So, here I am. Joining the world of blogging. Something I thought I would never do. Not because I have a negative view, but because I never imagined I had anything passionate enough to talk about or an expertise that others would be interested in. I left a professional career in advertising a year after our daughter was born and have steered away from that chaotic world for the past five years. Three years ago, our son entered the world and my life has continued to focus on family and (trying) to give my kids and husband the best of me (although at times I imagine one or ALL of them would say “oh for pete’s sake…relax, would you!?”)
In this crazy life adventure of trying to raise a family and do the best I can by them, I have “accidentally” found another passion…trying to live as green as possible. I have “known” recycling my entire life. My mom was always an avid recycler. Even when being green wasn’t cool. She lovingly packed up the bottles, cans and newspapers and DROVE them to a recycling center 30 minutes across town. Clearly, she gave me my start.
I have had so many bizarre experiences when it comes to trying to be green. And that is how this all started. My husband reminded me that every other day I have a story about something that I experienced, something I read, something I learned or something that really pissed me off.
I’m not perfect. My life is far from being as green as I would like it to be. I make mistakes, and I’m trying to leave some selfish things behind (like those fabulous smelling laundry detergents!) but I’m trying…and I’m learning. I just want to leave this world knowing that I did all I could manage to do. I hope to teach my kids how to treat their planet, live better and choose products that are best for their own well-being and they have already started to embraced it…little sponges that they are. I hope to continue to teach them the right way. Only then will I feel like I have truly done my best job.
This blog will be my journey…both the good and the bad, mistakes included.
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Doreen,
Congratualtions on your journey! I came across your blog from your husbands twitter udpate @jimkukral. Good luck, I’m confident we’ll all learn and be able to share as a result of your blog.
Jason
http://twitter.com/jjbuss
Doreen,
Congrats! Nice job. I met Jim about 1.5 years ago, and he keeps challenging me. Anyway, as a fellow Clevelander, blogger, and new greenie, this serves as my official welcome! Now if I can just get my wife, Jeannine to start blogging…
Joel Libava and family
Just launched {coincidentally} http://www.GreenFranchiseDirectory.com
BRING IT, BABY!! You’re a total badass Doe, and now the world’s gonna know…
I, of course, knew this looonnngggg ago… *ahem*
Looking forward to reading your voice, my friend.
I subscribed today and I can’t wait to see what you will be sharing with all of us. Thanks to your husband Jim for telling us about your blog. Looking forward to more!
Just read this on Brewed Fresh Daily’s Twitter — beautiful blog. I’ve been trying to live as green as possible too, (just bought a small city house; painted with no VOC paints; bought a reel mower; and recycle and green clean)…so I look forward to learning from you.
Wishing you great joy in your blogging!
Welcome to blogging! The hardest part, I’ve found, is to keep going. Its easy to let 3 or 4 days pass without a post.
I’m trying to become more green, too, and have found there’s so many different ways it can be done: from buying less (especially new stuff and replacing perfectly good items), to using eco-friendly products, to reducing energy consumption.
Good luck!
Eric
Hi Dor!
Great job on the blog - I LOVE it! I have been trying to make some small changes that I hope will help - using canvas bags for shopping (when I don’t forget them!), switching to “green” cleaners and recycling. I have a long way to go and I admire your passion for this cause. I look forward to getting the updates and learning ways to live a more green life.
You go green girl! (that was soooo cheesy I know but I couldn’t help it!)
Doreen,
Welcome to the blogosphere! We all wish you the best of luck on your new journey!
I just subscribed, and I’m looking forward to reading every post. The best bloggers are the “real” people and that’s exactly what I expect you will be. Good luck!
Hey Dor,
You go girl! I can’t wait for all your updates. Now that I’m in Cali - I’m really doing my best to be greener. I wasn’t all that green to begin with. So, I’ve been recycling lots and am excited to read updates on your blog so I can learn and do more! Its shocking to see just how much of my trash is recycleable now that I’m avidly paying attention. I’m proud to be saving some of the landfill!! Plus, CA gives you money back for recycling many items- that doesn’t hurt either!
Love Twitter and the fact that Jim sent me here! I am so new to the “green” movement that it’s scary. I mean I am part of the “throw away generation”. I think the generations past that lived through the depression were already “green”.
I will be happy to read all you have to say… Why? Because you aren’t throwing the entire mix of “going green” at us all at once. It’s toooo hard to make big changes.
You seem to be in favor of the little changes that add up! Thanks for sharing your ideas. Way to go girl.
And… have fun with your new blog.
Joel - I appreciate the welcome! And if Jim challenges you, you can imagine everything that lead up to this blog becoming a reality. Have Jim give you some pointers and you’ll have your wife blogging in no time!
Kev - the loudest voice in my cheering section! I hope I live up to it!
Carol - so glad you decided to subscribe. I hope you enjoy it!
Elaine - bravo to you! Sounds like we’re on the same wave-length! Glad you’re here!
Eric - there ARE so many ways to be green! And that’s what I hope to bring to everyone. Thanks!
Kristie - I’m SO glad you visited and come back often, okay?! Every little bit of “awareness” helps and you can take the journey with me…love ya, girl!
DazzlinDonna - you’ve hit the nail on the head. That’s exactly what I’m going to be. Nothing unrealistic. Glad you could hear that in my first post!
Debra - you know exactly where I’m going too. Huge leaps and changes are difficult. One step at a time, right? And I plan to have fun too!
Hi Doreen,
Found you blog via your husbands tweet. Good luck on your blogging and your quest for greenness.
It is hard to go totally green. We switched to Mrs. Meyers Cleaning supplies. Check them out http://www.mrsmeyers. They do a great job and smell great. And it’s a bit more green than the brand name household cleaning supplies. But like all stuff that is green friendly it cost more green!
Hi Doreen - I feel everything you’re saying and I think all we can do at this point is try. The good thing is we’re changing behaviors (especially our own). I love it that my son stops me cold in my tracks every time I’m about to do some eco-unfriendly thing. He’s 15…obviously our peers (his teachers and the powers that be) are doing something right. It’s getting through.
I’ll be back since I’m on the same journey (my back ground is PR and I’m straddling the work at home and FT thing now that my kids are teens).
Oh yes and I’m a former “temporary Clevelander” now in Toronto but wanting to go BACK to Cleveland (yes you read correctly)!
Sharon - Our children’s generation truly gives me hope. ( I am going to blog about our daughter’s Earth Day at school soon too, so check back!) And people who don’t know how to love Cleveland, don’t KNOW Cleveland!
Come back to Cleveland… and my blog… anytime!
Hi Doreen
I came here from Jim’s blog and I really enjoy reading Eco blogs. Just wanted to say welcome to the bloggosphere and congrats on your first blog!
z
Great blog! Whenever Vicki and I come back the midwest from California, we’re shocked at the amount of recycleables that get tossed out in garbage. It’s so easy to stick to a system once you start (it’s especially been helpful that San Jose has mandated recycling, so I can’t claim I took the initiative). I would encourage people to write to their congress-person to mandate recycling programs through their waste pick-up service. Once you have a tiny little bin for waste and a HUGE bin for recycleables — you’ll see how much renewable stuff really gets thrown into landfills. It’s scary.
Keep up the great stuff!
[...] my head when I discovered that a new blog was born, authored by Jim Kukral’s wife, and named Mom Goes Green. I liked the way Jim described what he saw in his wife’s eyes when she hit Publish for the [...]
Steve - So glad you decided to visit! And thanks! You hit the nail on the head - making recycling a simple habit instead of a task is the best thing you can do. I get excited every week when there is much more in the recycling can than in the trash can!
What Readers - Thanks so much for the mention!!!
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