Going Green Together- Green flooring?

We have been looking for ways to improve our Green home. So far we have added a home solar system. Have installed green flooring and  used no VOC paints on the walls. Most all of our lights are  Green Zones. Still need to paint a dinning room and the ceilings, install new carpets and a kitchen floor.

Although I do not like the lighting we have. One thing  that really bugs me is the amount of illumination of the  green lighting. Feel it is just not enough for my daily tasking. Not to mention the time it takes to brighten up. Not sure I like the new order to have all new green lighting and discontinue the incandescent  bulbs. In some of the lights I like the incandescent lights, especially the three way lights. How do you like the new greener lights? Feedback would be good for me. Perhaps you like a certain brand.

Now on to the flooring. I have come to love the bamboo flooring. If you remember I install the Vintage Sewing Room floor with a striated bamboo floor. Thinking of doing the same in the Kitchen. Although we did  find a floor covering from Pergo that we like and It is all green. That will be the next big project for us.

Being able to Go Green is getting easier now. There are more products available at better or equal to the cost of traditional  ones. Love going to the stores and checking out the Newer items. Did you know that sometimes you can order directly from the manufacture. In most case you can hirer a certified installer to do the work. Although installation in most case is easy to do and the instructions are online. Be sure to check out the warranty before deciding on the  way to install it. Some companies will only warranty if you have it installed by a  qualified person. In that case find out if they will install if you purchase the product. This could be tricky, as most will not. However remember it is the manufacture  who is giving the warranty not the installer. One more thing to remember, Check out the warranty... What does it cover and what are the terms. Found that some warranties are really useless. Sometimes it is not worth the extra cost to have it install be a authorized person. Every manufacturer sites has the warranties posted. Know the Product warranty  and conditions of installations before  you get the information from the local installation company. We found that sometimes the installer company has no idea that the manufacture will only warrant a certain type of installation in certain rooms.

We had a company tell us they would not glue it down only nail it and the warranty stated the nailing the product would cause clips and that would not be covered on the warranty. Also it stated the gluing it was the manufactures recommendation in the kitchen. Due to the moisture and wearing. We decided not to go with that flooring , or the Local company because they did not know the product they were selling. So as you can see doing you homework can save you headaches in the future.

I hope this information will help you in all you decision on Go Green. if you have any questions or suggestion for me please leave them in the comment section. I will try to answer them or research it for you.

Living Green Updates

Our Solar System is giving us great power. The electric bills have been down. We have produced 7411 this year. Our lifetime energy is 17,846 kWh. September through February are the lower production months. We live in the Eastern United States and therefore tend to get snow and storms. During the other months the sun is up most of the time and our production is good.
The Other day I was enjoying the sunny weather  outside and I watched the Meter go backwards. Love seeing that!
So far We are pleased with the solar power. As for the RECs, *Renewal Energy Credits, We had to change company's. We are now selling at a fixed rate. So, with the money we get for the RECs we are still spending on a yearly average of 50.00 per month for all our utilities needs.
Lifetime numbers:
lifetime energy is17,846 kWh (Nov 09 to May 12)
We have reduced your carbon footprint equivalent to:
29,616 pounds of CO₂
planting 329 seedlings grown for 10 years.
not driving 29,328 miles in a standard car. 

If you are interested in the type we have and our decision to go solar, please click on the Solar power link under OUR SOLAR PROJECT on the side bar. You will see more on this subject.

Now unto the Going Green Together. Our recycling process. I have to say we are not doing well at the stores. I have back slid some. However I will get back on board  trying to make a difference. I tend to shop more online then in the stores now. We still try to use less plastics at the grocery store. I think I might start having the store deliver to me. That way I will use less gas and bags.
Have notice that we are still at 1 trash can pick up. Might I say it is a normal size can. Most of the time it has only one bag of garbage in it. Also we have more recycles so, doing well on that field.  How are you doing on this Project?

Technology- Good Or Bad

Ever Wonder about all this new technology and knowledge we all are hearing about? Have been watching and reading about all kinds of things lately. New ways to get fitter ( at least new to us). Newly developed technology gadgets. How did we live before them ( It's starting to cloud my mind). Let look at a couple new things.

First off technology, GPS systems. We leased a new car it has a built in GPS (Global positioning system). Now this really isn't new. Our Military and Planes have been using it for decades. However someone thought of the idea of giving us that technology. I remember learning to read a map and learning about those little marker on the highway roads. You know the ones, they tell you what mile you are at on that states road, Very good to know if you need help out there. Well, now days with the GPS on our cell phone and in our cars, we can give the exact spot! not to mention my car with Onstar can relay it even if I can not. So I guess that has freed up some of our brains to learn and store something new. Now do you think this is a good thing? Heck we do not even have to plan out a route anymore, the Google maps and other maps it sights will do that for you. Just think everyone will know where you are at. Parents and get that GPS for there kids phone and tracks them. Technology can be both a good thing and bad idea.

I do like new technology, movies and TV shows off the internet from any smart pad is a great thing. I have been looking into getting a Kindle Fire. Thinking I might like to explore that. Any one have it already?

Smart phones are another oh lets say good and bad technology. I think the family table and togetherness has been great invaded on. Like having the ability to use it, but do not like the texting, nonstop fingers everywhere. Not to forgot to mention the handsfree talkers out in the public forum. It always amazes me how people do not care that they are talk in midair and everyone is hearing their business. Sometime I just want to say "Are you Speaking to Me". that phrase comes in my mind several times in a day. How did we live with only Landlines? I still have one, I know I am just old fashion. However we do have a computer line phone and four Cell phones. So I am not so old fashion.

I think I will wait for later to reveal the health side of this new technology. We are in the midst of learning a lot on that subject.

So I have a few questions for you all. Do you have any of the things mention? Are you thinking good and bad thing about them and last of all....Are you one who talks handsfree out there?

It's been a while-I'm BACK!

Yes I have been caught up in a little Family saga. What's been going on you ask... Well I am trying to size down, Hubby is having Health issues, daughter is now a senior in school, need I say more!

Having a senior is a busy thing. Driving issues, working jobs and school/social events are occupying our time. I am excited for her, We will be looking into colleges pretty soon. We have a Chicago trip plan for April. Then a few more the following months. Her plan is to start out in the local community college and then transfer to a University. Since she is an only child, I think that is a good move. As a parent I have mixed feeling on this. I still see her as my little girl. Laugh every time I see this commercial with the father taking to his daughter as she is off to college in the new car.


Hubby is getting ready for surgery on Tuesday. Then we will have to have another one for the Kidneys. Monday we had 3 doctors appointments back to back. The first one Urology, Kidneys still not making good progress. She stated we will need to schedule surgery, right after the Shoulder one. Next stop the GP, She stated the we need to bridge the Blood thinners to prepare for surgery. That means today we started the Shots. Good thing I have a Nursing background. It helps with giving the shots and recovery. Since this one is a outpatient surgery. Last stop the Cardiologist, Heart looks good, ready to go.

Now we have to have all the test for the surgery. Xrays and blood, we are now in the process of those. Plus he has test ongoing with the urologist. These medical issues are occupying my mind and time greatly.

Now on to my Weight loss process. Doing well, clothes getting bigger and I am feeling pretty good. Starting on Raspberry Ketones to help with my metabolism. Hoping that they will help me pass the Stalemate on the scales. I will surely let you know how they work.

Have been reading up on some Herbals helps and beginning to incorporate them in my daily plan. Hoping they will give me a healthier body.

Now to the Eco part of the blog...

We are looking into replacing the kitchen floor with a new Green floor. I really love the color and texture of it. It has No VOC's and that sounds great to me. At some point In am hoping to have a totally VOC free home. Then just maybe we will retire in a breathe easy home. Need to repaint some rooms, Will start in the kitchen. More on that later. Yes the Spring is just around the corner time for in house projects.

Our Solar power is doing well. This year our Electric Bills have been very low. That is good, giving us more money for the upgrades to ECO friendly things.