I’ve heard the saying “You know you live in Iowa if you use your home’s heater and air conditioner in the same day”. That statement couldn’t be more true. With that being said, dress in layers. Every building in Iowa (and most of the world in my opinion) is a different temperature. It is hard to concentrate on work or enjoy a date if your teeth are chattering from the cold. It is also quite unenjoyable to sit with your arms pinned at your sides for most of the day because even though you put on plenty of deoderant you are so warm that you have swampy pits the size of Texas.
General rules of thumb regarding temperature:
– Movie Theater – Cold..I think they do this on purpose.
– Restaurant (minus Hibachi) — Cold to guests but HOT to the servers who are running around in a million directions. I know this because I was one once and whenever guests would complain of the cold I would try not to look at them like they were crazy.
– Car in Winter — Cold..Even with remote start these things are chilly.
– Grocery Store –Cold..The frozen food aisle often feels it is necessary to refrigerate the entire store.
– Concerts — Hot once everyone arrives
– State Fair – Forget layers everyone is sweating like pigs which actually don’t sweat. You figure it out.
– Car in Summer = Sauna
– School Buildings — Changes every 5 minutes–seriously wear layers.
When layering your clothes think of where you will be. MOST of the time a hoooded sweatshirt over a t-shirt or a light jacket will fit the bill. However if you are somewhere fancy please make sure you are wearing a nice sweater or a wrap. When I do manage to substitute teach I always wear a nice jacket, a pretty long sleeved item, and then either stow away in purse a short sleeved shirt or manage to layer that on too.
When you are older and start snowboarding you will see the ultimate challenge in layering. Currently I go for long sleeved thermal shirt, t-shirt over that, sweatshirt/hoodie over that, followed by coat. Many time I end up all the way down to the thermal/t-shirt combo before it is all said and done.
Be prepared for changing temperatures. Leave a back up coat/jacket in your car. Learn to layer so you don’t fall victim to uncontrolled human thermostat.
ONE last note. Sometimes it is also a good idea to wear layers on your heart. In everything you do you should use your heart and not be afraid to show it. That doesn’t mean however that you need to let everyone you meet close enough to you to crush you. Use your heart, express it, but also protect it. I know that is kind of an abstract thought and maybe some time I will go into more detail but for now I’ll let you interpret it on your own.
(I apologize for my absence sweet daughter, I have been thinking of you every day as you know since I am with you each one–life has just been busy)
Cause Mom Says So 
Great advice! Especially the part about protecting your heart.
I know this is late but thank you so much for your comment 🙂
Jess, this was awesome. You nailed all those locations dead-on! MLB and I have to dress like this even out here in California and we still have the exact same location issues. Great post.