Believe it or not I’m a really a sensitive guy.  You really can’t listen to rumor or the personal opinions of people who may be biased in some fashion. With that being said I need to remind everyone that it’s mid-October here in Maine, the warm weather is slowly fading away leaving us with crisp and cold nights and sunny days with chilly winds. Now that you’ve been given the official EveryUseLessThing weather report you understand it’s that time of the year for the  anticipated “change of season”.  We’ve now seen the return of football, new TV programming, and the soon to be migration of hundreds of thousands of senior citizens making their Fall pilgrimage to look at the freaking leaves. This is also the time of the year where my better-half and I begin our annual Fall battle over heating the house.

Those of you who heat with heating oil understand just how much money is spent on keeping the home fires burning through a long New England winter.  With the costs of heating oil skyrocketing every year at this time, every drop you save is money in your pocket.  As much as I agree with saving money there are times when I must disagree. This is one of those times.

In remodeling this home two years ago we required that it be "tight".  That means as much heat as possible remains in the house and doesn’t escape through any uninsulated areas.  We were very successful with that upgrade but it causes it’s own problems.  When the house is that “tight” and the heat is not yet been turned on, the insulation keeps the cold night air inside the house.  Our situation now is a little strange.  For most of the morning our house is freezing cold and the cold air can’t escape.  We’re forced to go outside to warm up once the sun comes out.  It’s stupid but true.

That’s where the war starts every year.  I try to explain to my better-half that it’s necessary to turn on the heat at a very low level to help eliminate the residual cold air from the previous night.  She just doesn’t get it and refuses to turn on the heat at all.  I’m being forced to wear three layers of clothing just to watch TV and then when I go outside I find myself removing a layer or two to be comfortable.  I suppose I could just turn the heat on and disregard her feelings entirely but that would escalate the war and extend it for many weeks.  The recriminations and potential revenge scenarios come into play with more arguing and mean spirited discussions expected.  It’s a freaking conundrum.

Thank God for our industrial strength electric blanket.  It’s the only thing keeping me from becoming highly disagreeable.  A few days ago it was so cold I was forced to spend eight hours sitting in our bed with the blanket at a high level just to be comfortable.  We’re at the breaking point with this issue now and I’m almost convinced that it’ll be worth fighting with her for another month or two if I can just get the heat on for a few hours in the morning.  She may get a huge surprise when she gets home from work and finds the house warmer and more livable.

I’m not a heat fanatic by any means.  We maintain our thermostats at no more than 62 degrees for most of the winter anyway.  By taking the time to write this posting I’ve convinced myself to "grow a pair" and just turn the effing heat on.  Enough of this nonsense.  I’ve taken a vote and my better-half votes NO to heat but me and my “nuts” vote YES.  That’s three to one and she loses.  On comes the furnace tomorrow morning and let the “Great Heat War of 2013” begin.