Winter's Edge

Though we didn't have the predicted more than six inches on Wednesday, it was still slick and nasty outside. This bad weather led Matt to cancel our lunch plans and I was offered the chance to take some vacation. Obviously, I took the vacation.

This weather forces me to realize tmany angles to it, but it seems the corner where my patio lies gets slammed with snow, wind, and debris. If you've ever wondered what 40 mph winds can do with snow, check out the pic. It looked like someone had taken a paint gun to my back door. Of course, Bartle had to be in the pic!

For those who may not have heard, Bartle is the man of the house. The house which will legally belong to me in less than five days. Thank you to everyone for their compassion and love, and for the hours of listening to me as I make my way through this situation.

And don't believe I'll be sitting around lonely. Plans for the weekend include a night out with Becky and Mandy, possibility of seeing the Veronica Mars movie, a Skype call with Cheryl, and the annual St. Patty's Day ritual with the gals. This of course is all contingent on my antibiotics kicking in.

I've also been listening to a lot of music the past few weeks. Part of this is due to the fact that there was a disagreement over who owned which CDs so I'm backing up my music collection. Lots of Pearl Jam, Stone Temple Pilots, Godsmack, Soundgarden, and Foo Fighters are being played. Katy Perry, Maroon 5 (who I used to find annoying), Imagine Dragons, and John Newman's Love Me Again is getting a lot of play on my Pandora account. Then there is my obsessive playing of Elky Summers (gals, Hello, How Are You Doing rips at me every time), Dave Matthews Band, and someone's recommendation of Van Morrison's Moondance.

It's been a wild month and promises to get crazier! But only in the best of ways.

2014 So Far

Mel, Becky, Mandy & Erin @ NYE

The New Year began with the gals and hubbies at an Elky Summers' performance. Erin's hubby remarked on the fact that the last time we went out for New Years, it was three years ago at the same venue for an Elky show, though Erin commented that there would not be a burlesque performance this time. The gals took this as an indication that 2014 would be a good year since we were beginning it together. This New Years Eve, we were joined by Mandy, who helped us close the bar down. Elky once again gave an outstandingly wild performance. And I showed my support by purchasing one of their newly recorded LPs which included a code to download the songs as well. It was a sweet deal!

1st 2014 pic of James and Mel

Hubby and I spent the New Year removing the holiday decorations and enjoying our annual HIMYM viewing marathon. During the holiday season, I have a tradition of watching It's a Wonderful Life on Christmas Eve, followed by While You Were Sleeping and Sleepless in Seattle on Christmas Day. Though James abandons me to watch these alone because he deems it inhumane torture to remain in the room, I have my reasons for this tradition. This year was the first time that I did not watch these movies. In a compromise with James over the holiday week, we watched the final four Harry Potter movies instead.

Bartle playing in the snow

This winter has been the snowiest and coldest winter we've experienced since moving up north, so it was shocking to suddenly find ourselves with 8-12 more inches of blowing snow while enduring multiple subzero days. When the high for the day is -16 then add in the wind chill, it equals freezing. The snow was pretty to watch though as it began to pile up, I became concerned about Bartle. As much as he loves playing in the snow, both of his back knees pop out of joint in cold weather and he becomes immobilized until the joint slips back into place. (No, I can't manage to do it myself.) I've had to carry him a few times already this winter. This made me a bit worried about him getting stuck while playing in a snowbank because it might terrify him. So before the snow became too deep, we spent Sunday afternoon playing outside. It is moments like this when Bartle acts like such a pup that make me smile. He was jumping and diving into the snow and though it was torture cleaning him afterwards, he is so worth it.

Snowy week

Because of the amounts of snow and subzero temps, we had three snow days from work. For my FL pals, this is not like a hurricane day. We don't remain huddled inside because there is work to be done during that time. So in subzero temps, I began the process of shoveling my driveway. After a few straining muscles, I decided the drive didn't really need clearing, just remove enough to get my car out. I always forget how wide and long my driveway is until I'm clearing it. When you add in the fact that it took two levels of snow for me to reach the ground and then I had to wade through the snow to dump the shovel in the yard, after 45 minutes, I had only cleared around my garage door. While taking a break, I was pleasantly surprised as my neighbor came over with his snow blower and cleared my driveway.

A major disappointment with the snow storm was that no one got to see my dramatic change. I have been itching for months to do something different with my hair. Say goodbye to the straight blondish length in the NYE pics. I have a much shorter, darker, and more natural (i.e. wavy-curl) hairstyle. It always amazes me whenever I go shorter that the most frequent comment I receive is that I look years younger but I'll take the compliment. And I know, I'm such a tease to comment on the hair and not provide a pic, but I truly hate selfies.

Snow Day

The Snow Day of 2013 was fun for me as a new homeowner!

Seeing this when I got home, I realized B and I would not be taking an evening stroll through the backyard. As it continued, I kept wondering how much higher the snow would rise before it reached the office window. The circular item towards the mid-right is one of my large plant holders.

During the snow storm

The circular plant holder to the mid-right is almost buried at this time.

The next day

This was after a day of melting. I still did not have access to my back door.

As it melted

A Rainy Sick Day

Day 8, Friday

6:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. Ugh, waking this morning was rather difficult. I was quite dizzy and my tummy was upset, which I recognized as my neurological system shutting my other systems down. This was how I felt last summer, as if I had the flu because my organs were not absorbing nutrients correctly. Got ready for work, walked Bartle and cleaned his wound. Got to work 20 minutes early so I could scan some microfilm for my lecture. Unfortunately my tummy had other plans and I spent the next 30 minutes wretchedly sick. Dawne recommended I go home but we had two groups and the Irish seminar. I promised to head home if I continued to feel bad and as long as our other colleague came in. I didn't want to leave Dawne alone.

9:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. I managed to push through my shift and had some interesting questions, including a reporter writing an article on the upcoming anniversary of the Titanic disaster. I have a sick fascination with disaster stories and Titanic is one of those that has held my interest since childhood. Had lunch with Becky though I only managed a few bites.

3:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Headed home in the rain, which hadn't let up all day, and picked up hubby so we could grocery shop. As we were leaving the store, monsoon season began. I had an umbrella but it did not help. Both of us were soaked all the way through and when we got home, we had to dry out our groceries as well. Hopped in the shower in order to warm up because with the rain came cooler weather and I was freezing. At this point, I felt completely wiped out and told hubby I needed to take a lengthy nap. When I woke, I discovered hubby had taken care of Bartle, so I could relax for the evening.

7:00 p.m. - 10:30 p.m. I hadn't realized how much I needed someone else to take care of things for a few hours so I could rest. I felt amazingly better during the evening, though my tummy was still a little upset. Hubby made dinner and I read for a bit while we listened to our upstairs neighbors scream, yell, and make other obnoxious sounds. At one point, hubby asked if I wanted to call the police because he thought the girl was getting beaten up. I told him they had been watching March Madness and shouting at the t.v. all week. And Indiana was playing tonight. Hubby groused about this for a bit until I reminded him that I will pay them back in the fall when college football returns. We watched an episode of Supernatural, while I squealed because one of my favorite characters, Cass, returned. Walked Bartle and cleaned his wound before heading off to bed.

It's the Weather, Baby!

The weather has been a bit crazy around here. 80s then 60s then 70s then 60s. Rainstorms, hail storms, tornadoes, and crazy wind. When I look out the window in Indiana, it should not remind me of hurricane days in Florida. The weather craziness continues this weekend. The rain is supposed to finally go away, but the temperatures are going to go wonky. Yes, wonky! Mid 60s today, mid 70s tomorrow, mid 80s Saturday, ending in the 90s on Sunday. 90s in May in Indiana? What? Such drastic changes over a four day span. Wonky weather! What am I going to do all weekend without my weather guru? For those who don't know, that would be Kay, who tells me whether I require an umbrella on my lunch break.

On another note, the end of the month is arriving soon and I'm curious how our writing group is doing on our individual projects. This is only the mid-point since we decided to work on two month projects this time.

I Understand

I'm always "joking" with Michelle that she should move up here. I give her many reasons, such as shopping for cool clothes, including boots, lots of good looking guys, hanging out with me and the gals, having a workout buddy, and of course, she can spend time with me! All of these tempt her, but she has an irrational fear of snow. As a Florida gal, I understand. I was initially hesitant at the idea of moving into the winter wonderland. My first year I had to ask all kinds of crazy questions from what to do when your car skids to how to tie a scarf. That is why you have friends, so they can explain it all to you. But I recognize, that Michelle will never move up here for three main reasons:



Having to clear/ dig snow off her car.



Having to break ice that has connected her car to the pavement.



And having to walk between heaping mounds of snow to exit a parking lot.

It's been an interesting winter.

Weather Outside is Frightful

We were under a 24 hour Level One Emergency thanks to that Blizzard Warning. Listening to my colleagues and shopping for essentials reminded me of the 'Ole Hurricane Days in Florida. I was ready for someone to get on the bullhorn and announce, Let the frenzy begin. Of course, when we lost electricity in Florida, I never had to worry about freezing, so I bunked down with my hellish cold and the animals. Listening to the 50 mph wind pelt the windows and doors with snow was a bit terrifying, especially when I stepped outside and saw my door looked paint speckled with snow. I can usually see eight stacked boards outside my window. This is my measuring device. By Wednesday morning, only 5.5 boards were showing. I honestly don't know what that equals in terms of legitimate quantities, but we'll say, it was a lot of snow.


Bartle obviously enjoyed this break in the weather on Wednesday. You can't tell, but he's walking on the portion of the sidewalk that was cleared. A huge mound is sitting off to the side.


Here was another example of the cleared sidewalk before more came down. It was not a joy to crack through the iced over snow on my car this morning or dig the snow out from my tires since I couldn't back up. Did I mention the cold/ ailment I have?

Spring?

On St Patrick's Day it was 70 degrees. My hubby and I enjoyed a slightly nippy walk on the trails around our house on Saturday. This morning, I woke up to this picture outside. It's blurry because the snow was blowing directly at me. I should have known. It snowed last April, but this year we've had less snow, so I presumed we were moving on to spring. Apparently mother nature has other ideas because it will snow the next 2 days. Too bad its slushy snow otherwise I would go out and play with the dog.

Some may question why the snowqueen would be upset about snow. Spring is my least favorite time of the year because of all the rain. I prefer the snow to the rain. I have an irrational fear of flying in ice and snow. Since I am flying out in a week and a half now, I would really appreciate it if the weather returned to spring like conditions.

Weather Phenom

Growing up in Florida, I have survived mother-nature's wrath with lightning storms, tornadoes, hurricanes, and brush fires. I always felt safe in my environment. Living in the mid-West, I am now having to learn how to adapt to other forms of severe weather, such as blizzards, ice storms, and sub-zero temperatures.

On Sunday, I had another new experience. For the first time, I did not feel safe in my surroundings. My hubby and I were out walking the dog when the sirens began. We watched the storm clouds moving in, but it was still dry outside. As we stood there listening to the sirens, I knew what they were, but my hubby did not. Several neighbors came out and were looking at the sky. Someone else asked, "what is that?" Another person explained it was the tornado siren. We all continued standing outside.

I know this may not sound smart to others, but I explained it to my hubby why I remained outside until the rain and hail began. We live in a wood structure. The building violently shakes during a thunderstorm. You can hear wind rushing through the vents in our bathroom (the only interior room). With the idea of shoddy construction around me, I had no belief in my safety inside my dwelling.

It was the first time in my life that I truly felt unsafe. Obviously, I would go into my interior room and hope for the best. Apparently, a tornado was spotted a little south of us, so we managed to avoid this crisis. It really makes me debate the whole having a house with a basement theory.

Funny, I was safer during the three hurricane season when Hurricane Charley tore sections off the roof or when Hurricane Elena left water rushing through our front yard.

A Little Bit Chilly

What happened to my lovely fall weather? It went away so quickly this year. The high today is in the 40s and we should expect rain/ snow showers. Too early! I was enjoying leaving my windows open, but now I have the heater on.

We attended Fright Night this year (recommend it for next year). We decided on the walking tour. In 40 degree weather that may not have been the smartest idea. Certain body parts went numb on our walk.

Another way I know it is getting wintery...my cat. She hates the cold. She keeps going to the fireplace and putting her paw against the glass. She gives me the look like mom this was on last year, turn it on. She naps on top of the clothes dryer while its running. She refuses to sit on our leather couch unless she is sitting on one of us or we place a blanket down for her. My favorite is her burrowing under the covers.

Someone (Delia) left me a Let it Snow snowman on my desk. I think winter is arriving early this year.

Spring is in the Air

Part of the reason for me moving away from Florida was so I could experience seasons. Living in Florida my whole life, I had heard of seasons, but never truly experienced it. Sure it got cold down south, we had 1 week of maybe 40 degree weather then back into the 70s, 80s, and those horrendous 90s. We started to see 90 degrees somewhere in April and it would continue through October. Too many months of sweltering heat!

I arrived up north in the fall last year and fell in love. The cooler weather, the fall colors, the leaves falling. It was a wonderful experience. Then I discovered winter. I know I'm crazy, but I love the winter. The beauty of the snow falling is breathtaking. Playing in the snow was a new experience for me as well. I won't deny I hate icy rain, but I have adapted to the cold. Of course, I wear 5 layers of clothes during the winter.

I first noticed the transition into spring in April. It was astonishing to wake up one morning and discover color outside after so many months of bleakness. Don't get me wrong, I loved the bleakness, but the bright splash of color was instant. The grass was brightly green and flowers were blooming. It was beautiful. I have thoroughly enjoyed the fact that it is May and it is still cool outside. I like not being in sweltering heat and enjoying a cool breeze.

So I have adapted to the seasons this year. It has been wonderful discovering them in all their glory. Spring is beautiful, but it does reek havoc on my allergies. I am preparing for the summer. This year it won't be as oppressive since I'll have an end in sight. This year I may enjoy the summer knowing fall will follow soon enough.

Weather

Since I'm new to the cold, everyone has been asking how I'm enjoying the weather. When I say I'm loving it, I get some mixed reactions. People scoff at me or appear stunned at my answer. I have been told I'm crazy. I've been asked if I'm serious or what's wrong with me.

I find it funny! The best way I can describe it is I have never experienced seasons before. I'm excited to have changes in the weather. Coming from Florida, the forecast was always hot and humid, except for the 2 weeks of winter and hurricanes. When we moved up here, it was beyond hot in Florida and the air pressed down on you. When we arrived, there was a heat wave and record highs of 93. We had an easier move. Sure it was hot, but the air was not heavy.

According to the weather men, it is never warmer than 97 in Florida. They'll never admit with the heat and humidity index, the feels like can be over 100. Since being up north, I have seen weather reports of 5 with wind chill of -25. The words BRRRR on the weather map to represent the cold. One weather man had written high for tomorrow, Ridiculously Cold. I enjoy the honesty.

So, I'll continue enjoying my snow and the cold weather. Then I'll enjoy the spring, 3 months of summer, and the fall. For me, it beats 11 months of summer heat.