My Iphone has started to mock me! Everyday, it gives me two weather options for Chicago. Today, one screen is telling me it’s cloudy, windy and ten degrees. The other option illustrates blue skies, sunny and thirty degrees. Neither is a terrific forecast but one is definitely more desirable. And of course, I’m looking out my window. I hear the wind howling. I see the grey overcast. I know which forecast is a lie and which is the teaser to get me out the door this morning.
It’s freezing here and has been for a week plus. Winter’s early arrival is making me cranky. So, I developed my list of things that makes me go WAH!
- Polar Vortex: Now, that we know that it’s a possibility. This early freeze onset makes me worry that it’s a probability for this year.
- My hat: I donated my winter hat to charity last Spring. It had gotten me through 15+ winters and was a shabby rendition of its glam days. I knew it was time for a new one. And I got rid of it in warmer temps so I wouldn’t default to it if I didn’t around to getting a replacement. And now, I’m hatless.
- Boots: Despite snowglobe-like flurries, Chicago has no snow on the ground. My souvenir from PV14 was winter boots that have the Eskimo seal of approval. They are not attractive but they are warm and water repellent. Without the snow, it seems dorky to don the boots. Yet with the 10 degree temps, my toes are cold.
- I missed Fall: I finally have time to enjoy the changing leaves. And they’re gone. They were the first victims of this cold blast.
- My steps: I’m slipping on my weekly steps. I’m looking at coming in mid 90,000s this week. I try to cheat a brisk walk here and there but I just want to climb aboard a bus or train. I don’t have my “sea legs” yet. I’m freezing all the time. I need time to acclimate into winter. I like to wade in not be pushed into the deep end.
- I’m flaking: I haven’t put out my humidifier yet. My entire body is shedding skin. My back is particular drier than parchment. I’m lotion-ing up but my body is reminding me to limit the hot baths. The warming fix of a nice hot, salty soak is temporary and can lead to severe itching when the temps drop.
- Leave my home?: I want to hibernate until Spring! Couldn’t I do my job from home?
- Sleep: The only good thing is that I’ve put out the fleece sheets and I’m sleeping deeply and peacefully every night…. 6,7, 8 hours! Yum! Yet, on the flip side, getting out of bed doesn’t have it’s usually bounce. It’s more of a crawl.