The other day I just happened to look in the bathroom trashcan. And guess, what I found? Not dirty kleenex or an empty toliet paper roll. A box of nerds. My first knee jerk reaction was, “didn’t my kids know that the box was recyclable? Why was it in the trash?” Then I stopped and said, Wow. I can’t believe that was my first reaction. What happened to me?
Most mothers would have been upset that their kids were eating candy without their permission. Plus, if you are going to eat candy, why on Earth would you leave a box in the bathroom? Better yet, why would you leave the box in the trashcan, especially considering there was nothing in the trash can, but the box?
Even worse, the box was left in the bathroom right by my office. Come on, kids. It was so obvious. Even I knew as a kid how to hide something from my mother.
Perhaps, they thought I would not see it. Too wrapped up in my green world. Never underestimate your mother. Don’t they know mothers have eyes in the back of their head and the ones in the front work really well? (Just to let you know my kids are pre-teens and teenagers so this is not a matter of being too young to know better.)
I am sure you all have heard of people saying, “excuse me I am having a senior moment” when referring to their lost train of thought. Well, I am going to start the new phrase, “I just had a Kermit moment.” What will this mean if you look up the phrase on Google (notice I did not say the dictionary) years from now? It shall be defined as having a knee jerk reaction of the green kind, rather than one that ordinary people would have in a given situation.
So, have you ever had a Kermit moment? Please tell me this does happen to some of you…
Brenna says
March 17, 2009 at 1:35 amI love the new phrase! I hope that more of us can realize our priorities when we discover our kids have snuck candy and then thrown the empty recyclable box in the trash! 😉
Andrea Goldman says
March 17, 2009 at 4:10 pmAre you kidding? I go picking through the garbage for recyclable items in my house! I am like the green police.
Green Talk says
March 18, 2009 at 1:12 amAndrea, “sign” I do that too…My husband read my post and can’t believe that I thought of the Earth before the fact my kids were devouring sugar…Anna
Green Talk says
March 18, 2009 at 1:13 amBrenna, well said! Anna
Susan says
March 18, 2009 at 5:52 amYes I find my self checking the garbage can ant school and if I see a fresh looking piece of paper in it I move it to the recycle bucket I have place here and there. Of course, I wait until no one is looking. cue “Mission Impossible” music. We gotta keep at it!
mother earth aka karen hanrahan says
March 18, 2009 at 9:58 amoh my gosh sometimes i am so caught up in a kermit moment I can’t stand myself, especially with my kids. I have to remind myself they haven’t been influenced by the blogs I enjoy. Like yours Anna!!
Green Talk says
March 19, 2009 at 12:39 amMother Earth, do you have a fav Kermit moment to share? And thanks for the compliment about Green Talk (blush, blush). I feel the same way about your blog too. What would I do with you keeping me healthy and away from those toxic chemicals… Anna
PS Everyone, Karen is a Shaklee dealer so if you want some great green cleaners, she is your gal.
mother earth aka karen hanrahan says
March 20, 2009 at 2:36 pmAnna,
Some of my kermit moments include totally screaming at them when they run water or take a forever shower, or not losing my mind when they use a “new” plastic bag when there are old ones to use, the broken record turn that light off, or unplug that when your finished
I have to bite my tongue and not say out loud “DON”T you KNOW???
They complain when I guide them to a “green” choice, yet I admit that later on I see them making the effort
They do hear us anna !!
Thanks for mentioning my distributing Shaklee – ever so happy to help
Green Talk says
March 20, 2009 at 11:44 pmKaren, you know who loves you? Anna
Beth Terry, aka Fake Plastic Fish says
March 21, 2009 at 6:03 pmThat’s funny. I always wonder when my kitties leave chewed up plastic bags in the garbage, don’t they know plastic bags are recyclable? And then I remind myself… they are eating plastic!
🙂
Green Talk says
March 21, 2009 at 9:59 pmBeth, it is good to know that I am not alone. The kitty story is hysterical! Anna
RosieLove623 says
March 26, 2009 at 5:39 pmI know exactly where you’re coming from. I’m starting to consider the “greeness” of everything I purchase now.
Recently remodeling my kitchen, I had compared many different companies and materials for my kitchen countertops. Finally I decided on Caesarstone, because they have such great environmental standards, and some of their materials are recycled!
I guess that would be my Kermit moment 🙂 Really enjoyed this post!
Alline says
March 28, 2009 at 12:30 pmThe other day (actually at 1:00 a.m.) my husband and golden retreiver dutifully picked me up at the train station to drive me home from an extended trip to Chicago. We were low on fuel so stopped at a 24 hour gas station – we live in the middle of nowhere, so it was an unattended station. The dog and I got out to stretch our legs while Kurt re-fueled, and I found myself picking up muddy, icky (but empty) aluminum cans. Dozens of them, just languishing in the ditches. “Who are these people!?” I ranted to my dog. He just looked at me and wagged his tail. I imagine that had “these people” driven by, they would have wondered about the crazy lady picking up “trash” at one in the morning…My life seems to be one Kermit moment after another! Thanks for your post – I giggle every time I look at the photo!
Green Talk says
March 28, 2009 at 8:13 pmAlline, I can relate. Whenever I walk, I end up picking up all the trash. It would be fun to read your dog’s mind though…Anna