Maybe apple green?

The blog We are THAT family has gotten me thinking about our level of greenness (see the post on Shades of Green). Being "green" is something I never thought I would necessarily figure I would become, but living in Germany for over 2.5 years has left it's mark. I hope it doesn't fade with our upcoming move!


I think my husband and I wanted to be "green" folks back in Texas, but didn't know what that looked like except for taking our plastic bags back to HEB and requesting the recycling bins from the city to have recyclable items picked up next to the trash. We were definitely into repurposing old things into "new" things, but didn't know that counted back then or how it is called "upcycling" these days.

The way it changed:

1. Our unknown education in greenness began upon arrival in Germany with the introduction to the trash organization system here: biodegradable, containers, paper, glass that can be turned in for money, glass that doesn't get you any money back, and other--like dirty diapers (that's one place I didn't go green!). It's a shocker to go back home and see everything go in one trash can! This is work if the system is not set up for you I know.
2. Next, we had to take drivers' education AGAIN! Studying for the tests got facts forever in my brain like: 1 drop of oil contaminates 600 liters of water (I think that's right) OR your gas efficiency decreases with the more stuff you carry in your car OR don't push your gas to hard since your gas efficiency decreases with RPM's (?) above 3... You don't want to forget that real SUV's are only seen with an American license plate here. Our little diesel VW gets amazing gas mileage--thank you God!
3. A few other internal motivators to cut back on water and energy usage: seeing that our next oil bill needed to be much less (our house and water is heated with oil) and knowing some American friends that got a very large bill for how much more electricity they used than the city had expected them to use! Our heating is scheduled to go off at night. We don't run the water when you don't need it (ie: walk away from a running faucet). We have a system of scrubbing all the dishes of food under water, then soaping them up with the water off, then rinsing with a medium stream of water (I know it's crazy how full power water gets to me!--what have I become?). Of course, there's no lights on if you're not using that room, computers off when not in use, etc.
4. For the most part, there are few things packaged in multiples, like snack packs for lunches or something. All the kids in school use reusable containers for their lunches, and we do too now. Seldom does a ziploc make it in our fridge or lunch! And we reuse the ones we do use if we can.
5. This could fit with point 4, but having no free plastic bags at the grocery store deserves it's own point! This was quite a culture shock. I learned to put everything back in my grocery cart after the cashier scans each item. Then I go to my car and put everything in a collapsable box or big fabric bags. I think most Germans don't buy groceries for a week like us so they just put their few items in a fabric bag and go. I saw that you are given plastic bags at the grocery store in Portugal. Will I be able to continue (but as a nonconformist)?

We are by no means really that green (especially when you read about the people in the blog post above). We didn't have much choice in the matter really. I am encouraged at the things we see on the internet or during trips home that show America is on it's way to becoming more green. If only everyone could have a quick internship in doing it like a German...

Auf Wiedersehen PWOC

Yes, today was my last PWOC meeting. I did better not being as sad as last week--our last week to meet in our Bible study groups. So many people are PCSing (I'm getting good at military lingo-ha!)--going to their next assignment. And...we are too! These are some sweet ladies I've enjoyed getting to know (Emily, Katy, and Kelly)--my dear friend Heather is missing from this pic! I will miss them!

PWOC stands for Protestant Women of the Chapel--a ministry for military women. And they kindly let me participate as well! I have been attending since February. How I wished I could have gotten involved sooner!

Anyway, I went to the Love and Respect Bible study. It was marriage-changing in my opinion (or atleast changed my part of it!). I highly recommend it for a small group or Sunday school class--women and men together. For anyone in the Dallas-Fort Worth area back home, I saw there is a conference you can attend in July! I think it would be worth the money and time for sure!

John 10:10 dishes

What? Yes, Dayspring has come out with these great dishes with John 10:10 on them or just the word "Life." They are beautiful. So, I've commented about them in hopes to win some. Even referring you to check them out to (to give me another chance to be really honest). The blog We are THAT family is great too--worth subscribing to if you do that kind of thing!

Great Mail

From the beginning of thinking through this blogging adventure, I've wanted to share about the fabric I received in the mail last week. It was the fabric I won from Bunte Fabrics (a fun name for a company since it is the German adjective for colorful). Look how nice my package came!

I had decided to ask if they'd be willing to ship it to me (and bypass the Texas stop), and they agreed! I found out Yvonne at Bunte Fabrics grew up near Frankfurt and was familiar with Wiesbaden! Thanks again Yvonne for this treat in my mailbox!

I plan to use this fabric to make a fall colored nappy bag from the Amy Butler pattern I won as well from The Fabric Shopper blog. And this was my 2nd Fabric Shopper give-a-way to win! Will there be time to do all this sewing in my future? One thing I do know: my husband is being really creative trying to figure a place for me to land all my craft stuff and sewing machine in our next house. So nice!

hearing the latest CCM

We had a picnic with our friend Jen last night. We got on the topic of new Christian contemporary music we like, and how do we stay updated over here in Germany. She has a State-side friend that keeps her in the loop.

We've found it helpful to listen to KLOVE online. They do a great job of posting who and what your hearing so we can find the song on Itunes later (or ask for it in a future gift delivery from the States!).

We received some great new CD's at Christmas:
Chris Tomlin Hello Love (amazing worship songs)
Hillsongs This is Our God (fave songs: Desert song, Stronger, This is Our God and so on)
David Crowder Band Remedy (fave song: Never Let Go)
Robbie Seay Band Give Yourself Away (favorite songs: Come Alive, Song of Hope)

The latest song I've scribbled down from online radio is By Your Side by Tenth Avenue North. Speaks about God's hands holding us. Sounds good!

I'm jumping in

I finally decided to do it: blog--a word I thought was so ugly when I first heard it a long while back! When my parents left after Christmas, I unintentionally found some great blogs that inspired my creativity, give fabulous decorating or organizing ideas, or just were enjoyable to follow. Since then, it seems these blogs have become a great substitute for the English magazines I enjoy reading (but cannot obtain without a large price) in this part of Europe.

My husband jokes with me that the blog writers have become my friends since I am an extrovert. Friends that speak another language can only go so far in sharing their life with you!We're in an unusual season currently--the rest of our team has returned to the States, and we're packing boxes in preparation for a move to Portugal in June.

I've had some surprising success (blessing rather) in some of the blog give-a-ways I've entered. Twice I've won purse or bag patterns and the fabric to make them (amazing, huh?!). Those have been nice gifts from God really. Getting the stuff to Germany is another issue (thank you to Mom in Texas who is my generous go-between).

So, we'll see how this blog thing goes. I hope to be disciplined to not let this "hobby" suck life from me or my family. Rather, I hope you can enjoy this along with me...