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Back to School Supplies

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It’s back to school time around here. Wow, did summer go by quickly.

This will be our first time ever being involved in all the hoopla surrounding this time of year.

Back to School Clothes

I’ve got open houses to attend, school supplies to buy and well, I’m not really sure what else to expect.

Clothes? I remember always wanting or having a new outfit for the first day of school. But as homeschoolers we have always done our shopping around the seasons ie weather. I would prefer to keep it that way.

Since neither of my two younger kids needs new clothes at this time of year, I think we will wait. They haven’t brought it up so I won’t.

Back to School Supplies

The local stores are already overflowing with school supplies. Rows of backpacks greet me when I walk into the local Wal-mart.

From what I understand, I will receive the school supply list at open house. This occurs one day before school starts.

back to school supplies

Neither Princess or Gymnast need new backpacks, but I’m not real sure what to expect cost wise for the “supplies.” I’m sure the kids will have some specific requests, but I would really like to keep the costs in check.

College Costs Covered

Sea Cadet will be continuing his EMT program at the local community college and living at home. We are all going to drive up in 3 weeks to pick him up and will spend a day with History Buff before we return home. (It will be the first time we’ve all been together in almost 2 years. I’m so excited!)

All of Sea Cadet’s college costs have been covered by grants. And he will be living at home. That takes a HUGE load off financially!

What do you for back to school clothes? Tell me what are the biggest challenges when it comes to school supplies. Frustrations? Guidance for me?

A/C Outage

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You know when is NOT a good time for the A/C to go out in Tucson?

Now. Pretty much now is not a good time.

I knew there was a problem first thing when I woke up in the morning. We set the A/C to 76 degrees for overnight (higher during the day), but it showed that it was 81 degrees inside. Uh-oh. I heard the fan running, but when I went outside I saw the unit was clearly not on. I double-checked the thermostat to make sure it was truly set to “cool” and not just to fan only. It was, indeed, on the right setting.

Luckily, the A/C is basically brand new. The entire HVAC system was replaced when we bought the house just a couple years ago so all the parts and unit and everything are covered by warranty. I’d need to double-check but the installation and labor may still be covered under warranty, too. The bad news is, since this is warranty work, we have to use the same company as originally installed it. And they can’t come out until at least 5pm this evening….maybe later. Gulp. It’s going to be a long, hot day!

A couple of “bright sides” …..at least this happened on a day when the high is “only” 100 degrees (in Tucson, we regularly get up into the 110’s during summer). And at least this happened on a day when the kids are in camp so we aren’t all stuck sitting miserably inside the burning hot house. And at least (HOPEFULLY) *fingers crossed* whatever the issue is should be covered and not cost us an arm-and-a-leg since the unit is still so new. We had a bad monsoon a few days ago with flooding on the side of our house where the unit is located, so we’re wondering if that might have caused some blockage or other issue with the unit??? Although…..not sure that would be covered since that’s “nature” and not a manufacturer’s defect??? No idea. At this point, we’re crossing our fingers and hoping for the best and saying a little prayer that the repair folks will be out this evening and be able to fix the unit without a long delay or the need to order additional parts, etc.

In the meantime….I need to do some quick thinking to change up our dinner plans. I’d planned a sausage and veggie sheet-pan meal (in the oven), but ain’t no way I’m going to be heating my house up like that. Time for Plan B: Quick thaw some chicken to throw in the crockpot so I don’t have to use the oven or stove!

What’s a favorite crock-pot meal (preferably with chicken breasts, as that’s what I’ve got on hand)?

Don’t you just love how the A/C always goes out at the hottest time of summer (I mean, I know that’s when it’s working hardest and all…..but it still stinks!)