Being that I’m out in the country, in the middle of a snowstorm, there’s not much to report on disposable stuff.  The real issues were encountered before we came to the cabin.

A pain to others…

Buying food.  My sister took care of shopping before we took off to the cabin.  The closest store is 45 minutes away, so there’s no running up to the store for something you forgot.  My kids were thrilled that Aunt Selena did the shopping, as we are in a winter wonderland of prepackaged treats and processed foods.  I brought a few things from home, mostly containers to put food and beverages in while on the road.

W%*&!@#t.  We needed to pick up a few last minute things before leaving town.  We followed my sister to the store, which we were not making the connection that the grocery store would be Walmart.  We don’t shop at Walmart.  I teach my kids that where you shop is your vote for what you stand for.  It’s not that Walmart has not done any good in the world, but I don’t think they do enough to offset the “we buy American” bait and switch or make up for the way they bully their suppliers.  My kids started flipping out in the car.  We decided to go to a different store.  See?  Others are more affected by all of these things we do.  Not that I plan to change that, just an observation.  ;) 

On Target.  We stopped at Target.  This one had a Starbucks in it and a grocery section.  We stopped for coffee, and I had my own non-disposable cup.  It’s crazy how much disposable stuff we use and don’t think twice about it.  I mean, how difficult is it to just bring your own cup?  Or a container to a food place?  How about a reusable bag to the store?  These just don’t seem like difficult things to do.  Nobody wants the hassle of cleaning anything, just start new and throw it away.  I just can’t be okay with this.

My kids, who were supposed to pack their own clothing, bellyached to my sister how they had no socks to wear.  She went to buy them socks, even after I explained this is their consequence of “lazy packing.”  Most of the socks were packaged in plastic, others in cardboard with coating.  Why coat the package for socks?  It’s not protecting anything.  It could be 100% biodegradable.  I would think that may be cheaper too.  I just don’t get it.

My kids also wanted to buy the spray cheese.  “Mom!  They don’t have this in Texas!”  We do, I just don’t walk them by I it, I guess.  Cole says, “It’s American cheese, so it’s made locally.”  Wow.  “Cole, that’s not made in America, it’s American style cheese.  It’s also in the worst packaging ever created when it comes to environmental impact.  We didn’t get the cheese.  For crying out loud, we’re in Wisconsin.  Get some real cheese!

I picked up a container of blackberries, and was halfway across the store when I remembered my challenge.  They were in a plastic container.  I had to put them back.

On the road again…

Would you like a wash?  Up north, every time you get gas, they offer you a car wash.  It’s raining and snowing.  Why would I pay for that?  As long as I can see out the windows, it’s all good.

Good will trip.  My niece wanted one of those new Cool Ranch tacos from Taco Bell.  We, of course, didn’t go through the drive-thru, so instead we drove around.  I found a Goodwill store.  Good, an opportunity to buy some gloves for my kids.  We bought a few winter items and also played a bit while we were in there.  Joe is sporting an awesome Noni-coat.  “I wear your granddads clothes, I look incredible…”

Plastic crap.  Well, I’m hoping that plastic piece that fell off my car isn’t really protecting anything.  And yeah, it didn’t just fall off, I sort of spun out on the ice and slammed my car into a ditch.  45 minutes later, we got the car out of the snow.  There doesn’t seem to be any visible damage.  My feet were frozen, as I was shoveling snow in my TOMS with more holes than I can count.  Of course, I also wasn’t dressed in anything remotely close to winter clothing.

 

The cabin in #ihavenoideawhereiamwisconsin

I don’t know if I was ever so happy to arrive somewhere.  I parked at the end of the driveway, as I didn’t feel like sliding into the house or my son, who was standing in the driveway.  Dude, did you see what just happened back there?  You’re going to stand in front of my car?!?  Anyway, on to the challenge info.

Paper plates.  I guess it’s normal to use paper plates here, although I’m not participating in that.  I’ll wash my own dishes.  They also don’t recycle here.  :(

Dishwasher.  I thought I was the family oddball, but when it comes to dishes, apparently I fit right in.  I have a dishwasher, but I don’t use it.  I found out both of my sisters and my stepmom don’t use theirs either.  It never really seems to clean the dishes, it just breaks the food up into small particles and sticks them to the dishes.  The hard water stains it all into a nice textured film in water droplet patterns.

Prepackaged food.  This is the tough thing.  If I want to eat, I have limited options.  I’m at the mercy of what others shopped for.  Mostly that’s good, however most of the food, is prepackaged single-servings.   I’ve eaten a lot of bananas and bread.  And banana bread that my sister made.

Most of my challenge is challenging for others.  Cole says, “I like you cheap better than environmentally friendly.”  Hmm, I’m trying to be both.  :)