Whimsical Wednesday | Did You Know?

Did you know that today is National Chocolate Covered Raisin Day? I had no clue but now I know why I woke up loving this day. The creator of National Chocolate Covered Raisin Day can't be located on the internet. Who cares? It's chocolate people!

Wordless Wednesday | Cat In The Hat

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Wordful Wednesday | The Dash

The Dash

I read of a man who stood to speak at the funeral of a friend.
He referred to the dates on her tombstone from the beginning...to the end.

He noted that first came the date of her birth and spoke of the following date
with tears. But he said what mattered most of all, was the dash between those years.

For that dash represents, all the time that she spent alive on earth.
And now only those who loved her know what that little line is worth.

For it matters not, how much we own; the cars...the house...the cash...
What matters is how we live and love and how we spend our dash.

So think about this long and hard; are there things you'd like to change?
For you never know how much time is left, that can still be rearranged.

If we could just slow down enough to consider what's true and real...
And always try to understand the way other people feel.

And be less quick to anger, and show appreciation more,
And love the people in our lives like we've never loved before.

If we treat each other with respect and more ofter wear a smile...
Remembering that this special dash might only last a little while.

So, when your eulogy is being read with your life's actions to rehash...
Would you be proud of the things they say...about how you spent your dash?

{By Linda Ellis}

Recycle to Help St Judes Ranch

Hey Y'all!!

I hope this post finds you having a super duper Tuesday! About a month or so ago, my Mom called to ask me to find a place to recycle the tops of the previous years Christmas cards. So, after a brief search online, I came across St. Jude's Ranch for Children Recycled Card Program.

For thirty years, the Recycled Card Program has been in place. Along with volunteers, the children remove the fronts from donated cards and attach a new back. As it states on their website, "The benefits are two-fold: customers receive "green" holiday cards for use and the children receive payment for their work and learn the benefits and importance of "going green".

This is such a wonderful way to give your cards another life and to also brighten the lives of so many. They are presently accepting cards through February 28, 2010. Please take a moment to visit the Recycled Card Program at St. Jude's Ranch for Children for more information and where to send your cards. You'll be glad you did!

Warm fuzzies to y'all and thanks for stopping by! Have a great day!


Creator Extraordinaire
Cactus & Ivy

Happy Thanksgiving Y'all

Wordless Wednesday | Give Thanks

Wordless Wednesday | Turkey Trot

Wordless Wednesday | Dear Deer Friends

Wordless Wednesday | Halloween Kitties

Wordless Wednesday | Ever Have the Feeling You're Being Watched

Wordless Wednesday | Age Old Question

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Wordless Wednesday | Back to Reality

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Wordless Wednesday | Key To Success

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Wordless Wednesday | Take Control

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Wordless Wednesday | Love Yourself

Technically, this isn't a Wordless Wednesday because of the words in the sand but I couldn't resist.

Wordless Wedneday | Hang In There

Decoding the Numbers on Plastic

Hey Y'all!!

I hope this post finds you doing well. It has been a crazy busy week and I have definitely neglected The Southern Accent. My apologies!

Do you know what the numbers stand for on the bottom of your plastic bottles and jars? I thought I do a little deciphering so we can 'sort' it out together!

#1 - Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET or PETE)
This is the most commonly recycled plastic and is used for soft drink, mouthwash, water, juice, salad dressing and beer. When PET or PETE is recycled, it is used in comforter fill, strapping, food containers, drink containers, molding and carpets. Cactus & Ivy jars and bottles are made of this material.

#2 - High Density Polyethylene (HDPE)
Know for its chemical resistance, this plastic is used for bottles that house bleach, milk, shampoo, detergent, liners of cereal boxes and grocery bags. When HDPE is recycled, it is used in motor oil containers, household cleaner containers, recycling bins, plastic picnic tables, flower pots, garden edging and outdoor decking. Cactus & Ivy is switching to a HDPE bottle for our Body Wash due to its flexibility.

#3 - Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)
Can be both rigid and flexible. This plastic is used for shrink wrap, blister packs, railing, medical tubing, wire and cable insulation. When this plastic is recycled, it is used in outdoor decking, traffic cones, cassette trays, paneling, mud flaps, plumbing pipe, garden hose and gutters.

#4 - Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE)
Flexible and tough, this plastic is used to make bags for produce, bread, dry cleaning, newspaper, as well as shrink wrap, squeezable bottles, cold beverage cups and toys. When this plastic is recycled, it is used in trash cans, landscape timber, garbage can liners, furniture and shipping envelopes.
#5 - Polypropylene (PP)
With a high melting point, this plastic is used in containers for take-out, deli, yogurt, medicine bottles, syrup bottles, bottle caps and closures. When this plastic is recycled, it is used in oil funnels, battery cases, shipping pallets, garden rakes, ice scrapers and storage bins.

#6 - Polystyrene (PS)
Also known as Styrofoam, this plastic is used for protective packaging for electronics and furniture, packing peanuts, egg cartons, clamshells, plates and hot drink cups. When this plastic is recycled, it is used in protective packaging for electronics and furniture, camera cases, egg cartons, thermometers and thermal insulation.

#7 - Other
Made with a plastic resin other than the above mentioned. This plastic is used in oven bags and 3 and 5 gallon reusable water bottles. When this plastic is recycled, it is used in plastic lumber and bottles.

According to Earth911, recycling one pound of PET (polyethylene terephthalate) plastic bottles, which include soft drink and water bottles, saves approximately 12,000 BTUs (British thermal unit) of heat energy. And, producing new plastic products from recycled materials uses two-thirds less energy than is required to make products from raw (virgin) materials. WOW!!!

For more information on recycling and to find a recycling center in your neck of the woods, visit Earth911.

Thanks for stopping by y'all and I hope you have a fantastic day. I leave you with this - "One thing you can't recycle is wasted time" - Author Unknown


Creator Extraordinare
Cactus & Ivy

Wordless Wednesday | I'm All Ears

Wordless Wednesday | Oxymoron

Wordless Wednesday | Say Cheese