Soccer - Game Day Pictures (again)

The project:
Get snap-happy with the camera and long lens at area youth soccer games, and share the results free of charge for families to use as they see fit.

Time:
Two hours at the games, another hour editing and uploading.

Why bother?
Taking pictures during the games keeps me from chewing off my nails or getting stressed by the game. The added benefit is that other parents enjoy the pix of their kids. And in this digital age, it's no skin off my nose to share - just some time, which is also precious, but I can manage.

Worth it?
Yes!

Recycling Used Motor Oil

The project:
Recycle oil after shade tree maintenance to our cars.

Time:
10 minutes to properly dispose of the oil via our local auto parts store.

Why bother?
After too many run ins with the local auto dealer, we've opted to do the easy stuff at home and save not only cash, but provide ourselves some peace of mind. It's easy, less expensive (than the dealer, by a far cry), and provides some life lessons for our homeschooling family.

Among the biggest problems with shade tree mechanics is improper disposal of auto fluids, but it doesn't have to be. Collect the oil, then drive it down to the auto parts store where your purchased your new parts, filters and oil. They should accept it, free of charge, and dispose of it properly.

Used motor oil can be refined and used as base for lubricating oil, among other things, according to the American Petroleum Institute. You can also recycle your oil filters, which are made of paper, metal and plastic, all of which are recyclable. To find your local oil FILTER recycler, click here. For your local OIL recycler, click here.

Worth it?
Absolutely. Saved about $200 by doing it ourselves (over dealer shop). KNOW the filters have been changed, the oil is changed, parts checked and we're ready to roll. And the used up, black old oil is in the most appropriate tank, ready for reuse.

Photo courtesy Luis Cerezo under Creative Commons license.

Reach the Top Shelf for a Shopper in a Wheelchair

Endal's helpful, but wouldn't have been tall enough for today's deed.
Photo courtesy Lisa under Creative Commons license.

The project:
Grab some groceries off the top shelf for a sister shopper in a wheelchair.
Time:
Moments.
Why bother?
She really wanted that juice, but couldn't reach it with her bad shoulders, she said. Would I be so kind? Of course!

"Do you need anything else," I asked.
"The rest of my groceries," she quipped with a laugh.

I'm sure there was some truth to her joke. I would love to have stuck around and shopped with her. It was the perfect opportunity. But the girls and I were running (very) short on time before their lessons, so I felt we had to press on.
Worth it?
Yes. It's probably really tough to have to ask for help so often, and of strangers who might just ignore you. I wish we could've stayed to help her with the rest. Would've made her day, and been entertaining for us all. (With three of us, we probably could have helped her wrap it up in record time!)

Lift that Violin, Tote that Music, Open that Door

The project:
Help carry music lesson materials in on a rainy day.

Time:
Minutes.

Why bother?
At long last, we have a blustery, rainy, wet day here on California's Central Coast. It's exciting for someone who loves weather, but a challenge for those going about their daily lives, particularly if their hands are full, the doors are closed and all your music is getting wet.

Worth it?
Yes.

Photo courtesy Alex Crigger under Creative Commons License.

Donate Clothes to Shelter Store

The project:
Clean out my closet and donate clothes to the thrift store that benefits local shelters.

Time:
An hour including clean out, drive time and drop off.

Why bother?
We go through the girls' closets each quarter or so as they grow out of and wear out their clothes. But grown ups' clothes last longer...usually. If we take care of ourselves, we don't tend to grow out of them, and sometimes we don't even notice they're wearing. They go out of style in some of our closets (mine) or we put up with annoyances (sleeves too short, in my case) for years before finally letting go.

Today, I let go.

Worth it?
ABsolutely. My closet has more space, and someone else will have a new sweater with sleeves JUST RIGHT for them. It was silly to hold on to the things thinking, "I'll wear them SOMEday."

Photo courtesy sra_nelson under Creative Commons license.

Recycle Plastic Bags

The project:
Deliver our plastic bag collection to the recycling spot.

Time:
Moments.

Why bother?
I've been trying to use LESS plastic, but it still mounts up. I'd rather see it chopped up and used for decking or park benches than have it turn into an ocean-going plastic land mass. (Read more here and here.)

Worth it?
Absolutely

Manage donated photo files

The project:
Manage and mail photo files to soccer parents.

Time:
30 minutes

Why bother?
It's one thing to donate photo skills. It's another to respond to requests & orders of those photos.

Worth it?
Yes. I love that others are enjoying the photos I've taken of their kids.