North vs. South

The blizzard that never ends

... and the sleep that never comes....

It seems like every day I look at the detailed weather forecast on cbc.ca, the blizzard is predicted to go on. I remember when it was originally "scheduled" to be over by Friday morning.

And to be fair, it did die down Thursday night. Only to wind itself back up in a frenzy early Friday morning.

And I also remember when the forecast said the blizzard would be winding down Saturday night... with clear skies on Sunday...

And the forecast now reads:

Monday..Blizzard ending in the evening then a few clouds. Wind northwest 40 km/h gusting to 60. Temperature steady near minus 33. Wind chill minus 54.

It is almost surreal. It's like someone on the weather desk has forgotten to change the symbols on the map.

"Today: blowing snow, Tomorrow: blizzard"

I actually went out today. I threatened to go out on Friday, but my mom flipped out (via e-mail haha) saying it wasn't smart. So I listened to mother. And stayed indoors.

Today, I went to the Northern. I had no food. It was getting desperate. I hadn't left the house in 7 days, didn't do any REAL grocery shopping since I got back from vacation... and had made a food order. Yah. It was bad.

I dressed up in my finest:

• two pair of socks
• two pair of thermal pants
• a fleece sweater
• a thermal turtleneck with the neck pulled up over my mouth
• a thin scarf covering my nose and mouth
• neoprene face mask/balaclava
• wind-proof pants
• moon boots
• canada goose jacket
• knit scarf over TOP of the jacket, to secure the hood up over my ears
• lubsta claws (as they are affectionately known... they are mitts that happen to be cooked-lobster orange)

The walk over (it takes about 8-10 minutes) was a piece of cake. I actually remember thinking "seriously? This is why I didn't leave the house for the past 4 days?" .....

The walk back, now that was a different story. I actually felt like I was making one step forward, and half a step back every time I moved. Guess that walking with/against the wind really makes a difference eh?

I'm sure I'll look back on this week as the longest blizzard of all time... and smile ... but for now I will sit... and wait... and hope to eventually be able to look out my window and see a bit beyond the nearest lamp-post.

Debbie Downer no longer

I am one happy girl today.

I walked to work in my MOON BOOTS... while wearing my SWIRLY TWIRLY GUMDROP HAT ... and sporting my German-Kmart turquoise scarf.

Yep, that's right, Jackie's got some new clothes. Well not really new... just "haven't seen in awhile and so they feel new."

So yes, my stuff arrived yesterday... at least some of it did. Two of my three crates anyways... and when they said "crates" I expected a lot more than actually arrived (and began to worry that I had overdone it a bit in terms of moving...). But I'm relieved actually. It was probably 10 boxes, and most of my furniture. But it appears there's no real method to the madness that is "crated" moving... because while I have a kitchen table and four chairs... I don't actually have the LEGS for my table. And while I have my desk, book case and file cabinet... I have the BOTTOM of my desk chair... but not the back. So it's more like a desk-stool than a desk-chair.

But all in all, a good shipment of belongings. But the items I was MOST excited to see were...(in no particular order)

1. Moon boots
2. Box o' wine
3. My "art" - - aka two prints I picked up in Quebec City, one of a lily and the other of a poppy... both green-tinted (of course)
4. My desk (my laptop was being a huge nomad of late)
5. My wireless router

I am finally starting to feel at home. And it feels good.

glub!

I
HATE
COSTCO

I swear, the store will be the death of me.
I really bought too much this weekend... but I have justified just about all of it... with the whole "really I'm SAVING money because things are so much more expensive up north..." mantra.

But now that I think about it... 150 loads worth of laundry detergent, and 180 loads worth of dishwasher gel packies now seems a tad excessive.

But ... "it was on sale" ... and rumour has it that a small box of Tide costs something like $40 bucks. Thank god for the Northern Living Allowance haha.

My jacket arrived on Friday, and of course, it was a million sizes too big for me. Cursed relative sizing. When I ordered an XL I was thinking of my Columbia ski jacket, which is an L womens... and so I figured it wouldn't be that big of a deal to go a size up (with the idea of wearing layers underneath...) but it looks like I actually am a Medium in Canada Goose sizing. So I begin the jacket-search yet again. Grr.

But on a happier note... I think someone from work is going to buy my jacket from me, so I won't really be out anything... and I bought my boots today. Put a nice little dent in my bank account balance (haha what balance??) but it's practical. I'll be walking 20 minutes to and from work every day, and I'm sure I'll be thankful when the weather gets cold.

Here's what 199+tax buys you in North Face boot-wear:

A surge in spirits...

Amazing what a little online shopping/deal scoring can do for a girl's mood.

I saw these boots at a North Face store yesterday, fantastic fit, really durable, good for up to -40 degree weather (yes I'll need it... check out this table ug!) and they were going to cost $199 + tax. But I found them online for $89 shipping and tax included... all because they are last year's model.

Man I love people who feel the need to have the absolute latest-edition of the clothes I need. Just means I can afford to buy them!