Sorry for not updating

I just noticed I hadn´t updated since the end of July. We've been so busy with the volunteer work we've been doing in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas, I just haven't had as much time as I'd like for my blogging or my glass. Plus we found out just before we came back home this week for a spell, that our well had basically "gone dry". The water table has dropped about 150' here where we're at because of the prolonged drought (some are saying it's the worst in 50 years) so the water level dropped below where the pump was and since we weren't here it kept trying to pump water and burned itself up, melted the casing, something has dropped into the bottom of the well and the bad news is: We have to drill a completely new well! :( We were hoping he could get to it this week while we've been home, but no go. So hopefully he'll get it done next week. We've had a trickle of water, so he put a new pump on it (down far enough that the water pushes back up a little to cover it) and it pumps for a few minutes and partially fills the pressure tank and then shuts off. Then a little while later when the water comes back up it pumps again for a little while. Basically, we've got enough water to take a shower, then wait about 15 minutes or so and can take another shower or possibly wash a load of clothes. Can't do any of my outside work I needed to do. But hopefully that will get fixed this next week. If so, I'll be taking some pics of the new well being drilled and posting about them. Thanks to all who've been thinking about us and sending thoughts our way.

Making our Home Eco-Friendly and Green

In these tough economic times we can all use some help. One thing we can do is to make our home more eco-friendly. This can even help if we're trying to sell our home. The market for true "green" homes is expected to grow from $2 billion to $20 billion in the next 5 years. There are many things we can do to make our home eco-friendly or green. Just a few of these are:
1. When replacing or installing appliances, go with high energy-efficient ones. These will help lower our heating, cooling and electricity bills.
2. Use low-flow water fixtures and water-using appliances.
3. When remodeling, building, adding on, use sustainable or recycled materials.
4. Install low-maintenance, drought resistant landscaping. This will help with the water bills as well as much less work for you.
5. Recycle as much as possible. This may help cut down on your garbage pickup and costs as well as making you feel better.
6. Improve your indoor air quality. One way to do that is to bring plants into the home. Many of them help clean the air.
7. Keep track of all improvements and records for the installations/upgrades as well as copies of before and after utility bills. This will help show any prospective buyers what all you have done. In short, hand them a "green" handout on your home.
Also, consider having an energy audit done on your home (ask your utility company or state energy office about this) and then follow the advice given.
Remember all of these things will not only help the environment, but also our wallets in these tough economic times and just plain make us feel better.