Pioneer Week

Here are the rest of the rules for Pioneer Week- my comments in green...

3. Conserve water: Since we don't all lug our water from the stream for home use, we'll have to do a few things to help conserve water. Besides taking shorter showers (5 minutes or less or take a military style shower) and flushing less often, you can create a great reminder about water usage by turning the water off on most of your sinks so when you go to use them nothing comes out. Conserving water in the Southwest is critical. We really do try to remember this at all times. Before we begin I will plot out an estimate of what we use...and set a goal to lower our daily use.


4. Transportation: Walk as much as possible. This will force you to support more local stores if you can't drive across town. If this isn't feasible, then drive or take public transportation. Most importantly, try to combine trips and if you really don't need to go out, stay home!
We have no public transportation out here in the sticks...but we can reduce the trips and have Bill bring in anything that we need...kind of how it is now=)

5. Rethink your entertainment: Instead of spending the week passively watching television or movies, try to engage more with the people you live with or neighbors within walking distance. Get the family back into playing games, music or just sitting around talking and telling stories. If you aren't in the mood for socializing try picking up that long lost craft hobby or start a new one.
This one is a neat rule and I think that we can incorporate some neat projects and games...all the while spending time together.

6. Watch your wallet: Think of this as a Buy Nothing Week. Since you'll be pretty much eating at home or at home all week, you don't really need to buy anything, now do you?
Again this is so easy as we are so careful with every penny.

I guess that this Pioneer Week would have been harder a few years ago...but for the past three years we have been building up to this and I am sure we will be fine. Life on the Double Nickel is most certainly unique but probably not much different than many small farm families across the world.
When we begin the week I will update as needed.
Jennifer