Energy Conservation Experiment

Wind Powered Electricity

I've decided to track our electric usage month by month and to see just how much each change we make affects our kWh usage and thus our bill and ~hopefully~ a small impact on the earth.

I went to our local electric provider web site where our usage is stored. We used 648 kWh in July. According to the site, our yearly electric bill is $817. The average American yearly electric bill runs $1456. We are WAY down on the energy usage thermometer. 

Yet, I am convinced we can do better.  

So, I'm off on an electricity experiment. The only way to really determine how changes affect our usage is to change only one thing at a time. I aim to make a new change every month and note how it affects (or doesn't affect) our bill.

So this month we are breaking the dryer habit. Our dryer is very old. I'm sure it doesn't meet the Energy Star ratings. For the next month we're going to hang out our laundry as much as possible to see how much it changes our electric bill.

Other months I plan to look into changing our lighting to CFC, looking into the phantom load (electricity that is used even when an appliance isn't in use), the possibility of solar power for some of our electronics, and the radical idea of getting rid of some of our electric appliances.

Another area that I want to really research is water use. We overuse water to such an extent that I think it might actually be a sin. The sin being our arrogance that we have an overabundance of water and that we have no responsibility to conserve. More on that in another post.

Continuing Conviction

My re-useable grocery bags hanging out to dry on the new clothes line

For quite a long time I've been trying to live more intentionally. Attempting to consider the energy we use, the food we eat, the clothes we buy and where it all comes from. I have to admit that I'm not the best at being consistent in my conviction. For instance, I have a large stash of up-cycled rags made from old flannel sheets and unused t-shirts. They work just as well as a paper towel most of the time. We had been using them in just such a way for quite a while. Then, somehow, paper towels crept back into our lives. 

I think it comes down to convenience (and gross cat puke, to be honest). It is not very fun to wash out the rags when you've had to clean up something disgusting. So much easier to throw the grossness away. 

So you can easily see how we are accustomed to living a certain way and it takes radical change to live another way. The change must certainly come from within myself. No one is forcing me to buy paper towels or use plastic wrap. While there are some things that are beyond my control (the fact that my job is 30 minutes away and thus, not bike-able for instance) the greatest part of my life is up to me. So I'm going to work on some changes. Some, like the $20 wash line I set up through the garden last night are pretty easy. What is difficult is that I will now have to change the way I do laundry. I will have to take note of the weather report, wash only one load at a time and hang the laundry out before I go to work in the morning. This shouldn't be difficult since I was raised by a mother who gave me the best example of this. After 50 years, she still has her original dryer because she rarely uses it. But, it's a change for us. Here are some more changes that I'm considering:

• Finding a way to eliminate (mostly) throw away packaging: plastic wrap, tin foil, wax paper, ziplock baggies (Oh, how I love those baggies!)
• Remembering to ALWAYS use my reuseable bags instead of the plastic ones freely given at the grocery store.
• Asking if our coffee roaster will fill my cloth bags before they bag the coffee into paper. I'm also interested in determining if I can buy the coffee in bulk and share it out with others interested in fair-trade, organic coffee in refillable bags.
• Finding a source for fabric made without unjust labor practices.
• Lowering our energy use. I wonder how much we have plugged in that can be unplugged (I say as I type on my electricity dependent computer).
• Making fewer trips in the car. Biking when possible and being more intentional about errands.

The wash line runs through my garden. It isn't perfect but it works for now.

These feel like big steps but I know if I can start by making baby steps, eventually what feels radical will become normal. I know that this is true because of things we've already done: I haven't bought laundry detergent in over 2 years because we make our own. We have eaten from the bounty of our backyard all spring and summer, we moved from a 2500 sq. foot home with a garage to a 1000 square foot home with a shed and have loved every minute.

There are so many reasons to change our habits. I think often of those less fortunate than we who have no choices about what to eat or wear or where to send their children to school. I hope that by being more intentional in our habits we may have increased time and income to help others.

Accept him just as he is.

Beautiful.

When Nathan was young and we were still reeling from the "autism" diagnosis, I took solace from parents whose children were older than mine and who "had been there before." I talked with everyone I could, read more books than are healthy, and joined a support group for parents of children with Asperger's Syndrome. 

After I came to a feeling of "acceptance" I felt strongly that I should share our story with others. I have always been open about Nathan's diagnosis, my struggle to accept it and my religious experience surrounding autism.

"Religious experience?" 

Yup. 

Sometimes God talks to me. 

I can't make you believe it, and it certainly doesn't make me extra holy, or better than anyone else. I've just had extra reason to plead with our Lord and He's been gracious enough to answer me.

My life has been changed irrevocably by having a child diagnosed with Autism. If I could have given you a map of my life when I was 20, it would have not included any instance of the struggle that we have had over the last 16 years.

When our psychologist (we love you, Mr. Mike!) told us that Nathan had a disorder called autism and that it would be life long ( he was 3 at the time - a long life ahead of him, and us), I was unable to really process the information. I remember thinking, "he'll be ok by Christmas." Well, he wasn't. 

At three and four, Nathan couldn't tell us what he ate for snack at preschool or even understand that the ball he wanted was in his bedroom. It made me rethink everything I thought I knew about the way children learn language. It would take me paragraphs and paragraphs to explain what I'm talking about. Trust Me.

One night, I was sitting on the rocking chair in my sons' (I have two- 20 months apart) room. Nathan was about 3 1/2 and Nolan was 2. They were sleeping in their bunk beds (the 2 year old Nolan on top) and I prayed fervently for Nathan. Clear as a bell, God said to me, "Accept him as he is." 

I think I must have jumped out of my skin at the words. 

Twelve years later I have never forgotten those Holy words. I must put aside the thoughts and dreams for the young man I think I have created and remember that the Lord has much bigger, much greater plans for Nathan than I could ever have comprehended.

Nathan is so beautiful: In body, in spirit, in soul. 

I can't begin to tell all of you how proud I am of his hard work, of his compassion toward others, of his thoughtfulness toward those less fortunate than him. 

Yes.

He thinks of those who have less than he does. Even though he knows he has a disability and it troubles him. 

So, a little while ago a father of a young child with Autism asked me:

"Any tips that you would have for parents who are relatively new to this? Have anything that you would want for an autistic child's parents to know?"

I knew that a one sentence answer would not suffice. I knew that I must tell that father, and all of those who loved someone with autism the truth that the FATHER had given to me so many years ago: "Love him just as he is." I have made him perfect.

I hope that this helps you. 

Whoever you are. And whoever you Love.

That child, that adult was made PERFECT in the Father's love.

Just as Nathan was made perfect and has taught me perfection beyond what I could have learned on my own.

Thank  You.

Six Weeks

Yes, folks, it's been six weeks since my last blog post. It may be a record for me. I have one week left of my summer intensive Montessori classes. Needless to say I'm ready to be finished. I've been driving about 3 hours every day for the last 6 weeks and it has been tiring! 


I have learned a lot and I continue to wonder how all of this learning will impact my life in the years to come.


I just can't think about it right now.


I've been pondering something much, much more simplistic and materialistic: what to wear for my niece's wedding on Saturday.


It doesn't help that Mike and I have been watching Mad Men for the last couple of weeks. Oh, to be able to dress like Joan! Every time she is on screen I try to figure out how that costume designer made her dresses to be so form fitting! It isn't easy on a curvaceous body like hers. It is so beautiful. 


So I discovered for sure (I've always suspected) that I have a pear shaped body. I'd prefer the hourglass if I had to pick but I didn't get to choose so now I must remember that I just can't wear all those clothes that the models tend to wear. 


So I've been looking at patterns. I haven't sewn anything for 6 weeks. That's hard for me. I'm ready. I just don't have a lot of time. So I'm googling patterns and stopping at Joanne Fabric and looking through my stash.


What to wear????

Quilt Unveiled....finally

The quilt measures about 72x60 inches

A close up of the leaf appliqué block.

The organic line quilting.

The shirting backing reminded me of our sleeping bags growing up. 

I am finally able to show you this quilt. I made it for my niece, Allison, and her finance, Jason, who are getting married in August. The bridal shower is today. This quilt took me many, many hours and much thought. I like all of my quilts to say something about the receiver. In this case, Allison and Jason. Both are outdoor people. They will be camping in the jungle for part of their honeymoon! So I decided on an earthy quilt for them to snuggle under on those cold nights and to picnic on top of during the summer. 


The leaf blocks were taken from a quilting book by Elizabeth Hartman called The Practical Guide to Patchwork. In the book the instructions say to iron-on the leaves and then machine appliqué over them. I just can't reconcile iron-on appliqué and soft quilty love for some reason. So....I spent many, many, many hours hand appliquéing the leaves onto the blocks. 


After making quite a few blocks, I decided it needed something more than the quilt in the book had, so I added the patchwork blocks. I wanted the quilt to be large enough for a picnic and for two to snuggle under on cold winter nights. I chose to use batik fabrics for two reasons. The first is practical: they don't fray so much when hand appliquéing. The second is that both Allison and Jason spent time overseas during college. They both have a love of all things international. Allison also likes purple. I find this color challenging when looking at fabric to be used by men and women. Batiks solved this dilemma. I guess that's really THREE reasons.


I always wait to choose my backing fabric until the top is finished. In this case I found this fabric that just screamed 'sleeping bag' to me. At first I was skeptical that it would work for this quilt but the more I thought about it, the more perfect it seemed. What says 'outdoors' more than sleeping bags?


Finally, the quilting. I pondered this for a long time, too. I bet most people don't realize how much thought goes into a quilt! I love the organic line quilting because it reminds me of the journey of each persons life. Married couples embark on very special journeys that take them places they never imagined. I prayed for Allison and Jason while quilting. I prayed that their journey will be one of fruitful living. I know they both have a passion for Our Lord and I pray that they use that passion for His Glory. I know they will. 
  

Quehanna Quilt

Quilt for Quehanna 

Can you see the flowing water of the river?

The river rocks are between the water.

Close up of the river rocks. A quilting first for me.

Close up of the quilting.

My good friend, Kedren, asked if I would make a quilt for her friend Eli's baby Quehanna. He was named after the river by which his parents met. I have this terrible need to ponder the lives of the children for whom I am quilting. I felt a little bit of story needed to be told in the quilt about Quehanna's name. It was so interesting, after all.


I found this quilt and modeled Quehanna's quilt after it. I messed up on the outer quilting. I quilted the sky on the land side and the land on the sky side. Oh my. Well, I had a lot to think about this week. It was loads of fun to think about the story of Quehanna's parents. I think I met his mother only once or twice so I hope she will enjoy this quilt. More so, I hope she uses it to tell Quehanna his story. All of our children have a story, in fact, all of us have a story. We need to tell our stories to remember them. 


I hope and pray this quilt helps Quehanna learn his. And it's machine washable and dryer friendly in the bargain!

First Week of June

I don't know how much I'll be blogging this summer. This is my last week at home before my classes start. I'll be traveling for 7 weeks (34 days in all) three hours in the car each day. Driving makes me exhausted but I'm praying for the grace to soak up everything Montessori and also have the energy to give to my family. I'm planning to go off the grid to the rest of the world for those 7 weeks. I sort of feel like the caterpillar at the end of the chrysalis stage. Did you ever see how the chrysalis will shake if it is bothered? I think I'll be like that. Only the important things, only those that have the power to build me up before I emerge will be allowed. 


I will most likely continue with some photos on the blog so that I have a visual record of the summer and the garden. I harvested all our potatoes yesterday. It was the most fun ever. I love digging my hands in the dirt. They are delicious (the potatoes, not my hands!). I made myself a little potato soup for one last night. We had our annual Parish Picnic yesterday and I took the above plate along. Zucchini, carrots and breakfast radishes. The radishes grew crazy fast and I planted too many. Radishes anyone?


I have just a few ends to tie up this week including acclimating the boys to their housecleaning chores for the summer and finishing one last quilt. I have the sewing room cleaned up for the most part but promised a quilt to a dear friend for a dear friend of hers who just had a little boy. I'm excited about this one and will certainly show it when it is finished. 


The last photo I took from inside the house looking out the window. Nathan and our neighborhood cat, Finn, were enjoying each other's company the other day and it was just so sweet. I think Finn may be one of the best things about our neighborhood!


Happy Monday everyone!