here comes the snow

[Vanessa]

Oh my...just when the melting was going so well here comes another storm. Its snowing quite heavily although the weatherman said it was starting earlier and tapering off its actually snowing harder as time goes by...
We are due for sleet later...I cannot wait for Spring!!!

[lindrusso]

I cannot wait for Spring!!!

Me too!

We've just started getting a few flakes of snow here in Central PA - it seems like the worst of it is staying off to the south, so maybe we'll get lucky............

And like you - we haven't gotten rid of the stuff from the last storm - I really don't want my driveway piles to get any bigger..............

[TKay]

Totally lame question ahead: Do you guys LIKE the weather? I mean, snow and cold? I've lived in SoCal all my life, so I have no clue as to what it would be like to actually have weather. When I am in the snow on trips to the mountains, I simply can't imagine what it would be like to live in it. It's beautiful, sure, but isn't it a major pain?
Just a question from a complete snow ignoramous.

[Robyn1007]

I do like the snow but after 61 days straight of snowpack this year (nearly broke the record of 63 days) I am ready for it to stop down here in the city. One of the reasons I like Colorado is because USUALLY there is a good break of weather between storms and the snow doesn't stick around for long in the city. Now, up in the mountains, it could keep snowing until May for all I care, Vail is open until April 22nd this year and I want great spring skiing. :D

[southjerseymom]

Totally lame question ahead: Do you guys LIKE the weather? I mean, snow and cold? I've lived in SoCal all my life, so I have no clue as to what it would be like to actually have weather. When I am in the snow on trips to the mountains, I simply can't imagine what it would be like to live in it. It's beautiful, sure, but isn't it a major pain?
Just a question from a complete snow ignoramous.

I don't like snow and cold. Okay, maybe a light coating during the week of Christmas into the New Year to make it feel like the season, but that's all. Sure it's pretty to look at, but it makes it difficult for driving and it is a pain (to my bones). I have Raynaud's and Lupus am super, ultra- sensitive to the cold (more so than heat). It is physically painful for me. I sleep in fleece pj's, thermal socks and one of those fleece ankle length zip-up robes:eek: . I told my DH, we're going to have to be snowbirds when we get older;) . I can't imagine how my body's going to tolerate the temperatures as I grow older. I'm not even 40 yet! I try to avoid being out at night , if I can help it. If I never wear a heavy coat, sweaters, boots, gloves and a scarf again, I wouldn't care. I am a sandals, sundress kind of gal!

[Vanessa]

Hi!
I like snow but hate ice. My BIL just slippped and ended in hospital with bruised ribs. Last week we had days with bad weather topped with ice. Just when we were thawing out we get a weather update which turned out unreal as we could have 8-or more inches of snow.
I cleared one walkway but it was snowing so hard and we don't get services here (private road). All my walkway is with snow again and here comes more sleet.
A little snow is great but this is not fun anymore. We had several deaths in the area from kids slidding on the ice last week and now more...
I would rather be in CA right now.I was used to snow in college (upstate NY) but here because people are not used to snow too many road accidents and takes days for clearing out etc.
I plan to stay warm inside.

[lindrusso]

TKay - Yes and no.

I could probably do without winter all together, but I do enjoy a nice big snow once in a while and an excuse to huddle indoors baking and being near the fire, etc. And it is pretty. That said - I could huddle indoors baking and being by the fire if it were 40 out just as easily as if it were 8. I could do without the bitter cold and minus wind chills - that's just nasty.

Snow can be fun, but it can be a major pain too. There have been winters where it just keeps piling up and doesn't melt. You end up spending your life shoveling and salting. That gets real old, real fast. If, like my SIL who lives in NYC, I didn't have to worry about shoveling or driving or any of that, it would probably be more fun. When she comes to our house during cold weather, she actually asks if she can scrape the car thinks it's fun. Only someone who never has to do that would enjoy it! :D :rolleyes:

For me, one month of cold and snow would be plenty. It's not so much the cold and snow that's bad, it's the 3+ months of cold and snow that gets trying...............

[Chefzhat]

TKay - living in a "winter wonderland" is the BEST. There is so much to do, everything looks totally different, pursuits you enjoy in warm weather are different in the winter - for example: fishing. Ice fishing is like a completely different sport.

There's skiing - downhill and cross country. Snowshoeing. Snowmobiling. Snowball fights. Sledding. Winter hiking and bird watching. Ice skating.

The only thing I don't like about the snow is grocery shopping - it's hard to push the carts through the parking lot. Small price to pay, though.

Can you tell I LOVE winter! We live in a state where there are literally thousands of acres of public land available for exploration.

Debie

[badunnin]

TKay - living in a "winter wonderland" is the BEST. There is so much to do, everything looks totally different, pursuits you enjoy in warm weather are different in the winter - for example: fishing. Ice fishing is like a completely different sport.

There's skiing - downhill and cross country. Snowshoeing. Snowmobiling. Snowball fights. Sledding. Winter hiking and bird watching. Ice skating.

The only thing I don't like about the snow is grocery shopping - it's hard to push the carts through the parking lot. Small price to pay, though.

Can you tell I LOVE winter! We live in a state where there are literally thousands of acres of public land available for exploration.

Debie

Debie - you summed up very well everything I love about living in this climate. I love to run in the snow and cold as well. It's such an amazing feeling of accomplishment! I got out this weekend (Friday and Saturday) and introduced my English visitor to snowshoeing at the local state park - she had a blast, and learned that if you dress well (in layers), most of our "cold weather pursuits" aren't really cold at all. In fact, I had her peeling off layers! And the number of calories burned pretty much negates the hot cocoa! :D

[Canice]

Debie, you've pretty well described how I imagine living in Real Winter. Though I'm TOTALLY unathletic, so while your words about outdoor fun look nice, in fact they wouldn't apply to me. But then, I can't imagine being unathletic in Real Winter would necessarily be a liability either! I love being out and about in a cold, driving rain but know that doesn't translate to snow. Still, it would be interesting to give it a go.

TKay, I was born and raised here (you know, the place you SoCal folks consider cold Siberia ;) ) and until embarassingly recently -maybe since joining the BB?- I honestly thought everyone hated snow, and that it was considered to be awful, unpleasant, inconvenient, depressing, etc. I thought that was the general opinion. After learning how much some people love it (coupled with my disdain for hot weather, and love of a grey day) I started paying more attention. My parents are from New York, I've always had bosses from the Midwest (for some reason) and loads of coworkers from the Northeast and Midwest. And DBF from the Canadian prairie. So of course it made sense: I was getting 100% of my information from the people who DO hate it, and chose to leave. Not a very balanced pool.

I could count on one hand the number of times I've been in snow: first my parents, then DBF refused to have anything to do with it. "Have fun," they'd say. Or, "Call us when you get there." "Drive safely," etc. I used to beg my parents to take us to Tahoe when I was a kid. But no dice. And DBF is even worse.

[Robyn1007]

Debie - you summed up very well everything I love about living in this climate. I love to run in the snow and cold as well. It's such an amazing feeling of accomplishment! I got out this weekend (Friday and Saturday) and introduced my English visitor to snowshoeing at the local state park - she had a blast, and learned that if you dress well (in layers), most of our "cold weather pursuits" aren't really cold at all. In fact, I had her peeling off layers! And the number of calories burned pretty much negates the hot cocoa! :D

Layers are definitely the key! In fact, I just bought a new ski jacket because I was having trouble regulating my temperature (not to mention that the old one didn't match my new skis :p ). If I wore my soft shell under my outer shell I was baking, even on the coldest days with only one baselayer on. So, now I bought an outer shell with a little bit of insulation so I won't need the soft shell. Debie definitely summed up the joys of winter well. As a matter of fact, come May, I'll be bored out of my mind! Here's my new jacket:

http://akamai.edeal.com/images/catalog3981/folder56448/img4404263.jpg

[badunnin]

Robyn that's a great jacket! Saturday when we were out it was about 20F, and I put on my Under Armour top, a pair of tights, my Columbia ski jacket (without the liner) and a pair of Gore pants. About halfway through our 3+ miles my jacket was opened. She originally came out of her room in long underwear, a sweater, a fleece jacket, fleece pants, wind pants and a North Face windbreaker. I sent her back to change, and she ended up in the long underwear, wind pants, a fleece vest and the NF jacket. She figured if we were going to be outside in the arctic air for several hours, we must have to be wearing bundles of clothes!

[Natasha]

Totally lame question ahead: Do you guys LIKE the weather? I mean, snow and cold?

Yes :D For the most part, anyway - as long as nobody close to me has to drive in it, I generally (there are exceptions) *really* like it. It's so fun and invigorating to play outside in this weather (running, snowshoeing, etc.), and I adore the coziness of making soups, bread, cookies, and so on. I also love being all warm in my new robe, simply gazing out at the snow, and snuggling with my husband on the couch - preferably with the fireplace on and our dog stretched out in front of it. Right now the snow is really coming down and I'm enjoying the beauty as I sip a cup of tea :)

Debie and Bethany, nicely put!

Natasha

[Canice]

Layers are definitely the key!


Hahah! Well, just for the files: If any of you should find yourselves travelling to San Francisco in the summertime, that's what we advise too! Three minimum, four would be safer. :p

[Robyn1007]

Bethany, next time you look for a ski jacket, look for one of my favorite features in new coats, pit vents. :p Yep, it's great to be able to control air entry in without have to ski down the mountain with your coat wide open. In fact, I won't buy another coat without them. The other feature this has that I like is a pass flash pocket (clear vinyl, tucks up under the waist).

My typical set up is a microfiber tank, baselayer (I have a variety, my favorite is a Columbia one I got for Christmas) and then whatever coat combo I'm wearing. If I'm coaching, softshell and outer shell, if I'm not it will likely just be this coat, possible an extra baselayer on really cold days. On the bottom I have capri baselayer (also new from 686 which I got so I don't have extra fabric in my boots) and my ski pants, oh and my helmet which is super warm and my magic gloves (leather, have never had cold fingers in them).

Canice, I think all of the best climates require layers! I'd never survive in a completely hot all the time climate like Houston or Florida.

Vanessa, sorry for hijacking your thread! I completely understand at least wanting everything to melt before the next round. Just this week did we finally reach the point of no ice pack on our neighborhood street. :eek: Let me tell you, my alignment is really bad right now. I hope that it doesn't get too bad there for you, the DC area just doesn't handle snow well and really doesn't handle ice well.

[Canice]

Yes, I was a major hijacker too! (sheesh, hope that doesn't hinder my passage through airport security) - but I actually find this interesting, even if the snow doesn't apply to me. Vanessa, do I recall that you're originally from a very WARM weather climate?

Loved your post, Natasha. I was all ready to invite myself over, but then I got to the part about snuggling up with your DH. I mean, friendship has its limits. :p

As far as unchanging weather, never thought of it that way, Robyn, but now that you say it: yea- nice to know you get the "variety pack" in a set period. Then the griping is more evenly paced!
My classic was being in Rome one June with then-DBF, a native of that fabulouos city, and heading out the door at 10PM (a real benenfit of a warm-weather climate). He'd been living in Berkeley for a couple of years so he understood what was happening when I dashed back inside and came out with a big SWEATER (it had to be 85F). "A sweater?" he asked. "For later," I said, "when it gets cold."
"Oh. You mean October?" :p

[Lauren]

Well, the snow arrived in the Boston area. It's still coming down and looks so pretty. Unfortunately, the kids were on vacation all last week and today is back to school. :rolleyes:

We've had a mild winter which is fine with me. This morning I told DS that we're almost into March, which means only 4 more weeks. ;)

[Vanessa]

Yes I am from Puerto Rico very warm climate. Today all is covered white and is like a post card but boy it is slippery. a very kind neighboor cleaned my driveway for which I am so grateful as DH was not available.
Everyone in radio today was upset that weathermen(women) were so wrong.
There were many delays and accidents. Yes you are right DC does not handle snow well (nor MD or VA)
Layers is a great way to dress and the lined LLBean jeans too are great.
One thing I learned recently is propane heating is the way to go (although at 2 dollars a gallon is not cheap) but it is warm! The old house had electric and heat pump and no comparison!!!
Thanks for all your postings is nice to hear other peoples opinions etc.

[CompassRose]

Pit vents? Fantastic! I need a new running jacket. (Not that I can afford one. But MEC is having a winter sale.)

I like snow, when I CAN be out running in it, or cross-country skiing, or whatever.

I HATE daily life in winter. Driving in snow. Shovelling snow (which I feel as though I've done EVERY SINGLE FREAKING DAY since January). Being cold, seemingly to the bone (which I ALWAYS am, if I'm not running/skiing/etc.). My nasty, horrid, cracking hands. Crawling into my icy bed at night. Waking up to icy floors in the morning. Slush.

On the whole, I'd say that my "like/dislike" scale of winter leans heavily to the loathing side. Yet I've lived in Ontario my whole life. WHY?

I think I'd do well on the west coast. I don't mind rain.

[lindrusso]

I think I'd do well on the west coast. I don't mind rain.

Oh no, I'd take a cold, sunny day over days and days of rain any day. I get crazy if I don't see the sun on a regular basis. Fortunately this winter has been pretty good with the sun to cloudy day ratio.

The house we moved from in IN was SO good for me - lots of big, bright windows all over - I loved, loved it. This house has a decent amount of windows, but not enough. DH likes to shut the shades to help insulate, but I told him last night that he is NOT to touch them until it is dark - blocked windows make me crazy too!

Anyway, looks like we got a little over 3 inches here. Enough for a delay, but not so much that it was a major hassle. And thank goodness, not a bit of sleet, freezing rain or ice!

[barbara-cook]

southjerseymom - I have a touch of Raynauds too and I know how you feel! Sometimes there is just nothing you can do to warm your hands and feet up, and if you have to run errands, you feels as if you'll never be warm again.

Our bedroom is very cold in the winter, and this year I started heating up my rice bag (it's a fabric bag about 18 inches long and six inches wide, filled with regular white rice) in the microwave oven before bed and sliding it between the sheets. Then when I get in bed, I have something nice and hot to put my cold feet on. (My husband doesn't really enjoy having my cold feet on his hot body!!) I have found that if my feet are warm (and after awhile they get hot, and I have to kick the bag out of bed) I can get to sleep much faster.

Might give that a try!

I've lived up here in Upstate NY all my life. I love a great snow storm as much as any kid, but I hate having to be out in it. I don't mind driving in snow too much as long as I can stay away from other cars, and really if you go out when it's really bad, no one else is out there!

This is just the routine for us northerners - but after awhile that snow gets old, shoveling gets really old, and the in and out of the coats and boots, and slogging through the slushy parking lots and just dealing with all that wears you down. The last two years have been very mild here and this year we are paying for it. But I'd rather have the snow in February and March, than in April (or even May in some cases). By April, I want to be working in the garden, not shoveling snow!

Stay safe and warm everyone!

[Kay Henderson]

Northern California's long dry spell (NO precipitation in January and precious little before that or in the early part of February) broke last Thursday. It is snowing heavily as I type and the paper says when it is all over (should be within a couple of days), we will have received about six feet at Lake level.

TKay, I have a couple of responses to your question as to whether those of us who live in snow country actually LIKE this type of weather. By way of background, DH and I had both lived our entire lives in communities which did not have snow. Most recently, we had lived and worked in Sacramento for 32 years before moving to Lake Tahoe almost six years ago. It hasn't been as hard to get used to living in a snow climate as we thought it might be.

1. One of the reasons we moved here was that we were ready to trade in Sacramento's hot climate in the summer/storms with fog between the storms in the winter for perfect summer weather and storms but almost always clear between storms in the winter. I completely agree with Lindrusso's comment, "I'd take a cold, sunny day over days and days of rain any day."

2. We have found the key to being happy in snow country is to outfit our house, our vehicles and ourselves properly for the climate. For example, we have two snowblowers for different purposes, both high quality, we have dedicated snow tires for winter, and we have whatever clothing we need. The same principle applies to the community. It is, during storms, easier to live in a place where snow is common and snow-plowing is routine -- expected, scheduled, and in the budget.

3. All this said, it is much easier to live in such a climate as a retired person than it would be if one HAD to get up at 5 am to plow the driveway so as to be able to leave on time to get to work! (It probably doesn't hurt either that will be leaving this weekend for three weeks in southern California.)

Kay

P.S. for Lindrusso. If there are periods of time without snow on the roof, you might consider skylights. From what I have read (and this is consistent with my own experience), each square foot of skylight admits five times as much light as a window. The type in which a tube connects the roof part with the the part in the ceiling is particularly flexible. (The roof part does not have to be dead on top of the ceiling part.) Other alternatives would be more windows and/or upgraded lighting. It sounds like you are particularly sensitive to low light levels. If you've never heard of it, you might research "seasonal affective disorder" (SAD).

[lindrusso]

P.S. for Lindrusso. If there are periods of time without snow on the roof, you might consider skylights. From what I have read (and this is consistent with my own experience), each square foot of skylight admits five times as much light as a window. The type in which a tube connects the roof part with the the part in the ceiling is particularly flexible. (The roof part does not have to be dead on top of the ceiling part.) Other alternatives would be more windows and/or upgraded lighting. It sounds like you are particularly sensitive to low light levels. If you've never heard of it, you might research "seasonal affective disorder" (SAD).

Thanks, Kay. There's not too much opportunity for putting in more windows in this house, unfortunately. There are actually quite a few, but the size of the rooms prohibits us from putting more in in most cases. The house we were in before had large rooms that allowed for plenty of windows AND a place for furniture, etc.

Unfortunately skylights wouldn't help much - we have a colonial-style two-story house, so the only place for skylights would be bedrooms - once place I don't really want more light. ;) But adding on a nice sunny kitchen/sunroom some day when we hit the lottery - now there's an idea......

I don't think I react enough to be considered to have SAD, but I am sensitive to it. Lighting in the house might be key - some day I'll look into that. It also has to do with feeling closed in - I like to see out and let the natural light in - I much prefer natural lighting to artificial. This drives my SIL crazy - on cloudy days, it's a little dark in our home and she can't understand why I don't turn on all the lights - I just don't care for it and would rather the subdued natural light.

Being prepared for winter as a way of making it more bearable is a great point. We don't have the money at the moment, but I think we'll try very hard to invest in a snowblower for next winter. Unlike mowing the lawn or weeding or whatever, shoveling can't wait and often needs to be done NOW.

And snow tires........

[SusanMac]

It's so funny to learn that people assume everyone hates snow! I had no idea.

Yes, we love snow! But, to be more accurate -- we love 4 seasons. Bounding around in fluffy snow, making a fire, sledding, etc is a blast. But I equally love long bike rides & picnics in the summer. Followed by breathtaking autumn leaves.

DH & I lived in the Bay Area for 8 years and found the weather to be really boring. You can't really tell the difference between June and Christmastime. I grew up in Houston, which was even worse re: no seasons.

I find that people complain about snow/winter more later in the season, when you're anxious for spring. Then by late summer, we'll complain about sweating b/c we're ready for autumn :-)

[bobmark226]

I'm one of the snow lovers! In seasons where we had none further south in the city, we purposely planned northern Vermont vacations (non-skiers, too!) so we could enjoy it there. This Winter was really depressing until the first big Valentine's Day storm that finally decorated the dreary brown landscape. We had more Sunday night, it started again last night, then stopped, but when I woke again this morning, there were big, fat flakes falling while the Cardinals flocked to my feeder with its snow-capped roof. After I had my breakfast sandwich, I slipped back under the covers with my coffee and raised the shades of the picture window in my bedroom to enjoy it, and it lulled me back to sleep.

While I collected another hour of zzzzz's, I had a dream of walking around my back yard and finding, much to my surprise, the first crocus and a group of blossoming irises when suddenly Spring's first Hummingbird arrived, circling my patio looking for its feeder, so maybe, really, even though I'm surely enjoying this, maybe I'm ready for Spring after all.

Bob

[Robyn1007]

Bob, what a wonderful description!