Temperatures could break triple digits this week. Share any tips you might have, anecdotes about changed plans, and what you'll do if the AC gives out. If your group wants to help folks struggling to pay power bills or if you have spare fans, you can post the information here.
...And since because of my work environment, I am also somewhat aclimated to this heat as well. On the weekends I can get outside and enjoy hikes through this area's parks and natural areas and have the luxury of feeling as though I've nearly got the whole place to myself.
As for recommendations concerning how to get through the heat of the day if you're outdoors, drink plenty of water even if you're not feeling thirsty. And if you really want a quick and refreshing chill of coolness, wet yourself in front of a fan - its heavenly!
I'm also thankful for air conditioning when I get home!
I am really concerned about my dogs and the heat.
Murphy is a beagle mix who will be 16 in January, Wiley is a shepard mix, ten years younger.
Fifteen minutes after each meal Murphy is scratching at the door. Since Wiley learned how to be a dog from Murphy, she immediately joins her.
They come back in exhausted from the heat, and lie around until the next time Murphy decides they should go out.
My husband and I get our walking exercise in before breakfast. If you get up early enough, you can walk before it gets too hot. During this heat wave, it's too hot for us to walk late in the evening.
I went out in the heat today in the morning. I went to Dick's sporting goods at Triangle Town Center. I went there to buy new running shoes! I'll get back to that in a minute.
During the kid's carpool at school around 2:30, my car showed it was 101. As I was sitting in line I noticed in front of me this lady and she had her windows rolled down and there was a carseat in the back. I'm assuming her air conditioning was broken. At this time in the carpool they hadn't even started calling children out, so we were just sitting. I had two bottles of unopened cold water....kids are always yacking at me that they are thirsty after school......I brought them to her. There was a little toddler sweating in the backseat. I told her that she could park in the parking lot and wait inside the school or check her child out early.
She said she didn't realize she could. Whatever.
I did buy new running shoes and I did run at 6:00 this evening. It didn't feel as bad outside as I had anticipated. I did take my cell phone with me in case I passed out. Even though I ran my usual distance, I didn't feel like I got anymore of a workout than on a normal day.
People with dogs, do you notice how dogs make it seem even hotter! That constant panting. That would be like being around someone that was profusely sweating on a continual basis.
Michelle
Here is what I do.
I use this heat to my advantage and I do NOT recommend this to others. I actually go out running in it. I like a good workout and by running in this sticky, sweltering heat, I can cut my distance in half and still feel like I ran the full distance. I guess you could say I am lazy.
Other than that, my best tip is to do this, everytime you walk outside you say to your kids in tow, "I am SO ready for fall! I want to see the leaves change colors. I want to wear a sweatshirt. I want to look at our dogs and not see them panting. I want to walk outside when I am dressed and not feel like I need to run back inside to get dressed again. I want to sit out on the deck with a cup of coffee and not feel like an idiot."
I'm sure others could add to this list, but this is what my kids and I do when we are walking in the parking lot of Super Target trying to get inside to the air conditioning.
Michelle