Dog days of summer...

**Momto2Boyz** · 07-16-2008, 09:10 AM

The dog days are almost upon us...what is everyone doing to stay cool?

I have to admit, we are a little luxuriant with the AC this summer!

Since I'm watching a friends baby, I've been keeping it on during the day. And since DH now works outside all day and sweats like crazy...he claims "I am working very hard for every dollar I make...I'm gonna spend it on some luxuries like AC!" And it is really nice when he gets home for him to sit in the cool air!

Other than that, we skipped pool passes this year, to save money, so we don't have that option. But this kids have a cool sprinkler they have been playing with to cool off.

I made pudding pops for the kids yesterday and today I think I'll make some lemonade popcicles for them.

Other than that, I can't think of much else to do to cool off outside! Anyone have any "cool" ideas?

**frugalandsimple** · 07-16-2008, 09:56 AM

Pudding pops are soooo yummy!!!! Also, those flavor-ice pops are good too. I don't have the luxury of an A/C and I don't like fans blowing on me either. So, I just relax around the house when the heat and humidity gets uncomfortable for me. I make sure I'm drinking a lot of fluids to keep me hydrated.

If you have children, a sprinkler or water guns will keep them entertained for awhile. Or if you're working outside, get your shirt wet before wearing it. Ladies, just don't wear a white t-shirt unless you want to put on a show.

**freebs** · 07-16-2008, 10:10 AM

Well i have covered all the windows with heavy blankets, pulled light bulbs outta light fixtures. I have cut down chandalier lights from 5 to 2. All my laundry is being hung outside all in efforts to keep it cooler in the house! We also installed some roof vents this year and it has helped!

**Mom23boys** · 07-16-2008, 10:37 AM

To stay cool outside, we have a huge swimming pool that we all enjoy 'playing' in. Inside, we have the a/c on, but set at 80 degrees. We also have ceiling fans and box fans on in all the rooms to help cool things down. I have also put window tint on the windows that face where the sun comes in to keep the heat out. It really works.

As for other ideas to beat the heat, you could use old squirt bottles for water guns or balloons to fill up with air or water.

**PrairieRose** · 07-16-2008, 10:52 AM

You know even a kiddie wading pool is fun for the bigger kids too....our's used to do the silliest things and spend lots of hours just playing in the little bit of water there was in one. Also, we used to be able to buy a horse watering tank for about $100. That can be filled and played in for several days with no chemicals and then emptied on the grass (not wasted) and filled again.....can be used for years and lots and lots of fun.

**MoonMommy** · 07-16-2008, 02:24 PM

My friend made me some flax seed pillows (not really big) a few years ago and you can either heat them in the microwave or put them in the freezer. I usually keep them in the freezer in case I have a migraine (very helpful to put over your eyes) but if it is really hot out and the house is really hot, Hubby and I will take them out of the freezer and just put them on the back of our necks. They cool you down so nicely. My kids don't seem to feel the heat like we do.

We don't have central AC and it is my goal every summer to make it through without my hubby installing the window AC. This year is better because I finally finished the drapes for our bedroom and it really helps keep the heat out.

**shoiji** · 07-16-2008, 03:50 PM

The sprinkler idea brought back memories. If you have a nice shaded place that gets a good breeze you can put up some type of fountain. Just sitting around it can be refreshing.

When I lived in a attic apartment with no AC I would fill the bathtub up with water. Then sit in it whenever I needed to cool off throughout the day. (Personally have no idea how I put up with no AC for so many years then!)

**DonnainME** · 07-16-2008, 04:34 PM

We are using the AC during the day when we are home. We only have a window unit (small one) and it's in the living room. We have blocked off the doorways into and out of the living room with blankets. Its' not on all the time but when we get warm and are going to be in there for a while, we use it. Doesn't make things great but at least we aren't sweating our rears off.

**MomToTwoBoys** · 07-16-2008, 04:37 PM

It hasn't even been hot here this year. I'm really disappointed. It's not getting above 18C and it's the mid of July.

Even when it was warm outside, my house stays cool all by itself.

**cmdarlin** · 07-16-2008, 04:41 PM

We have one of those steel framed pools you see at Wal-Mart. Its not sitting level but it helps keeps us cool. I want to turn off the air but with DH having MS its important that he doesn't overheat so I've had to run the AC on these 90 degree days. Don't know what he's gonna do next month when I can't pay the bill and they turn the electric off.

Debbie in Missouri

**dcompton** · 07-16-2008, 09:18 PM

I'm just running the A/C, and keeping it cooler than I did last summer. I was in a different apartment then that had a huge unshaded west window, and I was trying to use the AC as little as possible. I don't want to be that hot again. I've dreaded seeing the electric bill, but I just got it while ago and it was much less than I expected and budgeted for, so cool is a luxury I'm going to fund this summer. This apartment is much more A/C friendly.

One thing I did sometimes when I was working at the desk and hot - I put a dishpan of water under the desk and kept my feet soaking! At least a little of me was cool.

And I love blowing air, so I'm always have the fan on. Usually the ceiling fan and a floor fan too. Aimed right at me and not very far away!

**Starlight9803** · 07-16-2008, 09:48 PM

we have a small pool in the backyard, one of those with the inflatable ring (12'x30") It is just large enough for everyone to enjoy it and get cool. We also keep the blinds closed (with extra coverings over the south and west facing windows) and keep the fans on us at all times. By keeping the air moving, I only have to cut the a/c (window units) on in the late afternoons (around 4pm) and we cut it off as soon as it is dark (about 9pm). When my central air is working (which it isn't right now @@) I keep the thermostat set at 80. We also drink lots of "gatorade" and water, and eat tons of frozen fruit bars. For those I take strawberries, crush with a fork, add a bit of sugar, wait for the juice to come out, then put into popcicle molds and freeze. I make these in huge batches when strawberries are cheap, but you could make with nearly any fruit.

**CristiK** · 07-16-2008, 10:25 PM

[QUOTE=cmdarlin;955933] I want to turn off the air but with DH having MS its important that he doesn't overheat so I've had to run the AC on these 90 degree days. Don't know what he's gonna do next month when I can't pay the bill and they turn the electric off.[QUOTE]

In metro Atlanta, they cannot turn off your power if you can prove it is a medical need. Have you checked to see if they have something similar there?

**Momto2Boyz** · 07-16-2008, 10:29 PM

[QUOTE=CristiK;956211][QUOTE=cmdarlin;955933] I want to turn off the air but with DH having MS its important that he doesn't overheat so I've had to run the AC on these 90 degree days. Don't know what he's gonna do next month when I can't pay the bill and they turn the electric off.

In metro Atlanta, they cannot turn off your power if you can prove it is a medical need. Have you checked to see if they have something similar there?

We have the same deal here. They cannot turn off your gas or electricity if anyone in the house has medical problems. I don't know if you have to be deemed disabled, or if you just have to have chronic medical problems. But I would look into it!

**treeluva** · 07-17-2008, 03:50 AM

I don't know how anyone deals with the heat without AC! I admire those who do, because I certainly can not. When I was in Germany, my apartment didn't have an AC unit... it got so hot..... I dealt with it for about a week.... and then went and bought a 220 window unit for the living room and we all just slept and lived in the living room the entire summer! Of course, I couldn't bring it back here because it is a 220 appliance, and I was leaving Germany in December and people seem to forget how hot it is, so I ended up giving my 500 dollar AC unit away to my neighbors.

My house is set at about 75 degrees, give or take. Sometimes that is too hot for me and I lower it, sometimes that is too cold and I make it warmer. But I just can't even fathom not having AC.