I apologize in advance for the whining I am about to inflict on you. I realize that many people in many parts of the world experience actual problems, like hunger and disease and war, whereas I do not. I’ve tried really hard not to let the weather get the best of me, but I can contain myself not longer.
I was born and raised here in Southwestern British Columbia. We might be Canadians, but we’re not the hardy kind. For example, we skate indoors and purchase cars without block heaters. We are not able to withstand months of freezing temperatures. What we can tolerate is rain. Vancouver is a lot like Seattle, only with socialized medicine and fewer retail options. Sure, it snows here, but then it melts within a day or two. That’s the rule. Anything more and we’re at a loss.
This winter has been a nightmare so far. We’ve had snow, and lots of it. And it’s not going anywhere. Oh, they keep promising that rain will come and melt it all, and then I get my hopes up. But what happens? More snow. Wet snow. Dry snow. Snowy snow. When I wake up in the morning and see more on the ground it’s all I can do not to burst into tears.
My Christmas Eve dinner, for which I procured an expensive 15 lb turkey, locally grown, no hormones, no antibiotics, all the great stuff? For which I pureed butternut squash and made pie crust from scratch? Canceled. Because of snow. Hannah’s first day back at school after Christmas, which was supposed to be yesterday? The day she woke up giddy at the prospect of no longer being trapped indoors with her irritable mother and baby brother? Canceled. Because of snow.
We got our first snowfall on December 12. And it just kept falling. Our neighbourhood is barely navigable because of massive piles of snow on each side of the street. The remaining driving surface is only wide enough for one car, so you find yourself pulling into several driveways to avoid collisions in the two blocks between the main road and are our house. Street parking is nonexistent. And I fear Jon’s shoulder will never be the same after all the shoveling.
We can’t go outside, because what can you do with a 4-month-old in the cold and wet and snow? Driving anywhere is horrible, because we’re all nervous west coasters with no snow tires, living in communities with shoddy snow removal. And then when you do venture out it’s a total parking nightmare because 1/3 or more of the spaces are covered with massive piles of snow. Plus it’s been Christmas and Boxing Day and New Year’s, which as you know are traditionally crazy times in parking lots under the best of conditions.
It’s long past the point of being fun, or funny. We are going stir crazy here. I am facing down another full day at home with the two little ones, and it’s just not pretty. All of our go-to ideas for ‘indoor fun’ have lost their sheen. It’s a total nightmare. All that I can say is, school had better be open tomorrow.
I heart you
Really.
The good news is, its raining and it should melt. If the state of my socks after walking the two blocks from the bus stop to work is any indication. And the river running down Cambie street.
The bad news is, check your storm drains and make sure they’re clear or you might get flooded – gutters too.
I had that kind of day yesterday too. Ugh.
I think my youngest and your oldest are about the same age. He and I spent the day together (me *trying* to work, him not wanting me to work) while the two older kids were off at school. All three are at school today – hooray! I needed the break…and I have work to get done.
Yesterday, I put a DVD in the computer and plopped him on the couch to watch Little Einsteins (we have a tv – no cable – but it’s in the deep, dark, chilly basement). Then I abandoned plans for homemade chicken stew (or anything homemade for that matter) and ordered pizza.
Hang in there! Hopefully school is open tomorrow and you have some time to regenerate.
Ah man! Now you're making me feel guilty about the glee we hardy, snowcompetent Canadians have been taking in your weather woes. And man, have we been enjoying all that balminess we stole from you–that pic of me skating? outside? Fabulous Vancouver day, right here in SW Ontario. And now I feel guilty about it. Harrumph.Sending you melty thoughts. And hoping for a compromise on the weather…..(Because I like not experiencing the sensation known as "snot freezingly cold")
Don't feel guilty. I laugh my butt off when I see the LA News and everyone's freaking out because it's raining. Enjoy yourself at our expense. Because you know that in a few weeks us left coasters will be back in our natural role, smugly soaking wet.
It sucks being inside the house when the weather won’t cooperate. You could always put a kids dvd into the computer or you could hit the Sesame Street website to play games and sing songs and print off colouring pages.
I scrap book and Emma gets to do her own pages…which is an easy craft and Emma loves looking at all the pictures.
good luck and hopefully the snow is gone soon and be thankful it ins’t all that cold.
I feel your pain! I was so happy Victoria’s swimming lessons started yesterday so we had a reason to get out of the house
I hear you loud and clear! I hate how my knees are feeling walking in the snow
My 3 1/2 yr.old dd had pre-school and art so we had to walk. I can’t wait for the sun *apparently next week*.
Good luck with the weather and activities! I used to live in upstate NY, where we were snowed in regularly, but after years in California, I start to shiver if it gets below 55 degrees.