Oh, the weather inside is frightful ...

[Windy101]

And unfortunately, there is no fireplace that's delightful!

I live in an old apartment building in which the boiler went out last week. They gave us all two space heaters. I share a power unit with another apartment, so I can only run one space heater without blowing a fuse. I also blow fuses if I plug in my Christmas tree, turn on too many lights, etc.

It is ugly cold here right now. Like, 2 degrees. And that's in the day. It's too cold to be in my living room, so my two cats and I have spent the past three days huddled in bed to stay warm, the door closed, and one space heater running. It is the only way it's warm enough.

Needless to say, this made for an odd Christmas. In a way it's been nice to rest, because I'm on a school break and worked so hard all semester. I was so lucky to go to California right afterwards to see my lovely daughter, who's pregnant. I love her so much and it was a wonderful trip - I even got to see a sonogram of my grandson! Then I came home to this freezing apartment.

The landlord has offered me a unit in another building, but it has no furniture. As I'm wearing a full down coat, scarf, hat, two layers of pants and tops, and knee high slippers in bed under about six blankets, I think I will go to the other building until they fix the heat, even if they don't help me move. I can bring blankets and a few dishes and clothes and look at it as a camp-out adventure.

So that was my Christmas! Just trying to stay warm, talking to loved ones on the phone, and basically living like a cold invalid. I brought in some candles and decorations to my bedroom to make it a little cheerier.

One thing, though. I thought about what Christmas means when you strip away all the glitter. I had a beautiful moment when I left my bedroom to get something, and I heard some churchbells play "O Come All Ye Faithful."

I'm also excited about what this new year is going to bring. I was going to go visit my mom for New Year's, but with this apartment situation, don't want to leave my cats. Then, unexpectedly, I have a date for New Year's Eve - haven't been out on one in a year!

It's been one weird Christmas staying in bed just to stay warm, not seeing most of my decorations or tree, and having to cancel visiting my mom, but I'm grateful to at least be mostly warm and snuggled with my two cats, who are great company. I'll also get to go to a warmer place, even if it's going to take some work and be a little odd without my things there.

Love to you all, and let's try to make the best of it if we can!

[Janieliza]

Goodness me....you can't stay like this...youll freeze. And here's me thinking it's cold here. It's milder than it has been but I'm shivering at the mere thought of you so cold. What a lovely surprise to see your future grandchild tho...warm and fuzzy feeling I bet. Congratulations there....you must be so excited. It's better to be comfortable and as you rightly say ....it will be a little odd but at least you'll be snuggled and warm. If nothing else I send you my best wishes...and all the positivity going for 2018. Take care. Janie.

[Hopeful-Tinkerbell]

Let me first say Merry Christmas and congratulations on your grandchild! What a true blessing that is!

I’m so sorry to hear about your heat situation. That is truly awful. Do you have any relatives you could stay with that would let your cats be with you? A furnished place? Maybe you could move to the other apartment permanently? Then you could take all of your stuff. I feel like if you are being displaced due to building problems they should provide you with movers. You need your bed, kitchenware, tv, couch/chair, clothing, bathroom etc. That is not fair to you! I would insist that they pay for movers. Even if it’s just the basics. The fuse situation should not be allowed either. I live in the US and that would never be allowed. This is their fault. It’s bad enough you have to go through the inconvenience of it all. Missing your mother. Freezing and now moving. If the new apartment is nice and fuses work I would consider a permanent move. They should be legally responsible for moving expenses of a mover. That is awful. I hope you can be comfortable in the new apartment. I’m so sorry you have to go through all this. I hope you can get some help.

[Windy101 in reply to Hopeful-Tinkerbell]

I live in the U.S. I would go stay with a relative, but the closest in 5 hours away and in a small assisted living apartment - she's concerned and trying to help from afar, but I can't barge in with my cats. My other closest family is even farther and I haven't talked about it with her. I'm starting to reconsider taking much with me as it's supposed to be fixed in 2-3 weeks. Like I said, we may just be camping out. But as of right now, I'm still waiting to hear back from the rental agency. I'm okay, just in bed with my cats still, ha!

[Hopeful-Tinkerbell in reply to Windy101]

It’s just awful. They cannot do that. I live in Virginia. The rental agency would be in big trouble. That’s not safe. To me it seems like your electric situation would not be safe. You should be able to use the electricity. Is moving to the new apartment permanently an option? Does it have better wiring? I actually love camping in general but I use an air mattress and don’t do it in winter or for 2 weeks or more. Does your apartment have maintenance workers who could possibly help you carry the things you do need like kitchenware or your bed? I’m sorry you are having to go through all of this at Christmas. That sure seems like a very long time for them to fix the boiler. They should fix your electric as well. So you can use what you have. I hope things turn out okay for you and the kitties.

[Windy101 in reply to Hopeful-Tinkerbell]

Thank you. They're predicting 2-3 weeks for new heating systems to be installed in each apartment. Because mine blows fuses so easily, it will be the first to be fixed. I talked to them this afternoon and I'm going to get help moving to the new place on Thursday. I don't want to take a lot because I'll just have to bring it back. I feel like the building is safe. I would be okay with one space heater going at a time if it wasn't so cold! I really appreciate your concern and will keep you posted. Tomorrow I'll start planning what to take with me so it's ready to go. When I said camping out, I meant inside the new apartment. If I like it, I might stay there but it's such a hassle to move everything. I've moved so much I don't really want to do it again for a long while.

[Agora1 in reply to Windy101]

I'm so sorry Windy101, I can't imagine a space heater doing the trick. I'm in Chicago and it's 10 degrees. Keep safe and keep warm in the new apartment. xx

[Windy101 in reply to Agora1]

Thank you, Agora! I'm from the Windy City so shwooosh! I know it feels a lot colder than 10 degrees!

[Agora1 in reply to Windy101]

You Are?? It's that wind chill they talk about. x

[Windy101 in reply to Agora1]

Brrrr ....

[Hopeful-Tinkerbell in reply to Windy101]

I for sure understand that! Moving is so difficult. I don’t like the moving stuff but I like living in new places. I get bored easy. That’s why I don’t want to buy a place. I guess part of me wants the accomplishment. Idk. I don’t want to be responsible for repairs. Then what if I find out I don’t like something. I enjoy renting. I guess the investment part of owning is good but I Prefer to live in the now.

I hope your move is as comfortable as possible.

[Windy101 in reply to Hopeful-Tinkerbell]

Thank you, Hopeful-T. I understand your thoughts about renting vs - owning.

[Want2BHappy3 in reply to Windy101]

Sorry to hear of your situation, but you sure are complaining a lot, there are thousands of people who don't have any place to live. You where given another place to go too. You have a grandchild to look forward too. Stop being so whining about what you Don't have. Look at what you do have. Don't mean to be harsh, wondering what your looking for by writing ? There are shelters you can go too to get warm.

[Windy101 in reply to Want2BHappy3]

So sorry that you took offense and wish you very happy holidays. Take care.

[Florida1959]

Wowee, such a lovely story, congratulations on the grandchild, and your cold apartment, brrrrr, thank you for your positivity, I have had a weird Christmas, stuck in, with vertigo, but do you know, I have found comfort in really small things, and been blessed as I have been able to walk outside in nature, and working in housing, your landlord needs a kick up his backside, I will do it, if you like!,, good luck, happy to talk anytime .

[Windy101 in reply to Florida1959]

Ha!

[Windy101 in reply to Windy101]

Thank you, Florida, I am staying warm under blankets and in my coat and going to the warm apartment tomorrow. I'm sorry about your vertigo, that sounds terrible! I heard the churchbells again this morning and they were so beautiful! I hope that you feel better soon. Is this something you've experienced before?

[Starrlight]

I like your positive attitude.