I woke up to the temp being 23 degrees here in sunny Central Florida. Holy crap, that's really cold! I fell asleep watching the news last night, so I awoke to the 6:30am news, where people not to far above us (about 45 minutes) woke up to frozen pipes. I kinda freaked out, because I didn't even know that could happen, so I called my mom to ask her what I should do if it gets cold like this again. What a stressful time to be a new homeowner ... lol, I'm gonna burn the house down and flood it out as well. Luckily, it should be warming up in the next day or so. We're about 20 degrees below average, and well, it's just too gosh darn cold for me.
The part that scares me is my electric bill. I feel like our central heat has been working all day and all night, and though I'm sure it kicks off sometimes ... I just am not looking forward to the next bill. It's probably going to be as high as my July bill when the air has to run 24/7. Brrr!!!!
My little sister turned 11 today! My sister really wanted to go to Disney for her birthday (thanks to the multiple Disney commericals we see nightly about getting into the parks free on your birthday) So my parents looked into it, and decided to go on a three day Disney cruise for her birthday instead. The girl is on cloud nine. Way to go Disney with your creative marketing, you got my parents hook line and sinker. However, cruising is something they all really like, and they are in the financial standpoint to be able to do it, so have fun!
When my dad gets home I am having him check out my heating system. During the night, it resets down to 60 degrees. I know someone of you keep your thermostats that low, but ... uh uh, not for me. I woke up frozen this morning.
Fingers crossed that this is the last of the really cold weather. Strawberry season is just about on us, and it's something our local economy completely depends on. However, for all of you strawberry lovers out there, the frosts that have been covering our strawberries will make them incredibly sweet and juicy. Can't wait! Right now they're selling half flats for $6.99, but in a week or so I should be able to get a full flat for $5.99. A full flat last us most of the year, but anything more than that and I wouldn't be able to use them all in time. I freeze the strawberries and use them in smoothies throughout the year. And honestly, there's nothing like a frozen strawberry as a snack on a hot as heck summer day. I'd love to learn how to make my own strawberry jelly as well.
Another thing I am incredibly grateful for is a friend of my mom's. She gave Juliette an insane amount of clothes that her daughter had outgrown. In it, and about a size to big, was a really warm winter jacket they had had when they lived in Ohio. I've never bought Juliette a coat like this, since we don't normally need it. Let's just say, it's gotten a good deal of use so far this season. And, it's big enough to be worn next year ... something I am very happy about. Juliette's happy because it's pink and has a hood that's attached to it.
For all of you who deal with weather like this on a daily winter basis, I have no idea how you handle it. I hope you all get warm soon! I'm a flip flop wearing, never seen snow Florida girl, I don't know how to handle this cold.
I'm FREEZING
January 22nd, 2009 at 10:51 pm
January 22nd, 2009 at 10:55 pm 1232664958
January 22nd, 2009 at 11:15 pm 1232666142
Maybe I'll hit the after season clearance and buy an actual winter coat.
January 23rd, 2009 at 01:48 am 1232675286
January 23rd, 2009 at 02:25 am 1232677525
January 23rd, 2009 at 02:59 am 1232679585
January 23rd, 2009 at 04:06 am 1232683596
Major score with the clothes for your little one. Always keep extra blankets as you never know. I got 3 wool army surplus blankets for 8 dollars a piece from the Serious Sportsman. I always look for sales.
Wool blankets are great in that even if they get wet they retain 80% of thier heat retention qualities.
Good news is that the days are getting longer and the days will start to get warmer!
January 23rd, 2009 at 04:25 am 1232684754
I don't know how you people can live in that sort of weather.
Needless to say, as much as I want to see snow, and would LOVE to have a white Christmas, I obviously have thin blood and would never make it.
January 23rd, 2009 at 04:41 am 1232685665
The real secret of cold weather is that if you go through a cold snap, *anything* warmer feels warmer. If you go through 0 degree weather, 20 degree weather is warm.
Really warm weather 90+ is hard for me to handle.
January 23rd, 2009 at 03:03 pm 1232723028
I mean it's good and bad, we get sick a lot when the weather floats around like this, but the people coming into town for the Superbowl will enjoy mid 70s a lot more than mid 20's ...
I'm starting to feel like I can defrost, and uncover my plants, and let my cats stay outside ... and turn off my heat. YAY!