Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Blog Hop!

Green Blog Hop


Welcome to the 19th week of the GREEN BLOG HOP!!


For "Green" Blogs Only - Even if you're just starting out!


The purpose of creating this blog hop was not to create yet another general hop, but to help network bloggers who have taken the initiative to go green for the purpose of education and continuing efforts of saving our planet - one home at a time.  We will be monitoring the blogs and will delete those that are not deemed somewhat green.


 PLEASE make sure to put the button on your site and make a quick blog entry - otherwise we will not be reaching the most number of people that would be interested in networking!!



* Follow the blogs of the ladies in the top three spots : 
* Link your green blog article to the Linky below
* Follow as many other blogs as you want. The more you follow, the more that will follow you back!  If someone follows you, it is common courtesy to follow back.
Please remember to create a blog posting including the button after linking up - Please - It's the best way to get the word out about Going Green!!

*Chirp, Chirp

Do you hear crickets?

As tired a refrain as it may be, the office has been quite busy. We've had recruiting trips, urgent deadlines, grant reporting, and conferences. On top of the regular stuff we do on a regular basis. It does not leave much time for anything else.

We have an upcoming conference soon, and this time, my husband is coming with me. We both have family in the area, and this is a great opportunity for us to visit and have a little time away. Since the visit is because of a conference for work, my travel and room and board are all reimbursable. It will be a crazy and busy schedule for me, but should be fun!

I also went on a recruiting trip a few weeks ago. During my first stop, I stayed at a hotel that had apples in the lobby and a Target across the parking lot. This was wonderful. I ate more apples in that 24 hour period than I thought was possible, but they were delicious. I was also able to stroll through Target for my dinner, instead of paying outrageous amounts for a restaurant meal. Plus, even though I had neglected to bring granola bars, I was able to pick up a box at Target. Apples and granola bars can make an interesting meal.

In other news, the weather has certainly gotten much colder here. Last year, we were able to put off turning on the heat for a good while, and even then, keep the temperature set at about 65 degrees Fahrenheit. We were in an apartment then, and while we only shared a wall/floor with two other units, sharing their heat (we were on the top floor) really helped us keep our own heating costs down.

Now that we are in our own, stand-alone house, heating it is a different story. (Plus, I suspect some major lapses in good insulation. Another project.) We've tried to keep the thermostat set at about 64-65 degrees Fahrenheit, but it is an older model which is difficult to regulate. That and 64 degrees in the house feels tremendously colder than 65 did in the apartment. (I blame my beloved wood floors.)

We do have a wood burning stove in the fireplace. We have tried it once, and it did a nice job of keeping the immediate vicinity (well, the TV viewing area) warmer. We've also purchased a small space heater for the bedroom. Close the door, and after a few minutes, it is positively toasty! (Always follow the instructions, and keep flammable items away from a space heater. Do not leave it unattended!) Of course, we turn it off and unplug it before bed.

In addition, you should see the layers I put on at home. At any given time, I'll have on one or two pairs of socks, maybe leggings and pants, and a shirt plus a sweater. In the morning, when I let our dog out, I am usually toddling about with a hoodie, a sweater, and a coat. But that is because I roll out of bed and let her out. It is the very first thing I do, aside from put on my glasses.

Our electric bill has been slashed though. But, we have gas heat, and are waiting for that bill to spike. It hasn't yet, but we are trying to be prepared.