What do menopause, singleness and caffeine have in common? You guessed it lower heating bills.
Lets start from the beginning; lets say the winter of 2007-2008. During that time I was paying $200.00 per month on electric with an internal apartment temperature of 20 degrees C (68 F). 
This year I find myself menopausal and paying $125.00 per month in electric and an internal apartment temperature of 14 degrees C (57.2 F). Calculating $75.00 per month savings for 4 months I've saved $500.00.
I don't worry about the cold, as I know a hot flash is not far away. As long as I keep the caffeine flowing I'm pretty much in the zone. You may think caffeine may keep you up but the hot flashes will do that anyway. You could opt against this method of lowering your heating bills. That is entirely up to you. As for me I love chocolate, tea, and my Saturday morning coffee. Its not like it will cost me more to heat my apartment if I eat or drink the above as I do already. Its just smart thinking I think. Smiling yet, wait it gets better.
OK, now it gets really interesting, how many menopausal single people live by themselves? They really need to do a feasibility study on this one I think. What if the pharmaceutical labs found a way to make everyone menopausal for 4 months during the winter? Think of how much energy would be saved. Of course the money the pharmaceutical labs make could be used to subsidize the electric companies deficits, because don't you know we share in this country. Hey when I get off on tangents just look at me going on and on and on.
Truthfully when I cut the caffeine from my diet the hot flashes sub-side. My electric went up, and I'll get a massive headache from caffeine withdrawal and I just plain love the stuff. So I think I'll get my electric reduced. It's really up to you. Now that I've saved $500.00 I thought I'd spend it on a writing course. Cool huh, no pun intended, so menopause bring it on.
Things to do when you're menopausal; write a play, a movie, your memoirs. You can problem solve; lets face it you don't get to be our age and not have dealt with complex issues. Am I right or am I right.
On a more serious note, for those of us that have been through crisis situations. Volunteer on a help line, I know that nights are a hard time slot to fill. I've really tried to stay away from the weightier side of things. There is enough on that subject out there. I prefer to dwell on the positives.
Well I'm just to toasty warm to sleep, and seeing this is a cold time of year I thought some levity might be welcome. So curl up with a book and iced tea, set the temperature down and settle in for the night. Hey maybe we could swap hot flash stories, do ya wanna? Hoping your year is filled with all things cool.
By Deborah from Fredericton, NB Canada
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Love the fact that your sense of humor has weathered "the Pause"!
I'm roaring. Although I'm way past all the "inner child playing with matches" moments. I well remember them.
Thanks ever so much for your humor. :)
You have a wonderful sense of humor. I LOVE it!
As a woman who has suffered from hot flashes for years, I can relate to this. One time my husband complained to the doctor and the doctor said it was "normal." I recall the horror on DHs face as he gasped "It is normal to live in a meat locker?"
I notice you live in Canada. How about those of us who live in Florida? I am saving money now in November, but summer is something else. My a/c rep told me not to set my thermostat lower than 76 if I want my a/c system to last.
Also, first I read that hot flashes typically last three years. Then I read an article that said that now it is believed to be six years. HOW CAN THEY BE SO OBTUSE? This is something women go through that is a natural process and they can't even get the average duration right? Why is it the medical profession is like "oopsie!" where women are concerned? I am at 3 1/2 years and still flashing.
I agree, for the past 4 years, my daughters have told me they are cold and I feel just fine. I don't suffer from hot flashes, to say really, I am just peacefully warm all the time.
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