An Icy Day at Home

Nothing gets more media attention or closes school faster than the treat of ice in the South. Monday, the predictions had started. I must admit was prepared for a late start on Tuesday. I didn't want to use a bad weather day, but a late start would be nice. While some districts north of us closed (and even the district where we live was closed), our district was open on Tuesday.

As I drove to work, the roads were dry, there was a bit of a mist, and the temperature was 32. No worries. As the day progressed, the temperature dropped to around 30. At noon we got word that we would release students who drive at 2:30; everyone else would stay until 3:40, our usual dismissal time. A call went out to parents that they could pick up students, but that we asked that they wait until lunch was over at 2pm. Needless to say, chaos ensued from 2-2:45. Parents flocked to the attendance office to get their students. Students sent text messages on the sly to be picked up. It was bedlam. Teachers were instructed to go home at 3:45 and all evening activities were cancelled.

Throughout the evening at home, Dave and I listened to freezing rain hit the ground. We had ice formed on some of the turbin vents on our attic, so the rhythmic thump of their rotation gave us something else to listen to. We watched the news, laughing at a report showing us ice on her hat. I wonder what transplanted Northerners think of the Southern overreaction to cold weather. Dave and I find it amusing, and we're from the South. I also must wonder what the state of Kroger and other grocery stores was yesterday afternoon as people headed home. In Georgia, all the milk, eggs, bread, and ground beef would have been gone from the shelves.

By 8pm last night, the district decided to go on a 2 hour delay Wednesday morning. I called my folks on the phone tree and settled in to bed about 11. The phone rang then with a message that school would be closed Wednesday.

So what have I done with my free day? I slept in until 8:30 and then had breakfast that Dave prepared. He was disappointed that I had gotten up, as he was planning to bring me breakfast in bed. I puttered around. I took a long, warm bubble bath. I've read some of War and Peace. I've done some more puttering. I've had a nap. Now I'm doing laundry and blogging. Next--more reading. It's nice to have an unexpected day at home, but I won't enjoy going to work on February 16th to make up today. Then again, going to work that day won't be bad: the ladies will be coming sometime that day to clean my house, and I have a doctor's appointment that afternoon.

The ice that kept us home. (I shoiuldn't make light, traffic was really bad this morning, but by 11, Dave felt safe heading into work. Everything is melting as the sun hits it this afternoon. It is crazy to think that it was 80 here Friday.)

Ice on my azaleas.


Ice on the candle sticks.