I’m not trying to beat a dead horse here because I know everyone is talking about it, but it is just so damn cold. It’s just painful. Probably the most cold I can ever remember being in my life.
Chris and I prepared for the Antarcditka storm that moved in last night by covering all of the front windows and door cracks with blankets. We brought our space heater into our room with us and shut the bedroom door last night and hoped for the best. But still, when the temp dropped to -20 in the early morning hours yesterday I felt it on every inch of my body. It was almost like Chris and I experienced it at the exact same moment the storm came knocking on our door because right as I pulled the blanket closer around my face he got up and turned the heat on higher. Of course Harlow slept completely under every blanket, face and all, but he does this every night (even in the summer) so that wasn’t anything new.
I had planned to spend the entire day inside working from my bed only having to leave the house around 4 p.m. to go to my class at Second City, but I woke up Monday morning to find that our internet provider was down. Why God why… I could have worked on other things sans internet except for the fact I had a very important Skype call I had to be on at 1 p.m. So I put on my snowboots my long johns and long winter coat and set out for the Starbucks that is about four blocks from my house.
The first block wasn’t bad. I even got a little cocky for a second and wondered what everyone was freaking out about canceling work and school. But after about seven minutes I started to crack. Literally. My fingers cracked under my gloves, my lips cracked beneath my scarf, and it actually felt as if my cheek bones were going to shatter. For a brief second I wanted to cry and run home. But I continued on. I had no other choice. There was no one else on the snow filled street around me and I actually started to feel like I was one of the lone survivors from Alive.
*Alive is a movie from 1993 about a Rugby team stranded in the Alps after their plane crashes. One by one they start to die until they are eventually forced to EAT each other to stay alive. I shouldn’t have been allowed to watch this film at the young impressionable age that I was because it made a huge impact on my life. I still get nervous flying over the mountains. And I also have a terrible habit of scanning a plane every time I get on board just to get an idea of whom I would eat first. (If need be.)
But I digress.
When I got to Starbucks ten minutes after leaving my house I was breathing as if I’d just run a marathon, only to find that it was absolutely packed. Every seat was taken. Turns out that all of the other losers working from home like myself were seeking internet as well.
And so with tears in my eyes and frozen boogers in my nose (gross I know, but I have to paint you an accurate picture here) I set out to walk four more blocks to the next Starbucks. Sadly the internet was down at this Starbucks as well. At this point my spirits were incredibly low and I just wanted to give up all together. I almost did in fact, several times. But deep down I knew I couldn’t, I had to continue on. Not for me, but for my fallen Uruguayan rugby brothers.
I walked two more blocks to the next Starbucks. I’m not sure how long it took me because by this time I was in such a deep state of hypothermia that I had lost complete track of time. (And also because my iphone had stopped working because it got too cold.) When I stepped inside I almost cried to the good Lord when there was not only a seat for me, but also internet. It was your standard crappy AT&T Starbucks internet that takes about ten minutes to refresh a page, but it was internet never the less.
So in total I’d just like it to be known that today around 10 a.m. when it was roughly -18 (-39 with windchill) I walked over a mile roundtrip. #survivor
Luckily the day wasn’t a complete loss for everyone. Harlow was more than pleased to get a package addressed specifically to him from Doggy Loot. Doggy Loot is a dog’s paradise (and owner’s) because it offers every toy, treat, chew, collar and anything else dog related you could imagine for up to 75% off, delivered straight to your door wherever you live.
Harlow chose Tuffy Jr to keep him occupied during these long cold days inside.
And I wouldn’t believe it if I didn’t see it myself, but Tuffy is so tough Harlow hasn’t even made a dent in him! That’s saying quite a lot considering Harlow usually chews through toys within thirty minutes.
Because of Har’s wheat allergy I’m trying to be more cautious when it comes to his treats so I was delighted to see these awesome Sweet Potato Chews.
If you’re like me and tend to spend more money on your fur baby than you should, I definitely recommend giving Doggy Loot a glance!
Stay warm, stay safe and remember there’s only 120 days until summer….
I experienced for the first time ever when I was in New York in December my IPhone shutting off because it was so cold. I mean I've had that happen in the reverse in Florida sitting out at the pool blaring Pandora and the phone overheats (not even right this reference in your current state of affairs sorry!) but I'm glad you survived! The Alive reference is classic….that movie gave me nightmares for sure.
oh sweet baby Jesus. I walked outside in the -40 in Indy and wouldnt have stayed out more than 5 minutes
Stay warm! You are far braver than I for trekking outside. Your photos make it seem a lot less intimidating that it actually is out there. 🙂
That sounds dreadfully miserably cold. I feel like this winter has been especially cold and I am not a fan! Also, you are a trooper for walking that far in the cold. High five!
Oh my god, I can't believe you walked all that way! I was in pain for the few minutes I spent outside with my pup! Gahhh, I hate cold! So glad you survived… hopefully you do the same tomorrow & then we will hopefully not see temps like this again… ever? Yeah. I am going to have to check out that website though so I can further spoil my fur baby!
Jamie @
The Growing Up Diaries
Go you! I usually get really envious of all the beautiful snow pictures I see on different blogs, but at this point I'm just thinking warm thoughts for all y'all. Definitely not hating on my 70 degree CA weather now.
xo, Hima
Hima Hearts
That sounds AWFUL. Stay warm, my friend!
I'm from Chicago and I have never experienced that kind of cold. I mean, I've been in some record lows, but not like -52 with the windchill. No thank you!
Jump on a plane and come to sunny South Africa! there is space for Harlow too. It's too hot to think (well, not today)
Thinking of you all xxx Sending our warmest thoughts
Harlow got a great box! And my little mind can't wrap my fingers around any type of negative numbers. It was 36 yesterday in my little south Texas town and people were calling the school to see if it was canceled for today. They would never survive any other states winter…well besides maybe California.
Girl, I can't even imagine. I about froze last night just being outside for 15 minutes in 10 degree weather. No thanks. I'm ready for summer, even though I'll be complaining about the heat and humidity in no time.
Brrrr!! I was also exposed to Alive at an impressionable age (we actually watched it in school in grade 8) and it has stuck with me forever. Hope it warms up for you soon!!
CHI-BERIA! YES! When I went here today, I was silently thinking, maybe she'll use my subject line for her blog post. YAY! You made my blustery, cold-as-shit day so much better. I didnt make that term up though, I think I heard it on the news or something. Or maybe you made it up yourself and we've come full circle?!
Okay I'll actually read your blog post now. I only read the title so far.
Oh the things we do for internet… and after discussing this matter with my family, we've determined we would probably do the same thing if our internet at home was down yesterday and today.
oh my god, this sounds like a nightmare. I can't believe you braved that, I would have cracked, metaphorically and literally and gone home.
That website looks awesome! Definitely going to start using that.
And I will stop complaining about Florida's 39 degrees. Stay warm!
You are a rockstar for walking a mile on that crazy cold weather. I thought it was bad in Boston but not even close to Chicago. That Doggy Loot site is too cute and addictive. Must buy all the things for Seamus now!
I mean, it's supposed to be like 80 here by Friday… You can find me by my pool, where your iPhone stops working because it's too hot, if you feel like making the trip. Don't forget your suit.
Only issue is that my internet kind of sounds similar to the shitty AT&T Starbucks internet.
I don't think I'd survive!
Holy goodness! You are a trooper!! I would have turned around after the first failed attempt… :/
And I'm about the mark that 120 days on my calendar… this cold stuff is killing me!! And I'm not even in the negatives.
Yes it is FREEZING! Kudos to you for walking outside. I've been bundled up in inside for the past two days. I walked a block to go to hot yoga and that's it. Muscle atrophy definitely beginning.
Oooh.. Doggy Loot seems like an awesome company!
Aaah! I cannot even imagine -18 degrees, it makes me want to curl up in a ball and die. I just wouldn't leave bed, ever.
I feel your pain!! I live in Iowa (right at the bottom of the nose if ya know what I mean). On my way home from work yesterday my fingers were FROZEN inside of my gloves, inside of my car..miserable. And I'll have to check out Doggy Loot! I'm like you and spend an embarrassing amount of money on my Lhasa Apso fur-baby, Nala.
Oh my!! You are such a trooper for walking all that way!! Just know that the only state not experiencing Siberian like temps is Hawaii…so we're all in pain together…so more than others unfortunately!
I have seen on the news about how cold it is in parts of the U S and fell for you, having to walk to Starbucks for internet sucks and really I am sorry you had to do so, I hope you got internet back at your home now and don't have to venture out in the bloody cold again. Try and stay warm my friend.
I also live in Chi-beria and I almost got hypothermia today (I might be exaggerating.. maybe I'm not), so I completely agree this weather has got to go! I hope your Tuesday has been better! Your photos are gorgeous. Keep warm!
xo,
Heather
http://reverieno17.blogspot.com
hahah I can't believe you were brave enough!! I stayed home from work on Saturday, snuggled up and was a football bum all day Sunday, took off work yesterday…. So this morning was the first time I was even outside the house in the freezing tundra…. hahahah… I'm already not looking forward to the commute home from work, first time I won't be excited to leave the office at 5 oclock… hahah
— Mary 🙂
My cell phone stopped working, and it was so cold I could literally feel my chapstick evaporating off my lips. It is painfully cold. I will be so excited for the heatwave bringing 20 degree temps to the midwest tomorrow!
Oh and I was complaining about 9 degree weather. You topped me! Stay warm!
Oh no, I can't believe you had to go out! It has been BRUTAL over here, too, and I felt like I got frostbite just getting the mail 50 feet out my front door. Is it Spring yet?!
Cleveland and upstate NY were having similar weather and it made me SO glad I just made the move to GA. Although even at its coldest, Chicago is still the best city in the world.
Growing up in Wisconsin, there were multiple times were I was a 100% positive that I was going to freeze to death. I am currently hanging out in Indiana and did not leave the house for 50 hours straight because of the snow and cold. I am impressed that you made it a mile!
I always think the winter is cozy and nice and then it really begins…xx
dreaming is believing