Weekend Plans Post: Almost time to Winterize. Almost.
Over the last two weeks, we’ve only needed the AC once. Over the last week, we’ve even stopped using the “fan” function where it just blows air around. It was time to have the talk.
“So… about the AC…”
“It’s going to be in the 80s next week.”
“Fair enough.”
So, next weekend, we’ll talk about putting the AC away for a season. Maybe get ready to have the discussion about flannel sheets and putting the spring/summer shirts away and bringing out the winter ones.
And the hoodies, of course. The hoodies.
I realize that our delightful kittens have not yet experienced a winter. As far as they know, the only temperatures are “hot” and “temperate”. So we’ll get to deal with them saying “Scoot over” as we deal with heavier sheets and heavier blankets. The Farmer’s Almanac says that it’s going to be a cold one this year and I believe them.
So we’re going to have to prep for making sure the kitties can easily manage their first winter.
After next week, when it’s going to be in the 80s, of course.
This weekend, it’ll be nice and temperate in the 70s (and dip into the *40s* at night). So we’ll probably have to dig out the fuzzy blanket for the foot of the bed. And I’m pretty sure that the kitties will enjoy having access to that.
We’ve got a game night on Saturday but, other than that, nothing at all. And that seems like a nice way to start revving up the autumn.
So… what’s on your docket?
(Featured image is “Bliss”. Photo taken by Maribou.)
Meanwhile, I’m looking at the *slightly* warmer bedsheets (because they’re a blend and not pure cotton) and going “no, not yet, can’t use those for a couple more months”
I hope we do get a cold winter; it was a brutal summer here and it would be nice to have some contrast, and nice to be able to put away my rotation of 5-6 lightweight dresses and pull out the heavier gear.Report
The Almanac says it’s going to be cold… to the extent that we can trust the almanac, I think we’re in the clear. (We have busted the crock pot back out. Made Chicken Cheesy Casserole last week and spaghetti sauce is stinkin’ up the house right now as I type. I should go stir it.)Report
NOAA’s current outlook map for the Oct-Dec period for the 48 contiguous states has precisely zero area shaded in any of the “cooler than normal” colors.Report
yeah and they’re talking El Nino, which here, will mean “warm and dryish winter”
at least it won’t be HOT and DROUGHT like this summer was. But I do miss snow.Report
NOAA’s Oct-Dec outlook on precipitation has above average for the Southeast, including Oklahoma.
It’s amazing what a difference a few hundred miles makes. If there’s not another drop of precipitation in Fort Collins for the rest of the year, we’ll still finish above normal.Report
You run the AC when it’s in the 80s? Chicago had a pretty temperate summer so I didn’t even bother with putting in the window units. I’m not a complete idiot, however. There were a few hot days where I went to the girlfriend’s since she has air conditioning.
3 football games to officiate this weekend, and clearing out my basement so it can be painted. The joys of 30 years of using it to toss stuff into thinking I’ll get to it later are coming home to roost. 😉Report
Getting it into the low 70s is ideal.
High 70s, we can go either way.
But the 80s are right out.Report
It’s kind of funny what tolerance levels different people have. My old neighbor loved it hot and humid. I can take the heat, but add humidity and I’m hiding out. I figure I spend all winter wishing it was like summer, so it has to get pretty bad before I start complaining.Report
also air moving around is a lot more tolerable to me than still air is. The air conditioning on the hall where my office is at work has been intermittently out. It’s been as hot as 86 in my office.
I have a tiny desk fan. It’s loud, I can’t hear anything when it’s running, but it does make it more tolerable when it’s hot. I also hate humidity and air conditioning is about the best bet for removing that (dehumidifiers work but only in small spaces)Report
Two days in the 90s is enough to make me say “I hate summer!”
It takes February to make me say “I hate winter!”Report
Good that you weren’t keeping my granddaughters on Wednesdays this summer. If the temperature was below 96 or so, they insisted on an afternoon session at my neighborhood park, where there was a good chance of them encountering friends from school. Park trips included Grandpa spinning the rotating rope-climbing thingee (it’s Colorado — one of the other pieces of equipment is an almost zip line).
I don’t think the granddaughters and their friends figured out that some of the spinning time was agility drills. One of the mothers did and asked me about it. “It is not possible,” I told her, “to start footwork drills too young or practice them too much.”Report
Outside can be tolerable for an hour or so, if there is a *LOT* of cold water.
Part of me thinks “it’s good that they still have stuff you can break your arm on!” but part of me asks “how in the world do we still have stuff you can break your arm on?”Report
The north end of the Front Range was also quite mild this summer. Didn’t make it to 100 °F at the official station in Fort Collins. Had the thermostat set to keep the townhouse — except the south-facing back room — in the 70s and averaged 12 kWh per day in August. Total usage, not just the A/C. I’ve been surprised at how little electricity I use now that it’s just me in the townhouse.Report
Inspired by the other thread:
The Darkness: Rock and Roll Deserves to Die
Lenny Kravitz: Rock and Roll Is Dead
(Watch out for that first one. You will see the lead singer’s, erm, buttocks.)Report
There ought to be a board that has to vet any rock song longer than 3:30 before it can be released. (not to say there aren’t some good ones out there)Report
In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida would have absolutely been vetoed.Report