A list, and the snow day that isn't

In case you missed it... there's snow on the ground. Quite a lot more than I was led to believe earlier, for all the forecasts that said most of it would come this evening. There were 2+ inches on my car, and that was an hour before the winter storm warning officially began.


The drive to the lab was not fun. That's not even considering the fact that I was here late last night trying to fix a problem - roughly ten hours passed between when I locked the door and when I came back.


So, to put myself in a better mood and to start the day off right better, here's a list of 10 things that are awesome about the Snow Day That Isn't so far.

1. The snow was really easy to brush off my car.
2. I was able to stop for a hot cup of Dunkin coffee to go - and it was made the way I asked for it.
3. When I walked from the garage to the lab, the precipitation was mostly snow. It's really nice to walk in the snow.
4. There are a few people here. I had a spontaneous conversation with one dude by the elevator, he was pretty entertaining.
5. The department ice maker is running really low for some reason, but because I'm in so early, I didn't have to fight for my ice.
6. Since I'm the only one in the lab, I can listen to We're Alive while I work and not have to worry about the zombie sounds and screams disrupting my coworkers' concentration.
7. I am wearing one of my favorite tee-shirts. If I'd stayed at home, I'd probably still be in my pajamas.
8. At least one thing I left last night worked. I might be 3/3 by the end of the day.
9. I have plenty of time to organize my desk. (I thought about posting a picture of the mess, but I don't want photo documentation...)
10. Since I'll already be on the road, I can swing by the store and pick up some essentials on the way home.

Enjoy your snow day, and if you have to be out on the road, drive safely!

The Lower Limits...

I like to listen when I run.  It's one of the reasons I like running in a pack.  I ask questions and talk, and it's something to distract me on the rough miles.


Quiet is good, too.  Then I can listen to the sounds of the world around me, birds, cars, the strike of sneakers on the path.


Sunday, that sound was different.  Stiffer.  Like frozen rubber hitting the ground.


Because, you know... it was in the low twenties, windy as hell, and we were out running at quarter to eight in the morning.


Each year that I've been running, I've become more acclimated to the idea of running outside year round.  I get better about braving the cold, and spend fewer days on the agony of the treadmill.


I like running outdoors.  It's harder.  It's more interesting, has beautiful scenery.  It comes with hills.


Sunday, I did not like running outdoors.


Wary of the forecast, I opted to sleep in on Saturday Bagel Run and instead went out on Sunday morning with some friends.  I dropped water at the five and seven mile markers.


By the time we reached five, the bottle had partially frozen. 


By the time we reached seven (with a half-consumed water bottle), the water that had splashed into the neck of the bottle had frozen there.


By the time we reached nine, my fingertips were numb.


When I got home, Matt made me tea and I lay in the Slanket for a while before I thawed.


This run taught me a few things.

1. I need better gloves.
2. I need need to wear more gear, or,
3. I need to choose my time of day/weather conditions more wisely.

And, partially related to this list, it taught me that I do have a lower limit.  Runs won't always be easy or comfortable or fun, but I don't have to be miserable.  I might just pay the treadmill some visits, voluntarily, this winter.

Anyone know a way to get a good hill workout in on that thing?

Snow in the HoCo...

...or at least, a dusting.

Still, a dusting is enough to delay schools.  Almost the same as snomageddon, right?

Tomorrow's looking like it will be a lazy Saturday (until I slip and slide my way into the lab) but let's hope tonight's precipitation doesn't stick! 

From the inside of my car, this morning.  Pretty effect.
I was sorry to brush the snow off.

Cold winter days, Colds, and... yeah.

I can't quite deal with the cold.

It's always like this.  I'm not a winter person, even though I like snow.  It's not actually the driving, I can handle my car in the snow. It's not the shoveling.  

It's the cold, the feeling that I'm not going to be warm again until May.

My strategy for dealing with the cold has evolved and grown.  I used to layer.  I still layer. For the last week at work, I've taken to wearing fingerless gloves (for the sitting at the computer part, not the Science part), a scarf, and even a poofy vest (thanks Target).  At home, things get more intricate.

For example, I own a Slanket.

Full Disclosure: I ceaselessly mock the Snuggie commercials.  I do this for two reasons.  The one time I wore a Snuggie, I didn't really want to move.  The material was so cheap I was convinced a spark of static would ignite the fabric and turn me into the human torch.  But mostly, I mock the Snuggie for the commercials and spinoff products.

My Slanket is a nice, heavy fleece.  I like to wrap myself up in it, and then crawl beneath another blanket.  That's item number two, a down throw blanket from Target.  I twist around until I've got a personal cocoon.

Other items in my anti-winter arsenal include down socks (sorta like these - they're amazing) and an electric blanket.

I am a native Marylander, by the way.  

For all these things, though, the most effective way to combat the cold this week has been through food.  I don't mean prepping to hibernate.  I mean good, cold weather food.  It's been a really busy few days and I wasn't feeling well for most of them.  Last week, Matt threw together some crockpot chili.  It was awesome to walk in the door after a long day and smell slow-cooked chili.  He did a great job.

To the right, chili with sour cream and cheese, over rice. To the left, bulldog that wants to know where his chili is.

Caramel Cream ale - Homebrew, courtesy of our dwindling stores.  Look how clear it is!

Oooo. Shiny.

And of course, I can't forget the baking.  There are big plans in the works to do a day of cookies this weekend, but tonight I couldn't resist starting pumpkin bread with chocolate chips.  Here's a picture through the oven door, about half-way through.

The whole house smells like pumpkin bread!

How are you staying warm?  Or are you glad the cold is here?  Tell me all about it in the comments below.