Winter?

Today was nasty cold, and while the wind wasn't fierce, it had a raw bite to it. It began snowing early this afternoon, big white flakes that melted as soon as it touched the ground. It is now 9pm, the snow is still falling, and the ground is white. My black truck is white. The street is white. Something tells me it'll all still be there tomorrow.

About an hour ago, Husbandly One felt a bit chilly so he got up to look at the thermostat. I was instantly ready with my usual argument about why he shouldn't turn up the heat....but all he did was look at it for a second, and then went in to our bedroom to get a sweater. I was stunned, unable to comprehend this bizarre sight before me. He just shrugged and said, "It's 62 degrees Fahrenheit in here, the house is warm enough."

Whuuuuuuuuuut? Where did THIS come from? I hate to say I praised him for his wise decision, because it makes it sound like I treat him like a three year old who just sat on the potty... but, well, I DID praise him.

He is exhausted after many late nights at work and many late nights watching past seasons of "Lost" with me on DVD, so just now he decided to go to bed. At 9pm, people. Between the sweater and the sleeping, I think something may be wrong with him, it's so out of character. As soon as I had him tucked in, I went back to the thermostat (my arch nemesis!) and turned it down even more to 58 degrees. I grabbed a blanket for my lap, turned off all the lights and lit a candle, and here I am now, in my pitch black cold house.

My motivation in all this is half about saving money, and half about embracing my inner granola. The amount of electricity and natural gas we waste in this house is staggering and it needs to stop. One candle that I move around with me provides more than enough light for simply sitting around. (If I was knitting or reading, I'd put a light on; I'm practical, not crazy.) And let's be honest: the TV is on, as (obviously) is my computer. This isn't about being electricity-free, and it's not about denying myself anything, it's about making conscious choices.

Yes, I prefer to set my thermostat low and adjust my clothing accordingly. If my one little body feels chilly, doesn't it make sense to warm up that BODY, instead of forcing warm air through 1500 square feet?

I have a friend who uses candles as her main source of light in order to save on electricity. Another friend laughed and said, "Yes, but candles can cost even more than using a light bulb." Apparently he never considered how often women are given candles as GIFTS. As I look around my very dimly lit livingroom and dining room, I can see 19 candles in various locations and groupings, and I didn't buy a single one of them! And be honest, YOU have candles you received as gifts, and you DON'T actually get around to burning most of them, do you? You just kind of "have" them. Well, stop looking at the damn thing and set fire to it! And turn off the lights when you do.