Frozen Tundra

This is a picture of an actual frozen Siberian tundra. It could well have been taken here in the frozen wastelands of Northeast Ohio, because right now, this is about how the world looks, dull, grey, colorless and frozen over with snow. Tonight the temperature is supposed to drop to -2° Fahrenheit. That's mighty damned cold if you ask me. It will be the perfect night to burrow into my snug warm bed that has flannel sheets, a thick, soft faux Cashmere blanket and a down alternative comforter on it. My pajamas consist of flannel bottoms and a fleece top from Old Navy, so they are very toasty warm. I also have a pair of fleece socks that my sister gave me for Christmas several years ago in case my feet get cold. The furnace is on, I've changed the overhead ceiling fans to the winter setting to help move heat around the apartment and very fortunately for me, this apartment is on the top floor of a nearly 100 year old house that happens to be fairly well insulated, so in addition to being fairly tight and allowing very little heat to escape (I hope), I also get some ambient heat from downstairs to help me stay warm. On the sofa, I have a toasty green plaid fleece throw that my mom gave me for Christmas last year to cuddle up in if I get chilled. So I am ready for the chill of February, my least favorite month of the year. The only problem with this extreme cold is that it pushes me into a sort of "hibernation mode" to where I do not want to leave my apartment once I am home from work for the evening. I do all my errands after work, therefore, to save myself from having to bundle up and go back out into the ice, snow and cold to get something done.

The only problem with holing myself up like this is that my back is killing me, probably from sitting too much once I get home, and on weekends when I don't want to even so much as get out of my pajamas to do anything. I've searched high and low for a lumbar pillow to help support my back, both at home and at work, but alas, I have not been successful in finding one in any store, so I suppose this means that I will have to order one online. I should also be doing more stretching since this cold weather tends to stiffen me up considerably, to where, when I go to the gym to workout with my trainer, I have to spend at least half the time we are there stretching and warming up instead of getting in actual exercises that I should be doing. This very much frustrates me and makes me feel like I'm not getting much of anywhere. I hope this is just a winter thing and my trainer Jason seems to think so, since he's worked with me since 2006 and seen me through many a winter. He knows full well what I am like this time of year, frustrated, grumpier than usual, stiffer and tighter physically since this time of year is no friend of my arthritis. Maybe it's best that I spend more of my winter workout sessions stretching but I also need to get in some good cardio to get my heart rate up so I can keep my winter weight gain down. But for the moment, I am cold, stiff, sore and miserable, and can't wait until this weather breaks and spring is upon us once more. Whenever that will happen........sigh.........