Blizzard Aftermath Story

Okay now we have experienced a full-force ND blizzard. Yep we had it all - white out conditions, 54 mph wind gusts, blowing snow...generally life-threatening conditions. So, how was I to know that my Eddie Bauer coat rated from zero to 20 degrees would not be warm enough??? As soon as this blizzard stops I think I need to go shopping! :)

The mall CLOSED yesterday because of the blizzard, which is almost unheard of around here. But the mall opened at noon today...and off I went to Eddie Bauer and promptly purchased their 'arctic' coat rated to minus 30 degrees, some fleece lined 'performance ski pants' and a new scarf and hat. That ought to do it I smugly thought (one can only hope). This venture has really cost Mike (the colder it gets the more I shop). I am not entirely sure what we will do with all this extreme winter gear when we leave this 'blankety, blankey, bleepin, god forsaken place - whew- that outburst felt good - but I hate being cold.

However, before I could venture out to the mall on my quest for the WARMEST coat, I had to wait for the snow removal guy to come dig us out. He nicely cleared our driveway, our front walkway, and our front door (yes the snow drifts covered our front door), yet another first for me here in ND - so one would think after all that - all is well in the world - the sun came out, the wind was not wailing at 50 mph, and I was going shopping!!

My trip to the mall was a success. My loot safely tucked in the back seat of the car, I was smiling as I listened to cheerful holiday music on my drive home - surely now I had beaten the ND winter...and would not be cold again...I rounded the corner to our house only to find that the snow plows had come through pushing snow up the driveway to totally block it AGAIN. There staring at me was a nice 3-foot wall of snow blocking access to my warm garage. I tried to ram the car over the snow bank - no luck. So I parked the car on the street to plan my next pioneer- type move. I would have to shovel a path to get the car through. So off I went...on my mission to prove that ND winter's can't get me. I waded through the deep snow, got the snow shovel out of the garage, and then proceeded to dig a path. I have never shoveled snow before. It was bitter cold - wind chills of minus 40 degrees. But, hey the sun was out and I was conquering ND.

I soon realized that I did not have the correct gloves. Note to self: DO NOT GO TO THE MALL WITH GIRLY FASHION GLOVES WHEN IT IS MINUS 40 DEGREES...BECAUSE IF YOU GET STUCK AND NEED YOUR HANDS...THE GIRLY GLOVES DON'T WORK! Within 5 minutes my hands suffered some painful frostbite and it hurt to breathe. But I kept shoveling...

I finished my task and bolted into the house. It has been several hours since this 'episode' and I am still COLD...and I am still swearing under my breath...blankety, blankety...where is summer? I am a SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA GIRL FOR GOD'S SAKE!! I think I need to go back to the mall and find the most expensive warmest gloves they make...good thing for Mike that I am too cold to leave the house.

I wish all our friends were here so we could have a drink and a good laugh. And, because it is more fun to suffer in groups...think of all the suffer fest bike rides we have done together. I am sure all our Oregon friends would just LOVE this...Well, no friends around? Maybe a shot of Bailey's and coffee will warm me up...

Mike and I will surely have some stories to tell the grand kids about our adventures in Fargo, ND...and of course as the years go by I will feel free to embellish! And, when we return to Oregon I promise NEVER to complain about rain and 37 degrees

Happy Blankety Blankety Holidays!
HoHoHo!!