Challenges.

This entry is about new challenges, and I'm thinking as I sit here that it will probably be a challenge to write, so bear with me.

Kyle and I decided a few weeks ago that it was time to separate. Nothing terrible happened, it was just time. So about a week ago we made the decision final, and since I'm having so much trouble finding a place to rent that's safe, has enough room for the dog, and is in my price range, I'm staying with my parents.

So, mental and emotional challenges aside (because that's not what this blog is about), here are some of the other challenges I am facing regarding my waste project:

1. THE CAT. He's always a damn problem. He used the recycled paper litter just fine, by the way, until we came here. My parents have a very old cat that uses regular clumping clay litter, and Sabian is ignoring his own litterbox for hers. Although it seems like this doesn't pose a problem because technically I'm not doing the throwing away of the litter, my cat's bathroom habits are starting to make me feel very guilty. I think I'll replace the old cat's litter with the recycled paper once my parents have run out of the regular stuff, but she might die before that happens. Who knows.

2. The dog. Not as big of a deal. My parents live on quite a bit of property and the dogs run off leash. Basically all this means is I have no idea where Roo poops to go and pick it up, but it also means that it doesn't really matter where she poops. If I can find it, we just throw it in a big pile out back anyway.

3. Meals. I still buy my own groceries, which means I can still do my "green scan" at the store (The other day I found a HUGE package of store brand, pre-sliced cheese that wasn't individually packaged! Win). However, more often than not, my mom makes dinner for all of us. This is wonderful and she's awesome, but it also means I don't know what ingredients she used and where all the packaging ended up. My parents recycle almost everything anyway, so I'm not too worried about it, but I hate to think that some of the waste generated is indirectly mine. 

4. Waste. At first I didn't know how I would continue to measure my own waste but it turned out pretty simple. I have my old trash can and keep it separate from my parent's trash can. Anything I use that needs to be thrown away is put in my own can. Composting has been easy too since my parents also compost whatever they can. 

So far these are the only challenges I've run into, but I've only been here for a week. I don't plan on being here for very long...but let's be honest, things haven't exactly gone according to plan. Hopefully I'll be on my own soon and this project can get back on track!

Some good news is I think I effectively altered Kyle and Dane's behavior. Kyle asked to keep the recycling containers and says he is going to continue recycling as much as he can. I'm not sure how he'll do it though, without me constantly pointing out what goes where... =P