<p>I saw a set of photos posted on Facebook of bubbles that were blown in bitter cold temperatures. They froze after landing or while in the air. The sun was shining through them. They were like beautiful blown glass art.</p>
<p>Those pictures were very cool. I saw them too. I considered looking to see if we still had bubble stuff around. If we do, it’s in the basement.</p>
<p>OU just closed tomorrow as well! We’re all partially in shock and partially grateful that we don’t have to walk 10 minutes to class in - 26 weather and get frostbite.</p>
<p>Western, Eastern, Wayne State are closed, too. No word on Michigan campuses or MSU.</p>
<p>Many, many flights from yesterday, today, and tomorrow are being rescheduled for Wednesday/Thursday. This is what the university released: <a href=“http://record.umich.edu/articles/crews-working-across-campus-clear-snow-address-storm-issues[/url]”>http://record.umich.edu/articles/crews-working-across-campus-clear-snow-address-storm-issues</a></p>
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<p>We have several department where if you don’t show up on the first day and there’s a waitlist, you’ll be dropped.</p>
<p>MSU closed until noon tomorrow.
U of M Flint & Dearborn closed tomorrow again.</p>
<p>Harvest…which “OU”?</p>
<p>Most Wisconsin schools are closed tomorrow again. UW is not in session yet.</p>
<p>thumper, I am almost certain she is referring to Oakland University :)</p>
<p>CPS (Chicago Public Schools) are closed again tomorrow as are many of the suburban districts. </p>
<p>Our town’s garbage collection was not able to operate today (landfills are not open), so at least at this point, all garbage collection is delayed a day this week (if they do not operate tomorrow, it will be delayed two days).</p>
<p>I had a physical therapy appointment today at noon. Half of my PT’s patients cancelled, so I got double time with her today! There were plenty of people at the gym affiliated with the PT clinic, and plenty of people at the grocery store and post office.</p>
<p>I really don’t think U of M AA will ever close unless there is a massive blizzard with dangerously high winds right in the middle of the school day and the roof of the union blows off and crushes Angell Hall and CC little spontaneously combusts. And an asteroid hits the chem building. In that order. If it happens out of order they won’t close.</p>
<p>DS is working part-time at our local Crate & Barrel - they called this morning to say the store wasn’t opening today. It’s in an outdoor mall; the mall itself was open. Very glad C&B cared enough to protect their employees.</p>
<p>I have already been outdoors when it’s been 20 below or thereabouts and have no desire to repeat the experience. As some of you know, I’ve been trying to get DS to move away from Chicagoland to a warm weather climate for many years. Even this does not seem to spur him. 
Our house is not so good at handling sub-zero temps so I’m staying in the warmest rooms, which fortunately includes the room with the computer!</p>
<p>I just watched the evening news, which of course had 15 minutes regarding how cold it is. It’s scary out there. Stay warm, people.</p>
<p>I can’t even imagine how cold it must be for all of you in the mid-west. I am not going even going to complain that the high here tomorrow is supposed to be 11. Downright balmy in comparison.</p>
<p>Thanks, emily. It is all relative, though. Here in the midwest we are more acclimated to the cold in general, but this is still very unpleasant. It’s funny–earlier this week I had decided that anything 15 or above was comfortable as long as the sun was shining and it wasn’t windy. I haven’t even gone out today. Tomorrow I won’t have a choice. :(</p>
<p>D’s having a sleepover, no school again tomorrow in Ohio. At present they’re tossing cups of boiling water into the air to watch them turn into clouds.</p>
<p>I bundled up and threw on a blanket to go grab the mail. </p>
<p>I never, ever want to feel -40 degree weather again.</p>
<p>Ema: That was hilarious.</p>
<p>Neighbor has a son going to OCC. The television says closed for them, but no word about tomorrow. Most others say either closed Tuesday or closed until Tuesday.</p>
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<p>Depending on where you live & where you park your car, you can buy an inexpensive electric heater for your engine block and/or oil pan, and run it by extension cord to an outlet, e.g., in your garage. Keeps the engine and the oil somewhat warm, makes it much easier to start, and reduces engine wear from cold starts. Some of these are really simple, e.g., attaching by magnet to your engine block or oil pan. You don’t need to keep the engine warm 24/7, so it’s best if you can rig it up with a timer to start heating your engine 3-4 hours before you plan to start it. You can probably find everything you need at a good auto parts store. </p>
<p>You see some parking lots and parking ramps in northern Minnesota and Ontario with row after row of electrical outlets because these engine/oil pan heaters are so commonly used in extremely cold climates.</p>
<p>Some of you know that I work as a leasing agent in an apartment complex. The mail carrier takes her 15 minute afternoon break in our office. She uses the bathroom, chats a bit, has a smoke with the office manager, then is off.</p>
<p>Today she was too cold to talk. She was able to nod her head when I asked if she wanted a hot chocolate. She then took off her boots and promptly took off two pairs of soaking wet socks. We don’t know how they got wet, the snow is too frozen to melt and there were no cracks in her boots.</p>
<p>My boss promptly took the socks, got 2 quarters and threw the socks into the dryer in the laundry room next door.</p>
<p>You should have heard the sigh of relief and big smile when that mail lady put toasty warm socks back on.</p>
<p>We had no mail delivery or garbage pick up today. That’s the only time that has ever happened in my memory.</p>