What we're looking at for today...

and I love it!

It was 73 yesterday and gorgeous...

tomorrow, hello Spring storm. Lol. I love the weather here!

A MIX OF RAIN AND SNOW IS EXPECTED THIS EVENING...BEFORE CHANGING OVER TO ALL SNOW BY EARLY FRIDAY MORNING. HEAVY SNOW IS POSSIBLE OVER THE URBAN CORRIDOR...AND WESTERN WELD COUNTY ON FRIDAY... CONTINUING INTO SATURDAY. POSSIBLE ACCUMULATIONS COULD RANGE FROM 10 TO 24 INCHES OF HEAVY WET SNOW. HOWEVER...THERE ARE SOME INDICATIONS THAT A RAIN-SNOW MIX MAY OCCUR IN PARTS OF THE URBAN CORRIDOR FOR SOME OF THIS EVENT WHICH COULD LESSEN TOTAL SNOW AMOUNTS. NORTHERLY WINDS OF 15 TO 35 MPH ARE ALSO EXPECTED LATE TONIGHT INTO SATURDAY MORNING.

I still love the snow...

From the time I left work yesterday to the time I walked in the garage door, it took me three hours to get home.

Sheesh.

That will teach me to take the bus when it's snowing out! Last time I bitched because it took me two hours to drive 20 miles... this time I'm bitching because so many people got out of work early due to road conditions that it took three hours to get home!

Next time, I will drive OR just stay home and enjoy the snow! :D

I must say, as much as people dislike the snow in the metro area here, I love it! I actually don't care much about how long it took me to get home, I'd just rather be sitting in my car instead of in a bus station with ~400 other people trying to get home as well!

After getting home G and I took the dogs across the street to the giant lawn to play in the snow. Erie ended up getting about 16 inches of snow yesterday (it was almost up to my knees). G and I took turns shoveling the driveway and about every five minutes I told him I wanted a snow blower! (Anyone want to donate to the G&K Snow Blower Fund?) Truthfully, shoveling snow isn't that bad and a good replacement for the gym! Lol.

The rest of the evening was spent sipping Coronas and lime and watching Hulu on the Mac Mini.

This morning I got up at my regular time because my start time at work was dependent on the road conditions this morning. My supervisor told me she was going to call between 6:30 and 7 this morning and let me know if she thought I should come in. I had my fingers, toes, eyes, legs... everything crossed that I wouldn't have to come in so that I could head up to Breckenridge with G to ride for the day. Of course though, it's sunny in Denver today and the roads are clearing up nicely, so I'm unfortunately working 9-6 today... ick.

I also have to add that G ended up being a better sport yesterday. After waiting at the bus station yesterday for almost an hour and a half, my dumb ass realized that there was an alternate bus that ran to my park-n-Ride. After I told G I realized this, he told me he was already waiting at the other pnR that I told him to meet me at. Oops. It then took him 30 minutes to drive six miles home. I appreciated his efforts more after he stopped being a butthead on the phone.

This is what it looked like from 7am - 7pm yesterday, as well as why G didn't attempt to make it downtown yesterday.

Beautiful.

Like it's my fault...

Did you know that I'm in control of the weather AND my employer's decisions?

Bet you didn't and I bet no one else did, because I certainly didn't until a couple minutes ago.

Apparently, G did though, because he's giving me a hard time about having to pick me up.

Due to this:

my employer has requested that I take a half day and leave early (since I took the bus), to ensure that I have a way home since 1) I opted to not take them up on their offer for a hotel room to stay downtown tonight and 2) because this weather is not suppose to let up for quite some time.

Unfortunately, because I choose to take the bus to save money on gas and parking, the bus that I normally take only runs in the morning and in the afternoon.

Therefore, I have to take another bus to another park-n-Ride that my car is NOT parked at. Therefore, G has to pick me up (and have it interfere with his day), take me to get my car (another couple miles down the road) and is making a major stink about it.

I didn't do this on purpose. I'm not trying to ruin his day off. This was not my choice. I'm doing what I'm told.

Gah, what is it called when guys have their version of PMS. I think it's called "someone shit in my cereal this morning."

And I'm glad to report that I'm lost almost ten pounds. Hmmmpf!

Finally.

I have been spoiled.

My first winter in Colorado was a mild one. I have yet to see a "big" snowfall or winter storm. The most snow I've seen accumulate at our house or downtown has maybe been five inches.

Well, today, a day short of one week into spring, it's my lucky day.

From noaa.gov:

...BLIZZARD WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 6 AM THIS MORNING TO 6 AM MDT
FRIDAY...
...WINTER STORM WARNING IS CANCELLED...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN DENVER HAS ISSUED A BLIZZARD
WARNING...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 6 AM THIS MORNING TO 6 AM MDT
FRIDAY. THE WINTER STORM WARNING HAS BEEN CANCELLED.

SNOW WILL DEVELOP ACROSS NORTHEASTERN COLORADO THIS MORNING AND
WILL BE HEAVY AT TIMES...ESPECIALLY THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING. NORTH
TO NORTHEAST WINDS OF 20 TO 30 MPH WITH GUSTS TO AROUND 45 MPH
WILL PRODUCE BLIZZARD CONDITIONS AND CONSIDERABLE DRIFTING
SNOW ON THE PLAINS BY AFTERNOON. THE WORST CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED
TO BE IN AREAS SOUTH OF A LINE FROM BOULDER TO AKRON.

TOTAL SNOW ACCUMULATIONS BY LATE THURSDAY NIGHT WILL RANGE FROM
6 TO 12 INCHES ACROSS THE NORTHEAST PLAINS...WITH 8 TO 16 INCHES
OF SNOW FROM THE DENVER METRO AREA TO LIMON...AND ONE TO TWO FEET
IN DOUGLAS AND WESTERN ELBERT COUNTIES. THE SNOW AND PROLONGED
WINDS WILL ALSO PRODUCE CONSIDERABLE DRIFTING OF SNOW.

G says he hopes that I can get home today... I hope so too! I took the bus today and I think those things run regardless of the weather. I have to say, I'm glad I have a car with 4WD, even if it happens to be a Jeep!

Here's a link to our weather loop of what's going on...

I can't wait to go riding this weekend!

And I still love living here.

Le sigh, I'm stuck inside today.

It's currently around 70 degrees outside right now and I couldn't tell you what I would give to be able to be outside today, hiking with G and the doggins!

70 degree weather in Denver, mid-January, is unheard of. We're suppose to set a record today that was last set in 1950. I don't get it; South Carolina got snow yesterday and we've got the warm sun. Granted, Colorado does get a TON of sun. The state averages 300 days per year of glorious sunshine. To think, when I told people in Charleston that I was moving to Denver, the assumption was that it was snowing, freezing, and cloudy all-the-time. No offense to anyone, but I'm so glad I don't live in the south anymore!

On another note, next week (in eight days), I will be 27. Ick. I don't want to get older. I know 27 is not old, in fact it's still young. That's just one year older though that I don't want to be. It's hard to believe I was 22 when I met G! I want to be that age again so badly. I loved 22 and 23! I was 22 and G was 25. Wow. He will be 30 in May!

Right now we're trying to plan a trip to Cozumel for his big 3-0. Hopefully everything works out and he will have a rockin' birthday!

Post whore.

Why I enjoy working for the company I work for:

All,

For those of you who were able to make it in today I just want to say thanks. Unfortunately we are in a business where taking sick days when the weather turns ugly isn’t really an option so your efforts to make it in are greatly appreciated!

We will be ordering pizza today for everyone (if anyone is still delivering today).

Thanks again!

I mean really, how many companies actually thank those who come in on a very snowy, traff-icky day? Could they make us feel better about doing what we're suppose to be doing anyway?

Awesome.

Life.

It's snowing quite a bit, and it took me two hours to get to work today! Two hours! It's normally a 30-35 min drive and it took me F-O-R-E-V-E-R.

I know there's now on the ground, but it's plowed and they've sprayed Calcium Magnesium Acetate, so what need is there to drive literally 5 MPH on the freakin' freeway? Especially those who have 4-wheel drive. I know you don't need to drive the regular speed limit, but 5 MPH is a little on the rediculous side.

What was even more frustrating, is that there weren't any accidents! I'm not bummed that there weren't any, but very frustrated that there wasn't any reason besides slushy snow on the ground for a 35 minute drive turning into a two-hour drive for no apparent reason! Gah!

Seriously, you damn Coloradans, you live in Denver for Cheesus Crust's sake! It snows here, quite often in fact. So, why are you acting like you've never seen snow before in your life?

Oh no, a flurry, don't drive too fast.

I just don't get it.

Snow!

It's been snowing non-stop since yesterday afternoon.

I'm not sure where the accumulation measurement lies at this point, but I learned this morning that I DO NOT like driving in the snow on unplowed roads.

This morning I decided to take my boyfriend's car. He was going to be home all day, and since it was suppose to continue snowing all day and I didn't want him to be stuck at the house because he doesn't have snow tires on his car, I took his car and left him mine.

Do you see where this is going? This was a "terrible, horrible, no-good, very bad" idea.

This morning I got ready as usual, but due to the snow, I gave myself an extra five minutes to drive to the bus stop that's less than two miles away. I was driving in 1st gear and I pulled up to a stop sign in our apartment complex. (I might add that there was about four inches of accumulation and they do not salt, plow, shovel or do anything in our complex. To top it off, it's at a slight decline. ) So I slowed down to look both ways, accelerated so slowly, and instead of turning right, the car went straight and slid to the left due to the slight slope (or so I think). I let off of the gas and attempted to turn away from the approaching curb straight ahead and tapped lightly on the breaks. I didn't have any luck on my side this morning, because that car kept going and I ran my boyfriend's poor wheel into the friggen curb. I heard a bad noise and my heart started pounding, my hands got sweaty and shaky and I felt that nasty rush of adrenaline that makes you feel sick to your stomach. I was so freaked out at the fact I was going so slow and was being so careful, because that car is my boyfriend's baby (it's an '08 STi with the gold wheels), and something so shitty happened.

I reversed and continued on my way. I think I maintained about 4-5 miles per hour the whole way to the bus stop. Even still, I slid through a freakin' red light! Oh, Colorado, how I love thee, but I don't like your hills. I started to approach a red light and so I let off the gas and tried the use the breaks lightly. It looked like they had tried to plow parts of the street, but there was still a ton of accumuation, which doesn't work well with non-snow tires. But again, luck wasn't on my side this morning and I slid half way into the intersection. I guess it was a good thing that it was 5:55 in the morning and there weren't any other cars out!

I finally made it to the Park-n-Ride and parked the car in the boonies as to not let another car slide into coming into the, again unplowed, parking lot.

I got out of the car thinking "please let it have sounded worse than it is, please." Unfortunately, it was bad and I just felt the worst sinking feeling in your stomach. I didn't want to call my boyfriend, one because it was 6am, two because I didn't want him to yell at me and ruin his day, and three, because I didn't want to cry before I went to work. Yes, I'm a cryer when I'm mad/frustraded or sad. Despite my reasoning, I called him to tell him. I would have made myself throw up telling him when I got home this afternoon. Of course he was upset. I have effed up his car! I told him that I will take care of it and I will get a new wheel for him.

I called the Subaru dealership in Boulder and placed an order for one. $889 my friends is the price you pay for a gold, stock wheel. Rediculous, but I ordered it anyway! I texted MFG to let him know that it was taken care of. He called me back to let me know that he doesn't want me to spend that much on one wheel and that instead, I can buy him a "Spring set" of wheels and the gold ones will become his "Winter" wheels. His justification is that a whole set (non stock), with tires, costs about $1,200.

I don't think he knows how horrible I feel. I followed his instructions. Went really slowly. Didn't slam on my breaks. Turned really slowly. And I gave myself more than ample time to get to where I was going.

Long story short, I love the snow, but I already HATE driving in it! And I feel horrible, so horrible that it gave me an upset stomache this morning. Ugh.

Weather cam pictures:

Happy Hump Day

G (my boyfriend) and I got into it last night because I stopped taking my Lexapro. I was taking it for general anxiety and to help stabalize my mood/chemicals. I thought I had "learned" how to cope and react correctly to certain situations... WRONG. And so the last few weeks I have been flying off the handle with the mouth of a trucker. So, despite falling asleep with ice on my eyes, and then rolling over onto my stomach and keeping my head facing straight, I woke up looking like someone had sprayed me in the face with a fire extinguisher (if you're cool, you've watched CKY, and have seen what Raab Himself looked like after he was sprayed in the face with a fire extinguisher while camping).

Luckily, but unluckily, I get up at 5am every morning to be on the bus by 6am. When I got in the shower I didn't think there was any hope! They were a little better by the time I got out, and before I got ready I decided to place a frozen bag of brussel spouts on my face, because we didn't have peas.

They're okay now, but I still look super tired. Agh, I hate having puffy, "I've been crying eyes!"

The bus ride was alright. I sat next to a guy who was sleeping, but didn't realize that he was going to flare his freaking elbows out towards my seat. Grr. I hate riding the bus. While it's a nice bus, my anxiety gets me flustered and makes me so nauseous. It's rediculous, I know. I need to go to the doctor and get a new prescription for my Lexapro.

I thought it was going to be freezing this morning (around 20 degrees), but instead it was 30, which I'm oddly getting used to. My mom got me a fantastic Tahari pea coat (I love everything Tahari), that's been keeping me warm on the few chilly mornings/days we've had. Tonight it's "supposed" to get down to around 18 degrees, and if it does, it will be the coldest temperature I've ever experienced. From what I'm told though, there will be much colder nights, as in single digit temperatures. Oh. Joy.

Speaking of cold weather, the dry air and wind here is wreaking havok on my poor skin. The skin on my face is in freak-out mode and the rest of my skin is looking alligatorish. I think the face skin problem is realted to me abandoning the only thing that's ever worked wonders on my face. It's made by Desert Essence and the product is Throughly Clean Face Wash. It's such a simple face wash and it's the only thing that keeps my skin clear. It's Tea tree oil based with glycerine soap (and while I hated the smell at first, over five years ago, I love the scent now!) The bottle is average size, but because it's glycerine, it lathers really well and you only need a single pump to wash your face. I personally use it everywhere, pits and all, since Tea Tree Oil is a natural antiseptic! Even better, it's only $4.99 at Whole Foods, although, when I lived in California I bought it at Trader Joe's (where I discovered this gem!)

Here's their description:

Desert Essence Thoroughly Clean Face Wash and all Desert Essence formulas are animal and eco-friendly. The formulas are pH balanced and are gentle on your skin. They contain essential oils as well as pure plant and botanical extracts with natural fragrances to provide you with consistent performance.

Desert Essence Thoroughly Clean Face Wash is a gentle cleansing solution that leaves your skin feeling clean and silky. This unique face wash contains natural Organic Tea Tree Oil, an inherent antiseptic. Also included are extracts of Goldenseal, Hawaiian White Ginger (Awapuhi), and essential oil of Chamomile. Mineral-rich Bladderwrack, harvested from the sea, nourishes the skin to leave it looking vibrantly healthy. Thoroughly Clean Face Wash ever so gently helps improve the texture, clarity, and radiance of your skin.

The other product that's getting me through winter thus far was a gift from MFG's sister, who's currently residing with us. It's from The Body Shop and it's the Moringa Body Butter. I'm sure any of their body butters work amazingly, but I am partial to floral (not including rose) scents.

Well the computer at work is taking a No. 2, so I will try and save and continue at a later time!

So here we go again, try numero dos.

Here's The Body Shop, Body Butter:

Best if you want to: Soften and condition your skin with a rich floral-scented moisturizing cream that lasts up to 24 hours.

Best for: normal to dry skin

How it works:

• Moringa seed oil with natural oleic acid moisturizes and protects skin.
• Community Trade shea butter moisturizes and softens skin.
• Community Trade cocoa butter is an excellent moisturizer that melts at body temperature.