Comments on: The Friday Feedback Forum

By: Sayward

Sayward — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 03:58:09 +0000

@ Callie – I didn’t get a whole lot of submissions for the thrift list so I haven’t posted. But I’m happy to keep collecting (so thanks!) and maybe someday I’ll have enough for a good list!

@ Melisa – I don’t use bleach for anything these days, not even my hair. My rule of thumb these days is if Waits couldn’t eat/drink it, it’s a chemical that doesn’t belong in my house.

Thanks for the input – I’ve really liked this ‘self-helpy’ current MMM and I think others have too. I’ll try to design others that are similar.

And yes! World Cup has been fun. You done good, America.

@ Carolyn – I like it! I come at it from a more environmental perspective (packaging, non-local) but you could get at that concept from many angles, which is great. Thanks for the idea!

@ Julie – That is AWESOME! I totally want to make my own pads someday. And other DIY projects, well time has been tight around here, but I do have a few ideas in progress. Mostly food-related . . . =)

@ Heather – Holy great ideas Batman! Those are wonderful, thank you so much!!

@ Theresa – That could be a good one for fall/winter, thanks!

@ erosan – That sounds like an awesome idea, but I wonder how realistic it is? I’ll have to think about it . . . it’s important to me that the missions are accesible to everyone so I’d have to make sure that everyone could participate. I’ll mull it over!

@ Myssi – Aw, thanks. And welcome to the site!

@ Melisa – Interesting you bring that up. It’s a subject that I’ve considered writing about before. I feel like I have a unique perspective on the subject, but I’m also conflicted. It’s such a complicated issue.

I have actually been homeless, though, and it’s something I’d like to explore in my writing. Thanks for bringing it up. I’ll keep thinking on it.

By: Melisa

Melisa — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 00:48:22 +0000

I thought of something else I’d like to see discussed here: homeless people. What does a gal do when encountering some poor soul with a cardboard sign? At times, it’s at an intersection, and there are only moments to respond. Winging it just doesn’t seem like the best option. I think we need a plan. You mentioned in a blog post how you gave your change to the guy near the hospital every week, so I figured you might have some thoughts on this.

By: Myssi

Myssi — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 17:59:17 +0000

just saw your beautiful picture on Off Beat Mama…good job! I’m adding you to my blog, a gal after my own heart

By: erosan

erosan — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 17:01:20 +0000

how about a MMM where you try to harness alternative power sources for at least a month?

It’s summer and summer = sun. Building your own solar oven is not that difficult and it is super fun to cook with one.

How about solar dehydrator? I’ve wanted to build one for ages.

and a windmill too! You could harness the power of the wind even if it’s only for drying your clothes after washing them…

I’m sure it would help the environment, plus it’s a great excuse to go build stuff and learn a bunch of stuff.

By: erosan

erosan — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 16:56:50 +0000

@Carolyn: I was thinking exactly the same!

Cooking your own food is not only healthier than eating out but it also helps save a LOT of money!

@Theresa: I like that idea too ever since I discovered rain chains, I’ve wanted to DIY one + Rain barrel or something…

By: Theresa

Theresa — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 11:19:35 +0000

What about reducing stormwater? You could put some potted plants on a patio, install some rain barrels or plant a tree. I like the other ideas though too!

By: Heather

Heather — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 01:13:13 +0000

Hmmmmmm…new MMM…
1-how about not spending any money (on Mondays)except for paying bills?
OR, completely opposite, with
2-pay it forward Mondays, by paying for someone else’s (behind you in line) coffee or gas or other item of choice.
OR,
3-speaking ONLY positive things all day. Not letting one single negative and/or judgmental word come out of your mouth. Not even, “man is it HOT today!”
Just positive, encouraging, uplifting attitudes :)
3

By: Julie

Julie — Sun, 27 Jun 2010 23:10:39 +0000

Sayward,
I’d be glad to hear about the conference. But, you know, you could probably write a review of the phone book, and I’d find it interesting.

I agree with other commenters who said they like the DIY stuff. One really cool DIY project I did a few years back was to make my own supply of “lunapads”. I couldn’t afford theirs, and I realized that my sewing skills were good enough for something that was only going to appear in my underwear! For less than $28, I ended up with 14 base pads, 28 inserts, and 2 carrying cases. Just one example.

I learned to make Kombucha here, and I’ve been brewing it nonstop for months now!

By: Callie

Callie — Sun, 27 Jun 2010 16:04:40 +0000

@Meghan

I doubt Electric Eye has hiking boots, they’re much more in the cowboy boots vein. Sorry. There’s a big army surplus store in Bethesda that has good prices on more utilitarian boots (not used, though). That’s where my SO gets his. Good luck, and nice to see a fellow Marylander!

By: Carolyn

Carolyn — Sun, 27 Jun 2010 13:22:11 +0000

I’ve been considering my own monthly mission of not eating out (restaurant, take away, packaged what-nots) for a whole month. Pledging to cook, craft, and otherwise nourish myself for 30 days without allowing unknowns. Eating out is one of my guilty pleasures, but sometimes I think I use it as an escapist route to not pay attention to what I’m putting in my body, you know? Salt levels, fat levels, sourcing of foods are obvious, but even in really conscientious eateries, we are giving up an essential control by letting someone else take responsibility for our food.

Just what’s been rattling in the old brain over here in Vermont lately!