Warm

Warning: What you are about to read is a very random collection of thoughts.
Being warm would easily make the list of my favorite things.  I'm not sure the three syllable phrase “being warm” fits very well into Julie Andrew's classic song, but I do like it a whole lot more than whiskers or kittens.  For Christmas my parents bought me a heated mattress pad.  I had heard Shelly (my sister) rave about how cozy it is to get into a warm bed after she bought one (for her half) a few months earlier. While affirming her enthusiasm, I thought a pre-heat button on a bed wasn't the most necessary of items because the goal is not to cook the person (or people) sleeping on it, and unlike an oven they eventually warm up.  That was until I put my Christmas gift to use.  Life changing might be a bit strong of a description, but it's close.  You know that saying people recite when they take your seat? "I was keeping it warm for you".  The heated mattress pad is like that, only not at all annoying and comes with out a creepy person laying in your bed making it warm.  Seriously, all you do is turn the heater on and it creates the perfect toasty cocoon each night.  Bed time is wonderful.

Also going along with the theme of useful items I was given at Christmas, socks make the list.  Not just any socks though.  Wool socks.  I had no idea what I was missing.  Although all of my shoes may be stretched out by the end of winter, wool socks make them so much more functional.  It’s kind of strange to wear what I would consider snowboarding gear around everyday, but I’ve gotten over that and said hello to toasty toes.
The most recent warming technique I’ve learned comes in the form of a room heated to 108 degrees, walls of mirrors, calming music, and a one centimeter thick roll-able mat.  Hot yoga.  My roommate Mackinzie loves hot yoga.  A few weeks ago I tagged along for one of the classes, mainly because I had never tried it and have heard mixed opinions.  I wanted to make my own opinions based on experience, instead of hearsay.  While I’m still undecided about my thoughts toward hot yoga as a whole, there is no denying it’s a workout.  That class may be the most I have ever sweat in one day.  Seriously.  Despite feeling like you’re becoming dehydrated by the second and walking out with a soaking wet sweat towel, I really enjoyed the power stretching.  It’s not often I’m legitimately warm from head to toe outside of my bed these days, so walking in to a literal sauna is pretty nice.  I’ll admit I was a bit cynical before trying it.  But hot yoga is actually a fun challenge while feeling like a total body detox.  Plus you get to be warm doing it.  Sounds like a win to me.
P.S. The picture is actually a postcard from Google images.  And thankfully those are not my socks. Mine don't have holes.  But taking a picture of my heating mattress pad, socks or hot yoga seemed weird.  So I didn't and you get the above image instead.

Lessons

Since the snow storm currently passing through has literally consumed and crippled the entire Seattle area, I figured my first "real" snow day experiences probably warrant another postcard.  To fill you in, it's been snowing for pretty much two days straight.  Local news channels have dedicated their whole production to weather coverage - don't expect to hear about anything other than snow, driving conditions, falling trees and power outages when you watch.  It's actually kind of comical.  In Seattle it snows like it rains and by that I mean not in big, heavy droplets (or flakes) but a misty dusting.  So I'd say there is easily a foot and a half of  real snow on the ground, maybe a little more. But only a little. Still the city literally shut down.  Our LivingSocial offices are in the heart of the business district downtown and have been closed for two days now, possibly three depending on what happens tomorrow.  I'll admit, it's fun to be told to stay home (even though I did have to work).  And as a result of the weather imposed house arrest I've been confined to the past 48 hours, a few valuable life lessons have been learned.  So even if you're not wondering what they are, I'm going to share them now..

•  If you have errands to run and drive a Honda, do them before it starts snowing.  Or you'll have to wait an extra three days.
• If you live in an active area like Green Lake where people are outside all the time regardless of conditions, get a pair of cross country skis or snow shoes.  It will make fitting in much easier as you circle the lake instead of stumbling around in snowboarding boots.
• Sometimes the weather man actually knows what he's talking about.  Better to play it safe and get groceries just in case. 
• While you're at the groceries store, stock up on snack food.  Not junk snack food, but little munchies.  There's not much else to do when you're stuck inside.
•  Speaking of being inside, don't stay there all day.  When it gets dark around 4:30pm and you no longer have the option of going out, cabin fever will set in.  It's inevitable.  I learned the hard way.
• If you are going to venture out it's best to leave the snow and ice scrapper in the garage instead of inside the car covered in snow.  Rookie mistake.

I'm sure there are more, those are just the lessons that come to mind now.  Today I took my own advice and went for a stroll around Green Lake.  Here are a few of the white washed post cards from my afternoon...

Snow

As I sit at my kitchen table scribbling this quick entry, there are gloriously white, fluffy water particles gently descending from the sky and collecting in growing piles outside.  I've seen this magical sight before and experienced the hushed peacefulness of snow falling, but never from the comfort of my home.  Watching from cars on the way to the slopes, or on vacation, or at my families cabin in the mountains (which half way counts) all fall short of waking up to it.  This morning I briefly peeked out the window in the midst of groggily turning off my alarm clock and attempting to escape back into the entertaining dream, only to realize the pretty scene outside was better than the story happening in my head.  So I woke up, put on a sweatshirt, grabbed a camera, and ran out the front door to take a picture of all the white on the ground.  Yes, I was that girl. Totally my mothers daughter.  And completely giddy at the sight of snow outside my everyday home.  Then I ran upstairs and announced it to my roommates who were eating breakfast and fully aware of the weather conditions.  They teasingly mocked my CA roots and suggested I take a picture from the balcony too. So I did.  As a result, you get these pictures as postcards from today.  Tomorrow is a holiday so I don't have work, but I'm (secretly) hoping for a huge storm Monday night leaving Seattle no choice but to declare Tuesday a snow day.  Wouldn't that be fun!? I think so too :)

Definitely not taken on our balcony, but fun just the same