LCD's, compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs, the curly light bulbs.... well I dropped one in my daughter's closet yesterday. WHAT AN ORDEAL!!
In a panic (knowing it contained mercury) I did everything wrong... That's way I am confessing the error of my ways - please do not do what I did.
I swept up the glass --DO NOT DO THIS -- PICK UP THE PIECES WITH GLOVES AND DUCT TAPE.
Then I vacuumed up the rest -- DO NOT DO THIS EITHER -- JUST DO THE ABOVE.
Then, I closed off the closet so the cat could not get it -- WRONG AGAIN --
LEAVE THE ROOM OPEN TO AIR OUT THE TOXINS.
I was going to be late for a funeral, so I didn't take the time to read what to do.
An hour later I did, but too late.
So I had to remove everything from the closet, mop with hot steamy water - MY SHARK'S rectangle head had to be thrown away....
Had to clean out the vacuum cleaner, too.... throw away used filters....
Then wash and dry, or dry clean, every single item of clothing in the closet.
So much time taken because one one broken light bulb.
Can't corporate American do a better job than this???
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Main Street Market
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dFDZz1qviKs
What a better way to be green than supporting your community by purchasing from local vendors.
Baton Rouge's Main Street Market celebrated their 11th Birthday Saturday. We visited with Michael Gatz from the Green Shop. They have new bathroom tiles(colored recycled glass that you can get in almost any color) and recycled bowling alley lanes that would make a shiny butcher block look to your kitchen. And by the way, Michael (with some friends) has opened the new Gallery Bohemia on Government next to Brandts showcasing local artwork and refurbished (is that a word?) furniture.
Then there was Alice Michel, of Handmade Pottery by Alice. She has pottery trays and cheese platters all made by the owner. Most of the platters have three dimensional artwork in flower shapes or other decorative designs. Beautiful! I purchased a platter with a Flor de Lis design.
There are always inspirational stone sayings, greeting cards and shirts at the Coyote Creek gift shop to Charlie's Coffee. Remember, they also have another location in St. Francisville.
Pet Adoption Day was also Saturday and you can see who got talked into saving life of a kitten, just three days from ....
well we don't want to think about it.
Cute little thing - but since we've never had a cat before, a learning experience. So far, so good.
This weekend the market will be honoring our Veterans with special events planned. Remember breakfast and lunch are available in downtown's only public marketplace!
What a better way to be green than supporting your community by purchasing from local vendors.
Baton Rouge's Main Street Market celebrated their 11th Birthday Saturday. We visited with Michael Gatz from the Green Shop. They have new bathroom tiles(colored recycled glass that you can get in almost any color) and recycled bowling alley lanes that would make a shiny butcher block look to your kitchen. And by the way, Michael (with some friends) has opened the new Gallery Bohemia on Government next to Brandts showcasing local artwork and refurbished (is that a word?) furniture.
Then there was Alice Michel, of Handmade Pottery by Alice. She has pottery trays and cheese platters all made by the owner. Most of the platters have three dimensional artwork in flower shapes or other decorative designs. Beautiful! I purchased a platter with a Flor de Lis design.
There are always inspirational stone sayings, greeting cards and shirts at the Coyote Creek gift shop to Charlie's Coffee. Remember, they also have another location in St. Francisville.
Pet Adoption Day was also Saturday and you can see who got talked into saving life of a kitten, just three days from ....
well we don't want to think about it.
Cute little thing - but since we've never had a cat before, a learning experience. So far, so good.
This weekend the market will be honoring our Veterans with special events planned. Remember breakfast and lunch are available in downtown's only public marketplace!
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Baby Steps to Remodeling
So many folks have asked me what’s the first thing they should do to begin remodeling their homes to save energy cost. That depends on so many things such as: how old is your home, which appliance is draining the most of your money now, and would it be worth it to replace an appliance that is in good working condition with an Energy Star rating, how much money can you set aside each year to green up and how long to do plan on staying in that particular home. There are many tax credits available now for remodeling.
Simple fixes would be to install better insulation, unplug appliances such as toasters, blenders, t.v.’s, light fixtures that are not in current use, replace light bulbs with CFL’s, (compact fluorescent light bulbs) and plant trees that would eventually shade your home from the harsh sun in the summer months.
A note about CFL’s is that they do contain mercury (which is harmful) and no substitute has been developed at this time. These curly bulbs use 75% less energy and last much longer than regular light bulbs.
Think about this. If each home owner were to replace all of the light bulbs in their home (30-40 bulbs on average) they would save over $130.00 per year. Now if each American homeowner replaced just one bulb with a CFL, we could save enough energy to provide light to more than 3 million homes for one full year, adding up to more than $600 million in annual energy cost.
These are baby steps, guys.
But, honestly, if you are reading this, you probably have already replaced all of your light bubs and area moving on to more expensive remodeling projects. So here is a link to begin taking the bigger steps.
http://www.nahbgreen.org/ScoringTool.aspx
Simple fixes would be to install better insulation, unplug appliances such as toasters, blenders, t.v.’s, light fixtures that are not in current use, replace light bulbs with CFL’s, (compact fluorescent light bulbs) and plant trees that would eventually shade your home from the harsh sun in the summer months.
A note about CFL’s is that they do contain mercury (which is harmful) and no substitute has been developed at this time. These curly bulbs use 75% less energy and last much longer than regular light bulbs.
Think about this. If each home owner were to replace all of the light bulbs in their home (30-40 bulbs on average) they would save over $130.00 per year. Now if each American homeowner replaced just one bulb with a CFL, we could save enough energy to provide light to more than 3 million homes for one full year, adding up to more than $600 million in annual energy cost.
These are baby steps, guys.
But, honestly, if you are reading this, you probably have already replaced all of your light bubs and area moving on to more expensive remodeling projects. So here is a link to begin taking the bigger steps.
http://www.nahbgreen.org/ScoringTool.aspx
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
God is Green! Ya think?
I believe God is Green - He DID create a perfect world and look who messed it up. And why? Because of our GREED. Whoa! Ugly word and guess what - a sin! (another ugly word.)
Why bringing all of this up? Well in my little world, in Baton Rouge, it seems we have two belief systems regarding politics and God.
Most of the Republicans that I know think that the Democrates are all Green Thinkers and are "godless". And guess what, the Democatics I know, think the Republicans are opposed to Green Living and are wasteful with our envirnonment therefore being "godless" creatures who talk the talk, but don't walk it out.
I think God is somewhere in the middle - but I do know that it must break His heart to see us destroy His world with smog, toxins, and watch us polluting the earth so we can have an easiler life while killing each other in the process.
God is Good and So Is Green!! Think about it. Support Green Living and remember, it's the small things that count. It's a mindset to remember to unplug appliances when you are not using them - phantom power. Reuse that copy paper - you have two sides. Better than that - don't print at all. Save everything to PDFs. You don't have to install a solar panel on your home to Live Green - you can certainly research it for later - but remember, baby steps........
And speaking of Baby steps, I hope you have joined our Facebook Post joining millions "watching babies crawl to Washington to eliminate toxins from cleaning products". Please join today and send to your friends.
Why bringing all of this up? Well in my little world, in Baton Rouge, it seems we have two belief systems regarding politics and God.
Most of the Republicans that I know think that the Democrates are all Green Thinkers and are "godless". And guess what, the Democatics I know, think the Republicans are opposed to Green Living and are wasteful with our envirnonment therefore being "godless" creatures who talk the talk, but don't walk it out.
I think God is somewhere in the middle - but I do know that it must break His heart to see us destroy His world with smog, toxins, and watch us polluting the earth so we can have an easiler life while killing each other in the process.
God is Good and So Is Green!! Think about it. Support Green Living and remember, it's the small things that count. It's a mindset to remember to unplug appliances when you are not using them - phantom power. Reuse that copy paper - you have two sides. Better than that - don't print at all. Save everything to PDFs. You don't have to install a solar panel on your home to Live Green - you can certainly research it for later - but remember, baby steps........
And speaking of Baby steps, I hope you have joined our Facebook Post joining millions "watching babies crawl to Washington to eliminate toxins from cleaning products". Please join today and send to your friends.
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