Author Archives: Sandy

More oil drilling, the answer?

Posted on August 12, 2008 by Sandy

I’ve been irritated by Obama’s softening on oil drilling. Here’s a great video that explains my irritation way better than I could. Plus it’s funny. Enjoy. Sandy

Posted in Oil drilling, Transportation | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Go to the light…

Posted on August 11, 2008 by Sandy

As alluded to previously, one of the things we’re doing is trying to increase efficiency given the existing infrastructure of the house.  To wit:  we’re replacing the majority of incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs.  Now, personally, I’ve never … Continue reading →

Posted in Electricity usage | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Laundry day, our worst electricity usage day of the week

Posted on August 11, 2008 by Sandy

I have to say, the Puget Sound Energy site is quite good.  I’m able to get way more information about my electricity and gas usage than I ever knew I could.  If you look at your bill details online, you can break your usage … Continue reading →

Posted in Electricity usage | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments

A bad case of shingles

Posted on August 9, 2008 by Sandy

This will be the second roof I’ve replaced in my lifetime of homeownership (the first was a composition to composition replacement at our old house…even with ruling out cedar shakes, the choices now are a bit more plentiful: slate, fiber-reinforced concrete shake, green/living, composition, and standing seam metal. Continue reading →

Posted in Green Building, Water collection | Tagged , , , | 5 Comments

It’s do or die time and a rhododendron’s life hangs in the balance

Posted on August 9, 2008 by Sandy

We’re slogging through the dryest time of the year in the Pacific Northwest.  Of course, I’m sure posting something about our dry spell will lead to an immediate downpour.  But right now it is dry and I’m starting to see which … Continue reading →

Posted in Gardening, Water collection | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Why I am saying No to the Prius

Posted on August 7, 2008 by Sandy

I know I have some bad preferences.  I’ve already explained my issue with the thermostat and my preference for 72 degrees.  Next on my list:  I love my Volvo V70 and won’t trade it for a Prius.  On the freeway, … Continue reading →

Posted in Transportation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 12 Comments

It ain’t easy being green

Posted on August 5, 2008 by Sandy

I’ve already acknowledged my energy illiteracy. I’ve also acknowledged that I have much to learn about modern homesteading. This means that decisions that we used to be able to make quickly now require becoming more informed, and this takes time. … Continue reading →

Posted in Carbon, General, Homesteading, Solar, Water collection | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

I finally know what I want to be when I grow up

Posted on August 2, 2008 by Sandy

No longer having aspirations of fame and riches (well, I never really aspired to these things) and also having given up on becoming the great American novelist, a world-respected academic, or an Olympic gymnast, I’ve set my sights on a … Continue reading →

Posted in Gardening, Homesteading | Tagged , , , , , , , | 11 Comments

I can’t help it, I love setting the thermostat to 72

Posted on July 28, 2008 by Sandy

I have a bad habit that has to change next cold weather season. I don’t like being cold. I grew up in a house that only had wood heat and I love, love, love central forced air heating systems. I … Continue reading →

Posted in Natural gas usage | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Sure, I’ll pay more! Green energy programs

Posted on July 24, 2008 by Sandy

After discovering that we used 880 KWHs in June, I decided to learn more about how these 880 KWHs of electricty were created.  I went to my friendly local utility Web site, Puget Sound Energy, and found quite a bit … Continue reading →

Posted in Electricity usage | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment