Winter wuss -- novice needs help
Seriously, you'd think I'd have learned by now. But no, I haven't.
This is now my fourth winter (well, my first real winter -- with snow and cold, etc., having grown up in sunny Southern California) and I'm still clueless about how to function. Up until three days ago I was still wearing open-toed shoes. I don't own any real sweaters (although I do have one coat) or long-sleeved shirts. I've only got a couple pairs of jeans and one pair of boots. Hit CVS to get some of those $1.99 magic mittens.
But really, what do I absolutely NEED to survive this winter? I lost my wardrobe (and everything else) in a house fire in July, so there are lots of things I have not replaced and will do without if I can. But I will freeze if I don't get a couple more necessities in my closet. What's the bare minimum I need to invest in to survive?
Also, what the heck is the deal with "winterizing" your car. Do I need to do this or did they do it when I got my oil changed two weeks ago.
I really just don't get it. Seasons are a foreign concept to me. ;)
StellarSwarm : RE: Winter wuss -- novice needs help More..
The only REAL way to deal with winter weather is to stay inside as much as possible. Get some good movies, make some hot chocolate (with a little Bailey's and a splash of Peppermint Schnapps if you are so inclined), and curl up on the couch. Bears have the right idea. HIBERNATE!
Assuming that's not an option, no winter ensemble is complete without a 100% wool peacoat. My trusty peacoat does not let even the slightest breeze of cold air through. It has a nice big collar to stave off the cold, and really warm, corduroy-lined pockets. A scarf, hat, and gloves are also necessary staples. I really like those mittens that you can pull back to reveal cut-off fingers, so you can find keys or other items in your pockets without taking your gloves off. I also have a really nice pair of buckskin, cashmere lined Coach driving gloves that I found on the cheap at Marshall's. There was apparently some defect in them, but I couldn't find it. Another thing I always keep on hand is those adhesive heat pads, which are intended for sore backs, but do wonders for cold hands and feet. Stick one in the bottom of each shoe before you go out and your piggies will be warm all day. I've even lined the inside of my coat with them before when I knew I was going to be standing in line outside for a long time. They're just indispensable.
Winterizing your car basically consists of checking fluid levels, putting on new windshield wipers, checking tire pressure and tread life, checking belts and hoses, checking the battery for bad connections and corrosion, and putting together an emergency kit in case you get stranded. Most of those are easy to do yourself, but would probably have been done if you got the oil changed at the dealership (with the exception of the emergency kit). It's less likely that all were taken care of if you went to Jiffy Lube. It they didn't "upsell" it to you, it probably didn't get done. I would also recommend getting some Rain-X (or equivalent) de-icer for the windshield sprayers. It makes window scraping on a cold morning less of a chore.
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