Dressing for the Occasion

It got cold quickly. A sudden drop in temperatures followed by the onslaught of rainy weather was the first push towards what I consider winter. I was caught unprepared only once… so far. The frigid air seeped through my leggings and froze my toes. My thin excuse for a water-resistant jacket flapped uselessly around my waist, soaked by mid-morning. I shivered, impatiently waiting as I watched the one-year-old stomp quickly forming puddles in her new shoes and a very waterproof, bright, yellow jacket. While I watched grumpily from the sidelines, her joy at the rain created a pure image of Oregonian happiness. We left work very early that day. 

Hair soaked, jackets dripping by the door, I swore to never be so unready for the weather again. Now, I check the weather app every morning. In an almost religious manner, I skim the expectations for the day. I only focus on two figures. First, the high temperature for the day. This has allowed me to generalize if it is going to be warm (the high 50s looks warmer and warmer every day) or chilly. Then, I look at just the picture of the predicted weather, to see if there is a general chance of rain. In my experience, there is a huge difference between water-resistant and waterproof when you are outside for more than five minutes. 

Of course, in Oregon, the weather is always so unreliable. There can be a drastic difference in just an afternoon. The stark contrast between warm and wet versus cold and dry has me preparing for nearly every weather each day.  Raincoats, hats, shoes, extra thick socks, sweatpants, even the occasional t-shirt, an outfit for nearly every occasion. 

There is a point where the wardrobe's worth of clothing feels excessive. This moment is first thing in the morning. No matter what the weather is for the day, Holland gets loaded up into the car in just her jammies. She is tightly buckled into the car seat and snuggled with a warm blanket for the drive to work. I can only imagine how the image would present itself to my neighbors. Walking out the door, rushing to the car, with armfuls of jackets and shoes, the stray hat dangling out of one pocket or another. Just to make the second trip back to the door to collect the waiting child standing in the doorframe letting out all of the warm air, dressed only in jammies for the long fifteen-second trek to the car door. 

The voice in my head always screams, “Put a jacket on that child!” The exact opposite view could be seen when we arrive at work. Before fully exiting the car we have our jackets zipped, shoes on, hats snug, and a warm bottle (or coffee in my case) in hand. Bundled properly, and mentally prepared for the whipping winds we have been having, the two of us happily work our way through the blustery days. 

Some days, we tuck ourselves in the warm protected houseplant house. Other days we are dancing along to the music while creating holiday baskets. Prepared for both occasions, we find the joy in simply weathering the day together. Watching her walk, and fall, through puddles, knowing that I have fresh pants waiting for her play to be over. The naps that she sneaks in, buried in blankets and tucked away from the wind. Countless smiles and shrieks of joy when Mocha, the dog, or Salem, the cat, come to play with her.  Despite the unfavorable weather, I have never been happier to bring her to work with me. I even have to admit, this year, with proper bundling, regardless of the extra work, can not help but wish for snow!