Emergency Preparedness

Earlier today I was snuggled deep under my blankets looking at the weather reports, contemplating whether or not I really think a hurricane can actually effect a town 5 hours inland. For a few minutes I started to plan what I would do when this idea of a hurricane dumps several inches of snow on my home in the mountains.
I planned what comfort foods I could eat, what sweatshirt I would wear, and most importantly, what I would watch on Netflix to keep me entertained.*
It all sounded so lovely- a fire in the fireplace, Netflix, blankets, hot chocolate.
It really was going to be a nice couple of days.
And then I remembered I work from home. I freelance. I don't get snow days.
And then the weather models changed. No more freak storm headed at us. Just some rain and a 40 degree temperature drop. (not cool!)
I'm a little disappointed.
So long, Hurricane Sandy. We hardly knew ye. 

*I had decided it is finally time to sit down and get involved with "Doctor Who." I'm a nerd girl to the core. I just haven't had the time yet to watch it. But I fully expect to become a huge fan when I do finally get past the first episode. I've been waiting for a good stomach flu or appendicitis or something to give me the time needed to invest in the series.

the clock is ticking

About 8-10 inches of snow up there on the mountain yesterday! (depending on where you measured!)

Less than 24 hours left till I have to decide and commit, and no, I am no closer today than I was on Saturday to making my decision.
However, I have perfected the art of distraction and procrastination.
Still no sign of the decision fairies.
I'm acting so out of character living in denial, and not trying to gather as much information about both of my situations as possible, that I barely know who I am.
I even baked a chocolate cake and didn't eat it. It's still just sitting there. I'm not even turning to comfort foods.
This is just weird.
Meanwhile, there's a whole lotta this going on around here-

My cat is crazier than your cat!

 

I swore I wasn't going to sit around and blog about how my cat is the cutest or craziest. But somethings must be shared. 

Today was flippin' freezin' cold here in the land of Deseret. We're talking a high of 20. FREEZING. And yet, today is the day that a flock of birds suddenly appeared in my neighborhood, go figure.

My cat, who is currently going by the name of Bocephus, (or just Bo for short), likes to sit in the windowsill or by the sliding glass door and look at whatever birds are in the area. He can frequently be seen on his hind legs, face and paws pressed to the glass, crying for the birds. It can be pretty amusing. 

Today the new flock of birds (oh how I wish there were seagulls so I could say 'flock of seagulls') decided to light upon the building across from my balcony. Bo spent several minutes at the sliding glass door crying for the birds. After a few minutes he came over and nipped my heels. This was an unusual action for him. He would nip me then run back over to the door. I finally caught on that he wanted me to follow him. (He's nothing if not a very smart cat. He also flushes toilets. Can your cat do that?? Didn't think so!) 

So I got up and followed him the 5 ft to the door. He pawed at the door for a minute. I caught on that he wanted out- on to the snow covered, freezing cold, balcony. I opened it and let him out. A split second later he jumped into my arms. This is one of those cute but annoying habits he has. He will vertical jump straight up and on to my chest when he wants me to hold him. If I don't see him coming I get claws in unfortunate places. 

This time I happened to be watching, so I caught him without the claws to the boobs. 

So I held him for a second, confused as to what he wanted. He cuddled up against me, then turned his head back around so he could keep crying at the birds.

My stinking cat is so spoiled that he wanted me to go outside and hold him so he wouldn't have to stand in the snow while he cried/stalked the birds!

My cat is THAT neurotic!

Sometimes I like to give myself props

Utah is freaking freezing.
A few days ago I was talking with my cousin-friend* Matt who is my opposite in a funny way. Matt grew up in Utah, but ended up in Virginia for school, and is now back in UT. I grew up in Virginia, went to school in UT, went back to VA, and am now back in UT. We were talking about the weather, and I commented on the never ending winter and snow here. He laughed and replied, "Virginia was COLD!"
And he's right, VA was cold. But we have these blessed warm strange spikes in weather all the time. Al Gore calls it global warming. I call it a Godsend.
Utah, for those who are unaware, is a Godforsaken state. I can prove it. We never have those all important warm weather spikes. Those spikes are what keep people from falling into massive depression from the darkness, ice, snow, dirty ugly highways, and big muddy piles of more snow. Oh and my favorite, the dangerously dangling and dripping and falling icicles that double as life threatening spears if you don't think to look ALL ways before entering buildings.
But tonight I found a little moment of happiness in spite of the freaking Utah winter.
I went to REI (to buy tickets to the Banff Film Festival). And there was a 50% clearance sale.
And I didn't buy anything. I withheld. I was amazing. I chose to NOT spend money. In spite of the freezing weather, ice puddles (something I think are unique to Utah), and my numb fingers, I did not buy every fleece jacket and warm sweater I saw in there. This is nothing short of a miracle.
Now my ADD brain must ask my next odd question. (There was a connection here in my brain from freezing and wanting warm clothes to being cold in my apartment and having to pay utilities.)
I have managed to live on my own for the better part of 15 years now and have never had to pay utilities. I have always lived in places where utilities were included. And now here it is, the dead of winter, in a state where the snow won't stop coming down, and I have to pay utilities. And I'm paranoid about the bill being outrageously high. If you know me, you know I HATE being cold. As I write this I am wearing fleece sweats, socks, under a furry blanket, sitting on a heating pad, with the heat set at 72, and I'm just barely warm. Actually, my feet are very cold and it is time for me to move the heating pad from my back to my feet.
So the question- how do you keep warm in a cold state in a very drafty apartment? How do you keep the utilities bill down? I have to pay electric, gas, and water. I'm not worried about the water. But I have a gas fireplace. And my hot water heater runs off the gas too. Anyone have any suggestions for staying warm without paying an outrageous utilities bill? (And no, we don't do that averaged out payment thing here.)
Ooh, but on the subject of saving money, can I just say how cool it is that I have lived here 8 days now, and have only used up half a tank of gas? I'm loving my 4 mile commute to work. My car insurance went up thanks to the new location and the car accident, but my gas bill has gone down big time!!

Wordless Wednesday