The Stuff We Hold Onto

Mother Earth and Noetic Sciences offer a different way to think about the environmental crisis that we hear so much about. They suggest that its not a crisis, as much as it is a major societal change.... a shift away from a society based on petroleum. People who are able to make changes in their lives that shift their own behavior away from petroleum based goods and services will be better off, and their society too. (For the record... they fully acknowledge our environment is a mess right now, due to people. Yes, Sarah Palin, due to PEOPLE.) Being an optimist (and a worry-wart) this 'solution-based' approach appeals to me.

Throughout our move, I fell back on this philosophy. It's time to do things differently! This chapter is going to be different for the Nichols Family. We're going to minimize our stuff, we're going to live within our means, we're going to buy things that are better for the environment, we're going to save money for a rainy day fund, we'll garden--and eat more locally grown food.

Well its' time for a progress report....
Minimize our stuff... C-
Before we left Maine, I gave away huge amounts of toys, clothes, furniture, books and other stuff. We packed everything we needed into a 15 ft. Uhaul trailer--our couch, beds, dressers, table, clothes and some dishes. That felt good! In California, or house wasn't cluttered. For the most part we had what we needed, and no more. Perfect!

Then, John arrived. With a 26 foot Ryder moving truck. Filled with all the crap, that didn't make it in the first trip. His tool boxes, ladders, drills (how many drills does one guy need?? He could ask the same about my wine glasses...) Christmas decorations, baby clothes, bikes, furniture, book cases, a printer and stereo, toys, toys, toys, books, art, the boat, life jackets, more toys, more books and more art.

Liberation turned to suffocation... For two weeks now we've been integrating this stuff into our small house. Ugh! Nothing brings the amount of stuff you have into focus more than asking your friends and family to help you move it. "Here's another box of books, Shannon. Where to? How about this 'art' box? Another "Fragile" box, to the kitchen?? What about these 'Memories' boxes?"

Memories don't belong in a box. They belong in your head and heart. Maybe a journal is the answer, where you can capture the experiences you want to remember, but don't have to keep the mementos that take up space.

Living within our Means B+
We've been managing our money very carefully over the past few month, as we've really just been living off of one income (John's) and the money we saved for the move. I get paid once a month (so I've just got my first paycheck) which will make our money management a bit more important... Our one indulgence has been several trips to the hobby shop. The kids have bought (and destroyed) several balsa wood airplanes, a couple of models, trading cards and some smaller plastic helicopters and Jackson's remote control turanchula ... Other than that, we've been doing pretty well in the spending category.

Buy things that are better for the environment... (graded next semester)
I'm going to need a car soon. (Right now we just have John's pick up.) I want one that gets at least 30 mpg. This means going smaller, but I think a Pontiac Vibe would work for us. I also have my eye on a scooter, but John thinks they are too dangerous for my 20 minute commute. I don't. (But its not as practical as a car... because I wouldn't take the kids on it...) We'll see how we do on our major vehicle purchase.

Save money for a rainy day fund...
Not yet.

Buy local B+
I'm checking labels, and purchasing local when I can. I buy veggies and fruits (sometimes) at fruit stands and get lots of veggies from Jack and J's garden and Jack J's garden. Haven't started my own garden here yet. Don't want to put roots down at this house. And, I don't have a sense of the seasons here. I think that things must be able to grow in the 'winter' here because its so warm.. But I'm not sure. I'll probably start some things in containers. I need to start composting again. That's my goal for October. A professor at CSU Stanislaus gave me a great idea for my new compost bin. It's just going to be made out of 2x4's and chicken wire, and then I'm going to plant morning glories or some other climbing plant around it. Pretty, eh?

Being able to change is heavy on my mind right now, because I'm starting to feel the newness of CA wearing off. John's back, we're getting back to normal routines, I'm workiing again... It's so much easier to change when you're new to something. I want to keep that openness and effort to change alive, even as we settle in out here.