I mean we've done what we can. We went out and dropped $75 on energy saving light bulbs. They have these weird flourescent ones that use 15-25 watts, but put out the same amount of light as regular bulbs. They last 10 times as long and cut energy costs, so ultimately, they save you money.

I just am not terribly keen on taking cold showers and using space heaters. Space heaters can be so dangerous and cold showers suck ass. I keep wondering if the apartments will replace the current hot water heaters with something electric if that happens.

I just feel so scared and at the whim of someone else. Deregulation sucks. We are living in fear of the next blackout. We've done everything we can to try to reduce our power usage, but you know it's got to be bad when the local TV station starts posting 2-3 page lists of what to do in the face of blackouts or to reduce your power usage.

The thing that upsets me the most is that I'm sending Russell to school with extra clothes in case the power goes out. And he knows that. He comes home in freak out mode and he's having to go to school in freak out mode. Rolling blackouts is pretty freaky stuff. What's worse, I think, is that I have nothing particularly comforting to tell him.

I have this picture in my head of cooking dinner on the barbecue when it's 40 degrees. Okay, and my haunting question about this is: Will I be able to use the tongs if I'm wearing gloves? I really could use a propane barbecue about now. Seriously.

Dude and I'm cold.

Diabetes and age have lead to circulatory stuff I think. Last night, I was wearing socks and lambswool slippers and my toes could have been chopped off and used as ice for a margarita and I wouldn't have felt it.