Embarrassed? Don't be!

I have written before about using reusable bags at the grocery store. Yes, many people look at you funny when you say, "I brought my own bags." It is becoming more common, but still not the norm. You definitely get strange looks when your bags are mixed shapes, colors, styles, sizes, materials, etc as mine generally are. A friend of mine, Bethany, happens to find it hilarious to go to the store with me and see the reactions I get from the bag boys.

For some people, this could be embarrassing to have people look at you strangely. But don't let that stop you!

The other day, Bethany called me with a funny story of her own, similar to my multi-sized bags.

Bethany works at a coffee shop. Anyone that has ever worked in a coffee shop knows that you drink a lot of coffee (and other beverages) during your shifts. And typically that means you go through a lot of disposable cups on a regular basis. Not good for the environment.

Bethany has started bringing her own reusable travel cup with her. It's a really nice one, used for hot or cold drinks, insulated, etc. Well, she started just taking it to work. No big deal. Then she realized, why just take it to work? So she pretty much always has it with her.

So when she walked into Burger King the other day for lunch with a friend, she grabbed the cup and took it with her. She ordered a #1 (or whatever) and the guy turned to hand her a cup for her beverage and she said, "I don't need a cup. I brought my own." She said his reaction was priceless!! He didn't know what to say to that! But was she embarrassed that she got some funny looks? Nope! She's just proud she's saving the planet, one cup at a time!

In other planet saving news, I thought I would update you all on my paper towel challenge for myself.

I decided to leave the paper towels out on the counter and just try to make a point to not use them, but they were there if I just had to. After a few weeks, I realized I hadn't touched them. So I moved them to the pantry so they wouldn't be taking up any counter space, but still not too far if I needed them.

Can you believe it: I have used them ONE TIME within the past month. I couldn't figure out how to make bacon in the microwave without a papertowel!

And my Swiffer mopping challenge? I love my floors now more than ever! I cut up towels to make mop rags to fit the Swiffer. I fill my sink with a little water, a little vinegar and a touch of oil, throw several clean mop rags in there, and get to Swiffering! When one rag is done I throw it in a bag that I have hanging next to the sink and grab a clean one out of the sink. That way the dirt from the floor never mixes with my cleaning water. And the bag next to the sink is for all my rags that I go through. Then when laundry day comes, I grab the bag and do a load of rags. Then they're clean and ready to use again the next week!

How are your challenges going?