As I’m sure most of you have heard (or are currently living) the snowpocalypse of 2015 hit the Northeast starting on Monday. As usual, the media went crazy with predictions and people went crazy food shopping. This never ceases to amaze me. The crazy started early on Monday morning…actually the crazy for me started on Sunday night.
See that first red dot on the left where it says “30-36 Feet?” That’s almost exactly where I live.
SUNDAY
My husband sent me a series of frantic text messages while I was out trying to enjoy a dinner of petite filet and asparagus (with a pear martini of course) with who I refer to only as “the aunts.”
Trust me, for my husband these are frantic text messages. I thought for sure he was on his way to the emergency room with one or both boys who had suffered a massive head wound. It was actually much worse – Vaughn had thrown up all over the kitchen. A lot. We feared the dreaded stomach bug!
Stomach bug + epic blizzard = disaster.
But, as kids often do, he puked and then felt almost instantly better, slept through the night, and was raring to go Monday morning.
MONDAY
6am: To my astonishment, afternoon kindergarten is cancelled.
6:02am: Text to bestie: School is canceled? WTF? I thought it wasn’t starting until tonight?
6:03am: Bestie responds: Check again. It’s supposed to start now at 11.
Commence freak out
6:15am: Text to sitter who is supposed to watch the boys until noon: Full disclosure – I could really use you this morning as school has been cancelled for the boys, however, Vaughn puked last night (but hasn’t since and is feeling fine this morning) but I don’t want you to get sick again.
She decides not to come and I can’t blame her.
8am: Both kids and I are bundled up and headed to the grocery store because I thought I would have ALL DAY to get shiz done, and we only have a half-gallon of milk. And no buns for turkey burgers. How this happens at exactly the wrong time, I do not know.
Supermarket is insane as if the end of the world is actually occurring. When will we ever get used to winter storms people? When?
Trust me when I tell you there are never this many cars here on a Monday at 8:15am.
9am: Back home and hunkered down, waiting for snowpocalypse.
10am: Still waiting. So I check supplies…
This should get us though Tuesday mid-morning…
11am: It’s not noon yet (and still not snowing!) so I decide to workout in the basement. I clearly won’t be able to run or go to the gym.
Staring down at all this and looking up to see only my bike on a trainer, I’m actually really upset I don’t have a treadmill.
1pm-4pm: Still waiting for snow to start and cursing my town for canceling school for nothing.
4:30pm: Snow finally starts falling. I start watching the news and the hubs and I discuss staying home with no generator or going to my dad’s house with a generator.
We decide to stay and I can barely sleep all night thinking we will wake-up at 3am with no power and freeze to death.
Crazy is clearly winning at this point and we are all, well, you know…
TUESDAY
6am: Yay I got to sleep in!
6:15am: Enjoying my coffee and whole wheat fig bars, so happy to have power and seeing that this “epic” blizzard is not as bad as they predicted. Shocker!
Alas, we still have 12 inches in counting at 7am, winds of 30+ mph causing huge drifts and a plow that almost got stuck going up our mountain. It’s definitely a blizzard.
My driveway is somewhere under there and the mailbox is still visible so there’s that…
8am: We have already watched the movie The Boxtrolls approximately 458 times since Monday morning. The boys now want to be box trolls. So, of course, I indulge them:
Introducing ‘waffles’ and ‘fish.’
Noon: Natives are getting restless, I can’t completely close them up in these damn boxes and I’m getting zero work done. It’s still snowing.
1pm: Perusing social media and getting confused. This is easily achieved however, some people are calling this storm “Juno” while others are dubbing it “Colbie.” I decide this needs my immediate attention.
1:10pm: I didn’t know anyone used the word “tool” anymore. Of course, I didn’t know snowstorms were not given names either. I decide I don’t want to find out what else I don’t know.
1:30pm: We head out into the storm.
2pm: After a lot of nose wiping, whining and legs getting stuck in the snow, we head back in.
2:30pm: I decide I can’t take it anymore. If I hear “mommy I need…” one more time I’m going to throw myself into a snow bank and pray for a quick death. All the laundry is done, I’ve cleaned every closet I have, made fish tacos, chicken, fruit salad and chocolate chip cookies. There’s only one thing left to do…
I make a dash for my FreeSteps6, hit “restart from beginning” on The Boxtrolls, yell to my husband I’ll be back in 20, and head out!
I’m smiling because I’m literally FREE and so are my feet!
I ran for 20 glorious minutes all over my neighborhood in otherwise un-runable terrain. It was fantastic. I have to say that I felt 100% confident with these on my running shoes. Even when I was running down my huge hill, I had no fear. I will definitely be using these for the next couple days until this mess thaws.
Snow tires for your feet!
And yes, I got more then a few “what is that crazy lady doing?” looks from my neighbors who were very sanely snowplowing their driveways. You all know by now I’m nuts, and shouldn’t be surprised by my crazy anymore.
4pm: It’s snowing again. I’m afraid to text my sitter to see if she’s coming tomorrow. I’m pretty sure there will be no school again and the boys will be out of school on Thursday and Friday too.
Why?
Oh we’re headed to Vermont because we’re just crazy about snow!
Did you live through the blizzard of 2015?
Do you use any kind of traction for your running shoes in the winter?
What movie do you or your kids currently have on a loop?
Yes to all of the above except the running part. I don’t know about you, but I know I am so over winter and snow after this last storm now!!
I usually love a good snowstorm but that was pre-kids! I absolutely loved the snow run and I did get in a lot of cuddle time with the boys so I guess I can’t complain too much 🙂
The build up to this storm was hilarious. We did get the snowpoclypse. I think over 2 feet but not sure with the crazy drifting. I ran down my street a few times up and down my street in my snowshoes. I was going to do hill repeats outside but opted for the treadmill. Snow drifts up to my knees and hills? I’m not training for Everest!
OMG totally! I tried doing the hill repeat thing with my running snow shoes and I was just sinking!! The run was much better and I hit the old ‘mill today…
Awesome! You know what, I really enjoyed living this through you. I had more than my fair share of snow in Michigan and then shoveling philly after that, but now I am going to enjoy watching photos and seeing it. You look like you made the most of it, glad you got a little run in. My yak trax were well used when I was in Michigan. You survived! Woooohooo
Yes I did!…and you certainly paid more then your dues in Michigan. My old boyfriend went to Grand Valley State and I’ve never seen so much snow in my life!!!
Wow what a difference a couple of hours makes. We didn’t get much (1-2 inches) but boy did the media build up the storm like no tomorrow. It looks like you had a great and enjoyable time (despite the stomach bug). It’s funny because I actually didn’t feel the greatest either and was really hoping for a day off work Monday…but we closed Tuesday and of course I was already off anyways.
Of course!! That’s always the way, isn’t it? So glad you didn’t get the full blown stomach bug!!
Welp. That sounds a lot like my day except you would never catch me running outside and we got maybe 8-10 inches. Being indoors with kids that seriously ask you for something ever 6 seconds is maddening. I couldn’t believe how much they drove me crazy!! I was lucky enough to grocery shop on Friday night before I even had a clue the storm was coming! Sleeping in till 8am vs. my usual 5:10 wake up was glorious however!
The sleeping in was pretty much the best part for me too!! It’s amazing how the name “mommy” can cause so much angst!!!
This is awesome. We get school cancelled and delays here for freezing temps. It makes me want to kill myself. I mean I grew up in NH. School cancelled for cold temps? I THINK NOT. They are a bunch of …. around here…well, insert word of choice but I don’t want to shout profanity’s on your post 🙂 Awesome that you got in a cool run on those things! Fun! And all you really need during a snowstorm is the wine and goldfish for the kids 🙂
This blog is profanity friendly 🙂 and I know exactly what you mean! The first time school was cancelled around here because of the temp I couldn’t believe it. When I was a kid, we just froze. And, you’re absolutely right about the wine and goldfish.
I like the word tool.
If it makes you feel any better, we had a total of 2 INCHES and school was cancelled for two days. Stupid, stupid Maryland snow culture. Real storms, like what you got, are always fun at first, I think. Then it starts to get old. But running in them is essential!
Your little box trolls are the cutest.
That makes me feel a tiny bit better.
When I read that tweet I laughed out loud!!
The funniest part about my little trolls is when they fall on their stomachs and can’t get back up…it’s like watching a turtle that’s flipped. Hysterical.
The blizzard totally bombed here. Only a light dusting after a prediction of up to a foot. The Philly weather girl is being harassed on twitter about her overzealous predictions. She was even called a wh*re for her wrong forecast. I feel sorry for the woman. As for those shoe-snow-tires, I need a pair of those for my stomachs for when it’s dessert time I can wanna chow down at 100mph.
OMG about the weather woman!! Really?? What would they call her if she underestimated the storm? Twitter creates crazy all by itself.
I think you’re onto something with the snow tire stomach.
Way to get out there in the snow!!!!! I will totally have to look into those FreeSteps :)! Your boys are so cute and the box troll idea was genius…way to go mom!!!
We were supposed to get 10 inches and we got maybe 2. I have never used any traction, but I always run in the snow. I just slow down and try to stay on plowed parts of the road 🙂
You seriously have to try the FreeSteps! It takes all that small stepping and injury worrying out of the run so you can actually enjoy it!!
I love that you got out for a run! I should try that with my Yaktrax, although the temps are pretty bitter cold for the next few days. Hope you survive the rest of your snowy week!
If you have the opportunity – do it! It was so great.
There was some snow here but not much. I love those FreeSteps6 traction additions for running shoes. I never tried it but in case we get a pile of snow on my long run days those would be helpful to have. I’m glad you all survived!
I’m sure you won’t escape this winter without a good pile up of snow!! You will love the traction if you try them.
We had over 2 feet. Snow days aren’t as enjoyable anymore now that we have kids :-). They were in and out and wet all over and hungry all the time – OY! School was cancelled again today – hired babysitter and went to work. LOL. I wanted to lay on the couch, cuddle, and watch Pitch Perfect. No such luck.
OMG seriously!!! I so just wanted to lounge around and drink wine at noon but the boys were nonstop. I just keep thinking that my “snow days” are coming in the form of a trip to Vegas…which is preferable. You’re so smart hiring a sitter and going to work! Isn’t it crazy that you would rather do that?
OMG – I love that you “checked supplies.” Are you dry now?! Hahaha! Glad everyone is ok and having fun!
Totally dry! 🙂 I must restock before the next big one!
This made me laugh. Glad you are still alive. Love the texts from your hubby. xoxo
He’s very emotional. Thanks Jes!
Well, I don’t want to sound like I’m bragging or anything but it is currently 70+ and sunny here in Kansas!!! We are supposed to get snow this weekend but I’m thinking it isn’t anything major.
Not gonna lie – this is my kind of winter weather!!!
You are so bragging…but I would too. Don’t worry, soon enough I’ll be posting pics from Vegas with my toes in the pool 🙂
^^^ Kim is totally bragging. 😉 The blizzard was much better than I expected – Fran has been away since 6am Sunday for work (in freaking Miami, so jealous) so I was worried I was going to be sobbing quietly on the couch begging Roman not to be a monster at some point over the snow adventure. But – he actually loves the snow so very much that it was all I could do to drag him back inside = longer naps = happy and productive (nesting) Mama. We did watch an obscene amount of The Wonder Pets, though. Have you tried yak trax too? Which do you like better? I want to get some for next winter.
I saw that awesome picture of Roman on FB!!! I’m so glad it went well because that could have been disastrous. How dare Fran go to Miami!!
I have never used Yak Trax but I have to assume they’re all very similar…
Have you seen this clip? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2tA7fzugxM
It made me think of you running in the snow. Yes, crazy!
And love the Box Troll costumes!
OMG I totally saw that and thought people would just LOVE this because they probably think running in the snow is insane. I actually felt really badly for her because she immediately grabs her back like it really hurt. Clearly they need a pair of FreeSteps6 or Yak Trax!
LMFAO! OMG I WISH THE WEATHER CHANNEL WOULD REALLY HAVE SUCH GRAPHICS!!!!! LMFAO! Comedy Central or some risky channel needs to get on that…. OR I NEED TO START IT! 😉 And I will give you full credit!
TOTALLY!!! If anyone can pull that off – it’s YOU!!!
That’s crazy! SO are you! 🙂
Signed,
Tropical Weather Lady
Agreed. On both counts. xoxoxo
omgosh you are completely entirely and WHOLLLLY MY HEROINE.
You just made my whole day :-)!!!!
We were closed on Monday and Tuesday for what in hindsight was no good reason. I don’t mind a snow day at home – my kids are self sufficient and love to sleep in – but to add two more days in June? Sucks big time. Now another storm here on Sunday night.
Exactly! I think they forget we pay for stupidity in June.
We’re traveling back from Vermont on Monday so I’m a little worried about that one…
My kids are now obsessed with a show – 7D. It sailed us easily through our flight. Because we were in Florida. And missed the whole thing. We didn’t get a blizzard here, though. Just 6-8 inches or so.
And your “supplies” cracked me up. Same with the wonderful box trolls boxes.
And I don’t blame your sitter for skipping the puking too, but so glad it was a one and done thing.
The boys LOVE the 7D! So glad you had good flights and it looked like another amazing time in Florida for all of you!!! Welcome home to snow, snow, snow…
This was so hilarious! We got a whopping 6 inches (if that) during the last “blizzard,” which was hardly a blizzard for us. They cancelled school for tomorrow before this new storm even started. I had to go to the grocery store for Superbowl party stuff and it was jam packed. Thank goodness I was in and out with my Texas Pete’s and blue cheese sprinkles for the not so healthy but oh so delicious dip I was making. Anyway, the kids are thrilled about tomorrow but I will have to lock myself in my room to get anything done. LOL
I know!! Here we go again. My kids haven’t been to school in 7 days now!! I took them out on Thurs/Fri last week to ski because, you know, priorities. They’re already making me crazy and it’s barely 7:30!
I believe all of mine are still in bed! Give a teenager a snow day and they’ll sleep until ten, or maybe noon.