John and Michelle - prepared for the snow...or their frigid living room!
Here in Vancouver it’s November gross outside. “John, what does November gross mean?” you ask. Well, it means that the temperature hovers around 0° Celsius, it’s probably drizzling or raining or slushing, everything is dark and grey, and an unexplicable dampness penetrates all of your layers and chills you to the bone. This weather is best encapsulated by rainslush, which is neither snow nor rain and is absolutely all kinds of disgusting.
Why am I telling you this?
Here’s why: Michelle and I have had no heat in our apartment for five days. And, yes, I realize that, in the grand scheme of things, this is a small and silly problem to have and there are much bigger ones to solve. Still, we are occupying the living room over the issue!
The past few days have seen Michelle and I find creative ways to stay warm. For all of you about to endure a Canadian winter, here are a few tips on how to be hot with no heat:
- Dress for the outside inside! That’s right, toques and fleeces (see above) aren’t just accessories for getting to-and-from places; they’re useful within the comfort of your own home, too! This strategy can be extra-successful if you combine it with cuddling and indoor sports, such as hallway soccer or cleaning.
- Eat and drink hot things! Spicy food and piping hot tea will warm you to the core for certain; however, if your curry or enchiladas or curried enchiladas make you sweat, be sure to towel-down and layer-up quickly, as perspiration, once cooled, can drop your temperature like the Winnipeg Blue Bombers are going to drop passes on Sunday!
- Go outside. Wait. And then come back inside! This one is right out of my dad’s Parenting Playbook (Chapter 5: Winter). Basically, you stand outside for, like, 15-20 minutes while wearing inside-clothes and by the time you return indoors it feels like you’re watching television on 30° summer day!
As you get out – or in – there and build some warm community, be sure to have fun with it!
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Masthead image courtesy of biketrouble