Monday, May 18, 2009

Cold country nights


Holly, my super creative and awesome friend got worried when I commented about the cold nights we're facing here. After commenting her back, I got worried that someone else could get worried too, so I decided posting about it again!



In Brazil there is no such thing as a house heating system like in the U.S. and Europe (oh well, I bet the really rich people have them, but this is another thing...). We ordinary people need to keep warm at night wearing good pajamas and blankets! Our blankets are thick and warm, so we just need to keep ourselves under them and everything is ok. In the far future we would love to build a fireplace, but now it's impossible. An electrical heater demands a lot of expensive energy, out of question as well!



I lived many years in Petropolis, a town in the mountains, where Autumn and Winter are very cold. Then I moved to Rio ten years ago and I lived there till now. IN Rio the weather is that warm and cool one, being Winter something we don't have to care about, just a blanket will do. So, when I moved last December, I knew I would feel the difference when the seasons changed. And here it is Autumn with all its strenght and cold! As our house doesn't have the inside roof, being directly to the tile roof, the place gets colder than usual, of course. I really didn't get used yet, specially because I'm the kind of person who feels the cold even when its Summer time! :o)



My main worry was Lucas, because he kicks off the blankets during his sleep several times a night. He moves a lot while sleeping! Onced I even found him sleeping on his knees out of the bed, as if praying! My solution was to keep him really warm with thick pajamas, and stuck his inside blanket' sides under the matress. It was the perfect thing, since it's a large one and it doesn't traps him while moving. I still wake up two or three times a night to check him out, but so far, he sleeps all night long straight, a very good sign. If he's ok, so am I.


So it's really a matter of getting used to the weather, and waiting for the warmer seasons to be back again! I believe this is nothing compared to the Northern Hemisphere's below zero autum & winter time ! The good thing is to get the three of us together to watch TV under the same blanket while drinking hot chocolate! :O)

15 comentários:

Michele said...

I can imagine the cold you must feel there and I am happy you have such nice and warm blankets but I imagine to get out of bed in the mornings must be chilly! Be sure to have a good pair of warm feet slippers before walking around!!
We do not have a fireplace as well and of course, we do not have much money so using the electric heaters is so expensive so we wrap ourselves in the blankets as well. Sipping on hot chocolate is a nice thing!!!

Hugs and kisses to you all!♥

Janet said...

I never knew it was that cold where you live! Keep those blankets piled on the bed and snuggle up with each other. That's the best way to stay warm!! I wish I could send you some warmth from here. It was 96ºF today!!

Anonymous said...

I sleep better at night when its cold, but not TOO cold! Sounds like you are keeping each other warm enough, so that's good!

Is alpaca wool/fiber popular in Brazil? I find that alpaca warms you up nice and fast and keeps you that way.

Olde Dame Penniwig said...

I'm STILL worried about the cold, Nydia! We heated our whole house easily (a small house) with a little stove. It is much easier to add to the house than a fireplace! I just don't want you chilled up there in coffee country where you live now!!!

Patty said...

what is the tempature there in the winter?

Genie Sea said...

When I was in Greece in the winter, I found that though they had heating systems, they only turned them on a few hours a day and night. I relied on pajamas, socks and blankets to keep warm. I know exactly how it is.

Of course, it never got as cold as it gets in Canada. That situation here would be dangerous.

Cuddle up and stay warm sweetie :)

Chaos and love said...

keep warm snuggling with your little boy in your new wonderful bed!!!! Sending you warm night vibes :)

Tori said...

I'm glad you have lots of thick blankets! Enjoy sitting with your family drinking hot chocolate. Keep warm. <3

Serena Lewis said...

It's the same deal here in Queensland, Australia...generally no heating systems because we live in a mostly hot, humid climate all year round apart from two months of cold in the winter months. Our cold months are more like a Wyoming fall. Blankets, quilts and warm clothes are the way we warm up too.

Mama Kelly of 2 Witches Blog said...

Can you get Lucas footsie pajamas anywhere? The ones that zip up the front and are fleece like you can see in this picture

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/56/108540655_f98b213915.jpg

Dragonstar said...

Zip-up pyjamas for Lucas sound ideal. When I was younger we often wore vests under our nightwear and jumpers over the top - and of course we used hot water bottles!

By the way - I've finally managed to post about your lovely gifts. Thank you both so much.

This Guy said...

Hey... Psssst!! Guess who? Hahaha! How are you?? Love the post, kinda hoping you get some warmer nights down there tho! It's almost unthinkable that you don't have a heater in the house, but I guess for the few nights you'd need it, its just not worth it. With out a heater here, in Ontario Canada we'd all be people icicles!!! LOL

So sorry about your sister. The anniversaries are always the worst, along with the holidays, birthdays, and well.. Everyday... I am glad you are so strong! :)

Powell River Books said...

It's hard to remember that half the world is having fall going on winter. Our free-standing wood stove makes it possible for us to live in our cabin during the winter, but for us wood gathering is easy living on the lake. It might not be the best solution in all areas. We often let it go out at night even in the winter, but it is hard to decide who has to get up first and start it back up. It's always so toasty in bed under our comforter. - Margy

betoquintas said...

saudações do planalto paulistano!
eu mal posso esperar pelo equinócio de inverno em Junho. será que vão noticiar algo?

KrisMrsBBradley said...

Oh, gosh! How cold does it get there? I can't imagine not having heat! Of course New Jersey can get tons of snow in the winter.

Do you have electric blankets there? The kind that have a built in heater and you can plug them in? I live under mine in the winter!