Well, we survived our first Minnesota winter. I enjoyed our fireplace and I enjoyed our heat, but mostly, I enjoyed watching the snow fall (light and hard) and seeing it shine brightly on the grass, driveway, and walking path behind our house. The weather predictions for snow was pretty accurate for when it would happen, although how much was sometimes way off. My weather app on my phone showed snow in the background when that was happening.
Had we still been in TX, the winter would’ve been a few weeks of cold weather, and for the rest of the time, it would’ve been cold in the morning (where you need heat) and hot in the afternoon (where you need a/c). Also, there would’ve been one or two days with the potential of one piece of ice to fall somewhere in the city, and because of that threat, they advise everybody to stay home and don’t go out on the roads.
I took great pride in shoveling our driveway as it was very satisfying. I used our electric snow blower a few times (even Nina and Niko used it). I am very glad I had a lot of warm clothes, and put them all to great use. Nina is currently washing all the cold gear, and once done, it will go away until next winter. I am looking forward to swapping out cold clothes for my warm clothes (shorts and t-shirts).
One of the best things I purchased before we moved (I actually got them in preparation for a trip to OH a few years ago, but due to bad weather everywhere, the flights were canceled – so, we didn’t go) was Columbia snow boots. I wore them a lot, and they were comfortable and durable for snow. I also got myself a pair of warm Minnetonka boots and Ugg slippers to wear throughout the day at home.
It did snow last Sunday, and on Monday morning, our garage door wouldn’t open as it was frozen! I panicked, but quickly started moving everything from the smaller garage door area elsewhere. Once that was cleared, I opened it and started shoveling snow from the part of the driveway. I just needed enough of a clear path for the car. Nina was concerned that this would be a difficult challenge, but I told her nope, it would be my “Austin Powers” moment, and would it take a few to get the car out, but I had complete confidence. Meanwhile, while I was working in the garage, Nina, being the smart woman, started heating up water and once that was heated, she poured it on the bottom of the garage door. It worked. We left it open for most of the day, just to be sure. It’s funny, because that was the first time that happened.
Winter was very cold, but not as snowy as I thought it would be. My first drive on snow was the Monday after Thanksgiving, and I was so nervous! I couldn’t even back the car out of the garage the night before so it would be easier for me to just go forward, so Nina did that for me.
A few weeks later, and with snow still on the ground because the temperature was way below freezing, Nina and I each had medical appointments about 30 minutes away, and the main highway was cleared of snow. Nina went in one direction and I went in the other direction – on different days. It’s a very nice feeling when you can hear and see the city trucks plowing the streets and the walking trail. On a few heavy snow days, our neighbor a few doors down plowed our driveway. The first time, I told him I was going to do it, but was waiting for it to stop snowing. The next time, Nina and I were going for a walk, and we saw him shoveling his driveway, so I purposely walked towards him and we both thanked him again. Our next door neighbors, across the street neighbors, and our friendly snow plowing neighbor are all the original owners of their respective houses.
Even for bad weather, the school took precautions and either was delayed or canceled. A few times, I did have to drive on snow, but it was just an inch or two on the ground. And, a few times, I had to drive while it flurried (nothing heavy, though). It’s a really weird feeling, for sure! But, I look at the smaller cars and my big Honda Pilot says, “if they can do it, so can us, I got you covered, I am a Honda Pilot”. I did tell Niko, if anything does happen, we are in a very safe car, and we will be OK, but the car may be damaged. Plus, we have insurance. Sometimes, while driving with snow on the ground, it was very difficult to see the road dividers!
As far as walking in the cold and snow, I did that a few times, but most of the time, it was too cold for me. I did buy a walking pad in the hopes I would use it during those cold days, but that only happened a few times. Now that it’s a bit warmer, I have been walking outside again. When winter rolls around again, I need to figure out a way to get my walks in (just do it, Mark).
Yesterday, it was close to 70 degrees, and for the past few days, we have seen a lot more activity on the walking trail behind our house. I am looking forward to getting Niko and I a bicycle very soon. I had a bike, but sold it several years ago due to non use. At school, he did roller blading and used an EZY Roller, both for the first time, and he enjoyed it, so we will probably be in those markets very soon as well.
Getting him to do outdoor things will be really good for him, as we know the MN weather will a much cooler than TX during the Spring and Summer.
I am also excited to see what Spring in MN is like, as we arrived last June, so we missed it.
