My new best friend

It officially became so cold that I overcame my vanity and busted out the Big Puffy Red Dork Coat, henceforth simply called Dork Coat, or perhaps Big Red if I'm feeling zesty.

Got up at the crack of dawn for a temp gig on a day when the high was 17. Thicker gloves, and crazy layers. Fortunately, I had fairly good bus karma, so I didn't have to wait for the cold to penetrate Big Red.

Since I only had to work half a day, I decided to bum around town (read: see museum, eat lunch). And my only regret is that I didn't go to Joy Yee. But the menu was downright overwhelming. Perhaps on Sunday... After I have had some time to pour over the small print.

Taught my little punks. I am having very similar artistic integrity issues as my Christmas pageant experience. I just have to remember that their standards and expectations are so low, that anything I give them will be good. Still frustrating that I can't get them to shut up for more than 12 seconds to dance. A week before performance, they are sloppy and asking why they have to practice so much! Mental note - do not teach 6th graders. The only comfort was a teacher observing saying under her breath, "And I thought my class was bad."

But Big Red. Even as I was nearly blown off course trying to cross Michigan, Big Red held fast. Anything covered by Big Red stayed not cold, and usually even warm. Even my arms! I discovered new flavors of cold-pain in my ears and cheekbones, which I tried to fit in the coat, with minimal success.

And it's fun, because the coat is so puffy, it's like lounging in bed. Although I do sort of envy the ankle-length puffy coats. Like walking around all day in a sleeping bag.

And while some girls can pull off winter-wear with a hint of chic, with their skinny jeans tucked into Uggs, and waist-length coats, I'll take the Dork Coat and all it's bulk!

on iTunes: J.Lo - "Walking on Sunshine"
External temp: 13F