The Change in the Weather is Known to be Extreme

And now it's winter. I don't know how I'd explain this to someone who has never experienced a Midwestern winter, but one day it feels like fall (coolish, rainy) and the next day it's winter (cold, of course, but also "crisper" and less humid). And I've turned into a winter wuss. I dug out my gloves (well, that's not wussy; that's practical), although I'm resisting putting my hat on. The reason that I'm a wuss is that 1) I decided to wait until tomorrow to get gas because I didn't want to stand out in the dark and cold, and 2) I am seriously considering going to the mall tomorrow and buying a puffy jacket. (I have my "fall jacket" with me.) I think that as you get older, you become addicted to your "creature comforts" of choice. For example, I like this hotel because it has a refrigerator for my soda, and a printer in the "Business Center" that I can use. (And I've been using it a lot too.) Warm coats are another thing that I require.

It pays to shop around. I was looking at fireplace screens online in case I do get the townhouse and need a way to keep the cats out of the fireplace, but the site that I found that specializes in fireplace screens had really pricey stuff. The lowest cost was $100, but most were in the $200-$400 range. Uh no, especially if I'm going to have to pop for a (used) washer and dryer. (I also would like to get a cheap freezer if there's a good place for one.) Then I thought that Target might have fireplace screens, and yes, they do, and the lowest price is $29. Much, much more reasonable. I don't shop at Target often, but they have a knack for solving problems that I have. Hmm, I wonder if Target has decent puffy jackets.

Otherwise, I'm just hanging out in the hotel room, although I really need to get homework done tomorrow.

Bring On the Winter....

I did buy a "puffy coat" (that is, a parka) with a hood at Kohl's. It's a dark gray with a little blue in it. My mom has a coat of that color, and I've always coveted it. It's warm, waterproof, and very flattering. The only things that I'm not thrilled about are the "faux fur" on the hood, but it zips off, although the coat looks much more utilitarian without it, and the fact that it says "Columbia" (the sportswear company) on the front of it. I got it for $60 off, and I believe that it really was $60 off because it's a really nice coat and well-made. So, that's my Christmas present to myself :)

I also had a free dinner. I'm part of the Birthday Club at Noodles and Company, and I had a coupon for a free dinner any time in November, so I had soup and a big bowl of pasta for the price of my soda. Good stuff.

(no subject)

The Rilke poem posted by ravengirl made me think of this Robert Frost poem, although it's more downbeat:

Nothing Gold Can Stay

Nature's first green is gold,
Her hardest hue to hold.
Her early leaf's a flower;
But only so an hour.
Then leaf subsides to leaf,
So Eden sank to grief,
So dawn goes down to day
Nothing gold can stay.

Robert Frost

from PoemHunter, http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/nothing-gold-can-stay/