Monthly Archives: September 2010

Hapless Harvest

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This cute little tomato is much happier than I’ve been about my garden this summer. I’m disappointed to share that our harvest has been minimal at best. This was our second summer gardening at our “new” home, and this past spring I was prepped to make it the best harvest yet. 


I did all the right things, with a cover crop and amending my soil. I thoughtfully drafted a garden design, and planned for getting my hands dirty and an abundant harvest.


Alas, the slugs ate the majority of my starts before they were ever established. June was the second wettest on record and it seemed as if my garden growth was put on pause. By the time it ever caught up to blossom it was too late.


Sadly, I know I’m not alone and I’ve heard this summer dubbed “the year of the green tomato.” Last year I literally had daily bowls of fist sized golden taxi-cab heirlooms, and I’ve yet to harvest a single full sized tomato. Heather, from the Greenest Dollar, was also dismayed by her lack of harvest and posted several tips for fall gardening. 


Our grocery bill has certainly been the highest in years, and I’m hoping to get back in the garden business this fall. I just planted potatoes and hope to put in some cauliflower and broccoli soon.


Did you get a decent summer harvest?
Are you really for a fall/winter garden?


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Sustainable Family Finances
The story of a family creating an abundant and sustainable life.

Bag Lady

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When I first started thinking about whether paper or plastic was better, I always chose plastic because a clearcut is easier to envision as harmful. I’ve been diligently toting my own grocery bags for about a decade. Portland continues to attempt a ban, and amazingly Mexico City beat us to the punch with its recent plastic bag ban.


Like most, I have a reuse collection. We even have an abundance these days, since Girly’s cloth diapers are wrapped up in old bags in a smell proof box that I tote back and forth on the bus each day. We manage to reuse the bags once more for our Doggy.


Lately there’s been more and more media attention about the ocean of trash and dangers of plastic bags to wildlife. Below is a mockumentary on the “The Majestic Plastic Bag,” and it’s truly worth 4 minutes of your day. I haven’t shown my kiddos yet, but I think it would be a good visual lesson.





Will this help you remember your bags?


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Sustainable Family Finances
The story of a family creating an abundant and sustainable life.

School Choice

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This is the first week of school for many. I know that all the advertisers want you to believe that it’s about shopping, but it’s really about engaging your child in a lifelong love of learning.  Yet, finding the right school is often easier in theory than practice. 
Since our kiddos are in the Wobbler and O.P. (Older Preschool) classrooms, my musings are more hypothetical. Next year will be our first big lesson in school choice. Unfortunately, our local elementary doesn’t have the best reputation, so I’m still not sure whether we will try it out.


I can hardly wait for our final child care “tuition” payments, so it’s hard to imagine paying for elementary school. 


Here are few articles that are helping shape my choice:
Finding a Great School
Public vs. Private
My Million Dolloar Question


Do you kids attend public or private school?
Is private school really worth the price?




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Sustainable Family Finances
The story of a family creating an abundant and sustainable life.

Benefiting

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Just a friendly reminder to turn in any flexible spending receipts by Sep 30th.  I know I should have really sent it in by July 1, but  I’m proud to say that I didn’t procrastinate to the 11th hour this year. I’m looking forward to my last sixty bucks being reimbursed.


As a follow-up on my post about Maxing Benefits, I have really been enjoying my flexing spending reimbursement credit card. It’s been as easy as I imagined, and I smile to myself every time I use it knowing that I’ve reduced my tedious paperwork.


Unfortunately, I’m home with my Big Guy for the second day of full blown strep throat. All night fevers are not my favorite way of expressing my motherly love. Sadly, any illness always reminds me of the true benefit I have of being able to take my kiddos to the doctor and buy insurance covered tax-free meds.


Do you feel grateful for your benefits?


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Sustainable Family Finances
The story of a family creating an abundant and sustainable life.