Transition time is looming . . .

[inga]

For any one with neuropathy, be careful of chemical and physical heating devices....you may not feel that you are getting a burn...and yes, the hand heater things you crush to warm, can cause a burn.  I use them and a heating pad, and a warming blanket, and neck warmers and layer, layer, layer.  More thin layers are better than one heavy layer.

I invested in very good sporting type gear....all equipped for Everest.

I also have trekking poles and also, the claw like things for my shoes or boots, so I don't slip....boots do little good if you do the banana peel thing on ice.

We have to clean the garage again since very shortly we will be scraping windows.

[olmphoto2]

Yes, we've been having quite cool days and nights an South Central Wisconsin...though I'm sure we'll have many extra hot days remaining in some form of an Indian Summer. 

I'll buy a new hydrometer at Walmart---the dial fell off the other day.  They are cheap...only 3 bucks last year. 

I had a horrid experience last winter in using an ultrasonic humidifier.  It spewed white minerals all over in a matter of only a few hours (my poor Christmas tree, ornaments and lights :-(...worse still, my poor lungs and eyes!!!).  Luckily, I happened on a great solution to the humidification needed---especially for me overnight when no streaming cooking pots are adding to the comfort level:  I use a large crockpot that I've dedicated for this purpose, uncovered, on high, to provide very gentle steam during the cold months.  I add a tablespoon or two of baking soda to the water...then it's easy to clean.  I add water when needed to keep it at least half full...usually just twice a day...then change the water entirely, cleaning the pot every week of so.  The soda seems to inhibit bacterial growth in addition to lessening the minerals adhering to the sides of the crock.  Works for me...I'm a happy camper with it.  When it's extra dry in the house, first thing in the a.m. I will also put a sauce pot or two of H₂O on the stove to add moisture.

[irish]

I am the one who can be cold at times, but if the house temp is hot I just suffer. Hubby has had to put up with me because I just can't sleep or live with the furnace up very high.We keep the thermastat at about 62-64 in the winter.

We solved the problem of keeping hubby warm by buying one of those Eden Pure heaters. It works very well at warming up the family room and hubby places it right in front of his recliner. Have to admit that I am still too warm if at times. When he goes to bed I usually get up and turn the heater off. I just can't stand breathing hot air.

In the car I end up taking my winter coat off a lot of times and keep a little blanket or bathtowel to just throw across my arms. Also helps keep the suns rays off of me. I have no clue why I am so heat intolerant unless it is my mysthenia gravis. I also carry clean wash cloths that I have soaked in water and wrung out. I keep them in a small baggie and when my chest gets so tight from the hot air in the car from the heater I place the wash cloth across my mouth and nose to moisten the air. Irish

Epson, YOu sound like a eskimo the way you dress. I go for the hooded winter coat also.

[Patze]

Hi Irish,

You mention that you have a problem with heat intolerance, I have a similar kind of thing going on here.  I can be purple from head to toe and shaking like a leaf at 68 degrees, but I would still be drinking a very cold drink with a ton of ice in it...it's got to be something that's not working so well (never had this problem until this mess started).

I've never thought about putting a wash cloth across my nose and mouth to moisten the air while in a vehicle; interesting, going to have to try it soon.

Take care lady,

Patze

[eyeamdry]

Geesh, it was mid 50's today with a cold rain all day.  I went out to get the mail and paper and that's it for the day.  Lucy

[Bucky]

I use a large crockpot that I've dedicated for this purpose, uncovered, on high, to provide very gentle steam during the cold months. 

Very interesting!  I'll have to keep this in mind.

Bucky

[Kerrikins]

I love Fall too and this will be my first one with full on SJS. I guess I cannot win though because I despise summer. At least once it gets over 85F. I suppose when all is said and done I'd rather be cold than hot! Even in the summer my feet and hands get cold indoors and one thing I use a lot is my rice pad. It's like a pillow of rice, you can microwave it and it stays hot for a long time. In the warmer months I nuke it and in the colder months I set it on the hood of our gas fireplace and heat it there. I sit on the couch at night with it on my back or feet and I take it to bed with me. I've also made one of these for my kids to take to bed in the winter, they love it. By the way you can also keep a rice pad in the freezer and use it as you would an ice pack. Other than that, I wear fuzzy socks around the house in the cooler months, and sit with a blanket. Who am I fooling, I do that in August too ... For any outdoor activities  I am always sure to bring a hat and gloves. I've always loved the cooler months so I'm a little nervous, waiting to see how I will feel now that I have SJS that flares all the time. Only time will tell!