Not for the Weak

I went to undergraduate school in Missoula, MT. While there I happened to be in a random history class and we were all asked to tell something about our hometowns as a way to get to know each other ('cuz no bond is more lasting than those formed in forced discussion). Anyway, I made note of a girl from Wyoming. She mentioned that in her town, one known for being windy, that on very gusty days the water in the basement toilet would sway with the winds. I assumed that meant that she had some sort of ramshackle home and that the wind wasn't really that intense.

I assumed wrong.


Photo by my hubby E.K. Wimmer

This morning, over a warm breakfast, my husband and I gazed passively at the curtains blowing in the wind. Let me assure you that our doors and windows were closed. I will admit that we need new sliding glass doors, but I am holding out for french doors (when will my french door genie arrive?!?!), and new windows are needed too, but we definitely do not live in a ramshackle house. The wind is so intense that I am pretty sure that the toilet water in the basement is swaying.

Hold on, let me check....confirmed!

While we are grateful that the temperatures are above 0F, the wind chill still makes it feel -5F, so whatever to that. You know, this weather has been weirdly intense. The poor dogs haven't been on a walk in a week, they give up after five minutes in the backyard and do that thing that lizards do on hot sand.
Imagine this, only swap snow for sand and basset hounds for the lizard.



Photo by my hubby E.K. Wimmer 

There are several bright sides to this situation:
1) The remaning branches (broken in an early storm) are now falling from the trees. Bonus, exercising your cat like reflexes as you dodge them.
2) No body image issues for anyone, thick layers of clothing have leveled the playing field and nobody is even kind of thinking about how they look in a swimsuit.
3)Lots of family time indoors. Hot soy chocolate milk aplenty. Tea too.
4) Free defensive driving practice. Everywhere. All the time.


Photo by my hubby E.K. Wimmer 
I think the temps are supposed to rise to above freezing before the end of the week. WAHOOO! Until then, we are snug and happy, thankful for a roof over our heads and 4wheel drive. Truly, while this weather is cold we are in awe of the beauty that accompanies it. Oh, and Wyoming wildlife is hardcore tough. Seriously, they just go about their business like it ain't no thang!


Photo by my hubby E.K. Wimmer 

Photo by my hubby E.K. Wimmer 

B to the 3

 B to the 3=Baby, Blocks, Bassets! I suppose you could also add brrrrrrrrrrrrrr as a 4th or alternate B.







I don't know if you are aware of the temperatures here in Wyoming, but it is cold. So very, very, very cold. Cold enough that we've only been outside for brief moments in the past few days. Cold enough that when the transformer down the street blew, leaving us and 399 other homes without power, there was real concern that we'd have to take up residence (kids, cat, dogs, and all) with my parents. Thankfully the power company was all over it and we were only without power for 4 hours and it didn't get too uncomfortably cold in our home.





Anyway, the cold air has us all trying to spend time indoors. Absolutely no unnecessary time outside. So I have been breaking out all of the busy toys a little at a time. Recently, while Cordelia was at preschool, I broke out the blocks and let Elise have a ball. Usually big sister takes over so this was kind of a fun treat for the littlest. The dogs have been snuggling extra close even though the heater is working well and they have fur.

Winter Hath Arrived!

I had vague dreams of snow and cold last night. Small wonder considering the arctic blast we've been dealing with the past couple of days. The snow started falling on Wednesday night, lightly at first, but by yesterday morning the snow was laying in a thick blanket across the ground. The thermostat isn't expected to even flirt with the 30sF.



When the weather gets like this I often wonder about homesteaders, those folks who thought this was a good place to make a go for it. Sure, they probably found Wyoming in the spring or summer, but one winter here is enough to give you a decent education in cold. I know that my great great grandparents homesteaded here and I just shake my head in wonder that I've come from such hearty stock. I'm afraid that I wouldn't have made it in Wyoming back then....I would have wimped out and headed for the Pacific Northwest, because heaven knows I would never survive the heat of the Southwest!



Thankfully I was made for here and now. So, I am equipped with the powers to adjust the thermostat, curl up under a blanket, drink soy hot chocolate and have my husband sit on my feet when I become desperate.



Today, as the cold settles in we will be indoors. I plan to visit with a friend, write, play with a toddler, hang out with my husband and be so thankful that I have all the conveniences of the modern world. I will just enjoy looking at the crisp white layer of snow that covers our yards. I can marvel and the sparkle of snow as the cold wind carries it through the air. I can just be thankful for a warm day indoors.



What do you do on snow days?

Freaky Cold -9 F(-36 F with wind chill)

So, I am living in the heart of cold today. Can you believe how cold it is (see title)? I kind of like freakish weather, it makes for a break from the everyday. Plus, today I got to use the Hot Hands hand warmer that I had been saving for just such an occasion. There have been several times when I pulled out the little hand warmers and thought that there would come a time when I would really need them. Well my friends, that day was today.

These photos are from yesterday, which was much warmer (3 degrees). We took Bumblebee out for a few minutes. She loves the snow, but we really don't want her out in the cold for more than a short while.

You can click on the photo above to see a close up view of Bumblebee's snow beard.

I am giving the cold weather a thumbs up, because really this type of cold just demands respect.

Eric's scarf matches Bumblebee's sweater. Aren't they adorable?

To keep Bumblebee from freezing in place, Eric went bolting through the snow with her. She had so much fun. She likes to race as fast as she can while grabbing clumps of snow. It's kind of crazy to watch, but she seems pretty pleased with herself when it is all said and done.

I am already quite excited to snuggle in with a hot cup of tea and a big quilt this evening. Is it cold where you are? Have you beat Denver as the heart of cold?