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That’s right. Here it is…October and November and the trees have once again bowed to the chilly temperatures, wind and rain. This is my favorite time of year, when sweaters replace “T” shirts, jeans replace the cargo shorts, and insulated tennis shoes replace those comfortable sandals. Autumn is a time when we adjust to keeping the windows closed at night and breaking out that electric blanket. I just can’t recall how we could have slept on top of the covers way back in June and July! It’s that time of year when we have to adjust our bodies to prepare for the cold months of winter. I guess that’s Mother Natures’ way, huh? You know we don’t “mess with Mother Nature”.

I found a few hints about what we can do to better prepare ourselves for the coming cold months:

• Add a second layer of insulation to your attic. R-30 insulation is considered the minimum. If your house is relatively new, it probably conforms. If not, consider adding insulation.

• Caulk around window and door glass and trim, and all exterior trim. Install or replace weather stripping on all doors and windows.

• Install storm windows and doors if you have them. Consider purchasing storm windows if you have older windows that are not made from modern insulated glass.

• Have your heating system checked by a licensed heating/air-conditioning professional. Most furnace manufacturers recommend at least annual inspections.

• Check gutters and clean them if necessary. Clogged gutters can result in basement flooding when the snow melts.

• Check the foundation for areas where water may puddle.

• Drain and shut off outdoor water faucets.

• Insulate any water pipes that are exposed to freezing cold.

• Make sure you are stocked with rock salt, sand, snow shovels and any other items you will need during the winter.

We sure have been through a lot of Christmas’s to date, and everyone of them tells of change.  Thinking back to the Christmas parties that Mom and Dad held when we were just a young tribe will always be a subject to talk about to our own kids.  Of course, we don’t recall “not” having a White Christmas.  By the end of December, the snowfalls were plenty and always added a surreal touch when Santa came down the street sitting high on that fire truck, waving to everyone and throwing hard candy to us little ones stretching to see him over a mountain of snow banks on either side of the street.  He was there to remind us that Christmas time is right around the corner, and the better we behaved the more gifts we would receive.  Those snow banks became the “best seat in the house” when we got older and were able to climb up on top of them and watch Santa  “Ho Ho Ho” along with the trucks speakers playing festive Christmas music.  What a sight to behold at such a young age, what a spark to our imaginations!

Decorating the (real) Christmas tree was a family affair.  This took place about a week before the big day.  Dad would haul the hand picked tree in from the back yard, through the kitchen, through the bathroom, around the corner and into the living room to be carefully placed in its stand at the far wall by the bay window.  Mom and us kids would gather the decorations from the attic and have them at the ready when Dad gave us the OK to begin.  He never did participate, and years later I understood why.  Mom would be the ring master and “project engineer”.  The girls would always take the job of decorating the tree very seriously, while the boys were in the background balling up a handful of tinsel ready to take aim.  After the bickering, the pushing and shoving, we had the most beautiful Christmas tree in the neighborhood.  Mom and Dad would sit on the couch and admire the warm beauty of it after us kids finally settled into bed for the night.  I once peeked around the corner and noticed them sitting there, Dad with his huge arm around Mom, both absorbing the soft glow of the lights, and I thought to myself “Wow, how cool is that?”  I felt good, I felt safe!

Christmas Eve was treated as any other winter day.  We would be outside ice skating in the back yard, building forts, having snow ball fights, doing all the things winter allowed us to do.  The day past with growing anticipation because our family enjoyed the practice of opening presents that night.  We hurried through our Christmas dinner trying to move the clock ahead, and sometimes we got caught putting the cart before the horse and were reminded to just slow down and be patient.  We were obligated to go to church that night for Christmas services.  This gave Dad and Mom a chance to slip all our presents under the tree and prepare the house and garage for the stampede of friends and relatives arriving to watch the “show” after our return to open our gifts from Santa. In no time flat our living room turned into a trash bin of pretty ribbons and wrapping paper.  The adoring crowd of adults behind us offering all the “ahs and oohs” and cheering us along.  For the kids, Christmas was certainly a magic time.  That night also gave us a chance to stay up late playing with our new toys, eating candy and visiting with all the Aunts, Uncles and family friends that wouldn’t miss this visit for the world.  We always had a big crowd and the party lasted into the wee hours of Christmas Day.

May you all have a Merry Christmas and an equally Happy New Year.