It's been positively arctic in the American midwest as of late. Enjoying a somewhat milder form of winter back in November and December, we were a bit spoiled by the positive effects of the El Nino weather pattern and ultimately, global warming. It doesn't matter one iota that I grew up in the North Country of beautiful Canada - nor does it matter that I've endured several bad winters over the years. One just doesn't get used to the biting cold. Either that, or I'm a big baby. That could be very possible, actually ;-)
When January hit, we got smacked with winter weather. The first week of this month saw snow storm after snow storm... actually, that part bothered me very little, unless it adversely affected my commute home from work. We've had not one day of temperatures above the freezing mark thus far in 2010 and today was probably one of the coldest ones yet. I knew early on this morning that I had to take a jaunt over to the local supermarket... in actuality, its a mere 10 minute walk from my place... but 7 degrees fahrenheit with the windchill and I found myself plotting my attire for my arctic trek. The trick is all in how you layer your clothing. Two pairs of pants (1 being thermal, the other being less dorky and of a thick material); one long-sleeve thermal "sweater"; covered with a polar fleece hoody. Thermal socks that I bought in Canada from a sports-supply store that described them as 'good up to temps of -20 degrees celcius - which is approximately 14 degrees fahrenheit or thereabouts); winter boots, hat, scarf and mittens and topped with my not-as-warm-as-I'd-like winter coat. There you have it, I was ready to face this mean old man winter! While it was bitterly cold this morning, my trek was a quick one and the sun was out along the way (although it did nothing in the way of heating up the midwest today). I ran my supermarket errands and it wasn't until my journey back that I realized winter isn't so bad, when you're dressed appropriately. Also, with the sun shining, it was lighting up the billions of snow crystals on the ground, as though mother earth was dressed in the world's prettiest diamond gown (or most expensive Snuggie blanket). The last time I found myself thinking happy thoughts during full-on winter, I was living in the gorgeous city of Montreal... where -45 degrees celcius just happens so you better make the best of it. Quebecers taught me a big lesson about appreciating the seasons - especially the not-so-pleasant one. The other 3 seasons see locals out and about and enjoying their parks, lakes and establishments. Summer in Montreal is unforgettable - its a city so well taken care of and so pretty, that it's impossible not to love. I found myself also feeling this same way about living there during the winters too. They celebrate the season and are quite festive about it. Plus it tugged at the old' nostalgic heartstrings a lot to be walking home after a long day at work, to see people playing ice hockey in the park... maybe you have to be a Canadian for that to hit home, but it was a big feel-good moment for me. Anyway, somehow the sparkling snow in Cleveland reminded me of my time in Montreal, for a brief moment. It made me realize that I should stop whining about how cold it is and just suck it up. Got home and defrosted with a lovely cup of piping hot tea and put my feet up. While, er, in my fleece Snoopy pyjama pants.
This time last year, I was unemployed. Without a job, it felt like I lost my sense of identity. Who was I? Normally when someone asks you about yourself, you are inclined to tell them what you do for a living. I was without that and my sense of person and confidence was compromised for a while. However, it wasn't until January last year that I truly began to feel a sense of optimism and hopefulness that my luck would soon change. And that it did. It was almost a full year ago that I got the job that I have now and a better fit could not be found. I'm among the luckier ones in this economy, for there are a few people I know who had to take whatever was offered to them and it didn't work out so well for them. 2010 is a year I am resplendent in knowing will be a great one. Things are getting better all the time and you just can't take that for granted.
My husband and I lost our 6 year old feline, Snappy, to chronic renal failure back in October. Oh, it was awful... diagnosed in late August and it took him not even 6 weeks later. He was in such a poor state at the end, that it wasn't too difficult of a decision to put him down. Instead, the hard part was adapting to a home without Snappy over the next few weeks. We felt ready to adopt a new pet again the following month - it was 4 weeks later, that we brought our current kittens, Hoss and Mouse (or team furball) into our home. We've had them for 2 months now and it feels like we've known them forever in a way. I still miss Snappy and think of him quite a bit but he is in a better place. The kittens are 15 weeks old and in the middle of that destructive phase.
It's amusing to watch. Hoss is grey, long-hair and very sweet. Mouse is a short or medium hair cat (its hard to tell still) and a silver tabby who is gentle, agile, exceedingly funny, pretty and no doubt will be a beautiful adult cat. They've enriched our lives noticably, and we're only just starting to get a pulse of their still-developing personalities. We're very happy to have them in our family (and two kittens can provide a lot of warmth in the frigid cold of winter, heheh).
Not much else is new... winter makes one want to be a hermit. My life has been work, play and sleep but I don't mind. In fact, I wouldn't change a thing. Er, except to have winter quickly turn into spring... Australia, if you're listening, this is your summer. We want it back soon :-) Seriously, may your [insert season here] be a good one. Best wishes, everyone, for a happy 2010!
