2. I finished unpacking the pod yesterday! I am proud of myself for getting it done, although hulking the three-drawer filing cabinet, the cedar chest, and the loveseat up the six steps of the back porch was NOT a fun project. At times like that I am grateful that I am a tall, strong woman. Hopefully I can downsize my files to a point where I won't need the filing cabinet the next time I move. Mostly this will have to be accomplished by more fully digitizing my reference collection. I am also grateful that the loveseat features extremely sturdy construction - why I bought it. I had to do multiple end-over-end maneuvers with it.
3. So now I am working on the unpacking of boxes and figuring out where things should go. This apartment has built-in shelves in the dining room and living room, which are fantastic. To give you an idea of some of the things I've missed: a tweed jacket, my wool CRAP jersey, the toaster oven, my hand-knitted mittens, the sewing machine (to think I almost got rid of it when I moved from AZ!), the enormous desk space (so vast!), the ghetto-blaster (boombox), ALL of the cast iron frying pans, the blender, the oil paints, the lap quilt from
I've also enjoyed the sensation of rediscovering things that I own. For instance, I had completely forgotten that I already owned a pair of wool long underwear leggings. I bought new long underwear in Portland last fall, but I am overjoyed to have these other long underwear leggings, because they are Smartwool. I've been wearing long underwear every single day, so it's good to be able to trade out a pair. I also discovered several pairs of pants. YAY more pants. And now a lot of the wool socks that I had glanced at skeptically while in Texas I am suddenly excited about.
4. The last time I lived in a place with weather like this was twelve years ago, so there are certain things I've forgotten about with cold weather. I finished unpacking the pod on Saturday as it began to snow - the first snowfall since I've moved here. After the unpacking wrapped up, I biked over to the hardware store for a couple of things, and then headed back past the apartment towards the grocery co-op for groceries. At the stop sign right across the street from the apartment, I tried to brake and stop and then suddenly found myself sideways on the ground. So I put the bike away and walked to the grocery store (have I mentioned how wonderful it is that I can WALK to the grocery store?). This morning, walking in to campus, I slipped and fell again. Having lived in warm places, I've forgotten what it's like to live in a place where these slips and falls are just a normal part of the winter experience.
The slipping and falling sort of has an upside. I injured my right leg somehow during the bike ride last Monday, and it has been bothering me quite a bit this week, especially when stair-climbing. But now I have other aches and pains to think about instead.
I think this means it's time for me to go ahead and order a recumbent tricycle. I bet those are really fun to skid around on.
Comments
1) Let us long and vociferously shout the praises of Smartwool!
2) Sorry to hear about the leg. :( :( :( Do you have a bathtub now? Hot epsom salt soaks seem to really help with winter aches and pains around our house.
Sending love! Glad you are reunited with the things that make life easier and more pleasurable. They truly do improve one's disposition.
2) I have a GLORIOUS bathtub. I should get some epsom salt. I had a regular soak yesterday, which provided some relief, but I haven't completely figured out what's going on with this leg yet. The discomfort has been migrating between different parts of the leg, so there's some sort of weird feedback cycle going on. I do know one thing: not having to lift any more heavy furniture and boxes should help!
The only reason I could justify the purchase was that I completely forgot that I already owned a pair! :-P
(I could totally make myself a picture of a sea slug on a recumbent bicycle. I should probably do that.)
Yes! You should! I would also note that our childhoods paralleled in Seattle.
annikusrex (my bff) went to Washington Middle School.
I don't remember anymore! I think she and I are a few years younger? (I just turned 34, fwiw)
I'll take a look at these Darn Tough items. I love wool.
I'm also sad to discover there doesn't appear to be an army surplus store in town here. I want to buy a cheap wool army surplus blanket or two!
~mom
I was wondering about that, Mom...I think things have gotten a bit out of whack without adequate time to recover, so I'll do some back strength work while trying to get more rest.
Because if not, let me break out my top hat and cane now.
Bar mitts are my most recent major equipment upgrade. Carbide studded tires are what made it possible to be a winter commuter in Cleveland. (And I took a couple of scary falls before I worked that one out. I'm really good at falling, but that's totally not going to help if a truck runs over me seconds later. Shit.) They're amazing. I can ride on a sheet of ice - and be fine. (I was riding in freezing rain the first time I realized this - it wasn't freezing rain when I left. I was noticing that the road looked more and more suspicious, but hey, I felt perfectly secure. Then I got to a red light, and put my feet down - and they had absolutely not purchase, but my tires continued to be fine.)
I have Schwalbe's because I have a recumbent and they make ones that fit my 20" front wheel. I've heard excellent things about Nokians as well.
I will have to look into those! Had heard of other flavors of studded tires, but never knew anyone who could speak from experience! Of course, by this afternoon everything had melted, so I can go back to playing the ice-lotto again... I think I might put off that purchase for what's left of this winter, because I can walk instead without major inconvenience, but if I find myself in snowy realms next year they'll go on the shopping list for sure!
(This post brought to you by entering a Chicago winter again after weeks in a Seattle one.)