How to survive a winter in the Midwest

It is no big secret that Iowa has FRIGID winters (as many of you know from some previous blog posts). So, how do you survive a winter in the Midwest?

#1 Stay indoors! There is no wind chill if you're inside.

#2 Invest in some space heaters!!! This is a must! Yes we have our thermostat set at a specific temperature, but some rooms of the house never actually reach that temperature. For example: our bedroom has 2 outside walls which means that it is always cold. It's great in the summer, but during the winter... BURR!

One day I came home from work went and into our room to change. When I opened our door I noticed a significant temperature drop. So I plugged in the space heater and the temperature gauge on the heater said 60 degrees!!! YIKES! I even have a picture to prove it!

And even Kronk loves the space heaters. Check it out:

My favorite picture is the one with his butt up against the space heater! Kronk has a knack for finding the warmest spot. He is such a cat!

#3 We turn on heating pads to warm up our bed. Don't worry...they have an automatic shut off. Nathan used to laugh at me when I first started doing this, but then he started to mooch off me when he would hop into bed. After a while I went and bought him one so that his side of the bed could be warm too (which is why I get the wife of the year award)!
Some of you may ask "Why don't you invest in some fleece/flannel sheets?"
The answer: Nathan HATES them! That is why we used heating pads.

#4 Invest in the window insulation kits! They are the best and they really do help keep the cold air out (if done properly).

#5 Hang in there because spring is on it's way! Spring in Iowa is so beautiful and if you keep that in mind then you'll make it through. After all, I am on my 4th winter. If a southern California girl can do it, then anyone can do it!

Window insulation kit picture courtesy of Google images