I've always kind of assumed the term blizzard to be an exaggeration, hyperbole. Sort of like when someone says, "It's raining cats and dogs" or "It's hot as you-know-what". But, no, there it is on the forecast for today: Blizzard.
I have been watching the forecast for weeks now with much anticipation, waiting for my first "real" snow. A blizzard was not what I had in mind, however, for my initiation into the Arctic.
In true Southern fashion, we are preparing with a mindset that is just about right at Panic. We got ready for church but then decided to opt out this week so Mark could hit some of the stores for things we might need to keep alive for the next couple of days. Of course, we don't need food since this is the day after our Christmas feast, but we do need gas for a snowblower our landlord left for us to use. Of course, we do not know how to use it, but I'm sure my handy dandy husband will figure it out. We also need firewood in the event the worst occurs.
The Worst, a power outage, was certainly not in my picture of how the first real storm would play out. The way I imagined it, I would be inside a warm house, a cup of hot tea in hand, watching from the window as the children merrily played out in the soft, gentle snow. I hadn't really thought about the possibility of sitting in a dark, freezing cold house. Because this is the North, right? They know how to deal with this stuff without all of the problems, right? Maybe not, at least according to the local news.
And did I mention my parents are here visiting from Georgia? I have to keep them warm too.
My children do not share my anxieties over this pending white doom. When I told them a blizzard was forecasted for the day, they cheered. I think they have been a little misguided too, however: Somehow I think that their ideas for the first "real" snow may not have included hurricane force winds accompanying the flakes.
So if you don't hear from me, I'm either huddled around a fire trying to stay warm. Or I'm dead. If we do survive our first blizzard, I'm sure there will be lots of pictures to follow of the kids playing in our expected 10-20" of snow. After the wind has died down, of course.
10 comments:
I'm jealous! Seriously! Living in NH, we got used to BIG snowfalls with blizzard conditions!! But I do have to say, and agree with you, that it's only fun if your power doesn't go out! I'll be praying for a FUN blizzard for your first one!! :-)
And I love your blog! I haven't been for quite awhile...sorry! I'll be back more regularly!!
Um. Wow. Good luck!
I just know you'll love this:
I remember stories of my parents in Grand Forks, ND where my Dad stationed. One that sticks out was the taking down and chopping up of the wooden basement door for fire wood.
You're welcome for that survival tip. =/
Good luck on your first blizzard. We live in Wisconsin, so we're used to snowstorms and we've already had our first blizzard of the year. I think they'd be pretty fun, except that the pressure changes give me a migraine. We've been fortunate to never lose power, but it does take my husband a couple of hours sometimes to get all the snow moved - even with a snowblower. Good luck! Enjoy!!
Will be praying for that gentle snow storm you have envisioned.
Too bad you can't fly south for the winter and back north for the winter. Wait a minute, you do have a home in the south and one in the north -- it just might work. :-)
I'm from the Buffalo area so I'm quite used to blizzards. Just remember to try to keep warm if the electricity goes out. You may want to think of investing in a generator. Its nice to have it you lose power for a couple of days or longer.
Hope that you get to enjoy some of the beauty of the white stuff.
I'm jealous because I miss it alot!! Especially this time of year!
I am so jealous! Growing up in WI I would have cheered at the word "blizzard" as well. But, this is my first time in another state and not a flake is in sight!! Enjoy that blizzard, if you can :)
Are you in a blizzard? Well...
If the snow isn’t falling horizontally, you’re not in a blizzard.
If the snow doesn’t hurt when it hits you in the face, you’re not in a blizzard.
If you can see your neighbor’s house from your house, you’re not in a blizzard.
If you walk through the snow and your boots don’t come off, you’re not in a blizzard.
If you can see your dog’s head above the snow, you’re not in a blizzard.
If you can open and close your storm door normally, you’re not in a blizzard.
If you can drive and you don't have to look at the road in front of you through the passenger window, you're not in a blizzard.
Good luck!
So, did you stock up on bread, milk, eggs, and toilet paper? Like I read somewhere, it's like we expect something to go horribly wrong with French toast. ;)
Seriously, hope you weather the weather just fine, and that you actually enjoy at least some of it! Can't wait to see your pics!
Mercy. I thought our 4-5 inches was bad. ;) Hope you survive that first blizzard! ;)
Crossview ~ I'm almost curious enough to see what our landlord would say about the missing basement door to toss it on the fire.
Arby ~ During the blizzard, yes, the snow was horizontal. I do not know if it hurt my face because I was sensible enough not to go out in it! :)
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