A Southerner in a Snow Storm

I had heard about the impending storm for over a week. When the locals get scared…I get scared.

No, that’s not true…I panic!

I made Steve stop for milk. We already had 3 dozen eggs in the fridge and a fresh loaf of homemade whole wheat bread as well. We raided two Redboxes plus the local library for DVD’s. Shannon school enacted early dismissal. Steve came home from work at 3pm. We ate pizza, swam in the hot tub, watched movies…and waited.

When the snow began to fall, I could feel my stress level rising. I didn’t know what to expect. It didn’t help that I was constantly checking the internet and every homepage mentioned the Midwest being slammed with a blizzard or the people buried in their cars as they attempted to drive home.

Blizzard. A word I had heard before but never fully understood… until today.

Swirling snow.

The word “blustery” came to mind…which Steve informed me was not really a word, but

I swear I read it in a Winnie the Pooh book long ago. Regardless of its validity, it seemed to sum up the scene that was unfolding before my eyes.

But, I had to sleep.

When I awoke, I looked out the window with hesitation; utterly afraid of what I might see.

Now, I have a fairly active imagination. However, remember that I had never experienced a blizzard before. In this case, my imagination failed to prepare me.

Loser

The scene before me was indescribable

…unimaginable

…white.

Where was my mailbox?

oh, there you are.

Where was the car?

I think that's it.

Why was there a white curtain hanging from the roof?What was this?

Oh yeah, my first blizzard.

Steve began an attempt to carve his way to his car while I spent an eternity outfitting the kids in snow pants, hats, gloves, scarves, socks, boots, etc.

Shannon reverted to her happy place and grabbed a sand bucket…she was at the beach, building sand castle. Or in reality, a snow castle. Adam… he became the quintessential 2 year old who quickly became annoyed by his gloves, which stifled his creativity, ditched them, froze within seconds, began crying in pain, snot flowing, and finally had to be carried inside by Mommy for some cartoons. Still not one to be content, he cried at the door, disappointed that he was not included in the excavation activities.
After we cleared our driveway and helped a neighbor do the same, I took a quick walk to the grocery store for some guacamole. Yes, guacamole. Something tropical. Something on sale. Something to get me out of the house. Steve made an appearance at work, grabbed a few projects and clocked out before the roads began to freeze for the evening. At home and we homemade snow crème and salted caramel sauce while we congratulated ourselves on surviving our first of many blizzards. Salute!

Mmm, snow creme. Whipped it up, stored it on the deck. What? My freezer was full. My deck is what I call my "Iowa freezer". Best way to get your soup frozen flat in a ziplock bag.