Loving it

I am really loving having a CD player/mp3 hook up in my car. I just finished "Trace" by Patricia Cornwell. Listening to books on CD is not my first choice, seeing as how I would prefer to hold the actual book and read it. But since I can't read and drive (at least not safely) this is a fantastic way to be able to enjoy all the books I don't have the time to sit down and read. Hubby hit the nail on the head with that gift this Christmas.

I went to our library to check out the books on CD. I could hardly believe that its been so long since I was last there that my card was no longer valid. I had to get that updated. And the last time I was there, they had one small bookcase of books on CD. But now? Now there are several long rows of bookcases. Seriously their collection has grown from maybe several dozen to a thousand or more. I was pleasantly surprised because I just do not want to buy them. Not only are they expensive, but its just one more thing to have to get rid of. I mean, you listen to it once and then most likely never again. I had looked into a rental program that works just like Netflix, but if I can find enough books to keep myself entertained at our library, for free....then I think thats what I will do.

As far as the "just one more thing to get rid of" train of thought, I am trying to be much more conscious of excessive waste this year. I won't say its a resolution exactly, but I want to try and do better. I have all but given up my magazine subscriptions. We still have a couple, and I dare say that Bruce would not want to give up his Popular Science. He really enjoys that. But as for the rest of it, most of that stuff can be read online. Same thing for newspapers, which I never have liked (dirty inky messy things). I am also trying to see if I can cut down my shopping habits, as well. I have been reading some green, eco-friendly websites that give suggestions on how to make do with less. Buy less, waste less. And while I am trying not to shop for clothing in particular any more than I have to (I probably wouldn't HAVE to for a long time), I have decided that when I have an actual need for something I am going to try to replace things with eco-friendlier items. It won't be as simple as running out to the mall, but having to search down and think more about a purchase would make me much less likely to buy something on impulse. I open to suggestions and would love to hear how you might be trying to reduce your impact on the environment.

But anyway, I worked today (Saturday), so my weekend starts tomorrow. I will be off Monday (yay). Stay warm and hopefully its not snowing wherever you happen to be right now.