Just cruel

I almost cried when I got this email today.

Because much to my dismay it is definitely NOT sweater season here.
Think 91 sounds balmy? It's not. Add 60% humidity and it "Feels like 103 degrees." And as you can see, it's not going to get any better later today.

If you are fortunate enough to be living near my homeland, you may be lamenting that it's hovering around freezing (I know this because I also have a Utah weather widget on my dashboard, which I covet daily). I will trade you. Think of all the benefits you have that I don't (and that I won't have until I move from here):

• Sweaters
• Socks
• Pants (although this is a small blessing since if I had to wear pants right now I'd be up a creek)
• Hats, scarves, & gloves
  
• Hot chocolate
• Warm baths
• Candles
• Leaves changing colors
  
• Using your oven without turning the A/C down to 70 degrees and then sweating anyway
• Actually sleeping under your comforter

You may say, ah, but Dani, YOU can go outside. No no, my friends. I can only go outside if I submit myself to be devoured by mosquitoes. I kid you not, I cannot walk from my front door to the mailbox without at least one bite.

I will concede one plus: no goosebumps when I get out of the shower in the morning. But I would gladly trade it for the benefits mentioned above. Besides, we are getting to the point where shaving my legs requires acrobatic contortions not safe in a slippery shower.

I don't know how people live here, especially those who moved from northern climes. When I say this to long-time residents, they just laugh and say, "Well, we just stay inside!" Then they mention how great it is to be able to go the beach at Christmas, as if this were consolation for 9 months of roasting. At which point I just whimper, because Christmas is about fuzzy slippers and cozy PJs and fabulous toasty aromas in the kitchen and playing in the snow (if we're lucky). Beach-going, for me at least, is a strictly summer activity.

Maybe you have to have Latin blood to survive here, because my quarter-Mexican husband doesn't complain, and HE has to wear a shirt and tie every day. I, however, being bred of 100% northern European stock, do not have the constitution for this.

Being a walking human incubator may have something to do with it too.... though I am a born and bred four-seasons girl, pregnant or not.

So there you go. Think of me next time you're complaining about how cold it is, and be grateful that you can always put more and warmer layers on, while there are only so many layers you can take off.