DAY SEVEN

Today was pretty chill . . . just work/run/home.

I paid my $5 for this month's "water." There is a water cooler thing downstairs and you can pay $5 for all the water you want. I drink out of the same glass everyday--one that I brought in myself. Everyone else does the same. This way, people aren't always buying wasteful small water bottles. I haven't heard anything too bad about using the large "culligan"-ish water bottles . . . YET. But $5 for good, cold water in my own cup every day is better than shelling out a couple bucks a day for water bottles that will just get thrown away.

I brought in my leftovers for lunch . . . this was good on two levels: 1) I didn't spend any money on anything I didn't actually need for lunch; and 2) I didn't have to drive anywhere for lunch.

I also spent yesterday "cleaning" my office and setting aside a box for paper that can no longer be used. I will recycle that paper when I am done with it. I looked up recycling options in Indianola. Apparently, EVERYONE is charged $2.50 a month on their utility bill for curbside recycling. One day a week, your recycling will get picked up. However, I live in an apartment and I have NEVER seen anybody leave out recycling (but our pickup is apparently 7am on tuesdays . . . maybe that is why). I wish there was a drop-off facility, too. I know there is waaaay out in the next rural town over, but driving 10 miles to drop off recycling? That just seems WASTEFUL. So, I will keep a watch out Monday night and see if people take out their recycling and then look and see if they acually pick it up from our apartment or not . . . I swear they DON'T.

Last night, I remembered it was "food day" at work so I decided I would make some guacamole so I drove to the store. The closest grocery store, which is in walking distance, did not have ANY ripe avocados, so I drove a few miles to the next closest one and got everything I need. I have a serious problem with the bundling of cilantro. It was only available for purchase in HUGE bunches . . . much more than I needed. So now I have a whole bunch of cilantro to find something to do with!!! ANNOYING. Hopefully, once the farmer markets are open (THIS WEEKEND!) I will have more options . . . cilantro is soo good!!!

Total expenses: $22.30