round up any friends who aren't working today to come over for a house party. Play music and dance and let the mass of bodies warm the place up.

ooh dance party! Of course my house is filthy and really I could warm up by going on a cleaning frenzy. And then have people over for a dance party.

Or go to one of your friend's stores! They'll let you and the pets sleep in the back, yeah?

I do actually have a key to one of the stores...although I think the animals will be fine here in their fur coats.

Really it's not that cold in here yet. My house holds heat pretty well. And I did finally talk to someone at the oil company so they should be coming by sometime today. i hope.

Oh, and let your faucets drip, hon.

I have hot water so I don't think my pipes are in danger of freezing. ... I don't think... Sometimes I feel so ill equipped to be a home owner.

Hey, my advice was purely based on what I've been told! I don't know anything!

You should still let the water run, lisah. The pipes can freeze (and then burst) if they get too cold. Just a trickle is all you need. I'm so sorry you have to deal with this nonsense.

Make sure the oil guy comes in. Since you ran out of oil, I think they need to prime the pump in your furnace/boiler.

If you boil some water on your stove, it might help keep the place more comfy for longer. Also, it is a good time to bake, or to run the self-clean function on your oven.

We were on E Friday night -- when I was at my sickest. We didn't run all the way out, though. Scott had to raise a ruckus to get them out with an emergency 10 gals. To see us through the night til we could get a proper delivery. We're on a regular contract/schedule. It shouldn't have happened in the 1st place.

Make sure the oil guy comes in. Since you ran out of oil, I think they need to prime the pump in your furnace/boiler.

I did mention that when I called!

We're on a regular contract/schedule. It shouldn't have happened in the 1st place.

Exactly! Although this isn't the first time this has happened. I really should check the gauge every so often.

The pipes can freeze (and then burst) if they get too cold. Just a trickle is all you need.

okay...stupid question...all the faucets? am so clueless...

also, my ears are cold.

Also, in a small room, candles can take a bit of the chill off.

I would run all your sink faucets. I don't know if I'd bother with the tub.

Also, is your sinks have cabinets underneath, I would open those cabinet doors.

No full copper re-pipe!

Watch carefully where you place the candles, though -- A friend's friend burned down her apartment building that way. So put them where there's no overhanging anything and where they're unlikely to get knocked over by accidental jostling of furniture or pet-caused sabotage, don't leave them burning unattended, et cetera.

friends who live down the street just offered their space heater. I can't go pick it up though because i'm afraid the oil people will come when I'm gone. (it's really not that bad here yet and i have a ginormous cat snuggled up against me.)

Deena & DH: Congratulations!

Did anyone link to this BBC piece with video of a light-emitting giant squid? Well, I have now.

And we're back to single digit temps. Woo. hoo.

JHU is closing. JHU NEVER closes. Since I'm on their campus, I ain't going.