Cool It

It’s been a very relaxing weekend.  I love that the cooler weather has made its appearance.  I am one of those people that, no matter the temperature, I always have the fan on at night.  I like to have the air moving so I can breathe easier.  Last night the temperature got down to about 47 degrees.  It was wonderful and yes, I had the fan on until the other occupants of my bedroom, namely the dog and my boyfriend, started shivering in the night.  I gave in and turned the fan off.

As a woman in my late 50’s, I experience hot flashes.  All night long, I have the blankets on and then off.  I repeat this cycle throughout the night.  It only stands to reason that I need the fan on.  Is it selfish of me to freeze everyone else out?

I take a moment to consider the dog.  He is very lucky to be priviledged enough to sleep in my bed so he doesn’t get any say in the tempererature.  He has his own blankets and still continues to steal mine when I need them.  Besides the fact that he spreads out and nearly pushes me right out of the bed.  His days are numbered in my bed.  The dog weighs 60 pounds and my patience is running out very quickly.  I just have to figure out how to get his majesty to sleep in his own bed.

My boyfriend, on the other hand, is 63 years old.  He works as a carpenter and his body is tired and achy.  He works in all the elements, whether it be heat, cold, rain or snow.  When he comes home, all he searches for is comfort.  I’ll give him that.  I make a nice dinner each night, well, most nights and I rub his tired, achy feet.  I always try to accomodate him especially where his sweets are concerned.  He loves sweets right after dinner and I usually always have something for him.  I believe that this man deserves this respect as he is the bread-winner in this household.

When it comes to sleep there are several things to consider:  I have several medical issues, including multiple sclerosis and heart disease.  He works a 14 hour day and has to leave the house at 4:00 am every morning.  God only knows what medical issues he has because he never goes to the doctor.  I have to say that he always tries to accomodate me with my illnesses and he is very patient when it comes to the bedroom temperature.  I do feel bad at times when he tells me he was shivering at night.  I always ask him to wake me up and I will turn the fan off but he won’t do it because he knows I need my sleep.  Of course, he could get up and turn the fan off himself but I choose to believe that he is trying to accomodate me and not that he is too lazy to get up.

Between the three of us in this double size bed, there is too much tossing and turning for everyone involved.  I know the dog has got to get out of my bed. But, my boyfriend wants him with us.  Where do I draw the line?  I have a feeling that it may come down to me sleeping in the dog’s bed and my boyfriend and the dog taking the human bed.  I think I would do anything for comfort at this point.  Still, it’s the principle of the thing.  I love the dog but I am the alpha in this relationship and come hell or high water, that dog is going to start sleeping in his own bed.

As far as the cool temperature goes, I think I am winning this battle, if you even want to call it that.  It’s  more of a silent stare-down but he relents.  I have to give him credit though, because he really doesn’t complain that often about being cold.  I guess it’s more about my guilt than anything else.

I’ve decided that I am going to enjoy these beautiful cool days of fall to the fullest extent, even having my window open at night.  This is my favorite time of year and it’s the little things in life that count the most.  The summer is the worst time of year for me because of my MS and so the fall is my respite to enjoy everything inside and outside.  I’m going to take this guilty pleasure of cool nights and not feel guilty.  The heat will be on soon enough.  As for the dog, I’ll keep you posted on my progress of moving him out of the bed.  That will be a whole debacle in itself.

Happy Fall.  Enjoy the beautiful show of dazzling colors and campfires and the coolness of the air.