Turning Clocks Back For Daylight Savings Is This Weekend!
Posted: Wednesday, September 24, 2008
by Laura Trahan
As this Sunday morning approaches, we all begin to look forward to gaining that extra hour as we "fall back" to end this 2008 in the United States. This year, Americans will set their clocks back one hour at 2:00 a.m. on Nov. 2. Already looking forward to gaining an hour, I began to think what all I could do with that extra hour. Granted most gain that extra hour in the early morning hours so all they do is gain an extra hour of sleep. Not me, I have plans for that hour.
Camping Out
What better way to spend that extra hour then as a family outside under the stars? Camping out in the fall can be a true treat for families. Gather a tent and head to a local park or even your backyard. Plan on doing the bonfire fun, going on a fall nature walk and watching the sunrise an hour earlier.
Give to charity
My mom died five years ago next month. She suffered from Diabetes for years before dying of a heart attack. Coincidentally, my best friend from kindergarten is walking in a "Step Out To Fight Diabetes" in Illinois. Our family is going to use the extra time to raise awareness and give to this cause so that others can be educated in the dangers of this disease.
Movie Marathon
Stay up late taking advantage of the extra hour with a movie marathon. Invite the girlfriends over for a chick flick night. Spend some time as a family watching Toy Story 1 and 2. OR have a Star Wars night and watch the old triology or watch the Lord of the Rings movies. Pop some popcorn and plan for a long night just vegging in front of the screen.
Figure Finances
You have the extra hour, why not put it to some good use to finish the year strong. With a little less then two months to Christmas, it never hurts to start planning and budgeting. There never seems to be enough time to get your finances in order. Well, now there is an entire extra hour. Start a pot of coffee and plan with your family how to make your money go farther.
These are just a few suggestions. Of course, I probably will be out voted by the rest of the family and we will just use the extra hour for sleep. Seeing how sleep-deprived America is these days, spending that extra hour sleeping may not be too bad of an idea. Don't forget to set your clocks back Nov. 2, 2008 at 2 a.m. That way you don't find yourself missing out on Sunday morning!
If you too would like to give to help step out and fight diabetes, visit online at http://main.diabetes.org/site/TR/StepOut/StepOut321808010?JServSessionIdr001=rymqvfpgu1.app9a & px=3964549 & pg=personal & fr_id=5394 and support my friend Jamie in this cause.
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Top-level comments on this article: (3 total)hi laura,this was a well written and interesting article on how to spend that extra hour. i will probably be sound asleep, or up from the night before! i could fold the clothes sitting on my futon, but i won't. i could do more laundry, but i won't. i could clean the house in that hour, and feel good about how nice everything looks, but i won't. i think i'll just catch up on some much needed sleep. thanks for sharing,my best to you,sue
Hi Laura.Those are great suggestions for the "extra" hour. Here in Arizona, the only area that observes daylight savings time is the Navajo Reservation. I like it that way.And didn't it used to be that it began on the first Sunday of April and ended on the last Sunday of October? What's this business with Nov. 2?When I lived on Southern Californina, I used to hate the spring forward/fall back business. Messed up my internal clock for weeks.Once again, great article.Dianne
Hi Laura, what a fun article, great ideas on using the extra hour. You had me thinking about the day Art and I got married. We had completely forgotten about the time change and were so messed up Sat morning. I thought my brother missed his ride back to CA with Art's parents and he was going to have to spend the rest of the weekend with us. Fortunately, we are wrong. Thanks for the memory :-)
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