0 Degrees

I officially know what cold feels like.

Let me preface this by saying that I thought I knew what cold felt like. It felt like a chill that nipped at the beginning of a wintry run; it was the wind that found its way under your coat collar and made you pull it closer. Cold was also the novelty of visiting Minnesota and the brief cold minutes spent walking in to a warm place or in a car that had been running. Was I ever wrong.

On Wednesday, December 9th, the temperature as I drove from BLI to Bed, Bath, and Beyond hovered around a balmy 7 degrees Fahrenheit. My car was toasty warm, and I felt like the best prepared new Minnesotan with my cozy long-johns on. I got out of my car and made the trot in to BBB (Because you don't walk in 7 degrees). No big deal.

Fast forward 6 hours to 11pm. It's quitin time, woohoo!!! My first of two obsurdly long days this week is done, BBB was easy, and I am on my way home. Life is good. Time for the trot back to the car, brrrr, it's really cold out, and oh crap, I forgot to put on my golves. No biggie, I will put them on as soon as I start my car. Let my "fabulous" co-worker, Jake, who just had surgery get into his car first - ok my turn. In the car, check. Key in the ignition, check. Start the car, ummmm, I said, "Start the car." My lock is stuck, which happens frequently, but this time it isn't playing nicely. A minute passes and my fingers are starting to tingle. Maybe I should stop trying and put on my gloves. But what if all my co-workers leave and I am stuck here? Keep trying. Another minute passes, and PRAISE THE LORD it starts. Now for those gloves.

By this time (literally 2 minutes or less that felt like 10) my fingers had set into a dull ache but heat was on the way. I get going. As, I approach the interstate, I look at the temperature guage. 0 degrees and no sunshine. Where is my heat? I feel a shudder of coldness rock my body from core outwards. My fingers are now throbbing in a way that I have never felt before. Am I going to lose them? And where is my heat?! I am now on the interstate, and I realize, my goodness, THIS is what cold feels like.

As if making this revelation was all my heat needed, it kicked on. I indulged in the heat pouring out of the vents, letting it fill the car, my lungs, and warm every single cold little digit on my hands.

So when ya coming for a visit?