Patrick

Today’s Resolution: Beat the Heat; Conquer the Cold

Regardless of where you are geographically, the thermostat can exercise its control over us whether you live in a warm, cold, or temperate climate. Turning the air conditioning up (or the heat down in cooler months) even just a degree can help in decreasing monthly costs for energy.

Have a finished basement? This can serve as refuge from the heat. In many cases, basements are naturally cooler and no air conditioning is needed. Other things you can do to conserve energy: check windows to be sure they are completely closed when using the air conditioning or heat, close shades and curtains in unused rooms, and dress comfortably. It doesn’t cost anything to strip down to a t-shirt and shorts or to throw a blanket around you.

Today’s Resolution: Make Friends With Your Neighbors

Knowing the people that live around you can be very helpful in emergency situations. It’s also great way to meet new friends. Today, strike up a conversation with your neighbor. Amanda & I have been weathering Tropical Storm Debby for the past couple of days. We’ve made friends with our neighbors which has been helpful since we are new to the Florida area.

Today’s Resolution: Make a Go Bag

Having an emergency go bag is really handy thing to when you know what hits the fan. Today, make an all purpose emergency bag that you keep in a handy place. Amanda and I got caught in Tropical Storm Debby. Luckily we didn’t need to evacuate but we learned the importance of having a go bag.

You can create your own go bag, 72hours.org provides a helpful list of items for your go bag. Or you can purchase a prepackage one, like this 4 PersonGrab `N Go Deluxe Backpack. (aff. link)

Today’s Resolution: Donate to Nature

There are nature preserves, wildlife parks, state parks and national parks everywhere. Today, take the time to donate some money, or the cost of an admission ticket to a fun day. Amanda & I have been living in Homosassa Florida for the past couple of months and down the street from us is a manatee habitat. We’ve already visited, but we also plan on donating some dough to the nice folks who take care of the rehabbed animals in the park too. We encourage you to do the same at your local park, preservation or audubon society.

Today’s Resolution: Lay In The Park

Laying in the park, on a hill of cool grass, may be one of the most relaxing things you can do. In the northeast where we’re from, there are only a few months out of the year that you can actually do it. Today we have guests in town, but we hope to find a park we can lounge around in, even if the word “park” is a stretch of the imagination.  I hope the weather is in your favor today so you can do the same.

Today’s Resolution: Clean That Thing

Napa, our dog, has been on a paper plate binge. I don’t know where he finds them all the time, but every five minutes, there seems to be a new one on the floor, ripped up and tossed around. Today I’m going to clean this one room, his paper plate den, where plates keep exploding.

As for you, well, surely there’s something you’ve been meaning to clean!

Today’s Resolution: Help Someone Find a Job

We all know somebody that is looking for a job. Today, help a friend in their  job hunt. Contact colleagues at other companies and inquire about job openings. Search through job listings, or even connect them with a LinkedIn contact. You can make a huge difference in someone’s life by helping them find a job.

Today’s Resolution: Read the Newspaper

Today you’re going to give print a chance. Pick up the newspaper and read till your heart is content. We plan on picking up the New York Times. The truth is, I’ve never read the Times paper but I’ve enjoyed their articles online. What paper did/will you buy?

Today’s Resolution: Plan a Picnic

Picnics are one of those things that you just never plan enough of. Today, Amanda and I are planning a picnic out on the boat. I’m sure we’ll find a great place to drop anchor and nom. Thankfully Napa will have two lifeguards keeping a watchful eye on him, unlike last time when he jumped off the boat like a maniac.

Todays Resolution: Bury Treasure

Today, leave treasure where somebody will find it. It could be a stack of quarters, a gift card, or little trinkets. Sometimes I like to do this and hope that whatever I’ve left will make someone’s day. Leave clues to where you hide your treasures in the comments.