Resuming "Normal Life" (Whatever That Is...)

I used to think it would be rather cool to live somewhere way up in the mountains, isolated from the world during the months of Winter.  Sitting in front of a big roaring fire, entertaining myself by reading books and writing novels, having lengthy conversations about matters of the heart with my hubby (yes, I did include him in this fantasy).....

Well, now I know ~ I am not cut out for that.  No indeed, not at all!  That was just a silly, somewhat romantic, notion.  In reality, there would be firewood to chop, food scarcity and no local grocery down the street for emergency rations, no television and probably no internet.  (Well, with satellites and all, there might be television and internet, but I wouldn't count on it.)  The long stretches of being alone, even if you were with your significant other, could make for some pretty dark days, indeed.

Nope, I'm not cut out for the life of Mrs. Jeremiah Johnson.  And these last few days have proven that to me.

I'm chompin' at the bit to get out of the house today.  The sun is shining brightly and the drippy sounds of ice melting have stirred a song in my heart. 

Oh, heavenly sunshine!  And bare patches of grass!

 The ice and snow are receding and the pups have found the mud ~ lots of it! 

Plenty of mud....for tracking in!

My supply of coffee and non-fat vanilla creamer are dangerously low.  When my nail tech called and asked if I could come in this afternoon to make up my missed appointment from earlier in the week, I snapped the opportunity up like a drowning soul grabbing a lifeline in the middle of the ocean!  Imagine ~ conversation with another creature who doesn't speak in the language of "woof woof"!

Although the last few days have had a stark beauty all their own, I am ready to resume "Normal Life" and rejoin the world.  I guess I'm a more social creature than I thought!

Returning to "Normal", whatever that may be.....

Jane

Signs of Cabin Fever....

Day 4 of being snowed in!  And the fourth day of no school here in the Big Country.  Trust me, this is unprecedented! 

Meanwhile, I am seeing some signs of "cabin fever" setting in:

• I am far too observant about my dogs' "potty patterns" when I take them out.  Jake, the Aussie, has taken to eating snow - I just hope he's being discriminant about the "yellow snow".  Pepper, the 2-year old Doxie, has gone to a "semi-squat" now, somehow managing to bow her legs out enough to tinkle without getting her "business" in the snow.  And, Scout, my 10-year old Doxie, has come to the conclusion that as long as her front paws are off the patio, then she's off the patio.  So, we have frozen puddles of puppy pee and poop along the edge of the patio.  
•  The fact that the female anchor on my local newscast of choice is broadcasting from outside the station at noon, five, six and ten has become way too big a deal to me.  Even though I know what the forecast will be, I find myself tuning in for every newscast just to see if poor Lane is outside again!  I have watched more local news in the last four days than I have in the past year....and that's the honest truth!
• I'm finding myself channel surfing indiscriminantly.  In fact, yesterday I even stopped on Bravo's "Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" and lost an hour of my life staring at shallow women who have misshapen, plastic faces.  I think every one of them should sue their plastic surgeons.....
• I didn't put on makeup for the first three days. Nor did I wear the appropriate foundation garment for three days.  (Yeah, ladies, you know what I'm talking about!)  It felt good for the first couple of days.  But, by the end of Day 3, I was starting to feel sorta like a major slub.  So, after showering and blow-drying today, I added makeup back into my daily routine.  Kudos to me!  
• I actually went beyond the back covered patio today and ventured all the way to mailbox at the end of the driveway!  This seemed like a real outing to me after being cooped up for so long.  In fact, I think I probably had just this adventure in mind when I put on makeup and shaved my legs in the shower!

So, what do you think?!?!?!?  Does this sound like a bona fide case of "cabin fever" to you?  Have you experienced something like this in the cold, dark days of Winter?

I hope that the thaw has begun now.  At least the sun is shining brightly today.  And, even though the temps are not officially above freezing, the sun is at least giving the illusion of warmth.  I know it has certainly lifted my spirits and I am thankful for this day!!!

Keep it warm and fuzzy, Friends!

Jane

Waiting for the Thaw....

Here is the view from my front porch today....

Our world is still frozen solid.  They are calling this "The February Freeze" on local newscasts.  All I can say is that is an understatement!

After enjoying a very mild weekend and pleasant day on Monday, an arctic air mass moved through that evening, starting with rain, thunder and lightening.  As the evening progressed, the rain turned to hail, then sleet, and finally snow.  The thunder and lightening continued well into the night and the temperatures plummeted.

I awoke around 6:00 am on Tuesday morning to the sound of tires spinning furtively on the icy street in front of our house.  A large pickup had fishtailed and ended up sideways in the street at the end of our drive.  After several minutes of working with a shovel, the driver was able to dig the truck out enough to get it straightened and go on his way.  A couple of hours later, the scene was replayed again with another large pickup. 

As I stayed inside with a hot cup of coffee and watched the local news for school and business closings, I was thankful that I can work from home!

Now, two days later, we are still in the same situation with the weather.  The temps have remained in single digits and roads have not improved at all.  It seems we are all trapped inside our homes, waiting for this unholy weather pattern to end.  School is canceled for the third day and even the local mall was closed yesterday.  You know it's bad when the weather trumps the almighty dollar! 

Those of you who live up North may think we're overreacting to the situation.  Ice and snow are more common occurrences where you live and everyone just deals with them.  But, this is paralyzing to us! 

As we face yet another day of staying in and trying to stay warm, cabin fever is starting to set in.  I will think of yet another way to thank God for the person who invented fleece.  I will actually put on makeup today and pretend that I am going to leave the house.  I will sweep the kitchen for the millionth time after the pups track in snow from their potty adventure out back.  I will finish my third book, and last, book from the library and try to avoid vegging out in front of the television.  (Will have to let you know how that turns out....)

Even though the winter landscape is beautiful in its crisp and stark way, I am longing for a warm Spring day.  This patch of Winter makes me dream of sunshine and tulips, blossoming pear trees and greening grass. 

Hurry up, Spring!  My heart beats in eager anticipation for you!

Anybody else caught in this deep freeze and ready for a change?!?!?

Staying inside....

Jane