<p>As far as clothes are concerned, just keep repeating: “Fleece is my friend; fleece is my friend; fleece is my friend . . .”</p>
<p>(Oh, and we’re just back from Rutland - high 50’s all weekend.)</p>
<p>Chedva, what do you think of Rutland? Daughter visited University of vermont and found it not for her, but really liked a bunch of things about Castleton. Obviously, it’s not the garden spot of the universe, but is it really awful? It seemed perfectly fine when we visited. Totally different and exotic when compared to home.</p>
<p>Mini-we’re you at Dartmouth?</p>
<p>Personally, I love Rutland. My family lives right near the center of town (walking distance), in an area that in Massachusetts would pass for a nice suburb. True, it is not as sophisticated as Burlington, and it does have a depressed area, but there are movies and occasional theater around, lots of skiing (both cross country and downhill) close by, there’s a skating rink. It’ll seem very small to someone from NY - I grew up in NJ near NY and was there a lot as a teen - but I didn’t see any of the problems previously referred to. We’re there at least 3 times a year, and have always loved the friendly people. We don’t even lock the car all the time. With good boots, a warm jacket (Thinsulate is a great, thin insulator so she doesn’t have to look like the Michelin Man), warm gloves and lots of fleece, she should be fine. </p>
<p>Also, if she’s looking for warm underwear, which may be advisable, don’t buy all cotton. Look for the (more expensive) hi-tech underwear that breathes and wicks - it’s thinner and keeps the wearer warmer.</p>
<p>Thank you. She has tons of Under Armour and other such stuff because she distance runs all year round. She has decided that if she does go to Vermont she plans to buy a pink ski suit. I think that would be cute as buttons. I tease about her being “Coach bag girl,” but she’s totally not materialistic – she wears a uniform and her bags are her way of standing out. also her pens. This week the pen is a 12 inch tall flamingo in a Santa hat with a bell on top. Last week it was the same flamingo with a turkey suit. When it’s not the holiday season, she generally writes with pens that have light-up snowglobes containing the Pooh characters.</p>
<p>Anyhoo, she felt a real fit at Castleton for a whole lot of reasons, not the least of which is that she is an incredibly gentle girl who would fit best in a small, kind environment. She also completely lacks any competitive spirit, so the small, kind school is best for her.</p>
<p>“Mini-we’re you at Dartmouth?”</p>
<p>Nope. I’m an “Ephman”, where the college mascots are purple cows because they freeze to death every winter. (Williams)</p>
<p>ZOOSERMOM - I have NO hesitation sending my own gal to CSC - having lived in the area - and still many connections in the area - and as an alum of CSC - I would feel very comfortable having her in a comfy fit school like that:)</p>
<p>Make sure to let us know where she ends up :)</p>
<p>ok, so it’s unusual…the record for today was 61 so we’ve passed that.</p>
<p>The skiing stinks, however! :)</p>
<p>Watch out though, tomorrow the lion arrives!</p>