I have a good friend who has lived here for the past ten years. She says that every March at some point she breaks down and swears she won’t stay in New York for another winter. “That’s it. We’re done. We’re moving. You can have your designer cupcakes.” (Direct quote.)
Friend, pray tell: how do you make it to March?
I know, it’s colder where you live, but seriously, it’s freezing here. Levi describes those gusts of wind as “a frozen baseball bat hitting you in the face.” This morning, a tourist on my street walked by wearing a full snow suit. Not because it’s snowing, but because (and I’m guessing here) it was the only thing she could convince herself to put on this morning. I saw her walk past and thought, “Yes! Yes! Yes!”
It doesn’t help that there’s no heat in our apartment. (Actually, maybe this is the entirety of the issue.) For most of the day, I guard Adelaide from the kitchen, where the oven is turned to 450 and left wide open. My hope is that this will be more effective than the space heater in our bedroom—which would not likely increase my body temperature unless I licked it.
I called the landlord about it; he said to call him in two hours if I was still cold. Adelaide’s lips are blue. I have a winter hat on. I’m wearing a pair of XXL sweat pants and a Northface down coat. Sigh and shiver: we’re still cold.
Because of my ambitious New Year’s resolutions I can’t spend the day in bed under a pile of quilts either. Forget it. At this very minute, my New Year’s resolution is to move to some place like Florida or Arizona or Australia.
At the risk of sounding dramatic (this all feels very serious right now), you should know that I opened a drawer in the kitchen and a shot of frigid air puffed out. January—hated, reviled, cursed January—has even seeped into the furniture. The butter in my cupboard is rock solid. If I don’t respond to comments today it will be because my keyboard has frozen. Am I making myself clear? Are you even still reading this?
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January 6, 2010 at 3:07 am
Vada
Yikes. I’ve lived in places colder than New York, but never without heat. I can’t handle no heat here in Texas, let alone in New York. (It is under freezing outside right now, so don’t think I’m too much of a wuss.) I hope that you can get your heat fixed, and just remember that in August I’ll be desperately wishing I was where you are.
January 6, 2010 at 5:28 am
Katie E
My husband served his mission in the Bronx and he said that it would be cold, but when the wind blew it would chill you to the bone. I recall him saying if Manhattan got 1 inch of snow on the ground, it would shut down the city.
January 6, 2010 at 5:42 am
Jaime
Yikes, Rebecca! 311 and housing court. Seriously. First winter here, we had no heat and it was insane. But we withheld the rent, put it in escrow, and went to housing court. Less than a month later, we had heat. . . Here’s my blog on it: http://redhatmandan.wordpress.com/2008/01/12/heat-or-lack-thereof-in-hells-kitchen/
I hope you all get warm soon. . .
January 6, 2010 at 7:18 am
Kiasa
Can you say “time warner center”? We hang out there all day when we have heat issues. Call 311 stat! Come hang at our place! And don’t use your oven/stove too much (it can cause carbon monoxide poisoning). We sometimes run the hot shower and boil big pots of water which turns our tiny abode into a tropical paradise.
January 6, 2010 at 8:17 am
SASmylie
BBBBrrrrrrrrrr!After reading this I had to go stand outside and feel the heat, 35C (about 80F) and offer up prayers of gratitude that my parents changed thier minds about migrating to Idaho and chose Australia instead. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!! And if you need somewhere to live when you and Levi decide to move to Australia, you know there are plenty places to choose from.
January 6, 2010 at 8:23 am
sarahlolson
The air blowing into my room right now is cold. It’s coming from our heating vents.
Why is life like this? Being cold is awful. And this year, for some reason, I’m feeling it more keenly than usual. I dreamt all night of buying boots. I have to wear a dress to work today, and I dread exposing any part of my body to the outside air. Tights might have to cover my legs, but they’re so thin, I resent them already. Being warm is the best.
Get back in bed, RMS. Even my resolutions typically have emergency provisions.
(Also, this post was super well written. I’m just saying. Craft-wise, you’re totally on it.)
January 6, 2010 at 8:33 am
shelley
We came home from Christmas vacation yesterday and our heat wouldn’t turn on. It is 41 degrees in our house. I can see my breath. And I’ve been consoling myself that we are on our way to NY to visit the Smylies, who will have a warm, cozy apartment to visit. Oh, what terribly cold news. You just snowed on my parade.
January 6, 2010 at 8:35 am
JoLyn
My son and his new wife just moved to Las Vegas. They can’t get over that they are just wearing t-shirts in January. I have to admit to feeling very jealous! I’m quite sure I was predestined to live in Hawaii and got misplaced somewhere along the way…I’ve always lived where winter rules.
As for no heater–I would have to boycott something.
Good luck–hope things warm up soon!
January 6, 2010 at 8:42 am
sunny
And you wanted to invite us over? Why not come over here instead?
January 6, 2010 at 8:55 am
CSIowa
“Because of my ambitious New Year’s resolutions I can’t spend the day in bed under a pile of quilts either. Forget it.”
This is the problem with goals and resolutions. I’ve spent more than 30 years letting them stand in the way of taking things as they come. I’ve spent the past couple of years learning how to be more flexible and not letting my agenda get in the way of my happiness. And learning how to adapt to reality (like no heat), even when it isn’t what I had planned.
I hope you spend the day in bed with a good book. Or Netflix.
January 6, 2010 at 9:38 am
smylies
Vada–I promise you: come August, you won’t wish you were in NY. San Diego maybe? Why don’t we all move to San Diego?
Katie: To. The. Bone. We don’t shut down with an inch of snow, but the City does, strangely, become a quiet and lovely place.
Jaime, I’m inspired. Our situation is less dire than yours was. Mostly because we have 311 and you didn’t. Thank you Mike Bloomberg. We called last year and one day later city inspectors were at the apartment taking the temperature. Where do you think we got this space heater?
Kiasa–Good call on carbon monoxide. Time Warner Center? I’ll add it to my list. Right now, Natural History Museum tops the list. But how many days in a row can we act surprised by the whale?
SASmylie–I happen to know exactly how much a ticket to Australia costs right now. We really want to be there now. But flying to Australia in January? Would we could afford such a luxury!
Shelley–don’t let that dissuade you from coming. We will personally blow hot air into the air mattress.
JoLyn–a t-shirt? What’s a t-shirt?
Sunny–I’m calling you.
CSIowa–yes, you’re right.
January 6, 2010 at 9:38 am
living in zion
Rebecca,
Oh my gosh! I can’t imagine how miserable you all must be. I was gonna complain about the Missouri weather (-20 with windchill today) but my furnace is blasting full steam and I am working in a comfy sweats today. This time of year makes me grateful my office is in my home and clients come to me.
I hope your landlord gets a clue, quick. Anyone else in your building suffering? I find great comfort in starting petitions. Nothing like bonding through injustice to make me feel better. And petitions are wonderful as proof that you are not a whiner. Forget the pioneers stoic suffering! Now is the time to find others who feel your pain.
As for new year resolutions, I hesitated to disclose my attitude earlier. There was such a forceful vibe of change going on I didn’t want to be the Grinch.
But on miserable days like yours, with no heat – Here is my new years truth: I am working on going to bed early. I am reading my scriptures daily, focusing on finding peace and comfort. I am eating food that is real. I am talking to friends, visiting more and planning weekend excursions. I will sleep in on Saturdays and read the newspaper in bed, without guilt. I am going to temple monthly with my husband and we will eat a nice lunch afterward. No more rushing straight home, trying to cram every second with something meaningful. I will not exercise unless I feel like it. I will take ten deep breaths a day. You get the picture.
Terrible weather outside is Heavenly Father’s gift to stay inside and do a nice crafty project. That is, for everyone else but Rebecca. She needs to check into the nearest hospital for hypothermia.
January 6, 2010 at 10:39 am
Howard
Oh wow. That gives me the shivers. I served my mission in Norway and one night we didn’t latch the windows. In the morning, we had a drift of snow in the room and on top of our beds. Reading this brought back strong memories of that night. Move to Arizona! 🙂 I bet there are a couple other people who read this who would love to see that happen. It will be 70 today. Warm and toasty 70. I bet reading that you can feel the warmth radiating out from monitor. Come and buy a home by Lisa and Tagg. AZ needs a Smylie infusion.
January 6, 2010 at 10:46 am
Amanda
We’re in Philly and we’re dying. And we have “heat.” We live with my in-laws in a 225 year old home and let’s just say, this house just isn’t airtight. Despite the fact that we have heat, none of the doors actually keep the cold air out (they would have to actually fit the door frame to do that). It makes me appreciate old homes less and less.
We’re off to spend as much time as possible at the YMCA. I wish you the best (and some heat).
January 6, 2010 at 11:08 am
Louise Plummer
A cold apartment in winter is one of my negative memories of New York. The heat came on in the morning and then was turned off when everyone left for work. Those of us who lived at home during the day hovered in front of electric space heaters or took hot baths to warm our toesies.
Get under the covers with hot chocolate. Netflix is always a good idea.
January 6, 2010 at 11:26 am
angie f
I would be amazed if you could get your daughter to stay in bed, even if you did. One year we were hit by an ice storm when we lived in Richmond and we lost power for several days in January. At first I thought we could tough it out in bed and just not bathe, but I couldn’t get my then toddler daughter to stay bundled up. We gave up eventually and went to Grandma’s. She had power.
Now we live in Vegas. –JoLyn, the funny thing is that most likely after your son and family spend a summer or two here in the 115 degree weather, the 40s and 50s of our winter will become downright unbearably frigid. Blood thins. It’s true my winter “coat” is a jacket and most days my kids are fine with a hoodie, but it takes true dedication to visit colder climates from time to time to remind myself what cold really is. And each winter I laugh watching the natives bundle up in puffy coats with hats and gloves and scarves when it’s 50+ outside.
January 6, 2010 at 11:29 am
brohammas
Cold is one of my favorite sensations.
Nothing better to let you know you are “up and at ’em”, than shivering in a car before the sun is up. Nothing like the cold wind freezing your face as you ride the lift up to a bowl of fresh powder.
The feeling of a little bit of snow that makes it’s way inside your coat via the collar, and then melting down your spine, and finally sitting in your car with the heater blasting in an attempt to thaw the smile off your face.
Just hop in your car and crank the heat…. O wait, your in NEW YORK!!!
Ha ha ha haha ha…. breath… ha ha ha haha haha ahahahaha!
January 6, 2010 at 11:30 am
Ash
COME TO FLORIDA!!! It is a little cold right now, but warmer than NY for SURE!!!
January 6, 2010 at 11:37 am
JournyByondSurvival
Our first year together was WonderFULL. Ha.
Our furnace blew black soot over everything while we were away for Christmas. Bye-Bye ornaments, tree and normal heat. Hello insurance claims and disgusting oily crap on everything.
Then our waterheater, and dryer went out too. At the same time!
Blankets my friend. Blankets duct taped or tacked or whatevered over every doorway you aren’t using.
Your quip about the kitchen made me chuckle in remembrance!
January 6, 2010 at 12:23 pm
Sharon
Tea and travel. Those are my tips for staying warm. I went from living in Brazil and Texas to living in Chicago. Ugh. Last January I went to the Philippines to meet my future sister-in-law’s family. Now THAT was a good idea. Really. Just breaking it up helped a ton. Of course, then I came back at 5:30 a.m. on the coldest day in Chicago in 13 years with no winter coat because I didn’t want to pack it in my luggage, and I had to take the trains from O’Hare way up north down to my apartment on the near south side. I’d been snorkeling in the Indian Ocean just off a tropical island only a few days before. That was just comical (and potentially dangerous).
Tea and travel. And make sure to interact with people. It’s easy to become an ice hermit. Good luck!
January 6, 2010 at 1:17 pm
sarahlolson
For lunch I chose chicken chili (warm) and a half sandwich on toast (warm) with pepperjack cheese (spicy) and made myself another cup of hot water with fresh mint and honey. I am sitting in my office, dreaming of buying those cheap stretchy gloves and cutting off the fingertips, like I’m on old-timey newsy or backroom accountant. I did that during law school when I was studying at home in New York over Christmas break for finals. Only thing that got me and my digits through.
This post has been haunting me. I had to weigh in again.
January 6, 2010 at 1:41 pm
emily kate
Our radiator only sometimes worked in our hole of an apartment last year (I don’t need to explain. You’ve seen it.) I usually took hot baths, put on 17 layers of clothes, drank hot chocolate, and used my laptop on my lap without the cooling fan because that baby can produce heat! Hope you warm up soon. You know where it’s warm? Las Vegas. I’m heading out to a freaking picnic in an hour. Seriously. This is your first post that didn’t make me sad about not living in NYC anymore. How could I have forgotten about the terrible winter cold??
January 6, 2010 at 1:51 pm
Ashlee
We have a Vornado space heater that we used in Japan, Utah, Idaho, etc… It’s GREAT! It’s the only brand we’ve used that REALLY works! Good luck!
January 6, 2010 at 2:15 pm
shalowhi
I’m glad I posted my own writing (at http://www.oliofolio.com) this morning before coming here to take a peek — I wrote a little poem which is partly about being cold; had I read your post first, I might have decided I have no idea what I’m talking about.
January 6, 2010 at 3:41 pm
Jess
Being cold all day is the pits! I have a[nother] space heater for you to borrow when you come to pick up your stroller. It’s not a Vornado (amen, Ashlee, those are truly the best), but it’s something.
January 6, 2010 at 3:54 pm
lisapiorczynski
Ash,
Florida’s supposed to get frost soon. So, Bex, ditch the Florida idea and head to AZ.
January 6, 2010 at 5:01 pm
Samantha
Rebecca! Poor girl. I have to say, I went to the park today and had to leave because Owen was getting sunburned. I didn’t realize it was going to be 75 degrees today. People can say what they want about California, but it really isn’t so bad.
(And on top of that…my heat is currently on. I’ve been SO freezing during this pregnancy. Hey come visit. I think we are cheaper than a flight to Austrailia!)
January 6, 2010 at 5:39 pm
margy
One word: SNUGGIE.
I know it’s been perpetually joked about on NBC for the past few years, but when Oliver’s grandma gave us one this Christmas, and when I put it on the very next day during a sarcastic but cold moment, I was pleasantly surprised. I heard they have them at Costco, and maybe even in kids sizes.
I can see next year’s Christmas card already…
January 6, 2010 at 6:46 pm
lisapiorczynski
Margy, you are brilliant. I want to see Addy in a Slanket.
January 6, 2010 at 9:10 pm
Mehrsa
Surviving winter:
1. Stay inside
2. Unless you don’t have heat, then make a friend who does
3. Eat sugar and sugared food substances
4. Watch LOST or Friday Night Lights
See you in March…and this year may be the last.
January 6, 2010 at 10:13 pm
AnnaBeth
We lived in AZ for a year. Two weeks after we moved into our apt (in July) our A/C went out. It was so hot that the butter melted in its dish & we were sweating just sitting on the couch, but when my 3 month old started throwing up we moved in with friends and refused to pay rent until it was fixed.
I don’t know which is worse, but I sure am glad I live in CA now.
January 7, 2010 at 2:58 am
Kathryn
When I was in Russia I took a train trip out east to Tatarstan (17 hours). For some reason, our train car was unheated. We awoke to ice on the inside of our windows and our water bottles frozen solid. I spent most of the night sharing an 18 inch wide bed with a casual acquantance in order to prevent hypothermia. When we arrived in Kazan (the capitol), our hotel rooms had either heat or hot water, depending on the floor we were on. My floor/ room had hot water, so I proceeded to spend my first two hours in Tatarstan in the shower. I showered every 6 hours or so until we left.
But I learned my lesson! This round of traveling I’m heading to South Africa for the winter (their summer). I really think that the birds are on to something with this migration thing. Methinks “That’s for the birds!” does not deserve its derisive tone and should be used to indicate displays of great wisdom. Those birds are smarter than we give them credit for.
Perhaps the way to survive another year in New York is to spend only nine months of it there…
January 7, 2010 at 11:26 am
Tom Plummer
When we returned to New York for the Holidays, we were stunned by the wetness of the cold. We’ve lived in Minnesota for 15 years (-20 is commonplace), we’ve lived in Utah, which can be cold, and we’ve lived in New York and Boston. Nothing has quite come up to the bitter cold we felt this time in New York. Our freezing bones (literally) started aching the minute we went outside and became excruciating by the end of the day. I didn’t know cold can be so painful. Brohammas–I have a place for you–International Falls, Minnesota is your kind of place.
January 8, 2010 at 1:38 pm
JoLyn
I decided it’s time for me to look for the good in January….http://bit.ly/5nMoe1.
January 8, 2010 at 3:07 pm
Sarah R.
Much as I love NY that does not sound fun. One word: Costco. My neighbor just bough a great space heater there (since it is freezing here in FL right now) and it was cheap, cheap, cheap.
While a missionary in NY many years ago, my wonderful trainer (shout out to Mrs. Fehlberg!!) went dumpster diving in Connecticut and brought me a full length FUR coat (I was in the Bronx at the time). It was hideous and GREEN and I wore it all the time because it was the warmest thing ever.
The best part about it was that no one even blinked an eye at the atrocity I was wearing. Kind of like the snow suit, people probably thought…ooh that looks warm.
Fly South my dear. That is the only solution.
January 8, 2010 at 8:54 pm
sharry
have you seen the weather in florida lately…
please pick arizona.
please…
January 8, 2010 at 10:10 pm
Angelique
ugh, there’s something about the cold in NYC that is almost personal – like nature has it out for YOU – especially when the wind blows…
January 12, 2010 at 4:21 pm
Rebecca
Ok.simple solution to your problem. Come home and stay for a month — we’ll keep you and yours toasty!
January 12, 2010 at 4:21 pm
Mom Mc
Ok.simple solution to your problem. Come home and stay for a month — we’ll keep you and yours toasty!
January 13, 2010 at 11:01 am
Allison
Also saw a woman in a full snowsuit wandering near Battery Park. It prompted me to inquire of Noah, “where IS the nearest ski resort?”