The RealFeel

When Luke and I were told we would be moving to Scotland, there were two main things I was very excited about. 1.) I get to walk everywhere! and 2.) No more hot weather! I was absolutely done with the hot weather. The heat made it impossible to jog outside. I couldn't be outside for more than 1 minute without breaking a sweat. I was miserable. Maybe it was God's way of helping me cope with the adventure I had ahead of me. And according to wikipedia, the average temperature in Scotland in the winter is around 42 degrees. Thats not too bad!

With that being said, I have kept my mouth closed on "how cold it is outside". I remember the first cold morning, it was at the end of August, and it was about 40 outside. Luke went to leave for work in the morning, and came in saying, "its freezing!" and grabbed a beanie to wear to work. It was not that cold! Various times, we would be walking in the city, and Luke would put a beanie on because he was too cold and it was 50 outside. I kept telling myself and him to get used to it because it is going to get much worse. I was trying very hard to get my body used to the cold, so that I could be ready for winter. And I was NOT about to complain or make any comments about it being cold. I still remembered how miserable it felt to live in the Covington and Houston heat.

Then, comes our first gas bill. You see, our radiators run on gas that heats water. Our radiators come on twice a day, in the morning for a few hours and in the evening for a few hours. And when they are on, they run constantly. And its not good to turn them off completely because it damages them, so they must come on. Well our first gas bill was THROUGH THE ROOF. I mean, not once have we ever had an electric bill higher than this gas bill. Even when it was the hottest or the coldest outside in Covington when you have that AC or heater cranked. Most of you are very aware that Luke and I are cheap frugal, so we try to only use heat or electricity when we really need it. We usually had electric bills less than $100 - summer and winter.

Last week, when my parents were here, my mom was freezing in our house. I honestly did not think it was that cold. Maybe because I would be in the kitchen where the oven warmed up the room a bit or because I was doing laundry where the freshly dried clothes warmed me up. Not sure, but it was not that bad. Just put on some socks and long sleeves and your good to go!

So up until now, we haven't had weather that is too bad. Yes, occasionally, we will have the rainy yucky day. But for the most part, I have been pleasantly surprised. Why do people complain so much about Scotland weather? While Luke and I had visitors, we had some TERRIFIC weather! I truly feel that Scotland shows off when new people arrive though. For instance, it was beautiful outside the day that Luke and I arrived. And the same goes for the day that Julie arrived and also my mom and dad.

Then comes October 12, the day my parents leave. Its raining all day. Its windy. Its cold. I'm exhausted from showing our family a great time for two weeks. The weather begins to decline. I even skipped going to an AWA happy hour social event so I wouldn't have to leave the house.

Then comes October 15. The house is cold. I go for a jog and cannot feel my toes for half of my jog. Partly because it is cold outside, but mainly because that cold has shifted inside my home.

Then comes October 16. The house is beyond cold! I go to the gym, run some errands, and I'm shivering. I finally admit it, I am cold!

check out the RealFeel!

Then comes October 17.

I needed to run some errands for our upcoming trip and I had to walk because I was going to the city centre (impossible to park down there... for free). I bundled up with a hat and gloves and long sleeves and my wind-breaking rain jacket. Two pairs of socks, one tall, and also boots. After 15 minutes of speed walking, I began to sweat. OMG. I get back home and after eating my lunch finally decide to shower. Guess what? During my shower, I cant feel my hands because they are cold. Maybe the hot water had a reverse effect on them, I dont know.

What I have realized is that wikipedia's 42 degree average is deceiving. That 42 actually feels like 32. I experienced in on October 16.

Im nervous to know what winter will bring. I am nervous for what the worst will be. Im nervous for how high our gas bill will be. Im nervous that not only will it be cold, but it will be dark at 3:30pm. Im nervous for how high our gas bill will be!

To help me remember why I was excited to leave Covington, here is a list of cold weather pros and hot weather cons.

Cold: get to wear cute boots

Hot: must maintain pedicured feet

Cold: can always put more clothes on

Hot: can only take off so many clothes

Cold: don't need to dress nice because warmth is most important

Hot: must wear cute shirts and cute shorts and cute wedges

Cold: get to accessorize with cute scarves, ear warmers and hats

Hot: have to keep up with the latest trends in jewelry

Cold: can breathe while jogging outside

Hot: cannot jog outside

Cold: get to enjoy hot tea, hot chocolate and hot toddies during the day

Hot: must drink ice water all day or you will get dehydrated

Cold: can shower and be fully ready in 30 min without breaking a sweat

Hot: showering and getting ready involves sweating which requires another shower

Cold: get to enjoy good company outside by a fire

Hot: must cram in doors in the AC with grumpy, sweaty company

Cold: wine warms you up

Hot: wine makes you feel hotter

Cold: can go grocery shopping before running other errands and nothing melts in the car

Hot: milk spoils 2 min after purchasing it from the store

Cold: ice cream never melts

Hot: ice cream is a form of soup

Cold: slippers!

Hot: must maintain pretty feet

Cold: wearing your hair down is comfortable

Hot: wearing your hair turns into a sponge for sweat

Cold: get to feel and act like a 'foody' at restaurants because you actually listen to the dinner specials just so you know what the soup of the day is

Hot: restaurant don't have soup

Cold: beer not cold? Stick it outside!

Hot: beer is never cold

Cold: no need to add ice to your water, it's freezing right out of the tap

Hot: adding water to a cup full of ice stays cold for 5 min, if that

still don't miss it!

In your opinion, what is the best part about cold weather and the worst part about hot weather?

RANDOM FACT:

In 30 degree weather, people don't put gloves and hats on their babies and children. Say what!!???

-Debbie-