I finally got a chance to see Jeffrey's apartment - except for just seeing the phone pics he showed me. We were in Iowa together (yay) for a while, and before heading back to Wisconsin, we both came to Champaign so he could go back to work, and so I could look at houses. When we walked into his apartment, it smelled kind of odd. Whether that was just how the apartment is or because it was shut up for more than a week, I don't know. Whatever the reason, he lit a candle to help eliminate the odor. It did help some, so that's good.
After unpacking and sorting out things that are going to stay at the apartment and things that are going back to Wisconsin, we headed out to look around the area and to get a bite to eat. He made a point of putting out the candle before we left - because you do not want to leave a candle burning when you are not at home. There was a time I did that, and I'm so thankful that nothing happened, and we did not burn down the place. It freaked me out a bit when I realized it.
It reminds me of the time I was actually home and had an issue with a candle. I put a candle on the windowsill in my kitchen and let it burn. It was really pretty. However, what I did not realize was that is was melting my miniblind which I had pulled up a bit in the window - but obviously not enough. The heat from the candle was too hot for that vinyl miniblind.
I probably should have been using one of these led tea lights, though I'm not sure they had them back then. They're safe! I could have put one on my windowsill, still enjoyed the look and feel of a real candle, because they're made to mimic that effect with what they call True Flicker®, but there would have been no heat and no melting. The one click on/off switch and long-lasting lithium battery make them easy to use for over 72 hours of continuous use. They're even safe to leave on when you leave the house - or around kids and pets (and miniblinds).
I suppose it's not too late to get me some - just in case my brain goes on vacation again, and I want to burn a candle on a windowsill, or forget to put it out when I leave the house. Six of them are less than $5, which is not bad at all, and they get cheaper the more you order.
