Use less Energy & Save Money!

If you are like me you feel a vague unease about the state of the Environment and feel a little useless in the grand scheme of things! We compost and recycle but I know that we could still do more! Here are a couple of things that I have done that can help save energy AND money!

Replace incandescent bulbs with fluorescent bulbs
The average home has approximately 35 incandescent light bulbs. If you replace all of your bulbs you can cut your costs in half!

Compact fluorescent light bulbs use about 75% less energy than incandescent bulbs and last 10 times longer. When replacing incandescent lights choose a fluorescent bulb with a quarter of the wattage of the incandescent in order to get the same quality. You can save $3.27/bulb/year by replacing a 60W incandescent bulb with a 15W fluorescent bulb. If all 35 bulbs in a house were replaced there would be a $114.45 savings. While fluorescent bulbs may cost more initially they save you money in the long run with lower bills and fewer replacements. By using less electricity fluorescent bulbs also help reduce greenhouse gas emissions. I purchased a whole bunch of bulbs over a year ago and I have not had to replace one!

Invest in a programmable thermostat
Programmable thermostats are inexpensive to buy (about $45), easy to install and an excellent way to reduce your energy bill. They automatically change the temperature of your house to coincide with your household's schedule. At times when everyone is away, it can be set to turn down the heat. In the evening it can turn the heat up again before you get home. At night, while your family sleeps, it can lower the temperature until it's time for your household's morning routine. The most energy efficient temperature settings are a difference between 4ºC home and away settings. For every degree the automatic thermostat lowers your heating level, you'll save 3% on your heating bill. It's a "set and forget" solution that adds up to big savings.

Stop unnecessary idling
Stopping unnecessary vehicle idling is a relatively easy way to contribute to improved air quality and respiratory health in our communities. It will also translate into lower fuel costs for you in the long run. With the price of gas these days every little bit counts!

Ananse - The Spider Trickster

In trying to keep my son interested in reading and myself not bored to death by princess stories I recently bought "The Pot of Wisdom" by Adwoe Badoe. It is a collection of 10 tales featuring the Ghanaian spider trickster "Ananse" (ANON SAY). The eight-legged trickster is clever and foolish in equal measure, often finding the tables turned on him. For those of you who are not familiar with Ananse he plays a large part in Ghanaian folk lore and stories featuring him are commonly told to children as the tales deal with important issues like justice, money, food, marraige, vanity, and self-respect.

This is a nice addition to your library no matter what culture you come from. I am enjoying reading them and this book has become a favorite night time read of Nicky's! One negative is that I would have prefered more of the beautiful pictures and maybe a few less stories as the tales are long. Adwoe is based in Guelph and has published several childrens books but this is the only one currently in print.

Meet my Arch Nemesis

OK It is official! I am ready for spring! This last week has given our area about 40 inches of snow. At first I was loving it, thinking that getting out in the snow would be a great complimentary exercise to my treadmill! Soon my arms would rival Teal'c on Stargate SG-1... It would be great!

I was out 3 times shoveling in one day and the first couple of times I has the driveway and sidewalks perfectly clear, unfortunately the snow continued to fall and eventually I had to borrow my neighbour's snow plow as my arms had begun to give out...I could barely lift the shovel but the snow kept coming.

The street plow has become my enemy; I swear it is out to get me...Chunks of ice the size of my head are not lightweight and driving out of your driveway before shoveling actually presses the snow tighter together thus making it heavier, harder and that much more time consuming.

Today after dropping Nicky off at the bus I attempted to rid my driveway of the latest delivery by my arch-nemesis. Isy was sleeping in her stroller so I was sure I could get it all done. Well, I am happy to say there is now a hole at the bottom of the driveway that I can fit the van through...sure the driveway is half it 's normal size but hey, I can get out and that's all that matters.

THE PONDERING YEARS

I ponder now, great things I see

Like gummy bears and trucks with wheels

And sounds I make, like a dinosaur,

a growling lion, a snarling bear.

It’s difficult for me to see that

connections really do exist;

that consequence falls into view

and certain things I just don’t get.

Did you know Nana’s fish don’t like champagne,

or Daddy’s walls, my paint?

I really thought I could ride those stairs

but am comforted as I explore my lair

and get to bump and rant and fall and sprawl

on table tops and things too tall.

So, remind me again that several eggs, when they fall,

will make mommy frown while she ponders me anew.

But teach me, please, that clothes don’t like pens

and books don’t like rips and that I can’t walk on the road.

Because I ponder now and great things I see

and need to know there are watchful eyes on me

to help me through this toddler time,

these pondering years of mine.

Heather Reynolds

Easter Sunday 2006

God is wearing Green today

I am not a religious person and while I sometimes feel bad that I have not given my children religious instruction it is simply not in me to give. The pope, religious Jihads and a catholic education have left me with an aversion to it all, an emptiness. It is not that I do not believe in God, I do, I think, it is that I do not believe in religion...does this make sense?

It makes me happy that my son has his sweet belief in God; sometimes he will come out with lines like "God is wearing Green today," or sing songs straight from a jubilation choir and it pleases me to know that he believes in it all. I am happy that after searching for what seemed the elusive perfect child care provider that I found Joy and that she gave him her love for God. It was a beautiful gift and I wish that everyone could have his innocent belief.