Wednesday, November 18, 2015

Turning Up the Heat




Yes, it's that time of year.  Fall is a beautiful season, but as it slides toward winter, we start to prepare for those darker, colder days and nights.  The time change tells us to "Fall Back."  Last weekend when changing the linen, I decided it was time to replace the summer cotton coverlet with a real blanket and quilt.  Also the electric mattress pad.  Outdoors, it was time to shut down my drip irrigation system and let the plants go dormant.  Also, time to cut back some of the perennials and shrubs.  Remember to get the
speedy little truck caught up on maintenance - a battery check and anti-freeze.  Where the hell did I put the window ice scraper last spring?



Need to move the light jackets to the back of the hall closet and bring the heavy coats up front.  We start to think of comfort foods and heartier dinners.  I love making homemade soup and baking more when the weather turns cool.  Be sure to get the furnace serviced and clean the filters.  Light the pilot on our gas fireplace.  Find my warm robe and slippers; haven't had those out since last March. 



Unfortunately, this is also the time of year when Sam and I can butt heads concerning where we set the thermostat.  He would be happy leaving the windows open most of winter.  Not me; at the first night dipping to the low 50's, lock those windows, pull up the blankets, and jack that heat up.  I turn it up, and he turns it down.  


Not a fan of winter at all.  I will make several short exceptions to that blanket statement.  I like to watch snow fall if I am in my nice warm house drinking hazelnut coffee.  I love moonlight on snow out my bedroom window.  And finally, winter is OK on December 24th and December 25th - period!  I just get cold so easily, and then it takes me forever to warm up.  Especially my hands and feet.



Sam is not a miser.  I have a lovely gas insert fireplace with a fan that will warm our whole big living room to toasty pretty darn quick.  I love putting my feet right up on the blower.  In fact everyone loves to tell the story of how I once melted the rubber bottoms of a pair of slippers.  Sam will help me with ice and snow on my truck, and he is always available for spooning and other related activities.  



Anyway our yearly sparring about closing the windows at night began not long ago.  It seems silly to me to leave the windows open like it is summer and then have to turn on the heat just to get into the shower the next morning.  The thing is, I do have a tendency to get snippy when I get cold.

"Hon, please remember to close all the windows before you come to bed."

 "Ella, it is not that cold," Sam answered with a big sigh."

"Yes, it is.  Then it is too cold in the morning when I want to get in the shower."

"We do NOT need the heat on yet." he said with an air that the matter was decided.

"Well, if you are going to leave windows open, then I'm turning up the heat!"  I didn't realize my hands were on my hips.

"No, I'm going to turn up the heat," he countered slowly and his eyes narrowed.  I should be able to read that look by now.

Instead, I bossed, "All right, then.  You turn up the ......"  

Then I realized he wasn't talking about the thermostat or the furnace.  He was talking about my bottom.  My tone changed immediately, and I thought I had pulled my proverbial chestnuts out of the fire.  Sam just smiled.



Next evening, though, he happily demonstrated how he was going to turn up the heat for me.  Draped over his knee in the dining room, he kept asking me if I was warm enough.  I kept answering, "Yes!"  That particular part of my anatomy was now set way past 68 degrees Fahrenheit.  That's my Sam, always doing his part to conserve energy, save money, and keep Ella happy. 


20 comments:

  1. Hi Ella, I think we have the same heating problems over here. Why do they need the windows open, it's far too chilly for that! My hubby would have the same answer as Sam I am sure
    love Jan,xx

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    1. Jan, how do you ever get through winter wearing dresses?!? The only way I can wear a dress or skirt is with leggings and boots. Hope you have a fireplace at which to roast your toes.

      Warm Hugs,
      Ella

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  2. Are you sure that Sam and Dan have not been conferring? I cannot believe you have the same issue in your household as we have in ours. What is it about men and the heating thermostat?!

    Well I hope your bottom is as well toasted as mine; is all I can say!

    Hugs
    Ami

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  3. You and i feel the exact same way about winter....and Master could replace Sam and we would never know they had switched......Why is that the male species seems to like the frozen tundra...and think that if one part of our anatomy is hot..the rest is also....
    hugs abby

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    1. Exactly, Abby. While I always appreciate Sam's attention to my bottom, it does not seem to help my hands and feet. I loved your reference to the frozen tundra!

      Hugs,
      Ella

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  4. My husband wears short sleeves throughout the winter and I wear layers, lots of them. I can see us having this conversation too. A toasted bottom does have its benefits.
    hugs DF

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    1. Yes, DF. I have seen Sam head out to our mailbox with bare feet in January! If I shovel snow, I am dressed to scale Mount Everest.

      The "toasted bottom" sounds rather festive. I will remember that phrase for the holidays.

      Hugs Across the Pond,
      Ella

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  5. We usually agree on temperature, I would rather the house be cool (don't tell but I like the windows opened a little at night) but remember I'm usually sitting under a blanket with a computer and two cats on my lap - that keeps me pretty warm.

    Now when I'm out in my writing room I do have my little gas stove and I love to turn that on until Nick yells from the other room that he feels a heat wave coming on.

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    1. I do so enjoy the blanket thing. There are 2 throws on the sofa, and that is where I like to curl up with my laptop or book.

      PK, I am a little worried about our friendship. I feel that your liking a cool house may be an indication that you have gone over to the Dark Side. Be vigilant. I would hate to think you are only a "Fair Weather Friend."

      Ella Teasing You

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    2. It's scary - I only wear tennis shoes or flip flops. Maybe opposites really do attract.

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  6. Oh Ella...need to learn to read those warning signs a bit better. ;) My ex and I had the same issue. But even with the heat on, I feel chilled when I get out of the shower...of course he claimed I boiled myself in the shower. LOL I bought a small space heater for the bathroom...turn it on when I get in the shower, leaving the door shut, and when I get out, the bathroom is nice and toasty. You might want to try this. Good luck.

    Hugs and blessings...Cat

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    1. Cat, just reading your comment made me shiver. Sometimes I even throw my clothes in the dryer just to heat them up. Don't think Sam even knows I do that, since I am always up earlier than he is.

      Hugs,
      Ella

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  7. Oh Ella, I can empathize! Although at times I also get that overwhelming heat from the inside that makes me boil. Then I'm back to cold. However I love opening the windows and cuddling under the covers. My Scotsman likes to tell me I'd be cold in Hawaii. At night he complains he has a bald heed (accent) and gets chilly!
    Hands on your hips? That's the same as pointing your finger at them!! Bad idea!

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    1. Poor Minelle, I am sorry those awful hot flashes torment you. I love the wisdom from your Scotsman! Ha! My father was Scotch and Irish. When his hair started thinning, he would wear a "snood" when we were camping. My brother and I would laugh so hard.

      Since you are one of the artists of this group, perhaps you could depict what happens when you put your hand on your hips or point your finger.

      Hoping Your Scotsman Returns Very Soon,
      Ella

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  8. Hi Ella, I can totally relate too. I feel the cold and like lots of heat, the place ends up like a furnace lol. Fortunately though Rick largely indulges me, and ends up roasting lol.

    Hugs
    Roz

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    1. Roz, since it is soon to be summer where you are, I am envious. Next April you can write about your winter approaching. I do love that the seasons change, though. I look forward to pulling out my favorite old sweaters. Rick is a good man!!

      Hugs,
      Ella

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  9. Hi Ella, Not good with your hands on your hips talking to Sam. Hope you house is warmed up soon and not your bottom too many times. Bear and I are the opposite I'm always hot and he is frozen with the heating turned up way too high.
    Will send you some of our spring weather to enjoy.
    Stay warm, Hugs Lindy

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    1. Lindy, I think perhaps if I was rich, I would just change hemispheres every 6 months. What sorts of flowers are getting ready to bloom there?

      Poor Bear, I thought all bears were warm. I certainly wouldn't mind hibernating through much of the winter. Just pull the covers over my head until March.

      Sending Hugs DownUnder,
      Ella

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  10. Hi Ella! There is a rule in our house...no touching the thermostat!! Only Dad/Hubby is aowed to change the temp. lol. It should be interesting this winter. TBG has lost a lot of weight and is now colder than he used to be. We even have an electric blanket now!!! So toasty and warm...mmmmmm. I wonder if he will finally turn the heat up and stop yelling at us to put a blanket on!

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