Whose Idea Was This?

I'm going to vent.  In fairness, I rarely do so (on here) so you're just going to have to deal.  Last year got cold.  And it got cold a lot earlier.  But for some reason, this cold snap, we dropped approximately 40 degrees in 12 hours, has me not loving Alaska so much.  Good gravy, Mavis.  Now to be fair, it's technically warming up out there, and we only saw about -36.  Which, in reality, is cold, but not as cold as it can get here.  I remember January 9, 2009 all too well.  Anyway, it's been cold.  Did I mention that already?

In reality, the roads stink because the temps were too warm and we got rain.  Now that we're seeing the below zero temps they are marginally better, but will take some time to become normal.  The cold has also brought the sun along with it.  And I LOVE that.  I almost has one convinced that you won't need long underwear, wool socks, a heavy jacket, gloves (I wore 2 pair), a scarf to breathe through, a hat, and whatever else you deem necessary to function.

My biggest challenge is plugging, unplugging, plugging the car in.  We had plug-ins in Northern Minnesota, but I don't remember ever using it.  Let alone carrying around not one, but two extension cords.  All. The. Time.  My saving grace is that it's normal here.  Everyone gets out, plugs it in, comes out, unplugs it, drives it home.  Weird stuff.  And if you're the idiot that forgets (hypothetically, of course) to unplug the cord, or the car, and you're driving down the road with the cord dragging behind you.  Yep, you're the idiot.  Luckily I haven't done that.  Yet.  This year.

I did get a nice lecture reminder from my hubby that failing to unplug the car one more time will result in some major repair work to the outdoor outlet.  You know, since someone obviously forgot a time, or two, last year.

Today had me at my knees.  It took me 45 minutes to put all my layers on, which cause me to sweat because the wood stove is cranked, then go outside and freeze to the car that's been running for 35 minutes and still isn't technically, warm.  Luckily it warms up quicker when I drive.  Phew.  I pulled into the office parking lot, unloaded myself, discovering that I'd rode all the way to work with my coat stuck in the door.  Swell.  Rolled out, because with that many layers you have to, and attempted to plug my car in.  The plug was bent, I was wearing gloves (two pair) and I was cold.  Growing increasingly frustrated by the moment, the tears came, just as the plug miraculously slipped into it's mate.  Success.  Damn tears.

On a positive note, this cold snap has not changed my love for this town, this state.  There are good days, and bad days, today just happened to be one that tested my patience and resolve.   The above photo- sorry about the quality- is the view from my window at work.  The sun tipped the trees just before it set yesterday afternoon.  It was quite lovely.

Happy Winter!