January 17, 2009

Well, it's still cold here. Really cold. My usually stuffy apartment was very chilly most of last evening when the boiler was not working for some reason. Although, it was quiet for a change without the water pipes in my ceiling clanging from the water running through them, I would have traded that sound for the one from my chattering teeth. :) I slept last night in 3 pairs of socks, long underwear and pajama pants, 2 shirts and under 3 blankets. But this morning around 6am I awoke to the sound of the pump motor in the boiler room next door and was looking forward to hearing that clunking sound in the pipes soon. It warmed me from the inside out! When I got up, I even had some hot water for a wonderful shower!

I then set out for a great day in the cold city. I had a nice lunch visit with my friend Jenny. We then stopped in for some food shopping at Whole Foods and then parted ways. I dropped my groceries off at the apartment and then walked over to Barnes and Noble Bookstore for a couple of hours of perusing healthy cookbooks. I came home and fixed a great dinner of steamed fresh green beans with mushrooms and garlic, roasted chicken, a little hummus and a great peach. A little hot tea and my evening was complete! It's been a good day.

I did find a couple of good healthy cookbooks on sale. I may not have a 'real' kitchen, but I'm going to conquer this healthy eating lifestyle armed with a microwave steamer and a toaster oven! (and lots of fresh foods)

I'm excited to know that tomorrow it will be back up to the 30s. That will be a blessing. Still cold, a little snow forecasted, but a blessing. As I was walking the streets today, I noticed the different ways in which people coped with the cold. I saw a huge dog being walked and wearing a nice sweater that I wouldn't have minded owning. :) A mom had her baby packed into a kind of street-warrior type of stroller that's common here. The stroller had a wonderful bunting attached that allowed the baby to peek out of but keep very warm. Other people were bundled up in layers of various clothing. Everyone was just chugging along, business as usual. It's a hearty bunch - these New Yorkers.

I pray that everyone is comfy and content in whatever circumstances you find yourselves in. The measure of what is 'sufficient' is as varied as the expectations of each person. God provides our needs and I thank Him for that. I also ask that He changes my perception to His regarding the 'wants' in my life.

Keep warm and be blessed!