Agree to Disagree?

Agree to Disagree?

I need some help fleshing out an idea. I wanted to do something more environmentally friendly in my classroom. My idea? Nixing paper towels and switching to cotton washcloths. Hubby, my forever idea devil’s advocate, argues that I will expend more energy and waste more water than it is worth to use the towels. We did a little research and found that one load of laundry can use up to 40 gallons of water. I’m guessing that’s the largest load possible, so let’s say I use a large load and around 30-35 gallons of water. Also, in researching the water bit, it says if I only use cold or warm water I’m saving energy (no hot-water heater usage). One thing we couldn’t find is the energy expense it takes to run the washer.

However, I found a lot more information supporting my point of ditching the paper. Here’s a few:

http://planetgreen.discovery.com/home-garden/paper-towels-tons-trash.html

http://www.care2.com/greenliving/paper-towels-and-napkins-vs-cloth.html

http://www.ehow.com/facts_4923469_paper-towels-vs-cloth-towels.html

http://www.smart2begreen.com/newsletter.php?issueID=164

My personal argument to hubby was about showers. If our shower allows a flow of up to three gallons per minute and I take a fifteen-minute shower that’s almost 45 gallons of water. And considering I take a shower (on average) of six times a week, that’s a whopping 270 gallons of water.

If I decrease my shower by five minutes, I’m saving around 15 gallons of water in one day, that’s 90 gallons a week. Which also equals two to three loads of laundry.

But what I can’t quite figure out is: I have 28 students and they wash their hands at least once a day (some kids twice) that would equal around 50 washcloths a day—250 washcloths a week. How many washcloths can I fit in the washer? Is it worth all the fuss? This conundrum doesn’t even include asking families for washcloth donations. Which, by the way, I bought some at Meijer this evening, a twelve pack of washcloths was on sale for $3.99 (33 cents/cloth). Now, even if I could get half of the families to purchase washcloths that would only be 168 washcloths…not enough for one week. Ugh. Why can’t saving the earth be easier?

Any thoughts, ideas, suggestions???

Judge-y

Really, I do try to not be too judgmental. But there are certain times when certain things really tick me off. Take for example the girl at the bus stop today.

Looked to be about 17 or 18 years old. DiscMan attached to the side of her backpack with earphones engraved into her canals while the music is loud enough to supply my car with song. Greasy, unkempt hair. Wearing a stretchy dress that's at its limits; the slit on her leg forms a wide v. Clearly 8 or 9 months pregnant. A can of Mountain Dew in hand.

Now why on earth would I really have anything to judge her for? Hey, I go a day or two without a shower and I certainly have skipped a haircut here and there (um, for a whole year once!). Certainly every pregnant woman is allowed some caffeine. Let her have Dew.

Oh, that's right. It might have been that cigarette she's sucking on like someone's gonna steal it from her.

It saddened me beyond belief. But really, what could I say to someone that far along that would make a difference? Nothing.

Not Me Monday

What's that saying about me if the last post I did was also a Not Me Monday? Oh yes, that's right. It's back-to-work time. Shrug. So let's see...

To start with, I most certainly did not 'not' set the alarm for a Monday morning. I have things to do people! Places to go, people to see (my mom always says that), and especially on a Monday when I'm trying to get in the groove for back to school. And speaking of school, I wasn't disappointed, just a little bit, at the way my back-to-school letters turned out.

My classroom does not look like a tornado has just ripped through it. No way. I'm simply taking everything out so I can put it back orderly...no chaos here.
I did not look around at the Dog Park and think, "My dog rocks. Waaay better than the other dogs" because that's not very nice.

Hubby and I definitely did not have Steak 'n Shake for dinner last night. I don't eat fast food anymore so that would be a big (yummy) no no. Annnnddd, we certainly did not take turns throwing skinny french fries at our park-worn puppy. She doesn't love those, oh no.

Well, I have to get productive today. I'm certainly not contemplating not washing my hair to save time. I did wash it late yesterday morning...

Not Me Monday

I most certainly did not hope to have a cabin to ourselves this weekend instead of sharing it. If I were speaking in retrospect, I might say I'm so glad we didn't, it was fantastic fun, you know, if that had happened.
While at said cabin, I did not eat s'mores for dinner. That would not be healthy or balanced at all.
I definitely didn't forgo a shower for the majority of time while at the cabin either. That would be disgusting.
I would never contemplate keeping my mouth shut about receiving THREE paper trimmers when I only ordered and paid for ONE. That's just bad karma.
And finally, I would never, not ever, pester my husband from a sound sleep for um, procreational purposes. Nope.

Cabin Time

Fall

Widget Thursday

So today, in the techiness of my week, I learned how to embed widgets (or gadgets as they're known on Google). We also got the chance to learn about and then host a webinar. We used DimDim and had a few technical errors--which I think were network issues. Even though I think they're very cool I am not sure I am able to use this application.
We also podcasted and I look forward to using that in the classroom.
I edited my wiki teacher's page and spiffed it up. That's definitely one thing I'm not a fan of is the limitations of fonts and colors, etc.
I'm going to play around with my blog later and see if I can spiff this up!

I leave him alone for one second and

He builds a new firepit. Seriously, I was on our back deck working away, when I looked up, I saw this.

The next time I approach, which is maybe a half an hour later, it looks like this:

And now? Well, let's just say, after I publish, I'm headed for the marshmallows, grahams, and chocolate. Happy Wednesday.

It's Wednesday

But I thought it was Tuesday. Good surprise or bad surprise? I'm not quite sure yet. I spent the majority of my day sitting in a computer lab exploring all the wonders that Google has to offer. My best find? Naw, I can't name just one! My top three would have to be iGoogle, Google Sites, and Google Docs. Okay, I lied, my top four--Google Calendar.

iGoogle let's you create a page (mine is now my home page) that houses your top sites. For example, my iGoogle has my gmail, twitter gadget, facebook gadget, the weather, date and time, etc. All on one page.

Google Sites (this is not finished, but it's what I accomplished in about 3 hours!) has replaced my domain website. This is for several reasons but mainly the ease of use. I don't need to navigate through DreamWeaver or some other program...everything is right there. I now have a class website with all the links I'll need that my parents and students can get to easily. I can edit this from any computer too!

On my Google Site I also have a link to my Google Calendar. The Calendar lets me post important dates and meetings for the families to see. This, too, I can edit from anywhere.

Google Docs houses documents, forms, and presentations...in Office speak, that's a Word Document, an Excel Spreadsheet, and a Powerpoint Presentation. Like I said before, all of these I can edit from wherever and I can give access to other people, to lots of people, to no one, I think you get the point.
I'm going to see what I can do to get my school/district on board with the Google Calendar. How nice would it be to have all your meetings/appts/etc in one place, but you didn't have to input them all?

If you have never used these tools I suggest you try them out. I began a presentation in class yesterday and then used it as a base for a group in-class project today. Mine is the first one, "A Taste of Google". It highlights some of the cool areas of Google. It's by no means a final product, but it's a start.

Not Me Monday

Okay, I haven't been so good at keeping up with this, and well, since MckMama has been more importantly occupied, I kind of forgot. But I shall do one today, how about you?

Well, let's just get this straight, I certainly did NOT drive all the way to campus for the first of 3 meetings this week only to find out they don't start until TUESDAY. Nope, I would never do that.
Since I did not have an unnecessary commute today (you know, they were going to serve breakfast) I did not make an entire batch of pancake batter to only eat ONE pancake. That's so wasteful. Breakfast for dinner?
I would never throw myself a pity party at being, sniff sniff, 14 days late for the arrival of Aunt Flo...who we were hoping (for the last thirteen months now...but who's counting?) would be out of town for, let's say, 9 or 10 months.
I did not, nor would I ever, roll my eyes and huff when I realized that my husband still had my Speedy Rewards Card AND my Biggby's gift card while I was out and about.
And most importantly, I did not chew off the few remains of fingernails that still stood standing today. I don't ever do that when I get nervous or anxious. Who would?

Huuuuge Apology!

Okay, some lovely people HAVE stopped by my little blog and HAVE offered to help me...well, I forgot that I set the comments to "need to be moderated" and just now discovered them. So sorry, I will look into them! I'm not blonde (sorry!!!) but I am Polish, please be patient (o:


Annnnd, I was super-stoked today to find some great deals at JoAnn Fabrics in their scrapbooking area. I got some wonderful paper and I hope to revamp my word wall in my classroom.

Here's a peek: