To Do List

Good early morning from the hot south!  If you haven't seen a U.S weather map lately, the southeast is due for some 90+ degree temps over the next 2 weeks, but more than likely 6 weeks.

In preparation for the upcoming swelter, I was making out a checklist of things to do to keep us comfortable and not break the bank.  Originally this list was typed on here for my own personal use, but I got to thinking that I'm not the only one facing the heat and the financial hit it can bring.  For that reason, I turned this into a frugal post.  There are two lists on here; one for utilities, and one for outdoors.  I'm keeping both here because I will still use this list and it will give you an idea of things to do to help with heat and dry spells (or drought) for utilities and your outdoors.  The items that don't pertain to you, just disregard.


SUMMER UTILITY MANAGEMENT LIST

1.  INSTALL AC UNITS AND SHUT OFF HEAT PUMP TO SAVE FOR WINTER (side note here.  Our heat pump can't handle temps over 85.  We didn't find that out until after it was installed.  Plus the thing is on it's last legs.  Saving it for winter means literally we are saving it to be used when we absolutely need it so as not to risk losing it from over work).  TO ADJUST FOR INCREASE IN POWER USE, DO THE FOLLOWING:

A.  HANG DRY ALL CLOTHES ONLY PUTTING THEM IN THE DRYER TO FLUFF WITH A DRYER SHEET  PRIOR TO FOLDING.
B.  MAKE SUN TEA
C.  ALL BAKING AND CANNING WILL BE TIMED FOR AFTER SUNDOWN.
D.  UTILIZE GRILL AND CROCK POTS IN LEW OF STOVE.
E.  BREAK OUT THE STAINLESS POT AND FILL WITH WATER.  SIT OUTSIDE ON DECK FOR SUN TO WARM, AND USE FOR WASHING DISHES.  USE DISH WATER AFTERWARD TO WATER GARDEN PLANTS DURING DRY SPELL.
F.  LESS OVERALL BAKING, MORE FROZEN FRUITS, SMOOTHIES, COOL DESSERTS AND SNACKS.
G.  MOVE ICE TRAYS INTO SMALL FREEZER AGAIN.  ADD A CONTAINER TO HOLD READY ICE. ( keeps us from opening the larger freezer all the time to get ice, so less loss of cooling)
H.  POSSIBLY USE CONTRAPTION FOR CONVERTING WASHER DRAIN HOSE INTO GARDEN HOSE TO HELP WATER GARDEN DURING DRY SPELL.  I had one of these made years ago when we were in a drought.  I went to a hardware store and told him what I needed, giving him the diameter of my drain hose.  He put it together while I was standing there.  It cost me a few bucks and I've kept and used it ever since.  Go to a hardware store for this.  They know their stuff.  The big box store won't.
I.  PLACE CONTAINERS UNDER WINDOW AC UNITS TO CATCH CONDENSATION.  USE FOR WATERING GARDEN.


OUTSIDE TO DO LIST

1.  PICK STRAWBERRIES
2.  PICK SQUASH
3.  WEED EAT SIDE YARD ( we had this cleared in early spring and it is starting to grow again.  Our absentee neighbor is absent and has not addressed his side.  It's encroaching on ours.
4.  CUT GRASS
5.  KILL STUMPS IN SIDE YARD- (See explanation above in Weed Eating)
6.  SPRAY SIDE YARD WITH HOMEMADE WEED KILLER-  I don't want to spray Round up close to my garden plants, so it's an Epsom salt, vinegar, dish soap combo.
7.  WEED GARDEN
8.  PURCHASE MORE PINE STRAW( this is for mulching the garden beds to hold in moisture and keep roots cool)
9.  CLEAN OUT CHICKEN COOPS
10.  CLARK- Our rooster.....he's on his way uh out.  We have a younger and, hopefully nicer one coming up.
11.  TIE UP BLACKBERRY CANES (over due)
12.  SPRAY PERIMETER OF HOUSE WITH ORTHO (we have ants like crazy!)
13.  PURCHASE AND USE ORTHO ANT KILLER- This is different from the Ortho above.  This is for killing the mound.
14.  STAIN BACK DECK- This is just for my own use and we will get to it as soon we can.