Little Dude ran from window to window. He said to me, “Mommy, why are bits of paper towels falling from the sky”! I replied and told him it was snow! Then he ran from window to window screaming, “Santa is coming”! Snow, snow, and more snow fell from the sky with no end in sight. It was beautiful and the first time Little Dude saw snow! He was so excited he didn’t know what to do first!
We had no idea what we were in for when we left our life in Florida for a life in the Northeast. Flip- flops, shorts, tank tops, and bathing suites were our wardrobe. When my husband was promoted and told us we would be moving to the Northeast. We were excited for seasons. We had no idea what the winter would bring… Moving North should had come with an instruction book… a shopping list… and a warning!
… Northerner Warning…
Welcome to the coldest place on earth.
“Be Prepared”!
Do not listen to these Northerners when they say we would probably have a “mild winter”. They were lying! There is no such thing as a “mild winter” in the Northeast. Yes! I needed a shovel! We waited for the first snow then had to ask our neighbor to borrow one! Oh yes, we needed rock salt too, and it was not for our margaritas. We needed a winter jacket, warm cloths, socks, long underwear, hats, and gloves. I had no idea I needed to shop for winter clothes in September because everything was sold out by the first storm when I decided to go shopping!
“Layers”!
As the Northerners say, layer yourself up. Long underwear or “Under Layer”, tee- shirts, long sleeves, sweaters, scarves and jackets… I looked like I had gained 600 pounds, but really, I didn’t really need to put my arms down. I just needed more layers! Welcome to Northeast! Fashion goes out the window… and it becomes about keeping warm! Snow boots are helpful and required. No, sneakers will not work…
“Super Bowl”!
Every snowstorm was like the “Super Bowl”. This one was the biggest and then nothing! All the hoopla… “We would be trapped indoors”, “stock up”! The store shelves will be bare and people will be going crazy! “This was it,” the weatherman predicts… “The Super Bowl of all storms”! And we waited, waited, and nothing! Not even a flurry. Welcome to the Northeast!
“Hibernation”!
Hibernation was not just for the bears; it was a real thing among Northerners. We did not see anyone until spring. I only saw some kids in “layers” sleigh riding, and some footprints in the snow. I had to get organized before I left the house because I had to go out and pry open my car door, start my car 20 minutes before I had to go anywhere to warm it up!
“Bundle up”!
Bundling up was quite an adventure. Putting on my coat, my boots, scarf, hat, gloves, like that wasn’t enough… Then, I had to get my Little Dude ready, and let me tell you how hard it is to zip the coat of someone who won’t stand still. Oh and then the mittens! Seriously, it was like moving, every time I left the house. 20 minutes later… I might be on my way! Welcome to the Northeast!
Our adventure of moving to the Northeast has been a celebration of firsts for us. Little Dude’s first sight of the fallen snow, the amazement and curiosity on his face was a memory I would never forget. Exploring, playing, sled riding, and making snow angels. To witness the smiles, the wonder, and the happiness as he sled down the hill for the first time, or when he saw an icicle.
To hear Little Dude say, every time it snowed, “Mommy, Santa’s coming tonight” are words I will never get tired of hearing.
Welcome to the Northeast…
I actually LOVE snow but not when it’s so so freezing outside because then it’s no fun to play in! “Paper towels falling from sky” is precious!
Thank you!
Wow! Don’t know how I would survive in that weather. It’s a good thing that your little guy enjoyed watching the snow 🙂
It’s hard! LOL
I wanna experience this at least once in my lifetime! 🙂
What’s you address? I’ll send you some!
I grew up in TX, and now live in UT. I’ve TOTALLY acclimated and now am one of those “northerners” that probably give warnings that aren’t very accurate. My kids want to wear shorts if it’s 40 degrees. 🙂
OMG! I went running in 40 degrees and nearly froze! I can’t get use to it.
I want some snow! We occasionally get some here in central NC, but each winter is different. Last one we had several snows and a huge ice storm. This winter, nothing so far.:-( It just doesn’t feel like winter if we don’t get at least a little snow!
That is good! I like no snow!
Ah… this is ALL SO TRUE!! I laughed at each one of these. I really would pick Florida over the Northeast… 🙂 I think it’s time to move…
Please tell my hubs that! And his pay check! LOL
This was great to read and it makes me miss the winter weather we don’t get in Texas. I know…sometimes it’s probably a “grass is greener” thing and sometimes it is nice to wear shorts in January…but reading about your snow experiences makes me wish it was just a teensy bit cooler here. And, “paper towels falling from the sky…” so cute!
Thank you!
Hard to imagine–we are just sweltering here today–but I know it will be coming!
I know it! I’m so not looking forward to winter! Thanks for stopping by!
I’m a Texan that now lives in UT, so I get it. It’s crazy at first, but now I absolutely LOVE it!!
Thanks for sharing that! Thanks for stopping by!
We lived in Michigan until a couple years ago. There’s nothing like the excitement of a snow day. Now we live in Washington. We get snow occasionally. Once this year 1/4 inch. We’ve totally adapted to the weather out here. It was 28 degrees and I was complaining that it was freezing. Family and friends back in Michigan weren’t impressed. They just wanted to be out of the negative temps. It’s awesome to see the kids excited when it snows though.
Yes! For sure! Thanks for stopping by!