Monday, October 23, 2006

Mrs. Linklater Goes Polar

Every year around this time my furnace usually kicks in. Sometimes it kicks in as early as September. When that happens I used to worry that we would have a long and terrible winter. But in Chicago the seasons don't seem to have any bearing on each other. A hot summer and fall can produce a freezing ass cold winter. Or not. I learned a long time ago that the temperatures of spring and fall are to the temperatures of summer and winter as lava lamps are to fish.

With natural gas prices climbing to the sky, I thought this year I would wait until November to turn on the heat. For the principle of the thing. Unfortunately this fall has been brisk to say the least. In fact, my furnace wanted to turn itself on a good two weeks ago -- way ahead of MY schedule, so I just flipped the switch off.  Na na na na na.

Now we're in the third week of October. It's cooling off rapidly around here. Very rapidly. The temperature dropped to thirty last night. My house holds heat for quite awhile, but I notice this morning that my hands are starting to turn blue while I'm typing this. That was an exaggeration, a figure of speech. The blood just stopped moving in my fingers is all.

I could swear there's a breeze in here, too. What's that about? No problem, I'll just put on some gloves until I'm finished writing this. Then I'll plunge them into boiling water. Besides, what are heating pads and those Thermacare patches for?

I have to say the toilet seat sure is getting cold. Should have taken the plumber up on that heated option they were offering.

Meanwhile, I've got enough polar fleece to outfit a mountain climbing team. Although I'm not moving very well with four jackets on. But I don't care. This is a competition. It's me against the furnace. And the gas company. Of course, the furnace is at a disadvantage, since I've turned it off. Haaaaaaa. And the gas company could care.

You watch, I'll make it to Halloween. I refuse to turn on the furnace until then.

On the other hand, between now and then, I may have to check into a hotel to stay warm.

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

I can really dress appropriately for a cool house, and do (65 is our high in the house).  But my fingers freeze all winter, and you can't wear gloves if you're going to do ANYTHING inside.

Anonymous said...

Go, Mrs. L! Here's to kicking some pre-season Winter butt!

By the way, if it gets to the point where you can see your breath INSIDE the house, I'd say throw up the white flag (or glove in this case), and flip that furnace switch. I prefer Mrs. L. fresh, not frozen. :-)    

Anonymous said...

Gotta pick your battles in life, right? LOL you are funny!
Pam

Anonymous said...

Just a reminder.  From a legal standpoint, there’s a fine line between “headstrong and principled” and “crazy woman.”  It’s basically placing all your possessions in a shopping cart and walking around the neighborhood in your jammies.  It’s unsettled whether walking around the neighborhood in your jammies but without all your possessions would make you a “crazy woman.”  I suggest that were you to do that, borrow someone's dog, like you were walking it, and carry a cup of coffee or tea, preferably something mainstream like “Earl Grey” as opposed to “Darjeeling,” which is widely recognized as the tea of choice of crazy people.

Anonymous said...

I let the dogs out to pee at 10pm last night.  It was snowing.  We're gonna die this winter.  I'm telling you.

Anonymous said...

Do like they did on an episode of MASH and burn your furniture for warmth!

I'm rooting for you, Mrs. L!


Chris
http://inanethoughtsandinsaneramblings.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

Mine goes on when it drops below 70 degrees. I figure I am worth it, lol. It's 72 in here. Mmm.

xoxo

Anonymous said...

Heat is so expensive...its really sad that we have to make choices like not turn it on....I will invest in solar panels one day....its really the only way to go....-Raven

Anonymous said...

All right already.  I turned the heat on.

Sheesh.

Mrs. L

Anonymous said...

I believe we are in for a high of 79 today.  Brrr.  lol

If you don't want to turn on your furnace, you could buy a plane ticket instead. :D
Anna