I've had a non-stop Saturday, and it started with oversleeping. Would you even believe that after my Friday experience with my clock changing to DST two days early and my alarm getting me up an hour too early? At least it was only 25 minutes of oversleeping.
After my husband had fussed with the clock yesterday to get the time corrected, he had inadvertently turned the volume down for the radio. My eyes popped open at 6:12 AM today, not 5:45 as I had desired, and I realized that it was all wrong again.
So tonight I'm going to bed with the semi-confidence that my clock is going to function properly and spring forward an hour. This time I will have my husband's clock within view, so I can do a double-check before leaping out of bed in the morning.
photo © 2009 Denise Mattox | more info (via: Wylio) I've mentioned previously about how much I love Daylight Savings Time. I've just been itching for it to arrive on Sunday. I'm sorry for those who don't enjoy it like I do. I love those late evenings of daylight.
But I've got to draw the line of love somewhere. You see, I get to experience that lost hour not once, but twice this week. My atomic clock must have a defect because it switched TODAY. Um, hello?!? This is Friday. Not Sunday!
Of course, I wasn't aware of it until after I had arisen and taken a shower. My husband popped his head into the bathroom and said, You're up an hour early. I knew right away that my clock had changed because it did exactly the same thing in the fall. Only that day I was up an hour later and was 45 minutes late for work. It's a good thing I have an understanding boss.
Aaah, there's nothing like waking up at 4:45 AM for no reason. I think that alarm clock is going in the trash.
Although our northern Indiana kicked off with cold, crisp air on Tuesday, by late afternoon we were at 40 degrees with lovely sunshine. I didn't have to wear gloves, and my winter coat was unzipped.
It's the first day I've felt a true yearning for the spring. I'm ready to go for regular walks at the park to breathe in the fresh air and get some exercise. I'm tired of being cooped up indoors looking at nothing but snow on the ground.
I also took notice of the time of the sunset. We still had daylight at 7:45 p.m., and you don't know how giddy that makes my heart. Daylight Savings Time arrives in just over a week, and I can't wait. I know there are mixed opinions over DST among folks in our area, but I'll admit I'm a die hard fan.
Is there something you are yearning for? Is it spring or something else?
It's snowing right now in Northern Indiana, and the wind has picked up. They are warning us that a blizzard is coming this evening. They're calling for 12-18 inches in our county. I used to get excited over the prospect of being stuck in the house for a day or two, but the idea doesn't appeal to me any longer.
You have to understand that we've had snow on the ground since December 1st, except for 2 days when we got rain and it melted. I love a white Christmas, but it's February 1st and I am sooooo over the snow at this point. I'm totally and completely ready for spring.
Snow! Snow! Go away! Come again some other day some December day!
I'll let you know how it turns out.
Hello, faithful readers. Are you glad Friday has arrived? I am, not only because it's the start of the weekend, but because it means it's time for another Chat Pack question. I am enjoying the Chat Pack. It gives me a blogging focus...you know...in a random sort of way.
Today's question is short and sweet. The topic is quite timely, since we've been getting a lot of snow here in northern Indiana this week.
If snow could fall in any flavor, what flavor would you choose?
My answer is CHOCOLATE, but of course! And since they're asking, I think snow should come in different flavors of chocolate. Dark Chocolate. Milk Chocolate. White Chocolate. Maybe the flavor could be dependent on the type of snowfall we get (lake-effect or system snow) or which direction the wind is coming from. I would totally go for that.
What flavor would YOU prefer in snowfall? Leave an answer in the comments, or feel free to answer the question on your own blog and link back.
Hmmm... Is this April or December? Doesn't this picture just scream Spring? Just makes you feel chipper and ready for a new week, doesn't it?
Um... not exactly.
This is what we woke up to in northern Indiana this morning. Wet, slushy snow! Looks like they're calling for more of the same tomorrow, too. I guess I'll hold my breath for Sunday when the forecast is calling for 60 degrees.
{Sigh}
*Photo credit www.wsbt.com
I know some of you don't like the switch to daylight savings time. I understand about losing that hour and then trying to endure the next days or weeks of the discomfort of your body catching up to the alteration. I think I'm feeling it myself.
But. (You knew there was a "but".)
As I write this it is currently 7:17 PM, and it's still DAYLIGHT. I live for this time of year. Oh, how I love it! It feels like there is life after 6:00 PM again.
I don't know if any of you are like me, but when it gets dark, that means it's time for jammies. Six o'clock just seems too early for jammies, don't ya think?
Daylight savings time is also the pre-cursor of sweet things to come like leaves, warm weather, green grass, flowers, warm weather, sweet smells and warm weather. Did I mention the warm weather?
Don't hate me because I might love DST. I do have other lovable qualities, and you might want to focus on those instead. 'kay?
We've gotten a lot of snow here since Friday night. It just sort of came in bits. Some Friday, some Saturday, some Sunday, and even more on Monday.
Having been in a car accident involving icy roads several years ago, there's always that feeling of trepidation when I know I have to go out and brave snowy and icy roads. Not to mention that 180 turnaround I took on the ice about a month ago. It's so nerve-wracking.
That's been on my mind today as I watched big, fluffy snowflakes fall from the sky. It was really quite lovely to look at. I guess the only thing that's difficult about the snow is being able to drive safely in it. Why can't I appreciate it more?
I knew there was a particular reference to snow in the Bible that would speak directly to God's design in the weather, and I looked it up this morning. We find it in Job 37:6-13...
For He says to the snow, 'Fall on the earth'; Likewise to the gentle rain and the heavy rain of His strength. He seals the hand of every man, That all men may know His work. The beasts go into dens, And remain in their lairs. From the chamber of the south comes the whirlwind, And cold from the scattering winds of the north. By the breath of God ice is given, And the broad waters are frozen. Also with moisture He saturates the thick clouds; He scatters His bright clouds. And they swirl about, being turned by His guidance, That they may do whatever He commands them On the face of the whole earth. He causes it to come, Whether for correction, Or for His land, Or for mercy.
I don't know about you, but those verses stop my mouth. Almost takes my breath away to think of it. Can you picture God breathing out and forming ice? Can you imagine the whirlwind coming from the south by His guiding hand? He speaks to the snow, and it falls. Such beautiful words, a description of the origin of weather elements. It's amazing.
I think I want to spend more time taking in the beauty of nature and stand in awe of my powerful God who created such things, rather than complaining.
*Photo courtesy of Microsoft Office clip art.
You all might be encouraged to learn that the temperature actually got up to 22 degrees today. It may have gotten even warmer than that, but that was the highest reading that I happened to catch on the TV.
Some roads around here are still scary to drive, depending on the time of day. Since we've received snow on a fairly consistent basis for days on end AND with the temperatures being as cold as they've been, the roads are snow covered and slick. In the city we live in, we have a very hilly area. It just so happens that I have to drive up and down a hill that is quite long, in order to get to work, church, the grocery store, and back. It's scary to drive it, if it hasn't been sanded.
I didn't tell you about how I did a 180 in my car the other day. I had just exited the church drive and pulled into traffic, on my way to the store at the corner to buy snow boots of all things. I hit black ice immediately, tried to pump the brakes to no avail, and started heading sideways toward the two cars in front of me. It was either hit them or direct my car to a hopefully safer area to careen into, so I opted for the latter. I turned my steering wheel in the direction of the side of the road, and sure enough, my car spun around and I landed in a snow bank.
Not fun! In order to calm my nerves I kept telling myself that at least I wasn't in an accident, and I was fine. It still shakes you up, when you lose control of your car, though. Thank the Lord, He took care of getting me out of the snow bank when a kind man pulled over and brought his shovel to dig the snow out from behind my tires. It didn't take but a couple minutes, and I was able to back my car out and head on down the road.
By the way, I did buy some snow boots. You'll probably think I'm nuts when I tell you that I haven't had a pair in years. I don't even remember the last time I had them. Since I've been wearing them the last two days, I'm now wondering... HOW ON EARTH DID I EVER LIVE WITHOUT THEM? They keep my feet so protected from the snow and cold. What a concept! I think I will never be without them again.
So how is winter in your neck of the woods?
I'm wondering something. Have I mentioned anything about the weather this week here in northern Indiana?
No? Not at all?
Well, let me tell ya then....
It's STINKIN' COOOOOOLD here!!!!!
You just have no idea, especially if you live in Texas or Florida and it only gets down to 50. Puh-leeeeeaase! Put on a sweatshirt, for crying out loud, and don't tell me how cold you are. (I mean that with all the kindness and brotherly love that a Hoosier can muster.)
It's absolutely freezing here, people! We met a record low of -19 this morning. I think it maybe, might have, could have possibly reached a whopping 3 degrees this afternoon sometime between 2:30 and 2:34 p.m.
On a more positive note, the sun was shining. But unfortunately the sun does not help with the temperature. Cloud cover creates a blanket effect, which will warm things up a bit. Sounds like clouds may be moving in tonight, and they're calling for a high of 15 tomorrow. Woot!
That might actually feel like a heat wave after the last two days we've had. Oh, one can only hope.
When I got home after church, my toes were so frozen they hurt. I finally had to get my feet into the bathtub to try to get the blood flowing.
There was no doubt I needed a change of wardrobe before heading out to the evening service. I decided to wear pants, and my husband loaned me his long underwear. Thank goodness they fit me! It made all the difference in the world. I guess I've been missing out on the toasty-ness. I had no idea. After singing the praises of the long underwear, he said maybe he would get me some for Christmas.
Hmmm....
I was really hoping for some new gold earrings for Christmas, but the long underwear might actually be a fair tradeoff. Besides, if this insane arctic snap continues for very long, my earlobes will fall off, and I won't be able to wear the earrings anyway.
I can't believe we're smack dab in the middle of December. Is Christmas really only 9 days away?!? I feel like the seasons are passing me by, and I'm hanging on for dear life. Somebody just tell me where to be and what time to show up. I'll be there.
Our Christmas tree is up and decorated, but that's all. Christmas shopping? What's that? Okay, I have placed one order online, but that's all. In my defense, that small detail of not being allowed to operate a motor vehicle because of my license suspension has made it somewhat difficult to get into the full swing of Christmas shopping.
Somehow I just don't feel right about calling my mom up and asking her, Could you please drive me to the mall, so I can buy you a Christmas present? Suddenly I have memories of being 10 years old again and going to the Osco drugstore to buy her a gigantic, holiday boxed, Hershey's Kiss. I mean, there's a gift that keeps on giving.
But that nasty, old license suspension is coming to an end tomorrow (Merry Christmas to Liz!), so I will be hitting the shopping centers hard in the next 7 days. I have no idea where I'm going or what I'm buying, but by golly, I'm getting out there and mingling with all you crazies jolly, last-minute shoppers.
What is that big, bright thing up in the sky? Why...it's the SUN!
It has been such a gorgeous day! Nothing but blue skies and sunshine. What a boost to my spirits. Spring is surely on its way.
My thoughts have turned to running again, playing tennis, golfing, long walks, and just being outdoors to breathe fresh air. Warm weather can't come soon enough for me.
