Tuesday Treasury - For the Writer

'For The Writer' by shemonster31

Writer's Home Vinta... HydeawayCottag... $15.00	Personalized Journal Da... zany $22.00	Complete Works of Mark ... WillowTreeAnti... $100.00	Keep Calm And Write On ... keepcalmstore $18.99
write necklace (sterlin... PianoBenchDesi... $36.00	30 Caliber Bolt Action ... ShivelyPens $41.40	This Town Coffee "... ThisTownCoffee $16.00	large mug in bright whi... thatwhichisnot $18.00
Vintage Black Desk Orga... ShabbyVintageS... $39.00	Antique Book - Dictiona... pastoria $48.00	Laptop bag / laptop cas... QUALITYcovers $76.00	1938 Vintage REMINGTON ... ElfHillBooks $325.00
Scrabble Push Pins Deligato $5.50	Little Tin-Horn Corkboa... BlackWillowRoa... $64.00	Write Write Write Art P... thedreamygiraf... $18.00	Long-eared Owl - Mini M... CitrusMoonArt $2.50

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What True Feminism Means

True Feminism:

Simply put a feminist is someone who believes in gender equality. So why do people assume feminists are sexists? Probably because the word has been misused so often that people have forgotten what the true meaning is. 

Back to the word “feminist.” I am a feminist. My boyfriend is a feminist. Anyone who truly believes that women and men are equals is a feminist. What a feminist isn’t is someone who hates men, thinks women are better than men or looks down on men. That is called sexism and it isn't any better than discriminating women. That really isn't fair, and is based on stereotypes like most discrimination is. 

I also think that people are a little mixed up with calling themselves a feminist, yet acting on old traditions. For example, “the man should pay for the date”, “a gentleman holds the door open”, “he should get up and buy me a drink.” Yes, that’s all very nice when it happens, but that doesn’t mean you can’t or shouldn’t do the same back. I often offer to hold the door open for men and women. I pay for our dates all the time, and even go up to the bar to get the drinks! Sometimes he does it, sometimes I do. And who knows, maybe I’ll take Nick out to a romantic place and pop the question. Why not?

I strongly believe that someone who claims to want gender equality should really think about what that means, because it isn’t just about voting, or wages, it’s about the every day little things like cooking dinner or changing the baby’s diaper, who should mow the grass and clear the snow off the car. Throw out those old traditions and make new ones. 

+ Buy your daughter a toy fire truck and play dinosaurs with her! 

+ Show your son how to care for a baby doll, showing him 

affection and emotions through make-believe. 

+ If your little girl wants to be Spiderman for Halloween, 

support her! Because Spiderman is awesome, 

and saves people and being the damsel in distress sucks! 

+ If your little guy is sensitive, don’t tell him to man up! 

Let him cry on your shoulder. 

I am fortunate enough to live in a country where women are treated equally to men for the most part, but that’s the catch; “for the most part.” I will admit that there are still a lot of kinks in our system here, where men seem to make more money on average than women in the same job roles, but that’s not what this post is about. 

What it is about:

Feminism = Equality!

Thanks, 

A List of Winter Break Activities For Kids

What To Do With Kids Over Winter?

With Sidney off of school for the next two weeks I've been busy trying to come up with fun activities to do. Unfortunately, I can't spend a ton of money so we are limited. However, our region has a strong focus on family and offers many enjoyable things to do with your kids. 

I know first hand that a lot of young moms aren't exactly rich. We are dealing with school,  starting a career, saving for a house and our children's college funds plus so much more. Money is tight, but we still want to enjoy our time with our little ones while they are young. So hopefully you can get some ideas out of my list and even though a lot of my listed activities are specific to the region we live, in your city might have similar programs. All you have to do is look it up online.

Things we might do that cost us basically nothing:

• Free skating at the mall (my mom bought Sid skates for $2 at the thrift store)
• Free skating at Central Park downtown
• Drop-in craft program at the library
• Rent a movie from the library (popcorn and juice is the only money we'll be spending on this!)
• Play at McDonald's indoor playground (costs me the price of a coffee and hot chocolate)
• A trip down to the farmer's market (spending money is optional, however I can't turn down delicious food - especially local produce!)
• Tobogganing (if we even get snow! Haven't seen much yet.)
• Play at the park, all wrapped up nice and warm
• Baking at home
• Walk the trails through Riverside park and feed the birds
• Playing with all our new Christmas toys of course!

Things we might do that cost us a little more:

• Drop in pottery class ($10)
• Indoor playground ($5 on Tuesdays)
• Indoor mini-golf ($5 each = $10)
• Region Museum all day pass ($5 for Sid, $10 for me = $15)

Things we might do that cost more:

• Tubing ($20 each = $40)
• Movies (about $10 each plus popcorn = $30)

There is a lot more around here we can do, but we only have two weeks and our funds are limited. I try to find and think up as many amusing things that are free, or cost very little. 

What are some things you like to do with the kids over the holidays/winter?

Thanks, 

PS - Because Sidney is on winter break now, I might not get around to blogging as much for the next two weeks.

Five Things Freegan Can Teach Us

 

What is a Freegan?

If you know what the word "freegan" means I'm sure you have an opinion on it. If you haven't heard about it let me explain. The word freegan comes from the two words free and vegan. Someone who considers themselves a freegan is typically a vegan (but not always), who refuses to purchase most of their things, opting for taking things out of the trash or receiving it for free.

Now I'm sure you're thinking "take it out of the trash?" Yes, freegans typically dig through trash cans, dumpster dive and rummage through garbage to find food, clothing, toys, housewares, books, furniture and basically everything else a person needs and wants. 

Why do they do this? 

Surprisingly, not for the reason a lot of people think. Whereas a lot of freegans are by no means rich, that's not the reason they prefer reusing other people's "garbage". Freegans are also usually not rich by choice, believing they shouldn't have to work most of their lives for material possessions instead of personal freedom. Freegans believe that mass production of products and food has been lead by greed, causing environmental harm, abuse of humans and other animals. Sweat shops, animal testing, pollution, deforestation - for what? Corporate greed. 

By reusing things that are still useful we can hopefully have a positive impact on our world.

Why You May Not Want To:

For a lot of people, digging around in other people's garbage is something they would never do for many reasons such as:

• embarrassment, 
• fear of germs, 
• potential health risks 
• and also, not surprisingly, laziness 
• and preference of owning new things. 

Don't worry, if you were thinking the same thing for yourself you're not alone. 

There are a lot of things we can learn from a freegan lifestyle, though.

1. Don't Waste Food:

I don't blame you for being skeptical about eating food that's been thrown out, but the truth is a lot of people, restaurants and stores throw out food that is still good instead of donating it to the less fortunate or consuming it themselves. What can you do about it? Not waste food yourself. Of course, animal products such as meat, dairy and eggs are never something you should risk eating after the expiration date (probably why most freegans are vegans!), but fruits and vegetables are some of the most wasted foods! 

Limp celery, lettuce, peppers or other vegetables? Try cutting them up and placing them in a bowl of water in the fridge. By the next day they'll be perfectly firm again and ready to eat. 

Bruised apples, bananas, pears or other fruit? Google recipes online to find out how to make your own pies, breads and muffins, jams or how to can food. Recently I made grapefruit jam with some old grapefruits that were almost destined for the compost, but who knew you could make jam with them? 

A lot of food can also be frozen, and if all is lost and there is no way you would want to eat it, compost it.

2. Don't Throw Away Clothes:

A lot of people will throw away clothing once it's ripped, stained or no longer wanted. Obviously, if it's still in good condition donating it is the best option, but if it's stained or ripped there are other things you can do with it. 

Small tears in seams or in unnoticeable places can be sewn, or patched. If you know you'll never wear it again because the stain or rip is too noticeable you can tear them up for rags or make new things out of it (i.e. doll clothes, shopping bags). If you're not crafty, there are plenty of people who are who would love to use up your old scraps! 

3. Electronics:

There are now a lot of places that accept old electronics that no longer work, so looking these up is a great idea. If it does still work, no matter how old it is thrift stores will always take them and believe it or not there are people out there who would love that old radio from the 1980's that you hate. Antique electronics are highly valuable, so there's an option as well.

Some people are great at fixing things up, or need the parts, too.

4. Furniture:

Again, donate! If you don't think it's worth donating, try giving it away. Some people want an old couch for their garage, cottage or rec room. Or maybe someone is looking for something vintage that they can fix up. A lot of people are into that sort of thing. Never just assume that your old furniture is unwanted by everyone just because it's unwanted by you. Or if it's just the fabric you can get it reupholstered. 

5. Everything Else:

Books, CDs, movies, picture frames, crafts supplies, pet supplies, jewelry, housewares, everything can either be donated, sold or given away. There are people who love old items: to collect, to make things with, to fix up and sell. You could always fix them up and sell them, too.

Sites like Kijiji, Ebay and Craigslist are perfect places to sell things you no longer want. Freecycle.org  is a site where people give things away, or ask for things for free. Yard sales are always an option and places like thrift stores and charities are always looking for donations. So, please, even if we can't fathom living a freegan lifestyle, there's a lot we can learn from it.

Thanks,