Wed 08/27/2008 1:03 PM

portable blanket for travelers and wimpy gimps

Remember how I mentioned that I'm always cold, but if I turn up the thermostat even one degree, I get hot? Not to mention how annoying it must be to others that I'm constantly changing the temperature on them. Well, I think I may have found the solution!

An airline pilot who noticed that his passengers were always struggling to stay warm under too-small airline blankets (which are also reused over and over again and filthy with germs) designed an ultra-portable blanket that is specially contoured to wrap around your whole body. It even has a pocket for your feet to keep them from poking out the bottom, and comes with a germ-free inflatable pillow. It's called the Cabin Cuddler.

I'd love to have two of these things, one for work and one for home. At work I'd keep it draped over my chair so I could just wrap it around myself when I get chilled. And at home, instead of having to have Chris cover me up when we're watching TV, and then having the dogs constantly pulling the blanket off as they walk over me, I could just keep a Cabin Cuddler laid out on my spot on the couch, and pull it around myself. The only thing I can't quite tell from the pictures is whether there are hand pockets, which I would need in order to pull the "wings" of the blanket around my upper body. But if not, I'm sure I could get my mother-in-law to sew some ribbon loops or something like that on there... something I could hook my fingers into.

Christmas shopping season is upon us (at least this is the time I start, but maybe I'm a freak), and if you know someone who travels a lot or just is always cold, this might be the perfect gift! (hint, hint)