“I can’t wait until Spring comes!” I must have said this one line about a thousand times now. And to be quite honest I hate the winter and the cold weather. A few years back, while were engaged Kevin and I toyed with the notion of moving to Arizona. I have heard hot it is there, but I seriously am the happiest when it is 100 and hot as hell. I would take that weather over freezing cold, snow or ice any day of the week.
Make no mistake though I grew up in New York and I love this state. I seriously would miss it if we ever left, but the cold, long winters are what I dread each year. And a few years back, we had Hurricane Sandy hit right at the end of October, when the weather just starts to change. We, of course, were the lucky ones being without electricity/power for only two days, but I have to be honest and tell you now I was left a bit traumatized from this freak storm.
As soon as the weathermen now start speaking of bad weather, particularly heavy winds, I get a knot in my stomach the size of the state of Texas. No joke, I literally get nauseous. I lived through that storm and watched the lights go in and out all days until we lost it all completely and then sat in the dark listening to wind like that I had never experienced in 35 years on this earth.
This truly brought no meaning to the things that go bump in the night. I am a mother and a wife, but was reduced to a scared child during this storm. I found myself that night being more petrified then I had been in years and nothing anyone could say or do was changing that for me. I remember laying in my bed at 12:30 at night praying to god that I would wake in the morning and we will all be here and safe.
Thankfully, I did and we were all OK. But then came those two very long days of waiting and yes I know it could have been longer, but I do not mesh well with cold temperatures nor the lose of the internet or my trusty iPhone. So, trying to stay warm for those two days without any connection to the outside world was definitely a challenge to me. For those few mind numbing chilly heat-less days, I also lived in layers and couldn’t feel my toes when I had to change in the morning on the bare wood floor in our bedroom.
Miserable pretty much summed it for me, but still I will quite crying over something that could have been so much worse for us. Yet, I think I was definitely scarred from that experience and hearing about the snow storm that is on its way for us this weekend, my first thought was, “Dear God, please I know I hate snow, but if it needs to snow that us not lose power!!”
The Calm Before the Storm, While I Sit in My Home Worrying About Winter Storm NemoYes, even years later, I still think about the power going out again too often and our weather over the last few months with heavy winds at least once every few weeks hasn’t helped me.
I am Spring dreaming right now, while it is freezing with snow falling. I also am just plain fantasizing of warmer weather. I mean if it has to be windy and we lose power again, can’t it at least be when we won’t freeze? I would much rather find ways to cool off than warm up if we do lose power.
So when Spring does come and arrive here in New York, I think and hope I will be able to breath a bit easier at least until next winter!!
This blog post was originally written from one of the February prompts from Bloggy Moms back in February 2013, while I sat in my house on Friday afternoon as the storm was indeed approaching, but am honored to share it here today with Tamara Like Camera readers while she is indeed escaping the cold, winter New England weather for sunny, warmer Florida, specifically Disney weather now.
By the way, that storm that I was indeed writing about left us with over a foot of snow, but thankfully we never lost power from it. More thankful I could not have been and my kids, of course,were more than ecstatic at that amount of snow (to be young again!). Once some of the cleaning up had been dealt with they got bundled up to go play in the snow. I will leave you with some photos from the winter wonderland event, showing how much fun my kids had after that snowy storm. Enjoy and again Spring truly can’t come quick enough for me now even two winters later!!
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Janine Huldie says
You should travel to NYC right now, because we have enough snow to make Russia look silly right now. Seriously, there is a ton of snow right outside my window as I type this, Steph. And yet I hear some birds chirping. Must be birds that like the cold, too lol!!
LO says
Stopping by from the bloggymoms blog hop! Your yard is looking very much like mine! We're over in Vermont, and I have juuuust about had it with winter! Don't get me wrong, I love Vermont, I would never leave…I would just adore a day or two of laying on the beach!
Cheers,
LO @ http://www.blogdeedah.blogspot.com
Janine Huldie says
LO, I am with you and what I wouldn't give for a warm day at the beach right now. Thank you for stopping by and heading over to you now!! 🙂
Emily Cappo says
I'm not a big fan of winter either, and like you was just so relieved we didn't lose power with this last storm. Your girls look adorable playing in the snow…I'm still hoping that Groundhog was right and we'll have an early spring. 🙂
Janine Huldie says
Thanks Emily and as you already know I am so with you on the groundhog being right, because I think I have had my share of freak storms, cold weather and snow for some time!!
gigigirl says
We love seeing the girls in their snow suits and having fun in the snow. Hope it melts soon. Stay safe and warm up there. Love from me and Auntie Anne
Janine Huldie says
Thanks Aunt Gloria and Auntie Anne. Thinking of both of you and please send some warmer weather our way now!! 🙂 🙂
gigigirl says
I will do the best I can…Auntie Anne is back north now and coping with the cold and snow there. I am with you 100% about dealing with heat vs cold. It's also very scary to be in a storm and losing power, etc. We were sitting in our house in FL a couple of years ago with a tornado stirring up around us…..so north or south, no escaping the escapades of Mother Nature. Just stay safe…..xxoo
Janine Huldie says
That is scary Aunt Gloria and looks like no matter where you live, there may always be some form of weather disturbances to deal with. Thinking of Auntie Anne and knew she was headed back home this weekend. Just glad she made it there safely and hope you are doing well now that she isn't there with you now. You too stay safe and xoxo!! 🙂
Janine Huldie says
So true about the amount of snow Richard, but I am so done with the storms and like I said praying for Spring right about now!! 🙂
Rachel Demas says
Wow, Janine, you guys got it so bad during Sandy. And now this storm. I could see why you would be frightened. I'm so glad nothing happened (other than having lots of snow to shovel!)
Janine Huldie says
Thank you so much Rachel and I admit I hate snow, but since we didn't lose power it has been actually a bit more tolerable to me, because I seriously will take all this snow as long we have power and heat still intact!!
Leslie says
So glad you made it through Nemo safe and sound. I was worried we were going to lose power but we didn't, thank goodness! Only about 27inches of snow. 🙂
Janine Huldie says
Thanks Leslie and so glad you too made it through this storm safely and with power still intact. We got a little under 2 feet, but still like I said i will take it as long as I have heat and lights!!!
Meredith says
I'm so glad you didn't lose power! And it must have been so scary during the storm, I know 🙁 Hang in there and know I'm dreaming of spring with you!
Janine Huldie says
Oh thanks so much Meredith and I can't help, but say that yes I was definitely scared of losing the power and especially the heat. I am not good with cold temps and it was bad enough to be without heat at the end of October when temperatures were in the 40s and 50s, but in February, when temperatures aren't higher than low 30s, definitely dreaded that. So yes, we can so dream of spring together now!! 😉
Collette Palmer says
I'm glad you didn't lose power this time. My cousin in MA got about the same amount of snow. Here in Michigan, we have been pretty lucky. I do get depressed when the days start getting shorter because I know the cold is coming. But I have always lived here.
I do know how you feel about storms even though our tornado was in the summer of '97. Summer power outages are not as bad, but it took me a long time to not be terrified everytime a thunderstorm was headed our way. (((HUGS))) to you and your family
Janine Huldie says
Oh Collette, I am sorry you too have had bad storms that have left you fearful. Like you we have had power outages in the summer time, too, but they don't seem to effect me the same as in the dead of the winter. I need heat, it is just a fact of life and don't like to be cold. I also agree about hating when the days get shorter and knowing that the cold is indeed coming, it truly does depress me. Thank you seriously for commenting and sharing, too 🙂
More Than Mommies says
I am there with you on not loving cold temps. If I had the choice between too hot or too cold I would pick the heat. It never bothered me as much as it has for the last few years. I would be packing too if my family would follow! Stay warm!
Janine Huldie says
Thanks and truly so happy to know it just isn't me. I seriously would take 100 degrees and humid over these cold frigid temperatures and snow. I know many think I am crazy, but seriously I just love the warmth and the cold is so not my thing. You too try to stay warm!!
Janine Huldie says
Melissa, it is truly ironic and love hearing what other people like as far as weather and climates. But I am so done right now with the storms and cold. Am truly longing for summer and warmer weather now. As for Florida, I have aunts and uncles who live on both coasts, both and south, so I did know the difference int the seasonal climates just slightly from hearing it from them. 🙂
Justin K says
Hi Janine! I think it's perfectly normal (and probably smart) to be scared of BIG storms. I live where it is warm, but I don't want to lose power and freeze either! I would be at DEFCON 5 with little ones in the house and trying to make sure they stayed warm enough. Doesn't sound fun! Spring is coming! Hang in there! 🙂
Janine Huldie says
Thanks Justin and that is just it as much as I admit I hate being cold, I truly don't want my kids to be freezing and cold. So, I was not only scared as an adult for myself, but for my little girls, too. I will never forget my three year old during Hurricane Sandy (when we had no power/heat) telling me she was cold and could i put the heat on. Truly don't want to have to go through that one again!!
Janine Huldie says
Yes, I believe you are right about Chicago and NYC being similar in weather. And I am sorry that you too are experiencing this one, but thanks for sharing Jamie 🙂
Linda Roy says
I'm in Jersey and I feel like you do. After Sandy, every time they announce a "weather event", we automatically start charging our devices and filling the tub. It's a reflex at this point. Thank god the power didn't go out this past weekend and we really didn't get hit that bad – not like you guys did in NY. I'm so over winter. Yuk. Keep warm and hang in there. Only a couple months to go! Thanks so much for linking up to the hop!
Janine Huldie says
So sorry you too went through Sandy and know what I am talking about, because I truly wouldn't want to wish that one on anyone. That said happy to hear you didn't get as much snow as us and I have a feeling we will be seeing this snow for weeks to come before it is completely melted!! Thanks again for the link-up and very happy to join in 🙂 🙂
Eddy Jones says
Another great post Jaine and I loved the pics of your little ones playing in the snow.!!!!
Lots of love
Eddy.