OMFG. I am home today because the university I work at is closed due to

[catbyte]

"extreme weather", and now they are predicting the threat of a "significant ice storm" for Friday night/Saturday. COME ON! We Michiganders have been hammered since the first week of December. It took almost 8 days for the power to be restored at the home of one of my best friends who lives on the Allegan/Barry County line. We definitely do not need another ice storm on top of the 12"-20" of snow we're now getting. If the predicted storm materializes, I'm sure there will be ice jams on the Grand River & will flood. Rick "The Dictator" Snyder was interviewed on WOODTV 8 and he was his usual wormy self, spewing crap about how great Michigan is, but not promising concrete help to hard hit communities. He's worse than useless.

The temperature is plunging, snow is falling, and the wind is picking up. I am so grateful I don't have to go anywhere today. Everybody stay safe!

[Siwsan]

1. I saw that Friday forecast, too

Right now we are at just a 20% chance of precip and it will be in the mid 30's. But those weather forecasts should be re-named weather guesses.

I'm still waiting on another message from work. I shoveled a 2 foot drift from my front sidewalk, this morning. It looks like someone in the neighborhood tried to plow a trail on the road, but I'm not sure how successful it is.

They said we got 16.2 inches of snow. I suspect it was slightly more. My neighbor said he will use his BIG snow blower to clear my driveway, for me. Even so, if the office opens it's less than a 50/50 chance if I'll even try to make it in. I'll have to investigate that plowed trail and see if it actually leads to a subdivision exit.

OOPS - it's a 20% chance of precip during the day, 80% at night. AGHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Damn, I hope they are wrong!!!!!!

[catbyte]

2. Expect the wind to kick up on your side of the state in a couple of hours.

The snow had stopped for awhile, but now it's coming down at an inch or two per hour rate, all lake effect. The band of snow currently over us now is the leading edge of the Arctic air. Just stay home. You might not get the snow we are getting, but the stuff you did get will start to blow around.

[Siwsan]

4. Wind is calm, right now, but they said to expect -20 to -30 wind chills tonight and tomorrow

I want to get out and clear the driveway before it gets that bitter cold and with my neighbor's help, I'm sure we can do it. I live just 2 miles from work but my fear is setting out and having problems half way - it's just too cold to walk back to the house or on to the building.

I think Genesee County is going to get a HUGE back lash for not declaring a state of emergency. Huge. Shiawassee County did declare and their snowfall was no greater than ours.

[catbyte]

7. LOL, I just opened a window so my rescue kitten, Otis, could experience the storm.

He's 7.5 months old, so this is the first winter blast he's ever experienced. The window faces northwest, so the wind was blowing the snow right in on us. It is FRIGID. Otis fuzzed all up and gave me the most horrified look as if to say, "MOM! Make it stop! What is this?!?" A friend found Otis alone in the woods when he was a little guy, so I am so glad he found him and now he's my little guy. Well, big guy. He's already 12 pounds, LOL I feel for all creatures--human and non-human alike--who are out in this weather. Otis is now curled up in my lap, cozy & warm. Life is good.

[Siwsan]

9. My cats, Sophie and Boudica, just sit and stare out the window

The breeze is starting to pick up so I'm about to head out and clear the driveway. A neighbor plowed the road to the exit so supposedly we can get out. The chief moron in the county office never called a state of emergency and I never got another notification from work so I might head up the street, a little before noon, to see I actually can get to the main road. I've got 2 weeks worth of work piled up and waiting for me and I wouldn't mind making a small dent. There won't be many people there, and that's my favorite work environment. But, if it's the least bit dicey, I'm heading back home.

[catbyte]

12. Be careful out there!

[Siwsan]

17. I've officially given up

My snow blower, that always starts, won't. The wind is now whipping "snow devils" everywhere and the drifting is actually closing some stretches of freeways. Yet, our HR and security people think it's safe for people to be on the roads??? Bastard People, the lot. I emailed and called my manager and told her I'd make a 'good faith effort' to get in, but it's not likely to happen.

I'm about to post a photo of my little blue Saturn. Should give people a graphic idea of what we are dealing with, and why we might be a little whiney, right now.

[catbyte]

19. Good for you! I can't understand the mindset of people who value business over

Public Safety. I hope tomorrow is better for you. It's now -1F with wind chill of -32F. The temperature has dropped 31F in the last 10 hours.

[Siwsan]

21. Our previous CEO would never have opened the building

He absolutely valued his employees and their safety. This current guy made this same irresponsible decision once before, while on vacation in Arizona. I hope sorry ass is at least in town, AND was in the building, today. And they wonder why I will be leaving the instant I qualify for our retirement benefits. It's just not the employee valued company I hired into, thanks to the soul less yuppie spawn who have taken over upper management.

We are at 3 with a wind chill of -20. I just looked out at the driveway and it's still pretty clear. I'm worried about the drive, tomorrow, short as it will be, so I'm packing emergency supplies, just in case.

One more day........ that's what I keep telling myself.

[catbyte]

22. Frigid air is headed your way. Expect your temps to be below 0F in a couple of hours.

I think I should go out to at least start my Jeep, but I really don't want to, lol. I will, though! When can you retire?

[Siwsan]

25. The forecast is -7 with possible -40 wind chill

Right now it's 0 with a -21 wind chill. I just finished clearing the mess that the snow plow made, TWICE. I appreciate how fast they are clearing our road, but damn. He made one pass - not a horrible mess in the driveway, and the road was clear. I spent about 5 minutes clearing it. Just as I finished, there he was, again. And, I SWEAR he looked me straight in the eye as he aimed for a huge pile of already plowed snow, and pushed it right in front of me, totally blocking my driveway! So, another 15 minutes in this frigid air, shoveling that away. I kept my layered clothes on for the longest time, expecting him to swing by again, but I think he's done.

My neighbor watched him do the same thing, up the street, to another neighbor. If he wanted to clear that snow, he could hit it from the opposite direction and push it where there are NO driveways. But, I guess that wouldn't satisfy his sadistic nature. Ok, I'm guessing he's a sadist. He might just be very, very tired.

And I'm very cranky.

Hopefully we will both feel much brighter, tomorrow!!

[FourScore]

27. Need Anything?

[Siwsan]

28. They'd feel very comfortable in my back yard, right now (photo)

[catbyte]

29. LOL, FourScore!

[ConcernedCanuk]

3. Found a weather forecast of FB today

.
.
.

It might explain a lot



Don't worry

We're gettin' our share up here too

It don't stop at the border



CC

[Siwsan]

5. That's the most accurate weather map I've ever seen!!

If this is going to be our new weather pattern, I might have to invest in one of those 'snow machines'.

[etherealtruth]

6. They closed MSU as well

(which is truly a shock) ... the "kids' were able to return a day early in anticipation of the bad weather (Saturday vs Sunday) ... and then they (rightly) cancelled classes for today. One cafeteria in each area will be open ... I am thankful my daughter is well stocked (r/t food)!

[Marrah_G]

8. I feel so badly for all of you out there

[safeinOhio]

16. Here in my little Ohio town

it just warmed up in the last two hours to a balmy -43 from a chilly -47.

[Marrah_G]

18. that is just insane

I have lived in New England all my life and I am having a hard time wrapping my brain around what you all are going through.

[mstinamotorcity2]

10. Saw Tricky Rick last night on WDIV.

He stated that he has ordered all state trucks and state police to be out and about. I am quite sure he meant Lansing and Ann Arbor. Its the only part of the State he cares about.

[catbyte]

14. You got that right, but I not so sure he even cares about those 2 places

Well, except for maybe the street in front of his gaudy McMansion in A2. The Governor's Mansion wasn't good enough for him. Pretentious cretin.

[mstinamotorcity2]

15. He is busy trying to rig the 2014

race for the Governorship. That shit about being the Nerd is not working in this Blue State. He wished like Hell his Republican buddies hadn't come up with that "Rape Insurance" mess. He needs women to win. He needs African Americans to win. He needs educational providers to win. He needs union members to win. In November he will need a car and driver to take him back to Ann Arbor to his hideous wife with her hateful self.

[Pathwalker]

20. Rick Snyder cares about Lansing?

When did this happen? I live near Lansing and have NEVER seen any sign that he gives a damn about the place! At least Virg Bernero declared a snow emergency, and ordered every vehicle off the streets. MSU is closed, GM has shut down in Lansing, The State Government has closed, all the schools are closed. No sign of snow plows. It's official - we're snowed in.

[mstinamotorcity2]

24. Hey I just saw the Nerd.

I did not say he was truthful Gov. Snyder made that statement during a catch news conference. I am glad that somebody from Lansing knows he is a Koch puppet.

[kelliekat44]

11. Stay safe AND WARM. Help the homeless if you can. nt

[Common Sense Party]

13. Here's your 5-day forecast:

[LeftishBrit]

23. Stay safe and warm!

[upaloopa]

26. I remember once living west of Kalamazoo in the boonies in the 70's

the scroll on the TV in the morning said "do not go outside you may die"

[Pathwalker]

30. This storm has cost the life of a very good young man.

My son found out this evening that one of his very best friends has died after suffering a heart attack after shoveling snow in this terrible, bitter weather. His name was Jeff, a nice young man, never in the best of health, whom we have known since our sons were in cub scouts together. He still lived at home, as caretaker for his mother, who has MS, and his frail,aging grandmother. They found him on the kitchen floor, he'd come in to warm up and eat something before going back outside. Jeff's father had died a few short years ago, and his only sibling, a sister died years ago in a tragic auto accident, so Jeff was the only one who could care for his mother and grandmother. He was a good kid, and a fine young man, gone too soon. My son is devastated, we are in tears, and we are so very sad for his sweet mother.

There is so many more important things in life than arguing about belief systems. Hug your loved ones, tell your friends you care, stay safe, be warm, and be NICE! No one knows how long we will have those we love.

Peace.

[catbyte]

31. Oh, Pathwalker I'm so very sorry. Please know that all of you are in my thoughts.

Please give your son a hug for me.