Late in the evening, the weather forecast changed to a blizzard warning. Needless to say, that wasn’t welcome news.
When I got up around 7 a.m. this morning, I’d say there was already more than 6 inches of snow on the ground and, by now, there’s at least 8. It’s falling heavily and the winds are blowing and I can’t see the house across the road.
Digging out of this mess is going to take a whole day. A day that, frankly, Don could have used to run errands and prepare for his trip. The whole thing is a pain in the tush.
But, the good – so far: Our oil company came through and heating oil was delivered mid-afternoon yesterday. Since I had turned our heat way down in case we had to make a go of it for the next 48 hours, I was wearing a winter hat and a crocheted throw was enveloping my body as the truck pulled up in the driveway. What a relief to see them!
So far: we have power. That could change but I’m praying that it doesn’t.
We’re waiting it out. That’s all we can do. Millions of people are being impacted by this storm, so I try to see the bigger picture.
My first thought upon waking this morning was that Don was leaving in a few days. For some reason, it’s so much harder for me to deal with this time around. I’m not sure why, but it is. We’re doing our best to stay positive, but I will admit to crying this morning.
Maybe because everything is in a state of flux; weather, the world, our country? Maybe, too, because this will be the first time I’ve not had the companionship of a dog when Don is away. I’m missing my girl. And my Riley. And my Winston. A separation was more bearable when I was blessed with their company.
Anyway. We’ll get through it. We always do. It’s always harder for the person left behind. We know this. We’ve done it countless times in our 23 years together. Don has had to cope with my absence a few times since Scoutie left us. It’s my turn. Only fair.
I’m not sure what I’m going to do today. Read, of course. Maybe a little hand quilting. Eat a piece of the apple pie we bought yesterday in preparation for hunkering down in the cottage. Make biscuits for tonight’s dinner. Watch Rachel Maddow (power, please stay on!).
Tomorrow? Snow blowing, shoveling (I can already see the snow drifts forming outside), shoveling some more, snow blowing again. That will be our day. Then we can run errands on Thursday. I want to make sure that Don gets all the help he needs in preparation for his trip.
Okay. Wish us luck!
Happy Tuesday.
Not surprising that you are feeling this separation more intensely than other times. Between being sick, the weather and not having your fur friends just makes this one hard. And I can relate too. I’m sure you caught that fact that most of my life has been military related. And when my husband (Army) was sent somewhere else usually it was for a couple of weeks or maybe a month. The one that got me was when he was sent to Korea (called a hardship tour) for a year. I was here by myself with my daughter. The morning that he left for Korea, one of the ladies (Navy wife) called me to see how I was doing. I fell apart. I was bawling. All the other times when my husband was sent somewhere I didn’t cry but this time I did and I felt ashamed because of the fact the lady was Navy and in a way used to her husband being gone long extended time.
Anyway, if you need an ear. I volunteer.
So glad that the oil company came through and you will stay warm. What kind of quilt are you working on? I am following along with Pat Sloan’s Solstice. Making 25 blocks. I am using sunflower fabric that I have collected over the years. Hopefully to use it all up, if only I stay away from online quilt shops that sell sunflower fabric.
Thank you, Trina!
I already pieces the quilt together a few years back, now I’m hand quilting the whole thing. This afternoon I’m going to quilt.
I totally get the need to bawl, Trina! Never feel ashamed! We’re strong, but sometimes we need to let go!
best wishes to you both and everyone else dealing with this storm and other hard things … for staying warm, traveling safely and getting necessary things done. also for comforted hearts during absences. (reunions are wonderful things!)
and glad you have more heating oil!
kathy in iowa
Thank you, Kathy!
So happy to hear the oil truck arrived. Yippee for small victories! I can only imagine the tears…Don will be gone for quite awhile. But…there is a reunion trip planned…right? It’s the day to day, I understand. You’ll just have to take it one day at a time…and you’ve always got us….we’re great sounding boards! Hope you have a somewhat relaxing day watching the snow fly…and the power stays on!! ;)
It’s the day to day and the phone – though nice – isn’t the same as having him by my side!
This storm is a doozy! I just walked the dog to check on a neighbor and was so out of breath between the wind and the deep snow.
The weather, being apart from Don, missing Scout and current politics is a tough combo mood wise. Wishing you both the best.
I am hunkering down and organizing my tax info. I always put it off and come spring I am so angry at myself while stuck inside when the weather is so beautiful.
This year…
Bad winter weather = chores I hate.
Beautiful spring weather = casually strolling through garden centers.
…at least that’s the plan. :)
I haven’t seen one like this in years – maybe since I lived in Boston and that’s 24 years ago!
Your weather really gives me pause, Claudia. I have a East Coast, long-awaited trip in my not-so-distant future, as soon as Hubby retires and if I can improve my strength/energy level. I remember when a California friend of mine went to Nantucket in April and got caught on the island in a bad storm; stranded; not a part of their careful planning. Seems to be a fine line if wanting to travel not in peak tourist season…you could actually catch winter weather as early as October but also before May for a trip in the spring, no? For non-tourist travel, what is best? September? May? If I had six weeks or so, what’s the better pick for road-trip travel in your part of the country? Opinion, please…and I just love that you’re quilting by the way; let us have a look, soon!
I’d say spring or fall. Summer is good, too, but it can get very hot and humid.
My gosh! That picture of your yard is amazing! And I breathed a HUGE sigh of relief when I read you got your heating oil. What a blessing!
And with Don going to be gone for six months, you have every right to cry! That’s a long time. But like you said, you will get through it. I’m an embroiderer and I know it works very well with my anxiety. I do that, knitting, and some quilting on small things. I don’t do the big, beautiful quilts you do. I do table toppers and doll quilts. My handwork always makes me see the good in life.
This morning I am saying a prayer with every stitch. My one word prayers: hope, faith, love, cherish, happiness, safety, calmness, laughter, etc,etc. I works for me. Then I try to think of positive things and if I start thinking unhappy things, I go back to my single words. I also watch lots of movies. TV is my buddy. When things are on that I have seen many times, I just let it be background in my day. Don’t have to watch every minute. That helps me too. I know you aren’t nearly as nuts as me, but just thought I would let you know what helps me to cope when I find life hard.
You and Don and all the other people being affected by this storm are in my prayers.
Don isn’t going to be gone for six months, Tana – but he will be gone for at least 4 months. I’ll quilt, garden (someday!) and paint the kitchen. All of that will keep me occupied. I’m sure I’ll have the television on more than I do when Don is here. Just for the company.
Claudia, are you going to try to come out to San Diego at least twice in those four months? Will he have a small apartment? How long would you be able to stay with him? It would do you both a world of good. Four months IS a long time and a long-distance relationship is no fun; you have every right to feel unsettled about it, for as wonderful as it is for Don to be doing something so fun and for good pay! It’s just that, if you could plan to fly out and break up those 18 weeks or so, by 6-week increment ‘reunions’, it might make the time go by faster. Like, let me see, let me plan this out for you…!!!…fly to SD on April 30 and June 12. Like you haven’t thought about this yourself, of course! Put the security alarm on the house, a vacation hold on the newspapers and mail; maybe an automatic timer for watering your plants/lawn…and just GO to him. Reacquaint yourself with San Diego and make some memories.
From Your Personal Travel Planner, Vicki
I’ll be out there at least once, maybe twice – we’ll see how expensive/inexpensive plane fares are. I’ll definitely be out there toward the end of June – Don’s birthday is the 24th – and the play runs, I think, through the first week in July. Then we’ll drive back together.
If I go another time, it will be sometime in May/end of May, as I have to get the garden in here and I think it’s going to be a late spring.
Oh, I love that idea; that’s a great idea that you’ll return to NY together in the trusty CRV; it’ll be an extended vacation for you!
It will. I’m finally going to be able to see the Grand Canyon!
Stay safe. Praying for you and all of the East Coast.
Judy
Thank you, Judy! This is a monster of a storm.
March 18, March 24-28 – – – I was looking at temps for Rhinebeck and unless it changes, there’s more snow/snow showers & rain to come, Claudia. So Don has to try to get away in between those events? Sounds like this is going to be a March that will go down in history there; I’m feeling worried for you guys.
Snow showers aren’t a big deal, so that shouldn’t interfere with his departure. He’ll probably leave on Saturday.
Good luck with your plans for the next few days. I’m sure you will get them all done. Stay safe and warm!
Thank you, Cathy!
Hang in there, Claudia. Hope the power stays on and you’re cozy together in your beautiful cottage. Here on the shores of Lake Michigan in WI, we had tons of lake effect snow yesterday. It was beautiful, huge flakes, sort of like being inside a big snow globe. My escape was binge-watching “The West Wing.” Yes, I like to escape to a time of (even though it was fiction) competence in the White House.
The lights flickered a few times and the wind has picked up, so we cooked some food ahead of time and if the power goes out, we’ll have something to eat.
Glad your oil company delivered, worry about heat can do a number on the nerves. Snowing here too, but the US Mail truck is up the street delivering. Both of my children are still out of town unable to return until one Wednesday the other Thursday. Both stuck in warm weather though places though. Cats hate the snow they want to go out but the wind blows them back in, it is funny. Stay warm and cozy
No mail delivery here. It’s too dangerous! We’re on a rural route – so it would be too treacherous. Glad your children are at least somewhere with warm weather, Mary!
I hope that all will be well for you and Don. Sorry you had a tear, I know the feeling!
Thank you, Amy!
I’ve seen that the Valley is supposed to get SLAMMED, but MSNBC has already announced that some areas are getting significantly less than originally expected. So I hope that turns out to be true for the Valley as well. There’s just something worse about these March storms. They hit just when we’re longing the most for Spring. I really thought with those 60-degree days in February that we would escape some crazy March weather this year. I should have known better. For yours & Don’s sakes, I hope things level out quickly. Stay tucked in and cozy as much as you can. Remember you’re still getting better from your cold-flu-sinus spell. Don’t push things too much. Do I sound enough like your Mom? Haha.
PS – Claudia, did you guys ever think of getting a cat? Nice to have another heartbeat around the house when Don is away. I love dogs too and would want both myself – if it was allowed where I live – but cats are so much easier maintenance-wise. You know that of course, but seriously – you don’t have to be concerned about rushing home to let them out etc. And they’re smaller [usually]. And they take care of themselves for the most part. If I’ve asked this before, I apologize. Just an idea because I hate thinking of animal lovers who don’t have an animal around. Peace. ❄️
#Resist
MSNBC might be reporting that, but we are not getting less – it’s dreadful here. Lots of wind, huge drifts – at least 13 or 14 inches so far. My car is almost buried!
I’m allergic to cats. No can do, unfortunately! Thanks, Janet.
Hi Claudia,
Thinking of you and sending along warm wishes for a sheltered day in your cottage where the weather and worries may be kept at bay and you can draw strength and peace from within to see you through, and the….. heartache… too may become a part of the beauty and love you radiate and share.
Thank-you for being here and be well Claudia
Thank you so much for your kind words, Grace.
Be warm and safe, Claudia. Thinking of you today.
Thank you, Shanna.
Just a random passer-by, compelled to leave some valid things you may want to try later when you are left alone/duration;
“Stay in the day” with your thinking/thoughts. If you can’t- then “shift into neutral” mentally/physically.
Music: either internet Pandoras, local radio playing softly, but each day a total change; BBC online (is excellent/wide variety), swing, classical, Latin, Disco, Native American, jazz, religious, blue grass, nature sounds. Go by regions of the world, time frames in history of the 60’s/Victorian, etc. How loud you sing/dance/play it is up to you. Keep a list of the best stations.
Tea: blend two your choice- what you have in the cupboard or can buy. Enjoy an afternoon pot of tea for one week.
Make soup: your choice but it has to feed you for a day. Nothing like a pot of soup on the stove-turned low to go to all day. It counts for warm fast meals and hydration. Ask your readers for their best/simplest soup recipe.
Physical warmth: a must for mental/physical strength, you know how dress in certain layers. *Research DIY flax seed heat packs you microwave- flaxseed holds heat the longest. It is unlike corn, rice, grains- it is a seed so it will act differently.
Seek out all the drafts in your house- use incense or a damp hand, roll old towels to stop drafts.
Visual; lit candles (bonus; house scent/warmth), favorite color (sheet over the couch), a silk sunflower, sun/light catchers- crystal/cut glass that sparkles in the light. Use enough night lights at night to easily be able to see.
Move one piece of furniture; the couch or a big chair to middle of the room, a small table/chair in front of a window to use while drinking tea at, watching birds at the feeder.
Keep blizzard/storm notes of what worked and why, then “upgrade” and be ready better the next time.
Borrow a pet (small song bird, gold fish, dog)- just for the weekend, easy and short term. Ask a pet sitter, local foster home for dogs, veterinarian, feed store, pet store- someone with “animal” contacts.
Get a new house plant you can propagate.
Thank you so much! I already do quite a few of these things as I’m a very visual person. I play around with things all the time, I love scented candles and I play a lot of music.
The big challenge is to stay in the day – or as my husband says it: stay in the now. That’s something I’m working on. Thank you for taking the time to share these ideas/tips with me, K. I so appreciate it.
I do hope this helps somewhat, I feel for you.
I forgot- daily puzzles: your choice crossword, word search,
and good old 5,000 pieces type but set up at chest level so you stand (2 for 1; work your mind and body core). Time frame can be any, just once a day.
Flaxseed pack thing is worth the time, UNLESS you have an electric hot water bottle.
I feel lucky I got to see this post from ‘k’ as a fellow reader here. How interesting. I love what readers share on your blog, Claudia. You have THE BEST blog. See how much your readers care about you?
I love my readers, Vicki!
I do the NY Times Crossword every day! xo
You have been on my mind all morning. Looked like NYC wasn’t getting as much as was forecast, but in all other directions it looked awful. I can’t imagine what Boston is getting. If it had to happen, so glad Don is still there with you.
Up above ^^ Trina asked what kind of quilt you are working on….. and I read that as guilt as I first read it. Then I wondered about a list of all the guilt we work on. For me it is daily, and I can reach back to about 58 of my 67 years!! Good ol’ Catholic Guilt.
On another note, I had a Dr. appt last Friday for a BP check. It was high, as I knew it would be. I told her I blame it on the current administration. She said it really isn’t funny because so many patients are feeling the exact same way. She said the older Docs said they had never seen what is happening right now ~ having so many negative health affects over the turmoil going on. Sad.
Very glad that Don is here, I’d be much more stressed if I was on my own and I simply couldn’t do all the shoveling and cleanup that’s necessary.
Heavens I work on a list of guilt all the time!! That made me laugh.
I’m not at all surprised by the negative health effects – when every day brings something even more appalling, it’s hard not to be angry and frustrated.
This weather is crazy. So glad you got the heating oil. You and Don rest up because it looks like a busy day tomorrow. I know you are going to miss him. Funny how some separations bother us more then others. Without Scout you do feel more alone I’m sure. Your friends are all here for you daily! I started the Karin Slaughter book, hard to put down sometimes! Hugs!
You have no idea how much snow is out there right now! It’s overwhelming!
Claudia, I feel your sadness as the days melt away and Don’s departure day is upon you. I totally understand how overwhelming difficult being separated from your partner can be… I also have the TV or Radio on during the day. The sounds give me the illusion of company. Of course, I have my three cats, but they’re usually having their daytime naps. (As an aside, I always tested positive for cat allergies, but when I saw the first kitten we adopted back in the early 80’s, I couldn’t resist. I’ll just get weekly shots, I thought. Turns out, I never reacted to her, or the five subsequent felines that shared and currently share my life. They sleep with me, sit on me, follow me around, talk with me… I tested positive for weeds and grasses and pollen, and they can wreck havoc on me, but cats, nope. I also tested negative for dogs, but I will have an asthma attack if I’m with one too long! Go figure…)
Anyway, pulling for you through this bad weather. Glad you have provisions, especially the oil. I hope you also have special magical moments with Don this week…don’t forget to make those moments happen.
I’m glad you’re not allergic but having been with my parents’ cats and many friends’ cats, I know that I’m allergic. Like you, even though I don’t technically have asthma, I’ve found myself wheezing when I’m around any cats for a long period of time. Ah, well. I’m really a dog person, through and through.
We’re housebound today, so we’re hanging out together. So far, the power has stayed on. Fingers crossed!
Stay safe, my friend! I hope your power stays on – prayers sent out for at least that. I agree that the companionship of a pet is wonderful when you’re home alone. Even when I was laid up after my surgery, my kitties never left my side. They were a great comfort. xoxo
The lights have blinked a bit, but so far, so good. Oh, animals are such a comfort. I’d give anything to have Scoutie here when Don is away – or any time, of course. She was a great companion, that girl.
The Blizzard of 2017, You are living ,history!
I Love history! -Judy A-
We sure are living history!
Hope your power stays on; glad you got your heating oil filled! The snow looks beautiful but I know it is going to be a lot of work for you two in the next few days. Stay safe! Jen
Very hard work and it’s about to begin!
I’m glad everything is going along as best expected; you were wise to do all your preparations. It looks very severe out there. Wow, you are buried in snow. It feels so unbelievable to me. We are the complete opposite weather on the west coast here in SoCalif as you know. I have the air conditioning on full blast in the house right now at 2:45pm. Some of the kids seem to be off school today and I just saw two little girls in their bathing suits and flip flops headed somewhere with their floaties; maybe somebody nearby has a pool.
My first thought, before you said it a few sentences on down, was that one of the reasons you might feel even worse this time with Don’s departure is because of no Scoutie. But every time my husband leaves for a job, days or weeks on end, part of my heart tears in two. I seem to ALWAYS be the one left behind. The only advice I have is to not wallow beyond one day or you’ll sink. Just get busy; dive into something/anything or go somewhere. Keep to your routine.
One of the worst experiences we ever had was when my husband was on a work assignment in mainland China, being gone for about six weeks (although we’ve had much longer separations than that, the most being six months). We lived where I didn’t know anyone (Southeast) and I was working a really difficult job at the time myself. So, I had the long work hours, the five pets, the house, the errands, the chores no longer shared, I think two tornado warnings, etc. Meanwhile, he got really sick over there (was in some very remote areas) and there was absolutely nothing I could do but wait to hear reports from his colleagues…when they could even get to a phone (no cell phones then) and decent-enough overseas reception/service. It wasn’t like I could just hop on a plane to Peking and figure out how to go hundreds of miles into the countryside; this was still the 20th century and some of the travel could be arduous, primitive and even dangerous. The saving grace was that my husband was on assignment with a good-sized entourage (not HIS entourage, but which included some American doctors) and they had a good translator/guide. The biggest problem was scarcity of needed medications. Anyway, he got even sicker after he got home and it ultimately took a one-year recovery. Frankly, I think it weakened him for life; he’s never been quite the same physically.
Thinking of you, Claudia. Hang in there. You’re a strong, capable and independent woman, but share here all you like; your readers will prop you up if you need it!! Maybe once Don is situated in San Diego and you’re home from the city for awhile, things will feel more even. You’ve got a lot of pressure right now; be gentle with yourselves, both of you. Will you be able to Skype with each other? (Do people still Skype? I’m such a dinosaur; I don’t know the latest technologies.)
I’m sure that was very very scary for you and your husband, Vicki! Such a feeling of powerlessness.
We don’t really Skype. We could, but it gets annoying as it goes in and out or freezes. We might do it once of twice, but mostly it will be phone calls.
Here in Queens we did not get as much snow as predicted. The only problem is we are getting lots of sleet and icy rain. We did get about 5 or 6 inches of snow combined with layers of ice. No mail delivered here either. Glad you did get your oil delivered. My sister and I have been out several times to clean the front and stoop. It seems it is hard to keep up with the snow and sleet. Salt doesn’t seem to help either. Stay safe and warm.
Marilyn
Be careful with that ice, Marilyn! 22 inches here.
Have you read about Hygge, the Danish lifestyle method to get them through their long dark winters. You probably practice most of these techniques already but it’s interesting. There’s so much on Pinterest and it helped me so much right after the election. Can’t believe all of the snow! Reminds me of the Little House on the Prairie books from my youth. Take care….you’ll get through it! You’re lucky you have the kind of loving relationship where you want to be together. Stay warm!
I already do the Hygge thing and have been doing it for years without it having a name! A combination of growing up in the snowy Midwest and my natural inclination to nest.