Storm has arrived

Our ice storm started about 8 this morning. The ice stopped mid-afternoon and then snow began falling along with the temperatures. The trees are completely coated in ice and the branches are hanging low. Power outages are expected from downed trees and limbs We will have strong north winds and wind chills getting as low as 20-30 below zero. I won't be able to leave the house until mid-next week from what the weather report is saying. The HairyButt Gang and I have plenty of everything and two propane fireplaces so we'll be fine. Bored, no doubt, but fine otherwise.

Leslie & The Furbabies in nasty weather in MO.

The predicted snow storm has arrived right on schedule in the Chicago area. They are saying 20" with high winds thus drifting. We have lots of extra supplies on hand so plan to just stay put until the week end. My only concern is loosing power because Mom can't tolerate the cold house. The nursing home will accept her for a temporary stay if they have a bed available. She has stayed there twice before during rehab. The Red Cross will have warming shelters open but I would hate to put her in that type of situation. We are very thankful for our well built house that is drafty.

I have several quilting projects assembled and ready for a week of non-stop sewing. If we loose power there are two great handwork projects.

Susan

We were just watching Chicago and they say "even the zoo is closed". Now. Really. What? I know Susan is seriously concerned about keeping her little Moma warm - but just imagine if you had lions and tigers and bears? You just wouldn't want them annoyed. Polly

We got about 8" of snow last night, and expect another 10-12" tonight.Thankfully, no snow or sleet or really cold temperatures are expected...just a lot of the white stuff.

Driving was, shall we say, a challenge this morning as nothing was plowed here, but everything was nice and clear for the drive home.

If we get the snow predicted over night, tomorrow morning will be a mess and I'll be telecommuting as long as the power doesn't go out. If it does, I have lots of books to read :)

Hope everyone who is in the storm's path stays dry, safe, and warm.

-Irene

Same in our area as we are just 100 miles north of you. It's a Blizzard Warning with winds now blowing at 41 mph. Stay safe everyone....Donna

Geez! I feel kinda left out! It's in the mid 60's here in So. California! Keep warm everyone. Thinking of you all! amy in SoCal

I was thinking you two (Bobbie & Amy) deserve all of us blizzard bunnies to throw a FQ at you ... but then again -- that might actually encourage you to keep reminding us that not everyone has 10" of snow outside their door with 10 more en route, 35 mph winds (gusts are more) and a temperature (not wind chill -- but temperature) of 15°. (wind chill puts us somewhere round -10°).

LOL

When DH retires -- you can be sure I will spend most of my winters where the sun shines and there is no snow to blow or shovel!

The weather globally just seems to be going 'haywire'. Here in Auckland, NZ we have lovely sunny weather one day and floods the next. One day last week 45 minutes away, there apparently was major flooding but we were sitting outside having a bbq in the sun. We are still experiencing alot of small but still frightening earthquakes in various parts of the country ( not Auckland). Tonight, Nth of Australia is battening down for one of the strongest cylclones to hit in a very very long time. Stay safe everyone! Carol in Auckland, NZ

Now it's our turn in Montreal! My hats off to anyone who has kids to get to school as well as going to work.

Allison

On the weekend I was listening to an interview with an experienced sailor on CBC radio. He has gone round the world several times for races - this year not only was the weather much worse than usual but he saw very little wildlife in the oceans (dolphins, etc).

I get rather pessimistic at times.... are we just frogs in the cauldron of water very slowly coming to a boil?

Allison

Kate ( and others) I have a couch that make into a bed! But it still gets cold and freezing down here! Barbara in FL

On Tue, 1 Feb 2011 15:55:16 -0600, Susan Laity Price wrote (in article ):

David ended up being terribly disappointed by our storm. He thinks there was not enough snow, and though the official total is 11", he's right, it doesn't quite look like that much.

Nonetheless, I'm staying put today even though the snow has stopped.

Maureen

We've been fortunate here in southeastern Minnesota -- only about 3" from the most recent storm, though temp this morning was 1 degree F. with -19 degree wind chill. Of course, we do have plenty of snow on the ground -- about 19 inches -- from earlier storms.

Julia > I was thinking you two (Bobbie & Amy) deserve all of us blizzard bunnies