This year I am really trying to go Green! I’ve never really thought about my wastefulness having such an impact on the planet. (Uh, yeah, I don’t know where I have been either!) Since I work out 5 mornings a week, my car started to become a water bottle wasteland. That’s about 260 water bottles per year. Not good. Since the new year, I bought myself a Rubbermaid water bottle and have reused it about 30 times. That’s 2 cases of water bottles not bought – used – or thrown away. Yay me! I encourage you to join me in buying a reusable water bottle!

I have also stopped using grocery bags. I bought 3 reusable grocery bags at Ralphs and use them at Ralphs, Trader Joes, or wherever I shop. They were a buck fifty each. Every time I bring them back to Ralphs, I get a five-cent credit for each bag. According to my calculations, I’ll get 15 bucks in free groceries this year and help the environment, and not use over 150 plastic bags(that’s not counting double bagging heavy stuff)! My three grocery bags are enough to shop for a family of five. They are bigger and stronger than paper or plastic. I’ve only forgotten them at home once. After I unload my bags, I put them right back into my car.

I picked up a copy of the green book, the EVERYDAY GUIDE to SAVING the PLANET ONE SIMPLE STEP at a TIME by Elizabeth Rogers and Thomas M. Kostigen. Which by the way was, was printed on 100% recycled paper.

These are just baby steps, but I have to start somewhere. (:

Remember Woodsy Owl’s motto “Give a hoot, don’t pollute!” Well, I do and the issue of littering has been on my mind for quite some time now. I am sure that I have mentioned that I am a total square as well as a rule follower. I do not litter. Ever. I really thought that by 2007 littering would be a non-issue. Not the case. When was the last time you saw some person, feeling anonymous, throw nasty trash out of a car window, or a kid drop something on the ground, or worse yet, an adult litter in plain view? I am sure that if you were paying attention, you’d realize that it happens way more than you think.

A couple of months ago I was walking my seven-year-old home from school when he noticed some trash on the ground and decided to pick it up. Well, of course he handed it to me to put into my Coach messenger bag, (yucky). Yet, how could I say no when he was just trying to “Clean up the Earth?” as he put it. While we were walking, he spotted several pieces of litter along the way. My poor bag was brimming with the filthy trash left by some lazy and inconsiderate people, all-the-while defacing my adorable bag.

I remember when being called a litterbug in the schoolyard was a terrible insult. I don’t think it is anymore. Would you believe that while my son and I were cleaning up after litterbugs, we saw a middle school-aged kid actually throw his water bottle on to the street? He didn’t care who saw him do it either. Hmmm, remember that saying that it takes a village to raise a child? I am a firm believer in that. I had no problem telling that kid in my best teacher’s voice to pick up his trash NOW and I may have mentioned something about having no respect and how his mother would be ashamed of him. He bent over, picked it up, mumbled something under his breath, and walked away. There I was with my little do-gooder son, cleaning up other people’s garbage. He just stared at them with his giant blue eyes and mouth hanging wide open, confused and visibly traumatized. All right, so I am exaggerating slightly. Here, I was actually trying to teach my child something good and he gets to watch these little turds do just the opposite. So frustrating. Dumb dummies!!!!

“Mom, why do people litter?” he asked. “Well, I guess it’s because they don’t care about the Earth, they are lazy, have no respect, and weren’t taught by their parents?” I really thought that kids were the main culprits in this department until I really started paying attention.

Caution: The following content may cause emotional distress for Earth Lovers.

My informal study shocked and disgusted me and you will not believe what I saw.
First, I saw a car full of ADULTS dumping fast food trash on the ground in a parking lot. Oh my stars!!! Do adults really litter? Gross. Then, I was at the park with my boot camp group and there was a dirty diaper left of the sidewalk. Do you think the baby left it there? By the way, nothing motivates you to do your push-ups like smelly diapers. Later, while running along a beach trail in San Clemente, I had to hold my breath to minimize the stench. Try running while holding your breath! I have never, EVER seen so much trash on the beach in my life! Over the distance of two and a half miles there was enough trash to fill probably three dumpsters. And yet, there are trashcans every hundred feet or so and no one could make it ALL the way over to fill them.

Now, on to Doheny Beach. It gets so crowded in the summer that it actually reeks of garbage and leftover food. Litter in the parking lot, litter in the grass, and litter in the sand. Argh! I felt just like the commercial with the Native American looking over the litter-covered land while a teardrop slowly runs down his face. Oh the humanity! Finally, I was looking out the window of my studio and saw some delinquent kids on the third floor throwing trash down to the fountain on the first floor. Once again, adults were involved as the “parents” of these kids, but said nothing. It’s just so wrong on so many levels.

AHHHHHHHHH!!! Who are these terrible litterbugs?? Where did they come from? Have they no pride? I think not. If you are a litterbug and you are reading this … think again my friend. You are just making yourself look like a slovenly, ignorant jerk. Of course, MY readers are of the highest quality, intellect, and social awareness so I really doubt I am speaking to any of you. So just do your part and let’s keep this place clean! Mother Earth thanks you.

So you have heard the saying green is the new black, or forty is the new thirty, right? Well, I am declaring that nice is the new mean. Being nice to others is easy, fast, and best of all it’s free. It also lowers your stress level and it’s the right thing to do. Being nice is one of the very first things that we were taught as toddlers. “Be nice” goes on like a broken record at preschool. Maybe showing our children how to be nice would have more impact on them than just telling them to be nice. Hey, I might be on to something here.

Have you ever noticed how much energy it takes to be mean to someone? Did you notice how mean perfect strangers are to one another? I have. I’ve seen it while shopping, while eating, and most of all while driving! By the way who declared that it is (use air quotes here to get the full effect) “YOUR” lane anyway? Is it really going to ruin your day to let that poor soul who’s had the blinker on for five minutes get over? Are those two seconds really going to make a difference in your life? No, they are absolutely not. Just because someone changes lanes doesn’t mean they think that their car goes faster than yours. And no, they are not out to get you. Well, probably not. Ha.

I have a habit of being very aware of the people around me. I like to be randomly nice and I really love to make someone’s day by being kind, helpful, or just by saying something nice. It’s my nature. (Don’t worry – I have plenty of flaws – this just happens not to be one of them.) I like the way it feels to be nice to people. It makes me happy. I’ve always been somewhat of a square, so I like to follow the rules and do the right thing. I’ve always wondered why some people go out of their way to be mean. What’s the point of that?

Well, let’s not dwell on the negative. Let’s figure out ways to be nice to others. I think that our overall quality of life would greatly improve if we all took a little time to be nice. What fun is it to be around a bunch of frowny-faced grouchy people? No fun. No fun at all. Who can resist a great big smile and a warm “Good Morning!” to start the day? I think you would be surprised by how many folks stop for coffee on the way to work just to be greeted by a warm welcome and a smiling face. I don’t think it’s the five dollar cup of coffee that’s luring them back. It’s the nice feeling that is associated with the coffee that brings us back. How can we replicate that feeling in other aspects of our life?

We can start by being friendly to our fellow man and woman, and of course the children. How about waving to your neighbor on the way to work? Hold the door for someone and tell him or her to have a good day. Let someone have that great parking spot! Help that lady carry her groceries. Give out some compliments. Go ahead, you can do it! Make someone feel good. Your kindness can greatly affect someone. We just never know the impact that we can have on a perfect stranger. You have the power to warm up someone’s heart by acknowledging his or her existence. I am willing to bet that if you are kind to someone then they will be kind to someone else. Now go out there and by nice! Let me know how it goes for you. Thank you for reading and have a great week!

I don’t know about you, but when I have to do any public speaking I freak. I mean FREAK!! I lose sleep; have nightmares, and totally spaz out! Public speaking is a part of life and definitely a part of weddings. If you are lucky enough to be chosen as a maid of honor a speech is par for the course. Remember this is your sister or very best friend asking you to stand up and speak to friends and family. This is a tall order. You must display poise, etiquette, and most importantly personality. You can do it! After all, this is your best friend and you know every thing about her. Uh, yeah … every embarrassing fact, bad habits, drunken college stories, need I go on? Ok, that sort of speech might get a giggle, but most likely an uncomfortable courtesy laugh. Come on, this isn’t just the girlfriends … we are talking parents, grandparents, and future in-laws! Let’s make a good impression. You’ve got to keep it together! You can do it and I can help!

I have heard more speeches that I care to remember, and a handful that I will never forget. Speeches that moved me to tears and speeches that just plain cracked me up. The longest speech on record was 17 minutes (I’m not kidding). The shortest was about 30 seconds. I must say I prefer the latter, but a 1-2 minute well planned speech is ideal. You might be shocked to see what 2 minutes look like on paper!

When planning your speech, it’s a good idea to hit on four points.
One: a quick story of your friendship, humorous or heartfelt
Two: give some love to the groom, keep it simple and be nice
Three: give a bit of inspiration or advice to the couple - quotes can be a big hit
Four: wrap it up with a toast to their bright and happy future together

I consulted one of Orange County’s premiere wedding coordinators, Jennifer Scheumann of It’s Your Day! Weddings by Jennifer, to get some tips about great speech giving. Jennifer had some clever advice to help prepare for the big event.

Since public speaking is the number one fear, this can cause a lot of anxiety for some. There are a few ways to ease the butterflies… PRACTICE, PRACTICE, and PRACTICE! The more you practice, the more comfortable you will feel. Practice it in the car, when you are getting ready, doing laundry, making dinner, you get the idea! Remember that it’s perfectly acceptable to use your notes if you need them. You will most likely have memorized your speech from all of your diligent practicing, but it might make you feel better knowing you can refer to them if you do get stuck. If you get nervous, just look at the bride and groom, and speak directly to them. It doesn’t really matter exactly what you say, but rather the way you say it and the emotion behind the toast. Just remember to keep it short and sweet, speak from the heart and you can’t go wrong!
Thanks for your suggestions Jennifer! Remember that you want the audience to laugh or cry. If you evoke any emotion in them you will be wildly successful! So prepare yourself! As always, these are just my opinions (my college professor might disagree – but he hasn’t been to hundreds of weddings!), but hopefully you will be a little more confident in writing and delivering your speech!