Chicken bald back

[Angels4]

Last month just after computer acces was returned to the island I decided NOT to renew my cable/internet contract and sold my television. It was at this time I decided to do more for the environment and to minimize the amount of electricity I consumed...my bill varied between $50 and $60 monthly with cable, internet, lighting and such. I recieved my electric statement today and was suprised that my bill was only $30 for the month so I got to thinking... How could I lower my monthly bill further.

 

Today I unplugged every electric lamp I have in the cottage and went out and bought 2 large oil burning lamps and 1 small oil burning lamp and a couple of bottles of oil. I'm sat here now with all 3 lamps burning and I have to say I'm feeling quite rustic.

[Valkyrie]

Sounds like a nice warm and cosy atmosphere you've created. When can I come?

[Lewis]

I love lighting candles and turning all the lights off - we always do it for halloween and on Christmas Eve.

 

 

I'll be in your suitcase Koojie - might send you over your luggage weight allowance though

[Angels4]

Just don't think about bringing any electrical appliance

[Guest]

hmmmm can you get oil operated hair straighteners??? Not sure I could manage without them.

 

or my laptop

[Valkyrie]

Wind up torches? Battery powed motor on my luggage so that Lewis (stowaway) can be manoevered easily.

[BeckyBoo]

Room for one more Koojie? Well done Angels4 - not sure I could survive without my electricity, makes me think I should make more of an effort

 

BeckyBoo

[Valkyrie]

I'm thinking that Mark is onto something here - my children would both leave home without internet access. We could all write letters to each other instead (like we used to - I have lovely ones from dad and my nan that I kept). Perhaps I ought to go Amish for a while to see how things are done.

On the other hand we could do our own generator and make the children pedal a bike or a walk/run on a hamster wheel type of thing. They'd still leave home. Yep, Mark has the best idea ever.

BeckyBoo - as long as you are as light as a feather I would try my best.

[Angels4]

I'll still be using electricity....My water heater is powered by electricity and I like hot showers. my fridge is electric and I like food and then to keep the girls waterer from freezing I have to use an electric heating pan (but I might try the snuggle safe) and for the most part I will try to use and recharge my battery for the laptop off island...Mr. Starbuck offers free internet ya know.

I'm just cutting back on the truly unnecessary like televison (more time to read, watch the girls, and crochet) and lights (although have you ever tried to read or crochet by candle light...not an easy task)

[Lewis]

Room for one more Koojie?

*shuffles over*

You could get one of those electric (powered by solar or something ) airport buggies and the suitcase can sit on the back

 

I was just thinking ... I couldn't cope without a radio! Its on all the time, more than my tele because you can do other things at the same time.

[Happy chickens!]

I like my wind up/solar powered radion on my allotment. The kids have wind up torches which are great - no more 'muuum the battery's run out!'

[Valkyrie]

I like the creature comforts like - hot bath too. Think I can manage with handwashing - used to do that at my nan's. Mark gets proper seasons too, so drying on the line would be great, rather than hanging it all out and gathering it back in as soon as it's all on there. But the cosy cottage nights - that's the calling.

[The Dogmother]

I fancy going Amish too Koojie, even if just to show that I can do it.

 

I'm alway turning off lights and appliances here Mark, and it really keeps the bills down. Don't just turn off though - unplug at the socket, or you still have a residual current going through.

 

Mind the oil lamps don't make your ceilings black, Hon.

[Angels4]

Thanks for the tip Claret...I've just went through the cottage and unplugged everything from the sockets (except the fridge). In the lamps I'm using parrafin oil which the say burns clean without that awful soot, smoke or smell.

[The Dogmother]

Good-oh Mark

 

We used to have paraffin lamps round the house when I was young as we got lots of power cuts... then there was The Winter of Discontent, with the all-day power outages

[Guest]

hmmm going Amish. There were a group of them on the QM2 with us summer before last. The were enjoying a luxury liner will all amenities.....They didn't go to the fancy dinners in the restuarants just slummed it in the "lido" at the self service.

 

I wonder if they used the lights in their cabins, asked the stewards not to clean and tidy etc etc.

[Valkyrie]

Not long for Thanksgiving - how are you celebrating Mark?

[Angels4]

Thanks for thinking of Thanksgiving Kooji, I will be spending it at the hospital with Auntie Carrie watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade....My favorite tradition. The parade that is....not the hospital.

[Valkyrie]

Well that sounds nice Mark. I love those balloons - massive! Very clever. Have a good one - I'm sure there will be a separate thread for Thanksgiving on the day. Must play with the smileys you know.