Who's going to Orlando for the RWA conference next week? I am!
I've heard it's humid. And hot.
Like, "I'M MELTING!" hot.
I'm not sure I'm ready for that. Are you?
I'm packing a fan. My friends don't believe me, but it's true. I have one that folds, like this one. I think it'll pack nicely in my suitcase.
Just looking at this fellow makes me feel good. I want to be that cool!
I'll be using this fan pen to sign books at the big Literacy book signing on Wednesday, July 28. Isn't it cool? It's got a little battery inside to keep the fan running and it works really well. Be sure to stop by and check it out. You can be cool, too!
I've heard there's an Ice Cream Fountain restaurant inside the conference hotel. I might just stay in there all week long. This is a really good idea, don't you think? Eating ice cream should keep me cool, right? Y'all are welcome to join me!
How do you all beat the heat? I really am a wimp when it comes to heat and humidity, so any help or suggestions you can give me is greatly appreciated! I'll give a $15 Amazon gift certificate to one random commenter who can help me stay cool!
For most of July, the rest of the country has been sweltering while here in Southern California it's been in the low 70's all month. So, as you can imagine, the thought of me spending all next week in sultry Florida (see? I'm being nice and not calling it oppressively stifling!) is ... daunting.
So in anticipation of attending the RWA national convention in Orlando next week, I've been looking into ways to be cool. I mean, not hot. Er, you know what I mean.
I'm packing a fan. My friends don't believe me, but it's true. I have one that folds, like this one. I think it'll pack nicely in my suitcase.
Just looking at this fellow makes me feel good. I want to be that cool!That's one way to stay cool -- and I'm looking for more.
I'll be using this fan pen to sign books at the big Literacy book signing on Wednesday, July 28. Isn't it cool? It's got a little battery inside to keep the fan running and it works really well. Be sure to stop by and check it out. You can be cool, too!
I've heard there's an Ice Cream Fountain restaurant inside the conference hotel. I might just stay in there all week long. This is a really good idea, don't you think? Eating ice cream should keep me cool, right? Y'all are welcome to join me!
How do you all beat the heat? I really am a wimp when it comes to heat and humidity, so any help or suggestions you can give me is greatly appreciated! I'll give a $15 Amazon gift certificate to one random commenter who can help me stay cool!
54 comments:
Always dress comfortably in airy fabrics and loose cut styles - get as much airflow going as possible. If something is too snug, it just makes the heat that much more unbearable.
*hugs*
Anna
low 70's!! lucky california. it's 83 (heat index 87) @ 120 am here outside dc -- it's hot so plan on drinking cool stuff & ice cream is always good :) preferably in the shade or air conditioning :)
a trick i learned is to cool your wrists off and that'll help bring some relief. run cold water over the inside of your wrist or rest your wrist on the outside of that cold drink or bowl of ice cream. the back of the neck is another good spot for cooling that seems to help the entire body.
have fun in Florida.
I always dress in light colored cloths and set a bottle of botted water in freezer for about an hour and half .so i have a bootle of ice water to carry with me.
Hi Kate,
I love the fan pen. I've seen a lot people on the street with a little spritzer fan that they wear around their neck. Staying hydrated is critical in maintaining your energy.
We hit about 94 today, and the only thing I can say is to dress in light weight clothes, sleevless tops and stay in the AC as much as possible. Most of the time at home I am in shorts and tank tops. Maybe a nice sun dress may keep you cooler!
I can't remember who said it...Horses sweat, men perspire and women glisten. :)
I was at Disney World eons ago. One thing I did remember was getting out of the shower, drying off and still feeling like I didn't towel off enough.
Virginia's right...sundresses or t-shirt with a skirt would probably be much cooler than slacks if you're outdoors. I'm sure the resort is a five-star accommodation, but Florida has HUGE bugs, so keep your suitcase zipped so you don't bring any friends home. Have a super time!
Congrats, Virginia!
It's not hot today -plenty of clouds and there's supposed to be some rain, too (we hope) but on the hot days -and there have been plenty of those) I've mostly kept my hair wet and my red t-shirt damp.
fans
wear shorts and white shirts
and drink loots of water or ice tea
andkeep a min i fan around
I've also made quite a few parfaits lately. Ice cream might melt a bit too much during the hour it takes to ride by bike back home from the shop, but cream doesn't.
Buster Poindexter - Hot Hot Hot
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nrhf_zgtmAg
Sommartider - Gyllenetider
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E7s87VzEc4M
Oh Kate, low 70's sounds divine! It was 99° here yesterday with a heat index of 108°. Welcome to the Southeast USA Summer!
It will be plenty cool in the hotel and conference rooms. In fact, you'll probably want a sweater or light jacket. If you're venturing into the parks, wear light colors and fabrics, a hat if you have one and drink plenty of liquid. There are lots of drinking fountains around the park to quench your thirst and re-fill water bottles - which are a bit costly at $3 a pop! I love to cool down with fresh fruit smoothies or a nice thick milkshake. Mmmmmm...I'm feeling cooler just thinking about it. :)
My favorite cool-down in the Disney parks is a frozen banana. If you've never had one, it's a banana on a popsicle stick, dipped in chocolate, rolled in nuts then frozen. Yummy in the tummy and an excellent cool-down!
Can't wait to see you!
I think that's too funny that you're packing a fan. We had record heat yesterday and it's been ridiculously hot all summer. The hotel should be cool, in fact it might be really cool so pack a light sweater just in case. If you want to go out and about do it in the early morning or the evening, because those are the most comfortable times. I hope you have a great time.
Well done s7anna have fun with him
Kate
I don't like the heat and humidity either and I am grateful that it is winter here in Australia at the moment and I am in my PJ's with my thick dressing gown on and it is cold and raining outside sorry I love it.
We had a horribly hot summer last time around and I drank lots of water and stayed indoors as much as possible with the AC on and only went outside when I really had too LOL I am with everyone else dress in light colours loose fitting clothes eat lots of ice cream and drink lots of water. Stay cool Kate and have lots of fun.
Have Fun
Helen
Gee, Kate, it sounds like you have had some fantastic summer weather. We never get that here in Georgia!! This year it seems like we had 2 weeks of spring weather and then jumped right into summer. I can't wait for fall to arrive!
As for the conference, I plan on wearing "light" clothing and lots of sandals. If my feet are cool then the rest of me usually is too.
Looking forward to seeing you AND your fan pen!!
The heat and humidity have been off the charts lately here, so I think I'm ready for Orlando. The pen is brilliant. :)
I'd suggest natural fabric, all the way. Can' wait to see you!
Away from an air conditioner, there is no way to be cool from 7-7in the Southeast in late July. The best you can hope for is endurable heat, which can be achieved by wearing light, loose-fitting clothes and staying well hydrated. My doctor told me not to walk out the door without a bottle of water in hand. The forecast high here in central Georgia today is 96 with a heat index of 105. I expect the reality will be hotter.
A cold drink does help. There's a reason iced tea and icey Co' Cola are practically required beverages down here, but save the alcoholic beverages for the cool of the evening--well, cooler evening. The low is probably going to be several degrees hotter than your California weather.
Go naked?
Or take the frozen water bottle and stick it in your cleavage??
Seriously, I have a friend who does that.
I've found the A/C all over Disneyworld is beyond wonderful so you shouldn't have any problems. Even in the parks, they have lots of cool places to duck into.
I HATE those spritz/fan bottles though. Anybody with glasses would!
Hey Kate! Lately, at work I have moments where I come out of surgery drenched in sweat. My favorite thing to do, (since working naked is not only NOT an option, but ewwwwww too), I go to the nurse's lounge fridge, open the freezer door and put my head in until I cool down!
Now, I'm thinking that Icecream restaurant ought to have a very, very BIG freezer. Wanna make a date? I'm sure we could plot some story while hold up amongst the chocolate chip and the English-toffee-carmel-swirl ice creams!
If your outside, you can wear a hat and sunglasses to get the heat off of you. Have plenty of cold water or cold drinks. I'd take a swim if the hotel had a pool and you had time for it.
good idea about making ice water peggy. i've done that for sightseeing in dc during hot spells like this. should also wrap the half frozen water bottle in a hand towel. that will help insulate it to keep cold longer and keep the bottle sweat from getting everything in your bag or purse from getting wet. also that cool damp towel comes in real handy for cooling off & wiping the sweat from your face/neck/etc later on.
Hi, Kate! My number one survival tool is lots of sweet iced tea with lemon. I drink it all year around, but it's essential in the Summer. Don't forget ice-cold watermelon or canteloupe---with salt! Enjoy the thrill of the grill--people even cook pizza on the grill, so anything goes. Frozen popsicles or "ICEES" are a fast way to chill out : )
I buy "baby wipes" for removing makeup and quick clean ups. I buy the extra-thick, moisturizing kind that smells so good! In the Summer, I keep a tub of wipes in the refrigerator!!! You have no idea how refreshing that icy cold wipe is when you've been out in the sun, doing yard work, or you're just plain hot and sweaty!
My cats sent this tip: Sleep during the day--in the shade. Don't start moving until the sun goes down. >^..^<
Aw, DANG.
Jeez-o-flip. Thee's an ice cream fountain IN the hotel That's bad. I've been craving ice cream for three weeks now and have managed to resist. But conferences are hell on my motivation to diet. I need to stay FAR, FAR away from that ice cream!
S7anna, Congrats on the rooster!
Slip a couple ice cubes in your bra when nobody is watching!!
Have fun!!
Janga said:
The forecast high here in central Georgia today is 96 with a heat index of 105. I expect the reality will be hotter
I'm betting you're right Janga!
Friday it was 99 here. That was the ambient temp. not the heat index. We usually hit that at least one week per year here in Kenucky. Sometimes twice. I've been putting off mowing the yard. Must do it today before I leave for Florida. I was actually looking at the Florida forecast and thinking...hey, that's cooler than here!
A cold drink does help. There's a reason iced tea and icey Co' Cola are practically required beverages down here, but save the alcoholic beverages for the cool of the evening--well, cooler evening. The low is probably going to be several degrees hotter than your California weather.
OH, you know, I never thought of why they don't offer sweet iced tea in the north usually. They don't understand summer heat and how to deal with it! Good advice from your doc on the water I'd say. I should take that advice myself.
And as to the nighttime heat--that's the thing when you're not used to the heat and come down here...not that it gets hot, but that it STAYS hot even at night. Our relatives who moved to Wisconsin say those people turn into wusses and go inside moaning about the heat when it's 80 degrees outside! I, on the other hand, think 80 is perfect.
Wanna make a date? I'm sure we could plot some story while hold up amongst the chocolate chip and the English-toffee-carmel-swirl ice creams!
Suz, Kate and yummy ice cream? That's a date I'd love to crash! :)
Good morning everyone! Sure enough, this morning is overcast and 68 degrees. It's June gloom gone awry! But I'm not complaining. The rest of you are so good with your suggestions. I'm going to follow them all!
Anna, Congrats on snagging the Golden Rooster! I hope he'll help keep you cool today. He's very good at waving feathers around. ;-)
And thanks for the clothing advice. I'm trying to pack as many light items as possible.
Gamemistress, thanks for that wrist cooling trick! I've had times when I ran cold water over my wrists, but using the bowl of ice cream as wrist cooler is something I'll definitely experiment with. Really, I do plan to visit the ice cream restaurant a lot! Only in the interests of keeping cool, of course. ;-)
Ooh Peggy, I like your suggestion about the frozen bottle of ice water! I'll be trying this one out for sure. Thanks!
Hi Jane! The fan pen was a gift from my SIL and I thought it was a gag gift -- until I tried it. It really works! So you'll see me using it in Orlando. Of course, I expect to get a lot of weird looks, but I'm used to that. ;-)
Haven't seen the little spritzer fans you talked about. I might have to look into that, too. Thanks!
We are looking at the 90's today, it was 88 this morning about 7. Flash flood watches are out we have a huge storm coming again.
Something my mother always did (she worked in a laundry where it was literally steamy) was to keep a damp towel on the back of her neck. What I do when mowing the lawn is to roll ice cubes in a towel and lay it across my neck.
Wear as little make up as possible so you can keep your pores open. Your body sweats to try and cool itself, if you inhibit that then you are going to be hotter. Not to mention that it is just going to melt off anyway.
Virginia, I hope you're staying cool! Staying in close range of the AC is the best advice of all! Thanks! It's easier to dress for the heat at home, but at conference I actually have to try to look sort of "business-y." And that's just not my look! LOL
FAR, FAR away from that ice cream!
Cassondra...there are chocolate covered Mickey Mouse bars EVERYWHERE....
Resistance is futile!
We've been in the 90's all week and humid and I live in PA for goodness sake. I remember one year when we went to an amusement park and our friends had this good size water bottle that had a fan attached on top - ran by a small battery. It was a life saver!!!I have seen them since and would thing they're available - maybe online.
Hi Pink! My mom used to say that about glistening, too! Then she'd say, look at me, I'm glistening like a pig! LOL
Oh dear God, the BUGS!?! Are you kidding me? And they'll get in my suitcase? Okay, I have to take some deep breaths here ... just breathe ... I'll make it through this ...
Really? BUGS? Because the horrific heat and humidity wasn't enough? Gads!
Hi Minna! Hey, keeping your hair damp probably keeps you cool all over, right? Not a bad idea! Of course, you probably have hair that looks pretty when it's wet, whereas I look somewhat like that cat I showed you. Not a pretty sight, trust me. :-)
Hi Kim! I think I've packed at least five white shirts, so I'm good there. And I've got to find a handheld mini-fan. I used to have one but it's disappeared. How does that happen? Anyway, I'm hoping to buy one before I leave. Thanks!
Hi PJ! Good point about bringing a sweater -- which just sounds crazy, but it figures I'd start shivering from the overactive AC! I'm such a diva. LOL
Oh, I love frozen bananas! Haven't had one in years, but I'm going to track them down at the park. Just the thought of them makes me happy!
Hey, Maureen, thanks for your good advice! I do plan to get out and do some things, but I'll try to keep it to the cooler hours in the morning or evening.
Helen, great to see you! I know you all suffered through a very hot summer, but now with your cold weather, I'll bet you're the envy of many of us here in the US! Thanks for your good advice!
Hi Buffie! Okay, you didn't get any Spring and we don't seem to be getting much of a Summer. But once Fall starts, it'll probably get hot here. Strange...
I'm so looking forward to seeing you in Orlando! I plan on following your lead with sandals and light clothing. We'll be so cool!!
Hi Gillian! I guess the only good thing about the hot weather where you are, is that you'll be used to Orlando already, right? Nobody will hear you whimpering like me. LOL. Can't wait to see you there!!
Janga, thanks for that great advice! I'm hoping the conference bags will have a separate place for a water bottle, because I'm going to carry one everywhere I go. And Coke helps, too? Good to know!
Joanie, I should go naked??? Really??? I would hate to strike anyone blind, but I'm afraid that's what would happen. Or at least, they'd WISH they were blind! LOL
Uhh, okay, no spritzer fans. Good thinking. After all, I've got my Prada sunglasses to consider. Snork!!
Oh Kate - You're on the cool kids. You'll be cool no matter what (grin). As it's been sweltering here, I'm not overly worried about Orlando. Actually, my concern is the opposite. I figure we'll be inside the hotel most of the time and I always manage to find the seat under the air conditioning vent and freeze!
No matter what - we'll have a great time. Can't wait to see you there.
s7anna got the Golden Rooster! He is the coolest of the cool even without a fan!!
Kate, temps in the 70's???? Sheesh! It is in the high 90's here in Bama and the humidity is RIDICULOUS!
I intend to keep cool in Orlando by NEVER LEAVING THE HOTEL !! I do like that folding fan! I need one of those. I can't sleep without a fan, even in the winter.
I do the frozen water too. And those spritzer fans are great. My Mom uses those when she goes to my niece's softball games. She has one so big my brothers say with a little more power she could fly it home after the game!
Working in a bakery it can get hot! Those industrial ovens can put out the heat. Fortunately we also have a large industrial walk-in freezer. The perfect cure for hot flashes. A few minutes in there and you are definitely refreshed.
I have an eye mask that can be frozen and it is great for a refresher when the heat gets too hectic!
Can't wait to see you in Orlando!
Hey Suz! Oh, I feel your pain coming out of surgery drenching. But I love the freezer trick! We must try that in Orlando at the ice cream fountain! It'l be a total party, especially if PJ comes along! Who else is with us? ;-)
Amy, hi! Great advice to bring a hat along. And I should bring my bathing suit to go swimming, but I don't want to scare the children. LOL!
Virginia, please thank your cat for that purrfect advice! Cats are sooo smart! And I also like what you said about keeping baby wipes in the fridge. You really have some great ideas! And so does your cat. Hee hee!
Cassondra, Joanie was right. Resistance is futile. See you at the fountain. ;-)
I'm looking forward to trying some sweet iced tea. We really don't get that whole concept out here. I mean, I like tea, and once in blue moon I like it sweetened. So I think that'll be one of my first menu items. Right after the vodka & tonic. ;-)
Runner10, I'm laughing out loud at your idea to put ice cubes in my bra! Now that would get everyone's attention, especially mine!! LOL
Kate, I beat the heat by hiding from it. Seriously. I was out doing conference errands today, and the air was so muggy, walking through it felt like swimming. The temperature is 96, and I don't even want to know what the heat index is.
Good prep for Florida.
I also try to wear shirts that are 100% cotton, but those are hard to find anymore.
Except for the dreaded polo shirts. :-)
s7anna, congrats on the bird! I hope you keep him busy.
Hi Dianna! I hope everyone's safe where you are with all those flash flood warnings.
Hey, my mom used to do that thing with the wet towel, but I like your idea of rolling up ice cubes! The tip about less makeup is a good one, too. Just what I need is to *truly* look like I'm melting!
Hi catslady, great to see you here today! I really want to find out about the fan and the water bottle. Even if I'm wearing dark glasses, it would be nice to have a fine spray of water going all over the other parts of me. Hope you're staying cool today! :-)
Hi Donna! Hey, you're right, of course. We'll have fun no matter what. Because we're so naturally cool, right? Yeah!
You're right about the cold air and I hope nobody gets sick from going in and out from cold to hot all week. Or is that an old wives' tale? Can you really get a bad cold from switching back and forth from cold to hot temperatures? Anybody know? :-)
Louisa, hi!! You've exposed my true strategy for Orlando! I'm never leaving the hotel!! I'm convinced it's the only way to stay cool all week long. And I'm not only NOT leaving the hotel, I'm not leaving the ice cream fountain! LOL
Ooh, the frozen eye mask is a good idea, too. I know where I can get one of those. Thanks!
Hi Nancy! Oh, those "dreaded polo shirts!!" LOL! I've worn them, too, and they just look dreadful on me. Okay, I'm not packing any and I hope you're not either. Girlfriends don't let girlfriends wear polo shirts. Snork!
I hate being hot and sticky. My strategy is to stay inside and drink cool drinks. I have seen some neck wraps on infomercials that you freeze that might be work.
Hi, Kate,
The ladies are giving you lots of
good advice for the conference. I just had to get up and go to the
fridge for a cold bottle of water
after all the "heat" talk. (It's
almost 5:00 pm in Houston and it's
94 degrees, which down several
degrees from last week) I will echo
the advice to stay hydrated, that
seem to be the major way to fight the heat! Enjoy the conference!
I try to stay indoors and when going out wear loose clothing. Drink plenty of water, eat fruit, and don't do more of the difficult workouts. Allow time for icecream.
Kate, your weather sounds divine. Even here in the NC mountains, we are having temps in the 90's this week. Yuck! I grew up in Florida, so I'm familiar with heat and humidity, but I don't like it.
During the conference, I will be going outside only when absolutely necessary--AC is my friend! I'm with Buffie, sandals are my thing. Can't wait to see you!
Ice. Creamed, cubed, crushed, etc. :)
As we don't have air conditioning, cold showers, fans and gallons of chilled water are useful...and on really really bad heat wave days, if I've had just about enough, I throw a few ice cubes in a baggie and periodically hold them to my wrists or neck.
Logging in late with cool ideas ... Disney sells a combo hand held fan plus squirt bottle - it's the only way my kids survived Disney in early June (some folks in lines said they purchased similar ones at Lowes and Walmart).
Otherwise, I suggest staying in the hotel with ICE COLD AC.
As for beating the heat at the Literacy Signing, I'm one of the volunteer coordinators. My team of attendents will keep the authors cool with ice water!
any winner
Post a Comment