Dressing For Winter

It is Thanksgiving week, and it is cold. I don’t recall ever having a cold Thanksgiving in my life. This is all very new territory I am entering.

I recently had a lovely coffee date with a Northwest local, who informed me it will be rainy and cold until March. Yes, I said March. My response, “You may want to check on me emotionally come March.” In high school years, March was whenever I would start working on my summer tan.

I know I am going to love this weather, the hibernation vibe, the holiday cheer it brings, and the new experience of living in a different climate. But, that isn’t to say there won’t be some growing pains along the way.

Cold Weather Growing Pain #1: Dressing for the cold.

Oh. My. Word. To get Estelle and I dressed appropriately and out the door is a feat. Does she have pants, long sleeve onesie, fresh diaper, sweater, waterproof jacket, shoes, hat, gloves? Do I have shoes, jacket, hat?

Half the time I successfully get all the above mentioned items, but forget my wallet.

To combat the anxiety associated with getting out the door, I have decided we need an area designated to getting ready to go out. Perhaps a bench with cubbies under it to store rain boots. A coat rack on the wall to collect the jackets and hats and gloves.

Cold Weather Growing Pain #2: Dressing for outside, only to be inside.

I am always tempted to skip the whole dressing for the cold thing and just walk quickly. I mean, if I am just going to the car, then from the car to church, then church to car, and car to flat- that is a grand total of MAYBE 10 minutes.

But, I think that is the Houstonian in me. We don’t even buy cold weather clothes (unless for fashion)- and instead RUN quickly to indoor heat on the ONE day every 2 years it freezes.

I have done the math. And if I avoid dressing for the outside shuffle, I may save 10 minutes getting out the door. But I will more than likely lose 3 days fighting pneumonia.

Cold Weather Growing Pain #3: The darkness.

So, this should really be “Winter Weather Growing Pain”. It gets dark so early! Pacific North Westerners: How do you work out? How do you not gain 20 pounds during this season? Why don’t we all just make a massive run to Costco and then go the way of the bear!

Non-locals, we are talking dark by 5! Gasp!

Tune in tomorrow for all the reasons I LOVE the cold weather. I promise you, the list will be longer than 3. Which means my pro column is longer than my con column. And yes, I have made a list.

This is just the base layer.

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