The A/C is Off and The Windows are Open!

The air conditioner has been turned off all but two of the past six days at our house. The temps have been pleasant enough to leave windows open through the night, again. I’m back to shutting windows around 1:30pm and letting the logs do their job to keep the house cool until evening. But the good news comes with a warning for us. At this time – we’re over 7 inches above our normal rainfall in East Tennessee. For the past couple of weeks and despite all the rainfall – we’ve noticed the leaves turning color and beginning to fall – already. I thought it was just me – at first. But I keep hearing other folks around the area making comments that they feel we’re headed for a hard winter this year. Honestly – we almost need it. The rain brought on a triple dose of insect population to our area this year. They say we need an average of 15 – 21 days with below-freezing temps to eradicate the infestation for next year. We’re not going to make our deadline for getting the wood-burning stove installed inside the house this year. All the trouble with vehicles really set us back this year. Instead – we’ll be making another go at depending on the EdenPure Infrared heater. If nothing else – we may be buying a second one for using down in the basement. There are a lot of inside projects that Dwayne will need to be working on and I don’t want him working down in a freezing cold basement. If you don’t feel like putting up with high natural gas bills this year – I’m telling you now – you will save a minimum of $200.00 per month by investing in the EdenPure heater. Dwayne and I found a dealer selling reconditioned heaters on eBay with a perfect record. And he knows his stuff. His price includes shipping and he’s prompt! They make several models for different areas of space – so be careful. I’m including the link for the one we have – which heats 1000sq. ft. of living area. It keeps our entire upstairs perfectly comfortable in the winter! Kids and animals can even sit on this thing without getting burned. The unit is cool to the touch. The reason why this guy ends up with these heaters back in his hands for repair is due to folks handling them incorrectly. They operate with infrared bulbs. You can’t just pick ‘em up and drop ‘em anywhere. You have to be gentle in moving them around. At the same time – there are proper instructions for turning them off before unplugging them. Folks just seem to ignore instructions and blow good money down the drain! If you follow the simple instructions – that thing will become your best friend in the winter – every time you open your utility bills! They don’t even pinch your electric bill! Much of the inside work we planned for this winter pertains to pulling all the trim off the windows – making sure they’ve been set in properly and adding more insulation. We’ve also planned on framing in the basement to get insulation installed. I don’t think my little watermelon experiment is going to work. They have to have no less than 70* temps during the day and night. We dropped below 60* just last night – alone. But I have learned more about my thornless Navajo Blackberry bushes. Apparently – they love being watered here. So I can let go of the over-watering fears – which is fine by me! I’m going to mulch them with hay this fall to help them get through this coming winter. Next year should be a lot of fun. I just may have enough berries to freeze next year! I have an update regarding a prayer request for my friends Heidi and Monica. Received an email from Heidi yesterday – with more bad news. Here is her email. Please continue to include these two ladies in your prayers. They are such wonderful human beings and it just breaks my heart to see them going through so much. But I truly believe – they are another pair of believers that God is using as a tool for Testimony to walking in faith – no pun intended. Even Monica has been able to accomplish that challenge – despite being bedridden! If she can do it – anybody can! Oh – one more thing. Heidi – I snagged your photo from your FaceBook page. LOL It always helps to have a face to put with a name! And folks – these two are serious Pittsburgh Pirates/Steelers fans. They worked for the pirates at one time. But listen – don’t hold that against ‘em! J/k LOL Hello again family and friends..... Wanted to give you and UPDATE on Moni's accident. Initially they were going to try to do surgery on her broken right femur (Leg), but due to her condition, they CANNOT do surgery, so they were going to brace her leg and shoulder and send her home with pain meds. THAT has since changed from Friday. Moni and I had been asking them to xray her left leg since she fell on that side and it was hurting more than the right. FINALLY right before they were going to release her they DID the xray and found out her left leg has a broken femur too! There are also issues with her breathing and trachea, and Moni decided that she was afraid I couldn't care for her here at home right now, so she wanted to go to a facility for a few weeks. I hadn't been in to see her after Wed night/Thu Morning, so I went to the hospital last night and we talked. After seeing her (and finding out about the other leg being broken) I realized that I couldn't care for her till she gets a little stronger. They intially were thinking of a nursing facility, but with her size and compound issues they found a place called Kindred Care Hospital which is a LTAC (Long term acute care). They did the assessment and accepted her, and the doctor just called me to say he was writing the orders for her to go there for a short time to get stronger. Moni seems to like the idea of this since her pain level is pretty high. Our friend Ellen is with her and when all is set up, her and I are going out to the hospital to make sure she is situated. It is only about 5 miles from our home and looks like a nice place. All private rooms and they have a lot to offer. I HATE THIS, but after seeing her condition I know that I wouldn't be able to care for her like they can right now. I told her of the prayers you all sent and I WILL print out the emails and take them to her. I would sincerely appreciate if you could continue to pray for Moni that the Heavenly Father places HIS healing hands upon her and that we can get through this latest bump. KNOW that we love you all so very much and appreciate you being in our lives. Some Birthday Present for Moni, huh?? If anyone wants to send cards or prayers, our address is: Monica and Heidi Narr 1765 Crafton Blvd. #1 Pittsburgh, PA 15205-3126 God Bless You All and I WILL keep you updated as I can. With our love and huge hugs and kisses......Heidi & Moni xoxo That's Monica on the left and Heidi on the right! Time to get in gear. I’ve got some organizing to do in our freezer. We have no room for meat. So – I’m taking a few bags of frozen vegetables to our neighbors down below.