Too Much Winter

Thursday Thirteen Volume II Feb 28, 2008

It is currently around 10 degrees F (-15 C) AGAIN here in Illinois. My Canadian friends will have to bear with me on this rendition of Thursday Thirteen. They will be playing their imaginary violins for my pity party while I whine about the weather after they have enjoyed feet of snow and temperatures triple that negative number this winter. Well, believe it or not, we have seen temps that low AND feet of snow ourselves here in Illinois this winter. We, however, are not accustomed to that. My cover-to-cover newspaper reading father-in-law, Ed, informed me last week this has been the third wettest winter on record here in Central Illinois. Having lived through Edmonton’s winter last year, I can actually state that this Peoria winter rivals it. It is not as cold with not QUITE as much snow, but this cold is a colder cold degree for degree, if that makes sense. Also, this snow weighs about 3 times as much, so it is much more difficult to shovel. I will say, however, that the side streets are plowed and that was something that didn’t often happen in Edmonton.

Thirteen Signs You have had too much Winter:

1. 40 degrees F brings out short sleeves, light jackets, bikes and skateboards.




2. The same rare 40 degree day has the kids asking if they can “run through the sprinkler because it is SO warm out today.”




3. While saying nighttime prayers with the kids, you thank God for his creation – the snow, the rivers, the ice, the cold, the warm..- at which point your child interrupts and laments that Jesus WILL NEVER MAKE IT BE SPRING AGAIN.




4. You find yourself saying, “Let’s get away this weekend someplace warm – like Missouri. I think it is supposed to be in the high 40’s.”




5. The outrageous price paid for your ski-trip clothes for yourself and the kids seems like a bargain now on a cost/use basis.




6. The kids grumble when they see the fresh snow on the ground through which grass was peeking just yesterday instead of jumping for joy at the excitement of a possible snow day.




7. You find yourself whispering sweet-nothings to your tank tops and shorts promising one day you will see them again.




8. This scene triggers a reaction of OH! CRAP!, when just one month ago it was, Ooooh! Aahhh! (taken Tuesday, February 27 after the LATEST 2-5")



9. The kids need new boots by mid-January due to wear and tear instead of out-growing them like every other year.




10. You find yourself feeling inexplicable feelings of rage every time you read a blog post nonchalantly mentioning playing outside recently.




11. Your 20-something sweaters have all made their laundry rotations MANY times and are starting to look rather worn.




12. You can’t remember you neighbor’s name because you haven’t been outside in so long.




13. You find YOURSELF uttering the words, “Do you want to go to Chuck E. Cheese?” just to get out of the house.

KEEP BELIEVING