Baby it's cold outside...

I don't know if you're aware, but it's Winter.  I know some of you back home are witnessing blooming plants, wearing sunglasses and t-shirts, and getting your bikinis ready.  I don't want to hear about it anymore.  It's colder than a witch's ti  freezing here.  Literally.  Freezing.  Actually, it's way below freezing.

  

Europe has been in a cold snap for the past week, but it seems like an eternity.  It all started on January 31st.  We got about 5-6 inches of snow in one day and the cold has stayed.  Even Italy and Greece got pummeled with snow.  Apparently we're getting some of that crazy Russian/Arctic air and it's causing problems.  Ukraine has been hit the hardest and yesterday I read that 135 people have died there as a result of the -26 degree (Fahrenheit) temperatures.  -26.  I can't even fathom what that would feel like!   

 

  

Here in Geneva it's currently -8 degrees with the windchill.  I don't think I've ever experienced being this cold.  Here are some signs that indicate it's  -8 degrees:

• Snot runs down your face and you can't feel it.  It may or may not freeze instantly.

A Hughes family favorite... Dumb & Dumber

"You've had extra gloves this whole time!?"

• You swear you have frostbite on all extremeties, despite 7 layers of clothing

Another favorite

• You wear snow gear while inside (scarf, leg warmers, hat, gloves, etc.)
• Your dogs don't even like going out.  They may or may not lift their paws from the ice, which is an indication that they are not fit for outdoor survival and want to be carried. {That actually only describes Jackson.  Rocco is like a polar bear... loves it.}

  

• General feeling of depression... and you loathe Winter.
• A desire to stay indoors... at all costs.  Your body will tell you that you don't need to go out to the grocery.  "You don't need to eat!  Stay in and wrap up in a blanket!"
• Rivers may begin to freeze.  Yes, rivers.  This river (Arve) comes from the Alps... it was freezing back in the Summer when we 'rafted' down it.  I can't imagine how cold it is now.

I never thought I'd wish for it to be 33 degrees, but I do.  This negative stuff is horrible.  

123 degrees in Phoenix  >  -8 in Geneva.


Go away Winter!!!

  

These pictures are from a crazy ice storm in Geneva a few years back... I think 2007.  Yes, this happened where we currently live.  Thank goodness it hasn't been this bad. 

Hope everyone is staying warm!  

Minor Differences III

Here are some more things that are a little bit different around the house..

 Hamburger buns are not pre-sliced.  Seriously.  Good thing we noticed before the Summer barbecues resume.  This could potentially cause a meltdown.

Tubed condiments.  Guess how long it took us to find mustard?  At least three grocery trips.  The "Thomy" one is mustard, blue is mayo, and the other two are tomato paste.  Ketchup comes in the regular bottle.

We take peanut butter consumption seriously.  We use every ounce of JIF we bring back.  PB over here isn't the same, so we import.  If your dog needs a good 17 hour distraction, then here's an idea.  Rocco wears himself out licking this thing.

 We have crazy 'garage door' shades on all the windows... as does every single window around town.  It's kind of awesome.  Hot?  They cool the place down.  Cold?  They keep the heat in.  Need for a cave-like sleeping area?  Perfect.  I don't care that it makes our place look like a high security prison. 

 A lot of old buildings were built with these 'natural fridges.'  Ours is below our kitchen window and it literally has a hole in the wall to the outside.  This little cabinet is pretty cold... and weird.  We keep our beer in it.  I also do a frequent spider and critter check.

 Do you know what this is?  It's not an antique.  Well, maybe it is, but we actually use these for all of our doors except the main one.  Yep.  Skeleton keys. 

 Pardon the gross bathroom.  Have you ever sat on a throne like this?  I thought these things only existed for doll houses.  It flushes like a 787.

If you are under the age of 265 then you might not know what this is.  It's a towel warmer... or a heater.  We have one in each room and they are tricky little monsters.  You have to turn them off and back on every few days or else they will just stop circulating the hot water.  So weird, but they work well when they actually work.  Our apartment is toasty during this current 6 inch snow fest.... I'm really not sure how much snow we got, but it's a lot.  

Au revoir!