Today we are getting our first “snowstorm” in ages.  Seriously I can’t remember the last time we had actual SNOW accumulation (though most Virginians call any snow sighting a “storm” and bumrush Ukrops for bread and milk, two random items I wouldn’t necessarily choose if stranded for weeks on end).  “Snow” around here usually makes me laugh.  Tangentially, Virginia drivers see snow and either drive 5 mph, or stop in the middle of a highway if it gets too scary, or decide that since they have a big Suburban (4WD, y’all!), they can drive 80 mph over the Willey Bridge. 

Apparently, 10 years of living amongst the snowstorm=bread and milk crowd is enough to indoctrinate me into the way a true Southerner greets the fluffy white stuff.  As soon as the national weather outlets began reporting the likelihood of snow, I immediately started planning for school closings and snow forts.  When it actually DID start snowing, I was . . . wait for it . . . EXCITED.  Me.  The girl from Traverse City, Michigan - excited over snow.  I’ve been away from it long enough where snow is a novelty once again, and the idea of PLAYING in it actually sounds appealing.  YAY ME! 

I was nearly as excited as the girls.  We couldn’t wait to don our snow gear and frolic in the clumpy cold wetness.  We stayed up late until our neighbors came out, and we all acted like idiots in the yard.  Our neighbors are from Wisconsin and Pennsylvania, so they have an appreciation (and loathing) for snow.  Since it only happens once every 5 years or so, we can let go of the hate and vitriol we once all contained inside ourselves for the crystal water, and act like crazy people by lobbing snowballs at each other’s heads.  It’s all good.

It feels good to call this crazy place home now.  It’s hilarious to me that the person who used to drive regularly in 4 feet of snow is suddenly excited about 1 foot of snow.  It’s even funnier that I am AFRAID to drive in the snow (though I admit that most of my fear stems from everyone around me on the road never having heard of “pump your brakes”). 

Mike is staying home until the roads clear, so we will continue the Cold Miser festivities by making snowmen and angels tomorrow morning.  Thankfully I have bread AND milk, so we should survive.