Friday, December 3, 2010

How to warm up.

Tom's Journal.http://tomschuckmanjournal.blogspot.com/
tschuckman@aol.com

All Army Veterans and most folks in Wisconsin already know these facts-- but the rest of you guys and gals who DON'T live in Hawaii can now learn how to be comfortable and sleep warm!! Woo Woo! Think--- what's more important, looking like a cool fool, or knowing how to LAYER your clothing-- pick the right/ correct clothes to stay warm?? I remember having to pull guard duty in Germany near a POL dump in the Winter time, in early 1968, while a bunch of soldiers were sleeping in a tent, but they had a diesel heater inside that kept everything toasty. It was nice to step in out of the cold windy raw weather for a few minutes to warm up. But I had to learn how to dress warm and still be in uniform in the Fatherland.

And you might have guessed correctly that now days ANYTHING could come down the pike--- like shortages of heating fuel or over priced gas and oil if there is a new war or money/ credit crisis.... Be Prepared! Learn and survive.

Tom

There's nothing worse than a cold bedroom in winter, so we asked four ice hotels to share their secrets to a cozy sleep space.

During the long, dark days of winter -- and nights too! -- it can be difficult to sleep in a bedroom that is drafty or cold. It might lack a proper heating vent. Or you might be trying to save some dough by cranking down the heat at night.

Fortunately, there are ways to cope with undesirable temperatures in the bedroom.

And what better source of inspiration than from a seasoned pro -- a hotel constructed from blocks of ice or mounds of snow?

Four hotels around the world offer accommodations like this -- Hôtel de Glace in Quebec; Kirkenes SnowHotel in Norway; a property aptly named Ice Hotel in Jukkasjarvi, Sweden; and Finland's SnowVillage. We polled each of the hotels for tips on what to wear to bed -- and the warmest, coziest types of bedding -- to help make your bedroom a blissful refuge during winter.

"Clients from whom we have received negative feedback have said that it was too warm to sleep," says Heini Korvenkangas of SnowVillage.

Learn To Sleep In Layers
SnowHotel in Norway injects humor into the idea of sleeping overnight in a hotel made out of snow. "Remember, we are in the Arctic climate," reads a letter of introduction to all guests. "Take extra layers to keep yourself warm. This is not a fashion show; the purpose is to keep yourself warm!"

Not just for outdoor hikes and while downhill or cross-country skiing, thermal underwear is a blessing any time it's cold. Why is it a godsend? Simply put, it traps warm air from escaping your body. Go with not only long underwear but a long-sleeve top too. Add flannel pajamas on top and a tank top underneath, and you are all set to catch some zzzs.

Hôtel de Glace in Quebec coaches guests ahead of time on what to pack in preparation for a night sleeping on a block of ice. Three layers should be worn, with the exterior layer's goal to "shield wind and humidity;" the middle layer of wool, flannel or polar-fleece garments designed to isolate air and control humidity; and an interior layer of undergarments. And not necessarily the undies or undershirts you wear year-round. These should be a mix of wool or synthetic fabric and ideally not cotton. Cotton retains the humidity and then you have a new problem you did not anticipate: sweating. Also, shop for wool socks and a wool cap that fits tightly over your head (you'd be surprised how quickly it can fall off while you toss and turn -- or allow a draft to slip through). At SnowVillage in Norway each guest is provided with not only a sleeping bag but a wool hat and a pair of wool socks too.

And while we know how tempting it is to sleep in the clothes you wore during the day, try not to. The reason is that dry clothing -- garments you've not worn yet that day -- lacks humidity that can actually make you feel cool. Stick with dry layers, and you won't have this problem.

Snuggle Into A Sleeping Bag
Because the beds at all of these hotels are constructed from raw, natural materials (snow and ice) that couldn't be any colder, guests are provided with fleece-lined sleeping bags. Now even though you have a base that includes a mattress, mattress pad and bed sheets, it can't hurt to add another layer next to your skin. Search for a sleeping bag that clearly states the outdoor temperatures it is guaranteed to succumb to. Ideally, that should be below freezing temperatures, because that's how cold it can feel at night, yes?

"Each guest is supplied with a sleeping bag meant for outdoor conditions," explains Korvenkangas. "These sleeping bags can handle up to -25 to -35 degrees Celsius. Yet it's never that cold at SnowVillage."

Take it to the next level -- if your bedroom is really cold -- and invest in a fleece inner sleeping bag, which is what SnowVillage guests also receive. You can either use it in conjunction with the sleeping bag or solo -- your choice and depending on your body's need for warmth.

Ice Hotel Stay Warm in Cold Bedroom ice hotel
Photo: Big Ben Productions for Ice Hotel

Think Exotic
If ever there was a reason to invest in high-quality, exotic materials for bedding, it's the fact that you cannot sleep because it is too cold. At Ice Hotel, reindeer skins are laid between the blocks of ice (that serve as beds) and sleeping bags for a cozy middle layer that traps heat and won't allow it to escape. Large pieces of animal skins are warm. So are leather and sheepskin. Take the problem of having a cold bedroom, and turn it into a positive by splurging on an exotic animal skin!

Wake Up to Hot Beverages

Ice Hotel guests are provided with a small glass of "hot lingonberry juice" at their bedside. And at Hôtel de Glace you are greeted with warm beverages.

Think about how you can get hot tea or coffee going quickly in the morning by doing prep-work the night before. This might be as simple as grinding the coffee beans or cleaning out the coffee pot. If you are lucky enough to have a programmable coffee pot, put that high-tech function to good use so that you can wake up to the smell of brewing coffee.

Or, rummage through your cabinets before bed and lay out on the kitchen counter your favorite tea, a beloved mug and any kind of brewing tools that get the hot tea going. Then lay in bed sipping your tea to toast you up.

Want to read more about bedroom decor?
How to Green and Detox Your Bedroom
Solid Bedding: Making It Work
Bedroom Makeover: Make It Sexy & Tasteful
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Bearing Fruit

Posted:

Q. I have a question for you regarding ‘the fruit of the Spirit’. Jesus said we would recognize Christians in the same way as we would recognize a good tree – because it bears good fruit. As Christians though, we continue to sin and constantly bear ‘bad fruit’ – easily recognizable by [...] Wow!!


Gays in the Army.


Tom's Journal.http://tomschuckmanjournal.blogspot.com/
tschuckman@aol.com

<<< They truck I have now is White.

Good Morning, Friends and Readers,
I just figured out why I am aching so bad today... I was only following orders from the VA about stopping my use of Herbs that I usually take daily: Ginger, Garlic, Cayenne, Joint Advantage, etc, that does help me a lot. And now my whole body is messed up with bone and muscle discomfort-- to put it mildly. I have been a serious student in STUDYING Healing Herbs for the past 40 years, and they WORK!! Now it's hard for me just to stand up and walk! In my basic preparation for ANY emergency-- I like to stock up on things that I use in every day living, including the herbs I have knowledge of for most every complaint of mine-- and my wife is educated in this area too. But if I only found the right herb to help me lose WEIGHT... Ha!

Man! What a feast my wife and I had last night for celebrate her birthday on Dec. 4th! I wanted to make it memorable for dear Sharon to show her how much I love her. We had a good time with our "Last Supper" before I surrender my body to the VA Hospital in Milwaukee. I think I will go on a long "fast" after the surgery to lose weight, so I don't have to fight with their 'food' they give me... lol. Sharon has lost over 100 pounds since she has been in the nursing home about 3 months ago, but she is still very sickly-- poor girl.

Lisa, from the Milwaukee VA Hospital, just called me for my final instructions, time and room number for my up coming surgery, so now I have some 'closure.'

A snow storm is coming my way from 8PM today- Friday--thru Saturday 8AM. I can't wait to click my 4WD on in my Ram pickup truck. Just what is it that turns men on to Pick-up trucks??? Heck, I don't have the time and energy to construct such a long list... LOL! But they can carry large objects, are built tough, have 4 by 4 and big tires that get thru snow, etc, with my mighty traction, and I just LOVE 4 wheel drive! Yes, I pay a bit more for fuel for my 2007 Ram-- with a Dodge Big Horn Hemi engine, but I have a sense of well being and safety when I am in my truck-- kind of like an armored tank in the Army--- I can tow things and help folks climb out of a ditch with my chains when they slip/ slide in the snow. OK, enough bragging for a while...Ha!

Does anyone have dry skin in the Winter time? I use some Eucerine cream on my hands and then put on cotton gloves when I sleep, and I have to use Oxygen and a CPAP machine when I sleep or take naps-- for my Sleep Apnia. There was a lot of foul, polluted air in the AMC/ Chrysler auto factory in Kenosha, WI., where I worked for 30 years,and a few dozen died from HP pneumonia while I was there-- and the rest of us who survived built up some kind of immunity, or maybe we just were allowed to live a bit longer. I was just happy and thankful to have a good job to pay the mortgage and raise my family. Praise the Lord! Please pray for Debbie, from Kenosha, WI., who just lost her job, and is looking for another one. She is a good Christian and a hard, educated worker.

I am very concerned about the new law that allows Gays openly serving in the military, and as if we don't have enough things to worry about now with our monetary melt down and economy-- FLASH! Here is something that could honestly weaken our national defense-- pushed by the Dims/ Progressive Congress and WH! BOOO! Hello-- Sodom and Gomorrah! Just as the Bible-- Jesus predicted about the Last Days. Read 'em and weep, America. |I fear [but I don't don't blame the good soldiers one bit] that many good, smart military people will now quit the service, and/ or won't enlist or stay in! What a pity. What a shame, BUT, this is part of the 'Big Picture'... America is being destroyed from WITH IN by the God- Haters, perverts, and Socialists. On this subject/ point, Glenn Beck has it right. The Bible loving Christians have it right too-- but America is going down and pretty soon we shall cease to exist-- slipping into a 'ONE WORLD GOV'T' controlled by the Anti-Christ in the near future. Mr. Obama and others are now preparing the way for the Anti-Christ, IMHO, and I get most of my opinions, thoughts and info from the KJV- Bible.... serious, constant, intense study and prayer, and a lot of other reading on the side.
Take care, friends, and thank you all so much for your prayers and well wishes.

Regards,
Old Soldier Tom
tschuckman@aol.com
Jesus is Lord.


Here is another look at the stats:
Former Navy Chaplain Gordon James Klingenschmitt just read the full Pentagon report on repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell, and here's his analysis:
"Don't believe the phony liberal media reports that 70% of troops support open homosexual service, because that statistic included 'mixed' feelings. A closer reading of the fine print in the newly released Pentagon survey shows our troops answered as follows:
Q45. If you had a leader whom you believed was gay or lesbian, 9% positive, 91% negative or mixed effect on unit's performance.
Q68c. 85% of Marine Combat Arms, 75% of Army Combat Arms, 64% overall say Negative, Very Negative, or Mixed impact on unit trust.
Q90. 29% would take no action if assigned open showers. 71% would shower at other times, complain to leadership or chaplains, don't know or do "something else" [including violence.]
Q81. 24% will leave the military or think about leaving sooner than planned. [One half million troops will QUIT early, destroying national security.]
Q80. 6% will positively recommend service to others after repeal. 94% feel negative, mixed, no effect, or don't know about recommending military service to others. [Destroying recruiting efforts.]
Q66. If open homosexuality impacts combat performance, is the impact....9% positive, 91% negative or mixed impact.
Q71. 11% feel positive or very positive about open homosexuality in field environment or out at sea. 60% negative or mixed. 19% no effect.
Q73. 5% say repeal would positively boost morale. 41% say negative or mixed impact morale. Rest no effect or don't know.
"In summary, the real stats prove our nation faces a NATIONAL SECURITY DISASTER if Don't Ask, Don't Tell is repealed, and open homosexual aggression is forced upon our troops against their will."