Winter doesn't officially start for almost two months. But Old Man Winter is sending in advance troops, it seems. Forecasters tell us we can expect some really cold weather at the end of the week, with lows dipping below freezing.
That's all right with me. I don't mind winter too much. It's the hot, humid conditions of midsummer around here that really bother me. I can find all kinds of things to love about winter weather: snuggling under a throw on the couch reading a book or watching a movie, drinking coffee any time of the day, snuggly flannel pajamas, winter holidays, not having to cut the grass (or worrying about getting someone else to do it), no weeds in the garden, the occasional snowfall, socks.
There are just a few things about winter I would change if I could. I was going to name this post "Ten Things I Don't Like About Winter," but I couldn't come up with ten. So here's what I got:
#5
Utility Bills
Higher utility bills of course mean less money to spend on wonderful things, like fabric and Chik-Fil-A vanilla milkshakes.
#4
Too Many Clothes
One can waste a lot of time during winter putting on and taking off clothes just to run down to the mailbox or take the garbarge out. I hate that. And I don't always do it. I have a rule: If I'm going to be outside for less time than it would take for me to don all those layers of warm clothing, I forego them.
#3
Dry Skin
I have to admit that my skin does not share a love of cold weather with me. I use gallons of creams and lotions every winter trying to avoid complete and utter desiccation. The battle has already begun this season.
#2
Fibro Pain
Fibromyaligia and other chronic pain conditions respond badly to cold weather. During the frigid months, I'm often compelled to cut out most activity and just hibernate. But I am grateful that I'm rarely afflicted with what they call SAD (seasonal affective disorder). I know people who get very depressed during the winter months when there's so little daylight. Not me.
#1
Static Electricity.
To me, this is the very worst thing about cold weather. During the cold months of the year, I generate enough electricity to power a city. I can't touch anything metal without making sparks. The car door is one of the worst. And I think Wal-Mart and Target have things wired. I get more shocks in those two stores than anywhere. And I can't say really what it is about these little shocks that I hate so much. They're not really painful, at least not extremely painful. But I hate them.
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On 11/03/2010, Tonya said ...
We don't like cold, so our utility bills go WAY higher.
Even our water bills...hot baths are an absolute necessary to warm toes. And a hint...dump some baby oil in your bath water. It sure helps my dry skin!!
On 11/03/2010, Sandy said ...
I'm right there with you on the static electricity!! I sparkle at night when the lights are off and I walk across the room!! I once almost knocked my elbow out of joint in the grocery store reaching for a can of soup. OUCH. It hurts and catches you off guard. I hate it. I did complain to my grocer and they added little grounding strips to their carts. No more shocks at the grocery store! Might get me a couple to put on my shoes!!! LOL
On 11/03/2010, Stephanie in Michigan said ...
Maybe you need a humidifier in your house to keep the static electricity down. Might keep the heat bills down a little, too (the moister air will feel warmer). But I agree with you on all of these things!!! I'm not ready for it!
On 11/03/2010, AnnieO said ...
I haven't experienced real winter, being out here in So Calif, but still we have the static and the drier air that makes skin flaky and hair unmanageable. I seem to generate electricity ALWAYS in the grocery store and get shocked when I open cold cases or freezer doors. I hate getting shocked too!
On 11/03/2010, Linda May said ...
Wal*Mart + me = static electricity...!!
CityBoy say he can always find me in Wal*Mart....he just listens for the popping, snapping and four letter words.....
Enjoy
On 11/03/2010, Molly said ...
Oh I SOOOO hate static electricity!!! I was just telling Mark this past weekend that it had already started zapping me when I get out of the car. Grrrr. Only month I don't get zapped is July! Seriously!!
It doesn't typically get cold enough for multiple layers here so I'm good with a sweatshirt and jacket most times.
We don't run our heater unless it is freezing so our bills are actually lower during the late fall through early April. We do an averaging bill so we pay about the same every month but it goes down a bit in the summer because of the cool air months.
Molly
On 11/03/2010, Libby said ...
It's cold over here in Georgia today and rainy! Perfect sewing, reading and hot chocolate weather!!
On 11/03/2010, Barbara Anne said ...
Amen sister! Love the thought of adding grounding strips to grocery carts.
Add to that perma-sniffles and Kleenex nose. Bummer.
Add to that ice outdoors. It's a hazard to human limbs and tree limbs.
We've started making medical appts. in spring and fall so there is no snow or heat to deal with! I recommend it.
Hugs!
On 11/04/2010, Kai said ...
My skin is SUPER dry year round, so I don't even tHINK of it. And I like my hair a million TIMES better during colder weather - nooooooo humidity-frizzed curlies! LOL! Heat? Only, I and MEAN only, used if the temps are going to be low enough to freeze pipes. That DID happen several times last winter (cold temps, I mean) but our gas bill is usually under $20 all year! never BEEN OVER $40! It's the A/C that kills us (even with averaged billing) 9 of the 12 months per year. Grrrrrrr! This month it was $178!!! You'll truly never hear me complain about Winter. I LIVE for the cold weather!
On 11/04/2010, Jed Cage said ...
Hey Aunt Susan - I second buying a humidifier. I have 2-3 in my house - they really cut down on dry skin and on static electricity. And they don't cost much money at all. Jed
On 11/05/2010, Fitzy said ...
It's so dry here in the winter I actually get shocks from the running water stream as I wash my hands in the bathroom!! Now mind you, we live in the AZ desert because it's dry...but that's just too weird!
We installed both solar electricity and solar water this year. Months like November are our favorite, we sell more power back than we use.
On 11/05/2010, rose said ...
I have suffered ENOUGH with dry skin and the thing I find MOST helpful is bought in the baby section at Walgreens....pure lanolin. I came upon it when my daughter wasw nuyrsing her first baby.They gave out samples at the hospital.
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