The Week Before Christmas Snowstorm

[AGBF]

The snowstorm which is currently hitting the East Coast of the United States is being touted as, "historic" before it even hits the places where it is supposed to have the most impact (one of those places being Washington, DC).

My husband, who is in Virginia, says that a state of emergency has been declared there. I just checked the computer forecast and it said that 12" to 15" of snow was expected in Washington, DC (which is close to where we live there). That certainly isn't much for Maine; Virginia gets tied in knots when it gets 1", however! People just aren't used to handling it.

Here in Connecticut the forecast if for less, '12" or more'. We are used to the forecasts being way off, however. That doesn't keep people from emptying the grocery store shelves of bread, though, as if they might be snowbound for weeks. Of course, everyone has an SUV anyway.

The airlines are warning people to travel early since the New York City airports may get shut down.

Retailers are disappointed that people are not shopping for their items, but Home Depot is pleased that everyone is shopping there for snow shovels and rock salt.

And that's the report from the (almost) storm front. (It is snowing in Virginia...but then, I am not in Virginia.) Maybe vespergirl can fill us in on that front if she still has her power!

AGBF

 

[steph72276]

Ahh, I would LOVE to see snow, but probably not quite that much...everyone stay safe!

 

[soocool]

It has been snowing here in southeastern pa since 7 am and the snowfall forecast is 12-18 inches.

The snowblower is gassed up!

My DD's teacher is getting married today, however. I hope everyone makes it to the wedding, especially the pastor!

 

[phoenixgirl]

I''m in central VA. It snowed all last night starting around 5 or 6; now we''ve got sleet, but it should change back to snow later.

DH and I turned on the news at 6:30 this morning to the newscaster saying, "This will be the one we tell our grandchildren about." Oh my! It should be "a foot or more" when it''s all said and done.

I''m originally from NJ, and we definitely handled snow better up there. We rarely missed school. If school hadn''t gotten out for the holiday yesterday, I''m sure we would have missed at least a week here. It''s not just wimpiness; there are relatively few plows, so often we just have to wait for the snow to melt.

 

[iheartscience]

It''s snowing like crazy here in VA, Deb! I love it! I live near a bunch of restaurants so I actually didn''t even raid the grocery store. We were going to go to the grocery store last night but instead we ate cinnamon buns! (We were going to make real hot chocolate but we only had soy milk...guess we should have gone to the store!)

Oh and I still have power (obviously!) Hopefully it stays that way! No power would make the snow storm a lot less fun!

 

[AGBF]

Date: 12/19/2009 8:38:22 AM
Author: phoenixgirl

I'm in central VA. It snowed all last night starting around 5 or 6; now we've got sleet, but it should change back to snow later.

DH and I turned on the news at 6:30 this morning to the newscaster saying, 'This will be the one we tell our grandchildren about.' Oh my! It should be 'a foot or more' when it's all said and done.

I'm originally from NJ, and we definitely handled snow better up there. We rarely missed school. If school hadn't gotten out for the holiday yesterday, I'm sure we would have missed at least a week here. It's not just wimpiness; there are relatively few plows, so often we just have to wait for the snow to melt.

Thanks for the report from Virginia, phoenixgirl. And thanks for the report from PA, soocool! When I wrote that "people weren't used to handling it" (snow) I wasn't trying to imply wimpiness so much as unfamiliarity and lack of equipment. In Portland, Maine, I don't think the children miss school for the all the little "snowstorms" that close our schools here in southwestern Connecticut! If they did, there would be no school in Maine! They know how to handle the snow where they get a lot of snow.

Virginia is just farther along the continuum than is southwestern Connecticut. Here in Connecticut there are plows and sanders and more people who can drive in the snow than in Virginia. We are relatively used to small amounts of snow. Large amounts of snow always get us into a tizzy .

AGBF

 

[radiantquest]

I am in southern PA too. DH and I both woke up at 5:30 and there was already 3+ inches. We have shoveled twice and it just keeps covering up as quickly. There is probably 9 inches right now. I was supposed to go to work this morning, but I am staying home. I have taken some beautiful pictures if anyone wants to see.

 

[iheartscience]

Deb-will you be in VA on January 9th? If so, you should come to the DC Area GTG! We''re going to the Tiny Jewel Box in DC and then getting something sweet afterwards. I hope you can make it! (And sorry for the thread jack!)

 

[AGBF]

Date: 12/19/2009 9:13:23 AM
Author: thing2of2

It''s snowing like crazy here in VA, Deb! I love it! I live near a bunch of restaurants so I actually didn''t even raid the grocery store. We were going to go to the grocery store last night but instead we ate cinnamon buns! (We were going to make real hot chocolate but we only had soy milk...guess we should have gone to the store!)

Oh and I still have power (obviously!) Hopefully it stays that way! No power would make the snow storm a lot less fun!

Thanks for the report, thing2! Keep up the good work for as long as you can. But remember, your safety comes first. If conditions get too dangerous, forget the broadcast and get to safety!

AGBF

 

[AGBF]

Date: 12/19/2009 9:23:06 AM
Author: radiantquest

I am in southern PA too. DH and I both woke up at 5:30 and there was already 3+ inches. We have shoveled twice and it just keeps covering up as quickly. There is probably 9 inches right now. I was supposed to go to work this morning, but I am staying home. I have taken some beautiful pictures if anyone wants to see.

Please post pictures!!!!

AGBF

 

[AGBF]

Date: 12/19/2009 9:23:47 AM
Author: thing2of2

Deb-will you be in VA on January 9th? If so, you should come to the DC Area GTG! We're going to the Tiny Jewel Box in DC and then getting something sweet afterwards. I hope you can make it! (And sorry for the thread jack!)

Sorry, no, I won't be. My husband is coming here to Connecticut for Christmas. Then my daughter and I are going back to Virginia with him for a while. She is in high school here in Connecticut, however, and school starts before January 9. I really want to see the Tiny Jewel Box, though! I never have. And I would love to meet y'all!!! (End of threadjack.)

AGBF

 

[Sabine]

I''m in Virginia Beach, and all we''re getting is rain with maybe some flurries tonight, but no accumulation. And the news stations here are STILL freaking out over the storm because of what''s going on North of here. I wish we were getting at least a little snow though!

 

[étoile]

Date: 12/19/2009 9:24:36 AM
Author: AGBF

Date: 12/19/2009 9:13:23 AM
Author: thing2of2

It''s snowing like crazy here in VA, Deb! I love it! I live near a bunch of restaurants so I actually didn''t even raid the grocery store. We were going to go to the grocery store last night but instead we ate cinnamon buns! (We were going to make real hot chocolate but we only had soy milk...guess we should have gone to the store!)

Oh and I still have power (obviously!) Hopefully it stays that way! No power would make the snow storm a lot less fun!

Thanks for the report, thing2! Keep up the good work for as long as you can. But remember, your safety comes first. If conditions get too dangerous, forget the broadcast and get to safety!

AGBF

Mmm we''re gonna make hot chocolate and cookies today. I went to the grocery store yesterday and it was a madhouse! People were nice though but I thought it was funny. I mean it''s just snow, not like we''re having a hurricane. Anyways I think it''s just beautiful. I''ll try to post some pics.

 

[cellentani]

I''m in the DC area too - N. VA. Yesterday, I went to the Intergem show, and didn''t leave until 5:30pm-ish (anyone else go?). It was packed, and people were saying that everyone came out on Friday to avoid the snow today. There was an announcement that it would be open today regardless of the snow, but I doubt many vendors or customers will make it.

Here''s the view ouside my window!

 

[radiantquest]

Here they come...

This is my measurement at 7am this morning.

 

[radiantquest]

Our picnic set. It shows the snow piling up

 

[étoile]

Here''s my window view. Anyone know how to upload multiple pictures? This is my very first pic post.

 

[radiantquest]

This is our side yard. Those two rectangles of snow in front of the trees are out clothes line posts.

 

[radiantquest]

Out of our bedroom window.

 

[radiantquest]

I am going to take another measurement at noon.

 

[elrohwen]

I'm in CT as well and it's 10am and there's no snow yet!

People here do get very anxious about snow, but I quickly realized that's because CT doesn't salt anything! (their excuse is that it's bad for the Long Island Sound

) Where I grew up, we could get a foot of snow, but after some salting it was fine. Here, I literally am afraid to leave my house because there's usually still 6" of snow on the roads and I'm afraid I'll get in an accident or not be able to get my Civic back up the hill to my house. Just annoys me that they have the trucks and the plows, they juse refuse to fill them up with salt which is what they actually need.

 

[MakingTheGrade]

Philly airport.is basically shut down. So I can''t get home to china until Tuesday. My parents are pretty sad about the bad timing.

 

[radiantquest]

Date: 12/19/2009 10:16:11 AM
Author: MakingTheGrade
Philly airport.is basically shut down. So I can''t get home to china until Tuesday. My parents are pretty sad about the bad timing.

You poor thing. At least it is pretty.

 

[Kaleigh]

Date: 12/19/2009 10:16:11 AM
Author: MakingTheGrade
Philly airport.is basically shut down. So I can''t get home to china until Tuesday. My parents are pretty sad about the bad timing.

Oh that stinks, so sorry!!!

 

[Tacori E-ring]

It was suppose to snow here in the south too but all we got was rain. Love all the pictures. Very festive!

 

[Delster]

It if doesn''t ease up FI won''t be home tomorrow and I have only seen him for five weeks in the last three months

Go easy on the US please Mr Snowstorm!!!!

 

[canuk-gal]

HI:

Take care! We''ve had our fair share of storms already--and were socked in drifted snow for days. Yikes!

cheers--Sharon

 

[decodelighted]

We''re due to drive south in the very path of the storm tomorrow but may wait ''til Monday or Tuesday. Its a huge family gathering & everyone is worried about being able to get there. GAH! Safety first I guess.

Considered leaving last night instead & trying to beat most of it but once we saw the reports about all the accidents & stranded folks on highways etc ... did NOT seem like a good idea. Not to mention we were totally not packed & hadn''t finished all of our pre-trip errands.

 

[MichelleCarmen]

Beautiful snowy landscape shots, ladies!!!! Almost makes me wish we had snow here.

 

[Clio]

It''s snowing like crazy here in the MD suburbs of DC. At 11, we had about 9 inches, and it''s been coming down fast since then. We were supposed to fly to New Orleans today; needless to say that isn''t happening. We''ve rescheduled for Monday. It took us a long time to get through to Delta yesterday, but the reservation agent was super helpful.

I just heard that they''re shutting down the above-ground portions of Metro at 1 pm.