The weirdest thing happened the 21st of September. Fall.
As in, the season. As in the temperatures changing. As in summer ending. Isn’t that strange?
I am used to the following “seasons”: two cold days, hot, oh-my-stinkin’-heck-it’s hot, and warm.
Here, in the new to us area of Albuquerque, they have the following: winter, spring, summer, and fall. Isn’t that strange?
It came out of the blue: colder weather. One day it was hot, the next, we needed light jackets (or in my wimpy case: a jacket and a pair of knee high socks and boots). And while the chill has fluctuated during the day since then, it hasn’t at night or morning.
A co-worked told Paul, “Well, summer’s officially over. Fall is here. Looks like it started a tiny bit early this year.”
He was like, “That’s it. All of a sudden it changes?”
“Yup, pretty much.”
Uh-huh.
Sure enough, the next day, I had to get out my boots and my scarves. I wore them in the house. I still do every morning.
The temperature was below forty. The tile floor was cold. We could see our breath in the air in the morning. We all looked at each other as if we had landed on Mars.
Really, we should have known, since summer was a bit strange here.
The night we arrived, weary from the emotional exit and the eleven hours in the car, at 9:00pm on May 7th, we stepped out of the car and it was 47 degrees. Forty-seven, people. As in 4-7. As in under 75. On May 7th. May. As in, “You’re not in Central Texas anymore, darlin’.”
May is summer in Central Texas. Actually, so is April, September, October and a bit of November, in addition to the basic June, July, and August. Seriously.
Turns out, Albuquerque follows the cute little elementary school visuals: seasons each have three months, no sharing.
The leaves change to signal that weather is actually going to change.
While I admit being more than a bit daunted by the temperature (aka: I might have shed a few tears already in fear), I sure love watching the mountains slowly turn yellow and am in love with aspens.
This may not seem like a big deal, but… when your kids run around bare foot or in Crocs almost all year, wear shorts most of the time, and your “winter” wardrobe consists of three long sleeved shirts, well… it’s sorta a big deal.
I am already cold and that has me pretty stinkin worried about winter. My constant side kick, my Tervis brimming with iced tea, looks to be left at the sidelines for mornings as will yogurt for breakfast. My innards match my outards (remember, I enjoy making up words here) when drinking or eating either of those and I feel as if I will never be warm. Seriously.
So… it’s fall here. I’ll probably adjust to the idea just in time for the first day of winter. And then I may cry.
Have any tips for this girl who isn’t used to fall or winter as true seasons, versus a few days?
{ 10 comments… read them below or add one }
Hot water. Always have my hands around a mug of it. Wool socks and Danskos. A fleece vest.
And pants. I am barely warm enough in the summer to pull off a skirt. I think I would flat out stop functioning in a skirt all the time. Bummed but freezing is not an option.
Cook more with the oven.
Goodwill and second hand shops are going to be your best friends.
I am laughing and so jealous at the same time. Welcome to seasons! I think ABQ has the best weather ever, but I am biased. That’s a major reason I can’t stay home for the holidays. Christmas in the 70′s doesn’t count. Layer, layer, and layer.
Did you get the firewood?
I recently moved from Montana to Austin, TX and I grew up in Minnesota.
So, I’m having the reverse reaction. LOL
I’ve been hear since March and the weather was SOOO nice then. Then May came and the beginning of boiling to death ensued. haha
You will eventually get used to the colder weather as I hope I eventually get used to cooking in an oven – at least somewhat.
Warm clothes, layers, hats, gloves, scarf, heavy socks, warm drinks. You can do it!
At least it doesn’t get below zero there I imagine. I had 20-30 below zero in Minnesota sometimes. Often it would get to 20 below for a while every single winter. So, be happy! hehe
Danielle— 20-30 below zero is unimaginable to me.
You are living in the prettiest area of Texas! Just wait until the spring and the bluebonnets.
Ok…I’ll pray for you to get used to the boiling if you pray for me to get used to the freezing.
Oh how I echo you….Iowa has also been COLD.
When we came south, where we don’t have real winter but also do not have artificial heat of any kind, I began wearing wool socks. SmartWool brand is good and not too pricey. If you want to stick with skirts, tights. Or long-johns/leggings underneath. Boots. Scarves. Gloves. Stocking caps. Yes, in the house.
Blankets on all common seating areas (for cuddling under). Extras on all beds. A single space heater that you move around to where it’s needed can be good. Layers (clothing, not heaters). I find if I have on a camisole, then 2 long sleeve sweaters, jeans, wool socks, shoes, I’m good. Usually. Hat if that doesn’t work, and then gloves last.
Wash dishes in really hot water to warm your hands. Keep hot water for cocoa, herbal tea, coffee, etc. Oatmeal, soups, and bake stuff.
Winter won’t be as bad as you imagine. The temperature does get lower, for longer, but the humidity is so low that it really, truly is not as terrible as when a wet, damp blue norther’ blows in. Truly.
Oh, and, sometime experiment — sometimes here we can warm up by going out to stand in the sun. No idea if you can pull that off there, since you actually have shorter days now and all, too, but just in case. When you’re desperate. Maybe.
Wool, corduroy, long johns, fleece, flannel.
Layers of them to keep warm. That is how we learned to keep warm in cement houses in the winter in Asia.
omg that is so funny, making me laugh. I live in Michigan and too have same weather. Basically fall is about 2 weeks, winter 7.5-8.5 months and spring few weeks and about 2 mo maybe if your lucky. I do love fall but it get’s cold to fast for me. I suggest lots of fleece, fleece coats, fleece sock, fleece blankets, I have fleece lined crocs slippers that I live in all the time in the house. keeps toes nice and warm. I have lived here all my life and still hate the cold. Best of luck adjusting, so here is Dr. Suess saying… Don’t cry because it is gone, be happy that you had it! Chin up and keep on going.
Blessings to you all!
I grew up in Arizona so coming to Texas seemed like a chilly death some days:) I have thankfully adjusted but visiting family doesn’t usually fair as well! I read a guide by a lady who lives in Boston that REALLY helped: For every 10 degrees below 40, add a layer. So at 30, 2 layers, etc. and her recommendation is that the layers don’t have to be thick: tights work.
Oh, what a great tip, Stacy! Thank you for sharing. I woke up 19 degrees this morning.