But more than the geographic diversity, I love the age and place in life diversity. In real life, I'm mostly friends with women I've met through my kids. Therefore, they tend to be my age plus or minus 10 years, and they are mostly going through the same struggles and wonders I am. On here, I am friends with young women barely in their 20s, women in their 60s and all ages in between. I have childless friends on here, some with much larger families than me, lots that have multiple adopted or fostered kids. Some women are newly married, some still looking for that special person, some are lesbians, some have been married for what feels like forever, some are on spouse number whatever, and some are divorced. I am blessed to have quite a few male friends as well as friends on here of every religion and non-religion I can imagine.
It's great.When I have a problem or need advice, somebody I'm friends with through blogging can give it to me. And sometimes they even ask me for advice.
So, back in the winter when my BFTINM (best friend of that I've never met) Heather, from The Extraordinary Ordinary, emailed me to tell me that her Minnesota winter (which lasts approximately three years) was beginning to get on her nerves just the teensiest bit, I gladly gave her a few tips that helped me when my kids were very young. Mostly, I told her I had to get those kids and leave the house every day. Didn't matter where or for how long - we just all needed to see something outside these four walls and maybe some other faces for a few minutes a day. Happily, she says this little trick has helped her with her absolutely adorable boys, Miles and Asher. Oh how I wish I had a young daughter to marry off to one of her sons. But, I digress.
She wrote about this being outside business again the other day. This reminded me that one time one of my neighbors actually called my house and asked me how I got my kids to play outside. Those of you who know me at all will not be surprised that I told her quite sarcastically that I just didn't lock the doors. And while that is true, it isn't the whole story.
I really have tried to make my house flow into the outdoors - even at the risk of loss of some creature comforts, especially for the adults in the house. Fair trade-off for sanity, if you ask me. Here's what I do.I rarely turn on the air conditioner. And yes, I live in the south. Now, not the deep south. You southern Alabama, Mississippi and Georgia people have my sympathy. I'm not sure what I'd do there. But, unless the outside temperature is well into the 90s, my doors and windows are open. It is much easier for a child, or an adult, to venture outside if their body isn't trying to acclimate to a 20 degree temperature change with each step. Yes, we sweat a little. I like to think of it as my work out without actually having to raise my heart rate. I'll let you know how that pays off for me as I age.
It's almost like we live in a tent with better walls. The cats have learned how to open the screen porch doors and they wander in and out as well. And once a family of raccoons walked right through the screen porch while we were sitting four feet away in the kitchen eating dinner. I wasn't pleased with that but you have to take the good with the bad.
We spend our days listening to birds sing, crickets chirp, and cicadas doing their incredible vocalizations. Sometimes we hear lawn mowers and weed eaters. And when my kids are outside, I hear laughter and shouting.
That makes up for sweat any day.
Posts
118 comments:
What a great post, on so many levels! Love the photos....really love your map! I'm a map geek. Not the only reason I'm here this morning though....please stop by today and see the little notation I have for you, my friend.
My sentiments exactly! I go nutty in the house all day, but a few hours by the creek or in the yard seem to smooth out all the kinks.
Great post! I've taken on the "shut off the a/c" approach this summer as well. It could be b/c Ohio is oddly cool this year, though. :\ I couldn't even let the boys play in their brand new sprinkler yesterday b/c the chill from the coming rain was a bit too much! YIKES!
All great ideas!!
You bet it does! I can't keep my kids indoors, which is fine by me!
I am constantly schlepping my kids all over the place and often a couple extras, too. People think I'm either amazing or insane when I tell them I've taken 6 kids to the zoo for the day. I tell them I'd be insane if I stayed cooped up with them in the house all day! Being out and about is WAY easier and more fun than listening to whining and bickering at home all day!
It's STILL great advice. We've only turned on the AC once this year (because it's been FREAKISHLY cold this year - high of 68 yesterday!) but it's the BUGS that get us. BBJ loves to play with screen doors - open, shut, open, shut, open, shut...repeat. The problem is, she's also TERRIFIED OF BUGS and requires that each and every one be smooshed.
Not sure who taught her that one. ;-)
I, too, really dig the diversity among my bloggy friends.
I am turning the AC off right now. We'll see how it goes. Such a good idea on so many levels... (and maybe if the basement is the only place that's cool, I'll actually get down there and clean it out a little...)
It's terrible to work in a freezing office where I have to wear a jacket, then go outside into my HOT car, finally cooling it to bearable as I pull into the driveway. I like your idea. We are trying to keep our house temp set way up there this summer.
Excellent post!!
It has finally dipped below 100 here (seriously, after 2 straight weeks), so I have the kids out every morning to burn off some steam - a rarity in a north Texas July.
It should be back to 100 by Sunday. Yippee. Skipee.
No A/C? Lucky duck!
I love online friends too!!!
My mind jumps to conclusions so fast - when I read about your advice to your friend I thought you meant that maybe she didn't have kids so at least she could stay indoors and sleep late during the winter because she didn't have to take them to school :D
I too enjoy the similarities and differences of those I meet thru blogs. The photo of those raccoon faces cracks me up.
That the best thing that I enjoy about being online is connecting with people from all different backgrounds. And having the chance to get help/support/advice when you need it. It's a real lifeline.
My son, H loves outside. He'd stay and play outside 24/7 if I let him. My son, The Boy? I have to FORCE him to go outside. Yep...have to actually tell him "you must spend X amount of time outside today". So then he slunks outside and piddles around for X amount of time - then returns.
What can you do?
High five!
Believe it or not, it gets really really hot and humid here in the Minnesota in the summer. I too like to avoid the AC. Until I read this, I didn't even realize I do it for much the same reason.
And I love what you said about the variety of people you get to know and become friends with her in the blogosphere. It's so true. And I love it.
I can't believe you STOLE my profile pic! Kidding. Nothin' but love for ya. (that's what we young ones say - nothin' but love for ya.) :)
Hello from France! Your post was great. BFWNM are great for support and fun.
Our doors are all open during the summer, we not only get the dog in and out, but often stray birds and sometimes bats.
We live in a sauna 9/10 of the year here, but I did follow the get-up-and-go rule with my kidlets. Otherwise, I'd be way more crazy(ier) at this point.
Your kids are blessed. :)
Such a wonderful post! I was just thinking the same thing - how blogging has opened up my world to all kinds of people. It's wonderful!! And, living in GA, we can't have our windows and doors open in the summer (although my husband would probably try it if I'd let him...), but we keep the AC on fairly high (80) so that we don't go into shock going outside. During the winter, though, through June, we are outside all the time... Love you blog!! :) Silke
While I think that's a fabulous idea, I don't think I could do it! LOL
Boo loves her air conditioning. :)
But I know just what you mean about having friends from all over the world with different perspectives on life. It's pretty amazing.
All I ask is folks try not to be judgemental when they read my journal. And for the most part, everybody has been...especially concerning my paganism. :) Yay!
I can say this though...I'm REALLY glad I found you this past spring. :)
You've described every possible thing that I love about blogging. I've said many times, I would have LOVED to have had this when I first got married back in the Lincoln administration. I was so immature. I look back on that little girl and I'm just sad. I didn't know how to cook. What a gift this is for that. And I sure didn't know what to do with that baby that comes nor where in the heck it came from. As for air conditioning? I live here where it's over a hundred weeks upon weeks. And I still hate AC. I like windows open and I still hang clothes outside. So I use it, but I'd love to find a way not to. AC gives me claustrophobia.
Okay. I'm through. :)
I try to get everyday with the kids too. It is definitely a sanity saver.
I love reading about your "grown up" kids because it reminds me to enjoy the time I have now with my 6, 4, and 2 year old. Thanks for offering me a different perspective!
I love the blogging community too for those reasons.
I wish I could leave the doors unlocked where I live. My kids look at me with disbelief when I tell them how growing up we left the house and didn't return until dinner. The best I can do is shoo them into the back yard where I can still see them...it's something but it's just not the same like when we grew up.
Thank you for sharing your tips and your friend's tips. By the way, if you have any good Jewish or gay friends, could you send them my way? That's about all I need to make me completely diverse. I've got older and younger friends, friends who live across the country and in other countries, religious and atheist friends too. I just want a drag queen and a Jew now. Could you help me out? ;-)
we keep our a/c on 80, much over that and i refuse to cook! but when its high 70s low 80s outside it feels great to leave the windows open!
i work in an office with no windows - so if i can run outside instead of on a treadmill i do!
Great tips! I find that getting the kids out for even just an errand every day makes a world of difference in everyone's mood and behavior. You'd think that if they're being horrors in the house that they won't behave in public, but it's usually the complete opposite.
And I love getting advice from other bloggers (much more so than from my family, especially family who leave 1,000-word comments on my blog).
Brilliant! But, sweaty...
Beautiful post!! My hubby would be ecstatic if I bought a/c for the house....for the 7 days a year we are hot enough to use it ;)
We have an open house too. Sometimes it's an inside-out house: people outside, bugs inside. But it all evens out, and we always feel we're part of the world out there.
Lovely post.
Ellie
I know it can get hot and yucky... I just love me some ice cream on those days. Great post.
The laughter of your own children can lift your heart, ease your mind and yes, cool your core body temperature!
I love this post! It touches on so many things near and dear to me - the people I have met, things I have learned and kids leaving me alone! Wait what?
You knnow what I mean , playing outdoors - it seems is becoming a lost art for kids...
I also love the age diversity of my blogging friends. I do warn you though, don't assume the crickets are crickets and the lawn mowers are lawn mowers. Sometimes one impersonates the other.
Great post, although I don't know if I could handle my door being open for my kiddos to escape and outdoor rodents to come in and set up residence!
I try to get my daughter outdoors as much as possible. Living in an apartment presents its own challenges as she just can't run out the patio door into the backyard. So we go for lots of nature walks. :-)
We have similar homes in the openness quality. We don't have central airconditioning. If it gets tooo too hot and humid, we have a room air conditioner in the master bedroom. It's like a campout in there on hot nights, with the kids on air mattresses.
I like the variety of blog friends I've been able to make, too. It's fun having them from all over and in different circumstances.
My mom loves the cold---and so her bedroom windows are always open in the winter. In Utah. It's freezing! Going in there for family prayer every morning growing up was a less than pleasant way to wake up!
When we were looking for houses 5 years ago, my main requirement was that it had a/c! I don't do well in the heat!
So how do I get my kids outside? I give them a choice. They can either go outside and play, or they can stay in and do chores. They choose outside every time!
I would much rather have the windows and doors open with fresh air wafting thru my house, than have the AC blasting freezing cold air!
When I was a child, we were not allowed to stay in the house all day long (I think my mother must know you)and actually wanted to go outside and play. Imagine that?
Nowadays there are too many toys and gadgets that keep children glued to the house and they don't want to venture out.
Yeah, if I ever get around to having kids, I think my trick will be to eat pickled eggs and fart a lot. They'll BEG to go outside.
I would turn off the air conditioner and do this, but my husband would tell me we were living in a crock pot and would carry around Gold Bond like a security blanket.
That said, I DO lock the doors... after the kids go outside. Then I go to the kitchen open the window and listen for any death wails. Otherwise they stay. A fence was the best too-expensive purchase I ever made.
Great post. I, too, enjoy the diversity of folks I've met through blogging. As we expand our world of friends we make the world smaller—interesting concept. And I loved how the raccoons came to dinner. It always surprises me how they can be so cute and so crazy/scary at the same time. Reminds me of a neighbor I used to have.
We love keeping our windows open too, and watching nature. Now, our nature may consist of human animals having sex in front of their windows, but whatever.
I love this post! I cannot believe you don't turn on the air conditioning. :P
I've come to the conclusion, I would be lost without my blogger friends. they commiserate well with me and boost my spirits if I am "down." But I love to be outside - my deck is my haven.
Thanks for stopping by my blog, and yay for you making it so easy and enjoyable for your kids to play outside every day. I really think people have lost that understanding of how important outdoor (and unstructured) play is for children.
I hate air conditioning...makes my skin crawl. And it hit 100* here yesterday. No humidity though. THAT makes a huge difference. I know, coming from the Jersey shore.
Good for you. Kids need to go outside.
I am so with you on loving that bloggy diversity. And it makes me a little mad when people scoff at "online friendships" as if they aren't real, somehow.
I grew up in Phoenix, where you could literally fry an egg on the sidewalk most days. I remember my mother saying, every single day, "Turn off that TV and go outside to play!"
How fun! I love turning off the ac in the summer too, but again--I'm not exactly in the deep south here in middle TN!
Ahah! I do the exact same thing. Open door policy reigns supreme here, all summer long. And it does indeed help with the summer blues. I now feel quite validated :)
I would LOVE to keep the doors and windows open. I love fresh air and the smells and sounds of summer. I live in Virginia and when it is 95 degrees, the heat index is usually 105 degrees....give or take.
I could have handled it when I was younger but now I get hot flashes sometimes even in the AC. Without AC I would be a puddle.....no silly, not a poodle!
What a wonderful tip! This is what I try to do too. Though in CT, not many of us actually have AC, so it doesn't take much to chase the kids outdoors where it is usually cooler than indoors.
great post ;)
i'm one of those you would feel sorry for... we're cookin' here!
those pesky raccoons! they're a bit too brave for my comfort. ;)
I raised five kids and I share your sentiment, couldn't stand to have them underfoot or in front of the boob tube so I did the same, I left the doors open, I didn't run the air very often. We lived in the country and lots of critters came in the house at various times thru the years, mostly stray cats and dogs, the raccoons just stayed in the yard though, eating all my grapes off the vine. Note: my kids remember their childhood fondly.
I would love to get outside to play with my kids more...sadly, we don't really have a yard. :(
Thanks for stopping by my blog - I found a thing we have in common - I've only been to Canada and Mexico as well. :) I also love the people I've "met" through blogging. What a great concept for getting the kids to go outside - unfortunately for us in Phoenix, it's about 111 degrees right now and we almost die of heat stroke every time we walk from the front door to the car.
I haven't had to put the air on at all this year and I find that my kids are more productive. They aren't sleeing in as late and they are more cooperative with me. Who knew the weather would make all the difference. And the times we did have a little humidity and a little sweat it didn't really seem to matter.
This was an awesome post. You are a friend to so many because of your great perspective and wisdom!
This is a great post!
Great post.
I too love all the blog friends I've made.
Love your perspective! I believe you would enjoy the weather no matter where you lived. It is all really a state of mind.
I miss NY for this very reason - being able to open the windows/doors in the summer. However, in Louisiana, we'd die, especially upstairs, if the air wasn't on.
With that said, except during the 'hot time' of the day,I do my best to keep the kids outside.
And I love all the bloggy friends I've met, too. Am hoping to meet them in real life starting tomorrow (God willing). And hopefully you, soon, sometime, some where, as well :)
I am with you on this. Well I would be if I didn't live in a wet, soggy country but if I'm abroad I hate the AC. It's windows open and bring the outdoors in. Racoons or no racoons.
What a fab post and so true about the various connections we make via blogging!
I always make my kids go outside. Fortunately living in San Diego that isn't hard to do. :)
The hubs escaped his hometown of Duluth, MN to escape the dreaded winter. He appreciates Tampa a lot more than I do. ah ha. It truly has amazed me the amount of amazing women and now friends that I have met through blogging!
great post! yes i agree i LOVE the diversity i meet in the bloggy world, it is great :)
We have very little use of air conditioning here in the U.K. We're famed for our temperamental weather! Thankfully I've no need to do much persuading for our lot to go out.... we're all outdoorsy people and I agree, it really lifts the spirit.
When I was a kid I visited a farm where they wouldn't ever let me come in during the day. I had to stay outside. I got pretty hungry but that just made dinner taste better.
Now you have an old ,an living your life too. but I remember and stay young by doing art and am a decun in mt church My vision is gone but see thru others.
Yup, that's why I love blogging too.
I would prefer the A/C off but my husband always turns it back on and says that it's "sweltering" in the house. I don't agree.
We had about a week of 106 degrees and had to stay inside most of the day. It was really starting to eat away at my sanity!
Debbie...again love your stop by's on my blog and I will say again love you poetic way of life that you share with all of us here in blogger land! Have a great weekend!
There is nothing better than hearing the sound of children playing.
And I totally agree about all the fabulous people bloggers meet from around the world. It's really amazes me how much we all seem to bond :-)
You are a great role model. Except for that raccoon thing. That's not okay.
Hey. . .my cat learned how to open the screen door by herself too!
And I hardly ever use the air-conditioning up here in good ole North Jersey!
The thing I miss the very most about being outside in Louisiana in the summer is the lightning bugs.
First of all, your header looks puhr-ty! Second of all, loved this post. I feel as if I am making bloggy friends, too, and I love it!
Wow, that sounds fabulous. I live way too close to the interstate.
Wow lovely post and welcome from/to Jamaica where I was/am absolutely thrilled to play outside.
Yeah my age is one of the in betweens.
very cool rotation header!
Great post!! missed your blog this past week...on the road again...and again, but trying to catch up. :O)
I love Heather too. She's a real gem. (As are you!)
This is a great post. I loved learning more about your readers as well as that easy inside/outside freedom of your home. I should take a page from you.
Its so funny that you should write this today. When I went for a walk with my husband tonight he was bemoaning the fact that Americans stay locked up in their airconditioned houses.
I kept my house open for my kids too. I still keep it open as much as I can. But my cat has not learned to open the screen door yet ;)
How wonderful that you are blessed with so many followers and "friends"!
I have loved getting to know new people in the blogging world, also. I don't have quite the large following that you do, but it is indeed marvelous!
Loved the post, my dear....
ohhhhh, so THAT was my mistake!
*goes quickly to turn off the a/c, open a door and throw a teenager out into the heat*
Yep, time out for all is completley essential. I get the bonus of being able to look at the seaside :)
My goodness, I have a hard time keepingmy kids indoors!! They LOVE to go outside.
But I LOVE my AC, so their little bodies can figure it out.
Now, taking your kids outside in the middle of a MN winter AIN'T easy. It can often take longer to get them ready then they end up being outside.
Blessings~
Amanda
A tent with better walls, lol.
I'm afraid I've been guilty of living in A/C and not going out much, except to the bookstore and Chick Filet. Well, that's not exactly true as we do walk down to the lake for a swim a few times a week.
LOVE your new look here. Sorry I've been away, so good to be back in Debbie Land.
xo
Great tip! Thanks! :o)
Forgot to say how much I'm loving your header(s)! :o)
LOVE your post! We try to be outside as much as possible. We have to spend at least 5 months out of the year huddled inside. Children need to move and run, and enjoy everything around them.
Sounds like you live in a beautiful area!
Sandra
Our raccoons knock at the back door and we give them cookies! I love your stories! Thank you for sharing.
PS-I love the new design! Looks great. I'm still working on my blog and I have a question. How have you managed to get so many followers?
You have been busy redecorating! Looks great! I am a big fan of the great outdoors. My kids are too. We don't have AC so they have had to deal with the heat of California. Our temps can reach 105 easily. We turn on the sprinklers, go to the aquatic center, ride bikes, just play. When it is too hot, as mentioned above we will hang out inside, but not for long. Great post!
Loved that post - it was really really great. Im not sure about shutting off the ac - I mean Im in NJ and I dont know. I had a southern woman once tell me when I lived in NC that - we southern woman dont sweat, we glisten - so maybe thats the difference :)
Maybe your prettily glistening in the heat?
I love Heather, too. I read her post about you and then I meandered thru your back door back in April. Been here ever since.
It sounds wonderful to be able to live in a place where you can leave windows and doors open during the summer! Completely impossible in AZ... Great post! :)
Hilarious.. we don't lock the doors! '
I live in Sweden, so not going outside just because it is minus 100 C and freezing is really no excuse! We're outside a lot more than other kids...
I boot them out, we go on the ice, skating, skiing, have picnics in the snow, walk the dog and always walk 2.5 km back from school every day, even in a snowstorm... (I only use the car as hubby can't walk well and needs it) when the kids are sick... or I am.
Okay.....You MUST tell me how you taught your cats to open the screen door........does this involve a lot of big ugly holes in the screens?
We ABSOLUTELY have to get outside EVERY day, rain or shine, snow or sleet. The kids still drive me insane, but at least, I'm not in the loony bin yet. :)
This sounds so wonderful! I can't wait to have children in my house!
And yes, the people I have met blogging are the most amazing people I ever knew existed.
Great post! The map is very cool. I agree, it's wonderful to have blog friends across the globe! Last week it was in the 100's here in Texas - AC weather for sure!
Oh how I wish I could live with the windows open all day long. Alas, the allergy attacks in my house override, much to my chagrin. And what is so wonderful about what you said about Heather is that I have, in turn, gone to Heather to ask some personal questions. :) I love blogland, I love the variety, and I love the camaraderie. And I'm still very jealous that you get over 100 comments every post. LOL But I can certainly see why. Happy Thursday!
I don't know if I could live without air! MMMMMAAAAAYBE? :) Is it humid there? I would love to have your electric bill though! Wanna trade?
Great post as usual!
Hugs - Tiff
perfect. Love it! But I turn the AC on around mid-March. I gotta have a place to cool off!
That's awesome! What a good idea! I hate being hot with an incredible passion- but honestly, it wouldn't seem so dang hot outside if I wasn't used to being in the air conditioned house all day. I don't think my hubby would go for turning it off or even down very far because he hates being hot even more than I do- but honestly, it would make it much easier to enjoy the out of doors if I wasn't so acclimatized. It definitely helps to go out of the house during the day at least once. My boy won't take a nap at all if we stay in the house all day with no real adventures to get his energy out. Those days are the worst! Great post!
Lawdy be, I am so behind -- well, I have said I would be back on Sunday to visit blogs to catch up and I will - wheeeee! yayy!
Oh, and now you have a Las Vegas Call Girl to add to your list *GUFFAW* (note to any commenter reading this - um, there is an explanation on my blog if you are curious - otherwise ...just ignore this...teeheeheehee)....
And You Were RIGHT about my area! It IS cool in the mountains! wow! so good to be home in my little log house in my little cove in the mountains - ahhhhhhhh -- *deeeeeep inhale*
Blogging's great, isn't it? I love having so many internet friends, too. And some that I've met in person -- that was especially fabulous.
Wish I lived somewhere where we could keep the doors and windows open all the time. Our pool sort of makes up for it though . . . sort of.
I LOVE this post!!!!!! So glad to have found you. I have a 19, two 15, boy girl, and 13. Love reading all of these. Great stuff!
we live in a place where window screens are frowned upon (and I'm not kidding here) - so we don't have any- or I'd have the windows open and not be stuck with the A/C on all day...A tent with better walls - well put!!!
I go stir crazy too when I'm stuck in the house for days on end with 4 little ones, esp during the winter when it gets all gloomy and rainy.
It gets pretty hot here too but I don't think I could turn off the a/c. I still shove the kids outside....usually by the afternoon, I'm done entertaining them so I shuffle them out front, fill up the blow-up pool and let them go to town with it (while I kick back and read the paper)!
agreed- have met so many awesome people via the blogosphere. Wat a great way to network :-)
Sure sounds like you've got the right idea. There's plenty of time for air conditioning when your kidlets are all grown. By then you'll probably need it.. hot flashes are no fun. ;)
Nicely put.. really. :)
Great pictures, and what an awesome map! :)
How wonderful to read your fun words about living a life full of the outdoors.. It is so filled with treasure right in our reach..
If it wasn't 109 here I'd have my door open right now..
Staci
Debbie thank you for the shout out on your opening page! I left a shout out to my friends about you.I am not as popular as you but feel like a million now because you have me on for a good read! Thanks a bunch!
Wow what a great idea -- I love it. This year for the first time we've been really reluctant to have our air on full time like we used to. I'm learning that I can live with it set to say 77 or 78 during the day. I'll try opening my windows when it's not super humid outside like it is right now. Great inspiration post Debbie!
You must not have weight issues if you don't use the a/c! BG A little bit of weight on you and the a/c gets turned on really fast.
My method? I control when the TV is on, which is never, unless I allow a short video. No video games. We live in a place where there doors are open 9 months of the year, so that helps, too. (And my friends and neighbors think I'm mean. Thank goodness for my internet friends! I totally know what you mean about the diversity. I love that part!)
Post a Comment