Houston Swap n Social Attendance list

LouC who has 15.4 for 2 yrs? mine with stream was 24. something this month.

it was 429.00 on averaging.

We had our limit last year when we had an electric bill that was over $750. Yes, I keep it pretty cool, avg. 72 but that's not a $750 bill. My ac was over 15 years old. Turns out, it was much too small for my house. After that bill, we went ahead and replaced the entire unit and bumped it up to a 15 seer and added the purifying system with UV lights. Helps with allergens. So far, this summer, still keeping around 72 and I'm home most of the day, the worst bill was the last one and it was $428. The new system should pay for itself within a few years. I almost had a heart attack when I found out what the new system was going to cost us but, the house stays consistently cool now and I'm praying we'll never see another bill like that one again. The sales rep goofed when she told us what the annual maintenance on the purification system was going to cost. They came out to replace it and it was going to be $350 annually for the filter and bulbs. I had a cow. Since it was their mistake, they agreed to do the maintenance for $150/yr as long as I live here and I got that in writing!

We put in a big, fancy system 3 years ago, which was supposed to pay for itself in savings. Unfortunately rates went up about the same time, so we have no idea if we saved anything or not. The house stays consistently cooler, but our bills haven't been any lower. We have a fairly small house, and we keep the thermostat at 74, and our bills still peak out at about $600 in July & August.

My house is around 2000 sq feet. Not all that large. The unit is 5 years old. Two years ago had the attic reinsulated. Have storm windows on every opening. what caught us last month was the huge jump in the rates. They are warning that this winter will be worse. I like my house about 68 in the winter so that will help some. Where in the world is all this going to stop?

Please excuse the interruption of this discussion.

In case anyone has "unwatched" the photo thread from the gathering at Randy's, I've added a new section of the slide show, which includes photos taken by Larry Cook of Austin. Larry really captured the jungle that is Randy's place with his photos.

The new photos can be seen here http://albums.phanfare.com/4856019/2148070_2724732#imageID=41119033

I hope others will share the photos they took. You are welcome to send them to me via email at: jcolvin4 @ gt.rr.com (disjointed to discourage spam). I will be happy to add a section so your photos can be viewed with the rest of them.

Thank you for allowing me to butt in here.

And now, back to your regularly scheduled program!

Just as long as we don't ask this guy to bring the glasses next time - LOL

hahahahahaha

Sure wish I could have been there. mumble, mumble, mumble always miss all of the best times.

Christi

me.too

My electric bill for last month was $213 and we have no water bill..I have well water...We have one of those 10,000 BTU energy saver window unit for hour house and keeps up pretty cool during the summer..my hubby has a small unit in his room due to his sleep aphea, he has to have his room cold...not me.I freeze around AC alot if I stay inside too long..LOL..We have a 3 bedroom brick home that my grandfather and his guys built for him and grandma...I keep all my shades drawn to keep the cool air inside..

Moodene, your post reminds me of when AC first came in for use in homes. Close the doors, close the blinds, make it dark ,etc, etc. and this was when a lot of people smoked and boy did that smell awful when you walked into those homes. We run our AC all the time on different temps according to the weather and temps and for the size house we have that's not bad IF we can get a good deal on our elec. The water is not bad and as far as digging a well or whatever, that's an impossibility here in the subdiv. We just count the cost of all this as the cost of living and if we couldn't afford it we wouldn't have it. Luckily I can look out my windows (dual pane, Mod. E) to see out and the flora and fauna. I feel locked in if I can't enjoy the outdoors from indoors. If I REALLY want the outdoors I go out and when the heat gets to me I come back in enjoy the fruits of my labors.

Ann

I'm very sorry, but I can't come. We will be at Galveston Bay and entertaining our son and his family from CA.

this was in 2008 sweetie.

LOL!! I nearly had a heart failure

Me too.

But it sure would be fun to get together again --- soon.

Uh, I almost had that same heart attack! I was reading the list wondering why I hadn't gotten an invitation to the bash!

And, yeah. What Bubba said....

lol, it would be fun to get together again. I've been busy at Zone9tropicals, he's open every Sunday now, and every other saturday....may be we should pick one of those Sundays and have a small gathering.

Can I come????????????????

Smock,
It wouldn't be a party without you!

That sounds Great Randy. Count me in. :o)

The Phoenix Thread - amazing, simply amazing.

If it is on a Sunday, it will be late afternoon before I can get there - that's my day to cook at Bubba's, so can't leave before 3PM.

Ya'll, Bubba means "Phoenix" as in the mythical bird that kept rising from the ashes, and just would NOT die!

Yeah. "The Phoenix thread!"

"Cause we like each other soooooooooooooo much!

LOL, we can do it on saturday too, he is open every other saturday...and Gymgirl is right...it wouldn't be a party without ya Smockette!
oh my...why did this thread remind me of yummy greens gymgirl!!!?

I was just waiting to see who'd be the first to bring up the greens! That means you get to host the next party!

Hmmm, that sounds rigged to me!

I love it when a plan comes together - Right on Y'All - not sure how it happened, but looking forward to another party in the Heights.

We will supply some adult beverages (as always).

What else do you want or need?

Glad you caught that Gymgirl.

I need to target a date. I have a new bid going into effect August 15th, which will wipe out an entire weekend, and will be headed to Colorado Springs next weekend..anyone else have weekends they can't attend?

You guys are just making me jealous. :)

TNLA is Aug 19-23 in San Anton. Other than that wkend, I'm open. You know what TNLA is, right?
I can bring brisket, veggies, or dessert, as long a Gymgirl brings Lilla Mae's Greens!!!
:~)

TNLA is Aug 19-23 with Smockette. Other than that I have no other weekend taken.

No, not sure what that is, but must be plant fun!

Uh, ya'll want me to send a blast out to my Houston area growers regarding this "budding" event?

TNLA = Tx Nursery & Landscaping Assoc & the annual Expo is in SA this yr!

We sure don't wanna mess with that weekend, then!

My ethernet card was fried along with the cable, so home internet is unavailable until I get off my lazy bum.
Just got back from Colorado Springs, wow my brother has a stunning garden and waterfall, magazine cover.
I've been doing the math, and at this time I don't see when I can get anything together for August, and will be in Seattle & Victoria at the beginning of Sept. Jungle Heights is looking rather shaggier because of the rain, and if I can get some of it looking somewhat presentable I will check with everyone.

Ok. Not a problem with the timeframe. Actually, pushing back a bit means cooler weather! Sweet!