Employees Share July Updates on New Year’s Resolutions

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Patrick Jablonski and family row their way back to shore after their boat ran out of gas

With summer in full swing, Rebecca Williams, accounting clerk at North Fork, is taking a greener approach to using electricity, water and gasoline. And although Patrick Jablonski, CCA senior director, Quality Assurance Research and Analysis at North Fork, has faced some weight loss setbacks this month, he isn’t giving up without a fight.

Making it a Green Summer

Williams and her husband have turned to green options for beating the summer heat.

“We’re keeping our thermostat set at about 80 degrees and using ceiling fans, and portable fans all through the house,” she says. “It wasn’t too bad until the temperature broke 100 degrees and now it’s pretty warm, but we’re hoping to use less electricity this way.”

Williams also keeps her blinds closed during daylight hours to help lower the temperature in her home. And with the rising heat, she’s also staying hydrated in a greener way.

“Our water isn’t very good where we live,” she explains. “It’s rural water but it’s hard and doesn’t taste very good at all.”

Williams used to drink bottled water but she now uses six five-gallon bottles that she refills while shopping. A crock dispenser in her kitchen keeps the water cool and is an energy-efficient alternative to dispensers that both cool and heat water but use more electricity.

“I feel a lot better since I’m not filling up the landfills with the individual plastic bottles,” Williams says.

And while driving, she’s now slowing her pace to save on gas.
“The speed limit here on the highways is 65, but by driving 60, I get better mileage,” she says.

Getting Back to Business

Jablonski admits that, while enjoying some summertime fun, he hit some weight-loss barriers this month.

“I went on vacation to St. Petersburg Beach and gained seven pounds during that week,” he says. “About the only exercise I got was when my boat ran out of gas coming back into our cove after a day of boating around the Sunshine Skyway Bridge.”

But Jablonski is determined to make a comeback. “It was a great vacation, but now it’s time to get back to business,” he says.

To get previous updates on these employees’ New Year’s resolutions, click on the links below. Employees Share June Updates on New Year’s Resolutions
Employees Share May Updates on New Year’s Resolutions
Employees Share April Updates on New Year’s Resolutions
Employees Share March Updates on New Year’s Resolutions
Falling Down and Getting Up in February
Employees Make 2010 a Year to Begin Again

By DeAndra Mack