<p>It’s been snowing here near Portlandia for the last 6 hours and we have about a half a foot. The temp hasn’t budged at all - 18 degrees F and the wind is still blowing. The roads are a mess, there’s already a school bus off of the road, but everyone’s okay. People freak when we get this much snow and forget how to drive. So glad we don’t have to go out tonight.</p>
<p>Emaheevul, you new house is pretty!</p>
<p>Why thank you! I am quite fond of it. 
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<p>I just came in from making snow angels in the backyard… You can tell the age of different layers of snow because there are about 5-6 inches of powder, than an inch or two of ice, then another 5-6in of powder underneath that. All told the snow is just above knee high in most places with drifts up to my waist-- the drifts are crazy! The snowbanks in the driveway I think may be four feet… I anticipate I will find my kcups in the bushes when the delivery man does come.</p>
<p>Making snow angels in 2ft of snow is like snow pilates! :)</p>
<p>“Snow pilates” – love it!!</p>
<p>I had fun today walking on top of the icey topping on top of the snow. Fun, until I sank through up to my knees. Even my dogs are not enjoying it.</p>
<p>Oh cool, we can post pics now? In that case, I can change my avatar back to something I want it to be. </p>
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<a href=“https://scontent-b-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/t1/1800214_10153797002560177_114947910_n.jpg”>https://scontent-b-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/t1/1800214_10153797002560177_114947910_n.jpg</a>
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<p>This bird feeder is approximately 5 ft off the ground just off of my parents’ porch in northern Michigan (lower peninsula). </p>
<p>Ema, I love your house, but that driveway!! yikes.</p>
<p>Holy molly, the squirrel! It is a total LOL! As they say, even a blind squirrel finds a bird feeder in 5 ft of snow… 
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<p>LOL, BB. I then found this picture and posted it to my mother’s facebook. She was not nearly as amused as I was (she’s angry because the snow and squirrels are driving away her birdies)</p>
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<a href=“https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn2/t1/1796463_10153796562785177_874042623_n.jpg”>https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn2/t1/1796463_10153796562785177_874042623_n.jpg</a>
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<p>We actually have a squirrel feeder, or rather my mom does-- I have one but I haven’t set it up yet. It’s a little house with a ledge for them to stand on, and they learn to lift the lid and take peanuts out. When my mom forgets to refill it, they slam the lid down repeatedly and stare into the front window until she comes out with more. My mom names them. 
You can always tell when we get a new one because they can’t figure out how to get the peanuts out… it’s a riot!</p>
<p>The weather is really not doing good things for my driveway, snow banks aside. In October we needed a few minor repairs and all the contractors told us they were booked up for the remainder of the season and we’d have to wait until next year. Well, now I have craters in my driveway instead of minor cracks and the cement in front of the garage is two inches higher than the garage floor. There’s a big pit where the asphalt meets the concrete on the other side. I think I am in for a shock when the snow melts in the spring. </p>
<p>Yet another day tomorrow with no school, still in a state of emergency. Only one school in our district has power and it is being used as a shelter. The great thing is, there is a Facebook page for our town and it is filled with people offering to house people without heat, businesses offering free wi-fi and charging stations, and people giving updates on closed roads. I had to cancel an appointment in a nearby town because the roads are relatively clear of snow, but all three roads to get out of town are closed due to downed wires or trees or a water main break. It is getting very old. </p>
<p>My parents drove up today because they are without power and could not stand the freezing temps in their house one more day. </p>
<p>^that sounds unimaginably awful. And to think I complained about power outages in November when it was still in the 30s and 40s. </p>
<p>So sorry for those without power in this mess of a winter. Kids here are having their 7th weather day from school- for the cold this time. They shouldn’t have been in school Wednesday but the snow hit hardest while buses were picking up middle school and elementary school kids- high school was already in session by then. Today marks the day they have to start making up time. </p>
<p>Ema, that driveway heaving may settle back down when it warms up.</p>
<p>I had to spend some time outdoors yesterday and boy o boy was it cold! I am thinking of starting a bet on when the snow pile near my mailbox melts.</p>
<p>I’m figuring that at this rate, all the snow we have will be gone by – oh, July. 
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<p>I wouldn’t mind a slightly chilly April. April in Michigan can go from 75 degrees to snowing in the matter of a couple days (and the 75 feels boiling hot, because we’re still used to the snow.) I believe my wedding shower, booked for the first weekend in April, is booked for an indoor/outdoor covered deck at a restaurant on the river-- no air conditioning. If we have one of the 75-80 degree days it won’t be much fun.</p>
<p>Our subdivision was a complete swamp for months last spring because the water table is really high, I am afraid I may need to build an ark when all this snow starts melting. I have sincere doubts if it will ever really get to be bone dry this year… if it does it will take a very long time.</p>
<p>Love the cat story bunsen. Cats are too silly - but doggies too, not to mention squirrels. Did you get rain takeitin? We have sunny skies again today. I wonder when/if we’ll get more. So sorry for those freezing without power. </p>
<p>My poor dogs are able to walk and run on top of the snow, which is covered by a good inch of ice, but then every once in a while a paw falls through and they struggle to get out of the hole! Silly to watch, but I hope no one hurts themselves.</p>
<p>I’ve been taking them to the beach for exercise since the woods are totally covered with ice and we couldn’t walk there. Unfortunately they’re not crazy about the beach – no squirrels to chase – so we’re there only half an hour or so. I can’t wait until we get some above-freezing temps.</p>
<p>Day 3 of Snowmaggedon here in the hinterlands of Portlandia. We have well over a foot of snow and they’re calling for more snow and freezing rain this afternoon. At least it’s warmed up it’s 25 so it feels balmy. I like the snow – it’s a treat for us – but I can do without the freezing rain. The dog, however, is not really digging the snow. He really isn’t up for going out, unless it’s 2:30 in the morning! </p>
<p>Sounds like you NW’ers are getting a dose of NE weather this week–I feel for you; it’s not much fun–especially the snow plus freezing rain (never mind the constant dips to polar temps.)</p>
<p>So over this winter. We were supposed to get a little this morning, stopping around noon. It is now 5:30 where I live, and it’s still snowing. Now they say it will stop in an hour, and we’ll have a few hours of a break before more moves in overnight.</p>
<p>Counting down to FL visit. 5 days.</p>