A few years ago, Jen’s grandma bought this little lap quilt for me to put on my legs. It is the perfect size, big enough to cover my hands and legs and keep them warm but not as big and bulky as a full fledged blanket. It gets used all the time, but I only use it when I get chilly – about 10 months out of the year! We call it my “Blinky”.
I’m not sure why we started calling it that, maybe it was because babies always had a “Binky” with them or maybe it’s because I blink a lot – who knows? More importantly, who cares? All that matters to us is that when I say, ‘Blinky, please?’, we both know exactly what I’m talking about. I know it sounds like baby-talk and it’s pretty immature but I’m way beyond worrying about what others might think. That train left the station a long time ago. Not getting too many points for style these days! I’m the guy who’s been wearing a pair of black Crocs every day for the last seven years and I have a clip-on tie to wear when the occasion calls for me to “dress up”. I’m not too surprised that I didn’t make the 2013 People Magazine’s Best Dressed List last year.
Me in October, November, December, January, February and March
For our 10th Anniversary a year ago, our friend Nina gave us a blanket she had made – she’s very crafty. It’s super soft and extremely warm (pictured here). We call it the ‘Nina Blanket’ (catchy name, hun?). It was a gift for both of us but I think the only time Jen lays her hands on it is when she’s covering me up with it!
When we remodeled our bathroom a few years ago, I asked Mark to install a jet engine from an old Boeing 737 for us to use as a heater. When turned on, it comfortably warms the bathroom to a toasty 150◦. Aaah! Just what the doctor ordered! I know Jen’s not real wild about it, but I think it’s perfectly OK to break a sweat when taking a shower.
I was never a huge fan of cold weather, but I have almost have no tolerance for it since my stroke. Unlike my neighbor, who creatively and extensively decorates his house with Christmas lights every year in only shorts, sandals and a sweatshirt with the sleeves cut off. Or that kid you see at every bus stop in February not wearing a coat, trying to show his toughness. Not me though, I’m none of those guys – just the opposite. I get cold pretty easily these days. Some of it probably has to do with me getting a little bit older but I think that most of it is due to me being a quadriplegic. Since I don’t move around at all I don’t generate any body heat. You oughtta see it, while Jen is bustling around in the kitchen every morning – usually in a t-shirt and sweatpants, I’m sitting there all bundled up in a long sleeved sweatshirt and the Blinky!
lockedinjim 
Omg! I laughed so hard at the neighbor hanging Christmas lights in shorts. I think hes part Eskimo.
Sharon Delcour
Everyone needs a blinky in this weather.
Everyone has a blinky/blanky Jim! You should see Mark’s! He goes crazy if it’s not on the arm of the couch when he needs it, all winter long. Hysterical! God bless the blinky! 😉
howdy Jim – everyone loves baby talk! everybody has those goofy little things we say at home and only certain ones know what we are talking about – that is what keeps us young and light hearted. Sounds like you and Jen are body temperature opposites. Sounds liike Steve and I. He NEVER wears anything beyond a short sleeve polo type, me however I’m wearing double socks, knit under sweatshirts, layers etc. Other ladies – MY AGE are having hot flashes – well I have ARTIC blood – best way to get someone’s attention at home is to put my “ICE FINGERS” on their bare skin unexpectedly and watch them JUMP! Baby it is COLD outside . . . . . .
Think Spring!
Nothing wrong with crocs. Definitely my most comfortable shoes. They are rather ugly though. You will need your blinky tonight–maybe two.
Yes I to have a Blinky. Mine has Rams logo’s on it.
That’s funny, it might be a guy thing, my dad gets his “wooley” out every fall for his bed. Don’t tell him I told you about “wooley.”
Laura –
Part of your latest comment said, ‘might be a guy thing’ but since I can’t see to read all that well I thought it said ‘might be a gay thing.’ (Not that there’s anything wrong with that!’ I thought, ‘Damn! I think Laura just slammed me (and her dad). What’d we do to her?!)’
Jim,
Bill wears long underwear under his jeans MOST of the winter and when I say I’m cold he always tells me to put on long underwear! I am always under a warm fuzzy throw when watching tv.
Stay warm no matter what it takes!!!!!!