enJOY it

an archived personal and craft blog from Elise Blaha Cripe.

Since the day I decided to move out to Maryland, Dad has been trying to convince me to wear Mom’s huge green/brown down winter coat. "You’ll look so cute and warm!" he would often say. Or "When it is 10 degrees at the bus stop, you just put the hood on and turn your back to the wind and it will be 75 degrees inside there."

To which I would respond something along the lines of "Hmm, yes." While actually thinking, "But there is the  good chance that the bus might also refuse to pick me up because the jacket cannot fit inside."

So far, this winter, the jacket has sat in the closet. Until this morning, when Paul told me it was supposed to feel like the single digits because of the wind in DC today.

I got the jacket out of the closet. Sort of as a joke.

When I put it on and twirled ambled in front of the mirror, Paul noted I looked like a Jeti. Assuming that was code for a mother bear who is settling into hibernation, I got second thoughts. But, he followed up like a pro and reassured me that no one would make fun of me, and if they did, who cared? I would be warm.

So I wore the jacket of the house. And to the metro stop.

At this point in the tale, it is important to really visualize the jacket. Imagine your sleeping bag. In a brownish/green color. Now imagine fluffing it up to twice it size and putting it on upside down on your head. Imagine cutting a hole in the top for your face and attaching curled pillows as armholes.

Now trip over something on the ground and Congratualations, you are in my life.

However. As I stood at the metro stop and looked at all the shivering saps in their regular gortex or whatnot jackets, I felt pretty damn cool. cute. warm.

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23 responses to “today’s lesson in overcoming the elements.”

  1. Brianna Avatar

    There is nothing better than a warm coat. I am not tall enough for long coats, however. I would just look shrunken.
    Also, this is random, given that we don’t actually know each other, but would you be willing to design me a banner for my blog?

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  2. Dad Avatar
    Dad

    Where’s the picture in that “cute” coat? Glad you were warm. m & d

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  3. Patricia Avatar

    See – you are a grownup! In everyone’s life there comes a point where they HAVE to decide between looks/what will others think & survival. Ya did good. Blessings, P.

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  4. Jennifer Kolakowski Avatar
    Jennifer Kolakowski

    I am dying picturing this. Elise, you have a magical way with words. Good, good, stuff. Thanks for making my day…and I’m so glad you were warm!

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  5. Jessie Fulkerson Avatar

    Oh come on now- did you think you were going to get away without showing us a picture?!?!? 😉 I cannot imagine thriving in that weather. I’d curl up in the fetal position and cry.

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  6. kristen Avatar
    kristen

    hehe you are fanastic! your description pretty much made me burst out laughing… and i would also love to see a photo of this jacket 🙂 MISS YOU, E.

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  7. giuseppina Avatar

    god i so wish you had pictures! that really made me laugh 😉

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  8. Natalie Avatar

    Dude. It is SOOOOOOOOO cold today. I’m scared to leave the house. And please show the coat. I would love to see. 😉

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  9. heather brittany Avatar
    heather brittany

    I MUSSST see a picture now!!

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  10. Leif Wickland Avatar

    Ha ha! That is flippin’ hilarious!

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  11. Siany Avatar

    photo evidence?!?!

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  12. Krystyn Avatar

    Yep – I think we need a picture on your blog to adequately form a picture in our minds of this fine coat.
    At least you were warm!! That’s all that really matters.
    It was really cold here today too!! Brrrr!!

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  13. sarah heroman Avatar

    I had a coat like that.
    I’d rather be cold and be able to move.
    I’d sleep in it though. 🙂

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  14. lauren Avatar
    lauren

    welcome to the [semi] northeast, baby!!!!
    🙂
    i don’t need any photographic evidence to prove that these coats/sucky weather/”let’s curl up and die instead of going out there” days like this exist…i’ve lived it for the past 24 yrs. & 10 mos.
    lucky me. haha. i have pity on you!!
    stay in and stay warm and scrap instead.
    *

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  15. Erin Glee Avatar
    Erin Glee

    I do not need you to post a picture of that coat, or you wearing it. Your words painted a very detailed and comic picture for my mind to enjoy. Great writing!

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  16. Dawn Avatar

    OMG, that is the funniest thing I DIDN’T see in a looooonngg time. Thank you so much for the chuckle.

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  17. Jodi Avatar

    Yay for warmth. Seriously.
    Also, this quote of course made me think of you:
    http://martawrites.blogspot.com/2008/01/recognize-good-spread-joy.html

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  18. Geeky Girl Avatar

    Your coat would have been perfect for walking the dog here today, rather than my gazillion layers. It’s -27C (-16F) at the moment. Brrrrrrrrr. It sounds toasty warm.

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  19. Lauren Avatar

    LOL – when we gonna see a pic????

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  20. thursday Avatar

    Luckily I don’t own a coat like that. 😉 But the other day, when it was 35 out, I decided to wear my wool coat, and everyone else was in shorts and t-shirts. I must’ve looked like such a geek! But I was warm. so 😛 Good for you, Elise, for keeping warm! And telling us the funny story.

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  21. melissa deakin Avatar

    fabulous story.
    love it!
    love the visual too!

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  22. robbie Avatar
    robbie

    nice

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  23. Welcome Youngs Avatar

    freakin sweet!! And PS-you are HILARIOUS…LOVE it.

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