Hurricane Ike

Everything has been on hold because of Ike. We were closed September 11 thru the 15, then didn't have power until September 22 and internet on Sept. 23. We are gradually getting back to normal.

Consumer's How To: Buying & Selling Online

I've never really felt like buying from Ebay, though I look at some things occassionally. I know some friends that sell online and seem to enjoy it. I'm enjoying looking at Etsy, the jewelry is great. I don't know if I would buy, but I would be more inclined to buy from it than Ebay, I think.
For me, Craigslist is probably not something I would use.
I did use PayPal once to pay for an item. It makes me feel better that you don't have to give your credit info to every Tom, Dick or Harry when you want to buy something online. I haven't used it since, but would use it if I needed to.

Wellness: Staying Well

The sympton checker is interesting, but seems to give a lot of options. It might at least get you started and give some treatment ideas for minor conditions.
The MedLine Go Local is very helpful. I was checking on pain as a sympton and I found a number of massage therapists in my area. A good back rub does wonders.
I also did the family tree from My Family Health Portrait and it would show how diseases or conditions travel in a family.

Wellness: Going Green - Part 2

I've already been trying to do many of the gas mileage tips suggested on the Consumer Reports Mileage Tips page. Driving up and down FM 1960 makes it hard sometimes. I don't use drive thru windows because of having to spend so much time idling. It's usually quicker to go in anyway.

I've gotten some fluorescent bulbs and have been changing out my regular bulbs. I need to finish doing that.

Sometime before long I need to replace my fridge. It's over 20 years old and starting to have some problems. So I can get a more energy efficient model and I have always prefered one with the freezer on top.

I like the information on care2 make a difference on how to make different cleaners. However, I'm lazy and try to buy some eco-friendly stuff.

It would be nice to recycle, but there is no place near to go. I would spend more on gas than I would save by recycling. Neither Harris county or the garbage company my subdivision uses makes it easy to recycle. I just did a search for recycling in the area, and there is a place in Kingwood at the park and ride. Keep Kingwood Green has info on what they take and when. So, I may be able to do some recycling after all.

The DIY Life website looks interesting with a lot of info. I'll have to check on it some more.

Also, I've tried to remove myself from some of the mailing lists.

Wellness: Going Green - Part 1

As far as carbon dioxide, I produce more of a footprint than I thought, though my driving is a part of it. And of course, the heat down here jacks up my electricity usage, even when you don't run the a/c except when I'm home. Also, there is not recycling where I am. In fact it's almost impossible to recycle in Harris County unless you are near a center. The National Wildlife Federation and US EPA sites are more accurate than the Yahoo site. The first two were very close with their answers. Yahoo is too general with what it measures.

The Eating Green Calculator is strange. I'm vegetarian, so most of my answers are zero and there's not much of a way that I can reduce my consumption of dairy products. It's weighted to people who eat meat products.

The pesticides list from FoodNews, is kind of scary. And while it doesn't get everything off, I wash what I eat, usually with soap. Even bananas, because when you peel them, you end up handling the banana with whatever is on your hands.

There are no farmer's markets that I know of in Humble. The ones in Houston are too far away. I also have trouble eating everything on my own. Need to have a food buddy.