The things that we all do...

If you're married or in a long term relationship where a single household is shared, you'll understand.

A few short hours ago, just before Sheryl returned from her Tai-Chi class and lunch, I turned on the furnace. The outside temperature was reading 52 degrees (Fahrenheit) and inside the homestead, the thermostat was hovering around 62.

Now, if it was strictly up to me, additional heat would not be pumped through the house for a few more weeks. A fire could be built and then natural heat would circulate through parts of the house. A little too much work for my liking. Our animals, all long haired, also prefer the cooler temperatures, Ben especially. But TLATO seems to have water in her veins and even in our sweltering summers, has been known to drive around in her car with the air conditioning on - while sitting on a heated seat!

The "Don't you find it cold?" comments started last week. Followed by the occasional snipe,"Val and Nancy turned on their furnaces a week ago, you know."

So, while she was out, I decided that I would do well to enjoy some relative peace and quiet (for an hour or two if I'm lucky) and flicked the switch.

I may, however, have the last laugh! This situation could now be a bigger and grander version of driving the car with the low gas light on. A "typical male" thing, I'm led to believe.

You see, our oil tank (remember, we live in the country) is registering practically empty. Back in April, I had $300 of oil added to an empty tank (yes, it really was empty), but that while definitely another story, was truly not my fault. But David, you say, how could you use oil over the summer? Simple. Our hot water heater is oil fired.

I have no idea when our fuel provider is scheduled to come into this area and fill our 900-litre oil tank. And, given the price of oil, I'm not too keen to get a major $ 1,000 plus hit on a refill. Good news there, though (amazing what we now consider good, isn't it?): the price of a barrel of oil fell by more than $10 today.

So... anyone out there care to place a bet?

No, not on our marriage, but on whether our tank is filled before we run out!