It’s been a lot of wait and see this weekend, watching the progression of the storm. We got some ice and snow overnight, but it’s been quiet all day. According to the news, we’re supposed to get the worst of it in the next 4-6 hours. It’s starting to come down pretty heavy right now, the icy mix adding to what’s already on the ground.
It’s been odd to live in limbo over this weekend, not being able to get out and do things or start projects because we don’t know what the weather will be like or if we’ll lose power at any moment.
If you’ve been around a while, you may remember me reminiscing about bringing Nathan home as a newborn to this very house, and then just two days later, losing power for nine days. (Hurricane Hugo.) I was so thankful to Ken and Vernie for their hospitality and patience during that time. My hope is that history will not repeat itself. I don’t want to be without power for nine days, and I definitely do not want a newborn!
We’ve done all the prep we can think of to do; in addition to getting the generator up and running (Steve’s job), we have also charged every single gadget that has ever existed in our house.
Of course, we have to keep Tinker and Belle comfy as well. I even bought hot water bottles to keep their little tummies warm. I was afraid they would balk at going outside to do their business, but Steve took them out this morning, and they didn’t even hesitate. Tough little Yorkies!
Yesterday, Steve and I were talking about the fact that dogs sense when something big is happening–whether in the household or with the weather. To illustrate, I took Belle outside at 3 a.m. Saturday morning, before the storm had even started. It was cold, and I was in my pjs and slippers, ready for her to do her business and sprint back inside, like she usually does.
Instead, she quickly went bathroom and then stood completely still in the middle of the yard, looking pensive and thoughtful. (If, indeed, a scatter-brained Yorkie can look thoughtful.) She looked up at me for at least two minutes and didn’t move a muscle, almost as though she was concentrating fiercely on the changes in the air. Who knows what animals feel and sense?
Part of our prep yesterday included finding warm clothing. Steve spent some time rummaging around in the basement and managed to find the ski clothes. Here is the text I got from him while I was out picking up a prescription.
(Ha. I kid.)
I thought my winter boots made a nice display on the holder in the living room.
We still have Steve’s tools from his front porch project in the living room, so that adds to the general merriment.
Nathan and Meagan got more snow than we did, so the kids had a grand time.
Even in the midst of all the prep and hustle and bustle, I managed to snatch two lovely photos.
Since we might be using our fireplace, Steve moved the metal bandmembers up to the mantle. I loved the silhouette.
The second photo is when I glanced out at our resident angel, and saw that she didn’t seem at all concerned about the snow, the power outages, or the icy roads.
Oh, to be able to find her serenity in the storm.
It’s good to have that promise in every storm of life.
What about you?Hope you all are doing well and staying warm.Let us know in the comments how your weekend has been.
In eastern Nebraska. Bitter cold. It hasn’t gotten above 8 degrees all day. Wind chill in the negative 20’s. Brrrrrrrr!!!! We have about 2″ of snow on the ground. Watching the Broncos play football. Did go to church and then to lunch today. Now it’s time to snuggle in. Hope you all don’t lose power!!
LeeAnne,
Cold and snowy is the best kind of day for snuggling and napping.
Prayers that you don’t loose power and can enjoy the peace and beauty that snow can bring.
We have had a very cold and snowy week. Thankfully we did not have to go anywhere. It let up some on Saturday so we ran to the market and picked up some supplies. Was wondering if church would cancel, but we braved it and had pretty much the normal crowd. Lowest temp of the week was minus 11 that we saw, may have been colder at night. Thankfully no power outages and we don’t have to go out until Friday!
Patti,
Love hearing you had your normal church crowd in the middle of a cold and snowy week.
I’m glad you got to stay in most of the rest of the week; so cozy to be inside when it’s cold and snowy out!
We are about two hours from you and we didn’t get much more than you all did. It is extremely cold… 27… and supposed to get down to -1 tonight and tomorrow night. I worry about the heat pump. I attached a huge golf umbrella to it yesterday on the side that the icy weather was blowing in from…part of the pump is under our back porch… and I tied it down tight because it is windy here today. It has worked but boy that heat pump has run and run and run. I dread for everyone to see their power bills next time. I saw too that they are expecting another storm here on Friday!!! ARGH!! I will keep everything at ready just in case. I am a winter person but that does not include ice and temps like Alaska gets. I love snow but not ice.
I was really worrying about the power going out. We lost power for three days last year and lost all the food in our fridge and freezer. A lot! I don’t care to relive that.
Y’all stay warm and safe. The roads are a mess here but supposed to get to 36 tomorrow so hopefully a lot of it will go away!!!
Kaye,
How creative to attach a gold umbrella to your heat pump. This weather makes those units work so hard!
Yes, they are definitely calling for some snow for us this weekend; as long as I don’t have to leave the house, I will be so excited to watch it come down.
Just wrote in your last posting about the temps here – below freezing and thankful for a warm house and my heating blanket. Watching the Bronco’s game and it started out nice but then into the game, you really had to look to see the game because of the snow – love those kind of games. No snow in the Seattle game. As I have said to many this week – stay warm!!!
Sharyn,
Isn’t a heating blanket wonderful? We have a heated mattress pad on our bed and I adore it.
I can’t imagine playing football in the snow. Actually, I can’t imagine playing football at all but . . . . 🙂
I hope you don’t get much ice and your power stays on. Ice is way worse than snow. So far here a little north of Syracuse we got a few inches of snow, they are predicting 10- 18 inches, including the lake effect off Lake Ontario. A lot , but for us in the “snow belt” it’s not that unusual. The main issue is the cold. -13 yesterday morning. Getting alot of organizing and cleaning around the house done.might as well look at the bright side I guess.
Michele,
Well, now when spring your comes, your house will be all organized and you can go out and enjoy all that warm weather knowing you’ve put in the hard cleaning work.
I can’t imagine 18 inches of snow. I suppose we might have gotten that in WI growing up but seeing that as an adult would be unreal. You guys are tough up there!
Saying prayers you are safe and warm through this weather. It’s been bitter cold here in north Iowa. -40 wind chill. Plenty of snow (6 inches) on the ground. Supposed to get in the single digits next week. Patiently waiting for spring to arrive. Karen
Karen,
My sister was telling me they were also at 40 below last week. I shivered just hearing about it.
Patiently waiting with you.
Here in the Dallas suburbs we’ve been hunkered down staying warm. Our storm started with cold rain Friday evening, dropping below freezing aound midnight. Saturday we had mostly sleet with a little (very little) snow. Highs have been in the 20’s and lows in the teens. At 5:00 pm we’re at 21 and feels like 9. They’ve already cancelled school Monday & Tuesday because temps aren’t supposed to be above freezing until noon Tuesday. Thankfully, our power has stayed on, so I’ve cuddled undle a blanket reading, surfing the net and watching TV and plan to continue so the next two days. I hope your power stays on and that everyone stays safe and WARM!
SueEllen,
Sounds like you’ve had a lovely little snow vacation, staying warm and snug and doing all those wonderful relaxing things.
So thankful we didn’t lose our power; I know so many other people did, and my heart goes out to them.
Spring is around the corner!
Sending prayers to you and to everyone in the path of this winter storm.
Lisa–thank you!