Deep Freeze

 

It finally happened-a properly snowy, cold winter in Omaha. We've been spoiled  in recent years and I try to remind myself of that fact as I dig our cars out after yet another snowstorm. This week, and for at least the next 10 days, we're getting the cold. Real, old-fashioned-freeze-your-tits-off cold.-13 F which is something like -23 C for everyone outside the United States. So yeah, cold. I'll leave the faucets dripping slowly overnight, and open the cabinets beneath the kitchen sink but other than that, all we can do is hope. I've recently re-vamped part of the basement so the majority of my good vintage is now stored in airtight plastic containers. I was thinking moths at the time, but probably good protection from burst pipes. I can't do anything about the streets though-expect burst water mains all over the city before this is over. Glad I don't work for MUD (Metropolitan Utilities District). If it were up to me they'd all get pay raises. 

My bedroom faces north and is freezing. This is fine most of the year, pleasant even but right now it is 55 degrees F. in my room (with the central heating thermostat set to 70 and it still can't keep up). If it gets much worse, I'll be decamping to the living room with pillows and blankets. Danny's room gets so hot he closed the vent! Old houses are curious, but this place isn't even that old-I mean it is by local standards, but it was only built in '68. Anyway, I have a good system:

If my typical response holds, by the middle of the night I'll be kicking off blankets because hot flashes don't end with menopause. Neither do migraines, but a migraine won't keep you warm in an arctic blast. 

Because I'm a Midwesterner and a storm spotter (*waves*) I feel it is my responsibility to remind you that if you live in a place that gets winter, you need an emergency kit in your car. You don't need the sort of temperatures we're experiencing to get into trouble either-hypothermia can happen at 40 degrees if you're ill prepared. 

So You're Going to Drive in Winter. The following things should go in the trunk/boot:

Blankets

Flashlights

Batteries

Matches

Candles

Small First Aid kit

Flares

Extra gloves/socks/hats

High energy snacks

Bottled Water

A metal tin that you can melt frozen water in (you did pack waterproof matches, right?)

Phone charger that you can crank

So those are the things I'd want at a minimum. A small shovel is helpful if you get stuck in snow, as is a small bag of kitty litter for traction on ice. Better yet, just don't go out in these conditions. It is also a good idea to check your battery. We invested in a portable charger a few years back and it has paid for itself. If you live in a place that gets very cold, but not cold enough to require investing in a block heater, the portable jumper thing is nice. It is also compact and won't take up much room in the car. 

OK, lecture over. I'll be back to warn you not to drive into flooded areas come spring thaw. 

Clothes, you say? Oh, I can do that though the wardrobe is getting a bit into the dregs as far as things you haven't seen before. Instead, I'm trying to mix them up a bit, some more successfully than others. 

Last wearing for this dress was spring of 2018. Obviously too cold to go sleeveless now, so I pulled up the cape sleeves and treated them like a scarf and wore the dress with a frock coat over.

Hard to believe it is the same dress. When in doubt, I wear a big belt and that too seemed like a good choice. I wore this to go out and pick up a few items at Target. Sure, I was over-dressed but when am I not?! I don't wear a great deal of bright pink, but I knew the day I found this dress it would be something I could wear. 

This entire outfit is thrifted save for the boots. I don't think it cost more than ten dollars, handbag included. 

This...this was a mood. I can't see dressing like this too often, but I wasn't going anywhere, so why not? 

So yeah, this is all thrifted vintage as well save for the tights. The acrylic Sears  poloneck unzips in back so you won't spoil your roller-set. The 80s purple leather skirt shows every lump and bump but at my age I truly don't care. Clog boots and handbag were both Goodwill finds that probably set me back $3.99 each. 

This 80s dress was today, but only briefly before the migraine and vertigo made me get into a velour tracksuit and back into bed. As I mentioned on Instagram, I know when it will be worth trying to force myself and when it will only make things worse. I slept all day and now in the evening am feeling well enough to sit up in bed and look at the computer. Anyway, the dress stayed clean so it will get another wear soon. 

The belt is falling apart but the buckle is still good, so time to replace it. 

That Givenchy choker gets plenty of wear but the matching earrings don't. I wonder if I should just move them on? I didn't buy them as a set, but was lucky enough to find the earrings. Or maybe not, as they're too heavy to wear! Decisions. 

Some other accessories...

And a few more...

I'll leave you with what might possibly be the most Iowan headline ever...

"Florida Man" is getting some serious competition from Council Bluffs Man. 

Allrighty, stay warm and away from other people.