Brrrr!

This is the part of the year when I start really despising Chicago. 

For example, right now I look outside and see blue skies, a swift breeze and the last bits of fall leaves running around. Seems delightful. But it's actually 37 degrees, feels like 28 (officially freezing) and there's a possibility of flurries.

Oh, jerky Chicago weather! You won't get me this year. 

Here's my plan to beat Chicago's weather:

1. A serious coat. I'm taking suggestions about where to get this serious coat which will be both stylish and warm, but most importantly warm. 
2. A continued dedication to scarves, hats and mittens. Easy enough.
3. An honest effort to keep active even in the cold. I'm running a 5K run every month for a year. That's the plan. I start with the Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving this year then on to some sort of Jingle- or Reindeer-associated run in December. So far running hasn't been too bad. I was hot yesterday running in long underwear, swishy pants, a fleece hat and two t-shirts. And, I'm hoping to be tough enough to ride my bike to work as much as possible although how that works remains to be seen.
4. Boot, boots, boots. My faux Uggs are very warm and my moon-style boots are as waterproof as non-mountaineering boots can be. And I'm searching for more boots, too. I've definitely learned that the boots you see in magazines are complete jokes when it comes to snow, rain, slush, salt and ice. So, I might look like Sir Edmond Hillary sometimes, but I won't be wet and cold.
5. Drinking all things warm and warming. B makes a mean cup of hot chocolate. I like a mug of Tazo Refresh minty herbal tea. I'm going to be drinking warm drinks all the time! Coffee, gingerbread lattes, hot toddies, whatever. 
6. Soup! I'm still on my soup wagon. So far this year I've made Rachael Ray's buffalo chicken chili, a corn and veggie chowder and a potato concoction too.
7. Blogging. Though this won't necessarily keep me from shivering I need to be a better blogger. So here goes nothing.