Can you prop pillows around you? I've done that before to trap heat.

I sleep on my side so sometimes I will pit pillows against my back to stay warmer.

This stupid cold. I hate it. I have congestion in my chest and it feels slightly uncomfortable to breathe and I get tired and out of breath fast. I don't have an inhaler anymore. I think I have one somewhere but it's probably at Mom's or in the car where it has been exposed to freezing temperatures.

So M went to get a humidifier and the Vicks stuff that goes in it and hopefully that will help. And I've been taking Musinex for the congestion.

I'm at the point in a cold where I'm keeping close track of how often I can take the medicine.

Could something like a poncho sweater add a layer without impacting your shoulders?

Hil, is it the action of putting on the layers or the bulk? Or tightness of the layers?

It's the bulk, and the way the layers slide against each other (or don't.) If the layers were all tight and very stretchy, it would be OK in that respect, but I hate wearing anything tight. Like, you know the stereotypical thing of the kid in the snowsuit who can't put his arms all the way down? Even a tiny amount of that effect gets my shoulders totally screwed up.

Could something like a poncho sweater add a layer without impacting your shoulders?

Maybe. But I've also got a million other sensory issues with fabrics, and it's pretty rare for me to find knit stuff that I don't want to claw off my skin. I've found scarves and hats that are good enough that I can tolerate them for the amount of time I need to spend outside, but I can't wear them all the time.

I'm not going to pretend to know what your body can handle but, for reference, my layers tend to be thin. I'm wearing a thin thermal shirt, a tissue tee, and a regular tee (all long sleeved) Thermals often have textures that might be an issue for you but the tissue tees might help and they can drape well under other layers without necessarily fitting tightly.

Oooh, thanks Jessica! I'm going to do the chili, then set out bowls of the "ways" and let people make their own. A couple questions -

to taste but probably like 1-2 tsp each oregano, cloves

a whole teaspoon of cloves? I feel like a little goes a long way and that seems like a lot? Also, I don't love the taste of cloves, so I just might be being paranoid here.

tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder (you can also throw in a square of baking chocolate)

how many tablespoons? Presuming one, but checking.

Oooh, thanks Jessica! I'm going to do the chili, then set out bowls of the "ways" and let people make their own. A couple questions -

to taste but probably like 1-2 tsp each oregano, cloves

a whole teaspoon of cloves? I feel like a little goes a long way and that seems like a lot? Also, I don't love the taste of cloves, so I just might be being paranoid here.

tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder (you can also throw in a square of baking chocolate)

how many tablespoons? Presuming one, but checking.

Oooh, thanks Jessica! I'm going to do the chili, then set out bowls of the "ways" and let people make their own. A couple questions -

to taste but probably like 1-2 tsp each oregano, cloves

a whole teaspoon of cloves? I feel like a little goes a long way and that seems like a lot? Also, I don't love the taste of cloves, so I just might be being paranoid here.

tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder (you can also throw in a square of baking chocolate)

how many tablespoons? Presuming one, but checking.