Food for thought about winter coming.

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Here in the US, Fall is arriving--slowly, but it is happening. Here where I live, once Halloween is over, it seems like winter has arrived for the most part. Hard to believe when it's been as hot as it has been this summer, but it's coming--it always does. Browsing for something different to watch on television Sunday, I stumbled on a show about what to expect this winter about heating costs. It seems that if you use any form of power to heat your home, the prices will all be up significantly. Heating oil, gas heat, or electric heat, they stressed that we will all be paying quite a bit more than we ever have. Not the best news when our economy is so bad, and so many are already stressed about costs. They stressed that people need to do a bit of winter prepping, such as check your window seals, the seals around your doors that lead to outside, have your furnace serviced or do it yourself by changing the filter, etc. on a regular basis. The biggest thing they stressed is to try to get used to not turning up the thermostat during very cold times. It was recommended that everyone be sure they had enough winter blankets, to layer clothing to stay warm (I think that hint helps me the most!) and think about alternatives--one big one they mentioned was to get a warming blanket, electric throw or blanket, electric mattress pad...even a heating pad to warm your bed. Warm socks or slippers help a lot, too. When your feet are cold, you are just cold all over! One thing I know is that our electric rates here have really climbed up this year. We are as careful as we know how to be and it's still higher. I welcomed any hints or reminders at this point. It's not fun to be too hot or too cold. It's always good to think ahead and be ready for the winter, I think.