That's it. I give up. Mother Nature? You win. Again.

My birthday is this coming Sunday. And some of you might remember last year at this time when we had all that snow at my birthday. We had made these really nice plans because it was my 60th birthday and Rick wanted to do something a little special for me. And it snowed.

And we are to get hit with snow again. It didn't snow all winter so far (other than a flippin' inch the other day). And now that, once again, Dear Richard has made some plans for Saturday night, we're supposed to get hammered. Again. 

I quit. I hate having my birthday in January. I just hate it. 

(Last year, I had said no more January birthdays. My new birthday was June 24. And we had started to plan a party out in the back yard, like what we did for Rick's 60th birthday. A big bash. Well, due to some family problems, that didn't work out either and we cancelled.)

So no more birthdays. I am done. 

Belize, baby. The day after I retire. 

(Sound like a broken record, don't I? I don't care. And yes, I know, there are more important things to get upset about in the world. I'm not really upset. More depressed about it than anything.)

I had a big bash for my 37th almost two years ago - just because :lol3: Actually, it snowed like mad that day. We went out anyway. My friend is crazy like that and would drive out in a tornado probably. Snow? Psh. I'm trying to look up how much we had that day, it says only 4. Trust me, it was more than that. It cushioned me (oh, I celebrated a bit TOO much that night!).

Seriously, something always happens on those "milestones" it seems. I had the flu for my 30th birthday. I actually had the flu on my birthday last year too. Hoping that doesn't happen again this year.

I think you just need to lay in party supplies,  invite everyone over byosb (bring your own sleeping bag) and have a wild time! 

Ok, Pam... you are only supposed to get between 1 and 3 inches of snow. Leave before the snow hits and get a hotel room for the night. Hot tub, fireplace, room service and Rick! Birthday suits required! Sunday is supposed to be sunny with a high of 33F! So you will be able to drive home safely. 

I know you would like to have a nice spring day so you can party, party, party. But you have to think positive and work with it!

Thanks, Fyllis! But evidently you know something nobody else does because locally they're calling for about a foot, possibly more. 

I do hope it changes by the end of the week.

Winchester said:

My birthday is this coming Sunday. And some of you might remember last year at this time when we had all that snow at my birthday. We had made these really nice plans because it was my 60th birthday and Rick wanted to do something a little special for me. And it snowed.

And we are to get hit with snow again. It didn't snow all winter so far (other than a flippin' inch the other day). And now that, once again, Dear Richard has made some plans for Saturday night, we're supposed to get hammered. Again. 

I quit. I hate having my birthday in January. I just hate it. 

(Last year, I had said no more January birthdays. My new birthday was June 24. And we had started to plan a party out in the back yard, like what we did for Rick's 60th birthday. A big bash. Well, due to some family problems, that didn't work out either and we cancelled.)

So no more birthdays. I am done. 

Belize, baby. The day after I retire. 

(Sound like a broken record, don't I? I don't care. And yes, I know, there are more important things to get upset about in the world. I'm not really upset. More depressed about it than anything.)

Click to expand...

My birthday is Thursday. I used to hate having a January birthday too and then I moved to Florida 13 years ago. The forecast for Thursday is 73 and partly cloudy with a low of 62.

DD is at school so it's just the furkids and me. I think I'll roast a half chicken breast for them to share with their supper and I'll splurge and get a veggie sub from Subway for me. I might even add avocado to it. :music3:

Winchester said:

 
Thanks, Fyllis! But evidently you know something nobody else does because locally they're calling for about a foot, possibly more. 

I do hope it changes by the end of the week.

Click to expand...

Yea,I just Googled weather in your zip.   It says 1-3" Friday and 3-5" Saturday, so that could add up to a foot (weatherman's math, LOL). 

​Like Handsome Kitty said, have them come over early before the  snow hits and have a Slumber Birthday Party and make a weekend of it! Just be sure to only invite people you really like! 

If all else fails, I'm sure you and Rick can figure out a 'special' way of celebrating at home. Heck, have a 'conference party' on Skype! LOL

Winchester said:

 
Thanks, Fyllis! But evidently you know something nobody else does because locally they're calling for about a foot, possibly more. 

I do hope it changes by the end of the week.

Click to expand...

We are to get a large amount of snow also in my area, nothing is definite yet.  I am hoping it doesn't happen but even a little amount of snow turns to ice. I hate it also.

I hear ya Pam!  I was worried about last weekend because we had DD's birthday party.  January is a crazy month; I have 10 or 11 birthdays  now (a friend just had a baby this month) and a few are local so we try to schedule around each other.  So last weekend was DD's party.  My Step-sister went to visit my step-brother for the weekend and left her 2 kids here with  my Mom and Step-dad.  So for once DD actually had cousins at her party!  They changed our forecast several times and had both snow and a wintry mix for Saturday afternoon.  DD's first birthday was snowed out too.  So I was not happy.  But it turned out fine.  It didn't snow till Sunday and then it really didn't stick to the roads.  The kids were upset; of course, that they really didn't have much to play in and no sidewalks to shovel.   

I'm starting to think I need to move south.  Before DH retires.  Although he wants to go back to Tennessee and they still get snow and ice.  Plus they have hills.  Snow+ice+hills=no thank you. 

I have really enjoyed this mild winter.  I do not drive on questionable roads.  If it's currently snowing; forget it.  Even in town the roads aren't always cleared well.  When DD had hand surgery a couple years ago her appointments were in downtown and a good section right up to the doctor's office was solid ice.  DH doesn't mind driving; but he was at work.  I had to take her myself.

I will feel a little better about this storm once Mooch's meds get here.  I paid for faster shipping so hopefully it gets here ASAP!  I have 10 days left.  I could always get a weeks worth from the vet to hold us over; but I'd rather not have to do that either!  I may not want to leave the house for the next 6 weeks.    I keep checking my e-mail to see if it shipped. 

The good news is; Noodles' heated bed should be here tomorrow.   

We've had snowfalls of over a foot 3 times already this winter! One of those storms lasted 2 days. So how come we just say "ugh" and go about our business, but when the East Coast gets a foot of snow it's "a threat to life and property"? Sissies! :tongue2:

Sorry you weren't able to properly celebrate . Weather is so inconvenient sometimes.

Well... Poop! 

I just checked the forecast: A windy and heavy sleet snowstorm with a foot or more of snow could hit Ohio and the East Coast this weekend, according to the National Weather Service Weather Prediction Center. I really don't mind the snow - I don't have a problem driving in it if I have to - but when they say ICE, forget about it! I was in a pretty messed up car wreck in 1989 when we got a sudden (unexpected and unpredicted) ice storm. Ended up with 47 stitches in my head; I looked like Frankenstein for a while. I try to stay in because, frankly, my old bones just can't handle the cold anymore. And I sure as heck don't want to fall on any ice!

So, I went to the grocery a little bit ago (I was planning on going this weekend, but I thought I better get stuff while the getting was good) and I was amazed at all the empty shelves! LOL People were stocking up like they were going to be home-bound for the next 6 months! I picked up a few essentials that I was completely out of and came home. As long as I have coffee, cat food and toilet paper, I am good to go for a while! LOL 

Pam, I hope you will be able to at least go somewhere close by for a birthday dinner. If not, make the most of it! 

Willowy said:

We've had snowfalls of over a foot 3 times already this winter! One of those storms lasted 2 days. So how come we just say "ugh" and go about our business, but when the East Coast gets a foot of snow it's "a threat to life and property"? Sissies!

Sorry you weren't able to properly celebrate

. Weather is so inconvenient sometimes.

Click to expand...

Because they don't have the same experience, equipment or resources.  I spent my first 12 years getting lake effect snow in upstate New York.  My first winter here I didn't need a coat until February and I laughed when we were out of school for what seemed like such a small amount.  

Then I got old enough to drive and realized how different these 2 places are.  Some roads here never get plowed.  Or they get a quick once over and thats it.  People don't get to drive in it enough at a young age to learn how to properly handle it.  My Dad always says "you just go slow!"  People here do not.  No one has snow tires.  From the looks of walmart every storm; some people don't have shovels.  (That confuses me. It's not like we NEVER get it.)  

The state doesn't budget for constant snow and ice removal.  We've had winters where it was basically unneeded.  Others; we've nearly run out!  We've had some blizzards come through.  When DD was 4 weeks old we lost power during a blizzard.  It was ok until the temperatures inside our house dipped below 50.  We had no running water either because we were on a well.  I was also using an electronic pump around the clock to get milk for DD.  I couldn't during the storm.  Fortunately we know some people with a bit of authority with the state and they evacuated us in the middle of bringing nurses to and from a veteran's home nearby.  We were able to get to my mother's house.  DH was about to light his camp stove in the garage to get hot water to wash DD's bottles.  It was NOT fun.  3 days later we got another blizzard.  That time we evacuated before hand. And didn't lose power.  But hey at least I had some help with my DD.  I got hot showers and SLEEP. 

We have since had a wood stove put in; so it's less of a worry.  We have a good stash of bottled water too.  But I really have a hard time driving on the roads even after storms.  I mean shaking and white knuckle hard time.  It's hard to feel like you HAVE to stay home.  But I really really do not like it.  I usually have DH take me shopping on the weekends.  That's sad to admit; but that's the truth. 

I saw a post on facebook about it being time to get the bread, milk and Xanax.  The xanax might not be such a bad idea for me. 

Not only that, but, here in the northeast, we are the area of really major cities. So when we get snow, it does create problems. If I lived in your area, quite honestly, I wouldn't worry about it. Here, though, well, we have to. We have to deal with whether or not PennDOT gets the roads plowed (even the back, way back, roads), and they do a good job. I live close to US Route 15 in central PA, a major thoroughfare north/south. That road needs to be cleared constantly. Also I-80, east/west; I swear every time we get snow showers, there are tons of accidents up there. This area is extremely more populated than South Dakota, so when things happen, naturally those things affect a lot more people.

No wood stove here. All we have is electric heat; if that goes out, we're screwed big time. And when you're talking cities, there's just the utilities for heat. Or oil. People in the cities don't have wood stoves or anything like that.

It's all about population. 

That being said, supposedly now we are down to about six inches total....most of the storm is staying to the south of us. Maryland and Pittsburgh are going to get hammered big time. 

Even with gas heat it goes out when the electricity is out because the blower can't work.  The newer furnaces also have electric ignition.

I've had my late August birthday interrupted by a hurricane on more than one occasion. :lol3:

Aaron's birthday is the day before mine, so we always go away for our birthday. Bad things always happen while we are gone. People die. Natural disasters. You name it, it happens. :dk:

I am in the "You will definitely be getting some snow" part of New England, but they have no idea yet how much.

willowy said:

We've had snowfalls of over a foot 3 times already this winter! One of those storms lasted 2 days. So how come we just say "ugh" and go about our business, but when the East Coast gets a foot of snow it's "a threat to life and property"? Sissies! wink.

Click to expand...

:lol3: Not in my area. I'm figuring this can't be any worse than all the snow we got last year. I think we are all over-prepared this year after that. :lol3:


I hope with the lowering predictions for your area, Pam, you are able to do something for your birthday. :cross:

Well, sure, the population density is considerably lower here, far fewer people are affected. . .but we have everything plowed and cleared quickly, even the gravel roads, and so life goes on as usual for the not-very-many people who live here . I would think that in a city they'd have more workers to clear the snow for more people. . .maybe not! And of course not having the infrastructure would be a problem. Can't plow the roads if you don't have enough plows.

I have propane tanks for heat but the heater still won't run without electricity. Fortunately I haven't lost power for more than a few minutes since I moved to the acreage, but I'm thinking of getting a small generator just in case. I don't have a wood/pellet/corn stove either. There is a small propane heater that will run without electricity but it's not much. I guess I'm not really prepared for if the power goes out! They do such a good job keeping it on that I tend not to think about it.

It doesn't mean they have more plows.  More plows mean more upkeep and more expenses to do that and to operate them.  The workers trained to do that can only work so many hours, etc.  

I think they upped our snow total Pam. One meteorologist said it's still too early to give a total for the whole storm; but they released one prediction for how much by Sunday morning.  I'd love to take a trip south.  Way south!  But I think I need to stop looking to be honest.  It won't change the forecast.  I have told my kids to stop talking about it.  It's not helping me.  Where is that xanax... 

Mooch's meds are supposed to get here on Friday.  I'll feel a tad better when they do.  

There is also the issue of not being able to clean anything when the roads are filled with traffic.

Denice said:

There is also the issue of not being able to clean anything when the roads are filled with traffic.

Click to expand...

Haha, can you imagine DC traffic backed up behind the plow? That would be disastrous! Yeah, I guess I can see why they have a harder time of it but I still think they get a little too dramatic :tongue2:.

Willowy said:

Haha, can you imagine DC traffic backed up behind the plow? That would be disastrous! Yeah, I guess I can see why they have a harder time of it but I still think they get a little too dramatic

.

Click to expand...

Move here and then form an opinion!   

One of the meteorologists (I think from Philly) said something along the lines of "Before you celebrate; remember, a winter wonderland this is not."  2-3' of blowing snow in places that typically only handle maybe 6" at a time is not good.  The storm itself is supposed to start Friday night and last till sometime Saturday night.  That's a long duration storm here.  

Cities also have to truck the excess snow out to a designated area.  I think the Boston area ran out of places to put snow last year.  

I have decided I'm going to look for some canvas when I go get some groceries.  Since I don't drive on bad or partially clear roads; I'm planning to be home for a while.  So I need something to look forward to.  I haven't painted in a while.  I just need to get some pictures together.  Maybe that'll make the storm less of a bother.  As long as we keep power.  I don't think I want to paint by firelight.    I'm not the best artist; but painting is soothing.  I have puzzles stacked up too.