I've been told I have a twisted
sense of humor. I discovered long ago that one of the best ways to deal with
disappointment is to try and see the funny side of things- even when that is
difficult. For me, this attitude has helped me through some of the toughest
moments in my life, and it continues to work for me when dealing with my own
rocky times, as well as breaking the ice with others.
With the frigid weather out in
force here in Wyoming, my list of one-liners expands exponentially. The cold
can play a number on those of us dealing with paralysis, but I can't pass up
the opportunity to have a little fun at the expense of my able-bodied friends.
My favorite will always be, "It's so cold out here that I can't feel my
legs!" Those who know me well just groan and roll their eyes, but it's
always fun to see the shocked expressions on the faces of some as they teeter
between wanting to laugh and deciding if that is an acceptable action. (FYI- if
I'm the one making the joke about being disabled, it's okay to laugh...)
All joking aside, the winter
months can be difficult when using a wheelchair. Trekking through the snow is
not always conducive to quick travel, and once your hands get wet, you might as
well forget it. Although I don't let much keep me from doing what I want to
stay independent, some days, when the snow is blowing and the wind is howling,
I would much rather stay inside and be thankful for my warm, accessible house.
Here is my list of items that are a requirement for me for a cozy snow day:
1. A Blanket
I am very picky when it comes to
blankets. I may sit short, but I'm over 6' tall stretched out, and I like my
blanket to cover me from top to bottom. I also hate anything itchy, so I like
soft, warm blankets. If you can afford it, nothing beats cashmere. It's
luxurious, snuggly, and lightweight, so you don't feel smothered or weighed
down. I have been known to go through fleece blankets like crazy because they
are more affordable, but it's difficult to find them long enough. I went
through a phase where I was making those fleece "tie blankets" for
anyone I needed a gift for, and I loved them because you could pick your
material and customize the length. I may also own a bright blue blanket with
arms...
2. My Recliner
Russ and I stumbled upon a
leather recliner a few years ago that allows you to go back completely flat.
And I mean completely. To the point where you almost think you are going to
flip over backwards, but in a good way. I love these recliners. They are perfect
for stretching out in, especially if you have back issues and deal with your
muscles tightening up on you. If you can't find me on a snowy day, look no
further than my recliner.
3. A Drink
I go back and forth on this one.
If I am beyond freezing, then nothing warms me like a huge tankard of
peppermint hot chocolate. But if I am warm enough and just relaxing, especially
around the holidays, I may feed my slight addiction to Welch's Sparkling Red
Grape Juice. I don't like other brands, and I don't like other flavors. And
yes, I have tried them all. Literally. Nothing beats the original. Thankfully,
our local Walmart carries it all year long. For those of you who can only find
it around the holidays, I am truly sorry. Yet another reason why Wyoming is the
best state in the country.
4. A Snack
I am a junk-food junkie. I can
trash a can of original Pringles without even stopping to breath. And don't
even open a bag of chocolate/mint candy around me, unless you are wiling to
share. The entire bag. Fortunately, I have a high metabolism, or I would weigh
84479 pounds and have a blood sugar to rival Buddy the Elf, but as I get older,
that is slowing down, so I have to watch it a bit more carefully. My thoughtful
husband understands my sweet tooth and keeps me well supplied, so I should
probably speak with him about ending this cycle of enabling. Remind me to do
that. In a few weeks.
5. A Book
I love to read. When we built
our home almost three years ago, I had custom bookshelves put in our office.
Once I unpacked all of my books, Russ took one look at the sagging shelves and
bought me a Kindle. At first, I felt like a traitor. I missed the feel of the
pages and hated the technology. But now, I have to admit, it was a good call. I
love being able to take so many books with me on one device, especially when I
travel. I still have my paperbacks for when I need a tactile fix, but for the
most part, I use my Kindle. And the
buy-a-new-novel-at-the-click-of-a-button-with-immediate-readability feature?
Perfection. Very dangerous perfection.
6. Reruns
If Russ is watching football and
Addison is playing on her own, and everyone is fed and my laundry is put away,
and the planets are aligned and the economy is stable, I am a sucker for
re-runs of old tv shows. I don't like to get sucked in to a new show because I
have trouble waiting in between seasons (or from week to week if truth be
told). So I like to wait until the show is over, and then go back and watch it
on Netflix or another site from my laptop. The entire show, every episode of
every season, no waiting. Did I mention I have a problem with patience?
7. A Fire
I don't necessarily like a fire
for the warmth, although that is nice. I do like the noise and ambiance a fire
creates. When we built, we installed a gas fireplace in our living room.
Ambiance? Check. Crackling noise? Not so much. Fortunately, you can buy candles
that sound like a real wood fire burning. And without the mess of ashes and the
hassle of having firewood on hand. Lovely.
8. My Family
This may be the last thing on my
list, but it is definitely the most important. There is just something
wonderful about snuggling up with my family. I am not married to a snuggler,
and getting Addison to sit still long enough to snuggle is getting more and
more difficult, so when I do bribe/cajole/blackmail my hubby and/or daughter
into snuggling with me, my cozy day is complete.
What about you? What are your
must-haves for a cozy day?
