M0nday, Jan 5. 2015

Gee, I guess I'm in a "hot spot," at 38 degrees right now!  We've got very thick fog, so the weather lady said that makes it "feel like 43."  Still feels cold to me:  dampness gets in my old bones.  Just had a cup of hot cocoa at my desk.  Herbal tea might be next.

Glenda, what a nuisance to deal with on a freezing cold morning!  Sending lots of "keep the water main thawed" and "more cooperative WC insurance process" vibes to you!

Vivian, it's true that it will be funny to see how Ava reacts to booties, but it's worth a try.  The winter we were in CT with Tonka, we got him some Mutt Luks.  He didn't mind the cold, but the salt and ice cut up his paw pads, so we got the booties.  When we put them on in the house, he did this weird dance of lifting his paws off the floor and giving a shake -- he did not like the feeling of them.  But, we immediately went outside for a walk and he seemed to forget about them.  In fact, I swear it made him pick up his pace so that I had to walk super fast to keep up.  It was almost like he felt better having the padding or traction so he could walk more confidently.  I'll be eager to hear how Ava does with them!

I've been in a whirlwind of "event cleaning" at home since my friend arrives tonight.  It's been tough to do heavy housework when I've got some kind of sinus thing going on, but I'm just glad I didn't get the full-blown flu.  Her plane gets in after 10pm, and we're over an hour from the airport, so it'll be a late night.  I've got to work for a little while tomorrow, but after that I hope to stay home most of next week so we can do lots of visiting.  Her first time here, so touristy things are in order, but we'll have plenty of leisure time for eating and chatting, I'm sure!

Stay warm everyone -- snuggle with your dogs!

Congrats to Doug

BUUURRRRRRR from Arkansas.  It cold here but not near as cold as some of you.  We are at 3 above right now.  Don't know how you could stand it any colder :)

@glenmar

It has just recently struggled up to 5 degrees here.

Got up, used the bathroom and flushed. Nothing happened. I left the boiler and the pellet stove going all night, opened every single cold water faucet in the house, and still the water main froze. Of course getting it thawed just had to be a huge challenge! Took DS and went to fill the propane tank since he wanted to use the torch. But, he wasn't getting enough heat out of the torch so out again.....torch was fine, guy said the tank was probably cold. Took about an hour but he finally got the darned thing thawed. DS always has an easier way to do things that usually end up being anything but. Sigh! The main is wrapped AND has heat tape on it. Guess tonight I'll leave a space heater on it as well.

I've been repeatedly refilling the bird feeders today...poor little guys. I also put out little metal bowls of food for the squirrels. Just way too cold for any critter to have to forage for food.

Hmmmm, speaking of food, last nights chilling would likely hit the spot about now!

We had a heat wave today got up to 31 and 25 this morning when we got up so Ava got her walk today no problem at 25 degrees, her boots are supposed to arrive on Monday, hoping I didn't get them too small!  April and Bonnie both wore boots without a problem hope it is so with Ava. We shall see.  Sorry about your freeze up Glenda that is so frustrating happened to us many years ago in our first house, never in this one though.  Hope DH is careful with thawing them out with that blow torch, guy here burned his house down last week with one. :(

Fortunately Vivian, the water main is in the garage, and in a corner with poured concrete walls, so DS would have to work pretty hard to set anything on fire!

We had a bit of a warm up today...all the way to 23, but tomorrows high is supposed to be 14.   I could sure use a tropical island about now!  We've never had our pipes freeze, except for the time that the toilet tank froze in the RV!

This dog needs to run.

We were at the local WMA.  Above zero temp, but a brisk wind. 

It was cold enough that the camera did not want to work well, but Sky kept a steady run so he was comfortable.  I am going to get a face mask.  Getting too old for the cold.  Uff da!!!

The propane froze up???  A warm up is coming.  Maybe a movie this afternoon.  Apparently that is something old folks do when they retire.  Too cold to use the table saw in the garage and wife won't let me put it in the green house

He sure is a beauty!  Poetry in motion.

Enuff of this cold!  Good gosh!  Thankfully Theo feels no need to run.  His fastest pace is when he goes out to potty and rush back into the house!  There are a few good things to be said for old dogs!

My heart goes out to the homeless this time of year.  Many of the shelters are staying open during the day at least so those poor people don't have to try and find a warm haven during the day.  Gives new meaning to the old saw....count your blessings, that's for sure.

@glenmar

He sure is a beauty! Poetry in motion.

Enuff of this cold! Good gosh! Thankfully Theo feels no need to run. His fastest pace is when he goes out to potty and rush back into the house! There are a few good things to be said for old dogs!

My heart goes out to the homeless this time of year. Many of the shelters are staying open during the day at least so those poor people don't have to try and find a warm haven during the day. Gives new meaning to the old saw....count your blessings, that's for sure.

I feel sorry also for the homeless, can not imagine having no where to go. So Sad.  Doug your pup is just beautiful and I love all the pictures. :)  Glenda good to hear about your not being able to set anything on fire. :)  Hope everyone has a great weekend.