In reality, there is probably only a few trips I routinely take that will take me longer. Once you add in getting into the car, driving to my destination and parking, it’s about the same as it would be to choose another option. The problem, the predicament, is planning ahead. Knowing my route, and my travel options besides my car, is probably going to be the biggest lesson in store for me in the next 30 days.

For example, going to work each day may take me an additional 15 minutes each way, but I’ll have to time when I leave my house just right and know the train schedule. Going to my weekly karaoke bar may take longer, but I can enjoy my evening’s worth of beverages without worry. Grocery shopping will be different, but as many of my friends, I tend to have way more food in the house than I need, so it will be good to get to the point where I’m only getting groceries for that I need for the week.

All of this time spent on the train or bus won’t be time wasted. No, I look forward to knitting and reading during my commute. It’ll be good to tackle my WIPs and work my way through the giant stack of unread magazines that have piled up this summer.

So although I am a little worried on how I’ll make my way around, I think it’ll be fun. And of course, there’s a reason I chose a summer month to do this challenge: less weather to contend with.

Happy 30 days without a car!

This effort has a lot of benefits. Not only do I look forward to a cost-savings benefit, eliminating the need for gas, and wear and tear on my car, but also a sustainable benefit with less caustic emissions being released into the environment. On top of that, I will have the pleasure of learning the ins and outs of alternative transportation means. This includes the city of Chicago’s public transit system and safe cycling routes for me and Hot Pinkness. Oh, and there’s always walking.

The exceptions when it comes to driving my car include moving my car from one side of the street to the other, as well as in VERY extreme emergencies—such as life and death.

I’m looking forward to this challenge for a number of reasons. Obviously the cost savings is appealing. But also it will force me to figure out ways to navigate this great city without the need for my car. Being a Logan Square native will make using the CTA slightly difficult. Living along the Blue Line is limiting, and often forces the use of the dreaded bus.

I’m also hoping to realize my biking potential. I know I can bike far distances and, being the competitive person that I am, I will push myself pretty hard to attain my goals. But I want to become more reliant on on my bike as a mode of transport, turning to it instead of my car. I think this partly a comfort thing and partly a timing thing. If i become more comfortable with biking as a mode of transport, and I learn how to better time activities with bikin in mind, then that’s a win win.

Some difficulties I foresee include getting to and from work: I carry a lot of stuff back and forth, including my computer, purse and lunch. My lunch I think I could fix if on Mondays I take most of my lunch items to work in one big bag and keep in the fridge. My computer going to and fro will be fixed by switching my bag from an over-the-shoulder tote to a backpack. That will make it easier to travel. Shoes I can also carry my heels or dress shoes in my bag and wear flip flops or gym shoes.

There clearly will be an adjustment period, but I’m looking forward to navigating this challenge. So this coming Monday, my challenge begins. Wish me luck!

I received my Envirosax Botanica pouch today! It contains five environmentally conscious designs in a neat little pouch that’s about the size of a small novel. Each bag rolls up into a compact, palm-sized shape that can easily be thrown into your purse or even your pocket. I have always lusted after the Envirosax, but at $10 a piece, I could never justify the price.

How then did I get a five-piece pouch? I discovered Woot.com, that’s how! Woot.com is another deal site where they have a special deal a day in five categories. The normal Woot, Kids.Woot, Wine.Woot, Sellout.Woot and Shirt.Woot. They’re pretty great deals and discounts on a bunch of random stuff. The Woot community also can contribute various deals they discover throughout the interwebs. Definitely worth checking out if you like a good deal now and again.

My mom was jealous of the wreath I made in 2007 out of pine cones from the tree in the front yard, and requested that I make her one too. So she collected all the cones before the snow hit and as a Christmas bonding activity, we put it together. I say we, but my mom was really there for moral support. We laid out the pine cones and I really like the look of the layered cones. I then had to attach each cone to the metal ring frame. This took forever and resulted in sap covered hands. We then added these berries to give it a punch of color. I really like how it came out. Oh, and just a tip: If you have sap covered hands, use canola oil. It will break through the sap right away. Don’t try to scrub your hands to death because it just won’t work.

Stocked with some artisan breads, a small sample of produce, dairy products, food stuffs and cleaning products, there are quite a few things at the store you won’t find anywhere else. You just have to watch the prices on products found at other stores.

If you live in the Logan Square area, you can become a member of the co-op.