Northern neighbors...

[lillygator]

how in the world do you survive all winter??

My goodness, it is pretty darn cold here, but wow, I could not begin to imagine having to deal with snow on the driveway, streets, etc. I guess if I had grown up in the north I would be used to it, but it must tack on quite a bit extra to your day with getting to work, etc.

 

[MerMom60_94]

how in the world do you survive all winter??

My goodness, it is pretty darn cold here, but wow, I could not begin to imagine having to deal with snow on the driveway, streets, etc. I guess if I had grown up in the north I would be used to it, but it must tack on quite a bit extra to your day with getting to work, etc.

You have to remember we are equiped for all this snow and ice. Our towns and cities have snow removal equipment to clean up the streets and they have trucks that spread sand and / or salt to melt what is left. A lot of us also drive 4 wheel drive vehicles that are good on the snow. I know I am a bit bizarre and not many people feel the way I do, but I actually think it's kind of fun to drive in the snow if there aren't any traffic jams. I get more freaked out driving at night in the rain because I find it difficult to distinguish reflections in the puddles from real head lights. As for the driveways, most people have snow blowers or pay to have them plowed. If my husband is home he uses the snow blower. If he isn't around I shovel because I like having a good workout. Sometimes storms do make for nightmare commutes, though. You are right about that.

 

[threecrazykids]

I think when you grow up here you don't think much of it. I know some people can't imagine how cold it gets, and the road conditions etc. Heck when I went to Houston for business travel I met people who didn't even have furnaces in their house and no basement...that to me was amazing.

I will however state a "comparison". Us Northern folk absolutely can't fathom the thought of not having snow at Christmastime. I was traveling to Florida one year around Christmas and I was amazed at the whole thing. Lights on the trees and windows and tree farms, but no snow? People BBQ'ing at CHRISTMAS? SERIOUSLY? That's just not right.

 

[Laura]

I will however state a "comparison". Us Northern folk absolutely can't fathom the thought of not having snow at Christmastime. I was traveling to Florida one year around Christmas and I was amazed at the whole thing. Lights on the trees and windows and tree farms, but no snow? People BBQ'ing at CHRISTMAS? SERIOUSLY? That's just not right.

No kidding! I went to Florida (and WDW of course) in December once. It was like they were pretending it was Christmas. Seemed so bizarre to me! It was nice being able to eat dinner outdoors in mid-December in Miami Beach though.

 

[daughtersrus]

You have to remember we are equiped for all this snow and ice. Our towns and cities have snow removal equipment to clean up the streets and they have trucks that spread sand and / or salt to melt what is left. .

Lately, it doesn't appear to be the case here in the Chicagoland area. We were hit with quite a bit of snow Wednesday night and again last night. We had been hearing about this storm coming for a least a week but yet traffic was HORRIBLE! The expressways and toll roads were probably the worst! DH said that the fastest that he was able to go was maybe 15mph and that was on a road with a 65mph limit where people usually go at least 75mph.Commutes that normally take 30-40 minutes were taking 2-3 hours. It seems that no matter how much notice is given, the state/villages still are not able to get the roads clean in time for the morning or evening commutes.

That said, having grown up here I can't imagine decorating for Christmas when it's above 60 degrees. I would feel like I was in one of those Christmas stores that it open all year long.

 

[jodifla]

how in the world do you survive all winter??

My goodness, it is pretty darn cold here, but wow, I could not begin to imagine having to deal with snow on the driveway, streets, etc. I guess if I had grown up in the north I would be used to it, but it must tack on quite a bit extra to your day with getting to work, etc.

This is why so many people are SNOWBIRDS! I swear, the entire state of Michigan heads to Florida in the wintertime.

The snow can be bothersome, but it's the ice that's really the problem and all the accidents it brings. You also have to factor in all this extra time to get from point A to point B. It can take you 10 minutes to scrape all the ice and snow off your car windows! I'm halfway to my destination in Florida by then.

Also, the ice is so treacherous to walk on. Lots of people hurt when they slip and fall.

 

[jodifla]

You have to remember we are equiped for all this snow and ice. Our towns and cities have snow removal equipment to clean up the streets and they have trucks that spread sand and / or salt to melt what is left. A lot of us also drive 4 wheel drive vehicles that are good on the snow. I know I am a bit bizarre and not many people feel the way I do, but I actually think it's kind of fun to drive in the snow if there aren't any traffic jams. I get more freaked out driving at night in the rain because I find it difficult to distinguish reflections in the puddles from real head lights. As for the driveways, most people have snow blowers or pay to have them plowed. If my husband is home he uses the snow blower. If he isn't around I shovel because I like having a good workout. Sometimes storms do make for nightmare commutes, though. You are right about that.

Because of budget cuts in our area, they've stopped salting the roads!

 

[Melrosgirl]

I moved to PA many years ago after living in the desert my entire life. Let's just say...you get used to it, but it took me 8 years to get used to it. I like the first snowfall of the year. Then I'm done. I don't want to see it anymore. Today we just got an inch. Just enough to make it pretty and to delay schools, but nothing crazy. I'm the one who doesn't like wearing long sleeve shirts, but will wear a coat when necessary. I also wear sandals with no socks until November.

 

[eeyore65]

I grew up in WNY so I know snow! My first few Christmas's in FL were weird. Picking out a Christmas Tree with shorts on, going to the beach on Christmas, decorating the house easily (no ice for the ladder to slip on!).

But the trade off of not brushing or scraping off the car every time I g out side, bundling up, buying winter clothes, trying to jump the driveway that just got plowed in right after I shoveled and before I was on my way to work kind of make up for it! I am now fully used to palm trees with lights and it seems Christmas-y to me.

 

[freckles and boo]

And I often wonder how folks from the south can stand the oppressive humidity, huge insects, horrible drivers, crazy hurricanes, etc.

Snow is a fact of life but we really only get a few major storms each winter and the kids love it. As one of my friends put it - you can't make sun angels, you can't make sunmen, and you can't make a sun-ball and hit your friend in the face with it. Plus, sledding is awesome. You should try it sometime!!!

 

[KJ Luvs Pluto]

And there is an up side. We have had quite a number of days where it has been -20 to -35 with wind chill this year. Some years it's been -40 without wind chill so when it goes up to zero and above it feels like a tropical heat wave and we're outside with just sweaters on.

 

[nd5056]

how in the world do you survive all winter??

My goodness, it is pretty darn cold here, but wow, I could not begin to imagine having to deal with snow on the driveway, streets, etc. I guess if I had grown up in the north I would be used to it, but it must tack on quite a bit extra to your day with getting to work, etc.

Rub it in, rub it in...


Just kidding

At least I don't have to worry about gators in my back yard...

 

[suejai]

I think when you grow up here you don't think much of it. I know some people can't imagine how cold it gets, and the road conditions etc. Heck when I went to Houston for business travel I met people who didn't even have furnaces in their house and no basement...that to me was amazing.

I will however state a "comparison". Us Northern folk absolutely can't fathom the thought of not having snow at Christmastime. I was traveling to Florida one year around Christmas and I was amazed at the whole thing. Lights on the trees and windows and tree farms, but no snow? People BBQ'ing at CHRISTMAS? SERIOUSLY? That's just not right.

We BBQ all year unless the wind is too strong. DH BBQ'd the bacon and sausages on Christmas morning - I think it was -27C and he had to sweep snow off the BBQ.

I agree with you about the snow at Christmas, it just wouldn't feel the same.

 

[Mermaid02]

I hate it here...........

 

[MichelleVW]

I'm from Ohio and always always always hated the cold. (Also lived in Alaska and North Dakota thanks to the Air Force so trust me...I KNOW COLD)

We live in Texas now because DH and I both really really hate the cold! He had job opportunities in the Boston area and we both said "NO WAY!!!" Way too much cold an snow!!

 

[freckles and boo]

We BBQ all year unless the wind is too strong. DH BBQ'd the bacon and sausages on Christmas morning - I think it was -27C and he had to sweep snow off the BBQ.

I agree with you about the snow at Christmas, it just wouldn't feel the same.

We use our grill all winter long, too.

 

[NAB]

Yes it is the ice on the roads and sidewalks even that is the worse.

We do have snow plows but after a a lot of snow the roads don't get cleared that fast. Especially in sub divisions. Worse is after the snowplows do go and you have a big mound of heavy snow to shovel out before you can get your car out of the driveways.

Shoveling snow in drivesways causes a lo of heart attacks too. And our law is that you must have your sidewalks shoveled within 12 hours of having a snow fall.

If it is really bad it is called a snow day, schools close, things are cancelled.

Snow blowers are your friend or a neighbour with one...

 

[lillygator]

And I often wonder how folks from the south can stand the oppressive humidity, huge insects, horrible drivers, crazy hurricanes, etc.

Snow is a fact of life but we really only get a few major storms each winter and the kids love it. As one of my friends put it - you can't make sun angels, you can't make sunmen, and you can't make a sun-ball and hit your friend in the face with it. Plus, sledding is awesome. You should try it sometime!!!

hurricanes - or the threat of them - always sends my stomach in knots and then the worrying begins. The heat and humidity, I love that, so it doesn't bother me. Huge insects? Well, I know they are around but luckily we don't see many, just lizards for the most part. The drivers - I think that is everywhere....we have lots of folks who probably shouldn't be driving, but we just got back from New Orleans and wow - downtown they drive crazy! I had to close my eyes in the cab a few times!

I guess weather is realtive to what you are used to. I am definitely not used to cold. Neither are my girls, it is hard to get them out of bed....they do think that since there was frost on the ground it is going to snow....

 

[lillygator]

they announced it is supposed to go into the mid 20's this weekend!!!!!!!!!!! In the 70's is average for this time of year!!!

 

[wdwfan16]

how in the world do you survive all winter??

My goodness, it is pretty darn cold here, but wow, I could not begin to imagine having to deal with snow on the driveway, streets, etc. I guess if I had grown up in the north I would be used to it, but it must tack on quite a bit extra to your day with getting to work, etc.

How do you people who live in the underworld survive the summers?

I love the seasons. This winter is very cold but this is not normal.

DH thinks the Yukon would be a nice place to live. I tell him "nice knowing you".