Me and My Mug

I got a text yesterday from Matt, my youngest son that is a teacher out in Telluride, Colorado. He said that his town is considering banning plastic bags. I thought that sounded like a great idea. I guess not for the people that work for the companies that make them, but definitely for our environment. Perhaps they could come up with a bag that breaks down quickly in the landfills....just a thought. Anyway he asked if Irv and I use plastic bags when we shop or if we have reusable bags.

I proudly replied that we bring our own bags to the grocery store. I added that I never think to bring one in though when we go to places like Menards or Target....and we really should.

Then he asked if I use the throw away cups when I get coffee or if I bring my own. Uh............he got me on that one. I never bring my own. I am lazy. I use the drive through and I don't get coffee, I get a latte, and I wasn't sure if they would do that with a specialty drink, and I really only get one now every couple of weeks. In other words I made lots of excuses.

He politely informed me that I probably still threw away 30 cups a year, and that he won't even get coffee "to go" unless he has a mug with him.

Hmmmmmm......guilt.....guilt.....guilt......

So today when I went to get a special Friday treat at Starbucks, I brought my mug.

I parked my car, grabbed my camera to document the event and entered the store. I asked the lady if they were able to put a latte in my mug and she said sure. I asked if I could take a couple of pictures because I had to prove to my son that I did it.

You would have thought I asked her to do something really, really illegal. She quickly put her hand over the Starbucks logo on her apron and said....."This isn't a Starbucks cup". Uh, no it is not.....it's from The Coffee Cowboy in Telluride, Colorado.

"What are you going to do with the pictures?" I had already told her that, but I tried to reassure her......I told her I wouldn't put her apron or her face in the picture, and that I just wanted to show them to my son so I could prove I was using the mug he bought me.

This could have been so much fun. There was no one in the place. I could have posed with my cup and I could have taken pictures of them making my drink and pouring it into my cup.....but nope that wasn't going to happen. The photos you see are the best I could do.


My drink fit just fine and I did not throw a cup into the landfill today.....and I will not throw one in the landfill again. I really am trying to pay attention to how much unnecessary waste I create, but sometimes I just forget.

How many cups do you throw in the landfill each year?

The Garbage Picker

Okay, so I admit it. Yep, I am. I really am and I am not ashamed to say it. "I am a garbage picker." There have been many times over the years that I have seen things in people's trash by the road...and have really wanted to take it, but didn't because it just didn't feel right.

Well, the other day...it felt damn good!

I was walking Wrigley at 5:30 a.m. and one of our neighbors had their trash out at the curb for pick up later that day. There it was...just sitting there waiting to be tossed into the dirty, smelly garbage truck to be smashed into little pieces.

I just couldn't let it happen. I needed it. I could use it. I liked it. I wanted it.

I got home and called Irv and told him what I was contemplating to see if he thought I had "lost it". He said, "Go get it if you want it."

So, I gingerly walked down the street, looked at their house...hoping that someone would be outside so I could ask if they would mind if I took it....but no one was around.

I carefully picked up my little treasure and carried it home. I set it on the deck, looked at it and let out a big grin!

It's a sewing machine cabinet!

I don't need a sewing machine cabinet, but what an awesome little table this will be for my craft show booth. It's sturdy and it's the perfect size. A little sanding and a little paint and voila.....it will be a great little table! I can already picture it with a few cake stands on it!

Chee Hoo! Maybe I'll take up dumpster diving next!

Just kidding!