I cannot wait for Spring to get here. I am so over this Winter thing. I am constantly cold and often wet up to my ankles. At our house, we have electric heat. Even with it turned down to 55 degrees, we have electric bills above $200. We really can't/won't afford to have higher heating bills, so we freeze there. At school, the building is generally kept at about 65 degrees. It's warmer than at home, but still so very cold.
Please, please, please come quick Spring!
Showing posts with label Winter. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Winter. Show all posts
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Winter Preparedness
It's just now starting to get cold here. We haven't yet turned on our heat, but I know it won't be too long until we do. I know that last year we turned it on sometime after Veteran's Day. This year, we're going to hold out as long as possible. Winter gets me in a preparedness mood, so as the cold sets in, my thoughts turn to prepping.
Where I live, the biggest emergencies that happen are winter storms. We get ice storms and snow storms that can leave people stranded for days or weeks. To make it even better, people here don't know how to drive in snow, and so they tend to get stranded pretty often. To that point, a couple thoughts on winter needs.
In the Home - Everyday
Blankets are indispensable commodities at home during the cold season. I don't believe I've ever been able to let myself get rid of a blanket. Even right now, we're using spare blankets to keep the cats out from under our bed. We keep a blanket permanently on the couch to prevent the desire to turn up the heat. It's kind of like drinking a glass of water when getting hunger pangs. If you put on the blanket and you're still cold 20 minutes later, then you can do something more about it. The next step is preferably adding more clothing, but heat can be adjusted as well.
We tend to close off unused rooms in the winter. Our basement door is closed, but we don't seal it off because our turtles, food, and laundry is down there. Our office, though, does not get much use. Starting in December, we close it off and put a draft dodger in front of the door. Draft dodgers come in all shapes and sizes. We tend to use an old towel, but I intend on making my own dodger by stitching a drawstring back with scraps and rags in it. Both work equally well. Since we have electric, baseboard heat, we close off rooms with heaters so that we're not heating a hallway. This keeps the power usage to a minimum. We even put foam covers inside of our electrical sockets to make sure that air could not enter that way.
Exterior pipes should be turned off and drained before the cold sets in. On days when the temperature is above 40 degrees F, windows can be caulked and weatherstripping can be applied. If snow is likely in your area, make sure that you have a working snow shovel, ice scrapers, and some salt in your house. When we got snow last year, our shovel was in our shed at the back of our yard. Fat lot of good that did out there. Shovels and snow blowers went for a premium and sold out almost immediately when we got hit by the blizzard last year.
In the Home - Emergencies
If the power goes out for long periods of time, as tends to happen around here, there are things that can be done to keep heat in. Blankets can be used to keep heat in one room by hanging them across doorways. One can either set up a tent for the family to sleep in, or bring mattresses into one room to help consolidate warmth. Be wary of creating your own heat sources in your house. Houses burn down and people get poisoned from improperly used heat sources. For those with gas stoves in their kitchens, the stove could be used to heat up a small area while preparing meals.
Every time there's a snow warning out here, Safeway floods with people and runs out of stock of major items. Most mainstream stores use a just-in-time inventory strategy so that they only order as much as they think they'll sell before another truck comes in . This is good for product rotation, bad for emergencies. To combat this problem, we keep major necessities stocked. Your necessities depend on your family, but toilet paper, road salt, and water are always big ones. We make sure to always have cat food and litter, crackers, soup, cereals, and long term storage (grains). Other pantry items vary, but those are staples for us.
In the Car - Every Day
Every day, summer or winter, I have a car kit. My kit is in two crates - one for automotive needs, and one for human needs. In my automotive needs crate, I have shop towels, antifreeze, windshield washer fluid, oil, car fluids, a turkey baster, a siphon, jumper cables, a jack, a lug wrench, and a 1 gallon gas tank (empty). In my human needs crate, I have a change of clothes top to bottom, gloves, a hat, water bottles, granola bars, pen and paper, a pocket knife, an emergency blanket or two, a few flashlights, a large bath towel and a first aid kit.
I'm actively trying to keep my gas tank at half full or above now. Not only is it is smart so that you don't run out of gas, it keeps the engine running better. Letting the gas get down to empty allows debris to collect and get stuck in the tank.
In the Car - Emergencies
I stocked my car kit so that it could be used in case of stranding or as a supplement to my work kit. By keeping the kits stocked, I have supplies at the ready. My car is a hatchback, so I don't have to worry about getting out of the car for supplies, I can just lift the lid. I keep a flashlight and a window breaker/seat belt cutter in the well next to my seat. They were Christmas presents one year, and I'm very grateful for them. In keeping them next to my seat, I can use them if I somehow get stuck in the car. I make sure that my supplies keep me warm, full, healthy, and in communication with the outside world.
Where I live, the biggest emergencies that happen are winter storms. We get ice storms and snow storms that can leave people stranded for days or weeks. To make it even better, people here don't know how to drive in snow, and so they tend to get stranded pretty often. To that point, a couple thoughts on winter needs.
In the Home - Everyday
Blankets are indispensable commodities at home during the cold season. I don't believe I've ever been able to let myself get rid of a blanket. Even right now, we're using spare blankets to keep the cats out from under our bed. We keep a blanket permanently on the couch to prevent the desire to turn up the heat. It's kind of like drinking a glass of water when getting hunger pangs. If you put on the blanket and you're still cold 20 minutes later, then you can do something more about it. The next step is preferably adding more clothing, but heat can be adjusted as well.
We tend to close off unused rooms in the winter. Our basement door is closed, but we don't seal it off because our turtles, food, and laundry is down there. Our office, though, does not get much use. Starting in December, we close it off and put a draft dodger in front of the door. Draft dodgers come in all shapes and sizes. We tend to use an old towel, but I intend on making my own dodger by stitching a drawstring back with scraps and rags in it. Both work equally well. Since we have electric, baseboard heat, we close off rooms with heaters so that we're not heating a hallway. This keeps the power usage to a minimum. We even put foam covers inside of our electrical sockets to make sure that air could not enter that way.
Exterior pipes should be turned off and drained before the cold sets in. On days when the temperature is above 40 degrees F, windows can be caulked and weatherstripping can be applied. If snow is likely in your area, make sure that you have a working snow shovel, ice scrapers, and some salt in your house. When we got snow last year, our shovel was in our shed at the back of our yard. Fat lot of good that did out there. Shovels and snow blowers went for a premium and sold out almost immediately when we got hit by the blizzard last year.
In the Home - Emergencies
If the power goes out for long periods of time, as tends to happen around here, there are things that can be done to keep heat in. Blankets can be used to keep heat in one room by hanging them across doorways. One can either set up a tent for the family to sleep in, or bring mattresses into one room to help consolidate warmth. Be wary of creating your own heat sources in your house. Houses burn down and people get poisoned from improperly used heat sources. For those with gas stoves in their kitchens, the stove could be used to heat up a small area while preparing meals.
Every time there's a snow warning out here, Safeway floods with people and runs out of stock of major items. Most mainstream stores use a just-in-time inventory strategy so that they only order as much as they think they'll sell before another truck comes in . This is good for product rotation, bad for emergencies. To combat this problem, we keep major necessities stocked. Your necessities depend on your family, but toilet paper, road salt, and water are always big ones. We make sure to always have cat food and litter, crackers, soup, cereals, and long term storage (grains). Other pantry items vary, but those are staples for us.
In the Car - Every Day
Every day, summer or winter, I have a car kit. My kit is in two crates - one for automotive needs, and one for human needs. In my automotive needs crate, I have shop towels, antifreeze, windshield washer fluid, oil, car fluids, a turkey baster, a siphon, jumper cables, a jack, a lug wrench, and a 1 gallon gas tank (empty). In my human needs crate, I have a change of clothes top to bottom, gloves, a hat, water bottles, granola bars, pen and paper, a pocket knife, an emergency blanket or two, a few flashlights, a large bath towel and a first aid kit.
I'm actively trying to keep my gas tank at half full or above now. Not only is it is smart so that you don't run out of gas, it keeps the engine running better. Letting the gas get down to empty allows debris to collect and get stuck in the tank.
In the Car - Emergencies
I stocked my car kit so that it could be used in case of stranding or as a supplement to my work kit. By keeping the kits stocked, I have supplies at the ready. My car is a hatchback, so I don't have to worry about getting out of the car for supplies, I can just lift the lid. I keep a flashlight and a window breaker/seat belt cutter in the well next to my seat. They were Christmas presents one year, and I'm very grateful for them. In keeping them next to my seat, I can use them if I somehow get stuck in the car. I make sure that my supplies keep me warm, full, healthy, and in communication with the outside world.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
They're Back!
Oh, how I missed posting pictures. While my laptop is still dead, I finally got a camera cord to connect up. Enjoy the last few weeks!
Pretty Evie cat, watching the snow.
Our cars were totally covered by the blizzards. It took forever to shovel that path.
Those are normal sized trashcans. By the end of the snow, they were 100% covered.
*B* gets bored/creative with our snow mound.
The snow covered our entire first floor.
This is the snow coming in through our first floor window.
So much snow!!
Evie's hanging out! Look at how big she's getting!
I love my kitty!
My mom's kitten, Shadow. Doesn't she look JUST like Wicket?
This is Wicket...I think.
One of our new birdie friends.
Another one of our new birdie friends.
My new seedlings-to-be! I'm so excited to watch them grow :o)
Pretty Evie cat, watching the snow.
Our cars were totally covered by the blizzards. It took forever to shovel that path.
Those are normal sized trashcans. By the end of the snow, they were 100% covered.
*B* gets bored/creative with our snow mound.
The snow covered our entire first floor.
This is the snow coming in through our first floor window. 
So much snow!!
Evie's hanging out! Look at how big she's getting!
I love my kitty!
My mom's kitten, Shadow. Doesn't she look JUST like Wicket?
This is Wicket...I think.
One of our new birdie friends.
Another one of our new birdie friends.
My new seedlings-to-be! I'm so excited to watch them grow :o)An Exciting Day
It is only 10:30 AM and it's been a very exciting day.
This morning, I decided to try to shovel off the deck. The top three inches or so is ice, so it took me a good 20 minutes to get a path one shovel wide out to the yard. *B* bravely trekked through the snow and ice to drop off our compost and to get me some planting soil from the shed. When I opened the back door to let him in, both our cats slipped out. I managed to get Wicket back in, but Evie ran along the edge of the house. Before we could get her, she slipped through a little hole in the deck. I was so panicked!
*B* shoveled faster than I've ever seen anyone shovel before. In about 10 minutes, he got a 6x10 square foot patch shoveled out. We managed to pry up the cellar cover, and *B* coaxed Evie out from under the deck. I was soooo scared she was lost and gone forever. We haven't gotten a chance to microchip her, so if she made it under the fence, we'd never get her back. But I had her safe inside, gave her a bath (she was a muddy little girl) and held her tight in a bath towel until she clawed me to get away. Ah, kitten love.
After the initial excitement died down, I decided to start my herbs for the spring. I have cilantro, parsley, and lavender. I used an egg carton to start the seeds, and will transplant them when they get a little bigger.
The final excitement of the day (so far) was my decision to bite the bullet and order my gamma buckets! They will be here in 1-4 days. I have been waiting for this day for so long. I'm just jumpy about ordering things online. I can't wait to re-situate my pantry!!! Between the major earthquakes, tsunami warnings, the THREE blizzards we've gotten this winter, the birds acting funny, and some normal paranoia, I am definitely revved back up for getting my pantry stocked.
This morning, I decided to try to shovel off the deck. The top three inches or so is ice, so it took me a good 20 minutes to get a path one shovel wide out to the yard. *B* bravely trekked through the snow and ice to drop off our compost and to get me some planting soil from the shed. When I opened the back door to let him in, both our cats slipped out. I managed to get Wicket back in, but Evie ran along the edge of the house. Before we could get her, she slipped through a little hole in the deck. I was so panicked!
*B* shoveled faster than I've ever seen anyone shovel before. In about 10 minutes, he got a 6x10 square foot patch shoveled out. We managed to pry up the cellar cover, and *B* coaxed Evie out from under the deck. I was soooo scared she was lost and gone forever. We haven't gotten a chance to microchip her, so if she made it under the fence, we'd never get her back. But I had her safe inside, gave her a bath (she was a muddy little girl) and held her tight in a bath towel until she clawed me to get away. Ah, kitten love.
After the initial excitement died down, I decided to start my herbs for the spring. I have cilantro, parsley, and lavender. I used an egg carton to start the seeds, and will transplant them when they get a little bigger.
The final excitement of the day (so far) was my decision to bite the bullet and order my gamma buckets! They will be here in 1-4 days. I have been waiting for this day for so long. I'm just jumpy about ordering things online. I can't wait to re-situate my pantry!!! Between the major earthquakes, tsunami warnings, the THREE blizzards we've gotten this winter, the birds acting funny, and some normal paranoia, I am definitely revved back up for getting my pantry stocked.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
The Thaw
It's funny, but the title of this post relates very well to two very unrelated topics.
The snow is FINALLY melting. It rained yesterday and we lost at least 6 inches of snow. I can now see out of my front window. If we had to or wanted to, we could get out our back deck now. And, most exciting of all, I can see grass! It feels like forever since I've seen dirt and grass. Thank God it's over. Well.... not quite. We're supposed to get a foot of snow Thursday :o)
And on a totally unrelated note, my ex contacted me after 2 years of not speaking to me. We had coffee on Monday to catch up, and we attended a memorial birthday party for a friend's brother who had passed on (he would have been 30). There were no ulterior motives, he just felt bad that he didn't keep up a friendship. By the end of our relationship, we were much more like friends than anything else anyway. While it was a bit weird, I am glad that I got the chance to keep up on his family. After all, I did know them for seven years of my life. I practically grew up with them. While I still strongly dislike his girlfriend (for many, many GOOD reasons), I'm pleased to have breached a gap. This way, things will not be as awkward at a mutual friend's wedding this August when my fiance is the minister and my ex is a groomsman. The biggest thing I've learned over the past two days - I'm a very lucky lady to have such a wonderful fiance and I wouldn't trade him for the world.
The snow is FINALLY melting. It rained yesterday and we lost at least 6 inches of snow. I can now see out of my front window. If we had to or wanted to, we could get out our back deck now. And, most exciting of all, I can see grass! It feels like forever since I've seen dirt and grass. Thank God it's over. Well.... not quite. We're supposed to get a foot of snow Thursday :o)
And on a totally unrelated note, my ex contacted me after 2 years of not speaking to me. We had coffee on Monday to catch up, and we attended a memorial birthday party for a friend's brother who had passed on (he would have been 30). There were no ulterior motives, he just felt bad that he didn't keep up a friendship. By the end of our relationship, we were much more like friends than anything else anyway. While it was a bit weird, I am glad that I got the chance to keep up on his family. After all, I did know them for seven years of my life. I practically grew up with them. While I still strongly dislike his girlfriend (for many, many GOOD reasons), I'm pleased to have breached a gap. This way, things will not be as awkward at a mutual friend's wedding this August when my fiance is the minister and my ex is a groomsman. The biggest thing I've learned over the past two days - I'm a very lucky lady to have such a wonderful fiance and I wouldn't trade him for the world.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Where Are You, Springtime?
Today was my first day back to school in nearly two weeks. We had a two hour delay this morning, so I got a little extra prep time. I unfortunately had to walk into class with very little planned. I was so sick the week before the snow that I didn't remember anything I taught and I had no notes for myself. The kids were very good about it though, and we're back on track. A little behind, but progressing in a forward manner.
I have this reoccurring daydream. In this daydream, the snow melts and flowers immediately are in bloom. Yes, I know, fat chance of that. But at this point in this snow "wonderland," I don't know if I'll ever see greenery again. It feels like this snow will never, ever melt. I just keep thinking to myself something between "just keep swimming" and conjuring up the gorgeous daffodils I got for Valentine's day. Soon enough, they'll be in my yard and I'll be happy again.
For your daydreaming pleasure:
http://www.healthsystem.virginia.edu/internet/dietitian/dh/journal/daffodils.jpg
http://theinnerdoor.files.wordpress.com/2009/03/crocus.jpg
http://decideforyourself.files.wordpress.com/2008/10/spring2.jpg
http://mentaldeviant.files.wordpress.com/2009/04/spring-flowers.jpg
I have this reoccurring daydream. In this daydream, the snow melts and flowers immediately are in bloom. Yes, I know, fat chance of that. But at this point in this snow "wonderland," I don't know if I'll ever see greenery again. It feels like this snow will never, ever melt. I just keep thinking to myself something between "just keep swimming" and conjuring up the gorgeous daffodils I got for Valentine's day. Soon enough, they'll be in my yard and I'll be happy again.
For your daydreaming pleasure:
http://www.healthsystem.virginia.edu/internet/dietitian/dh/journal/daffodils.jpghttp://theinnerdoor.files.wordpress.com/2009/03/crocus.jpg
http://decideforyourself.files.wordpress.com/2008/10/spring2.jpg
http://mentaldeviant.files.wordpress.com/2009/04/spring-flowers.jpg
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Bursting Out of the Cocoon
We've made it. The sun is shining, the icicles are melting, and it's a glorious day. *B* got a phone call from his manager saying he didn't have to come in until 7 am, then 9 am, then finally noon. He was so sweet - he let me drive him to work and take his car! When we shoveled, we had no room to put snow, so it went on top of my car. We figured that I don't work until Tuesday, so it was okay. I just hope that some of this melts before our next snowfall on Monday. There is some amazing angel who has been snow blowing our driveway. I don't know who it is, but I am so very thankful for it.
The first place I went after getting out of the house was Southern States. I got rock salt (which we couldn't find before now) and something I'm very happy about - SEEDS! I'm debating on starting them early inside or waiting until after the frosts have died down. I got:
I finished my latest book, My Antonia by Willa Cather. While it's considered a classic, I had never read it. It was one of the few fiction books *B* has that I'm into. Most of his books are either non-fiction nature books or cheesy cookie cutter series novels. My baby cats (I still call them both this though only one is a kitten) laid on the bed with me while I finished the book. It was heavenly.
I had also read a Good Housekeeping magazine yesterday that I received in the mail after I accidentally signed up for (and canceled) a subscription. This has inspired me to find a vintage cookbook and start working through it. I've a very picky person, so it's got to be just the right book. After I find it, I think I'll start a series on the recipes in it.
The first place I went after getting out of the house was Southern States. I got rock salt (which we couldn't find before now) and something I'm very happy about - SEEDS! I'm debating on starting them early inside or waiting until after the frosts have died down. I got:
- zucchini
- tomatoes
- snap peas
- cantaloupe
- carrots
- parsnips
- parsley
- cilantro
- lavender
I finished my latest book, My Antonia by Willa Cather. While it's considered a classic, I had never read it. It was one of the few fiction books *B* has that I'm into. Most of his books are either non-fiction nature books or cheesy cookie cutter series novels. My baby cats (I still call them both this though only one is a kitten) laid on the bed with me while I finished the book. It was heavenly.
I had also read a Good Housekeeping magazine yesterday that I received in the mail after I accidentally signed up for (and canceled) a subscription. This has inspired me to find a vintage cookbook and start working through it. I've a very picky person, so it's got to be just the right book. After I find it, I think I'll start a series on the recipes in it.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Feeling So Good
I read that Baltimore has had 72.3" of snow this winter. I'm about 64" tall. That's ridiculous.
I've gotten SO much done today! I'm really proud of myself. This morning I shoveled the walk twice before *B* got home. They let him off early because the roads were so bad. When he got home, I made a delicious and nutritious lunch for us both: barbecue pork chops with sugar snap peas, applesauce, and homemade biscuits. I did all of the dishes while making lunch. I did my FAFSA and got *B* to do his FAFSA because they're due in a few days.
I started getting back into my current book but felt a nasty draft in the bedroom. When I looked at the windows, I was horrified. Apparently, they're not sealed tightly at all, because moisture was getting in and we had mold growing! I scrubbed it off and *B* and I sealed the window with a home weatherproofing kit.
I then realized that the bed needed to be cleaned as I hadn't changed the sheets after my recent illness. So I took off all of the covers and added them to the laundry pile. Then I did the entire laundry pile! There's one load in the washer and one load in the dryer left. All of the clothes that have been sitting in baskets for MONTHS are put away! ALL CLOTHES HAVE A PLACE! Oh, you have no idea how happy that makes me.
While I was downstairs, I decided to make chili with cornbread and mixed veggies while *B* went back out to shovel (he has to be at work at 5 am). I got what I needed from the pantry, then on my next trip down, I took everything that I've been piling upstairs and put it in its proper place on my pantry shelves. That's one more thing off my list!
I really don't know what to do now. Once the last of the laundry is put away and the bed is made, I'll have nothing left to do but to paint the bathroom and grade lab reports. That won't get done tonight, but maybe I'll paint tomorrow if I'm bored enough. I'll never be bored enough to grade lab reports :o)
One of my work friends reminded me, and I have to tell the world. I didn't realize Monday is President's Day. I don't go back to work until Tuesday! Let me chronicle my work experience as of late. I called in sick last Monday, went to work Tuesday, snow day Wednesday, went to work for half a day Thursday, called in sick Friday, have this week off for snow, then Monday off for a holiday! This year will be MUCH better than last. I think that I won't have any time making it until Easter this go around.
I have definitely fulfilled my Lovin' that Man of Mine challenge today. I have given *B* a clean house and two good meals. Not to mention that I've been very careful not to ask him for anything I could possibly do myself.
I've gotten SO much done today! I'm really proud of myself. This morning I shoveled the walk twice before *B* got home. They let him off early because the roads were so bad. When he got home, I made a delicious and nutritious lunch for us both: barbecue pork chops with sugar snap peas, applesauce, and homemade biscuits. I did all of the dishes while making lunch. I did my FAFSA and got *B* to do his FAFSA because they're due in a few days.
I started getting back into my current book but felt a nasty draft in the bedroom. When I looked at the windows, I was horrified. Apparently, they're not sealed tightly at all, because moisture was getting in and we had mold growing! I scrubbed it off and *B* and I sealed the window with a home weatherproofing kit.
I then realized that the bed needed to be cleaned as I hadn't changed the sheets after my recent illness. So I took off all of the covers and added them to the laundry pile. Then I did the entire laundry pile! There's one load in the washer and one load in the dryer left. All of the clothes that have been sitting in baskets for MONTHS are put away! ALL CLOTHES HAVE A PLACE! Oh, you have no idea how happy that makes me.
While I was downstairs, I decided to make chili with cornbread and mixed veggies while *B* went back out to shovel (he has to be at work at 5 am). I got what I needed from the pantry, then on my next trip down, I took everything that I've been piling upstairs and put it in its proper place on my pantry shelves. That's one more thing off my list!
I really don't know what to do now. Once the last of the laundry is put away and the bed is made, I'll have nothing left to do but to paint the bathroom and grade lab reports. That won't get done tonight, but maybe I'll paint tomorrow if I'm bored enough. I'll never be bored enough to grade lab reports :o)
One of my work friends reminded me, and I have to tell the world. I didn't realize Monday is President's Day. I don't go back to work until Tuesday! Let me chronicle my work experience as of late. I called in sick last Monday, went to work Tuesday, snow day Wednesday, went to work for half a day Thursday, called in sick Friday, have this week off for snow, then Monday off for a holiday! This year will be MUCH better than last. I think that I won't have any time making it until Easter this go around.
I have definitely fulfilled my Lovin' that Man of Mine challenge today. I have given *B* a clean house and two good meals. Not to mention that I've been very careful not to ask him for anything I could possibly do myself.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Amazed
I am absolutely amazed. It is snowing. We are to get up to another 10-20 inches. This is on top of the 2+ feet we still have from the weekend. Unlike last time, *B* and I are taking turns shoveling before the snow gets too deep. Schools have been closed for the rest of the week. Unfortunately, because my laptop is dead, I can't upload any pictures! I will get them up as soon as my laptop is back in working order.
I've learned that we are very spoiled where we live. We drove to IKEA today with a friend. When we picked him up, the major highways were only half cleared, and his road wasn't really cleared at all. My car kept bottoming out on the 8 or so inches of ice left on the road. Here at home, all of our roads were cleared within the first day of the blizzard. Even the smallest of side roads are clear. Or at least, they were before it started snowing again.
I've decided to do something productive with my time off. It seems like a waste to sit at home idle all the time. Don't get me wrong, I love the Stargate marathon that *B* and I have going right now. But I kind of feel like I've been given this time to be productive. So tomorrow, I'm reorganizing my pantry. I always get it up to date and cleared out, but I never update my inventory. I might be keeping too many details. I have all items listed, number of items, first date of expiration, and last date of expiration. I think I'd be okay just listing what I have and how many I have of it.
I think that I'm keeping up with my lovin' that man of mine challenge, but I often forget to post about it. At last count, I made *B* lunch for tomorrow and I cleaned off his car. Just one more and I'll fulfill my deeds for the day.
I've learned that we are very spoiled where we live. We drove to IKEA today with a friend. When we picked him up, the major highways were only half cleared, and his road wasn't really cleared at all. My car kept bottoming out on the 8 or so inches of ice left on the road. Here at home, all of our roads were cleared within the first day of the blizzard. Even the smallest of side roads are clear. Or at least, they were before it started snowing again.
I've decided to do something productive with my time off. It seems like a waste to sit at home idle all the time. Don't get me wrong, I love the Stargate marathon that *B* and I have going right now. But I kind of feel like I've been given this time to be productive. So tomorrow, I'm reorganizing my pantry. I always get it up to date and cleared out, but I never update my inventory. I might be keeping too many details. I have all items listed, number of items, first date of expiration, and last date of expiration. I think I'd be okay just listing what I have and how many I have of it.
I think that I'm keeping up with my lovin' that man of mine challenge, but I often forget to post about it. At last count, I made *B* lunch for tomorrow and I cleaned off his car. Just one more and I'll fulfill my deeds for the day.
Monday, February 8, 2010
Surviving the Blizzard
Well, we've survived the blizzard. I got a text yesterday that my school is closed for at least the next two days. And on Tuesday/Wednesday, we're supposed to get another round of snow. *B* and I shoveled so very much, but we weren't able to dig ourselves out. Someone with a snow blower came to our little row of homes and helped us out. I believe it's the same person who helped just before Christmas, but I don't know who he is. I need to find out so that I can give him some kind of thank you card/token. The snow in our front yard is taller than I am by a good two feet. We got about three feet of snow total.
On the upside, our office is now clean and fully functional. I was able to set my desktop computer up for the first time since we left the apartment. It really took no time at all to clean and organize everything - maybe an hour. But it was such an obstacle mentally. I'm very happy with the results. The only thing that drives me a little nuts is that the wireless internet has a mind of its own. If it wants to work, it will. If not, its your problem.
Our 72 hour kits now live in our office closet. In setting up my computer, I needed batteries, so I pulled them out of my kit and left the kit out so that I could put the batteries right back in when I went to the store. That was, apparently, a bad idea. This morning, when I came in, the bag of cat food stowed in my pack was in the middle of the floor, wide open - again. This is the second time this has happened! It's in two layers of freezer Ziploc bags. I'm a little afraid to find out how they got the cat food out of my pack, because I don't quite remember where it was. I'm hoping and praying they didn't chew through the pack to get to the food. I swear I do feed my cats well and on a regular basis! They don't need pack food!
Wicket has really changed since Evie has come into the family. She's definitely not the alpha cat. Evie dominates all. But Wicket is now lovey and purrs a lot. She will come ask for love and to be pet. Right now, she's sitting here on my desk next to me, watching the world go by. I've often secretly envied people whose cats sat all over their laps and desks while they worked and play.
Evie, however, is a little hell raiser. She chases Wicket, sinks her claws in Wicket's tail, and even as I type, she's trying to claw my curtains because Wicket's tail is making them move. Earlier today I was sitting at my desk and heard tinkling water. I was worried that my pipes had frozen or something. Nope, it was Evie, laying on the toilet seat, lazily batting at the water.
On the upside, our office is now clean and fully functional. I was able to set my desktop computer up for the first time since we left the apartment. It really took no time at all to clean and organize everything - maybe an hour. But it was such an obstacle mentally. I'm very happy with the results. The only thing that drives me a little nuts is that the wireless internet has a mind of its own. If it wants to work, it will. If not, its your problem.
Our 72 hour kits now live in our office closet. In setting up my computer, I needed batteries, so I pulled them out of my kit and left the kit out so that I could put the batteries right back in when I went to the store. That was, apparently, a bad idea. This morning, when I came in, the bag of cat food stowed in my pack was in the middle of the floor, wide open - again. This is the second time this has happened! It's in two layers of freezer Ziploc bags. I'm a little afraid to find out how they got the cat food out of my pack, because I don't quite remember where it was. I'm hoping and praying they didn't chew through the pack to get to the food. I swear I do feed my cats well and on a regular basis! They don't need pack food!
Wicket has really changed since Evie has come into the family. She's definitely not the alpha cat. Evie dominates all. But Wicket is now lovey and purrs a lot. She will come ask for love and to be pet. Right now, she's sitting here on my desk next to me, watching the world go by. I've often secretly envied people whose cats sat all over their laps and desks while they worked and play.
Evie, however, is a little hell raiser. She chases Wicket, sinks her claws in Wicket's tail, and even as I type, she's trying to claw my curtains because Wicket's tail is making them move. Earlier today I was sitting at my desk and heard tinkling water. I was worried that my pipes had frozen or something. Nope, it was Evie, laying on the toilet seat, lazily batting at the water.
Friday, February 5, 2010
Snowpocalypse
Yes, snowpocalypse. That is what the media is calling our most recent weather event. I heard on the radio yesterday that we had 30" of snow this winter so far, whereas last winter we had 6." We're supposed to get up to 24 more inches this weekend. Can you believe that? A potential 54" of snow in one measly winter.
So what did I do to prepare? Not a whole lot. I'm just getting my energy back after what I now figure was the flu. I did laundry (almost all of it) because I remembered a blog post that for the life of me I can't find. In effect, this woman's family had no power because of a storm (hurricane or snow I don't recall) and hadn't done any laundry before hand. I just remember her talking about how much she regretted not having clean clothes for that amount of time. So I worked my butt off to make sure we were caught up. My parents took me out for breakfast this morning and out to the grocery store. So I picked up some milk, tea, cereal, and bagels. In almost all other respects, I was ready. Now we're just kind of waiting it out. It was exciting the first few times, now I'm just waiting for it to be over. I had stuff to do this weekend!
And worst of all, my laptop died. In a big way. I'm currently using *B*'s computer. He stopped using it because the mouse moves on its own and it takes forever to do anything on the internet. But, it works, and that counts for something.
On a good note, I'm just about over this stupid flu. My fever is almost gone and I'm only coughing a little bit. I'm so glad to be useful again! I so wanted to join Momzoo's challenge, but I couldn't get off the couch to do much for *B*. I was able to do four things for him since the beginning of February: do the laundry he usually does, fill up his water bottle for work and put it in the fridge, pick up the living room (he hates it when it's a mess), and I left him a love note on the front door to find when he went to work. Starting tomorrow, I'm going to try to pick back up on that challenge. I encourage you all to do the same!
So what did I do to prepare? Not a whole lot. I'm just getting my energy back after what I now figure was the flu. I did laundry (almost all of it) because I remembered a blog post that for the life of me I can't find. In effect, this woman's family had no power because of a storm (hurricane or snow I don't recall) and hadn't done any laundry before hand. I just remember her talking about how much she regretted not having clean clothes for that amount of time. So I worked my butt off to make sure we were caught up. My parents took me out for breakfast this morning and out to the grocery store. So I picked up some milk, tea, cereal, and bagels. In almost all other respects, I was ready. Now we're just kind of waiting it out. It was exciting the first few times, now I'm just waiting for it to be over. I had stuff to do this weekend!
And worst of all, my laptop died. In a big way. I'm currently using *B*'s computer. He stopped using it because the mouse moves on its own and it takes forever to do anything on the internet. But, it works, and that counts for something.
On a good note, I'm just about over this stupid flu. My fever is almost gone and I'm only coughing a little bit. I'm so glad to be useful again! I so wanted to join Momzoo's challenge, but I couldn't get off the couch to do much for *B*. I was able to do four things for him since the beginning of February: do the laundry he usually does, fill up his water bottle for work and put it in the fridge, pick up the living room (he hates it when it's a mess), and I left him a love note on the front door to find when he went to work. Starting tomorrow, I'm going to try to pick back up on that challenge. I encourage you all to do the same!
Thursday, December 31, 2009
You Have GOT to Be Kidding Me!
It snowed last night! Not like a little dusting, but real snow! We're at about 1-2" and still falling. I can not remember a winter like this. My dad claims that it shows that global warming is hooey. From what I've read, if we didn't have global warming, this would happen more often. I don't know. Either way, we've had three major snows and it's only December!
My new baby, Evie, won't stop meowing! I'm thinking she's teething, or she's upset that Wicket doesn't like her. Probably the former. The other thing that worries me, though, is that she is sneezing as well. And her nose was running yesterday. I thought she was being cute, rubbing her nose on my face, until I realized she was wiping off the snot! She has a vet appointment in about half an hour. I'm praying my baby won't be sick for the new year.
My new baby, Evie, won't stop meowing! I'm thinking she's teething, or she's upset that Wicket doesn't like her. Probably the former. The other thing that worries me, though, is that she is sneezing as well. And her nose was running yesterday. I thought she was being cute, rubbing her nose on my face, until I realized she was wiping off the snot! She has a vet appointment in about half an hour. I'm praying my baby won't be sick for the new year.
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
We Made It!
We weathered the storm (pardon the pun) quite well. We got two feet of snow! That hasn't happened since I was about 7 years old. As it's such a rare event, I took a million pictures :o)
That's a normal size picnic table right there - the snow went well over the seat.
We walked down to a local park to see what it looked like outside of our neighborhood. This is a good indicator of how much it snowed. *B* is just shy of six feet.
This is Main Street of our little town. Isn't it gorgeous!?
*B* taking a much deserved shovel-break.
This is picture number two of me on this blog. Not the best picture of *B*, but it's Christmas break. He's entitled not to shave or wear contacts :o)
Even Wicket got into the action! We weren't afraid of her running, unlike other times of the year. We tossed her out into the back yard earlier in the day to see if she'd like snow. A few seconds after this picture was taken, she was pawing at the door to get back in.
I've gotten so much done in the last few days. Almost a year after I received it, I made a good playlist for my digital picture frame. Before, we just threw in whatever card was full. Now, they're good pictures that make me happy.
I've finally gotten my meds in order. I am so thankful for it, too. I was pretty miserable. I'm still working with a psychologist. I'm starting to think teaching (or at least teaching physics) is not for me. The more I talk to her, the more I realize I dread work. Not as much as other jobs I've had, but still more than I should for a career. She made a really good analogy - what would you say about a relationship where you're together because he's an okay guy and there was no one better around, but you didn't love him. That made a lot of sense to me.
I also reorganized our pantry this week. For my birthday, my brother got me 24 boxes of Jiffy Corn Muffin Mix. That means we now have enough cornbread mix to feed an army!
Isn't it a gorgeous pantry? I've asked for gamma buckets for Christmas, and I plan on getting/making more shelves like those shown here. We've got plenty of vitamin C fruits, veggies, and canned soup to last us for three months. I'm so proud! It feels so good to not NEED anything. There are things I go to the store to get (like the ingredients for our awesome dinner last night), but nothing I MUST get.
Speaking of last night, I made prosciutto-wrapped pork loin with pears and sweet potatoes. It...was...AMAZING! I got the recipe from Real Simple. Oh so delicious, and very, very easy.
I'm also very excited for our Christmas Eve dinner. We're going to a very nice (so my brother says) local restaurant. I've never called to make reservations anywhere before, and I've never been there before, so this is going to be fun. *B* even said that he'd dress up for it. I just have to get him a dress shirt. He only has two collared shirts, and they're super casual.
I love Christmas!!!!!!!!
That's a normal size picnic table right there - the snow went well over the seat.
We walked down to a local park to see what it looked like outside of our neighborhood. This is a good indicator of how much it snowed. *B* is just shy of six feet.
This is Main Street of our little town. Isn't it gorgeous!?
*B* taking a much deserved shovel-break.
This is picture number two of me on this blog. Not the best picture of *B*, but it's Christmas break. He's entitled not to shave or wear contacts :o)
Even Wicket got into the action! We weren't afraid of her running, unlike other times of the year. We tossed her out into the back yard earlier in the day to see if she'd like snow. A few seconds after this picture was taken, she was pawing at the door to get back in.
I've gotten so much done in the last few days. Almost a year after I received it, I made a good playlist for my digital picture frame. Before, we just threw in whatever card was full. Now, they're good pictures that make me happy.
I've finally gotten my meds in order. I am so thankful for it, too. I was pretty miserable. I'm still working with a psychologist. I'm starting to think teaching (or at least teaching physics) is not for me. The more I talk to her, the more I realize I dread work. Not as much as other jobs I've had, but still more than I should for a career. She made a really good analogy - what would you say about a relationship where you're together because he's an okay guy and there was no one better around, but you didn't love him. That made a lot of sense to me.
I also reorganized our pantry this week. For my birthday, my brother got me 24 boxes of Jiffy Corn Muffin Mix. That means we now have enough cornbread mix to feed an army!
Isn't it a gorgeous pantry? I've asked for gamma buckets for Christmas, and I plan on getting/making more shelves like those shown here. We've got plenty of vitamin C fruits, veggies, and canned soup to last us for three months. I'm so proud! It feels so good to not NEED anything. There are things I go to the store to get (like the ingredients for our awesome dinner last night), but nothing I MUST get.
Speaking of last night, I made prosciutto-wrapped pork loin with pears and sweet potatoes. It...was...AMAZING! I got the recipe from Real Simple. Oh so delicious, and very, very easy.
I'm also very excited for our Christmas Eve dinner. We're going to a very nice (so my brother says) local restaurant. I've never called to make reservations anywhere before, and I've never been there before, so this is going to be fun. *B* even said that he'd dress up for it. I just have to get him a dress shirt. He only has two collared shirts, and they're super casual.
I love Christmas!!!!!!!!
Friday, December 18, 2009
Christmas Break
I'm so thankful that it's Christmas break. While I haven't finished my Christmas shopping, I still have a little bit of time. I was going to go today, but the snow changed that idea.
Right now, I've got cinnamon raisin bread in the bread maker. Tomorrow morning, I'm making cinnamon rolls for breakfast, assuming that *B* doesn't make it into work of course. I'm a bit worried that he will try to go in tomorrow morning and get stranded. Not that I have a problem being alone, I just prefer not to be.
I'm sad to say I've been rather sick lately. I have had a headache for 3 days, and I've been really nauseous. I have a feeling that it's helped along by my meds problems. Today, my blood pressure was through the roof and my right eye was twitchy. I have doctor's appointments this week to get everything squared away. I am hopeful that everything will get squared away and fixed by the new year.
Right now, I've got cinnamon raisin bread in the bread maker. Tomorrow morning, I'm making cinnamon rolls for breakfast, assuming that *B* doesn't make it into work of course. I'm a bit worried that he will try to go in tomorrow morning and get stranded. Not that I have a problem being alone, I just prefer not to be.
I'm sad to say I've been rather sick lately. I have had a headache for 3 days, and I've been really nauseous. I have a feeling that it's helped along by my meds problems. Today, my blood pressure was through the roof and my right eye was twitchy. I have doctor's appointments this week to get everything squared away. I am hopeful that everything will get squared away and fixed by the new year.
Hunkering Down
We here on the east coast are getting ready for what is to be the biggest snow storm since I've been alive, or at least since '96. They're already forecasting 10-20 inches of snow for our area. That's unheard of! It's both a good and bad thing that today starts Christmas break for me. Good: I have no where to be. Bad: This snow wasn't useful in terms of getting days off of school.
We are very prepared for the storm, but I decided that we could do with some niceties: orange juice, fresh fruit, etc. So we went out to Food Lion. It was a little busy, but not crazy. When we went to get my prescription refill at Rite Aid (next to Safeway), the parking lot was ridiculous. It took me ten minutes to get out of the parking lot alone! It seems like everyone is rushing out last minute.
I'm very excited for the snow, even if it means staying inside. I have a book and a magazine to read if the power goes out. I'm hoping it doesn't come to that, but either way I'm ready for it!
We are very prepared for the storm, but I decided that we could do with some niceties: orange juice, fresh fruit, etc. So we went out to Food Lion. It was a little busy, but not crazy. When we went to get my prescription refill at Rite Aid (next to Safeway), the parking lot was ridiculous. It took me ten minutes to get out of the parking lot alone! It seems like everyone is rushing out last minute.
I'm very excited for the snow, even if it means staying inside. I have a book and a magazine to read if the power goes out. I'm hoping it doesn't come to that, but either way I'm ready for it!
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Let it Snow!
We got over 5 inches of snow yesterday! That's a big deal for around here, and probably the most we'll see all winter. Wicket seemed to enjoy it, as she ran out the back door when I opened it. Usually, I freak out and run after her, but I knew that she wouldn't get far in the cold, wet snow. She pawed around for a good two minutes and ran right back inside. Good girl :o)
Because of the snow, we couldn't go to get a tree like we wanted to. It took me an hour and a half to get home from school yesterday morning when it's usually a 45 minute trip! So instead, we addressed all of our cards to be mailed tomorrow, had some mildly spiked coffee, baked cookies, and watched Christmas movies.
I love spritz cookies. We happened to go to Joann's (a craft/fabric store) the day after Thanksgiving and I saw a spritz gun for $6.99. I just had to have it. So yesterday, I made 5 dozen chocolate spritz cookies in varying shapes.
When I was little, I had a teddy bear hamster. If you don't know, they are what most people who think of hamsters imagine. We gave him a tree-shaped spritz cookie for a treat, and he stuffed the WHOLE thing in his pouch. It was bigger than his head! You could see the outline of the tree through his cheek. It was hilarious.
More spritz cookies. YUM!
I only made half a batch of shortbread, because I didn't pull enough butter out of the freezer ahead of time, and it was eaten quickly. I have four left this morning. Side note - I've cleaned that pan a million times, and those splotches are still there. It used to be my mom's, and that's how I got it. Any ideas?
I'm really hoping that we'll be able to get the tree. Last year, we waited until the weekend before and I didn't feel I could enjoy it. We used the little lights last year because that's what *B*'s family does. This year, we're using the big, C8 light bulbs. I like them much better.
Because of the snow, we couldn't go to get a tree like we wanted to. It took me an hour and a half to get home from school yesterday morning when it's usually a 45 minute trip! So instead, we addressed all of our cards to be mailed tomorrow, had some mildly spiked coffee, baked cookies, and watched Christmas movies.
I love spritz cookies. We happened to go to Joann's (a craft/fabric store) the day after Thanksgiving and I saw a spritz gun for $6.99. I just had to have it. So yesterday, I made 5 dozen chocolate spritz cookies in varying shapes.
When I was little, I had a teddy bear hamster. If you don't know, they are what most people who think of hamsters imagine. We gave him a tree-shaped spritz cookie for a treat, and he stuffed the WHOLE thing in his pouch. It was bigger than his head! You could see the outline of the tree through his cheek. It was hilarious.
More spritz cookies. YUM!
I only made half a batch of shortbread, because I didn't pull enough butter out of the freezer ahead of time, and it was eaten quickly. I have four left this morning. Side note - I've cleaned that pan a million times, and those splotches are still there. It used to be my mom's, and that's how I got it. Any ideas?I'm really hoping that we'll be able to get the tree. Last year, we waited until the weekend before and I didn't feel I could enjoy it. We used the little lights last year because that's what *B*'s family does. This year, we're using the big, C8 light bulbs. I like them much better.
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