Hopefully Helpful Hints from Hope....
(learn from me, people)

• When you've been feeling chilly all day, don't just check all the windows and doors, and put on cozy socks. Check the thermostat.
• When you finally think, I'm really cold, don't sit in the hot tub to warm up. Check the thermostat.
• When you continually ask the boys, "are you guys cold too?", and they say "no", don't believe them. They are 12 year old boys. they don't get cold. Check the thermostat.
• When your husband phones from his overnight business, and you tell him you are cold, don't get defensive when he asks you if you've checked the thermostat. Just say "no" and do it.
• When the thermostat reads 19C, do not panic. Phone the overtime furnace guy.
• When the overtime furnace guy calls back and quotes his rate of 85.00 an hour, stay calm, tell him the problem and ask if there is anything you can check. Do not tell him, "I don't care what it costs, we will all freeze in our beds."
• When he arrives 45 minutes later, do not offer him hot chocolate. He is on the clock. Send him to the basement immediately.
• When he comes up from the basement, and says the furnace is fine, show him the thermostat. It is not fine. It is 18 degrees.
• When he pops open the programmable unit and asks "when did you last change the batteries?" ,pick yourself off the floor and admit you didn't know it had batteries.
• Be extra quiet when you raid the sleeping boys bedroom for 2 double A's from their game boy and be thankful you had batteries because the furnace guy didn't.
• When you pull out your Visa, for the third time this month, pray that these disasters truly do come in three's.