Pool Party

We're having some family here on Friday - sort of (hopefully) an annual gathering as they travel back from Oregon to Southern California. There's always a lot of preparation for an event....and it's nice to be off so I can 'enjoy' the process a bit.

Ala my sister, have made lists of errands, shopping lists, to-do lists, etc.

Spent part of the afternoon in the pool scrubbing the tile by hand. The pool sides get brushed weekly by our pool guy - but there's 'stuff' that gathers at the edge of the water and an assortment of dust, etc. on the white 'gasket' between the tile and the pool deck. They are all very clean now - and we are running the filter 'extra' today to give it time to get all the 'dirt' that was dislodged in the scrubbing process out of the water. Tonight, we'll fire up the hot tub so it will filter a bit....it needs a good cleaning, too.

Thankfully, the hot tub will be easy 'cuz it will be uber-warm. The pool was a refreshing 79 degrees. I know it's going to feel great as soon as I'm fully 'in'. But for a few seconds upon actually getting fully in, I'm freezing. Swimming a couple laps helps. Face it - I'm just an 82 or above kind of gal. I admit those temps are not all that refreshing on a hot day - but 'walking in' temp is easier for me.

I feel happy seeing our yard full of butterflies and fireflies. Two in particular - a bright blue and a bright orange - fireflies hover around pretty much all the time. I am convinced they are the grandmas. Don't ask me why. There's no logical reason I think that - but I do think they are 'around'. They like our yard - and they love it when we're out there with them.

Tomorrow, we start the thrice-weekly trek back to Oakland for H.'s IOP program. It's important and we are happy to do it - but wow. It's sure a logistical challenge - and that's during a week when I'm NOT working. It will be interesting when it's a 'regular' work/school week.

I hope to get to H.'s new school this week to drop off additional information, etc. We are sure hopeful he will be accepted there. He desperately needs a change. I'm not sure what our plan will be if he doesn't get to attend there - but I'm trying really hard not to fret about it until I know there's something to fret about. Easier said than done - but I'm trying. Hopefully, we'll know at the end of this week what the 'plan' is....and that will help. At least we'll know -

I'd better get back to my to-do list. Making progress on some 'nooks and crannies' cleaning that needs to be done. Think I'll watch New Moon while I'm cleaning - H. and I hope to see Eclipse together in the next couple days. Not sure if he's just humoring his mom or not - but he's said he would like to go with me. Will be fun having company!

Last Night

I made one additional purchase yesterday. I bought this:



It was 50% off!! It's beautiful!!

Upon returning back to my hotel post-Venetian hotel shopping mall cruise, I quickly realized there was no way I was getting all this home in my suitcase. It was 47 pounds when I arrived - and I most definitely purchased more than 3 pounds of 'stuff ' this trip.

So, I started the day by trekking down the street to the Flamingo. I located a UPS store there and since I can see the Flamingo from my hotel room window, I knew it was within walking distance. I navigated my way through morning traffic, past people waiting in line for discount show tickets. Hadn't had coffee yet. Needed it but it was already so hot, I could hardly stand it. I looked like a tomato. I made it - and $32 later, all my items (as well as two books I brought to read but knew I wouldn't get to - needed to lighten my backpack carry on as well) were on their way back home. They will be there day after tomorrow - via ground. One state away makes it pretty fast.

Tonight is my last night in Vegas. It's been a fun trip....but I'm ready to be home. I miss my family....really miss them. I'm ready to return to my everyday, boring, wonderful life.

One of the people in my cousin's group hadn't been to Vegas in 58 years - and wow, that's a lot of change. This place has changed a lot just in the time I've been coming here - 20 or so years. The games are evolving....the slots are fast paced. The casino is FULL of penny machines. Of course, penny machines involve 25, 30, 40, 50 - up to 100 lines - and you can play 1,2,3,4,5,10,20,25, etc. per line. It adds up quickly. Makes the days of $3 dollar machines (which were way too rich for my blood and I rarely played them) seem like nothing. Now, you really can't find many of those good 'old fashioned' 3 quarter machines. Or five nickel machines. It's pennies - but hundreds of them for each play.

I played video poker for awhile - and did OK. I don't mind losing - really, I don't. I'm not losing more than I can afford to lose. I just want to play awhile while I'm losing. I don't want to go through $20 in 5 minutes - and with these new penny machines, that can happen.

I loved the Sex and the City slot machines - but it's 4 games in one. A minimum 50 cents per game - up to $2.50 per game. Yes, you can play one game - but you really won't ever win at that rate. The bonus games and 'wild' spots come fast and furious on four games - but too slowly to really win on one game. The 'losses' add up quickly.

This evening a lovely elderly lady played next to me - and she had several hundred dollars of credits on her machine. I noticed her players card message was also flashing '$680 free play' - so she was playing on the casino's money. Her family must be 'high rollers' playing somewhere - She was very sweet - though I could hardly understand a word she said.

Vegas reminds us that the United States is just one small country in a world of many other countries. I rarely heard English spoken today - there were people from all over the world here. It's interesting and fun to realize how many people love to come here from other countries. It's like Disneyland for grown ups, I think.

There were plenty of families here - this hotel is hosting some kind of national dance festival. Families have been here for close to a week - I can't imagine what they're spending for this event. Bringing a family here is an expensive proposition - my meals are averaging $20-30 each (and I'm only eating two meals a day). Imagine a family of four doing that for 10 days? Plus hotel, entrance fees for the competitions, etc. Wow.

This trip has depleted our fun money account and it will take some time to build it back up. I'm grateful to my husband for never begrudging me this fun. He never frets about the money or suggests I play less - or not at all. Nor did he suggest I cut down my stay to 2 nights instead of 4. He lets me have the time I really need - and I love him for it.

I have worked hard at relaxing. I've checked work email very infrequently - and I have left many emails I've seen unopened 'cuz I don't want to know. I don't want to know the latest crisis...real or imagined. I don't want to read the 'serious' things that will remind me of things undone or things needing to be done. It will all keep until the 19th when I'm 'officially' back. Work will keep.

Tonight, I paid $8 for two beers at a bar in the hotel. Last night, one waitress on the casino floor took my drink order - and walked by me 5 times with my beer and never made it back to me. So tonight, I spent the money to be SURE I got a couple beers - the ultimate 'wind down' for me. It's my last night....

I can't wait to be home this time tomorrow. I'm ready to go back to whatever awaits....including wrangling two teen boys. They try my patience - but they are my soul. When I'm away from them, I truly realize how much I miss them....

And J. I always miss J. I miss him even when I'm at work...so I truly, truly miss him when I'm away and haven't seen him for days....

It's been a fun break from my 'regular life'. But I'm glad to be going home tomorrow.

Mirage

I'm having a great time in Vegas getting to know my cousin D. and her husband M. and their extended family. It's been so much fun.

Yesterday, the guys went to play poker and the girls (and one guy) headed to the outlet mall. It is unbelievably huge! And of course, like most outlet malls, it was outside. Scorching heat. No breeze of any kind. There are 'misters' all over the place but they don't seem to do much - theses were too high so the water was already evaporated before it had any chance of cooling a person off. Still, we trudged through store after store in search of bargains.

I scored two small purses and one larger purse at the Dooney & Bourke outlet store - $300 retail for $138 including tax. At that price, I continued shopping and bought two small cosmetic bags, which I really need. And they threw in a beach towel! Such a deal!

It's a great group - flexible. We sat in the food court to cool off a bit and when some folks decided to go search for the Nike store, others (myself included) decided to stay put - stay out of the heat and enjoy each others company.

We took cabs to/from and let's just say that I did not enjoy the cab ride one little bit. It was all I could do not to brace myself against the dash continuously. I'm sure they are good drivers but yikes! It doesn't feel that way weaving in and out of traffic.

After a long day shopping, we headed back. Their group is staying at Treasure Island. I am at the Mirage. There is a tram that connects the two properties. And of course - after trudging in the heat for hours - my feet were so, so tired - the tram was not in service so I had to walk back to the hotel. Thankfully, a Treasure Island employee told me a short cut so it wasn't too bad. I headed straight for the shower. Had a nice dinner at BB's - fried green tomatoes and a salad with chicken strips. And a chocolate martini!

Today, my Oklahoma family leaves. I don't leave until Thursday. We went shopping 'cuz we figured that was less expensive than gambling - so I will shop a bit today. Am going to the Dooney & Bourke retail store in The Venetian mall to get my hubby a wallet for a belated Father's Day gift.

Probably some pool time today - and lots of reading time. And possibly a nap.

I miss my hubby and my kids.

Eclipse!

Observations:

• I refreshed my memory on why I don't go to movies on the day they open. Most especially don't go to the Twilight movies on the day they open - I was surrounded by giggly, whispering/talking out loud, then giggling some more teenage girls. Made me nuts.

• It was also crowded. People surrounding me. I don't like being surrounded. I liked it when it when I saw Sex and the City 2 and there were 5 people in the theater.

• I was there plenty early so I had a great seat - right in the middle of the theater. When there were still plenty of seats open - PLENTY! - a lady came and sat right next to me. Empty seats all around where she could have sat with no one next to her (at that time). She sat there for a few minutes. Then she sat up really straight on the edge of her seat. Fidgeted a lot. I held my ground. She got up and moved. I think she was trying to get me to move so she could have that prime seat in a prime row.
  

• Given bullet #1 above, I possibly should have relinquished my seat - then she would have been surrounded by teenage girls.
  

• Didn't matter - she was surrounded where she was, too - they were everywhere.

• I don't get the whole Team Edward or Team Jacob thing. I love them both. Why do we have to choose?

• It was awesome!

I am officially on vacation until July 19th! Unless you count the 2 meetings I booked on July 12th - 'cuz there are things that need to get done and I can't wait that extra week to check in on how things are progressing. Oh well.

I leave for Vegas on Sunday.

And H. comes home on Saturday!! Can't wait to have him home!! We've missed him!!

Short Circuit

Thankfully, the laptop is being repaired. It wasn't a failed/crashed hard drive after all - it was a failed operating system. They think it was a virus. I think it was a software we use to clean the registry - which I will not be using anymore. It will hopefully be back on my desk later today...which is good 'cuz I'm having a heck of a time typing on J.'s keyboard. (Thanks, my sweet, for giving me so much time on the computer in your corner of the world - my Farmville farm thanks you, too).

Our time with H. yesterday has left me feeling hugely 'unsettled'. I think if we asked him, he would say the same thing. It's a lot to take in for a 17 year old - knowing that we enter the Intensive Outpatient (IOP) the minute he leaves the residential program next week. Three nights a week in Oakland. Plus attending AA meetings (which he knows he needs and thinks is critical to his successful recovery - finding that community of young people all working hard at not using whatever their chosen 'medicine' is). Plus school starting soon - new school, new format, etc. Plus attempting to have some social life - the few friends he will have contact with are still hugely important to him - one in particular who is (apparently) his girlfriend again. Which is fine with us....pretty much. More on that later...probably.

He apparently had a 'melt down' of sorts on Friday night - getting himself hugely stressed out and overwhelmed and panicked about all the 'things' he felt he would have to immediately 'do' upon his discharge. Stay sober (sober is the word we use for 'not using' - it's more familiar in the context of drinking - but it's a recovery word for staying on the program and not using whatever your medicine of choice has been). Get a job. Complete his 50 hours of community service (to resolve his traffic tickets). Go to AA meetings. Go to IOP meetings (3 hours each evening M-W, plus travel time to/from). Start school. And somewhere in there, wedge in time to see the previously mentioned young lady - who at the moment, is the primary person he wants/needs to see. He was concerned because when he phoned that evening, he wanted to discuss what the 'plan' was for IOP - and that wasn't a conversation I felt comfortable having with just him...over the phone. He was jockeying for a 'once a week' program - which we've been counseled against by the people we consider experts. And I wasn't willing to 'go there' with him on the phone. And he hung up the phone and quickly spiraled into some kind of 'melt down'. Hence us being 'summoned' to a counseling appointment early.

We took the time yesterday to really discuss the big 'elephant in the room' - the 'what if's' of a 'relapse'. And to his credit, when the counselor tried to set the parameters for what the consequences would be if there was a 'relapse', when he (the counselor) tried to acknowledge that it would happen and we should be prepared for what restrictions would be in place should/when it happened, H. was the first to shake his head 'no'. Meaning 'no, we're not going to set up consequences for that - no small consequences'. Setting up small consequences in advance make it too easy for him to relapse - if he knows that we 'accept' a relapse and will only ground him for a week, he'll know that the consequences are so small - and it won't incent him to stay clean. And so, I said what needed to be said - should he relapse, he will be enrolling in the January session of a military academy we've located. And then we talked through what we would do before that - since it would be months before he can attend that school (we missed the fall registration deadline last Spring by 11 days. The application deadline was May 15th - and that deadline had been on our radar (all of us) for many, many months. 11 days after that deadline, we found out the depths H. had gone to in the preceding 4 months - and realized we had a big problem) we confirmed that in the event he relapses before he can attend the January session of that school, we would agree to pay out of pocket and return him to his current residential program - for as many months as we need to.

This decision wasn't made lightly - it will involve cashing in a chunk of retirement savings to make it happen. It will be for a period of months rather than days. But having said that - having acknowledged to him that we are not willing to return to the environment we've been living in - where he manipulates and lies and bullies us into getting what he wants, when he wants it - he knows. He realizes that this time of having him away has solidified us into a united front that will protect our serenity at his expense. It isn't that we don't love him - or that we're looking for a reason to ship him out - but if he creates that reason, as he has for close to a year - then we won't hesitate to let our self-protection mode kick in full force and we'll make our peaceful home our highest priority. And he won't be in it. Money isn't everything. Good thing I enjoy what I do for a living 'cuz if this plan plays out, I will be working into my 70's to help offset the hit our retirement savings will take. Oh well. It's only money.

From the time H. was a little guy - an infant - he was easily overwhelmed. I remember many times when the he just melted down - and was inconsolable and hysterical for long stretches of time. The first time I remember was on a road trip - he was probably less than six months old. We had stopped to eat at a restaurant and were inside. And H. just 'hit a wall' - he had had enough - enough car seat. Enough 'sitting'. He was tired - but hadn't slept. He could not shut down and sleep. And he screamed and screamed and screamed. Thankfully, by this point in his babyhood, I knew him. I knew that he was exhausted and needed help to 'shut down'. I knew that he would literally scream for a very long time and there wasn't anything I could do about it - he would not eat; would not calm being held. So I walked with him outside and walked around with him -while he screamed. We walked and walked and walked - and finally, he just exhausted himself crying and he went to sleep.

This scenario happened over and over in his babyhood/toddler hood. We learned to 'see it coming' a bit - but there was never much we could do. Just know that we would help him as best we could - and let him work it out. Usually by crying. A lot.

I think this overwhelmed-ness has continued into his current teenage years - and he's learned to self soothe by just tamping down all those raw emotions. He just shuts down and buries it all - and when he can't cope anymore, he's been reaching for something that helps him feel 'better'. Or feel 'good'. And we didn't notice. We didn't realize that he was burying all this 'stuff' - just normal teenage stuff - with a substance. Sure, we saw his grades were abysmal. And we saw (and uncovered) what was happening in December. And then we believed him when he said he had stopped. And he lied. He hadn't. In fact, he'd been using more and more and more - an 'insane amount' (his words).

Our challenge with him now is to get him to 'talk' about all that stuff instead of tamping it down. It seems pretty simple and 'easy'. But he still goes for the 'easy' approach - he says nothing. Except, at least yesterday, you can see the tears streaming down his cheeks as he muddles through emotions he's afraid to talk about. At least there are tears now - so we can see something isn't right and try our hardest to help him speak about what he's feeling. That's really hard for a teenager - and especially hard for a boy. It's a skill he is having to learn -

The counselor asked both H. and I what we could have done differently in the phone conversation we had to have helped H. avoid the meltdown he had. And I had one simple question for H. : did you tell me that you were upset about how I didn't want to talk any further on the phone about what the IOP plan was? And his answer was: 'no, I didn't'. And that's the crux for me: if personal responsibility is what he needs to learn, then he has to also learn it regarding getting what he needs. On the phone, I couldn't see his distress. I couldn't see the mounting tears in his eyes. And I acknowledged that I really didn't want to get into that conversation with him - because I knew that he was still lobbying strongly for 'once a week' and the reality was confirmed at '3 times per week'. And I didn't want to get into that with him 'alone' - without his counselor and J. there to assist. I told H. 'because our past pattern of communicating has made me cautious about going there with you - about talking to you about something that is the exact opposite of what you have decided YOU want. Those conversations rarely end well - they usually end with me feeling manipulated and bullied and you ending up getting what you want - even when I know it's not the 'right' thing for you. I just get too tired of the constant negotiations to keep going there'.

We left the counselors office and had an hour class (parents only) of just how kids are wired to think that literally everything in their lives is a 'now' decision/need. It's all 'now' for them. They don't see the 'future' as anything tangible - so they can't grasp that some things - most things, really - are not 'now' kinds of things. 'Now' things are things that involve immediate danger. Like 'there's a fire in the building and we have to get everyone out NOW'. Kids get totally wrapped in the 'now-ness' of virtually everything. They need a particular hair gel NOW and we have to get it for them NOW or their lives will be ruined FOREVER - NOW. They operate in that mode constantly - and it takes a lot of parental effort to learn how to circumvent that particular skill they have at making everything seem a 'NOW'. When it's rarely every truly a NOW. We have a lot to learn about that....about holding our ground. About agreeing to terminate a conversation and wait it out - not make hasty responses because the hasty response is easier.

After the class, we visited with H. for two hours....and we tried to work through some of the 'agreements' we need to have in place for his return home. And one of the primary issues stems around the frequency of the visits to the girlfriend. I said 'twice a week at her house' - but she can come over to our house whenever she'd like as often as she'd like. And that 'decision' created an immediate, strong reaction from H. - that twice a week is not 'enough' and why would we make it a finite number and ....on and on and on. And once again, I was immediately 'back' to where we were six months ago - where he lobbied in much the same way and just as strongly for time with his 'best friend' - the same friend it turns out he was using with 'an insane amount' virtually every time he went over there. I asked H. 'so what were you thinking in terms of frequency'. And he said 'well, maybe two or three'. So I said the obvious: 'so I'm saying two - and you say two or three - why are you so upset about the difference of one. I just don't get it, H.'. And he then proceeds to manipulate (my opinion): 'it's just that I'm going to be doing so many new things - meetings and IOP and new school - and I want to be able to see her when I can wedge in seeing her - and not have to decline an invitation to visit her house because my 'twice per week' is done for the week'.

And that's the crux of the issue: he wants what he wants, when he wants it. And I am sick and tired of the constant negotiations and manipulation.

So how we left it this: I won't place a limit on the frequency. It can be whatever it may be - but with this one caveat. Sometimes, we will just say 'no'. And that's our prerogative as parents - we can say 'no' because we choose to say 'no' and we are not required to give a reason. If he wants no 'limit', then we have the right to parental 'no's' and he is not to give us any grief about those 'no's'. He complained about them the first couple weeks he was in rehab - how we just say 'no' with no reason given - and our response then (and now) is: we are your parents and sometimes, we will say 'no'. Period. End of discussion.

He agreed. If you call agreeing begrudgingly realizing that he was 'screwed' either way.

So he feels unsettled. And I feel unsettled.

And he is now ocean kayaking for an overnight stay on a boat in the bay area somewhere and we won't talk to him again until tomorrow evening. They are on 'summer break' the past few weeks - and he's been able to do some pretty fun things (fun being a relative term when you are in a rehab facility). They've gone to Great America, to Travis Air Force Base, to an observatory, to the movies a couple times, swimming. They try to take the boys on an 'adventure' every few days and it's been nice for H. to be there during this time....if he has to be confined, at least he's not sitting in a classroom for hours (though Lord knows that wouldn't hurt him a bit).

H. will be home this time next week. I will be leaving for Vegas a week from today. I'm going to agree to let H. and J. work out whatever needs to be worked out that first week - with the caveat that whatever happens that first week may not be what happens when I'm back. I agree to not interfere with what's decided when I'm not home to partake in the decision process - but once I'm back, my 'voice' is back so we will re-discuss what needs to happen, day by day.

H. said they say a lot 'just for today'. Trying to remind themselves that it's just one day to negotiate - one day at a time. So we're going to work hard at looking at things as 'just for today'. Decisions are not 'forever'. They can change and merge and fluctuate - and any decision made is 'just for today'. Just for this day - this moment. They are not 'forever' things. If he's not able to visit his girlfriend today, it's 'just for today'. Tomorrow is a different day - a new day. And we'll take that day when it gets here.

That's the only NOW we will deal with - just for today.

Today is sunny and warm and my hubby and I are determined to jump in the pool at some point today.

Black Screen

My laptop is dead. As in doornail dead. Blue screen of death....followed oh so instantly by the black screen of nothingness. I rushed it straight to the computer repair guy and pretty much begged him to at least do everything humanly possible to recover my Microsoft Money file off the dead hard drive. Praying he can do more than that....and will pay whatever it takes.

I'm on J.'s computer - which is a desk top computer. I'm not used to this keyboard - the word 'used' was initially typed as 'sued' and then I realized my fingers weren't tapping correctly and fixed it. It's going to be a few days full of typos, friends.

I've been saying for months that I need one computer for the games I play and another for 'business' - Internet, banking, etc. I may get my wish....

I feel unhinged without that laptop....maybe I have a 'dependency' problem of my own to deal with.

I finally went to see Sex and the City 2 yesterday and while I didn't love it as much as the first movie, it was OK. The reviews are accurate: the story line is weak (non-existent sort of) but then again, it is really about the 'continuation' of the story of the girls and their lives and that in itself IS the story....so it was OK. A little bit 'odd' in the whole 'Middle East' venue - but it made for some interesting moments. Glad I went alone. B. actually said that if he hadn't been working yesterday, he would have accompanied me - and I think there were a lot of scenes that would have been hugely uncomfortable to be watching on the big screen with my teenage son in the seat next to me. So glad I went solo.

We are heading out to see H. soon - our counselor just called and he had a 1PM cancellation - so now we can be there an hour earlier and spend an hour talking through 'the plan' for H.'s discharge next week. There's a lot to discuss.....

My corner of the office looks naked without my silver laptop on the desk. I'm heading back over there now to continue to massive re-org I've been working on for several days. I've done a ton of shredding, a ton of recycling and massive filing, etc. It's improving....slowly. Paper is my nemesis.

Smart Meter

Since I am/was home alone - B. arrived home around noon after camping with friends for a few days - I had to bring the yard waste and trash bins up and back into the side yard. They didn't pick up the yard clippings bin 'cuz someone (who will remain nameless but is in North Carolina right now - it was either him or the gardener) put a plastic bag (from compost or mulch or something) in the waste bin with the clippings. Since yard waste goes out to the bio fuel plant to be mulched to bits and sold as yard mulch (or burned for energy), they won't empty a bin that has plastic in it. That's my theory. Either that, or it's another budget reduction the city has implemented to cut down on expenses. It's possible......

OK - back to my point - as I was bringing the bins up to the side yard, I passed our PG&E meters and noticed we finally have the new 'smart meter' for electricity. We received a notice quite awhile ago and noticed the gas meter was replaced with the 'digital' smart meter - but not the electric meter. It's finally here. I just looked at last month's bill and it was swapped out the first of May - but as reported here, this past month or two has been a whirlwind and I didn't notice the new meter until today.

The great thing about it is: it's very easy to read. I know exactly how much power we're 'drawing' at any moment. I know what our meter reading was last month and what it is today - so I was just able to roughly sketch out what our expenses will be. The meter will be 'read' (via the Internet, I think - no more 'meter readers') in a few days - so I sort of have an idea how we're doing.

A friend went through a divorce recently - and she shared how she and her kids cut their electric bill by about $100 per month just by unplugging things that weren't being used. Even when something isn't 'on', it' s still drawing power. So along that line of thinking, I've been unplugging the espresso machine and the milk frother after I use them. Unplugging things in H.'s room while he's away. Unplugging other little things that we aren't using. Not sure it's helping - but I can literally plug them in, go look, unplug them, go look and know exactly how much extra power we're using to keep things plugged in we don't need to have plugged in all day, everyday.

There's been a fair amount of controversy about the smart meters. Many people claim their power bills have absolutely sky-rocketed since the new meters have been installed. My theory is that for older homes, that's probably true - it's not a defective new meter. It was an older defective meter that was not measuring usage correctly. Now that the older home is updated with a new meter, the power usage is being measured more accurately - which is why PG&E did it. Not only are they saving the costs of the 'meter readers' they don't need anymore, they are also more accurately measuring the usage of thousands and thousands of homes who haven't been metered correctly in a long time.

I was nervous about the new meter - but I just did a rough estimate of our bill this month and it's what I would expect. We haven't run the A/C all that much - mainly at night for a few hours when we first go to bed - but we have been using the ceiling fans and floor fans more. So it's higher than last month but still well within the 'low' range of a summer power bill. I suspect we're going to have a freakishly hot September/October since May and June have been so incredibly 'mild'.

It's back down to 80 degrees outside - a nice breeze (really close to gale force wind) just kicked up so it's cooling off even more - YEAH!

And I'll be getting a lot of exercise running back and forth to the meter to calculate 'usage' of A/C, etc.

Next, I'll master the gas meter and figure out how much it costs to run the (gas) dryer. I see a clothes line in our future! We really WILL be the greenest house on the block - recycles everything possible; composts; two hybrid cars AND a mom obsessed with learning to read her own power meters!