Oh people. We are getting MORE snow today. Another nor’easter, in fact. The reports are saying we could get anywhere from 12-40″ and possibly also some ice. I am not amused by the prospect of ice.
All this will be followed by even more snow on Tuesday. And there are rumors of another storm next weekend too.
It’s starting to feel like the Laura Ingalls Wilder book The Long Winter, only I’d call it The Long-Ass Winter. Luckily, I don’t have to twist hay for heating fuel or grind wheat for my daily piece of bread. Here, the only suffering we’ll be doing is if we run out of marshmallows to go with our organic Fair Trade cocoa or Pete doesn’t have enough jalapenos to go with his nachos.
I’m currently looking at the weather radar online and can see the big-ass storm approaching from the southwest. It’s like having one of those nightmares where the monster chases you and it’s getting closer and closer and you can’t escape, you can only stand there with a look of terror on your face and a fresh pile of warm stinky brown stuff in your underwear.
So of course, every person in my town stocked up on supplies yesterday. The other day, I compared my personal pre-snow preparations to Sherman’s march through the South. I’m here to tell you that yesterday’s scene at the grocery store was beyond that. It was more like Gengis Khan‘s campaign through Mongolia. Total destruction, with nothing left behind, except some wilted Brussels sprouts and a single bag of barbecue pork rinds.
[Pork rinds are scrunchions to the Canucks and pork scratchings to the Brits.]
[American to Canadian and British translations are courtesy of Wikipedia.]
I myself sneaked in some supply runs before work, during my lunch break, and then again after work. I stocked up on anything and everything that we could possibly run out of, which is why there are now a couple hundred rolls of toilet paper in Jenworld. The ability to wipe thoroughly while snowbound is vital, yo.
And then I went to the bank, because for some reason I felt that it was necessary to have lots of cash on hand. As if the entire world is going to come to a crashing halt and we’ll be reduced to a cash/barter economy. Luckily, I have plenty of toilet paper, which I could probably swap for some vodka or firewood or thick socks.
After school, the girls and I raided the book store, where they each burned through all of their gift cards from Christmas. These bibliophiles of mine will not be running out of reading material anytime soon. We weren’t the only people who had that idea, and Barnes & Noble was as crowded as the day of a new Harry Potter release.
Changing subjects completely…
So today is February 5th.
Twenty-two years ago today, a cute college boy took a college girl out on their first date. They ate Chinese food and then he took her back to her dorm, where he politely told her good night, said that he’d call, and then left. Absolutely no hanky panky of any kind. It was a very clean, PG-rated date.
Neither one had any way of knowing that 22 years later they’d have two kids, two cars, two houses (which is one too many), and would be battening down the hatches for a big-ass storm. Luckily, they still enjoy each other’s company and he is still her favorite person to be snowbound with.
Normally, on February 5th, Pete and I order Chinese food delivery for dinner. Only, there won’t be any of that tonight, what with the snow and the snow and the more snow. Unless we can find a Chinese restaurant that will deliver via snowmobile, we’ll be making pizza for dinner.
But really, does it matter what we eat, as long as we’re all warm and safe?
Happy Friday everyone!
Happy anniversary!
Warm, cozy and loved – what could be better?
Nothing.
How sweet! And so nice that you mark the occasion in a special way. You could cook some chinese, you know… (and incidentally, today is my blogiversary of 4 years!)
I am weathering the storm, too– what choice do we have? It looks so quiet and serene outside though.
Aw! Happy Anniversary!
We are going to get a very small part of the Big Ass Storm — only about 8″ over the next two days. Northern Ohio is going to become the new place for people to go in the winter — instead of the south — because apparently it doesn’t really snow here anymore.
Happy 22! That is my favorite photo you have posted, ever. Adorable!
I am expecting to see lots of pixs of snow forts, tunnels, igloos, sledding runs, and snowmen. While we have none, naturally.
I turned on the TV, saw your weather forecast and immediately headed over here.
This whole post was a reminder of why I moved out of New England.
Thank you for making me and Mr Sunshine laugh until we cried this morning.
Take pictures and keep warm and cozy.
Happy First Date Anniversary!
How cute is that photo? You look about 12!
This storm is just missing us here, and I’m so glad. You guys have certainly have more than your share. What is it with being stocked up for a storm; it’s got to be some caveman winter instinct we all get. You can always burn the cash if the power goes out and you can’t make it thru the snow to the wood pile, right?
Well congrats! The photo is too cute. You could have told me and I could have sent my Honey Mango Chicken w/ Cashews recipe to you so you could at least something resembling Chinese food.
Oh well – the Long ass winter continues up in NOVA and I’m working from home. Be safe!!! And yes, total destruction has occurred in all of our local markets.
That’s the cutest picture.
It’s raining again here.
Hey, that college GIRL was pretty dang cute, too!
It sounds like you’ve got the essentials for being snowbound. I’m assuming you didn’t forget the hot cocoa and marshmallows?
Have you tried making snow ice-cream a la Laura Ingalls Wilder with the girls? The recipe for both that and the molasses candy that Ma makes and pours on a pan of fresh snow are easily Google-able. My girls love both.
Pouting. We haven’t had a decent blizzard all winter. No snow days, no anticipation of hibernating with books and wine and movies for a weekend. Sigh. On the bright side, the sunny, cold weather is good for Winterlude and skating on the canal. Which I’m aiming to do as soon as I get some new skates.
But enough about me. Good luck. Keep an eye out for the signs of cabin fever, and enjoy your 22nd anniversary of your first date. In an odd instance of synchronicity, Leah and I will be ordering Chinese food for dinner tonight, as Rae is off on a sleepover. We’ll toast you and Pete with the fortune cookies.
Happy Anniversary you two! I had stir-fry for lunch in your honor.
Every time I hear about another storm heading your way, I am overcome by pangs of envy. We are getting nothing! Nothing, do you hear me… just one relentlessly sunny day after another! With a dusting of snow thrown in every couple of weeks or so. Just for good measure.
And, that picture of you totally makes me think of your girls. SO cute! I was wondering… is Pete wearing shorts with his outfit?
Your weather made our news here AGAIN! Congrats on the anniversary!
You gave your daughters your face!
Your winter ranting is SO funny, Jen. Many happy returns to you & Pete–a real love story!
That is the most ADORABLE photo I’ve ever seen! And do you know what immediately came into my head as I looked at you?!!! Graceful!!!! I really see her in you!
As much as I hate snow, your full cupboards, piles of books and warm home sound oh so nice
Awwww, how adorable is that photo??
I’m kind of jealous of the snow. I want something to force me to not leave the house all weekend. I mean, I do it anyway, but it would be nice if it wasn’t by choice!
That picture is adorable! Happy Anniversary!
So far we only have rain. The snow is going to start tonight.
Love the photo. I called my daughter in Philly to remind her to get ready for the big storm. too.
Sooo jealous of your snow! I’m sure ours will come…in March.
That is a great picture of you two. And I can totally see the girls in you. : )
All that snow is crazy. This is the time of year I’m glad I live in the south. Love the photo and happy anniversary.
Our winter has been totally sucktastic. NO SNOW. Hardly at all.
I am slightly jealous of the great blizzard of 2010. That is until I come to my senses and realize I’d have to shovel all that snow.
Well, a belated happy February 5th!
Scrunchions? I never heard that before, who knew.
What a cute photo … and happy belated anniversary. A lot can happen in 22 years eh? Our first date was just over 23 years ago…
Happy Anniversary! Mr. Half and I just had our own anniversary of our first date in college. Happy times!
Oh yeah, and we just call them pork rinds too. But they aren’t too common around here. Moose rinds, on the other hand….(kidding, just kidding.)
Scrunchions. Absolutely my new favourite word. Sounds like a foodstuff you can also build bridges out of.