Fossil Fuels

 

What will we do when the world runs out of fossil fuels?

When one thinks of fossil fuels, you think of gas for our vehicles, and that’s accurate. What people may not realize is that fossil fuels also fuel our electricity. Sure, some countries have renewable energy, but the majority do not. That includes the US, where I live and am from. America’s education system is lacking. I am the product of such, and I learn more from Tiktok, than I did in all my years of public school.

Growing up in the 90s and early 2000s, I heard the phrase “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.” A lot. Teachers would send recycling stickers home in our backpacks for us to paste wherever our hearts desired. It’s assumed it was meant to be stuck to things that could be recycled, because we as children were educated in school about plastics, cans and how they should never embrace the inside of that plastic lined plastic trashcan. We must put it in a separate plastic container and then put on the edge of our driveways for large diesel trucks to come down the road and grab and dump the contents of that large plastic container into a large vat. That truck will then take it to your local dump. If you’re lucky, it will be sent to a recycling center. If not, it will be dumped next to the trash that you so carefully separated the “recyclables” from, together at last.

If your recyclables are so lucky to go to a recycling center, it will be processed and bundled – to be sold. The US has sold almost all of our recycling waste to China, in which they use it in manufacturing, considering they are largely, the world’s largest manufacturing sector, and manufactures nearly 30% of the world’s products. China has since restricted imports of certain recycling materials, most plastics and paper included. So what do they do with our recyclables now?

They throw it all away.

Yes, that’s right – all of your carefully separated recyclables are being thrown in the landfill next to yesterday’s moldy lasagna.

So, what now?

 I honestly forgot why I started this blog. I have others that have fallen to the wayside, like most things in my life. I spend all of my energy focusing on just getting through the day at this point. Between the pandemic, the election and just...life - I'm all fucked up. 

I started Nanowrimo...and of course with election week I've been an anxious mess. Chest pain, hyperventilation, you name it. I keep telling myself I'm not a good enough writer. I haven't written in a long time, I used to as a kid all the time. It was in my blood, my passion, my thing. It was my thing I did constantly. I stopped over the years while raising kids and just trying to live. I've started again. I keep telling myself I'm not good enough, but that begs the question...good enough for what? I am not writing for anyone else. Just for me. I want to do it because I want to do it. So what if it's bad? I have this severe fear of failure but I don't actually let myself fail. I stop before I fail. What the fuck is the point in that exactly, other than to feel like utter shit for not even trying. 

So I am writing this to myself, sorta, but I will publish it anyway.

Sara, write the damn thing. Just keep writing. Who cares how bad it is, or how good it is. Just write the damn thing. <3 

Anyone who reads this in internet world take the same advice I am attempting to give myself. Just write the damn thing. Write it for you and no one else. Write it to feel accomplished. Write the damn thing. 

Facebook

I have an addiction. It's facebook. I'm on it a lot. On my computer and on my phone. It's like I can't stop myself. I want to. I want to pay more attention to my kids. I feel like since my grandmother died I've become immersed into computers and phones. I didn't used to be like that but after her death the computer kept me sane. Now, I just am on it way too much. I feel like I'm missing out on my kids' lives. That's so horrible to do and feel that way. I want to change. I want to be a good mom. I really truly do. My oldest is leaving for a few weeks to go with his grandparents in Indiana. I will miss him terribly. He drives me crazy most of the time and makes huge messes....but I will miss him badly. I want to be a better mom to him. I want to so so badly. I feel like I failed him in many ways...moving around a lot, then me going crazy when my grandmother died...I was horrible. I barely remember. A1 has had a rough life...and I sometimes take my anger out on him. I shouldn't. He's a great kid and I love him with most of my heart (A2 and DH get the rest.) :)

I think I'm going to actively try to be a better mom. Step 1 - stop using facebook so damn much.

Indiana

We currently reside on the east coast, but my husband's family lives in Indiana. Just starting this year (now that A1 is starting Kindergarten in August) he has stayed with my husband's parents for a few weeks. We tried in January and it went well. Now, he's going out there for a few weeks again. We are taking him out, they are bringing him back. I enjoy trips to Indiana. I like the scenery, the atmosphere and the overall 'sense' of a road trip. This time we are pretty tight on money, so we are packing food to take with us and eat on the ride up instead of stopping at fast food places. It should be fun! I'm excited about it. I hope the trip goes well. A2 is 10 months now instead of 6 and I don't have to make the trip back home alone so it should go well!

Rustic Earth

So, I took some pictures of my candles today. Better pictures so I can sell them. I think they turned out okay - could be better. These are just a few:

You can find the rest of my pictures and my business page here. 

I really want this business to take off. I'm working out of my kitchen right now, so space is limited, but I enjoy making things. I'm hoping to sell some more so I can get better/more supplies. I found a few people selling their old candle business stuff, so I'm searching on craigslist for items. I know it's not easy, but I enjoy doing it. I especially enjoy the grubby candles. Those are fun to make! (Two purple candles above) 

I took some pictures of some flowers growing around our property today. 

I miss my Nikon my husband got my for my birthday...it broke less than a week after having it. UGH. In the future, I do plan on getting a DSLR. I have to learn how to use it though first...

Well, signing off here, enjoy this picture of one of our chickens! 

2 years later.

I started this blog at the insistance of my dad. I kept up on it for a short time, but then lost interest. I do that. I lose interest in things and then stop doing them. I'm going to stop doing that. I need to finish the things that I start. I'm so incredibly bad at that.

I recently started a candle and soap-making company with my friend S. She makes soaps, I make candles. I love it so far. I'm just trying to get 'out there' so people will buy my stuff. I promised my mom and another person a few free small candles for them to.try and see if they like them. Mom said she was going to help get my name out there. I made business cards and have a page on facebook. Tomorrow I think I'm going to make some more candles and do a photo shoot with all of them. They are all wrapped up and ready to go! I did get an order from a friend out of state, so that is exciting. I'm eager to start on it.

My page on facebook is Rustic Earth. Please visit and like!! (And buy some candles!)

I have 2 sons. A1 is 5 almost 6 and A2 is almost 10 months. Their birthdays are both in August. Double birthday this year! It should be fun. I can't believe I have two kids and I can't believe my oldest will be 6 and starting kindergarten in 3 short months. Time flies.

My creativity

I feel as though my creativity has come to a stand still. I cannot write, scrapbook or even do simple crafts. I keep telling myself I need to start my scrapbooking again but I end up spending useless hours, at my computer on Facebook or watching youtube. I'm becoming monotonous, boring and useless.

Does anyone know how to get creativity "jumpstarted?"