Trying to stay warm

I'm trying my best to stay warm, but have found out I can only run one heater at a time!   I blew a fuse in short order this morning when I tried to heat the bathroom as well as where I sit in the living room.   I looked at the furnace thinking maybe I could light it myself but there are a number of steps - push the red button, turn the white dial - and so on.  I have to see something head on rather than at an angle to be able to read it, and most of those instructions are down in the lower area of the furnace.  Even with my head on the floor I don't think I could do it, so I called the office to see in the maintenance guy could light it for me.  He did it last year and it only takes a minute if you know what you are doing.   If I could afford it I would go stay in a motel for a few nights, but I think it's going to rain over the weekend and temps will stay much lower.  I'd need at least a few weeks in that motel.

I spent a lot of time yesterday going to different stores looking for women's sweat pants.  Do you know they don't sell them any more?  They sell flimsy fleece lounge pants (that remind me of pajama bottoms); they sell pants that sit below the belly button, and other types of pants only the younger people would wear, but no regular sweats with drawstring at waist and pockets.  I was delighted when I opened an email ad from Costco this morning which featured men's Puma sweat pants:  drawstring waist, pockets, straight legs - just what I wanted.  The biggest problem with buying the men's version is that the pants legs are way too wide and balloon out over my skinny legs.  I no longer care about that, and as soon as I can leave the house (assuming the maintenance guy will show up today) I'm going to Costco and buy several pairs.   I wish I could order some from an east coast Costco as they are much more substantial and heavier.  Those sold in CA are flimsy and light weight - probably because the weather isn't as cold as elsewhere.

My bed was so warm and comfy last night with the knit sheets, thermal blanket, and comforter.  I may get my down comforter out if it stays this cold, although the down is supremely warm and I would end up having to throw it off me during the night.

My painting and even sketching has come to a standstill.  I'm discouraged with both things I have going - the Alaska river and the Irish farmhouse.  I worked on the Alaska one at class and I think I've really ruined it again.  I should never listen to what anyone tells me to do, and just go with what I  think.  Then if it's messed up I can only blame myself.  I watched a video this morning on painting a tree with acrylics and it looks like something I'd like to try, but other than that I think I've hit a brick wall for a little while.

I think I'm going to make some chicken soup today.  That will warm up the kitchen, will fill the house with a good aroma, and will use a lot of the veggies I bought recently.     The best part is that it will taste so good! 

UPDATE:
Maintenance can no longer do the pilot lights and they told me I would have to call PG&E.  If I had seen Mike and asked him personally I'm sure he would have come in and had it going in no time, but I called the office.

I sketched some palm trees in the distance which I've always wanted to do but never had the nerve.  Would you believe I had to google palm fronds to make sure which way they spiked!  This is a very light sketch and probably won't show up very well.  Maybe if you click to enlarge it you might be able to view it a little better.  Back to the drawing board!