Stuff For Sale

Yesterday we had a tag sale to get rid of some of our junk great stuff. It turned out to be a big success. We had great weather and between the stuff that we sold along with some goodies from my parents and Curt and Mandy, we made a total of $463.86. Yippie!

"Get two for the price of one"

Hanging out in our $5 tent and the sweet backpack we snagged for free from a neighbors tag sale

Why Earth Day Still Matters

Today is Earth Day (I hope I’m not the first to tell you this) and it sure has changed since its first anniversary 40 years ago. Some say for the better, some will argue for worse. Some will tell you it doesn’t even matter anymore. That won’t be me. I do still think Earth Day matters, it just matters for different reasons today than it did 40 years ago. The problems we faced on the first Earth Day in 1970 were a lot more concrete and localized, which helped inspire action. Toxic chemicals spewing into our air and water tend to have that effect. Part of me wishes I were there to be a part of that original movement. Today we still have a major problem spewing from our power plants, tailpipes and factories. But carbon dioxide isn't as immediate or personal. To get people to care, I think we need to draw the connections between far off problems like melting ice water and rising sea levels with more immediate concerns: killer summer heat waves, more severe allergy seasons, increased asthma attacks. Hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, drought. I could go on. And on. And on.

For some, Earth Day has become a time to reassess their actions in terms of environmentalism. Exactly how green are you? With "reduce, reuse and recycle" the theme of 100's of news articles, ads and television shows this week, you simple can't escape the topic - whether it's unhelpful greenwashing or a serious commitment to sustainability, the media is getting the word out. One thing that has changed since the first Earth Day is the way in which we get that word out. We live in an increasingly wired world where information is as ubiquitous as breathing. We have access to all the world's knowledge in the form of online news, blogs, and social media outlets- all from the comfort of our netbooks and smartphones. This presents an unprecedented opportunity to educate - on Earth Day and every day. Today’s technology extends our reach and can be a natural tool to spread awareness and enact change. Perhaps it's one way to make Earth Day matter again.

What's the end result of all my green talk? Maybe nothing, but I hope not. Maybe one of you tries a reusable water bottle or grocery tote, changes a light bulb or takes public transportation the next time you head to the city. Maybe by next year, you will up the ante by eating local and organic food or cutting down on meat consumption (go veggie, I promise it will change your life!). You never know why people decide to make a change. We all know someone out there that may just need a push in the right direction. Maybe it's you. I'm doing my part to spread the word because Earth Day DOES matter. Tag, you’re it.

Polka Dot Bride

We just found out that our wedding was featured on the wedding blog Polka Dot Bride today! Thanks go out to our wedding photographer, Olivia Gird, for sending in photos and info about our wedding. We're honored to have our eco-friendly affair featured on the Polka Dot Bride. Be sure to check it out!

Polka Dot Bride: Cary and James - Part I

Polka Dot Bride: Cary and James, The Celebration

HGTV Green Home Giveaway

How would you like to own this home?

Would you be even more excited if you knew it was a "green" home? WE SURE WOULD! Once a day every day from now until June 4th, I'll be entering us in the 3rd annual HGTV Green Home Giveaway. There slim to zero chance we'll ever get picked, but it's still fun to dream. Check out the HGTV Green Home link above to learn more about this house, tour the property or enter the sweepstakes. Also, tune in tonight to HGTV at 8/7c to watch an hour long show about the house. The sweepstakes drawing takes place in mid June. Keep your fingers crossed!!

If this doesn't work out for us (and we're pretty sure it won't), we have another plan up our sleeve that may very well have us nesting in our own green home in the near future. But that's all I'll say for now, you'll have to wait to learn more about that one (my plan is to keep you coming back for more - I hope it works!).

Easter Fun and Birthday Yum!

Here's a quick roundup of last weekend's Easter and Birthday goodness.

First, a few shots of the Chadwick kiddos in all their Easter Sunday glory...

Andrew hunting Easter eggs

Baby Aubrey in her first Easter dress

James opening his Birthday present...yes, another airplane.

My card may have given it away

And of course we had to go test it out right away!

And James got not one, but THREE birthday cakes!

Lucky boy!

I'm a 2010 NYCM Reject

I found out today I didn't make the lottery for the 2010 New York City Marathon. In 2009, over 100,000 applicants registered for the marathon - and only 6,500 of 40,000 American registrants were accepted - that's a one in six chance of getting randomly picked to run in New York in November. Odds are even more runners applied for the 2010 lottery.

I'm bummed, but not too bummed because I had low expectations and I'm still struggling with injury (though I may have found a secret weapon to fend off my aches and pains - more on that later). My college roommate, Becky, also entered the lottery this year and was also rejected. We'll give it another shot next year. After three straight years of rejections they start to feel bad for you and just let you in. I'm hoping it doesn't take four years to be able to run this race though! We'll have to wait and see what the future holds, but for this year, well, there are always other fall marathons!

Happy Birthday James!

Today is James' 27th Birthday. Here are 27 things you might not know about him:

1. James is younger than me, but for one month every year we get to be the same age.
2. James is a quiet guy, until you get to know him that is!
3. His hands are always dirty. Permanently dirty, even after a good scrubbing.
4. His favorite breakfast food is pancakes.
5. James fully restored his '79 CJ7 (Jeep) - while he was still in high school.
6. He has too many projects. Sometimes we argue about this.
7. He loves sushi. Sometimes we argue about this too.
8. James is a Type I diabetic.
9. He is extremely motivated and goal oriented. When he puts his mind to it, it gets done.
10. James doesn't really like watching movies because he feels like there are "so many things he could be doing" during the two hours it takes to sit through a movie.
11. James can be very impatient.
12. James can fix anything. I mean anything!
13. He talks in his sleep.
14. And needs four alarms to get up in the morning.
15. James is self-taught but has worked his way up to a job that generally requires two college degrees.
16. He has almost as many shoes as I do.
17. James started his own business (Black Magic Bikes) when he was 18.
18. He has a temper (you wouldn't think so, would you?).
19. James' favorite TV shows are Modern Marvels, Meerkat Manor and Myth Busters.
20. He will wash but won't fold laundry (let's just say his idea of folding is something else all together).
21. James is an excellent cook. My favorite is his Eggplant Parmesan.
22. He is a terrible speller. Just terrable.
23. James can play the guitar and the piano.
24. He went to trade school to be an electrician. He decided he hated electrical work, but his skills still come in handy all the time!
25. He has won trophies in downhill mountain bike races - and quit because I asked him to, it's just too dangerous!
26. James is extremely generous. He'll do just about anything for anyone.
27. James is the best husband anyone could ask for! I love you honeybabe, Happy Birthday!