Ponderings.....

Can I tell you how interesting it is being back in "North Country"? Yesterday morning (2/16) I was wondering what i was thinking when I said I would want to be here in the winter again.
Just to go out to run errands with my mom I had to put on a winter jacket and gloves. Do you even know how long it has been since I have worn a "real" winter jacket?!?! Well, it has been 7 years now! I forgot just how bulky they are. It feels very limiting to be in this big jacket and trying to put on and tie your shoes. Then to get in the car and put your seat belt on.....OH MY GOSH!!! I felt like I was some big marshmallow man...... Then you get hot in these things so you unzip it, but you have to zip it back up to get out of the car into the near arctic air. Go into a store and you start to sweat because you are wearing this big cocoon! It's very awkward.
Tonight my sister and I were meeting a friend for dinner but the restaurant doesn't open for 15 minutes so we go browsing in a little nick-knack store. I felt so big because of my jacket and like I was going to knock things down.

On the other hand, I enjoy the part where I get to lounge around the house in baggy sweats and a big comfy sweatshirt. You just can't do that in Yuma because it's too dang HOT! I mean I only own one pair of jeans because I can't stand to wear anything but shorts most times. Being able to get comfy in sweats takes me back....

I love the sight of the snow, the chill in the air, hearing it crunch under my feet, the thought of going sledding (which we ARE doing tomorrow), building a snowman, making a snow angel, skiing, coming inside to big mugs of hot coco.
What I don't like the memory of is all the mess snow creates that we don't have to deal with in Yuma. Mud when it melts, slush coming in on your boots, buying snow pants and all that other winter weather must have gear, driving on black ice, having to warm the car before you go places, etc....

I do wish my kids could know the fun of snow. Although, coming out of the movie tonight I saw a child about Patrick's age that was all bundled up in a big warm coat, a knit cap, and mittens. The first thought that went through my mind was, "Why is he wearing all that stuff??", then I came back to my senses and remembered where I am....LOL....the poor kid would freeze if he didn't wear that! Two days after being here, I keep having to remind myself that it is necessary to put on all those layers to go outside, I'm still in my "desert mindset". I don't think pants and a long sleeve shirt are going to cut it for going outside up here!

I can tell you another thing I love about being here. I LOVE the houses! I am a fan of the old houses and there are so many here to enjoy. I'm not a fan of our stucco houses in the desert. The houses up here are sturdy, have many wood accents and just so much character to them. I find myself staring at the doors in my mom's house...solid, beautiful wood. At my sister's, wonderful wood trim on the doorways....I keep looking at her house and noticing all he little things I love and wish I could live here. They both have basements, nice basements......I miss that. OK, so that job opening (with Harold's company) in Milwaukee doesn't seem so unappealing after all. :)

I miss life up in "North Country"!