Did you ever wonder why there's such a huge emphasis in our country for "SHOPPING!"? Or why stuff is made so cheaply that it has us throwing it away and running right back to the store to buy another one to keep us happy which just upsets us again as soon as the fads change or it breaks? Or why there's such a huge emphasis on "disposable" stuff now and we're throwing away items that are perfectly good for more than one use? For instance, look at all of the baby manufaction companies (including Gerber and The First Years) that make disposable sippies, bottles and other eating utensils. I too was sucked into this loop and bought these when Deedee was a baby. With one difference. I didn't throw them away after one use as I saw complete strangers and even close friends and family doing. I used them and you know what? They lasted me until just recently when my last sippy finally broke. Which means that although they were only made for one use, they lasted for countless. Which makes one wonder. If that stuff lasted this long through the use of four rambuctious children for three years, how long is this stuff going to last in a landfill? And why are they making disposable stuff like this in the first place? There are even disposable dvds that are made to be thrown away after 48 hours just for our convenience! The whole premise is that we'll no longer incur late fees if we borrow a movie on this type of platform but all that's doing is telling us we don't have to be responsible enough to make sure we return our movies on time. The only good thing about this is that there are special recycling centers for these to be sent to, but how many people will actually do so instead of simply chucking in the trash?
So why am I on this kick? Because this morning, I finally got around to opening one of my newsletters, Ideal Bite, that's been floating around in my inbox for the last week or so. It was entitled Trashy Poe(m). I was a little leery opening it, but let out a sigh of relief when I realized the title was exactly what it looked like, a play on words. It was centered around Poe's great work, The Raven, and it was talking about, you guessed it, trash. But it seemed like any other newsletter I've gotten from them with a bunch of quick facts, trivia, a few cute (or horrible) puns and some links. Today however, there was a link for a movie entitled "The Story of Stuff" and it was described as a good primer for what happens to our stuff. So I and the kids watched it. Wow. I've known for some time that we have too much stuff (as a family and as a nation) but I never really knew any of the figures. And I never really thought about how the system works and atlhough I've been working hard moving towards a more sustainable way of life, I still find myself slipping at times such as using plastic bags at the store because I forgot my cloth ones or maybe useing something that's disposable because it's quick and convenient (which happens sometimes when one has four children) but I never really thought about it. I mean, come one. How much damage can just one person do? Well, not much. Until you multiply that a billion times and realize just how much damage is actually done every day.
So what exactly is the Story of Stuff? Well, according to them it's "a 20-minute, fast-paced, fact-filled look at the underside of our production and consumption patterns. The Story of Stuff exposes the connections between a huge number of environmental and social issues, and calls us together to create a more sustainable and just world. It'll teach you something, it'll make you laugh, and it just may change the way you look at all the stuff in your life forever". All very true. It even got my littles thinking. After we watched it, I asked them what they'd learned and how we might change things. They really didn't say much and all I got from Charles was a blank stare. However, this is what Deedee said: "We don't want too much garbage" and "Buying stuff is bad". Both of those statements are really generalized, but what can one expect from a 3 yo? But it's a start and that's what counts. And she's already aware of trash and the fact that it's bad. For over a month now my "Little Litter Bug" picks up trash wherever she sees it and throws it away, sometimes holding onto it for blocks until we find the proper receptacle. How awesome is that? (I just wish she could do it at home so well. LOL) So check it out. You'll be amazed how much you learn and how many questions it sparks.
The musings of my childrens journey in the wonders of love, life, and spirituality. Love, Live, Laugh, and Learn. That's what it's all about. Welcome and blessed be.
* Carey ~ Beloved husband that puts up with everything.
He's majoring in history, loves to read, play D&D and Mech Warriors.
* Ami ~ Me. Busy teacher and housewife. I love to spend
time with the kids, read, garden, cook, knit, sew, make my own soaps
and salves.
* James ~ Our oldest at five. He loves to build with blocks, enjoys the guitar, adores robots and believes he
can't live without his trucks (and skateboard).
* Charles ~ My little monkey! Our youngest son at four, he
is the most precious gift ever recieved on a birthday.
He's a wonderful, sunny little guy that's very inquisitive and artistic.
* Meradydd ~ Our oldest daughter at three.
An opinionated and exceedingly bossy little girl with a temper to match her copper hair.
My little fashion diva that loves shoes, furlies, & hair pretties.
* Kathrynn ~ Kitty is my 1 year old little angel. She's a beautiful, mellow little girl that's extremely patient but is also starting to show her claws.
Abraham Lincoln ~ You have a Bible and a library card what more could you possibly need? You prefer the Charlotte Mason Method of reading living books for everything: historical fiction, biographies, real histories, nature guides, etc. No soon-to-be-outdated textbooks for you. Visit my blog: Guilt Free Homeschooling Take this quiz!
