Snow Storm In Nebraska

Let me tell you about snow storms in Nebraska.

Yesterday, the grocery stores, gas stations, and department stores were completely packed as locals stocked up on necessities in case we would be stuck in our homes for days.

This morning, before even a flake of snow fell, local schools cancelled classes in anticipation of the forecasted snow.

And 3 days ago, when we first heard that snow was iminent, the road crews sprayed solution over the major streets in hopes that they would not have to get out to start plowing as soon as snow started falling. They prefer to wait until the snow has stopped and 200 people have had accidents, to actually try and remove the snow.

No doubt, the busiest businesses tonight will be those restaurants that deliver or have take-out.

And you can't blame us for wanting to stay in, cozied up in a blanket next to a warm fire with some hot chocolate and popcorn. But, just as we mocked those down south who experienced ice and snow a few weeks ago and couldn't function, I am sure states like Minnesota, North Dakota, Alaska, and the entire country of Canada laugh at our "hunker-down until it's over" approach. I mean, people do have to live, work, commute, and function with winter weather.

We are supposed to get 4-6 inches of snow today. I'm excited. We may actually have enough snow to cover all the ugly grass!

There is a really good advantage to this snow storm. We have plans to go out to eat tonight at a popular restaurant in town. I was worried about wait, but I don't think we'll have any problems tonight!

Some crazy runner

Yesterday the wind chills were in the negative teens here. Nothing compared to my friends up north, but I would still classify the temperature as "not-condusive-to-outdoor-activities."

Perhaps I am just wimpy because I saw a guy running last night outside, without anything covering his face. He was in his cold weather gear, but I think even that stops working when we jump into the negatives.

I thought, That guy is crazy. I don't think you are supposed to be outside for extended periods of time in this weather.

After closer inspection of the runner, I saw that it was my very own Hubs. It only took 3 days for him to get sick of the treadmill.

Slow Down!

The past two weeks were a blur, so it was very nice to relax in Kansas and not think about everything that could, should, and would get done when we came back home. I'll admit that the first night home I was overwhelmed with everything. "What is 'everything'?" you ask. It's pretty much life in general, but I will save those details for another post.

Christmas Eve and Day did not feel like Christmas. I blame the fact that I got too anxious at Thanksgiving. I put up my tree and played Christmas music too early this year. By the time Christmas came, the "magical feeling" was gone. That doesn't mean we didn't have a wonderful time, though. I won't go through all our gifts or the details of each day, but here are a few highlights:

The movie we went to on Christmas Day was perfect. We I was momentarily disappointed when we found out Marley and Me was sold out at the first theatre. We did find tickets, however, to an older theatre. This theatre did not have the stadium seating we have all come to love; nor the comfy seats and up-to-date decor. No, this theatre was decked out in a retro-blue color to compliment the peeling off-white walls, the seats were bouncy, and the floor sloped. But, none of us cared because the tickets were $1.50 less than the nicer theatre and there were only about 20 people occupying the teal seats. Enough about the theatre, though. The movie was hands-down one of the best movies we had seen in a long time. Even my brother, the skeptical, pouting, 19-year-old, embarrased to be seen going into a PG family movie, was laughing and enjoying himself. In the end, there was not a dry eye to be found (even I, who never cries at movies, was bawling). A must-see, in my opinion.

The day after Christmas could not have been more beautiful and unexpected. The temperature reached 69 degrees in Kansas City and we walked the plaza without our coats! The plaza lights were pretty and the atmosphere is always fun.

The musical we went to on the day after Christmas was surprisingly good. I wasn't sure what to expect from a kids-musical titled Seussical, but it was great! We laughed and enjoyed the talents of the actors/musicians. It would be a great event for children, as adults were the minority in the theatre, and I have had one of the songs in my head ever since!

The Rook game we played was fun. I am always looking forward to playing card or board games. Sometimes, Richard and I are horrible partners, but we were on a roll and winning each round. We finally lost let my parents win the last hand.

We got back home on Saturday night. It was great to be back in church on Sunday. I hope you have that same feeling about your church. It just feels like you are home, once you are among your church family.

I can't believe 2009 is days away, but I am ready now.

Books & Headaches

Friday night Hubs told me to get out of the house. I go crazy when everything is quiet and he needs quiet to study. So, I bundled up and spent the evening at Barnes and Noble - alone. Now, don't any of you start feeling sorry for me, I can spend hours in that store. And, when I arrived, I realized I wasn't the only one with this idea!

I started by first ordering a grande, non-fat gingersnap latte, with an extra shot of espresso and no whip. Then, I wandered around to find a comfy chair to sit in and read. No suck luck. They only had hard, wood chairs that happened to be place in the most inconveinent of spots. But, I'm sure that having people cozy down with a brand new book is not really what they are going for. They would prefer you buy the book and read it at home. So, I cozied up on a wooden chair and finished reading my current book, Marley and Me. It made me laugh and cry.


For the remainder of the evening, I looked at books. It amazes me how many books are written on the same topics. There are some great books out there, but there is also a lot of crud. When the 10 minute warning came over the intercom, I headed back home. A successfull, relaxing Friday night.

-------------------------------------------------------

For the past 5 days, I have had a headache. One of those dull, annoying ones. I should have known what was coming, but I forgot. Sunday, however I woke up with a migraine. I knew it before I got out of bed. I immediately went to the cupboard and took 2 advil, ate a piece of banana bread, and laid back down. I had dull pain for most of the day and finally, at about 3pm, I couldn't stand up anymore. I went back to laying down and slept for 4 more hours, only to then wake up with a quesy stomach.

Hubs hated seeing me in pain, so he braved the negative temperature and bought me some of my new favorite medicine:



Did it take away my headache? No, but it made it possible for me to move around and get things done. And finally, this morning, I woke up headache-free for the first time in a week!

Why did I have a headache for a whole week? Here are my possible reasons:

1. No BC this past week.
2. Ate too much chocolate and sweets at work.
3. Worry, stress, etc.
4. The weather. For some reason, going from the cold temperature into a warm house messes with my head.
5. What do you think?

It's beginning to smell a lot like Christmas

Hubs laughs, but it smells like Christmas outside. It's cold and windy - typical for November in Nebraska. I wouldn't mind the cold, however, if there was some snow! You all think I am crazy, but I love snow until about mid-January. Then I, like the rest of the normal people out there, am ready for it to go away.


I talked to my Gram last week and she said that Findley Lake already has snow (see picture above). Memories of my birthday as a kid came back. Without fail, we trick-or-treated in blizzard conditions. And then, the grass did not re-appear until April. I would trampse through feet - not inches - of snow to wait for the bus (school was rarely cancelled).

I am not crazy enough to wish for 6 full months of snow, but I am wishing for a white Christmas. I would just love to wake up on Christmas day and see the ground completely white. Soft snowflakes gently falling. And then, when stepping out into the wintery weather, it is just quiet. The only thing heard is the crush of the snow beneath my feet. That, I do miss.

What do you think? Snow, or no snow?