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Post by Mini Mia on Jan 5, 2022 17:07:28 GMT -6
Well, crap! Just got off the phone with my sister, and Christmas is called off again. My nephew took a COVID test over the weekend and was positive. Their baby is positive too. The grandfather has cancer, but has his own section of the house where he can avoid coming into contact with the others. So, hopefully he’ll not get it. His granddaughter will never forgive herself if he gets it from them.
My niece is a nurse, and will be working for the next few weekends, so we’ll have to wait until she has a free weekend, and has her kids. So, my holiday isn’t over yet. That’s what I love best about January. The holidays are finally over. Bah! Humbug!
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Post by Mini Mia on Jan 6, 2022 13:38:15 GMT -6
It’s 22F, feels like 11F. Supposed to get down to 9F tonight. The kids are finally getting their snow days. It’s coming down pretty good. Got a couple more hours before it ends. And, of course I get an email saying I have mail today, so I’m going to have to get out in this. (I saw a car on the road, and they seemed to manage pretty well, so guessing that the mailman will have no trouble either.)
Tomorrow’s high is supposed to be 25F, so this isn’t going anywhere until Saturday. Saturday is supposed to get up in the 40s, and rain is predicted, so that will take care of the snow. Most of the highs next week are above freezing, with freezing temps at night off an on. Saturday nights temps are also in the 40s, so no refreezing of the rainy mush on the ground.
I hope everyone is doing well.
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Post by Mini Mia on Jan 6, 2022 17:17:38 GMT -6
It was on my calendar to check my tank tomorrow, but I checked it while I was out shoveling snow today. It’s at 60%. I hate shoveling snow, and I’d probably only shovel the front porch, if not for the cats. They prefer a shoveled off porch to eat off of. So, I take pity on them. Plus, it melts faster if I shovel it. And is less an icy, slippery mess to walk on when going to the garage.
I love how quiet it is when there’s snow’s on the ground. And in certain circumstances, the house is somehow sealed, and the outside cold doesn’t seem to reach inside with a constant chill. Sunday would have been Christmas, but it’ll probably be in February now.
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Post by Phalon on Jan 7, 2022 8:34:46 GMT -6
It's snowed now for forty-eight hours, with little break - and is still snowing. A thick blanket of untouched snow is so peaceful looking. Peaceful, until a drift of it falls on your head, that is - Hubs better be careful; there's a huge overhang of snow on the garage roof, right above the door.
I'm one of those weird people who, like mowing the lawn and raking leaves, enjoys shoveling snow. Except the bottom of the drive after the plows come by - shoveling that is a downright b!tch. We got everything shoveled yesterday, but I'd say there's a good six inches of new stuff out there now - and probably twice as much at the bottom of the driveway.
Doing okay here. BP feels a lot better; Hubs and I have experienced no symptoms yet. LX has cold symptoms, but no fever or wheezing; she's isolating in the guest room and using the guest bath in their apartment, so hopefully the Boyfriend won't get it. I haven't heard from her yet today - that's the sucky part about being a Mom with a child that lives so far away (even though it's only an hour); you can't Mom Hover. I know the Boyfriend is taking good care of her though - he absolutely dotes on her.
I'm sorry to hear about your nephew and especially concerning, the baby, Joxie. I hope their cases are very mild.
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Post by Mini Mia on Jan 8, 2022 4:04:43 GMT -6
My sister says the baby has the sniffles, but doesn't seem to have it too bad.
I was patting myself on the back about remembering to keep an eye on the gas levels in the tank . . . and so, of course, something had to go wrong. I noticed, when the sun was going down, and the house was getting colder and colder . . . that the air would blow, then stop, blow, then stop. My bil came over and discovered a part was broken. He glued it back together, and it's keeping the house warm so far. I suggested bringing over the kerosene heater, but he didn't think it would be necessary. Hopefully I won't have to call him before it warms up into the 40s in a few hours. I only have the one electric radiator. And it wouldn't put out enough heat to keep the water pipes from bursting in both bathrooms and kitchen. Maybe I should get two more to put int the closet in case they're ever needed.
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Post by Phalon on Jan 8, 2022 8:22:09 GMT -6
The sun is out, the birds are at the feeders again; there's more than a foot of snow on the ground, and it's a whopping 14F - up from 9F last night when I let the dog out.
We got way more snow yesterday than expected when the lake effect kicked in, and dumped on us. Gotta warm up some before we start digging out.
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Post by marjancin on Jan 9, 2022 14:07:34 GMT -6
Here in the Chicago area, winter arrived later than usual. We generally get at least a dusting in November (usually more), and always get a measurable snowfall before Christmas. Not this year. Our first snow was December 28 and even that wasn't even an inch and melted away rather quickly. We got more over the New Year, though even it wasn't a big pile-up - just about three inches, if that. So yeah, we have yet to have our first big snowfall. I just hope that this delay in winter doesn't mean that winter will hold on until Memorial Day.
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Post by Phalon on Jan 10, 2022 7:58:48 GMT -6
Hi, Marjancin, neighbor across the Lake. Nice to hear from you again. Hope all is well with you these days.
Hubs and I were just talking about that about a week ago, before the snow - for the past few years, it seems that the real wintery weather here has started late, and hung around for much later in spring that anyone would want. Right around Valentine's Day last year and the year before is when we got our first big snowfall. Hopefully, since that occurred last week, it'll feel like spring instead of winter in May!
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Post by Mini Mia on Jan 12, 2022 15:11:01 GMT -6
It is 54F, but feels like 50F, outside. It is 69F inside, and I have the thermostat set on 61F. Before hot flashes, this would have been too cold for me. I’d have had the thermostat set on 76F. Winter used to have high electric bills, and now it’s Summer. A happy medium would be nice.
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Post by Mini Mia on Jan 12, 2022 15:21:59 GMT -6
Hi Marjancin! Nice to see you drop in. My part of Kentucky is usually mild, with spurts of bad Winter weather peppered in. And then every few years, we get really bad Winter weather peppered into the mild. Although it is rare to be able to open the windows during Autumn and Winter, it does happen from time to time. It isn’t anything new for my area. Certain types of weather seems to run in cycles around here. I’m sure it does everywhere. It’s when the news talks about the weather breaking the last high/low record that I wonder if it’s anything to be concerned about.
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Post by Mini Mia on Jan 13, 2022 15:30:23 GMT -6
It’s 53F, feels like 51F, outside. It’s 66F inside, and the thermostat is set on 61F. I’ve been out running errands, and it was nice to be out. Supposed to get snow this weekend. It shouldn’t be around for long, since the temps aren’t staying below freezing.
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Post by Phalon on Jan 15, 2022 7:09:20 GMT -6
Finishing out the week like we started - cold-as-sh!t. Brain-freezing cold. Monday was in the teens; Tuesday barely made it to 20F. Then Wednesday and Thursday shot up to 40F, before it plummeted back down to the teens again. It's 10F outside now. You gotta know what an up and down 20-30 degree change in temperature is doing to my sinuses. Blah!
What I hate about when the temperature drops this low is the sound the trees make - they pop quite loudly. The yard sounds like a bag of popcorn in the microwave when it's just about finished. It's an eerie sound. If it's this loud in our yard, it makes me wonder what it how creepy it'd be walking in a forest.
Goal for this weekend: get the Christmas decorations put away! I got the front porch lights down when it was warmer this week. I had to undecorate the tree in stages....and do it very sneakily...and only between the hours of 1-3pm. That's the only time all three cats are sleeping it seems, but even then, if I made too much noise, I'd end up with twelve little unhelpful paws "helping" take ornaments off the tree. Then I'd have to halt what I was doing and close up the ornament boxes until the following day or else there'd be ornament "playthings" all over the room. Finally got it done, but the tree is still standing; Hubs is off on weekends so he'll be able to help with that. All the other decorations inside the house need to be boxed up too and put in storage for another year. Kinda sad to see them go - I like the festive look - but it'll be nice to have everything back to "normal" too.
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Post by Mini Mia on Jan 15, 2022 22:00:52 GMT -6
We're supposed to get some snow tonight, but tomorrow's 40s will no doubt take care of it. I've noticed sometimes I get somewhat dizzy if I turn my head a certain way, but the 24-hour allergy pill and prescription "Flonase" seems to help a lot with the temperature changes of late. It's hard to believe that January is almost over. Just a couple more months and hopefully Spring will bring in warmer weather. (Although, we haven't had much of a Winter so far.)
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Post by Phalon on Feb 1, 2022 6:50:14 GMT -6
I don't know about there, but the last half of January here has been full-blown winter. High temperatures have been in the high teens to low twenties for the most part, though we've gotten down to the single digits a few times. Lots of snow, lots of wind...and lots of welcomed sunshine mixed in. With the temperature as low as it's been though, the sun has done little to melt the snow, instead turning the top layer to a hard icy crust; snow-melt doesn't work when it's that cold either. Poor Hubs fell flat on his back the other day, slipping on the ice - he's okay, thank goodness, except for a few bruises, the biggest one being his ego.
Days are noticeably getting longer - it's still light out at 6pm now, instead of being dark at 5pm.
This morning's temperature is the warmest it's been in weeks - it's 31F now, and is actually supposed to climb into the high 30s during the day. Just because it's now February though, doesn't mean winter here is ending - today's warmth is just a tease. We're under a winter storm warning - it's predicted we'll get 8-12 inches of snow within the next 48 hours.
I've got a ton of errands I need to get done before the storm starts, starting with my least favorite - my weekly grocery shopping. It just seems so much more tedious in winter than it does in other seasons. Ah well. It's gotta be done....and I do enjoy having food in the house!
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Post by Mini Mia on Feb 1, 2022 17:04:47 GMT -6
The weather here has been a bit more Wintery. Every so often we’d get several days in a row that stayed below freezing. The other days stayed cold. Now it has warmed up. It was in the low/mid-60s today. I had to get my meds, so I made a trip to the grocery store too. I tied an Autumn jacket around my waist, but never put it on.
During one of the below freezing spells, my furnace decided to stop blowing warm air into the house. The part was old and rusty, and had to be replaced. Thankfully, b-i-l got it to work, and then replaced the part the next night. My gas tank is in the 50s. Somewhere in the middle, so I’m all good for the Winter storm heading my way. They predict lots of icy rain, so I’ve got 2009’s ice storm playing in my head.
If I go MIA, you’ll know why. If I do lose electricity, I hope the temps stay above freezing, just so I won’t have to worry about my water pipes. I really don’t want to go another 15 days and nights without lights.
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Post by moonglum on Feb 2, 2022 0:54:15 GMT -6
We've been lucky in our little corner of the country. The recent storms and snowfall have been mainly in the north, but the strong winds have reached us making it feel very cold. Temps have been fluctuating wildly between near 0C a few days ago up to 14C yesterday but as I say the windchill really bites. The sun is still pretty low in the sky meaning it's still getting dark around 5pm. Yesterday in the north saw lots of people still without power after the storms, luckily we've been ok. Hope everyone is keeping well over there. It's Vox and my 48th wedding anniversary today. You only get 15 years for murder! (I can get away with that cos Vox is still asleep.)
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Post by Mini Mia on Feb 2, 2022 1:23:20 GMT -6
It's raining. The rain is supposed to continue until it turns into freezing rain tomorrow evening, and then the freezing rain is supposed to continue until it turns into a wintry mix Thursday morning. The wintry mix is supposed to turn into snow, and snow until Friday morning. I have no doubt I will lose my lights. Oh joy. Laters.
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Post by Mini Mia on Feb 3, 2022 13:59:03 GMT -6
So far, so good. I still have electricity. It’s still coming down. It switches back and forth, but should be snow only in the next few hours. Supposed to be below freezing for the next three days and nights, then warm up a little, and then a little more. We shall see how accurate that prediction is. My tank was in the 50ish% so I should be good. Listening to the pinging at the windows. Glad I don’t have to get out today. Hope nothing comes up that I will have too. Laters.
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Post by Mini Mia on Feb 3, 2022 21:07:22 GMT -6
Well, it’s pretty much over. Might get some snow in the morning hours for a short time, but the worst is over. And my lights haven’t even flickered. I hope everyone else in the path are all doing well, and haven’t lost power. Laters.
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Post by Phalon on Feb 4, 2022 7:29:16 GMT -6
Happy Belated Anniversary, Moonglum!!! I hope you and Voxy Lady had a wonderful celebration!
We woke up the other morning to a What Fresh Snowy Hell is This?!?! With a double Interrobang.
The temperature had risen to 40 degrees on Tuesday, with rain all afternoon and evening. Sometime overnight, the temperature dropped, the rain changed to snow, and by morning there was nearly a foot of it, and it continued to snow all day. After all my years, it's still amazing to me that such tiny delicate individual flakes can accumulate to that depth of snow in such a short period of time. Pain-in-the-@ss to clear of the drive and walkways, but oh-so-gorgeous at the same time. Cardinals at the feeders, and robins in the Michigan holly bushes eating the bright red berries just enhanced the beauty. A bunny eating my rose bush, not so much!
The prediction was we'd get another foot of snow Wednesday into Thursday, but thankfully it was only a few more inches. But dang, the temperature dropped again, and it's 2F now! Ice Breaker Festival starts in town today, and it looks like the ice sculptors won't have to worry about their sculptures melting!
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Post by Mini Mia on Feb 4, 2022 13:24:36 GMT -6
Oops. I thought I had wished Moonglum & Vox a happy anniversary, but see I didn’t. So sorry.
Happy Anniversary Moonglum & Vox!
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Post by Mini Mia on Feb 4, 2022 13:53:01 GMT -6
Daytime temperatures are to get above freezing starting on Sunday, but nighttime temperatures will stay below freezing. Some days are to get up into the 40s & 50s. I got to wear Summer clothes last Tuesday, when the temps were in the 60s, and the sun roasted my house. It was brief though, as the temperatures dropped quickly just before the ice/snow storm moved in. I’m sorry for those without power, but thrilled I still have mine. I know their pain, and hopefully they’ll have their power on soon.
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Post by Phalon on Feb 5, 2022 8:25:30 GMT -6
Got my boots and coveralls warming up by the heat vent - it's 10F outside, and I like them all warm and toasty when I put them on. We got another 4 inches last night that needs to be cleared and who knows how much the plows left at the end of the driveway.
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Post by Mini Mia on Feb 5, 2022 20:51:19 GMT -6
I did well last Autumn, but February caught me unawares. And I should have known better. Thankfully, as my mind was spiraling, I realized it was February, and I put a stop to it. Not 100% better, but hopefully, I'll catch it sooner than later if it starts that downward path once again. The days are getting longer, and the time change is getting closer and closer. (Says the girl who wants to do away with time change. But, it bothers me more when losing daylight, than when gaining daylight.) And looking forward to the temps staying above freezing. I really believe the long nights wouldn't bother me so much if it wasn't during such cold temps.
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Post by Phalon on Feb 10, 2022 8:50:27 GMT -6
Hope you've got a handle on it, Joxie, and are feeling better.
This week's winter challenges here have included a thick layer of ice, a little bit more snow, temperatures fluctuating between the teens and low 40s, and sinus pressure and a headache that just won't quit.
Big news of the week though, is it's finally here - the weekend BP will walk the runway as a model in New York Fashion Week!
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Post by Mini Mia on Feb 10, 2022 13:26:21 GMT -6
It’s 52F, but feels like 50F outside. It’s 70F inside. I had to put on Summer clothes. I didn’t need a coat when I fed the cats and my niece’s dog earlier, when wearing Winter clothes. Supposed to get up in the low 60s tomorrow. I’ve been using Mom’s blood pressure machine, and I noticed it does both C & F. Right now it has, 72F, 22C.
I seem to be doing somewhat better. I hurt myself trying to get the slabs of rock hard icy snow mix off of my back porch. Nothing bad, the blister on my hand from trying to hoe the icy snow is the only thing still hurting. I posted about it on my personal Facebook page, and Tuesday night the Preacher’s son stopped by to carve me a pathway to the garage. I hoed some of what he didn’t get off today, but some of it is still too hard to break up.
The preacher’s son told me he had bought a house on the road connected to the end of my road, and that he’d be back next week to clear off the snow predicted for then. I am grateful, but then started feeling bad about being trouble for others. Thinking how I don’t feel old enough to have anyone bother with me. And wondering what is wrong with me that I can’t accept random acts of kindness without beating myself up about it. So, it’s a work in progress.
I need to feed the good wolf more often, and starve the bad wolf. It really does work, if I focus on my thoughts, and not let them slide until they overwhelm me.
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Post by Mini Mia on Feb 10, 2022 21:06:38 GMT -6
Wow. I hope she has lots of fun.
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Post by Phalon on Feb 16, 2022 12:09:57 GMT -6
She did, and it was a great experience. She wasn't walking for a big name or even up-and-coming designer; it was part of the Indie Fashion Show, but she got to see how it all worked behind-the-scenes. Quite a whirl-wind of a weekend for her...and for me too - I had to drive her to Detroit, and pick her up from there the middle of the night (and on Sunday, in the middle of a snowstorm). It's a six hour drive roundtrip, and I did it twice within three days, getting home after 2am both times. Literally I was so tired, I felt as if I'd been drinking. Finally feeling back to normal as I get.
Joxie, there's no need to feel bad - that's what neighbors are for, and he wouldn't have offered if he didn't want to do it. Most people, I like to believe, enjoy helping other people when they can. If you feel badly, thinking your putting him out somehow, make him a batch of cookies, homemade chili or soup as a thank-you. I'm sure it'd be appreciated...and you'd be feeding that "good wolf"...and a good neighbor too!
Laters. Just a quick pop in - I've got webinars all week for continuing education credits for work, and the next one starts in just a bit.
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Post by Mini Mia on Feb 17, 2022 4:36:10 GMT -6
His Dad is the one who had him do it. But, I shouldn't ruin his joy of doing a good deed with my BS inner voices.
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Post by Phalon on Feb 18, 2022 9:07:32 GMT -6
Well, what a mess it's been here the last few days!
Tuesday's temperatures got into the 40s, bringing about a snow-melt - but there's so much snow on the ground, it just turned everything into a slushy-muddy mess. Wednesday's temperatures stayed above freezing, and it rained. And rained. And rained. The rain quit, but the temperature dropped quickly, which turned that slushy-muddy mess into an icy mess.
And then it snowed. The temperature now is in the lower 20s. So the icy mess is now still an icy mess but with a 3-4 inch layer of snow on top of it. Fun stuff.
Something new: for about a 1/2 hour this morning, the sidewalk plow was stuck in front of our house. Not quite sure what the problem was, but the plow is just a touch wider than the sidewalk, and it got hung up on something - it couldn't move but a foot or so forward or backward. A bigger tractor - the kind with a giant scoop on the front, and a smaller one on the back (I don't know what they're called - a backhoe maybe?) came, drove over our parkway, and got the plow unstuck. Since the much smaller sidewalk plow is wider than the sidewalk, I can't imagine what damage the bigger tractor did - this was right in front of our parkway maples, and I'm afraid they gouged the tree trunks. We shall see - fixin' to go out and shovel now.
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