There are two things that make the winters here feel unbearable aside from the sheer chilling temperature. #1 - numb extremities. I can't tell you how many times I have to start gripping things with my forearms from the inability to feel my fingertips. My poor toes feel like they are asleep for about half of the winter. One of my students actually said "my toes practically hibernate all winter" in class the other day. I think I would have to agree. #2 - dry air. Static hair sticking to my face, dry throat and chapped lips when we wake up in the morning, goodness gracious. What oh what will we do? Well, we go out and buy gadgets that we can actually use!
#1 SOLUTION:
This handy little thing has stolen my heart. It is simply a hot water bottle that you can plug in, yet in only 5 minutes it is boiling! Set it in your lap, on your back, on your feet, or in your hands. There is rarely a time you see me without this. I think we are going to have to buy two...I keep hiding it from Dave ;)
#2 SOLUTION:
One thing I love about marriage is the fact that there is always someone else enlightening you of things you are unaware of. For instance, while all I was noticing was that my throat was sore in the morning, Dave measured the humidity in the room, made a plan of action, and went out and bought a humidifier. I felt like I was watching a science project! Each day he would document what helped the humidity rise...at first it was at about 15% (for those of you who are interested), but now it is at around 45%! Yay - keeping it going all day long with the door closed was the most effective!
Wondering what China will have next for the needy consumer wanting to make it through the winter?
