I'm Finally Warm Again

For the first time in 7 months I am warm again in my house. Luckily I did have an extra layer of fat this winter to keep me toasty, but when our 3rd boy was born in February, I lost my heat source and realized just how cold we were.

Visitors would come and never remove their coats. I thought they were wimps, now I know better.

This winter we heated our house at a comfortable, but rather chilly 64 degrees. This really isn't very warm. Socks must be worn at all times, never short sleeves, always a sweatshirt or jacket. To save pennies we always shut off our heat by 8 pm...if not sooner. Then we'd sit in even more layers and under many blankets watching bad reality television and sipping hot cider. When it was time for bed my husband got on his hooded sweatshirt. It was like sleeping next to a mummy.

The cold reality of our existence was magnified in February when I was getting up to nurse every two hours. This is hard enough, but getting up to nurse in a house that is freezing is even worse. I couldn't stand it. By the 5 am feeding, I'd give in and push the thermostat up to the mid-50's. Getting our little guy to nurse laying down and under the covers was a necessity. I'm glad he was willing and cooperative.

On these warmer spring days I get a little giddy. By noon, I've opened all the windows to catch any heat I can before dark. Then I shut it in for the night. I love it.

Last night after the kids were in bed, I remarked to my husband, "This is the first time in seven months that I have actually been warm in our home, and it is after 9!" I ate a nice bowl of Cheerios with cold milk and was fine.

It is rumored that all this free heat leaves us after tonight. I'm sad. I was enjoying not being chilly in my own house. Ah, just a taste of summer. Good thing I didn't run to the store and buy Popsicles and lemonade.