Oh, one last idea...get a waterbed and don't use the heater in the summer...at least you would sleep cooler!

Would it be possible to install a "wall" A/C unit that fits in a metal sleeve that goes through the wall? I've seen those in apartment buildings and they used to sell them at Sears.
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Otherwise, wet towels draped over you with a fan blowing directly at you. That's how I got thru one incredibly hot and humid A/C-less summer in Missouri.
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BTW-Evaporate coolers don't really work very well in humid climates. But, have you considered an attic fan? Not as good as A/C, but it would at least pull the hot air out of the house and the cooler in at night when the temps drop.

I've heard the portable floor units are pretty good, esp. for just doing a bedroom for sleeping purposes! I always kept my hair doused in cold water with a fan on me or I wrapped my head in an ice cold bandana and went to sleep. Good luck!

Get an evaporative air cooler. Those are nice and not too expensive.

BW- I don't think you can turn a unit sideways. It has to drip out and not sure that works.

I get it now Gary.
lol vegatables in title

What kind of basement do you have? Can you camp out down there? Can you put a window AC unit in sideways and cover the top gap with cardboard?

Tell the Tall Man if it's hot enough to curl the crops, it's hot enough for AC.

I would get some of those cold body packs that are used for injuries. The reusable kind you can put in the freezer. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes and are usually fabric covered so the cold won't hurt your skin. Good luck. I grew up in a house without central AC (and my parents still live there without it) so I understand the misery of trying to sleep in the heat.

Love my central air at a constant 74 degrees. That is as long as I can keep the danged earwigs out of the electric main unit outside.

Vegetables.

Try a portable air conditioner... a few hundred dollars but I hear they are worth it and can be used almost anywhere. Farm & Fleet had some last time I was there.
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I take a cool shower then lay with only a thin sheet and my summer jammies and have the fan blow on me all night. Big bottle of water by the bed and and wash cloth soaked in cold well water on my neck...not the best option, but it helps.

Go for the central Air. Even if you don't use it often on days like this you need it. I have mine set at the highest temp today of 88. I was going for 90 but it wont go that warm. We are at work so why cool it off so much. At night I go for 82 but last night up stairs it was 90- ugh bit warm but the unit is too small for our house. Looked into a unit for the other side of house and it was $12000.- NOT when I have one small unit we can just hang on the side with air. Usually you can only get 20 degrees cooler so if 100 today not much point if we are gone. It may have gone up in price since 06 and this may not be the week they may come to your house if everybody else is calling.

Get some of those large metal fans to blow air.
Eat popcicles.
What about that ice pack under your pillow??

I put clothes on today and I swear they came out of drier instead of drawer.