Updates: My To Do List

My original list is as follows:
I want to
1. get active more, preferably outside.
~I have been running and cross training. 3 5k's so far this season with the goal of a half marathon in the fall. Unfortunately, I am not so into running outside yet. I just find it easier on the treadmill. Not so sustainable, but at least I am getting healthy and giving towards good causes for races.
2. plant a late summer garden.
~This didn't happen last year, but the garden is up. I harvested my first few leaves of Bibb lettuce today, and removed some worm things from the Cauliflower. I have big plans for the back fence with Blueberry, Raspberry, and grapes. I am already thinking of my fall garden crops.
3. start a compost pile.
~Pictures coming soon! We have this up in the back. I turned it today, but haven't seen the progress I would like. I am thinking I need to get some worms?!?!
4. install a rainwater barrel. (engineered out of used materials)
~After a long time of falling short looking for non-plastic re-purposed rain barrels, I have redirected my efforts to reclaiming some food grade drums from good manufacturers.
5. reduce the amount of plastic in my household.
~One way we did this is by making our own laundry detergent. We are still in the beginning stages (I finished the recipe today), so I hope it goes well.
6. reduce our meat consumption by half.
~We do Meatless Monday's, especially in the summer. This is a hard one for my hubs (and myself) because I have been trained my whole life that even spaghetti needs meat to be a meal.
7. change the water heater to a tank-less or geothermal model.
~The only thing hold us back from this is $. Hopefully, the solar panel co I met with last week will be the right avenue for this goal.
8. insulate attic with denim insulation.
~Ditto above, $.
9. install low flow water fixtures.
10.plant some trees on the property. (magnolia and dogwood)
~I have changed my mind and decided to get peach, pear and possibly Apple. I would prefer to get a twig to be rooted than purchasing a plant, and just learned how to make my own root hormone. Thanks Kate!

Working, homemaking, tending to my 3 lovely pups and wonderful husband has made progress on becoming sustainably self sufficient a slow process. Don't forget cash flow. These projects take money or time to hit people up on freecycle.org (which doesn't always pan out). I hope over the late spring and summer to keep planting, harvesting, and coming up with new ideas to reduce our energy consumption.

Other things I would like to look into include:
1. clothes line - it must be where my neighbors can't see it as they are strictly prohibited in our subdivision.
2. baking my own bread
Stay tuned as the list will continue to grow.