tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685979597473858413.post2337534439757234058..comments2024-02-23T02:03:23.020-07:00Comments on The Eco Cat Lady Speaks: Sealing up the Ceiling for WinterEcoCatLadyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15704811319510740473noreply@blogger.comBlogger38125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685979597473858413.post-91105168322301235602013-12-08T13:45:31.593-07:002013-12-08T13:45:31.593-07:00Oh, true, you might need extra insulation of some ...Oh, true, you might need extra insulation of some kind. (My parents live in Dallas--it doesn't often get super cold but it can get pretty hot. Insulation is good either way.)Debbie Mnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685979597473858413.post-61901287195978048352013-12-08T13:26:25.103-07:002013-12-08T13:26:25.103-07:00Not a bad idea... is it warm enough there to live ...Not a bad idea... is it warm enough there to live in a travel trailer?EcoCatLadyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15704811319510740473noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685979597473858413.post-49468154148233090622013-12-08T09:04:43.687-07:002013-12-08T09:04:43.687-07:00Heh. I've recommended that my parents buy a u...Heh. I've recommended that my parents buy a used travel trailer and put it in their back yard to live in while they re-do their house (preferably knock the whole thing down and start over--bad foundation, etc.), and then re-sell the trailer for the same price when they're done.Debbie Mnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685979597473858413.post-37798254397983229992013-12-07T20:17:17.967-07:002013-12-07T20:17:17.967-07:00Switching the wardrobe around... this is an art I ...Switching the wardrobe around... this is an art I have yet to master. It would make so much sense though... put the summer clothes in storage during the winter and vice versa... I just can't seem to get organized enough to do it!<br /><br />I LOVE that you planted a tree! I have a big honey locust shade tree in the backyard and it makes a HUGE difference in terms of keeping it cool during the summer!EcoCatLadyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15704811319510740473noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685979597473858413.post-60244588589964693792013-12-07T20:14:40.140-07:002013-12-07T20:14:40.140-07:00Yes, it's the cats that are the real issue, es...Yes, it's the cats that are the real issue, especially since Sputty is sick. I'm trying to minimize disruptions as much as possible at the moment. At some point when I have healthy cats who can handle it, I might just move into the basement for a few months and do a whole bunch of work at once - windows, floors, bathroom, kitchen, etc. <br /><br />I actually have some friends who moved into a rental house for a few months while the remodeled. At the time I thought they were crazy... now... not so much!EcoCatLadyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15704811319510740473noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685979597473858413.post-13101775095619927492013-12-07T20:03:19.198-07:002013-12-07T20:03:19.198-07:00I wonder if you could notice an opportunity to hou...I wonder if you could notice an opportunity to house sit for a local friend when they leave town and then have your windows replaced at that time. (House sitting might not work with cats, though.)Debbie Mnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685979597473858413.post-80251871815600469232013-12-07T19:58:18.801-07:002013-12-07T19:58:18.801-07:00I also have a whole house attic fan! I never thou...I also have a whole house attic fan! I never thought to cover it up in winter because I live somewhere hot, but clearly that's a good idea.<br /><br />And I agree, advertising magnets stink. I actually buy sheets of good (but not awesome) magnet at a craft store. (You can buy it in sheets or strips.) I mostly put it on the backs of scrabble letters to make refrigerator crosswords (this is my usual housewarming gift). Also, I put cool stickers on magnets to turn them from stickers into fridge magnets.<br /><br />I normally recommend alcohol for stickiness removal, but I see you already tried that. When that doesn't work, my boyfriend tries lighter fluid. I'm glad soap and scrubbing worked!<br /><br />To get ready for winter I have planted a tree. Crazy, eh? In hot places, it's better to plant trees in the fall so they can get established over winter and be more likely to survive the harsh summer. Our city sometimes gives away shade trees, and we got offered one this year, so we accepted it. (Red oak!!) Of course it came during the week we were out of town. The weather was warm when we left, freezing when we returned. The first thing we did--before even bringing in all our luggage from the car--was to plant the tree and get it well watered.<br /><br />Also, I turned on the heat. I managed never to do that last year, but I regretted it one week (don't remember how cold it got). It was 53 degrees in the house, so I set the thermostat for 60. I'm still using my shivering muscles, though.<br /><br />I also need to switch the drawers for my long-sleeved solid t-shirts and short-sleeved solid t-shirts so the long-sleeved ones are more accessible. And sometimes I take down the kitchen and/or bathroom curtains to let more light in during the months when it won't lead to more sweating.Debbie Mnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685979597473858413.post-68066884916505335282013-12-06T00:45:52.767-07:002013-12-06T00:45:52.767-07:00Hmmm... I'm oddly comforted to know that somet...Hmmm... I'm oddly comforted to know that something I made bears a vague resemblance to something commercially made. Anyhow, when CatMan's here I generally do crank up the heat, but somehow I feel guilty doing it when it's just me and the felions. Now there's some interesting psychology for you!EcoCatLadyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15704811319510740473noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685979597473858413.post-69937683829229495392013-12-05T19:49:07.174-07:002013-12-05T19:49:07.174-07:00Your attic fan cover looks like the cover of my at...Your attic fan cover looks like the cover of my attic door, which was commercially made. So I bet you'll be happy with it. To get ready for winter, I just crank up the heat :) When we're home we keep it at 20 (68) and if we are totally inert we give it a blast of 21 (70) sometimes. And I still wear 2 layers!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685979597473858413.post-86700183235899061602013-12-05T19:36:08.296-07:002013-12-05T19:36:08.296-07:00Interesting idea to do them piecemeal rather than ...Interesting idea to do them piecemeal rather than all at once. That might make it more bearable. Still, I think I have a very low "disruption tolerance threshold" when it comes to this sort of thing.EcoCatLadyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15704811319510740473noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685979597473858413.post-74064198421892214852013-12-05T16:16:33.917-07:002013-12-05T16:16:33.917-07:00I am with you there! One year we had back to back ...I am with you there! One year we had back to back snowstorms in December - each one left about a foot of snow, and for some reason they didn't plow the side streets. The sun didn't come out for a few weeks, and it just all compacted into ice... it was HORRIBLE. There were deep ruts in the ice and I couldn't get my car out for two weeks! I remember seeing a school bus hopelessly stuck in the ruts. UG!EcoCatLadyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15704811319510740473noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685979597473858413.post-12465878280800871972013-12-05T16:03:31.040-07:002013-12-05T16:03:31.040-07:00Honestly, that was one of the easiest home project...Honestly, that was one of the easiest home projects. We (well, the installers!) did our house in 2 sections--bedroom/kitchen/dining area windows first, which took one day. The following year we did basement windows (one day) and our insanely huge front picture window (one day). It's more "do-able" in terms of life disruption and it makes such a difference in both keeping the house warm and blocking outside noise. Kitchen and bathroom renovations? Yeah, major disruption. Windows? Not so much. Krisnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685979597473858413.post-70046492512849392982013-12-05T14:30:25.824-07:002013-12-05T14:30:25.824-07:00Snow with sun is great...it's when it becomes ...Snow with sun is great...it's when it becomes compacted into ice that it stops being fun, especially if coupled with grey miserable days. I really hate ice- I am in permanent fear of breaking a limb!NicolaBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01542310810409358114noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685979597473858413.post-33398970649818847702013-12-05T14:07:30.259-07:002013-12-05T14:07:30.259-07:00I don't really mind the snow... at least once ...I don't really mind the snow... at least once I stop fighting the idea and embrace it. Here in Denver our snow comes in the form of big storms, which is kinda fun - especially since the sun generally comes out afterwards and it's gorgeous! When I lived in Norway and upstate NY it was just cold, and dark, and gray and drizzled snow and sleet all winter long - that was much worse.<br /><br />I got my gutters cleaned out over the weekend - just in the nick of time! I really HATE being up on the ladder though, so I'm thinking about getting this stuff that's like foam that you cram into the gutters. It's supposed to let the water in and keep the leaves out. If it works it would be totally worth it!EcoCatLadyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15704811319510740473noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685979597473858413.post-89826480768921158802013-12-05T13:59:31.735-07:002013-12-05T13:59:31.735-07:00If the attic fan's in the bedroom it would mak...If the attic fan's in the bedroom it would make a HUGE difference to cover it. If you're gonna make something be sure to use at least one layer of either plastic or Mylar or something that won't let the wind through.EcoCatLadyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15704811319510740473noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685979597473858413.post-70538806671582759122013-12-05T13:15:26.825-07:002013-12-05T13:15:26.825-07:00Ha! I totally agree about cooler temps at night - ...Ha! I totally agree about cooler temps at night - I can't sleep if I'm too hot. But if I'm cold when I go to bed there's just no way I can sleep. I think this may be how I developed the habit of taking a bedtime bath in the winter time. <br /><br />New windows would be soooo wonderful. Once again it's the whole life disruption thing that keeps me from seriously considering it.EcoCatLadyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15704811319510740473noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685979597473858413.post-7211155965642307012013-12-05T13:13:03.026-07:002013-12-05T13:13:03.026-07:00Polar Bears! I am surrounded by Polar Bears! Actua...Polar Bears! I am surrounded by Polar Bears! Actually Amanda, I think you may be on to something with the "what you're used to" thing. I've always had a theory that since I was born in Hawaii my body is always longing for the tropics! :-)<br /><br />Anyhow, I am quite impressed with you guys!EcoCatLadyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15704811319510740473noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685979597473858413.post-55211054911917749182013-12-05T01:30:04.313-07:002013-12-05T01:30:04.313-07:00I keep our thermostat at about 54F for daytime, bu...I keep our thermostat at about 54F for daytime, but most of the time (night and middle of the day) I keep it at about 46F. I am occasionally a bit chilly (mostly when getting out of bed in the morning!) but once I have moved about a bit, I am ok. I am definitely a warm person though- and I find most people's houses too hot. It might help that I am a knitter though, and happily wear giant wooly jumpers all the time :)NicolaBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01542310810409358114noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685979597473858413.post-62357372090657955692013-12-05T01:19:20.274-07:002013-12-05T01:19:20.274-07:00We are just about to have our first big storm of t...We are just about to have our first big storm of the winter...but there probably won't be much snow- winds and costal flooding is predicted.<br /><br />I did get the gutters cleaned out yesterday (by the window cleaner- some of our gutters are hard to reach!) so hopefully we won't get water coming in due to blocked gutters. I have mould in some rooms at the moment... I may need to turn the heating up..hmm!<br /><br />I don't envy you all of the cold and snow- at least when it snows here it is fairly novel and fun!NicolaBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01542310810409358114noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685979597473858413.post-65955998686928046122013-12-04T20:36:45.675-07:002013-12-04T20:36:45.675-07:00My son has one of those whole house attic fans. It...My son has one of those whole house attic fans. It was wonderful the week he moved in and we painted every room in the house. When I was down there for Thanksgiving they shared with me that their master bedroom is freezing and thought it was because it was built over the garage. The garage is insulated, although after looking it over I thought it needed more but never thought about their attic fan. I will have to see if they want to cover it and get their measurements as they don't yet have a sewing machine. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685979597473858413.post-88992421515336315522013-12-04T17:11:28.314-07:002013-12-04T17:11:28.314-07:00I probably am crazy :)
Everyone's body is dif...I probably am crazy :)<br /><br />Everyone's body is different and it does take about a month to get used to. I'm usually good with a sweater and fleece, long johns and pj pants, and slippers. I think 2 layers is reasonable. My work is pretty chilly so that helps - not going from 60° to 80° every day. I actually read a National Geographic article about a group of people who live on the north coast of Russia (way past the Arctic Circle) and one of the men said he's only experienced a temperature above freezing a few times and it makes him sweat!Amandahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05307066665335899370noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685979597473858413.post-7929544077553771112013-12-04T16:00:56.226-07:002013-12-04T16:00:56.226-07:00Your posts are so darn entertaining! We have been...Your posts are so darn entertaining! We have been gradually upgrading our home (new windows a few years ago, etc.) so we don't go through the winterizing struggles like we used to, but I can relate! We had a warm autumn until a couple of weeks ago, when the temps were getting into the teens at night--I couldn't take it with regular sheets anymore and put on the flannel sheets! I sleep better in cool temps, but slipping into a warm bed makes it so much easier to relax!Krisnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685979597473858413.post-79514693349058072742013-12-04T01:54:39.988-07:002013-12-04T01:54:39.988-07:00Holy Moly! As bad as it gets here, I think it gets...Holy Moly! As bad as it gets here, I think it gets much, MUCH worse out on the plains. We at least get the benefit of the warm chinook winds coming off the mountains before each big storm. <br /><br />And I so totally understand the challenge of working on a project with kitties. "Whatcha doin' Mom? - Is this tape measure a toy for me to pounce on? Ooooo.... lots of fun things to pounce on!" Anyhow, good luck with your project and stay warm... the snow is starting to fall here already.EcoCatLadyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15704811319510740473noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685979597473858413.post-14014911611626807122013-12-04T01:51:06.841-07:002013-12-04T01:51:06.841-07:00Lordy! I have to admit, I think you're a bit c...Lordy! I have to admit, I think you're a bit crazy too. Maybe you and my cousin should be roommates. :-)<br /><br />One year, before I replaced the furnace, I tried keeping the thermostat really low - "low" meaning that I set it at 60 during the night and 65 during the day, and I was MISERABLE! My nose ran constantly, my toes were numb most of the time, I had to wear 3-4 layers, plus use a jacket, blanket and hot water bottle... OY!<br /><br /> I think I calculated that I saved a grand total of about $75 for all of my suffering that winter, so in the end I decided it just wasn't worth the trouble. Are you really comfortable at that temperature?EcoCatLadyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15704811319510740473noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685979597473858413.post-73057671574632445982013-12-03T18:41:35.165-07:002013-12-03T18:41:35.165-07:00I love this story! My husband thinks I'm crazy...I love this story! My husband thinks I'm crazy for keeping the heat around 58-59° when we're home and 54° when we're away or sleeping. (And I kept it cooler when he was away last winter!) It does take some getting used to, so I turn it up to a blazing 65° when we have visitors. :)<br /><br />What a creative attic fan cover idea! When we were house hunting a few years ago, I accidentally turned one on (I thought it was the hall light switch) and scared myself silly. It was LOUD!Amandahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05307066665335899370noreply@blogger.com