The frozen snot phenomenon and other winter perils

Now, only in Northern Illinois can one clearly recognize frozen snot. If your the squeamish type, this post may not be for you. Frozen snot I assume happens after someone is outside for a long time in the winter. But in the winter when it's 20 below, frozen snot happens the first time you walk outside and breath through your nose...as happened to me this morning.

I am on the fourth or fifth week of the most beautiful, lovely and heartwarming cold of all time, so I am lucky enough to have a good amount of snot to freeze. Mostly, when your snot is frozen, it just feels like your nose is stuck shut. Of course when you return to a somewhat sane temperature, you are able to breath normally right away. So, there you have it...everything you never wanted to know about frozen snot!

Last night we went to the Metro Center to see Larry the Cable Guy.

Larry, was very politically incorrect as usual and super funny. His opening act was great too and the show was sold out. Here's the thing: Our metro center has just undergone some 82 billion dollar (a slight exaggeration) renovation in which they built a beautiful new spacious entrance...that.was.locked. last night. Have I mentioned that is was 25 below last night? Our Metro Center had a p*** poor design from the beginning. One main entrance, on the far side of the building no where near where the parking is. I'm not really sure who thought of that. Then the parking garage for the facility holds 3000 cars and the facility seats 10000 people. Again, who's idea was that? Now...there was a lovely lot kitty corner to the building where a 7000 car parking structure would have been a fabulous idea. Instead, they're building a federal courthouse there. Really? A federal courthouse in Rockford, Illinois? How bout a parking garage instead. I digress. So...we end up parking two blocks away in a clearly marked...we will tow your car if you park here zone, and risked life and limb to walk ourselves to the sparkling new entrance. Which.was.locked. Oh wait, I already said that. To add insult to injury....there were cozy Metro Center workers standing inside the beautiful entry way all cozy and warm watching us walk by freezing. Now...the other entrance is a single door at the end of the walkway that connects the garage to the building. We walked to the other side of the building up two flights of stairs and waited in line to get into the building through one single door. WHAT WERE THEY THINKING?!?!? Did anyone stop to think that it was -25 outside? Clearly.Not.

[Rant off]

Pardon my ranting...but it was darn cold. Once we got inside, got our seats and warmed up, I actually had to take a layer of clothing off during the show. A good time was had by all. My favorite joke of course was when he said....Whoever proposed the theory of global warming has never been to Rockford! Ahhhh....the perils of winter.

OK, here's the final peril. When it's super cold and your car has super cute rims, like mine...the super cute seals in the tires often leak a bit which can result in two super low rear tires, such as the ones on my car this morning. Now, here's the thing. I do not, let me repeat, do not stop to get air when it is 19 below, which it was this morning. So, I hustled myself to work and hoped for the best. They are calling for 25 degrees by tomorrow morning---a whole 50 degrees warmer than today. That will be the day I will put air in my tires. Hope they last til then!

This is my final digression...look at how super cute this cat is...

We have discovered that in his old age he doesn't see very well. When he goes to bed at night, I always give him a little kitty treat. Unless I put it right under his nose...he has to sniff around to find it since evidently he can't see it. While he's doing this of course he leaves little drool spots in the bed! Who knew that cat's drooled? He's so chunky and snuggled up I just want to squish him!

AND, let me share my latest project 365 picture...


Is it possible for the temp meter on your car to be colder than cold? Evidently! And of course the gas tank has to be full to avoid gas line freeze. That's my, 'what I know about midwest winters' photo!

This picture is my precious one's project 365 photo...

This is her phone that she got for her birthday...notice the text on the screen. Clever ;)

Back to school tonight for me. Ugh! But it's my second to the last class. It's so close now I can taste it!

Until next time...

Resolving? Maybe not...

Do you set New Year's Resolutions? I usually don't. For some reason this year, I had pondered (as I often do, ponder that is...) perhaps setting some resolutions. Here is what I pondered...

#1 Losing the 90 lbs. I've gained since I got married 18 years ago. I pondered that for about a nano second and then quickly realized I had lost my mind...and thought I'd set a more realistic goal of not gaining any more weight... And maybe buying me one of those wii fits. We'll see...

#2 Only working one job over the summer and truly enjoying my kids. Reality promptly kicked in with that one...I just started one new job on the 22nd of December, and start my new full time job on January 26th. Therefore, the minimum number I would have is two...plus I really need to be working toward my LCSW which would require a 3rd job...and then to pay insurance I have to work at the Y. So...after a bit of pondering I have resolved to work 4 jobs over the summer and truly enjoy my kids.

#3 A part of me thought about resolving to have a cleaner house...but that immediately contradicts my motto of "We can't both look good, it's me or the house." So...you'll find no resolution here having anything even remotely to do with cleaning. If you're coming to see my house, please make an appointment...if you're coming to see me, come anytime!

#4 Money? Probably there should be a resolution wishing I could save more. Please see #2-- if saving more was an option, probably having 4 jobs wouldn't be on the same resolution list. After graduation I think I'll resolve to purchase and read the latest Suze Orman book. That's as close as I come to a money resolution.

#5 Do not, I repeat do not use the credit cards. This I can do...no big deal. They really must be paid off before the student loan payments kick in starting November.

Ok, so...that's it...now for the actual list.

Maybe buy a wii
work 4 jobs
read a Suze Orman book
Don't charge

Manageable, very manageable...

You know me, I'm just keeping it real...don't want to set myself up for failure you know!

OH and, I have resolved to completing the 365 project. Since this is such a transitional year for me, with graduation, the new job, 3 teenagers, my son going to high school, our trip to New York, Steph's first college visit, etc. etc. I thought this would be the year to document our lives through one picture a day. I'm also stalking Becky Higgins site to see when they will have more kits available since I missed out on opening day, along with perhaps half the nation. This does require me to have a crash course on photo shop, which I think my big girl can teach me.

So there you have it!

Oh, and perhaps my vacation pictures will finally upload to slide for those of you that have been waiting!

Happy New Year to you and yours!