26F in Chicago this morning.... brrrr!

You know you've been through a Chicago winter if...

-you know someone who's done a Polar Bear plunge at North Avenue Beach, or you've done one
-you can recall a time when the temperature dropped 30 degrees in 24 hours
-you've ever planned your Halloween costume to fit over your winter coat
-your commute improves in winter because the potholes are all filled up with snow
-you think 35 degrees is perfect weather to wash your car
-you've ever used lawn chairs to protect your freshly shoveled parking space
-you ever listened to school closing lists with your fingers crossed
-you know what lake effect is