Chatting from the polar vortex 1-7-14

Tina - I'm glad *you* started this one - I thot someone would throw icicles at me.  Altho I'll be honest - it was never the "cold" that drove me to move south (and I'm from an area where 'below zero' is pretty much the norm) - it was the snow.  I.     Hate.    Snow.   I don't care how cold it got ... it was just snow I hated.  driving ... walking .... whatever.  yuck.  

Someone (a "native" Floridian) said to me "I guess I just can't even imagine that kind of 'cold';) ... and I said "You know how we all moan and grip about how much it costs us in electricity to cool 95 degrees back to 75 in our houses??  That's 20 degrees different.  Now think about what those folks are having to pay to raise the interior of their homes from 20 below up to maybe 50??  That's SEVENTY degrees.  You just think you owe your soul to the power company."  

I'm thinking of all of you -- stay warm and  safe.    Mom told me on the phone last night "There probably really isn't anywhere we need to go *that* bad  for the next couple of days.  So, I'll use what's in the freezer and the cupboards ... it's what it's there for."

lol! Penguins at the bird feeder. *smirk*

I'm about to leave to go to work. I don't know why I am doing this as they gave us the option to work from home today if we wanted to. And I want to! But I called the office and everyone in my unit is there except me. BAH. Now I feel like a wuss. So, I'll suck it up and brave the nostril freezing temps and get icicles on my eyelashes during the walk from my car to the office.

Did you all see the photos of the frozen lighthouses in MI? They are too cool.

Here's the link for all you non fb'ers www.dailymail.co.uk/.../Michigan-lighthouse-transformed-giant-icicle-freezing-storm.html

Oh, the news also ran some cold weather experiments. They threw boiling water in the air and it immediately evaporated before it hit the ground. They opened a 20oz soda and it turned to slush and they put a soaking wet tshirt outside for less than 5 mins and it was frozen rock solid. Cool stuff :)

Those lighthouse pics are amazing!  

I'm just passing through on my way outside.  It's sunny and a brisk 37 F. :)  

Stay warm and safe if you're in the POLAR VORTEX!  Does every weather event now need it's own dramatic name? lol  

Those lighthouse pics are amazing.  

@JackieG

Does every weather event now need it's own dramatic name? lol  

Yes, yes it does. Same as reporters have to do stupid experiments like throwing water up in the air to see what happens in the subzero temps or frying an egg on the sidewalk when it's 112 degrees.

Up here in the cold. It's a challenge getting the dogs to go out and potty on some of these days. Too cold for their little feetsies. Too bad your parents didn't live close to me Callie and I could check on them. It's got to be a worry when you live so far away.

Yesterday our local weather people were all in a tizzy about the polar vortex.  Granted it's been colder than normal for our area but we're not really feeling much polar like weather here.  I do feel like I'm in a vortex sometimes but that could be me tapping my heels together and spinning in a circle to see if I wake up in Maui.  :)

@JackieG

I do feel like I'm in a vortex sometimes but that could be me tapping my heels together and spinning in a circle to see if I wake up in Maui.  

Jackie, too funny!  Let me know if it works, because if it does, I'm going to start spinning ASAP!

I think Polar Vortex sounds like the name of a band from the 80's.

Those lighthouse pics are incredible!  I sure hope that isn't a lighthouse that still requires a live-in keeper.  How miserable would that be?!

Callie, I hope your folks are okay and that they have a neighbor or someone who can keep an eye out for them if need be.

I've got a deadline to meet this AM and I'm dragging my feet . . . I wish they sold motivation in a bottle or tablet form.

WOW! re the lighthouse pics.  Incredible.

It is a partly sunny  7 degrees here.  We won't discuss the windchills.   Have I mentioned yet that I'm ready for Spring?

Nice and toasty here, well 10 degree's Celsius, so toasty compared to what you lot in america are experiencing.

Been a good girl today, walked and trained both dogs, gave them their tea, sorted their food out for tomorrow, groomed barley and now settling down to give him a massage. I can officially say i am pooped, especially since this was all after getting back from school at 4, and that was 5 1/2 hours ago

BP, sounds like a very productive and tiring day. :)   Don't you wish you had someone to sort out your food and give you a nice massage after grooming you?  Our dogs do have it pretty good. :)

I've been fairly productive and need to keep at it since I have some things to finish before I leave in 30 minutes.  Not that I'm watching the clock or anything. lol