Thursday, February 28, 2013

Okay, back for real this time!

Okay everyone, sorry about dropping off of the map like that, but we have a really good excuse.

It's called the stomach flu.

Whatever bug we caught swept through this house like a bug on a mission. Within three days we were all down with it, and it took a good few days for us to wipe it out. Believe me, it was trying its best to wipe us out!

Just as an FYI, any projects that we have going on at the time of sickness usually, if not totally, become suspended for reasons of health and safety. For example, though we meant to start our energy-saving project about 10 days ago, due to the flu issues it was thought wise to suspend it, both for our own sanity and the fact that the washer, dryer, and dishwasher worked triple overtime!

Therefore, the energy-saving project will have to wait until the next billing cycle, so look for it to start along about March 17th or 18th. In the meantime, our recycling project gets underway tomorrow, plus there will be little projects along the way to keep our curiosity active, alive, and well.

Remember, we have only one lifetime...but there are so many projects that can be done!

Friday, February 15, 2013

We're Baaaaaaack!

And we're back to kick off another year of family projects!

Suffice to say, 2012 was not all that memorable, at least not in the blogging universe of things.

We did have our family garden, but due to a lack of time and energy, not much was harvested from it, although some zucchinis deserved an honorable mention in July for becoming large enough to scare the neighbors...

My husband partnered with a family friend and learned the ins and outs of beekeeping, coming home with minimal stings (only three times out of the year!) and ten quarts of honey at the end of it...

But, other than that, we did not decide to do any family projects. It wasn't something that we meant to do, but the year just slipped past before we could do anything about it.

Things are about to change in 2013 - the family projects have been decided! We will be trying new things, and revisiting family favorites to give them another go.

A brief synopsis of the two new family projects for 2013 are:

1. Beekeeping: Scoutmaster Chris thoroughly enjoyed his experience beekeeping last year, and thus we have decided to make this a family project this year. We will have one hive. The bees have already been ordered and will be delivered in May. The guidelines and details on this family project will be coming soon!
Start Date: February 2, 2013
Run Time: Year-long

2. Recycling: Yes, I know, we should be doing this one already. Obviously, we have not been. Considering as we are concerned about the environmental issues that plague our lives and times,  though far from being what I consider "eco-actvists" (none of us is in shape or really interested in waving signs), it's almost surprising that we have not been recycling all along. However, we will make a go of it for this year. Guidelines and details, like the project above, will be forthcoming soon!
Start Date: March 1
Run Time: Year-long

We will also revisit our original family project of energy saving. Back to it and better then before, new guidelines have been fleshed out at family meetings and decided upon.
Start Date: February 18, 2013
Run Time: One billing cycle (28-32 days), possibly longer

So there you have it, folks! The 2013 Family Projects (at least the longest-running and decided upon ones) have been announced!

More projects will, of course, take place out of the course of the year, whether out of personal curiosity, desire to change, or just to see what happens. Remember, we've only got one lifetime, but there are so many projects that can be done!

Thanks for reading, everyone!