Winter.

[Jeff G]

I can send her my spoon if it will help.

Oh Jeff, I saw Birmingham made NBC Nightly News w/Brian Williams tonight. They showed a shot of a highway with cars stuck and a couple yahoos trying to push them out of a snow bank by hand. When was the last time y'all made primetime? 1958?

Its a mess . The whole state has just enough salt for over passes and interstate bridges only ... the rest will have to melt . It is 16 here right now and the snow will be here for at least a day or two ...I'm thankful the snow has not taken down tree limbs and power lines . I have a gas log fireplace just in case .

[WillyWump]

Its a mess . The whole state has just enough salt for over passes and interstate bridges only ... the rest will have to melt . It is 16 here right now and the snow will be here for at least a day or two ...I'm thankful the snow has not taken down tree limbs and power lines . I have a gas log fireplace just in case .

yes it looked bad. Stay warm. Hope you don't have to get out for awhile.

[Jeff G]

yes it looked bad. Stay warm. Hope you don't have to get out for awhile.

Im staying put . I have chills and a sore throat already .

[tednlou2]

I'm over this artic cold.  I've had a few respiratory issues in just the last month.  Could be HIV related and may discuss that in another thread.  But, I know low humidity levels can also assist bugs in thriving.  I noticed our digital inside/outside temp and forecast thingy tells you what the humidity is in the house.  It was 22% relative humidity inside.  I guess I need to buy a humidifier.  I've read ideal readings should be around 55%.  My boogers have been so dry.  And, dry nasal passages don't filter out the bugs as well.  Until I can buy one, I've gone old school and put bowls of water on the heat vent and even turned on the showers. 

[Ann]

I can send her my spoon if it will help.

Jeff got the 'orrible man award of the week last week for his crack at Betty about "roll aids" - you win this week for your spoon crack.

Betty, you have my permission to beat Willy with his spoon when it arrives.

Sorry to hear about your stitches hun!

Until I can buy one, I've gone old school and put bowls of water on the heat vent and even turned on the showers. 

Another trick is to disconnect the hot air vent at the back of your clothes dryer and let the hot humid air into the house. If you have one of those flexible white tube things, you can use that to direct it into the house and away from the wall. We used to do this in a house I lived in when I was first married.

Boiling a large pot of water works very well too, and you can put some herbs or vanilla or even lemon in it to make it smell nice. Or you could use essential oils.

I haven't had the dry-air problem since I moved to the Rock. Here we contend with the opposite - trying to keep the damp out. I think I'd rather have the dry-air problem, it's much easier to solve.



We haven't had much really cold weather here so far this winter, but we've had more rain than you could shake a snow shovel at. I think it's Mother Nature's pay-back for the fantastic summer we had last year.

The central government is building a new road in front of my house. We used to have just a paved foot-path between two facing rows of terraced housing, with big long front gardens. They're ripping all that out and replacing it with a road, with lay-by parking on both sides along its length. My front garden is being reduced to the size of a postage stamp. (I'm happy - less mowing - but my neighbours with small children are less than impressed.)

So the point is - this estate was built on a swamp, due to a heavy clay "pan" about a foot or two down under the top soil. Whenever we get more than a day's worth of rain, the whole area reverts to a swamp and my front garden is often really squishy this time of year. The local government told the central government that if they were going to go ahead with this road works, they'd have to install some really good drainage.

The CG came out last summer and dug a few test pits - which due to the great weather, remained dry. The CG told the LG that they were talking a load of bollocks and there was no need for drainage out of the ordinary.

Ha.

They started digging trenches two weeks ago, and they immediately filled up with water. The one outside my house is filled within an inch of my front garden path (and about four feet deep). I showed Jeff via skype and he's all jellies cuz I have a moat and he doesn't.

So cue much head-scratching and back-to-the-drawingboarding by the CG. We're now getting super-duper drainage installed.

Stay warm folks - and I'll do my best to not fall into my moat. 

[BT65]

My landlord came by yesterday with the snow blower so I haven't had to shovel in a couple days.  Thanks for the offer of your spoon, Will, and kiss my ass lol.  And Jeff, I hope you feel better.

Ann, I have to find something else to beat Will with, the spoon isn't going to get it.

It is -3F here right now. 

[wolfter]

Another trick is to disconnect the hot air vent at the back of your clothes dryer and let the hot humid air into the house. If you have one of those flexible white tube things, you can use that to direct it into the house and away from the wall. We used to do this in a house I lived in when I was first married.

There are several caveats with this.  If the dryer is already in a moist area, it can lead to mold and mildew.  I have seen people use diverters that have a container of water where the exhaust heat passes through the water trapping the lint.  They are messy and a pain in the butt.

Also, a gas dryer should NEVER be vented indoors. 

I personally would never opt for this as a lot of microscopic particles are released into the air.  And all the extra cleaning to rid the house of lint dust?  I'd opt for specific products to address the issue. 

wolfie

[WillyWump]

Ann, I have to find something else to beat Will with, the spoon isn't going to get it.

You can use my Cat-o-nine-tails.

[wolfter]

Last night was the first time I regretted eliminating central heating in my bedroom.  I can't ever recall such a long period of below zero temperatures ever.  It wasn't this nasty during the great blizzard. 

Thank goodness for all the sweats that I purchased during my "event".  I figured they were long un-needed.  Well, I wore a pair to bed last night and have been wearing them over my regular clothes when I need to go outside.  I knew and was afraid I'd get too comfortable wearing them in public. 

[Ann]

There are several caveats with this.  If the dryer is already in a moist area, it can lead to mold and mildew.  I have seen people use diverters that have a container of water where the exhaust heat passes through the water trapping the lint.  They are messy and a pain in the butt.

Also, a gas dryer should NEVER be vented indoors. 

I personally would never opt for this as a lot of microscopic particles are released into the air.  And all the extra cleaning to rid the house of lint dust?  I'd opt for specific products to address the issue. 

wolfie

Well, it's a no-brainer to not do it in an area that's damp anyway.

IIRC, gas driers have metal ducting with warning stickers to not undo them. Fair point. When we did this years ago, it was an electric drier.

We had some thin cotton mesh over the end of the white flexible tubing that caught any lint. We also kept the lint tray clean, so this extra measure didn't actually have much to catch.

We also regularly used the pot-of-boiling water method - far cheaper than shelling out for a humidifier we would only have used for a couple months a year.

Ann, I have to find something else to beat Will with, the spoon isn't going to get it.

I'd send you a cricket bat (they work wonders) but, as they say in 'Ole Blighty, that just wouldn't be cricket!

My boyfriend's mother used to use a slipper as a tool of persuasion, would that work for you Betty? 

You can use my Cat-o-nine-tails.

Ahem. It's you, dear boy, that we're discussing how to beat!

[tednlou2]

Ann, thanks for the suggestions.  The vanilla and/spice thing is a good idea.  If you're going to boil water, may as well make the house smell nice.  I remember as a kid ,we didn't have a vent for the electric dryer, so my mom put panty-hose on it to catch the lint.  Got the steam heat from it, though. 

[mecch]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gFgz1vEZkKI
Winter Fun in Philly

[Ann]

Ann, thanks for the suggestions.  The vanilla and/spice thing is a good idea.  If you're going to boil water, may as well make the house smell nice.  I remember as a kid ,we didn't have a vent for the electric dryer, so my mom put panty-hose on it to catch the lint.  Got the steam heat from it, though. 

You're welcome, Ted! Just make sure you keep an eye on the pot so it doesn't boil dry. That nearly happened to me once and as it was a good, expensive stock pot, I made sure it never came close again. Never mind burning down the kitchen/house, I just worried about my pot!

[Miss Philicia]

Atlanta is a national embarrassment. No wonder Sherman lit a torch to it.

[J.R.E.]

What a miserable night it's on the west central coast of Florida.       It's been lightly to moderately raining, since around 4:00 this afternoon, the current temp is about 45 degrees, but it feels so much colder.

It's been a while, since we had a winter like this. I don't think the temp is going to drop much further tonight.

http://www.baynews9.com/content/news/baynews9/weather/klystron-9-radar.html.map.html/7%20County.html


Ray

[Miss Philicia]

If you look on radar there are still lingering bands of freezing rain/sleet and snow in southern Georgia up to Wilmington, NC

http://www.accuweather.com/en/us/georgia/weather-radar

We are going down to 9F overnight.

[zach]

Atlanta is a national embarrassment. No wonder Sherman lit a torch to it.

asshole 

i'm not as skilled at the art of insult as you, being more rusticated and unreconstructed

[WillyWump]

Atlanta is a national embarrassment. No wonder Sherman lit a torch to it.

At least Atlanta isn't full of people screwing cheese and masturbating at car wrecks.

[Miss Philicia]

At least Atlanta isn't full of people screwing cheese and masturbating at car wrecks.

That's what makes Philly so hip.

[bocker3]

Woke up to 2 degrees here in Richmond -- AND -- no water coming out of my faucets.  Ugh -- still not sure if it's my pipes or a broken water main somewhere nearby, but I'm thinking it's my pipes. 
UGH!!

[Jeff G]

Woke up to 2 degrees here in Richmond -- AND -- no water coming out of my faucets.  Ugh -- still not sure if it's my pipes or a broken water main somewhere nearby, but I'm thinking it's my pipes. 
UGH!!

OH NO ! . I so hope it all gets sorted out and your pipes do not rupture . Its 10 here and I have the water dripping because I have a pipes in my crawl space and a busted pipe is a big fear of mine .

[J.R.E.]

Woke up to 2 degrees here in Richmond -- AND -- no water coming out of my faucets.  Ugh -- still not sure if it's my pipes or a broken water main somewhere nearby, but I'm thinking it's my pipes. 
UGH!!

Oh, OH...  That don't sound good.  Hopefully it would be a main break, versus frozen pipes.  I've had to deal with that before, whenI lived up north,... not fun !

Ray

[bocker3]

OH NO ! . I so hope it all gets sorted out and your pipes do not rupture . Its 10 here and I have the water dripping because I have a pipes in my crawl space and a busted pipe is a big fear of mine .

I know -- I have no water on the floor anywhere yet, we'll see.  I'd use a hair dryer on the pipe where it enters my house, but neither Sid nor I really have any need for a hair dryer, so..........................
I have a call out to the plumber but, surprise, they are BUSY today with many busted pipes.

Made it through almost 50 yrs, most of them up north, with nary a frozen pipe -- guess it's my time!
At least it happened now and not when Sid and I are in Africa and my mother is here all alone.  She is NOT good in an emergency.

M

[Jeff G]

I know -- I have no water on the floor anywhere yet, we'll see.  I'd use a hair dryer on the pipe where it enters my house, but neither Sid nor I really have any need for a hair dryer, so..........................
I have a call out to the plumber but, surprise, they are BUSY today with many busted pipes.

Made it through almost 50 yrs, most of them up north, with nary a frozen pipe -- guess it's my time!
At least it happened now and not when Sid and I are in Africa and my mother is here all alone.  She is NOT good in an emergency.

M

I space heater works well too if supervised so as not to burn the house down .

[Miss Philicia]

Sounds like for once it's warmer here than in the South -- 13F!

[bocker3]

I space heater works well too if supervised so as not to burn the house down .

Yeah -- I don't have one of those either -- or an electric blanket.  A google suggestion:  wrap a towel soaked in hot water around the pipe -- great idea, except that I haven't any water due to a frozen pipe!!!

in the spirit of making lemonade from lemons -- we get to practice NOT using tap water for drinking, brushing teeth, etc in preparation for our Safari.

Sounds like for once it's warmer here than in the South -- 13F!

yes -- I'd love to be up north right now, where the infrastructure is built to handle days like this!

Mike

[WillyWump]

Oh geez Mike, fingers crossed that you don't have bursts.

[tednlou2]

Mike,

Any thawing?  Our pipes run in the basement, which is finished.  I have been wondering about the main water line, that runs from the street.  For a few years, I've gotten inserts in the water bill about taking out insurance for that.  The owner is responsible for the main line that runs from the meter.  I never took out the insurance. It is $5 a month.  So, I will feel very stupid, if something should happen to it.  If those huge main water lines can break, then the smaller ones running to your home could, too.  I'm sure that would cost $500 to $1,000 to replace.  Perhaps more.

[Miss Philicia]

Guilhermina, please read this and tell me how it changes your view of the politics of this catastrophe.

Thanks.

[bocker3]

Mike,

Any thawing?  Our pipes run in the basement, which is finished.  I have been wondering about the main water line, that runs from the street.  For a few years, I've gotten inserts in the water bill about taking out insurance for that.  The owner is responsible for the main line that runs from the meter.  I never took out the insurance. It is $5 a month.  So, I will feel very stupid, if something should happen to it.  If those huge main water lines can break, then the smaller ones running to your home could, too.  I'm sure that would cost $500 to $1,000 to replace.  Perhaps more.

Well Ted, good call!! -- the plumber who came by does think that the pipe is frozen underground.  I have to wait and see now -- once the water is running, I'll have him come back out and we can try and figure out if the pipe busted anywhere underground. 
He was a nice guy and didn't charge me for today's visit, because he didn't do much - except look adorable.
I did see some drips beginning, so hopefully the faucet will be flowing soon............

Mike

[mitch777]

Mike, thought this would make you feel less crappy about a water pipe leak. 

Not weather related but we had our main 4" copper sewer pipe split 3 winters ago. Our crawl space is about 5' tall with a dirt floor. We had no idea until we started to smell the faint odor of well... not hard to figure.

When we took a look it was obvious that this leak had been going on for quite some time. It was scary!!!

Homeowners insurance didn't cover the cost of replacing the pipe but they did cover the cleanup. I insisted that they would have to pay for either digging out the contaminated soil or pay to cover it with cement. We now have a cement floor.

[bocker3]

Mike, thought this would make you feel less crappy about a water pipe leak. 

Not weather related but we had our main 4" copper sewer pipe split 3 winters ago. Our crawl space is about 5' tall with a dirt floor. We had no idea until we started to smell the faint odor of well... not hard to figure.

When we took a look it was obvious that this leak had been going on for quite some time. It was scary!!!

Homeowners insurance didn't cover the cost of replacing the pipe but they did cover the cleanup. I insisted that they would have to pay for either digging out the contaminated soil or pay to cover it with cement. We now have a cement floor.

Wow, that was a pretty shitty situation (sorry -- couldn't resist!). 

Mike

[Miss Philicia]

There are models appearing (obviously over a week out isn't dependable) showing an "epic" storm on February 9th -- and guess what, Philadelphia is in the bull's eye with an obscene 36". And I'll be in NYC on that date but they are projected to get 31". Now I'm going to have to sit around all week and monitor this and decide whether or not I should travel.

[bocker3]

There are models appearing (obviously over a week out isn't dependable) showing an "epic" storm on February 9th -- and guess what, Philadelphia is in the bull's eye with an obscene 36". And I'll be in NYC on that date but they are projected to get 31". Now I'm going to have to sit around all week and monitor this and decide whether or not I should travel.

Oh, HELL NO!!!  that is the day I fly out of D.C. for Kilimanjaro, so I absolutely FORBID snow until after my 6:00pm departure (at least in D.C.).

Mike

[Miss Philicia]

Oh, HELL NO!!!  that is the day I fly out of D.C. for Kilimanjaro, so I absolutely FORBID snow until after my 6:00pm departure (at least in D.C.).

Mike

Hope you bought travel insurance because DC will be getting 26" according to this map (disclaimer, this is the European model as of now for an event still ten days away.) But I'll post it anyway just to make you pee in your pants. Looks like a drive from Richmond up to Dulles or BWI will not be possible, much less a flight departing.



Sample totals:
Dover, DE: 32"
Cumberland, MD: 17"
Toms River, NJ: 37"
Philadelphia, PA: 36"
Atlantic City, NJ: 38"
New York City, NY: 31"
Staten Island, NY: 32"
Middletown, NJ: 34"
Monroe Township, NJ: 34"
Freehold, NJ: 36"
Bethany Beach, DE: 22"
Wilmington, DE: 37"
Boston, MA: 18"
Baltimore, MD: 30"
Washington, DC: 26"

[bocker3]

Well, if they are forecasting this now, then the inevitable changes will be to my advantage!
If Mother Nature fucks with my Safari, she will rue the day, this trip is all about celebrating (and not focusing on) turning 50 on the 15th............. And yes, I am fully insured.

Mike

[BT65]

We are under a winter storm warning, with possible 6" more.  The watch is through Saturday at 1:00 pm.  Well, hopefully we won't get frigid temps again.

[WillyWump]

Guilhermina, please read this and tell me how it changes your view of the politics of this catastrophe.

Thanks.

Idiocy is not just confined to the democrats, it spans the political spectrum.

[Miss Philicia]

Idiocy is not just confined to the democrats, it spans the political spectrum.

You obviously either didn't read the article or lack the aptitude to comprehend it.

[bocker3]

You obviously either didn't read the article or lack the aptitude to comprehend it.

Idiocy is not just confined to the democrats, it spans the political spectrum.

Can we return to important topics for this thread - Betty's pending (additional) snow and my possibly ruined Safari - the one I booked 20 months ago!!!!

Mike

[WillyWump]

Can we return to important topics for this thread - Betty's pending (additional) snow and my possibly ruined Safari - the one I booked 20 months ago!!!!

Mike

I AM SOOOO JEALOUS! What part of Africa?

[bocker3]

I AM SOOOO JEALOUS! What part of Africa?

Tanzania.  We will be in Tarangire National Park, the Ngorongoro Crater and the Serengeti.  One morning we will be taking a hot-air balloon ride over the Serengeti too.  Assuming Miss P's meteorological expertise is off!
I wanted to do something big for my fiftieth.

M

[BT65]

Mike, that sounds like it will be a blast!  I love that you're doing something big to celebrate your 50th. 

No knew info about the "maybe" snow storm.  Looks like we still may get up to 6-8", though the meteorologist said the snow may be trending North, in which case we'll get a lower amount. 

[WillyWump]

One morning we will be taking a hot-air balloon ride over the Serengeti too. 

M

That would be so amazing I think I would cry.

Im excited for you, and will be expecting a pic of a giraffe upon your return.

[britchick]

bocker3,

Im sooo envious that you are going to Tanzania soon.Have an amazing time

britchickx

[wolfter]

The first Winter ever where I'm actually over it.  Because I absolutely hate the heat of Summer, I usually enjoy this time of the year.  But all these continuous below zero days is playing havoc.  Our little lake region recorded the lowest temperature in the country @ -19 yesterday (or perhaps the day before).  It was the first time ever that Ohio was the coldest area of the US.  And that was without the windchill factor.

I had to go to town yesterday and was shocked by the amount of crewmen working to repair all the frozen shit.  Several stores had signs indicating that they didn't have water due to freezing.  We have several frozen lines and drains at the post which is a fairly new building. 

And, we're expecting up to another foot of snow by the beginning of the week.  There are still some areas that haven't even been cleared out yet.  Thankfully, my entire family drive trucks and are fairing pretty well. 

[Miss Philicia]

We finally topped out at 40F today and will be up to 50F on Sunday, but then a conga line of storms go through the area -- first on Monday (possible 2-3" snow), then a second Tuesday night (on the rain/ice storm line), then the third next weekend that could be the worst of the entire season but no meteorologist is willing to commit to yet.

I'm not too bothered by winter yet, but if I had to endure what the Mid-West is then I probably would be.

[bocker3]

My water started flowing at 11:00 this morning - Woo Hoo!

[BT65]

Greg, I feel your pain.  Yesterday was the first day we were above 0F in three days.  Now the forecast is up to a foot of snow between tonight and tomorrow night.  No frozen pipes at businesses around here though, but maybe this area is better equipped to deal with that.  I'm over this season also. 

[mitch777]

So far this winter has been not too atypical for us. Some snow, some cold, but nothing horrible... yet.

My mother on the other hand.....
Her first winter in Minnesota since 1976.

If the groundhog sees his shadow in a few days I'm thinking his chances of survival are slim. 

On the plus side daylight is getting noticeably longer.