Nasty, Nasty Weather

Many areas of the country have snowfall right about now, but not here in Texas.  Here we have rain.  Normally I love rain, but in Texas, rain just makes for an icky mess that no one wants to deal with.  Either it's so light it's barely worth calling rain, or it's so heavy that everything floods.

I can't complain too much.  Texas has had a severe lack of rain over the past couple of years.  The first year I was here we got so much rain in May and June that the lakes were overflowing and the dams had water flowing through at such a high rate that it felt like you'd be swept away just by standing near it.  I thought this was normal for Texas, but that's not normal at all.  Apparently I've never seen a normal year in Texas.  Every year since has been dryer than normal, as though the environment around here is trying to make up for giving too much in 2007.

As a result, water prices have skyrocketed.  Everything looks dead and dry earlier in the year than it usually does.  The lakes and ponds are smaller than they used to be.  All of the river beds and run off areas have been bone dry for quite some time.  Many worried that with each continual year things would just get worse and worse.  It's been getting to the point where conserving water isn't just something good for the environment, it's necessary, unless you intend to be paying a small fortune on your water bill.  Even my very conservative family was paying about $100 per month in water over the last summer, a huge step up from when that winter where we were spending half that much or less.

Unfortunately, as much as Texas needs it, the state really isn't set up for rain.  The ground is so dry and clay-like that the water pools on the surface.  Roads flood all over the county and cars hydroplane more than I've ever seen.  A friend of mine called me in a frantic fit of desperation asking if she could put some stuff in our fridge because the water was running down her street like rapids and they had the road closed off.  She was terrified that her house had been flooded as the water hit the bottom of her street, but thankfully, when the rain cleared, it turned out the water just rushed past her home.  I can't blame her for being concerned.  Her possessions weren't the problem.  She was more worried about her dogs that were kenneled in her absence.

So in light of all of that, I can't really complain about the rain.  It was necessary, even if it woke everyone up in the middle of the night.  It's what we really need for the health of the world around us, so hopefully the fire bans will be lifted and stay lifted.  We need this rain so it will be available when people need it over the spring and summer.

I'm sure the kids and I can find something to do on this rainy day when no one feels motivation to do anything.  This miserable weather isn't enough to keep us down, but even the kids are suggesting we relocate to somewhere with a more normal season pattern.  They want somewhere with snow.  At least then they could go out and play in it.

How I Miss Nice Weather and How Fast They Grow

This week we had some pretty nice weather.  It got down to the 80's, which meant we were able to open the windows and let in some fresh air.  It was nice not to need the air conditioning running all day.  Hopefully that will save us some money.  It's not easy living in a state where air conditioning is required in order to live or you'll get sick from the heat.  This week it's going to be back up to the 90's, which is better than it was through most of the summer.  Yes, the weather is finally turning towards something nicer.

As the weather changed we decided it was time to sort through old clothes.  The boys will probably both need a new winter wardrobe.  My older boy has pretty much outgrown all of his clothes.  It's not that he's too wide in the middle.  Actually, clothes that fit him around the middle are too short on him.  It's that everything is too short.  My younger one will probably be set for another few months, but he's starting to not fit his pants around the middle and his shirts don't want to go over his head.  Since he's been born that's been a sign that he's about to shoot up like a weed, and if he does that he probably isn't going to fit anything in length much longer either.  Thankfully we can still manage on shorts and t-shirts for a while longer.  I guess that's the good thing about Texas!  The warm weather means summer clothes really last.

The whole thing has me thinking about the weather.  I love the weather back home.  This time of year we would soon have lessons on why the fall leaves change and all of that.  Things would be getting cooler and we would have to start planning to bundle everyone up for the cold.  This time of year is filled with shopping for winter jackets and snow boots and knitting mittens, scarves, and hats.  We might even be in the weather for long pants, sweaters, and light jackets.  My daughter would probably want tights with some of her skirts.  My littlest and I would be starting the fight over whether or not he has to wear a hat.  He doesn't seem to think there's a need.  I, on the other hand, would realize that his ultra-fine baby hair isn't going to do much to keep his head warm and he needs something to make up for that.

It was a little sad going through the boy's things.  I'd forgotten how much of the clothes I had in a 2T I'd already given away to a friend of mine whose son grew into them sooner than mine did.  We're going to have to start carving out a little bit of money every month to start getting him some new clothes a little at a time.  Thankfully there are plenty of places with low cost clothing for a toddler his size.  I hate thinking about the new size he'll be in.  2T typically fits a toddler at age two.  That means he's no longer my baby and is now considered a toddler.  He's almost two, which seems nearly impossible!  It doesn't seem like it's been so long since he was born.  How incredibly fast time has flown this year.

My older son is going to be jumping into boys clothes this year.  Things sized at x-small are just the right length.  I know I could still shop for him in the toddler section and look for things that are 5T, but the only reason to truly hold on to that is to attempt to hold on to his youth.  I keep wanting to think that he's still a toddler, but he's a preschooler.  He's taking an interest in reading.  He loves super heroes and dinosaurs.  Pokemon and Transformers are favorites of his.  He's even starting to get interested in sports.  He's no longer happy with the simple things that used to please him.  He's growing up before I know it!  He's growing to match in size too!  He's jumped from a 3T being perfect in size to a 4T being a little too short in all of a year!  It's good to see him growing.  Maybe he won't be the shortest boy in his classes at the co-op this year after all!

Then there's my daughter.  I can't call her my little girl anymore.  She's much too big for that.  Thankfully, she's got enough in hand-me-downs and in clothing from Marrok's mom to last her through the year.  My only problem is going to be in keeping her in shorts and pants for the homeschool co-op.  She's got PE first thing when we get there, so she'll need to be wearing something suitable.  You wouldn't believe how hard it is to get her to dress warm when it's cold out!  She'd prefer to wear skirts and dresses all the time, even better if they're sleeveless.  She's really starting to develop her own sense of style, and it's a lot more feminine and girly than I could ever imagine any child of mine being!  Every day it seems like she's just more and more adult, and she's only eight!  I can't help but think she'll be all grown up before I know it.

In all of this, I don't think I would have taken the time to reflect if the weather hadn't started to turn already, even though it's turning back before we know it.  I'm really homesick already.  I wish I could be looking forward fall leaves and snow this year, but I know that's not going to happen.  I don't have very many options for that in Texas.  Even so, as the weather turns cool, I know I'll at least be able to enjoy taking my children to the park.  The kids and I can enjoy going for walks.  It will be nice to get outside.  I can't wait until we can throw open the windows and let the cool air in instead of spending a fortune in electricity to keep the house a bearable temperature.  I can't wait until things start feeling a little bit nicer.  Now if only that could speed up and my kids could slow down on growing for a little while!

Another Green Suggestion to Holiday Shopping

This weekend's crazy sales have got me thinking a good deal about holiday shopping.  While everyone else is out raiding the sales, I started to think about some ways I could handle my own holiday commitment without, well, ending up committed!  Yesterday I talked about the benefit of home made gifts.  Today I want to think about those family members that simply aren't...well...the right match for hand-made crafts.  Let's face it, not everyone in our lives is willing to accept something that isn't store bought with excitement and joy.  Some will just shove it to the bottom of the closet and only pull it out when they know you're coming to visit.  To keep everyone happy, I've decided there are some people I just won't do crafts for.

Of course, handling the holiday crazies are bad enough when you've got people on your list to shop for, but I don't believe in going out of my way to shop for presents.  With the crowds and traffic of the holiday shopping weekend, often times it isn't worth it to go out just to hit up the sales.  There are plenty of alternatives to hitting the big sale weekend shopping and they'll save you on effort and gas.

Here's a few of my suggestions for getting all of that holiday shopping out of the way:  Some of these will definitely help you save some money during the holidays too!

1. Plan ahead.  Know what you're going to buy everyone in advance and where you can buy it.  If you don't know what to get someone, search around online for some ideas.
2. Stick to your list.  I know it's really tempting to change plans when you see that perfect gift for Aunt Mary, but you'll likely go through that about ten times during this holiday season.  Changing plans is a great way to get off budget or overbuy for your family because you simply "can't resist".  However, this is the perfect time to pull out a notebook and start getting ideas for next year!
3. Calculate your holiday budget.  Come the holiday season I can't count how many people I've known who stress about how they're going to afford everything they need to get their family for Christmas.  I know many families that put themselves into a great deal of debt, sometimes so much it takes the whole next year to pull themselves out of it.  Other families are choosing which bills not to pay so they have a little more for the holidays.  Instead of going broke for the holidays, just sit down with your family budget, calculate your expenses (if you haven't done this already) to see how much you have left over for holiday spending, including big family meals, something to bring to the potluck, whatever engagements you'll have.  You can also see where you can cut the budget for the month if you don't think you'll have enough to comfortably cover all your gifts, such as eating on the cheap for a while.  Once you've got that, calculate how much you can budget for each holiday need, decorations, cards, a tree (if you buy one each year), and shopping.  This should help you stay on track throughout the holiday season without going broke (unless you choose to!)
4. Keep within your budget.  If something you had planned to purchase turns out to be more expensive than you thought it was, take a moment to consider whether you can really afford to put out the extra money.  Also keep track of any items you get on sale or otherwise manage to save on.  If you've managed to hit great sales and stay well under budget, it's a lot easier to justify spending a little bit more on something that cost more than you estimated.
5. Plan holiday shopping trips with your other errands.  If you know that quirky little parenting shop you plan to get those cute diaper covers for your expecting sister is right near the grocery store, plan to go on your grocery shopping day.  If the book store is right near the post office, stop in while mailing out your Christmas cards, picking up packages, or buying stamps.  If you've got a bunch of locations that aren't near any of your scheduled errands, set them up in localized groups to save on gas and traveling.  Remember, the less you have to drive, the more you save on time and the less pollution you produce to damage the environment!
6. Check for sales and see if you can work your errands to coincide.  For example, if there's a great weekend sale where the toy you're buying for your niece is going to be 50% off, perhaps you could get up early to hit the post office's Saturday hours.  Sometimes these sales don't always hit, but it's worth keeping an eye on.
7. Don't wait until last minute!  Last minute shopping leaves you prone to panicking.  This doesn't do anyone any good.  You'll also be less likely to find the item you're looking for if it's a hot ticket item that year.  Shopping early allows you time to find the gift, even if you can't find it at the first locations you check, and if all else fails, you can always order online with plenty of time for the package to arrive.

These are just a few of the things that help me get through the holiday season without too much trauma.  I know many of these sound like they're obvious, but you wouldn't believe how many people don't know how to use these simple tactics to make the holidays as little stress as they can be.  With all of the plans for travel, arranging for big dinners, and everything else, there's plenty of stress to the holiday season.  Why add to the problem?  Just take your time, plan it out.  Budget, and enjoy the holiday season.  Isn't that what it's all about?

Green Alternative to Black Friday Shopping

What is it about Black Friday that gets everyone up and shopping?  I know it has some of the best sales in the country, but are we really that much of a consumer culture?  I've been dragged shopping on Black Friday with a friend of mine and the sales may have been good, but the crowds were horrible.  I didn't really see the point.

Shopping on Black Friday also isn't great for the world around us.  Think of all the fumes expelled from vehicles as shoppers race from store to store.  Think of all those pollutants!  Then there's all the extra electricity use so stores can be open longer hours, earlier in the morning and later at night, if not all night.  All of that energy adds up.  What about all the people who eat out rather than eating a nice home-cooked meal because they're already out and it's convenient?  All in all, it's not the greatest concept for the world around us.

This year instead of hitting up the Black Friday sales, I'm looking for alternatives.  I've already decided many of my gifts this year have to be hand-made.  I guess a Black Friday sale at the yarn shop would be quite dangerous for my budget, but that's about it.

Making gifts has a seriously positive impact on the world around us.  Not only are the gifts made from the heart, and therefore have personal value, they're also higher quality than many store-bought items.  These items frequently come at a lower cost and require less energy to make.  Aside from making the materials themselves, the only energy expended is that of making it yourself, which leaves a much smaller impact on the environment.  After all, at most you'll eat more.  Hand-made gifts require more thought, since you're not going to spend all that time to make something the recipient will hate.  They're also generally more useful than many store-bought items.  Hand-made items come in such a variety too that there's always something for everyone.

This year while everyone else is running around doing their Black Friday sale shopping, I'm going to be taking some time to truly enjoy the start of the holiday season, kicking back and spending some time with my family.  Yes, I might miss the sales that so many other shoppers are hitting, but at least I'll know I can spend some quality time with my family and my room mates, possibly even making up some Christmas gifts while we're at it.  I think that's more than worth it.

A Little Something about the Weather

Isn't it so cliche to talk about the weather?  Isn't that the kind of small talk people engage in when they don't know what else to talk about.  It's a topic that's really taken for granted.  Talk about the weather seems to be glazed over and largely ignored.  It's considered nothing more than small talk.

One thing people seem to forget is that the weather can be such a deep topic.  It's a topic that can be filled with such emotion and passion.  It's so much more than, "Looks like it's pretty nice out."  The weather effects so much of our lives, yet it's so passed over unless it's a "miserable" day.

Today is a beautiful day.  It's sunny.  It's warm, but not hot.  There's a gentle breeze, still warm.  It doesn't have any of the beauty of a New England fall, but it has it's own beauty.  The world feels alive.  There's an obvious change coming.  You can feel it each night as the temperature drops.  You can feel it as the brutal heat of summer gives way to a pleasant warmth.  It's making it's way to a Texas winter.

While I'm not a fan of this Texas weather and Texas seasons, I'm coming to make peace with the place I live.  I do still wish every day that I could go home, but I have so much to be thankful for here.  The weather is beautiful.  We've got the perfect weather for our fall field trips coming up.  The kids can get out and play, enjoying the fresh air.  After the summer, these temperatures are a breath of fresh air.  I can finally kick back and relax into fall, into the beginning of the school year.

The weather is an inspiration today.  It's a moment to observe a little bit of peace.  It's a moment to relax into something greater than myself.  My eyes are open today.  There is magic in the air.  Isn't the fall simply wonderful?

Sustainability Tip: Warm and Woolies

The weather change has once again got me thinking.  As the temperatures drop in other areas of the country, heat will start coming on.  It will seem like no time at all before our own heat comes on.  For some families, this can be a time of excess and waste of energy.  I know I'm usually guilty of that one.  I'll admit, I'm happiest when the temperature is about seventy-five.  In the summer, that's great!  I save a good deal on my electricity bill because my air conditioner isn't cranking as much as every other house on the block.  I'll be honest, in the summer I sometimes push my home temperature all the way up to eighty.  Some find it too warm, but I find the amount I save on electricity to be worth it.  In the winter, on the other hand, that's one of the worst things you can do.

When I was younger my family liked to keep the house warm.  I remember someone saying that they didn't feel right having to put on a sweater to keep warm in their own home.  They would rather be warm enough from the start.  In other people's homes I always felt quite chilly and I hated it.  I didn't see the point in keeping your home so uncomfortably cold.  It made more sense to keep warm on cold days.  I didn't realize then how many reasons there could be for this.

Keeping a house set at a cool temperature in the winter, of course, will save on your bill.  It's one way to shave off a few bucks on electricity, gas, or oil bill every winter, just as I do with my air conditioner in the summer.  That extra money can go to so many different things, towards financial freedom and living a debt free life to sustainability improvements to practical things like the grocery bill or savings.  This is a huge help to families who use oil heat, as oil can be quite expensive.

On another side of things, turning the heat down a bit in the winter will also help the environment.  No matter what you use to heat your house, there is a likelihood that it's related to some form of pollution.  Because of this use of electricity, gas, or oil, more must be produced or processed.  These facilities to produce or process that which brings us warmth produce their own impact on the environment.  Even wood burning and pellet stoves produce their own pollution.  Only those who use environmentally friendly means to heat their house, such as with solar heating, or use thermal insulation from the earth, can crank the heat however they like it without negative impact to the environment.

So remember as this year comes in, keep that thermostat turned down.  If you don't like living in a cold house, bust out the warm and woolies.  This is a perfect time to show off that cute pair of slippers you made for yourself.  What better time to pull out your favorite sweaters or sweatshirts?  Start the fashion trend of wearing a beret, hat, or even a decorative scarf or shawl in the house.  There's no reason dressing warm should make you feel like you've got to "dress like a mom".  Have fun with it.

Preparing for Fall

In Texas, fall isn't what I'm used to.  The temperatures don't drop as much.  The leaves don't really go anywhere at all.  The wind picks up some, and evenings do get a bit of a chill, but it's not like back in New England.  Over the three years I've been here, I've had to learn a whole new way to prepare for winter.

This time of year back home was filled with preparations for fall activities and on into winter.  A lot of families started picking up heavy winter coats and snow boots for their children if the ones from last year were outgrown.  Scarves, hats, and mittens start to be found.  Warm, heavy socks are found in preparation for those first chills.  It may be too early in the year to worry about wearing them, but it never hurt to have them on hand.  When the weather turned, which always seemed to start earlier than expected, you would want to know exactly where all of it was.

Here in Texas, fall is rather different.  During the day it stays quite hot, and often does straight through the winter.  We've been known to have ninety degree days in January or February, matched with below freezing nights.  Fall weather means digging out all the layers, that way you can prepare for all the changing temperatures, and the whole range of weather.

All summer long it's hot and humid.  There seems to be no break from it all.  Occasionally as summer starts to give way there's a few scattered storms as hurricanes hit the coast and gulf, blowing rain and clouds out our way.  Usually it's fall where the rains start to come in, though it's never much.  The temperatures can be quite nice and breezy, with just a hint of cool enough for a sweater early on.  Early fall is rather mild in Texas, providing a break from the brutality of summer's heat and sun, a slow preparation for what is yet to come.

Of course, this is the perfect time to prepare for later in the fall.  While now it may be quite nice out, later in fall the weather is much more of a challenge.  Now is the time to start digging out sweaters, or buying new ones.  You want to be prepared for the days of layering.  Come late October and November you want to be prepared for the layers you may need to put on early in the morning or late at night, but not dress in a way where it's impossible to take them off when the day turns so warm and pleasant.

This is where I'm at right now.  It's time to look into new sneakers for the children while it's still nice enough out to wear sandals.  It's time to dig out sweaters before they'll need them.  I'll need to pair all the mittens and be sure they are easy to find for when we'll need it.  Hats need to be found and light jackets need to be checked for fit.  Travel means packing the car with all sorts of extras "just in case it gets cool", a concept I wasn't so painfully aware of in New England.  The diaper bag needs to be stocked with a sweater, hat, and socks at all times, and it may even be time to start looking for a jacket for the baby.  I'm starting to wonder if perhaps I should just leave a packed suitcase in the car with all of our "just in case" items for the weather.

That seems to be the challenge of Texas.  Preparing for Fall means being ready for anything at a moments notice.  Dressing for the weather is impossible.  Knowing whether a hot lunch would be so much better than something cold is impossible to guess.  Planning ahead is next to impossible when it comes to the weather.  Just expect a bit of everything.

But, fall...  I am looking forward to it.  I'm looking forward to Halloween, where all the kids get dressed up for the occasion.  I'm looking forward to our first Thanksgiving with this new family.  It's my favorite time of the year.  I just hope I'm ready for it!