We had a narrow miss with winter weather Thursday night. Our forecast looked grim and cold for Thursday night and Friday, with snow estimates from 9-12 inches. That’s a whole lot of snow for where I live, haha! I know you Northerners are cackling, but it’s true. We are not built for winter down in the South.
I made a big grocery order because that’s what you do when a winter storm is coming. You lose your ever-loving mind and ransack the grocery stores for milk, bread, and toilet paper. Right?? Well, I did NOT do that, but I did make a Walmart pickup order that will be topping us off for the week ahead. I just made it a couple of days earlier than usual. In any case, the little bit extra I added was all for naught. Once the snow and ice hit the Mississippi River (I live about 20 miles east of it), it all changed over to rain for us, and the snow and ice went just north of us. It was a wintry mix for most of the night, but by Friday morning, it was just cold rain. The silver lining was that with some help, I could get the house ready with clean sheets on the beds and all clothes washed in case we lost power. So, because we were ready, we could spend a relaxing couple of days together as a family.
Taking Care of Business
It’s been a slow week around here. The Teen is still on Christmas break from college, but he will start back Monday morning. I spent most of Thursday making sure his account was in good standing, and his classes were still a go. All good! We forgot to sell his psychology book back to the school bookstore before the break, so I listed it on eBay, and I hope it will sell. We won’t get near as much as we had to pay, but every bit helps.
On Tuesday, I did a big girl thing and got my first shingles shot. Since I’m 50, I am now eligible for it, so I decided to just go for it. I got it done at Walgreens, which was free with our insurance. By the time I got home, there was a big red welt on my arm, and it felt heavy and sore. A few hours later, I noticed I was feeling very tired, and by bedtime, I had to pop some Motrin and take a hot bath because I had chills and was so cold. I slept very well, and the next day was a little more of the same until around noon, when it had been 24 hours. I felt a lot better, but my arm still felt sore. I had a great nap that afternoon, and by the time I got up, I felt much, much better.
I’m writing this Friday night, and my arm is still red, but there is no more pain. I had a very minor case of shingles on my abdomen three years ago, and it was not a fun experience. If I can avoid that happening again, I will do what it takes. I go in for the second shot in two months.
Warming Up
I’m glad we will be warming up a little more these next few days (if you can call 40 degrees warm, haha), but I am very sorry about the fires out in California and the devastation it is causing. A couple from our church has a daughter who has lost her home to these fires. I’m sure anyone reading this probably knows of someone living near these fires. It looks very scary, and I pray everyone stays safe.
Good for you for getting your shingle shot. I am glad y’all missed the snow and stayed safe and warm. The fires are so sad to see on tv.
I feel so bad for the folks out there dealing with these fires. It’s just unbelievable and so sad. I’m glad we dodged that snow, too! I hope the next shingles shot will be just as uneventful. It wasn’t terrible at all!
Yep. I do the same when we expect a storm. And like you said, when it doesn’t come, at least things are in order! I got the shingles shot, too. I have heard horror stories about Shingles. Steve experienced what you did as well. Have a cozy Sunday, my friend!
Glad you’ve taken your shot, Billie Jo! My aunt had a terrible, terrible case of shingles and I always remembered how bad it was for her. I’m praying I can avoid all that! Hope y’all are staying warm and snuggly! I know y’all can really get some snow where you live!
It is too cold. Right. The only good thing about is that family time. I am just not a fan and do not need to see snow. I understand the young ones want to because it is so novel. You my dear are way better than me. I have been avoiding that shingles shot like the plague. Not sure why, but I turn 65 this year and the doctor is reminding me of it. I guess I need to bite the bullet and get it done.
Yes, do go and make time to get that shingles shot! I swore up and down I would never because I read too much sometimes and heard about side effects, etc., but it wasn’t terrible. I just keep telling myself I’d rather have the shot than the shingles! Haha! Hope y’all are warming up some. I know it has been unseasonably cold for y’all! It’s still too cold for me here. And lucky us, low temps in the teens for next week. UGH! We Mississippians are not built for this! Haha!
Glad you didn’t get the snow that was forecast for your area! I hope the side effects of the shingles vaccine go away soon. Thank you for the prayers for those of us facing fires in California.
It wasn’t bad at all, Bless. Literally about 24 hours of a little shoulder pain where they injected it and just feeling tired. But, rest is always a good thing in my book!
They told us we were getting a blizzard today, thankfully it was just a dusting and we went out to lunch with the kids instead. Glad you were spared, too!
Oh, lunch sounds so much more fun than being stuck inside! Haha! I’m so glad you could get out with your kids!
The shingles shots are some of the harder ones to get. I didn’t have too bad of a reaction, but most people I know did. I watched my mother suffer with shingles and it was bad. I am happy there is a vaccine for it now.
Yes, we are so fortunate to live in a time where we don’t have to endure the agony of some of these diseases, thanks to vaccines. It really wasn’t bad at all. I hate your poor mama had to endure the shingles. It’s just terrible, terrible stuff!
I haven’t got the shingles shot but I should! I’ve heard it’s one that does make people sick afterward.
Glad that storm didn’t hit you!
I’m so thankful that all I had was a little discomfort at the injection site and some lethargy. I expected it to be a lot worse. But yes, it’s one of those vaccines I definitely believe in.
No snow here in central Florida but it is cold. Yes, cold…right now at 10:27 am it’s like 52*. Wishing you a beautiful day, smiles.
Hey Linda! Hope you are warming up some. I know y’all aren’t used to some of the cold y’all have had recently. Well, you have been a New Yorker, so I know it didn’t phase YOU! Haha! We’ve been having some beautiful, sunny days reaching about 50 here. Looking forward to Spring for sure!
40* would almost be shorts weather here this week! Glad the snow missed you. I got hit 2X this week – a lot of shoveling. Guess that means I got a lot of exercise too!
Enjoy the quiet time. Stay safe.
Cheryl, I’m in awe that you can shovel! I don’t think I could if my life depended on it. Haha! But it is some great exercise for sure! You take care and be safe out there!
I’m not sure how much we got but thankfully it wasn’t 9-12 inches. In answer to the question in your comment on my bog – yes, I hopefully will be visiting France sometime at the end of the year or early next. Stay safe and warm~
Melanie, oh that is awesome you will get to make that trip! I bet it is so pretty there. I would love to visit there! I’m glad you didn’t get snowed in too bad. I thought of all my Tennessee friends when I was looking at the radar.