I have the same question with u... Here is a link that might be useful: Married with children

One thing to check is the overhead of the condo, for insulation. It might not be very good. I believe in the expanding spray foam which they are now spraying beneath the roof, especially in residences with the heat and a/c in the attics. And, if you also have a basement, well, I'm not sure how to deal with them, I've never dealt with homes in really cold climates. However, putting a fireproof glass door on the fireplace might make sure the chimney doesn't draw your heated air up the flue. The present resident in the condo might not know about the damper needing to be closed. They have these gages they use, like heat sensors, or cold sensors, maybe infrared? that they use now to detect hot spots in summer where there is no insulation, as well as cold spots in winter where there is no insulation. If the power cost in that condo are different by much from the power costs in nearby similar condos, then something is terribly wrong. I'd be thinking that the tall ceilings have some windows up high that need recaulking. Sometimes simple things like insulating around electrical outlets on exterior walls, etc, can make a big difference. For just a little cost, they sell those closed cell foam liners for your power receptacles. And my DH went up in our attic and discovered that two of the a/c ducts were not fully wrapped, and it has helped a lot to lower the electrical bill here. Phoggie, I feel for you, because I know it is a difficult thing to make the decisions alone, after all the years the two of you consulted and you came to rely on his expertise in the building trades. But, you can do it. Your DH is not that far away, and I'm sure God has made him your guardian angel. What is the quote: "Be still and know that I am with you." Listen. And look for the signs.

I would like to see a Carol Burnett marathon on some station. I'd be glued to my seat all day and night, and so would DH. The skits with Burnett, Conway, and Korman were priceless. And the time Carol basically dared a young man from the audience to come up and sing, and he did, and did a WONDERFUL job with "What I did for love." And the time Carol had Beverly Sills on the show, and sang with her. Chills! A locked chord whenever I hear it still gives chills! As a kid, we didn't have TV. But later, I remember George Goeble's gentle humor, and Tennessee Ernie, and Perry Como. Yes, I miss the variety shows. Who knows what we'd see if that format was brought back? I don't even want to think about it.

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