What I learned from the snow storm

[LisaM]

Just for fun, I thought I would put to words what I learned about myself and my neighborhood from being snowed in for almost 2 weeks, please add on to my list and share your insights!

1. I live within walking distance to everything I really need in life: groceries, coffee, dog-supply, library, movies – and now, great restaraunts (Bohemian, Prost, Circa) – even my doctor (Swedish Physicians) – how I got an eye infection while being snowed in, I will never figure out!

2. I really am scared to drive in the snow but I have lots of friends who will pick me up.

3. After living in WS almost 12 years, I have a lot of friends within walking distance – very cool.

4. I read the West Seattle blog – A LOT

5. I produce 1 bag of trash per week (3 bags now in can)

6. I can buy all my holidays gifts in my own neighborhood (love Click!, PCC, Junction shops)but I wish there were more cute shops in the Admiral Junction.

7. I. can go 6-7 weeks between hair cuts and not die! (but not a real pretty sight – I HAVE to make my tuesday appt downtown)

8. I need to get out of West Seattle more often!

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[JoB]

LisaM.. i love this idea..

i don’t live within walking distance… for me… of everything i need… and i should put more emphasis on being able to do that next time i move.

i can drive in just about any weather conditions so i can get to what i need… but i should have had my chains put on earlier:(

i too spent a lot of time on WSB.. and had time to realize how much i value the friends i made here…

and.. it’s a good thing i keep a full pantry:)

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[JenV]

I learned:

1) Snow is a real pretty pain in the a$$

2) the BF is an EXCELLENT snow driver, and I will never take a 4-wheel drive SUV for granted again

3) It’s good to have alcohol & coffee within easy walking distance

4) that I can live out of my pantry & freezer, even though the meals might be funny – I can still eat. Boy, was I craving fresh produce by Tuesday though.

5) how nice it is to leave with snow everywhere, and come back to green grass and rain

Hopefully, I haven’t forgotten how to drive – my car has been snowed in since last Wednesday!

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[cjboffoli]

I usually try to go all out to engage my neighbors and get to know them. But with the infamous Seattle Freeze there is only so much one can do. I had a few neighbors that I still just did not know despite my best efforts to be friendly. Then these storms came along and I was able to make a couple of new connections. There’s nothing like helping your neighbors to get their cars unstuck to lubricate introductions. All the ice and snow helped to melt a bit of the Seattle Freeze.

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[JoB]

cjboffoli..

the snow was a real ice breaker wasn’t it:)

i met a couple of neighbors that way myself..

one of them helped me get unstuck!

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[HMC Rich]

I learned that our doggie doesn’t want to go potty when snow is higher than her bum. I had to dig out potty paths.

-Our toddler hates gloves.

-Our Miata with chains can handle 3 inches of snow but not slush.

-Drains need to be cleared for the snow melting.

-I was in good enough shape to shovel my path and two neighbors path without a heart attack.

-I should test the generator every 3 weeks.

-Have a better backup supply of diapers and TP.

-Glad I have a little SUV and know when not to drive.

-Glad for the company on the WSB

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[datamuse]

I learned that:

– most of my neighbors don’t have snow shovels (we lent ours to three different households on our block)

– I can still drive in snow despite not having lived on the east coast in 12 years

– my husband’s Volvo would make a pretty good off-road vehicle (i.e., Westwood parking lot on Christmas Eve)

– it’s amazing what you can turn into a sled (a friend’s road on Cap Hill was closed and he said people were using the “Road Closed” sign for this purpose)

– going for a run during a snowstorm means you have the park all to yourself

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[OlMom]

What I have learned from Snowmare 2008

*when your daughter asks you to buy a cheap sled from Bartells in September – do it!

*confirmation of the Subaru being great in the snow

*the last week of school before Christmas vacation may not happen so perhaps I should get my shopping done earlier

*I am able to carry all my grocery baking supplies on my back for a mile – only the flour is a little heavy

*not having your garbage picked up can make you very very cranky

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[Zenguy]

I learned that things are a lot further than they seem when you are driving.

That Safeway has way more than just groceries.

That plastic bottles and concentrated juices are a much lighter option than glass containers.

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[Aim]

LOL Zenguy on that last point. We went to get apple juice, on foot, on the heavy snow day. As I was halfway to the bottled juice aisle I remembered the concentrated stuff. It was a LOT lighter to haul back up the hill. DUH…

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[ellenater]

dogs peeing in the snow in a windstorm. makes beautiful patterns!

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[Jeannie]

-The air is so much cleaner when no one can drive.

-It’s fun to walk in the snow for the first few days, then the novelty wears off.

-I can carry 20 pounds of groceries in the snow up a series of steep hills.

-Yellow snow is a mixed blessing – at least it lets us see where we shouldn’t step.

-WSB, and all the posters: You are the best!

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[Gina]

ellenator–that is almost a haiku!

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[What The]

What I learned and practiced was…

1. Buy a plane ticket to Tucson, AZ

2. Don’t come back until all the snow is gone.

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[ellenater]

What The,

you must NOT have been flying ALaska…

Gina. here :)

dogs peeing in the

snow during a windstorm makes

beautiful patterns

you were right. just needed a syllable.

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[Lisa]

What I learned on my Snowy Xmas Vacation:

1) You gotta take care of the hummingbirds

2) ‘Old school’ chains on our front wheel drive car are very nice

3) The 16yo daughter still NEEDS to go places; see #2 above

4) My mailman is great

5) UPS isn’t so great

6) I love our neighbors. Everyone shoveled each other walks.

7) After 2 weeks, I enjoy leaving West Seattle and seeing something different.

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[WesCAddle]

What I learned: Buying Christmas presents online is a great way to get good deals, and is usually pretty painless.

Except when your kid’s “main gift from Santa” is shipped UPS on the 16th and you still don’t have it on the 29th. The note from Santa Christmas morning explaining that he is mailing the toy from the North Pole was received with due skepticism, and the daily “do you think it will be in the mail today?” is getting harder all the time to answer.

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[TammiWS]

What I learned:

I enjoy walking around West Seattle.

I can get a lot of groceries in two bags and my backpack can hold an entire ham!

I cook and bake more.

All the walking and carrying groceries kept me moving during a time I felt like crawling under the covers to keep warm.

I enjoy SUNNY cold days (and SUNNY HOT days)…not so much the in between.

My cats dont like crawling through 9 inches of snow to do their business. A cat path is a must!

People are generally nicer and say hello when you walk by them!

I need a snow shovel but treats for my mailman along with hand warmers helped ease his walk to deliver my mail.

I spent Christmas dinner with a good friend of 25 years because we had to walk to get there – and had a blast….

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[MrJT]

I learned that I should have had the Mayor for a teacher in High School. That dude has one wicked curve to grade on…

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[JanS]

I learned that I don’t like cold and snow very much – lol

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[WSMom]

I learned the my all wheel drive Chrysler Pacifica, which gets annoyingly bad gas milage, is a dream in the snow and slush. I didn’t leave the house much, but when I did my car never got stuck or even slipped. My husband needed to get to work and I felt more peaceful knowing he was in that car.

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[What The]

Ellenator – Yes, I did fly Alaska. Got out on Dec. 18th and just got back yesterday. It actually snowed in Tucson the other day…I’ve already contacted local authorities in regards to the “stalking” of the snow thingy…

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[ellenater]

heheh. nice.

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[Bonnie]

I learned that my mailman is a wimp. He delivered to the houses behind us but not to ours.

I learned that one of my neighbors will never get help from us. Our car got stuck in the alley and our neighbor walked out, poked her head over the fence and walked away. I hope she never needs help.

I learned I can move down to a smaller garbage can.

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[mellaw6565]

I learned that I had the strength and endurance to make it through snow and ice several times a day to make sure all of my dog and cat clients were secure – and not get stuck once:)

I also met new neighbors and people all over W. Seattle as I dug them out with my snow shovel.

I reminded myself why we need a new Mayor and City Council.

I realized that despite our efforts at composting and recycling, my partner and I still make more waste than we should.

I learned that nothing was open after 6 or so on xmas eve for me to find something to eat except Mc’D’s.

I was reminded at how awesome and valuable WSB’s coverage was of the storm and the roads. I could not have made my rounds as well without them.

I learned I like Xmas better when I’m working or busy.

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