Average Jane vs. the Cold

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I know I’m in for a looong winter because it’s only December 20th and I’m already heartily tired of the cold weather. Call me a whiner if you will, but I face each morning’s two-block walk from the parking lot to my building with ever-increasing grimness. I think the walks back may be even colder and uglier.

Our house is old and drafty, so we’ve had to move our betta fish into a small bowl on top of the cabinet above our toilet, just to keep him warm enough to survive. If we have an ice storm and the power goes out, I don’t know where we’ll take him.

On Sunday during my cookie exchange party, my niece was watching kids’ Christmas videos in our bedroom and complaining about how chilly it was in there. That evening, I moved the window blind aside and discovered that – d’oh! – the storm window was still open. Ditto for the storm window in the kitchen. Way to keep those gas bills down. Sigh.

It’s one thing to be cold at home – I’m used to that. The bad thing is that my office is cold now, too. I had a meeting yesterday in a corner conference room that might as well have taken place outdoors. The area around my desk is uncomfortably cool as well. I’m considering bringing in a throw to wrap around my legs like a sleigh blanket.

The only good thing about the cold weather is that it spurs me to make a lot of soups and stews. Just in the last few days I’ve made pots of chili and potato soup and I have all the ingredients for minestrone lined up and ready.

There’s nothing to do now but bundle up until spring. As much as I’d like to jet off to a tropical island to finish out the winter, that’s not in the cards. I suppose I should be glad I don’t still live on acreage with livestock that has to be fed and watered all winter long. Yes, just remembering that makes me feel a lot better!

Comments

6 responses to “Average Jane vs. the Cold”

December 20, 2005

Stacie

We always have piles of blankets around the house the entire winter. Every other week I wash them. Kids, dogs, and god only knows what germs are on those things.
I bake more in the winter too. Things like batter breads that take a whole hour and minimal effort. But the soups and stews are always a good thing too.
Try drinking green tea. If you leave a tea pot on the stove top, you’ll add humidity to the house and always have a hot cup waiting for you.

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December 20, 2005

Jenn

I’ve noticed that everywhere I go, places seem to be colder. Everybody is trying to save on their heating bills, but if I need to keep my coat on in a restaurant, it’s a little much.

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December 21, 2005

Keith

Jane,
We all know you’re made of sterner stuff than that O’d wench. It will soon be spring.
Have a nice Christmas KP

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December 21, 2005

The Misanthrope

I have a question for you. If you could move to a warmer climate would you? Do you think it foolish for someone from Los Angeles to move to the northeast?

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December 22, 2005

Jane

Misanthrope – As much as I complain about the extremes of heat and cold here, I actually like the different seasons. That said, the main reason I’ve lived in the same general area my whole life is that my extended family is here. I would consider moving somewhere else if that were not a consideration, although the weather would be a fairly minor part of the equation.

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December 23, 2005

Nancy

I am envious. I am in Los Angeles (originally from New York), and I love cuddling up with warm blankets, making soups and baking, wearing big sweaters and scarves, doing crafts, etc. But when it is 70 degrees and sunny out, like now, it just doesn’t feel the same. I feel I should go out and get some exercise – a prospect that is far less appealing.

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