Snow In DC

Wow! This time the weather forecasters were right.

 

We got covered in snow in Washington, DC.

 

Many, many times, snow is forecast for our part of the world and then nothing shows up.  The Washington, DC region is a strange weather pocket that seems to create it's own kind of weather which can be that sometimes the air is just not cold enough and the forecasted winter storms come close to us but then miss us.

 

The weather forecast misses wouldn't be so bad but the local news media hype of what is expected to come our way that always accompanies these weather forecast is what can be the most annoying.

 

These forecasts usually cause people to rush to the grocery stores to grab all kinds of stuff because they think they may be socked in their houses for days.  Bread, milk, toilet paper and bottled water are usually the first things to disappear from the shelves.

 

But this time they were right.  And on top of the snow, the weather people are also saying that today we will get hit with some pretty strong winds.  So check in with your neighbors and see how they are doing and let's be careful out there!

Here's a view of what my neighborhood looks like:

Snowy Surprise

I went to the kitchen window early this morning and expected to see the bare concrete of the sidewalk and instead saw snow covering the ground and all of the surrounding cars and trees.

 

I had heard some talk of snow coming to the Washington, DC area yesterday on the news but the forecasters are usually so far off the mark that I didn't pay attention to their prediction. What do you know? The weather people were actually right this time.

 

So instead of opening the front door and walking outside in my bare feet to grab the newspaper off the front lawn as I usually do, I put on a coat and shoes and stepped carefully through the fresh, powdery snow.

 

I am not much of a snow person but waking up to snow falling is a wonderful, almost cozy surprise and a reminder to me once again that you really never know what the day will bring for you.

 

And I'm also thinking of all those happy children who are waking up and finding out that they don't have to go to school today!

 

Stay warm, dear readers. 

 

Embrace your day and all that it brings!!

Take Care

Vick's: A Quick Home Remedy

I am fighting a cold and a cough.  I thought it was a 24-hour thing but it has lasted longer than I expected.  I probably caught it from someone in my office because lately there are a lot of sneezers and coughers around me.

 

This is not the time of the year to feel sick.  I have been constantly washing my hands to prevent picking up germies but obviously this wasn't enough.  I haven't started my Christmas shopping; I have ideas but haven't yet gone online to find the particular gifts I have in mind.  Plus, the work pace has stepped up because people are trying to wrap things up before the end of the year.

 

I need energy and positive thoughts.

 

What to do?

 

Number one on my list is Vick's VapoRub.  It is mentholated and contains eucalyptus and the combination of the two ingredients is magical.  You might remember this from your childhood.  It comes in a little blue jar and you can find it at any drugstore.  Last night I could not breath through my nose at all and my son reminded me that I used to give him Vick's when he was little and he was stuffed up.  Presto!  After a few applications, I can breath again and my cough is getting a little better.

 

After that, the only tried and true things I can suggest are: hot tea (with honey, if you like), lots of fluids such as juices and soups, soft tissues (there are some that have Vick's in them) and rest, rest, and more rest.

 

I went to bed early, slept through the night (thank you Vick's) and I am glad that I did because I know my body needs all the energy it can get to fight this bugger.

 

Be careful out there and please take care of youself!

 

Good luck!

Paris In Pennsylvania -- 2011 Philadelphia Flower Show

Everyone is tired of the ice, the snow, the cold and winter in general. 

 

For those who are grieving,  winter can be particularly harsh.  As an antidote to this dreary time of year, Sibley Hospital is organizing a day trip on Wednesday, March 9 to the 2011 Philadelphia International Flower Show.  This year's theme is "Springtime in Paris" and visitors can expect to enjoy spectacular flower sculptures and carousel topiaries as well as lush flowering trees, lilacs, roses and borders of lavender.

Travel Itinerary -- Wednesday, March 9, 2011

8:00 am        Depart Westwood Shopping Center in Bethesda, Md.
11:00 am      Arrive at Philadelphia Flower Show
                      Free time to enjoy the flower show &; lunch on your own
4:00 pm        Depart for Washington, DC
7:30 pm        Arrive Westwood Shopping Center in Bethesda, Md.

Cost per person: $79.00 (includes transportation, entry into the flower show, tolls, taxes & all gratuities

Contact: Kim Grizzle at Eyre Tour & Travel for reservations at 1-800-321-3973