I know what you mean! Why isn't there more of a grassroots groundswell? I think because everything has become so polemical. But also, it is overwhelming. It truly is. That is why I want to get really practical and try to make steady progress via baby steps, so that more people, like myself, are aware and realize they can take some action. Even if someone gives up plastic bags 90% of the time, that's helpful, you know. Every little bit helps. As for the bulk stuff. I think you can bring your own bags and containers you can buy stuff in bulk (I mean things that are loose in barrels and the like). But maybe that varies from state to state her in the U.S. Not sure about other countries.

I don't think it is just those with Irish ancestry! Our bishop (Arlington diocese) just gave everybody a dispensation.

I blogged about dish washing today.

No Latin co-op today! So far: prayed cleaned kitchen blogged about trying to be plastic free made corn muffins and scrambled eggs for dh To do: Read City of God Take V and 16 mo D to his check up at 10 Do some much needed house work Study Latin with teens Take 18 yo to English class at 4 Dinner is spaghetti, salad Watch the little guy while his mom goes to ESOL class Try to participate in City of God twitter study group at same time (fortunately everyone watches the little guy)

I am Catholic and I did not fast when I was pregnant or nursing. I just ate simply and abstained from meat and sweets.

The remembering to bring the bags with you is hard! The best thing is to just keep some in your car. I bet as the law goes into effect there will be many opportunities to get more reusable bags. Here's a way to make reusable bags out of t-shirts. http://www.mommypotamus.com/no-sew-t-shirt-tote-bag-tutorial/

Yes, different places are trying different ways to combat the problem. Some places outlaw them and others put a small fee on using them. Both seem to be successful at reducing plastic bag use. Unfortunately, here in my state of Virginia, we have not had much success in getting legislation through. Congrats to Colombia for being smart!

Hi all. I am blogging about giving up single use disposable plastic which is a huge pollution problem that the world has not really owned up to yet. I am trying to do my little part to make people aware of the problem. So beginning today and all through Lent, I am blogging about practical ways to avoid plastic. Being the well meaning (usually) but ditzy soul that I am, it is kind of like giving-up-plastic-for-dummies! That's the level that I function at, LOL. Anyway, I am calling it "Slaying the Plastic Dragon." If you are interested please visit my blog. What i would love to do is to start a conversation about how to go about this and get tips, advice, etc on doing this frugally and practically, especially for busy families who really don't have time to spend to sleuth around and find alternatives. A lot of this overlaps with zero waste people whose goal is to reduce their landfill contributions as much as possible. Please post at my blog so all the info is in one place. My blog link is below in my signature. Thank you so much!

Good morning! Things to do today: Fast and pray - it's Ash Wednesday! Clean kitchen Lots of reading Take 15 yo to math tutor Noon Mass More reading Walk Study Latin Make black bean soup for dinner I am blogging about giving up single use plastic. I am going to post a general announcement here in the chat forum. But what I am really interested in is if people have tips, advice, info, thoughts on the subject to please comment on my blog. Thank you! (the blog link is in my signature.)

Good morning! Happy Mardi Gras (for those who celebrate it) To do: Reading Clean kitchen Get 15 yo to Bio class Shop Get 18 yo to Gov't class Read/walk Clean dog More reading Study Latin with teens Dinner is out somewhere watch 16 mo old while his mom goes to class

Good morning! Today: Read lots of City of God Take 18 to drum lesson Stop gap grocery shopping Make icing for AHG cake decorating project AHG meeting This evening study Latin with teens Dinner is sausage and kim chi

I did not finish any books this past week. I am behind in my City of God read (sob!) so I must devote as much reading time as possible to that this week before Thursday evening. I am in the middle of Mr. Midshipman Easy (or 52% on my kindle). I am finding it delightful! I am also in the middle of Infidel by Ayaan Hirsi Ali on audio in my car and I am finding that gripping! I think I am on disc 6 (out of 10 perhaps?) I started reading a wonderful book that boils down the art of rhetoric to its essence and is extremely well written - The Office of Assertion. This was in impulse read. I am about 1/3 the way through that. So hopefully, I'll catch up on City of God and then finish at least one of the other books this week.

Jean, I am experiencing that same trend! Already done - studied some Latin To do Shower Study more Mass @ 10 Breakfast out Home again - take Latin midterm (yikes - don't feel prepared at all!) P/u food from CSA Tidy up and prepare for onslaught of girls (our AHG meeting got moved due to weather - we need clear skies for stargazing) Somehow fit dinner in 1st girls arrive at 6:45 (???) The time keeps changing, might be 6:30 Do AHG meeting 9:00 say goodbye to girls 9:10 conk out!!!!

I think I know of someone (online friend for years) whose son is there now and who loves it.

Thanks for the reminder on laundry, Jean! I forgot I had a load in the washer and another one to do til I saw your list! LOL! Laundry Bagels Shower Certamen (with co-op Latin students) this is all day Home again - study for my own Latin midterm (which I keep procrastinating on! Yikes!) Dinner? Somebody else has to take of that!

Oh thanks! I think I was confusing the different sets based on color or something! Thanks for pointing that out.

Thank so much for this excellent review! Ok, I feel encourage to get the MODG syllabus now. Really, it seems to be the only thing out there, but it is good to know it is worth the money! Thanks again!

Wondering if anyone ever gets through Henle's Second Year book? I do see Mother of Divine Grace has a syllabus for $35. I don't think Memoria Press goes beyond First Year. They seem to have their own book on reading the Gallic Wars. Anybody familiar with any other syllabus/lesson plans for this? Thanks!

Good morning! I have to say I am so enjoying our warm weather this week! I don't even know what is going on in the rest of the country/world! It is like spring here! To do: Work on my Latin homework/study for exam Clean kitchen Laundry Must call trash co to ask why they didn't leave a new recycling bin like they said they would! Watch 1/2 of video on G K. Chesterton w/teens 15 yo has math homework Mass at noon Lunch out? Maybe - we are giving up eating out for Lent 15 yo to math tutor - more Latin studying for me (plus need to pick up sympathy card, pet food, parmesan) home again dinner is fettuccine alfredo which we didn't have last night b/c no parmesan! Going out to a meeting of new environmental group - showing a movie on plastic bags

Well, it might be ADD plus inexperience and being nervous with Mom in the car? But to tell you the truth my oldest son (ADD/dyslexic) barely drives at all even though he got his license. He got lost ALL.THE.TIME. No sense of direction in the car, never could plan ahead enough to be in the right lane to make the turn, etc. He was nervous and drove under the speed limit. Now (he's 24) he lives in a city and walks or take the subway everywhere. Last time he was home, he borrowed my minivan and scraped a parked car. My now 18 yo got too anxious in the car (he also is ADD, dyslexic and spectrum) when he was 16 so he waited. He is now taking drivers lessons again and doing well. So waiting might be good thing. Plus, at least in our state, once you are 18 you do not have to go through all the hoops that a younger teens does. It is much less burdensome. Just my 2 cents.

Good morning! To do: Finish up Latin prep Make sure 15 yo is up to finish her work Take 15 yo to her Bio lab Latin co-op Home again - then take 18 yo to English class Squeeze in reading City of God when I can Dinner is fettucine alfredo Take V to ESOL class babysit little D Dh comes home from CA at some point!

Today: Send out email to certamen kids Clean dog Latin prep for co-op Take 15 yo to math tutor Read/walk Latin study with teens (Euge! We actually did some substatinial studying yesterday!) Take 15 yo to voice Do all the things still needed to be done for Thursday Dinner is polenta with cheese and tomato sauce

So last night I made homemade chicken broth but then forgot to put it in the fridge. Have I ruined it? I just add some more water and am let it burble away on the stove again, hopefully killing off anything bad that started to grow in the night. I really wish I wasn't so ditzy about stuff like this!!! Anyway, today: Dh leaves for business trip to Los Angeles in an hour or so. Clean kitchen Put broth away Wake kids - take 15 yo to Bio. (18 yo should be up doing homework he didn't do last night) Grocery shop, home, put away Take 18 yo to gov't class Read more City of God Lunch and pick up from pharmacy home again - study Latin 18 has English homework due 15 yo had math homework to do

I think getting one of those body pillows can help. http://www.sleepydeep.com/best-body-pillow/

Yes! I just spent an hour looking and I couldn't find it! My internet sleuthing skills must be getting rusty! Thank you so much!