My feelings towards winter are both well known and mutual.

I hate winter. Winter hates me.

Wind chill. Slush. Bad roads. Dry skin. Gray skies.

Just…ew.

However, I’ve decided that winter isn’t all bad. There are things that are exclusive to these frigid months that I, dare I say it, look forward to (!?).

Yea, sure there’s Christmas, but it’s not really December that is the object of my wrath. I save my wrath for the monsters January and February.

But so far this month, it has been like January came early and didn’t allow the transition time that December usually gives me.

So I’m starting to tap into the power of positive thinking a month early and I will share with you the five things that get me through winter.

5) Mugs with hot beverages.

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A mug with coffee, a mug with hot chocolate (and lots of whipped cream), a mug of tea (that’s a new beverage this year). Whatever it is, it is so comforting to sit down with a steamy cup in my hands and read a book or watch a movie or watch…

4) TV Series.

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Last year Dave and I caught up on all Lost episodes in January alone. That would be five seasons worth of one hour long episodes in one month. We were obsessed. It’s all we did on weekends, and I think in one day we watched 10 episodes. And one night we even dragger our mattress out to the living room and watched it well into the night. This year, we’re making our way through 2 series: 30 Rock and Dexter. We’re done with both of the first seasons. I love Netflix!

3) Slipper-socks.

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You can thank my Grammy for that one. She has always made it her priority that her entire family is always, always warm. That means that at baseball games in the heat of July, she’ll remind you to bring your jacket…and every Christmas you can count on a sweater, slippers, and my beloved slipper-socks. Dave hates them, so I take his. I put them on every day after work in the winter. Soooo cozy!

2) Soups.

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Any kind of soup really. I love to throw it in the Crockpot in the evening and also have a ton of leftovers for lunch. Chili is my favorite, but veggie soup comes in a close second.

1) Running.

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As much as I hate winter, I hate running in the summer more. I’d rather have numb legs than be drenched in sweat. Plus, running is the time when I get to experience peace. I rarely listen to my iPod because my mind has enough noise in it that I have to sort through. And to do that at night when there’s a gentle snow fall and you don’t have to worry about hydration or sunburn? Priceless. As hard is it is to get out the door, I never, EVER regret a winter run.

What’s your favorite part about winter? Do you like to run in the heat or the cold?