Friday weather report

It was 2 degrees F this morning when we got up. Yes, 2. Without taking the windchill into account. That isn't the worst part - the sun makes it look like it is much warmer, a sort of weather joke. Snow is forecast for this afternoon and evening, however, so maybe it will look as cold as it actually is.

Here are a couple of pictures taken yesterday on my walk to the library, when it was a (relatively) balmy 14.
Oh, and happy Leap Day.

Grocery store induced amnesia

I have a problem with grocery store induced amnesia. I always, always manage to forget something - the all-important list is the worst, since I can't do anything without it. If I make the list on my own, I tend to forget some vital ingredient for a meal, say, the fish for a fish dish, or I don't remember to check how much of a crucial ingredient we have. Usually not enough is the correct answer. Today, I ran to the store to get a few things, and I managed not to get the first two things in my basket. Now, how can this happen, you ask? I have no idea. I know that I put them in my basket, and I thought I put them on the conveyor belt at the checkout counter, but when I was unloading the bag at home, they were nowhere to be found. At least they were also missing from the receipt - so I didn't get charged for something I didn't actually get home. Sigh.

Winter math

A day and night of snow = approximately 7 (maybe as much as 9) inches accumulation + driveway = 45 minutes of shoveling = 296 calories burned. Not actually sure about the accumulation, since it comes from my very unscientific estimate with a ruler - but it was fairly consistent at 7 inches in the back and front yards. More snow possible throughout the remainder of the week.

I spent most of yesterday in a state of semi-hibernation. I think winter is even starting to get to my two Texas kitties - Cleo hates the cold and constantly burrows under the covers, and Oliver misses bird watching and cockroach chasing, not to mention eating grass. It was 92 in Austin a couple of days ago - can't say that doesn't sound at least a little bit appealing at the moment (of course, I would be complaining about it if I was actually still there).