Toni / February 19, 2006 8:33 PM

Cold weather is a good excuse to bake something sweet--I usually make a chocolate cake or some cookies.

Shasta MacNasty / February 19, 2006 9:09 PM

Sleep with my socks on. Call me crazy (yet again...) but when my feet are warm, the rest of me feels warmer, especially at night when I'm going to bed.

And cooking. Lots of cooking. An excuse to have the stove AND oven going at the same time. :-D

brrrrr / February 19, 2006 9:12 PM

Staying warm consists of several layers of clothes that are normally only worn on "laundry day" and burrowing in bed, on the couch, wherever there are lots of blankets to form a human burrito.
Also, I highly recommend cuddling with someone of the opposite sex. I've found it very helpful in passing the time this weekend.

kate / February 19, 2006 9:16 PM

My lord, this was put to the test this weekend. The motor on the furnace crapped out on Saturday... which started as a really nasty electrical/burning smell and ended with my apartment temperature in the low 40s. No shit, I could see my breath.
Roommate and I decided to turn the oven on and leave the door open... it was very ghetto, yet very warm in that particular area.
Several calls to the landlord eventually paid off with a semi-creepy HVAC guy tinkering in the basement this afternoon. Sweet glorious heat was returned.
In the meantime, I stayed in bed underneath 5 layers of blankets, 2 pairs of socks, a pair of scrub pants, a pair of flannel jammie pants, 2 t-shirts, a long sleeve t-shirt, a zip up hoodie, and a sock hat.

Brandy / February 19, 2006 9:47 PM

Hot, hot bath to reheat my body's core, then dive into my bed with so many blankets that it feels like laying under a lead-radiation-preventing-xray-bib.

But the dry air and the hot baths are giving me lizard skin. AND it's too cold in the apartment to slather on lotion nekkid. Defeats the whole bath tactic.

Oh, This Cruel Winter!

Steve / February 19, 2006 10:23 PM

Turn the heat all the way up to 65 degrees and pray the Peoples Energy overlords will send me a gasbill that averages less than 10 bucks/day.

pat / February 19, 2006 10:27 PM

hot chocolate. lots of it.

also love curling up on the couch with a blanket or two, and a cat (or four) at my feet.

Lisa / February 19, 2006 10:52 PM

Get my downstairs furnace fixed, which I did today!

Mac / February 20, 2006 12:07 AM

Continuous wanking.

funmake / February 20, 2006 12:32 AM

Heat-shrink the windows, weather-strip the doors, and seal up random drafts with foamy stuff. Keep room doors closed, keep main furnace at its minimum, and use small space heaters. Then wear a couple blankets, drink cocoa+coffee and snuggle with feline.

PS: E&J Cask and Cream is a good addition to this recipe.

Cinnamon / February 20, 2006 1:47 AM

Use up all the hot water getting warm in the shower. Dry off as quickly as possible and then dive under the covers where I snuggle with my sweetie (aka Bunsen Burner) and take bets which cat is going to be the first one under the covers between us.

Bittersweet / February 20, 2006 8:10 AM

Buying summer clothes and thinking about my trip to Mexico next Monday.

It's 88 degrees there.

=)

christian / February 20, 2006 8:27 AM

I grew up as an outdoorsy type of kid, and went camping in the winter, so I'm used to the cold. As for keeping warm, layers mostly. I have a vast collection of sweaters and thermal shirts I like. As for home and sleeping, about six layers of different types of blankets toped of with an unzipped sleeping bag. For the super cold nights I have an old wool mummy bag and wrap myself in. Nothing keeps you warmer than an itchy wool sleeping bag from WWII.

Well that and some whiskey.

amyc / February 20, 2006 8:34 AM

Flannel sheets. Got a new set this year from Lands' End, and boy howdy, are they soft and warm! Perfect for snuggling.

Also: silk longjohns, wool socks, lots of layers, lots of tea, window plastic, and cats.

Spence / February 20, 2006 8:48 AM

Wool sweaters, long johns, and coffee.

Paula / February 20, 2006 9:06 AM

I'm pretty much of a piker and keep the heat at 62 deg. to ward off the unpleasant gas bills, so I'm faily acclimated to a chill. I layer my clothing, wear fleece lined jeans, and have a heated mattress pad that I turn on a half hour before I go to bed. Three cats help keep me toasty whenever I sit anywhere long enough for them to jump up and get comfortable. Cooking a turkey, meatloaf or anything that needs to be in the oven for a few hours helps too.

Dino / February 20, 2006 9:08 AM

Silk longjohns... the luxurious way to stay warm.

paul / February 20, 2006 9:13 AM

Keeping the oven and stove working by baking, simmering hearty stews and making hot cocoa provides warmth interally and externally.

Flannel sheets at home, and while waiting for the El, a funny looking U.P. type hat with wool flaps that's so warm I don't care how stupid it makes me look.

Nat / February 20, 2006 9:23 AM

In all seriousness, The Glenlivet.

Belinda's Barefoot Boy / February 20, 2006 9:28 AM

My heat's included in my rent, so when the bitter cold comes I don't have to do anything except not go outside.

dry guy / February 20, 2006 9:40 AM

I don't complain about the cold much. I went for a long walk on Saturday. Hat, scarf, gloves, parka. Only two of my four radiators are on. In the a.m., my room is probably 55 degrees if I kept the door closed all night. My skin is another story though ... although cold temps don't bother me, I am not built for Chicago winters. My arms, legs and hands can all dry out very quickly. Fortunately, there is Lac Hydrin ... the miracle lotion, now available without prescription. Consult your dermatologist.

Andy / February 20, 2006 9:56 AM

I have radiator heat and it's included in the rent. This weekend my apartment oscillated between about 75 and 80 degrees, depending on whether I had any windows cracked open. Now, before anyone gets too jealous, it should be noted that I have just about the noisiest radiators on the planet. The shake, they rattle, they belch steam. Sometimes they make this inexplicable tapping sound, like someone, somewhere, is tapping on the pipe with a hammer. I swear, I think they might be haunted.

eep / February 20, 2006 10:28 AM

I also have free heat, but even with the radiators going this past weekend, my apartment was cold. So it was all about the silk longjohns, many layers of clothing, thick socks, and an electric blanket when I crawled into bed.

hench / February 20, 2006 11:29 AM

boil 3 pots of water at once while running the shower. add some scotch and some snuggling to the mix - the cold magically vanishes!

ivy / February 20, 2006 11:33 AM

Hey, y'all with heat-included apartments, if the storms are closed and the radiators are cranked, but you're still cold and the landlord won't do anything, you can contact the city's Department of Buildings at 311.

It shouldn't be below 66 degrees. Ever.

Rebecca / February 20, 2006 1:04 PM

I was recently introduced to the wonders of long underwear. I'm wearing it right now, and even after walking outside all morning putting up posters I'm toasty warm.

NSH / February 20, 2006 1:54 PM

Andy you should have your landlord replace the steam trap (about $5.00) that will quiet your radiators down.

j / February 20, 2006 2:30 PM

When cold I hop on my bike which due to the extreme cold is attached to a stationary trainer and I start cranking away. It's rather amazing how much heat a human body creates after an hour outputting 300 watts!

Now if I could hook up an electriciyt generator to my bike I'd have free heat and electricity! woo hoo!

carrie / February 20, 2006 2:38 PM

Wellllll, this weekend I moved into my new home where I control the heat and let me just say that it's the best ever. I love being able to crank it to 72 if I feel like it.

Now that I have running water in my place again my usual "take the chill out of my bones" routine is a hot, hot bath with a magazine and glass of wine. Nothing like relaxing and warming up in a hot bath.

My cat on my lap and under the blankets at night helps keep me warm outside of the bath. Yay for cats. And OK, wine outside of the bath helps, too.

Sonya / February 20, 2006 2:42 PM

Uggs. I bought them before they were in style, and now that they're out of style, I can be proud to wear these ugly things again. My feet are always the warmest part of me. And, I can walk through a puddle and not get them wet.

Amy / February 20, 2006 3:18 PM

For 2 winters I've been dealing with clanging radiators and it might be only a $5 job to fix it?! Damn.
But my office is freezing cause it's right by a door. I practically sit on top of a space heater and drink lots of warm beverages.
When I'm outside I have a multitude of extra long scarves to wrap around my head.
At home it's the ever popular wine and snuggly partner (cat, boyfriend, whatever's handy).

Ray Deeyate / February 20, 2006 3:30 PM

If the hissing and wheezing is really loud, new valves may help. But they won't fix clanging, pinging, banging and knocking. Those are just a product of super old heating systems. Fixing them is more expensive or just not possible. In my experience, steam heat radiators make a hell of a lot more racket than hot water radiators.

Kely / February 20, 2006 3:41 PM

Leg warmers, flannel sheets, a down comforter, vacuuming and baking will all keep you warm.

michelle / February 20, 2006 4:08 PM

when inside: pajama pants, thick slipper socks, a tee shirt and a thick hoodie. walk around with a blanket wrapped around you like a cape. think warm thoughts and realize in 2 months there will be leaves on the trees again. when outside: tank top, long sleeve shirt or sweater. jeans, knee high socks, ankle socks over them, knee high boots. that extra layer of socks really does the trick.

Marc / February 20, 2006 4:42 PM

If your radiators are the clanging type there's a few things that might be going wrong. However, a fairly easy place to start (if you have access) is by draining off the sludge that accumulates in the boiler.

We drain it out of our condo's boiler once a week. When the clanging was at its worst last year it was a good 9 or 10 buckets of gunky water before it ran clear. Now, it takes only one bucket and it's the quietest the pipes have been.

Look at the boiler, look at the maze of pipes, and then look for a valve at the bottom of the whole thing. Our's has two of them. Be careful if you open a valve though, the water is well... hot.

jen*nee / February 20, 2006 4:51 PM

There is nothing in the world good for heating things up like a good, long, athletic roll in the hay. You know it's working when your partner is dripping sweat onto your chest, face, and arms and behind him you can see icicles out the window.
Longjohns, smongjohns.

MikeH / February 20, 2006 4:52 PM

I meekly ask my employer, Ebenezer, if I may add just one small piece of coal to the fire...

NSH / February 20, 2006 4:53 PM

My recomendation on fixing radiators is if you are renting, let your landlord fix it. And if you are in a condo (especially vintage) be very very careful if you loosen any of the connections as they can crack easily leaving you with a big mess and alot of pissed off neighbors.
Another easy fix for loud steam radiators is to pitch them back toward the pipe (put a couple shims under the far legs)

leah / February 20, 2006 4:55 PM

I like to wrap myself up in a blanket like a burrito.

tyne / February 20, 2006 5:09 PM

the family bed.

the man got me / February 20, 2006 5:22 PM

Word of Warning: If you get a letter from Peoples saying they have to change your meter or your heat will be disconnected, ignore it. They can't cut your heat if you are paying your bill. But if you are stupid enought to believe the big red lettered warning letter, like me, they will come, change your meter (so they can charge you more for the gas you barely use), and, if you have an old ventless gas heater, cut off your only source of heat on the coldest days of the year. Never ever respond to the gas company. Ever.

Angie / February 20, 2006 7:04 PM

I have the radiator problem too, so I just turn it off when I go to sleep. Quiet, temperature drops and I don't wake up sweating in the middle of the night. I love, love, love not paying for heat in chicago.

anthony / February 20, 2006 7:56 PM

I snuggle up with my babe and watch endless replay's of Juan Uribe diving into the seats.

MikeH / February 20, 2006 7:57 PM

* free radiator heat
* down comforter
* Irish coffee/green tea/hot chocolate
* flannel sheets & pajamas
* socks in bed (when really cold)

Rob / February 20, 2006 11:51 PM

I don't believe no one has mentioned it yet. Ever wonder why so many babies are born in the warm months? An age-old warmth tactic is hopping on the good foot and doing the bad thing.

mike / February 21, 2006 3:30 AM

With the help of a few strong lamps, an electric radiator, and green painted walls, I have turned my bedroom into Miami.

and i agree with rob, some protected baby-making goes a long way...

slb / February 21, 2006 8:38 AM

my snuggling partner calls me "blast furnace" because i give off so much heat... doesn't do me any good, though, unless i'm wearing tights, long johns, two pairs of socks, an undershirt and a sweater to keep all the heat in.

besides layers and layers of clothing, drinking a lot of coffee (regular or irish), lots of cuddling, piling on the blankets. doing pilates at home b/c it's too cold to bike (gotta keep the muscles from atrophying). taking lots of hot showers.

charlie D / February 21, 2006 9:19 AM

My recomendation on fixing radiators is if you are renting, let your landlord fix it. And if you are in a condo (especially vintage) be very very careful if you loosen any of the connections as they can crack easily leaving you with a big mess and alot of pissed off neighbors.
Another easy fix for loud steam radiators is to pitch them back toward the pipe (put a couple shims under the far legs)

CORRECT BUT..........Do not shim the radiator without disconnecting the valve. You WILL create a leak. As a property manager I implore you to call your management and don't do it yourself.

PS steam radiators are either on or off. DO NOT turn it off while in the middle of a heat cycle! Wait till it's cold. Water hammer is caused by condensation and water build up. Get those radiators pitched right!

------------------------------

Ok.... I stay warm by staying active and accepting the fact that it is cold. Also layers rule and stay away from cotton socks at all cost!

Get outside and accept the weather.....

matty / February 21, 2006 9:49 AM

Fly to L.A and come back in April.

loadzone / February 21, 2006 10:21 AM

ain't nothing I could do to feel warm while fighting an obvious fever yesterday.

emyduck / February 21, 2006 10:51 AM

other than working on a $400 gas bill....

1. a big thick down comforter on the bed. or two.
2. a fire in the fireplace.
3. booze in my tummy.

Leelah / February 21, 2006 11:38 AM

Snuggling partner? I have some vague recollection of something like that....

but now I just drink a lot of hot tea and sit under blankets. I'm cold even when I have my place heated to 70 degrees.

Peoples Gas is evil.

Kremlin Joe / February 21, 2006 1:48 PM

i fight

Jaye / February 21, 2006 8:23 PM

outside, i do the usual, layering. long sleeved shirt, fleece jacket and an over coat. scarf, wool gloves...this weekend was a motha**** but i moved fast and survived.

indoors - Crank and keep the heat way above 75!! i am just not interested in freezing while indoors!

i used to have a snuggling partner but no more!! boo hoo...it's just me and my 110 lb dog now..

Monday Night Spook / February 21, 2006 11:23 PM

As part of the Low Income Heating Assistance Program, (LIHEAP) I build a fire in a FREE city trash can after a hard day of work My associates and I then merrily gather round it and pass around a bottle of the Sir Richards. So if you see us outside your neighborhood liquor store working, please give generously!