Costco: for electronics

Costco is great for lots of things, but lately we've discovered how particularly good it is for electronics. I recently had to get a new laptop, and a salesguy at a local computer store actually recommended Costco over his own place, because Costco includes a 2-year warranty for all its electronics. They don't have a huge selection, but they had exactly what I was looking for, which is what matters.
We also just this week bought a new TV through Costco: again, not a huge selection, but exactly what we wanted at the right price with the warranty included.

Sending Recyclables to Preschool

My toddler's preschool actually wants our plastic bags and toilet paper rolls! I make a point of saving them and sending them in every week. It's nice to know they're going to get reused, which is better than recycled. I use plastic bags to line all our small trash cans, but we always have more bags than we need, even though my husband and I both always carry a reusable bag with us to cut down on the tide of plastic bags.

Repurposing milk cartons

Of course, you can take two milk cartons (the waxy cardboard things) and cut off the tops and fit them together to make toddler building blocks.
When you've had enough of that, try making each box into a little storage box. I've been doing that lately, and I'm excited about the growing collection. I haven't decided whether to keep the repurposed-chic look, or decoupage them into a less-busy looking collection.

Dustbuster in the kitchen

This is actually an idea I got from my mother-in-law. She keeps a dustbuster handy in the kitchen, so she can quickly clean the floor. This, in a house with an infant and toddler, is genius.
I have the latest in Black & Decker Dustbuster technology, and I use it almost daily (should use it daily) to clean up all the food scraps the kids get on the floor. I suppose a dog would serve the same purpose, but the dustbuster doesn't need to be taken for walks.

The 'buster is so helpful, I have even granted its charger precious kitchen countertop real estate. It's worth it to have it handy like that.

Lists!

I make to-do lists all the time, and I have to make a small travel to-do every time I leave the house on errands, or else I get utterly derailed. I am a list fanatic.
So it is appropriate that this first post be a list.

Below, a list of post topics I expect to write - things that I'm excited about these days:

YMCA membership
The book "Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day"
The ARRA COBRA Premium Reduction
Extra Freezer
Kitchen laundry basket
Costco
Sterilite plastic containers
Boston Organics
Dustbuster
Zoo membership
Repurposing milk cartons and cereal boxes
Frozen vegetables
TiVo
Ask Metafilter
Sunshine Kids Radian 65 carseat