(Un)expected

It happens every year and every year I'm caught off-guard either wearing a skirt without tights or ballet flats without socks.* 

Winter. 

Her arrival is a certainty and there are subtle (and not-so-subtle) hints starting as early as September. Heck, sometimes she's even earlier with her "Hey, just so you don't forget about me, here's some snow." In June.

Because of her persistence, and her annual visit . . . which is really more of a move-in-and-take-over-the-house-long-term-stay . . . I haven't quite figured out why I'm so surprised when the mercury hovers around 12 in the mornings and I choose not to believe it's that cold out. I pretend that my skinny jeans and ballet flats with a light coat will be more than ample. I tempt fate with short sleeve shirts and wonder why I spend all day shivering. There have been more than a few days spent at my desk in the comfort of my coat because I can never quite warm up after the morning walk from the house to the garage without gloves and a hat.*** 

I finally decided today to believe what she was saying. The thermometer said it was 9 this morning and I cried "Uncle". I grabbed the big down coat and the mittens and the hat. I wore socks and preheated the car. It was a day of complete comfort with nary a shiver in sight.

Tomorrow's forecast is calling for a high of 40.

I'm thinking I'll wear a skirt and ballet flats . . . but I might bring the down coat just in case.

*One should probably never wear ballet flats with socks. If you see me wearing flats with socks just let me know that the 80s called and they want their fashion back.**

**If you see me wearing flats with socks and stirrup pants, go ahead and commit me. 

***The one positive there is that you can wear the same shirt a few days in a row. No one will ever know.****

****Not that I've ever done that. Really. Never.