You know, I was sitting here freezing, wondering if I should turn on the fire-place and lay on the couch or try to be productive. I choose productive, for the simple reason that I found my socks.
The Bees Knees in footwear
I have this favorite pair of alpaca wool socks, and they had been missing for at least a week. At first I thought they were in the wash, so dutifully wore my other socks until I got around to doing the laundry. Ten loads of laundry later, they were still missing. Then we had a spurt of warm, fall weather – well into the 70’s – so I didn’t notice too much that my feet were clothed in mere cotton.
But tonight, I walked the dogs in a chill 40 degrees with only a sweatshirt and came home cold, tired and footsore. I wanted my socks, dog gone it. I began to suspect a sock thief, but realized that the only other two occupants in the house are both males and unlikely to be sock stealers (unlike a certain daughter I know), so did the next logical thing. I looked under the bed. Viola! I pulled them on, and felt instantly better physically and emotionally. It got me to thinking too, about the up coming winter, and how I was going to battle the short, cold days of gloom and snow.
I’m going to need a battle plan. I can already feel myself being dragged into the comfort food vortex, where fuzzy blankets, mystery novels and video games conspire with the evil war lords from the Land of Carbohydrates, in a battle for my soul and my waistline. And to be honest, I am a willing victim.
Obviously, the socks are my first line of defense. They really do give me actual ‘warm fuzzies’. I love these socks, and I do not use the term loosely. You can get a pair for yourself here.
I didn’t have a SAD light picture, so had to settle for a Sue’s A Dork picture. Yes, those are glasses with windshield wipers.
My second line of defense is to buy a SAD light (SAD stands for Seasonal Affective Disorder, not Sue’s A Dork…just sayin’). My trusted healthcare professional (interpret as you wish) has assured me it will be the best $60 I will have ever spent. I certainly hope he is right. Mine is coming on Tuesday (if the FedEx website is correct), so I will keep you posted. I’m supposed to use it every morning for 30 minutes, which won’t be a problem. I spend the first 30 minutes of every morning huddled around my coffee mug, staring into the glowing screens of one electronic device or another so what’s one more in the mix?
“Dog Breath set to ‘stun’, Mr. Scott”
My third line of defense will be to get outside, as often as possible, when it is light out and especially when the sun is shining. This is difficult during the work week, when I go to work in the dark and come home in the dark (hence the need for the light). But on weekends, I need to be diligent about finding time to be out, even when it’s so cold Lucky can’t make it to the corner with out pitifully holding out a frozen paw. (Lucky is one of our yorkie-poo’s. He acts tough, but is pretty much a wuss, although he does have breath that could kill a man. Right now he is sleeping under the bed. Weirdo.)
And my last line of defense will be to join the Y- for a couple of reasons. First, because the idea of having only the sweat box (our pet name for the gym at work) to go to for exercise all winter is enough to make me want to gnaw off a limb. The other reason is to get some swimming in after work. With the longer days, I am used to being active in the summer until at least 8 or 9 at night. In the dark of winter, I tend to completely shut off by 6:30. Maybe if I swim a few times a week after work, it will trick my brain into resetting its winter activity clock. Plus, it will give me an alternative on the weekends when the weather prohibits outside activities.
Oops – not THAT Frozen Tundra
I think it will help if we get some snow too. Last year we had very little, and I think that actually made winter seem longer. If I have to live in the Frozen Tundra, I want to have fun in it. Dave got me a pair of snowshoes last Christmas, which I was able to use only one time on a test run in the back yard. Of course, if it doesn’t snow, I can keep riding my bike…ah but we need the moisture more than I need to ride all winter. Plus Kay did invite me snowmobiling, and if I know Kay, it will definitely be a good time had by all. Maybe this winter won’t be so bad after all!
How do the shorter days affect you? Are you a winter hater or lover? What do you do to combat cabin fever?
Sue
Brick House 