on me yet- hear me out to the end of my post! So then what happens is many people who move into Detroit hoping to be part of the change (people who are from all different faiths and beliefs)- end up sending their kids to schools other than the neighborhood schools. I've done a lot of reading by a man named Robert Lupton. We had the opportunity to meet with him privately last year at the CCDA convention. He moved into inner city Atlanta when it wasn't a beautiful place- he moved into the ghetto with his family. One of the things he did was send his children to the neighborhood school. It's so cool what the church did. They were able to create a group of volunteers who went into that school to help create order so the teachers could do their jobs and teach! They took all the kids with severe discipline issues next door to the church (this was 30 years ago!) and were able to begin teaching them behavior strategies, etc... and then as they were able, those children reintegrated into the classroom. Over time that neighborhood school became a place that educated children- a safe place among the ruins of Atlanta. I don't think that school would have changed without someone with resources- time, money, education, and the desire for change. I think the same is here in Detroit. All we read about it how the education system is failing, and no one wants to "risk" their kids education to make the schools better. Think about this: Because Robert and his wife were willing to place their kids in an inadequate school and be part of the change- they changed that school for THOUSANDS of children. That thought seriously gives me goosebumps. I hear people say all the time- well, I can send my kids to "X" school while also helping out the local public school. I challenge this thought to be untrue. You cannot and will not be able to pour the amount of energy and time into something that is not affecting your family. I guarantee you that if Bentley and Clayton are in the local school- Marcus Garvey- I will be overly involved in ensuring a classroom that is adequate for them. We are by nature selfish. And I will selfishly be involved in my boys' education- but this selfishness will change the lives of many many other children. Does that not excite you? It excites me. As I am writing this the song by the David Crowder Band came on: He is jealous for me, Loves like a hurricane, I am a tree, Bending beneath the weight of his wind and mercy. When all of a sudden, I am unaware of these afflictions eclipsed by glory, And I realise just how beautiful You are, And how great Your affections are for me. And oh, how He loves us so, Oh how He loves us, How He loves us all Yeah, He loves us, Oh! how He loves us, Oh! how He loves us, Oh! how He loves. We are His portion and He is our prize, Drawn to redemption by the grace in His eyes, If His grace is an ocean, we're all sinking. And Heaven meets earth like an unforseen kiss, And my heart turns violently inside of my chest, I don't have time to maintain these regrets, When I think about, the way?
As I read the chorus about how he loves us- O! how he loves us- pictures of the beautiful children in my neighborhood flash before my eyes. I've come to love the children on my block in a way that is deeply ROOTED in Christ's love. I want to see them succeed. I see the extreme poverty that surrounds and entangles them and I dearly want to see them freed from that. And God has revealed to me a way that I can actually be a part of that- a way that is bigger than throwing money at them- but being part of their lives.
I also want to add this important truth. When David was 11 years old his parents moved him from the beautiful, safe, rural place of Spring Arbor, MI to the poor and "dangerous" location of Nogales, AZ (yep, the one that's all over the news these days)- They sent their children to the local school- where they were one of few white kids- and the kids in the classroom often chose to speak Spanish. The reason I bring this up is to remind you that David and his siblings did just fine. They were still able to go to wonderful colleges/universities and able to get good jobs. I think it probably changed them in even better ways considering the occupations they've chosen- doctor, missionary, social worker, and pastor. Although the news portrays Nogales as a poor and "dangerous" place, it's a place that we love. It's a place that helped shape David's family. The point of this being to challenge where we choose to raise our kids- because even though places seem one way- the reality is that God is working and moving.
Last year Bentley got the boot from receiving therapy in Ann Arbor and has been in the Detroit Public School system for 8 months now. It is not nearly as good or as beautiful as what is happening in Ann Arbor if you look at it from a worldly stand point- but Bentley and I are meeting families from our city- and we are going to be part of something exciting and challenging. Bentley is not suffering- I think he's going to be even better equipped to Kingdom living because of this change. And I am so thankful that Ann Arbor booted us because I'm not sure I would have willingly un-enrolled him there.
So I am challenging you all- who I deeply love- to consider these thoughts and think about them. Don't get angry and defensive. I'm not. Embrace these ideas- mull and agonize over them. Rejoice with me that God is doing something big here in the Crawford home- that He is really growing us.
I have done a horrible job updating my blog lately. God is doing some amazing things here and in me. And I definitely need to be sharing that more regularly. I think I get a group of thoughts and I know I don't have time to write them all so I don't write any of them. There's no sense in that! So here's me blogging again!!
I was laying in bed this morning thinking about times I've lost my car. And I decided to blog about it becuse it made me laugh and I thought my readers should have a laugh too. Both times I can remember losing my car occurred in college. The first time I took a friend to the airport. He had been visiting- it was not even a year after 9/11- this is important because I walked him into the airport- something people never do anymore!! So I said good-bye and went to find my car. I got in the elevator and realized I had no idea what floor to go to! I picked one and started walking aimlessly around the parking garage. I almost always park on the top floor to avoid this kind of situation- so I was so mad at myself for not doing that! Eventually I called a friend from school who drove to the PHX airport, picked me up, and we circled the garage to find my car. The only other time I had to have help finding my car was my second semester junior year- I was taking 24 credit hours- CRAZY, I know :). The Italian class I was taking was located at a nearby community college (my credits were free at GCU up to 18- so then I'd go to a community college if I wanted more.) Anyway, I had just returned from a semester in Spain and was still adjusting. So the community college was HUGE- bigger campus than GCU- and I parked my car and went looking for my class. I'm sure I was all nervous and shaking- and dropping books, keys, sunglasses- my usual catastrophe- so I wasn't really paying attention. Class got out and I walked to my car- but it wasn't there! Phoenix does have a huge car theft problem, but I couldn't imagine anyone taking Bertha (my 1987 honda accord!)- so I walked around looking, looking, looking- after about an hour I called security- they found my location- then brought me in and we searched for my car using the security cameras- it was on the other side of the campus! So he took me back to my car in the golf cart. I felt like such an idiot! I do know this about myself- if I don't intentionally think about where I'm leaving something I will lose it.
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David had a big test in Chicago at the end of June so I decided to go before him and visit my aunt. I had the best time with her! Before I was leaving she mentioned having a few family heirlooms I could have- I had no idea how we would get them to Detroit. Well, after talking with David we decided to rent a truck and bring them back. We brought back- a child's size rocking chair that was my grandfathers, a vanity (see picture below- we didn't put the mirror up), my grand mother's desk ( see other pic- it's hard to get the full effect of how amazing this piece is!), a bed frame that was my great grand mothers, AND since we had the truck my aunt sent beautiful bunk beds with us that she didn't want.
I'm so thankful for these antique pieces. I love being content in owning something- knowing I will never need to replace it because of the sentimental value. :)
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We've been having a wonderful time up here at the cottage. It is so peaceful and serene. Yesterday I had the chance to go to Traverse City and snoop around the stores. Traverse City is not far from the cottage and located right on Lake Michigan. It is a very BEAUTIFUL and fun city. Last week I picked up a newspaper filled with things you can do with kids in T.C. There are mom clubs and parks and all kinds of fun family things to do. It's an ideal place for young families. As I was shopping in the boutiques I was astounded by the amount of money people spend on things. There was this purse that was for sale- it looked like a Coach purse. The tag said $80, which would be cheap, but then it said "Not authentic". I would never buy a name brand purse, but to think anyone would spend $80 on a bag that says Coach is beyond my understanding. So anyway- all this shopping in boutiques and seeing beautiful perfect families got me to thinking... I don't want my children to grow up amazed when they see poverty- and sad that people live that way (well I do want them to have compassion). But I plan to raise my kids among the poor and hope they're surprised by the wealth.
I hope you all keep my accountable to these types of thoughts! It is very easy to want a safe and peaceful life in Traverse City, but it is not where God has called us.
I love Isaiah 61 in thinking about such things.
Anyway- thoughts to ponder. ;)
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Open Hearts Open Home: The Hospitable Way to Make Others Feel Welcome and Wanted by Karen Burton Mains
This has been such a practical book in shaping my thinking about how to create a home that is inviting, loving, and provides grace and comfort. It has great application questions and thoughtful insight and lots of scripture. I would suggest this book to anyone looking to be more hospitable.
The Search For Significance: Seeing Your True Worth Through God's Eyes by Robert McGee Leigh and I have been reading this book together. It's a good book if you can allow yourself to really dig into the lies we believe about God and ourselves. It helps us to understand more about our insecurities- why we operate on such a poor worldly system- like proving our validity, etc...
Early Communication for Children with Down Syndrome: A Guide for Parents and Professionals I am looking for ways to improve Bentley's communication and this book has a lot of practical ideas.
God's Child in the City by Billie Silvey I am just going to start on this one so I don't have anything to say yet!!
Upcoming Reads: Renewing the City: Reflections on Community Development and Urban Renewal by Robert Lupton Theirs is the Kingdom: Celebrating the Gospel in Urban America by Robert Lupton (This book Leigh and I will be reading together) Restoring At Risk Communities by John Perkins A Lineage of Grace by Francine Rivers Giving to God by Mark Allan Powell
Anyone have any other ideas or suggestions for me?
A woman told me a really cool thing the other day and I want to share it:
THE DAYS ARE LONG, BUT THE YEARS ARE SHORT.
So when Bentley has pb&j all over himself, I hope I LAUGH and enjoy it! And when Clayton is sitting nicely in my lap and smiling, may I enjoy it and not try to get something done!
David and I just watched this documentary and really enjoyed it. You should watch it. Then I went and read 100 ways to live greener. I hope to come back and post on the ideas I have tried and succeeded at.
101 Easy Ways to Have a Greener 2010 RATE: 0 Flag Email If you’re looking for a green New Year’s resolution, never fear, the Almighty Beckster’s got you covered! This list includes everything from the obvious to the obscure, the simple to the “you gotta be kiddin’ me”. But I can honestly say that I’ve done everything on this list, and these really are doable things. I’m betting everybody can find at least one thing on this list that they can do to have a greener 2010!
1) Live beneath your means. Nothing will give you the freedom to explore a greener lifestyle like the peace of mind that comes from having some money in the bank and the assurance that you have choices! 2) Use cloth napkins & handkerchiefs instead of paper napkins and tissue. You can even make them yourself from pieces of old clothing. 3) Use washable cloth wipes instead of toilet paper (at least for number one – really, it’s not as gross as it sounds). 4) Use washable rags instead of paper towels – there’s no better use for an old threadbare washcloth or towel. 5) Never use paper plates, cups etc. Even at parties, use real plates, glasses and silverware. You can borrow some from a friend if you don’t have enough. 6) When you use the microwave, cover your food with a glass lid or upside down bowl or plate instead of a paper towel (but never put plastic in the microwave). 7) If you must buy any paper products, buy recycled. 8) Use your clothes drier for emergencies only – use a clothes line or drying rack most of the time. 9) Don’t wash your clothes, sheets or towels until they’re actually dirty. “Dirty” means that they have visible dirt on them or they smell bad. 10) Find a sunny, well ventilated spot to hang your towels so they dry quickly and don’t need to be washed as often. 11) Wash your clothes in cold water, or even better, use grey water from bathing. 12) Buy a washboard or clothes plunger/agitator, and wash the small stuff by hand (use grey water from bathing). 13) Recycle everything that is recyclable. To make your life easier, get separate garbage cans so you can sort as you toss. 14) Buy goods made from recycled items. Look for the highest quantity possible of post-consumer content… and it’s not just for paper. You can get recycled plastics, aluminum foil and even building materials such as countertops made from recycled glass and decking made from plastic bags. 15) Avoid buying items that come in non-recyclable containers. 16) Bring your own bags when you shop. This includes produce and bulk foods bags; you can buy or make net or muslin bags or even just reuse the plastic ones. 17) Buy in bulk as much as possible, and bring your own bag or container. 18) Avoid buying pre-packaged food, shop for ingredients instead of ready-made meals. 19) Don’t buy any produce grown in a “hothouse”. 20) Don’t buy any produce flown in from half way around the world. 21) Don’t buy fresh fish unless you live where it was caught. 22) Eat less meat & dairy. 23) Cut back on ordering takeout meals. Dine in or cook at home instead, but either way save and eat your leftovers. And if you do splurge and choose to have something delivered, remember to recycle, reuse or compost the containers. 24) Plant a Garden – even a few pots on a balcony can yield a great deal. 25) Join a CSA farm – there is no better way to learn how to cook with a variety of seasonal veggies! 26) Shop at your local farmer’s market. 27) When you have a surplus of something that’s in season, freeze it for the winter months. 28) Buy organic whenever possible. 29) Buy locally produced food whenever possible. 30) Use bottled water for emergencies only. Get a good filter and reusable water bottle instead. 31) Buy fresh instead of canned. Think of canned food as something to be used for emergencies only. 32) Use locally produced honey instead of sugar – you’ll be helping to support the bee population, and cutting down on environmentally destructive sugar cane farming. 33) Use a crock pot or slow cooker, and cover it with a thick towel or pillow to retain the heat and make it more efficient. 34) Build (or buy) a solar oven and use it especially in the summer months so you don’t heat up the house when you cook. 35) Save your big cooking projects for cold days or evenings and let the heat from cooking warm your house. Eat lots of salads and cold dishes in the summer. 36) Cook way more than you need and freeze the leftovers. 37) Never throw away food leftovers. Freeze them, use them as ingredients for new dishes, make a broth - get creative – but never toss edible food. 38) Compost your food scraps and yard waste. 39) If you have cats, switch to a natural kitty litter – preferable one made from a waste product such as corn cobs. 40) Compost your natural kitty litter (but in a separate place from your food compost, and use it only on ornamental plants). 41) Feed your cats & dogs food made from chicken or other poultry products rather than beef. 42) Break the habit of the morning shower and bathe only when you’re dirty (i.e. when you smell bad or are visibly dirty). 43) If you’re a slow bather, choose a bath over a long shower (you’ll use less water). 44) In the winter, don’t pour hot water down the drain. Let it sit until it cools so you’re not pouring all of that heat down the drain. 45) In the summer, take a quick cool shower in the heat of the afternoon or early evening instead of a hot shower in the morning. 46) Use soap sparingly, and only on hands, armpits and privates. 47) Go “No Poo” (meaning stop using shampoo and conditioner). Opt instead for a baking soda wash with a vinegar rinse. Don’t use any other hair products either. 48) Don’t blow-dry your hair or use hot irons or hot rollers. If you must curl, then use the old fashioned kind. 49) Invest in a re-usable razor or use one where only the heads are disposed of. You can even get them made from recycled plastic. 50) Get an eco-toothbrush that has changeable heads so you don’t have to toss all of that plastic every few months. 51) Use a crystal deodorant rock. 52) Turn your hot water heater down to the lowest setting that you can get away with. Uusually that’s the lowest setting that lets you still bathe comfortably – adjust it for the changing seasons. 53) Insulate your hot water heater. 54) If your furnace has a pilot light, shut if off during the warm months of the year. 55) In the winter time, close your drapes at night and open them during the day only when you need light or when direct sunlight is shining through the windows. 56) In the winter time wear a sweater and turn down the furnace a degree or two. 57) In the summer time, wear skimpy clothes and turn up the air conditioner a degree or two. 58) Get a programmable thermostat. 59) Put a thick pad on your mattress during the winter (several old blankets will do the trick). You’ll stay much warmer at night and you can comfortably turn down the furnace a few more degrees. You can also pre-heat your bed with a hot water bottle (you can just use an old soda or water bottle instead of buying a real one). 60) Never run the air conditioner at night. Instead open the windows and consider a whole house fan. Get locks for your windows so you can leave them a few inches open and still be safe. 61) If you have a whole house fan, cover and insulate the opening during the cold months of the year. 62) Upgrade your attic insulation and add weather stripping to all of your doors and windows. Seriously, this makes a HUGE difference. 63) If you keep a porch light on at night, be sure it has a CFL or LED bulb. Even better – turn it off! 64) Use only CFL or LED bulbs, and use them sparingly. If you want constant light – try getting some solar LED Christmas lights and string them inside your house. You can put the charger in a window and you’ll always have a nice low level of lighting. 65) If you use candles, choose the beeswax variety as opposed to paraffin. 66) Go to bed earlier! Try as much as possible to sleep when it’s dark and be awake when it’s light. You’ll use less energy and you’ll also feel better! 67) Turn your computer off when you’re not using it. 68) Don’t leave the TV on when you’re not watching it. If you like to listen while you work, then get a TV tuner for your computer so you’re not gobbling extra power, or choose a small radio instead (you can even get a solar-powered one)! 69) Put everything on power strips and turn them off when you’re not using the devices. 70) Buy your electricity from green sources. Many utility companies offer green electricity at a slightly higher rate than the standard coal/gas produced variety. 71) Other than socks & underwear, buy all of your clothing used. 72) Have a “clothing exchange” with your friends and donate the surplus to charity. This works great for kids clothes too. 73) Don’t buy things that you don’t need. Everything you buy comes with its own carbon footprint, so make sure that you really need it before you buy it. 74) If you really need an item, try to buy it used. And check out Craigslist and Freecycle… you might be able to get it for free! 75) If something breaks, try to fix it. You may not succeed, but if it’s already broken you don’t have much to lose, and you might learn something along the way! 76) Have a “stuff exchange” with your friends… sort of like a communal free garage sale, and donate the leftovers to charity. 77) Use your local library instead of buying books, DVD’s etc. 78) Never throw away anything that still has useful life left in it. If you can’t use it yourself, give it to a friend or neighbor, donate it to a thrift store, offer it for free on Craigslist or Freecycle, or even put it out on the curb with a sign that says “free”. 79) Use rechargeable batteries. 80) Get a hand-push lawnmower, and use the power variety for emergencies only – and make the power backup mower an electric model (gas mowers are terribly polluters). 81) Mulch your lawn clippings, or at the very least compost them, but never throw them away. 82) Don’t use chemical fertilizers on your lawn; opt instead for compost or manure. 83) Replace as much of your lawn as possible with native plants or vegetable plots. 84) Don’t use weed killer. If you landscape with plants that thrive in your climate you shouldn’t have much of a weed problem. When you do get weeds, pull them by hand. 85) Never use gas powered trimmers or leaf blowers; they are gas guzzling, polluting monsters. 86) Plant a shade tree on the west side of your house to provide natural cooling on hot summer afternoons. 87) Commute less. Just how to do this will vary greatly depending on your circumstances. But here are some suggestions – walk, bike, carpool, take public transportation, telecommute, re-negotiate your working hours to four 10-hour days per week, get a job that’s closer to home, or a home that’s closer to work, or quit your job and start a work-at-home business (but only if you have a viable plan and/or a spouse who is willing to support you!) 88) Walk or bike to run your errands. You’ll be amazed to find how much less meaningless crap you buy if you actually have to carry it all home! 89) Get yourself off of junk mail lists. Write to this address and they will remove your name and address for you: Mail Preference Service, c/o the Direct Marketing Association, P.O. Box 9008, Farmingdale, NY 11735. 90) When you purchase something from a company, be sure to ask NOT to be put on their mailing list. And whenever you get a catalog in the mail, go immediately to the computer/telephone and request to be removed from their mailing list. 91) When you donate to charity, be sure to ask that they not share your name and address, and ask to be taken off of the mailing list. 92) Don’t subscribe to a newspaper or magazine. Get your news online instead. 93) Pay your bills online, and take advantage of automatic payment options. The stress reduction alone makes this one worthwhile, not to mention no more late payment fees! 94) Go “paperless” with all of your bank statements, credit cards etc. Not only will you save a few trees, but you’ll have so much less clutter to deal with! 95) Use a video-conference, conference call or other collaborative technology to avoid making business trips. It will cost much less money, take less time and leave you with less stress. 96) Choose “low-carbon” recreational activities like reading, walking, hanging out with friends as opposed to sky-diving, motocross, etc. 97) Take a “stay-cation” instead of travelling somewhere. Turn off the phone, don’t check your email, sleep as late as you want, and thoroughly enjoy pampering yourself at home. Not only will you generate less carbon, you’ll save a lot of money and stress in the process. 98) Cancel your gym membership and get your exercise by walking, biking and doing things by hand instead of using a machine to do it for you. 99) Become a “little green thorn” in the side of the businesses you patronize as well as your politicians. If you see practices that should be greener, don’t wait for somebody to start a campaign, just write a letter or email right then and there. Nothing gets the attention of business owners and politicians like feedback from their customers/constituents. 100) Resolve to actually implement at least one thing from this list. 101) Forward this list to your friends and challenge them to implement at least one of the things on this list!
So Clayton cries a lot and I've found the Moby wrap to be very useful in keeping him happy. :) Bentley continues to be a great source of joy and laughter in our home. :) Hopefully Clayton will come to follow suit!
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