I attended school orientation for my first grader tonight. One of the other moms looked at me and said, "Why? Our kids have been attending here for ages, what do I need to get "orientated" about?" I said, "Well, they could have changed things since last year." She said, "Thanks, you're not helping." She stayed and was glad she did, because things are changing just a bit.
I like the beginning of the school year --- NO, I LOVE THE BEGINNING OF SCHOOL. I always have, and now that I work full-time I get to live vicariously through my children. Ah! The joy of new erasers and fresh markers. Fresh school clothes. A new class. A new teacher, sometimes. A fresh start.
I had a mixture of emotion tonight. Gratitude that my son has the same teacher again -- a teacher who obviously loves children. Total exhaustion at the thought of another nine months of homework battles. Pride when the teacher mentioned in front of the other parents that my son was the best reader in the class last year. Relief when the other 1st grader parents mentioned that yes, their children had also completely resisted workbooks and reading this summer. --- And Comraderie when I left the room with the other first grade parents discussing the changes for the new year.
Ah! What fun it is to be a parent.
Thursday, August 23, 2012
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
So I Bought A Chevy Volt
(This blog will be written in installments, as time permits. All new additions, have dates in blue.)
What was my motivation?
I drive 84 miles round trip per day, 5 days per week. I was at the gas station twice per week. We had driven a Chevy Volt at a car show and liked it. So, I continued to eye the Volts. We had also driven a Leaf. It scared me to drive a solely electric car with two kids -- and be stuck someplace without a charge. I was already dealing with occasional break-downs in my current "beater" car. The Volt's electric battery with "back-up" gas engine was a great solution. But a single charge could only get me to work, I would still need to drive gas on the way home at night.
Then, my company installed electric vehicle charging stations at no cost to the employees. I could charge at home, drive to work, charge at work during the day, and drive home.
Then, my current vehicle died. http://workingonwonderwoman.blogspot.com/2012/07/ode-to-my-honda-crv.html
We looked at used cars. I really did try to buy a used car. Even with a used car, we would be adding a car payment and increased insurance (possibly) to the monthly budget --- and still on the same gasoline bill. We went to a popular used car dealership, the one car under $20K my husband outright refused to buy. We checked into a used Honda from a local dealership, and the Honda salesman turned me off almost immediately.
So, we drove down the street to the Chevy dealership.
How the Volt Works (in non-engineer terms)
To Be Written
My Driving Habits
Freeway Driving:
I had three speeds on the freeway.
For example, one day I got tired of driving behind someone who had no one in front of them and was going less than the speed limit. I hit the gas, and passed around the vehicle. The Volt followed my lead and did a great job -- however, I was on my last tiny bit of electric charge when I got to work (which is why the gas tank back-up is WONDERFUL).
City Street Driving:
Low Profile:
Extra Weight:
By the Numbers -- Gasoline
I put gas in the car before I drove it home the first night, 06/30/12. As of 07/30/12, I have not put gas in since I bought it, I have driven 2,027 miles, and my car tells me I still have 70 miles to go on the gas tank -- if I didn't have any battery power remaining. January through June of 2012, I've averaged $300/month in gasoline expenses on my Honda (minimum $203, maximum $418). My husband's Dodge van averaged $465/month (minimum $375, maximum $543). We've been using the Volt for family errands on Saturdays, instead of the van.
Our gasoline costs for the month of July were $274. Assuming our driving habits were similar in July to the first 6 months of the year, that's a $491 savings. Even if we both had spent our minimum gasoline bill in the same month (which we didn't), its still a savings of $304.
08/09/12: I ran on gas for a little while this evening. The first 3.5 miles were solely highway, measured ~50 mpg. Slowed down for the off-ramp and the stoplight/ stop sign laden city streets for another 4 miles, measured ~30.7 mpg. One adult and two kids with car seats weighing down the car.
By the Numbers -- Electricity
We are currently running our home electricity and electric charging for the Volt on the same meter. Southern California Edison offers an additional price break if we pay an electrician to install a separate meter just for the car. We're looking into that.
Our electricity billing is based on a tiered system, with the price going up for each kWh as your usage increases past each tier's threshold.
July, 2010 Usage: 70.56 kWh. The average max temp in the area for the month was 91 deg F, and average mean 77 deg F. The peak was 105 deg F.
July, 2011 Usage: 68.00 kWh.
The average max temp was 92 deg F, and average mean 78 deg F. The peak was 100 deg F.
July, 2012 Usage: 67.91 kWh with the Volt charging ~24 days.
The average max temp was 93 deg F, and average mean 78 deg F. The peak was 102 deg F.
So, obviously, something in our habits changed to offset the Volt charging. I don't know what it was (-- we are still very good friends with our central A/C), but either way, our habits and the weather have about as much affect on our electric bill as charging a car.
A true comparison might be easier during the winter months when our electrical usage is fairly consistent over many months. We're currently in our 3-month peak season.
How It Drives
To Be Written
Interior & Cargo Space
08/10/12: Very comfortable, enjoyable ride. Easy to wipe down, clean-up any spills. All controls easily within reach. Enough room for back packs, bags, etc. on the floor of the front passenger seat or in the trunk. I only have some small "Commuter Mom" comments:
1) I can't reach the floor of the back seat. In the Honda CRV, I could pretty much play "gumby" Mom while driving and reach any sippy cup, granola bar, or toy dropped on the floor without any effort. Now, I can't reach anything. But maybe the kids will just learn to keep track of their stuff. ;)
2) There isn't a really good spot for a trash bag. The floor of the front passenger seat puts the bag too far away. Putting a bag on the passenger seat always has the risk of spilling all over the car when hitting the brakes or leaking onto the seat. There's two cup holders and an open cubby behind the gear shift, so between the three spots, one ends up getting used as a small trash.
3) The console between the front seats runs across the floor of the back seats, in between the back seats to the trunk. So, basically, the kids have to climb over this (putting their dusty feet all over) to get out of the opposite side of the car -- which is necessary on occasion when some idiot parks too close to one of your doors.
4) Space is great for myself and the two kids with our daily stuff. There's a period in every child's life when their legs lay straight out from their seat, and aren't long enough to hang down. So, when my husband joins us in the car on the weekend, there's a little compromise on leg space between him and the little one in the back seat.
But like I said, these are minor. Maybe this will help some future or current car designer think of what us "Commuter Moms" need.
What was my motivation?
I drive 84 miles round trip per day, 5 days per week. I was at the gas station twice per week. We had driven a Chevy Volt at a car show and liked it. So, I continued to eye the Volts. We had also driven a Leaf. It scared me to drive a solely electric car with two kids -- and be stuck someplace without a charge. I was already dealing with occasional break-downs in my current "beater" car. The Volt's electric battery with "back-up" gas engine was a great solution. But a single charge could only get me to work, I would still need to drive gas on the way home at night.
Then, my company installed electric vehicle charging stations at no cost to the employees. I could charge at home, drive to work, charge at work during the day, and drive home.
Then, my current vehicle died. http://workingonwonderwoman.blogspot.com/2012/07/ode-to-my-honda-crv.html
We looked at used cars. I really did try to buy a used car. Even with a used car, we would be adding a car payment and increased insurance (possibly) to the monthly budget --- and still on the same gasoline bill. We went to a popular used car dealership, the one car under $20K my husband outright refused to buy. We checked into a used Honda from a local dealership, and the Honda salesman turned me off almost immediately.
So, we drove down the street to the Chevy dealership.
How the Volt Works (in non-engineer terms)
To Be Written
My Driving Habits
Freeway Driving:
I had three speeds on the freeway.
- My goal speed. If I drove too long below this speed, I got very angry.
- My, "Oh crap, I wasn't looking" speed. At which point, my foot came off the gas.
- And my, "#%$#&%$, I REALLY wasn't looking" speed. At which point, I tapped the brakes.
For example, one day I got tired of driving behind someone who had no one in front of them and was going less than the speed limit. I hit the gas, and passed around the vehicle. The Volt followed my lead and did a great job -- however, I was on my last tiny bit of electric charge when I got to work (which is why the gas tank back-up is WONDERFUL).
City Street Driving:
Low Profile:
Extra Weight:
By the Numbers -- Gasoline
I put gas in the car before I drove it home the first night, 06/30/12. As of 07/30/12, I have not put gas in since I bought it, I have driven 2,027 miles, and my car tells me I still have 70 miles to go on the gas tank -- if I didn't have any battery power remaining. January through June of 2012, I've averaged $300/month in gasoline expenses on my Honda (minimum $203, maximum $418). My husband's Dodge van averaged $465/month (minimum $375, maximum $543). We've been using the Volt for family errands on Saturdays, instead of the van.
Our gasoline costs for the month of July were $274. Assuming our driving habits were similar in July to the first 6 months of the year, that's a $491 savings. Even if we both had spent our minimum gasoline bill in the same month (which we didn't), its still a savings of $304.
08/09/12: I ran on gas for a little while this evening. The first 3.5 miles were solely highway, measured ~50 mpg. Slowed down for the off-ramp and the stoplight/ stop sign laden city streets for another 4 miles, measured ~30.7 mpg. One adult and two kids with car seats weighing down the car.
By the Numbers -- Electricity
We are currently running our home electricity and electric charging for the Volt on the same meter. Southern California Edison offers an additional price break if we pay an electrician to install a separate meter just for the car. We're looking into that.
Our electricity billing is based on a tiered system, with the price going up for each kWh as your usage increases past each tier's threshold.
July, 2010 Usage: 70.56 kWh. The average max temp in the area for the month was 91 deg F, and average mean 77 deg F. The peak was 105 deg F.
July, 2011 Usage: 68.00 kWh.
The average max temp was 92 deg F, and average mean 78 deg F. The peak was 100 deg F.
July, 2012 Usage: 67.91 kWh with the Volt charging ~24 days.
The average max temp was 93 deg F, and average mean 78 deg F. The peak was 102 deg F.
So, obviously, something in our habits changed to offset the Volt charging. I don't know what it was (-- we are still very good friends with our central A/C), but either way, our habits and the weather have about as much affect on our electric bill as charging a car.
A true comparison might be easier during the winter months when our electrical usage is fairly consistent over many months. We're currently in our 3-month peak season.
How It Drives
To Be Written
Interior & Cargo Space
08/10/12: Very comfortable, enjoyable ride. Easy to wipe down, clean-up any spills. All controls easily within reach. Enough room for back packs, bags, etc. on the floor of the front passenger seat or in the trunk. I only have some small "Commuter Mom" comments:
1) I can't reach the floor of the back seat. In the Honda CRV, I could pretty much play "gumby" Mom while driving and reach any sippy cup, granola bar, or toy dropped on the floor without any effort. Now, I can't reach anything. But maybe the kids will just learn to keep track of their stuff. ;)
2) There isn't a really good spot for a trash bag. The floor of the front passenger seat puts the bag too far away. Putting a bag on the passenger seat always has the risk of spilling all over the car when hitting the brakes or leaking onto the seat. There's two cup holders and an open cubby behind the gear shift, so between the three spots, one ends up getting used as a small trash.
3) The console between the front seats runs across the floor of the back seats, in between the back seats to the trunk. So, basically, the kids have to climb over this (putting their dusty feet all over) to get out of the opposite side of the car -- which is necessary on occasion when some idiot parks too close to one of your doors.
4) Space is great for myself and the two kids with our daily stuff. There's a period in every child's life when their legs lay straight out from their seat, and aren't long enough to hang down. So, when my husband joins us in the car on the weekend, there's a little compromise on leg space between him and the little one in the back seat.
But like I said, these are minor. Maybe this will help some future or current car designer think of what us "Commuter Moms" need.
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