Yucky Eco-Chore #37

Cleaning Out The Compost Bucket

Our compost bucket is a 4 quart Tupperware container that sits under the sink. It collects all our errant veggie scraps, fruit cores and the occasional half a peanut-butter-and-fluff sandwich (Yes, I am the Nutritious Mom Of the Year). Every other day or so it gets dumped outside into the compost bin. But it only gets washed out once a month or whenever it really starts to "get its funk on".

So needless to say, come washday, it's pretty stink-o-rific. Basically, it smells like ass. So I run some hot water in it while pumping in a couple squirts of Dr. Bonners Peppermint Castille Soap.

Now it smells like peppermint ass.

I think I'll just put the top back on and stick it back under the sink.

Silly Quotes

OK, sister Heather started it. She put up her new favorite quote over on her blog, The Stitch. And since the kids aren't up yet and I'm done reading CNN headlines (how DO you lose a toolbag on a spacewalk?!?!?) I thought I'd post my favorite new quote. From Joel Salatin:

"Life is risky. You can die from it."


What's your new favorite quote?

Localized Flurry

Well I was getting nervous early last week that no one was going to participate in November's APLS Carnival that I was hosting over at the Green Phone Booth. Well, must be everyone out there procrastinates almost as much as I do. Because by Wednesday? Our extended deadline day? I had a received a flurry of great posts - all on the subject of buying local.

Check out my summary of them here. And then leave your own $.02 on the subject.

The Perfect Cheer!

Craig: Oh my God, Arianna, Erin is waving at you! She's trying to get your attention!

Arianna: What? What's that? Sign it out! No, Sign it out! Uh-huh? Yeah! Oh my God! Really? OK!

Craig: What is it? What'd she say?

Arianna: She says she wants us to read The Perfect Cheer!

Craig: Oh my God, let's do it!

Das Burbinator Strikes Again

Hey all, if you haven't figured it out yet, Mondays are my posting days at the Green Phone Booth. My latest post, perhaps to the chagrin of my eco-blogging postmates, has nothing to do with the election or the environment.

Yes folks, it's like I live in a little glass bubble, unaffected by the world around me.

Happy Monday!

APLS Blog Carnival

Hey, check it out -- I'm hosting the November APLS Blog Carnival! The topic is: Buying Local. Go crazy with it!

New Post at the Green Phone Booth

What? You haven't bookmarked or RSS'd or feedburned the Green Phone Booth yet?!??!? Yeah, neither have I. Me not so good with all that techno-crap. That's why I put these little updates here. So I remember to go read my new posts.

Conversations with a 5 year old

So I'm picking up the markers after a marathon coloring session when Ethan walks by....

Me: Hey, buddy! Wanna help mommy pick up these markers?

Ethan: No thanks. I don't like cleanin' up.

Me: Well, do you think I like cleaning up?

Ethan: You're always doing it, so you must like it!



Indeed.

Taking Wing

Hey, check it out! My first blog post over at the Green Phone Booth! Am I taking the superhero theme a little too literally? Probably. But that's how I am. Give me a horse to run with and I will beat it until it's carrion.

So read up and tell me what you think. Seriously. Like tell me if you think I should do it or not. Cuz it does sound like a big time commitment. Have you ever volunteered on a committee like that? Info, please! Every superhero needs a sidekick or at least a butler who tells him what to do.

Thanks, Jeeves!

- Burbs

PS. Do you guys like "The Bulk"? Cuz now I'm beginning to lean towards "The Burbinator". Thoughts?

Palin As President

Bored today? Visit this site and click around.... Make sure your sound is on. :-)

It's A Bird! It's A Plane!

It's...... Burbanmom in a cape and mask?

Check out this new blog from the folks who brought you Green Bean Dreams, Surely You Nest, The Purloined Letter and Going Green. It's a secret place where ordinary women can lose their day-to-day identities and morph into ecologically-minded Superheroes - it's The Green Phone Booth.

We're itnroducing the blog today and will begin daily posting on October 20th. Join us in our efforts to save the world - no previous flying experience, x-ray vision or heat-sensing abilities required!

Hope to see you in the phone booth!

Derailed

For Those Who Are Confused....

I know a lot of people have been hearing McCain ads that claim Obama/Biden do not support "clean coal". Whether they do or not is actually in question. But they SHOULDN'T. No one should support "clean coal" because it's like supporting the tooth fairy or Santa Claus (close your eyes, Virginia). It simply does not exist.

This is why "clean coal" is a farce. Because even if it was possible to sequester all the carbon that's created when you burn coal, you still wouldn't be able to undo the environmental damage that is incurred during the acquisition of the coal.

So there you go, clean coal - it's about as clean as a flea-infested, mud-encrusted street rat (or a fast-talking politician). For more information, check out this article from the Washington Post.

Keating Economics: John McCain and a Financial Crisis

You Can't Keep a Loud Woman Quiet

Well, I guess I do have a few new things to say. Here's a book review of Holy Cows and Hog Heaven by Joel Salatin that I did for the Blogging Bookworm.

Tuning Out

Ladies and Germs, I hate to say it, but I am BURNED OUT. After fifteen months of blogging and over 420 posts, Burbanmom is actually running out of things to say. And, to be honest, I'm actually getting sick of the sound of my own voice (sight of my own words?). I've no idea how folks like Colin Beavan and Heather Armstrong do this - day in and day out or for years on end - but I tip my hat to them. Because me? Stick a fork in me. I'm done.

I need to take a nice long break. I need to re-energize myself and get excited about blogging again. Because right now? It's a big chore. And if it's not fun for me to write, it sure as hell ain't gonna be fun for you to read. Case in point: this post.

Also, I find that there just haven't been enough hours in the day since the kiddos went back to school, Daphne started dance classes, Ethan joined hockey (NO, I don't consider myself a pitbull with lipstick --- I gave up lipstick last year), sewing orders for Halloween are rolling in, and my house is a giant pigsty. OK, that last one is actually nothing new, but I think you get my point: I feel strapped for time and blogging has become just one more thing to check off the list.

And besides, there are so many things I want to dive in and DO, rather than just write about. Things like convincing our public's school system to join the Farm to School Program, sourcing out local cheese and grains for the family, joining the newly-formed Home Owner's Association Green Committee, and - God forbid - start working out and getting in shape. Any shape. Except round. That's my current shape and I'm not so much liking it.

Anyhow, in order to fit all these things in, something's gotta give. And I'm afraid it's the blogging. I've very much enjoyed writing about my journey to a greener life and this blog has accomplished way more than I ever dreamed it would. It was really just supposed to be a way to make myself accountable to family and friends - To ensure that I wouldn't start down the road to environmentalism, only to be distracted by something shiny. Well it has done all that and more! It has allowed me to make connections with some uber-awesome folks whom I otherwise never would have had the pleasure to meet. And for that I am so grateful.

I won't be gone forever and I'll be poppin' in and out with updates on various items - like hey, the comment period for the Endangered Species Act has been extended till October 15! (thanks for the heads up, Amy!) so if you haven't commented yet, what the hell are you waiting for? And who knows, you may find me popping up in unexpected places as well. You'll recognize me though, I'll be the sarcastic one with a bad attitude and an unrelenting pre-rinsing compulsion.

Anyhow, just wanted to let you know that I haven't fallen off the planet - BETH - as I know your biggest peeve is disappearing bloggers (well, actually I guess that would be your second biggest peeve, eh?).

I appreciate your understanding as I take a little time off to recharge my batteries. If you need something to read in the meantime, check out the links on my sidebar under "What's New in the Blogosphere" - they're all great blogs. Hopefully I'll see you around the farm stand!

A Million Ways to Save

Many, many, many thank go out to Rob for his wonderful and informative guest posts on fixing the leaks in our homes! Now that we're all leak-free and I have recovered from my laughing fit at the mention of "sill cocks", "rod bending" and "ball cock valves",

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA.

Ok, I guess I'm still getting over that. Anyhow, today I'll wrap up all the other water conservation changes I've made over the past year. Hopefully, you can check them out when you have a minute and save a few more gallons per month!

The biggest water drain for most suburbanites is the lawn. Americans are obsessed with manicured lawns - even though they require a shitload of care and attention. My advice? Rip it all out and grow a garden instead. If, however, you live in a subdivision where they frown upon such creativity, at least shut off the sprinkler system. If you use a sprinkler system more than twice per week, this one change will likely save you more water than all the other changes combined.

In the bathroom, try to be conscious of how much water you use. Turn the water off when you brush your teeth, don't waste bathwater by waiting for it to get hot before plugging the drain, don't always turn the water on full blast, don't go overboard on bathing the kiddos (it dries out their skin anyhow) and don't forget - two pees and a poop ('nuff said).

And as for appliances, check your owner's manuals to see if your washing machine and dishwasher have a short cycle that will save you gallons each week. And of course, don't make more work (and waste more water) by washing clothes that aren't really dirty.

Hopefully these water saving tips, coupled with the leak-seeking and professional plumbing advice will help you to greatly decrease your water usage. And if you're on municipal water, you'll be able to enjoy those savings on your next bill! I just love it when "going green" and "saving green" go hand-in-hand, don't you?

Rob Continues to Make Up Dirty Words....

One last post from guest blogger and plumber extraordinaire - Rob Johnson - as he walks us through our final home leak repair and dazzles us with made-up, dirty-sounding words.

REPAIRING THE SILL COCK

A lot of people forget about the “sill cock” or hose bibb on the outside of their homes, which can leak as much as their faucets and they never think about it because it’s outside and usually in a spot that is not very visible. Here is the repair order for fixing a leaking sill cock: (Sorry the guy is so monotonous, but he did a good video series on repairing sill cocks.)


BM: Sorry, had to remove videos as they were making strange popup warnings appear. All videos can be found at www.expertvillage.com. Sorry for any confusion!


There you have it. Your home should be leak free. These are all simple repairs that do not require a plumber just some simple tools that you can get at any hardware store:

TOOL LIST FOR PLUMBING REPAIR
1- Pair of channel lock pliers
2- Pair of needle nose pliers (for getting out small washers)
3- Screwdriver – preferably a 6 in 1 screwdriver- should cover all the screwdriver needs

That’s all you should need to go around the house and fix your leaks.

Super-big THANK YOU goes out to Rob for all of his wonderful posts these past two weeks on fixing the leaks around your house - without drowning in plumbing bills! Thanks, Rob - you're a prince among men!

A Little Change is Good

Have I mentioned lately how much I am enjoying Rob's guest posting? Not only are we all learning how to fix our leaks, but I have barely lifted a bloggy finger this week! Here's more advice from Rob!

REPAIRING A LEAKY WASHERLESS FAUCET AND TUB FAUCET

Changing the washers on your faucet can be one way to stop the drips! Very simple to do, very smart to do! Just watch this handy video to learn how to change the washers.

Looks pretty easy! Remember to shut off your water supply valves before taking the handles off!

Now what if you have a cartridge type or stem valve? If you believe the manufacturer, these are never supposed to leak. Bull Shit. We have over 200 of these where I work and they leak all the time. Here is an instructional video on changing them:


Now what about the tub you say? This video will show you how to easily change those stems as well:


That should help you all in stopping the water leaks inside your house. On Friday we'll tackle the leaks outside!

The Meatrix

OMG, came across these three videos on Greeen Sheeep's blog and had to share with you.... Check them out when you have a minute....