Let It Snow or Maybe Not!

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Friday we were supposed to get snow.  In Pennsylvania when the weather forecasters call for snow, everyone and their mother runs to the store to buy milk, bread, and toilet paper.  I had an excuse, however, to be up at the store buying the same things and it had nothing to do with the weather.  I really was out of all three.  Trust me when I say if I thought I was going to be snowed in for a long period of time my grocery list would include ingredients for baking cookies, frozen pizzas, and Tylenol, in case I had to beat my head against the wall if the power went out.  When my turn came to be checked out, the check out guy decided I looked like a nice lady who would enjoy hearing his life story.  I learned he was from Puerto Rico and hated snow.  He didn’t like walking in snow, looking at snow, seeing snow fall, and it all stemmed from a time when he happened upon some black snow.  He actually asked the check out girl next to him if she could carry him to his car and her expression said, “how did this guy get a job here?”  I always get sucked into these conversations even though I tell myself not to say a word and just nod once or twice, but somehow I ended up telling him I love everything about snow.  I suggested he should have moved to somewhere other than Pennsylvania if he had such an aversion to snow and just to give him something to keep him up at night, I added, “watch out for yellow snow!”  If my husband were there, he would have mouthed, “keep moving, Chatty Cathy.”

Well, it seems I may have spoken too soon in regards to loving everything about snow.  I guess I realized if I had taken the time to delve into all my feelings about snow since getting Fudge and Vern, I would have probably still been there at closing time and somehow finagled into carrying the guy to his car.   As much as I love snow, my dogs love it even more.  When the snow starts to fall, I want to be inside watching it, baking cookies, with my PJ’s and slippers on.  Nothing makes me happier than snuggling up at night in bed with my warm flannel sheets and a good movie knowing that there is a beautiful blanket of snow outside.  Fudge and Vern have very different ideas about what makes snow wonderful.  They want to be out in it, tearing through it, eating it, rolling in it, and most of all, playing in it together. 

They are like two kids in a candy store not knowing what to get into next.  This is a lot of fun to watch for about an hour and then I want to be back in my house romanticizing about the beautiful snow as I sit bundled up inside.  My visions of my dogs quietly snoozing by my feet as I gaze out the window at the falling snow, while sipping a cup of hot chocolate, has so far not happened.  Instead they watch me and hover over me in the hopes that I will decide to don all my winter attire and head back out again.  If I so much as walk in the foyer for a forgotten anything both of them line up at the door and give me their best pleading look.

Walking them in the snow up at our local park isn’t a walk in the park either. Vern is convinced he can eat all the snow in front of him and alternates between walking upright and bobbing for snow.  He also likes to make Vern angels along the way. 

Fudge tries her best to avoid Vern’s flailing legs and locate a place to go to the bathroom, so she can kick back enough snow to build a snowman over any evidence she leaves behind.  If I could remember to bring a carrot, coal, and a corncob pipe, I could finish her snowman to perfection. 

Mostly, I am trying to remain upright and avoid ice.  To help me in that matter, I went ahead and ordered some new snow boots from a catalog that I received in the mail.  They were waterproof and provided better traction, but unfortunately upon arrival, deemed the ugliest boots on the planet by every member of my family, including me, and promptly returned.  In fact, when John saw the Velcro closure instead of laces, he said I would be the envy of all the women up at the retirement home.   This isn’t the first pair of shoes I have gotten that he has poked fun at and the ones I came home with from the Podiatrist office he took one look at and asked me if I had come over on the Mayflower.  I guess comfort matters to me above all else and if that means I walk around like an aged Pilgrim, so be it. 

Today, we had 57-degree weather and instead of snow we now have mud. I wonder if the check out guy hates mud as much as he does snow.  Even though the snow illuminates our yard like a spotlight at night and the dogs can see every critter passing by in the night, I still miss the snow.  I guess it is true what they say; you don’t know what you’re going to miss, until it is gone.

[F, Calla & Luca]

The mud flats in my yard have made me wonder if I shouldn't trade in the doodles for pigs. At least they could stay outside. Since the doodles arrived I'm not overly fond of any precip. I would think of moving to the Kalahari desert, I just finished a book  involving Botswana, but I am a gardener and plant lover. If it hasn't rained in a while I start to feel antsy, not literally of course.

As to comfort over style, I just chuckle at people in spike heels and wonder that I was ever that young and foolish. Ow I am just old and foolish : )

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

Oh, and as far as boots go....try KEENS, they are really waterproof and warm. Online shoes has good deals and they are not UGLY. Wait until March and you can get really good deals.

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

Smiling all the way through this one. I too LOVE the snow, mostly because I HATE muddy slush, which is what we have now.

We got Daisy the day after Christmas 12/26/2009, the ground was dry and we wore jackets not coats. The day after we had a blizzard. Mike shoveled an area that resembled an ice rink to protect Daisy from the whipping wind so she could go potty. She loved it out there even then. However, she learned to potty on the snow as it melted she would scoot around looking for snow to pee on. Adorable. When the snow melted and she could find none she actually panicked running around looking, poor baby. She got use to it.

We have a few snow piles created by the plows that have not melted, she camps herself on them, belly resting in the snow. She adores the snow so anything that makes her happy makes me happy, just like you and your two!

You are my kind of person Laurie, you can't help yourself but talk to everyone about anything. I really hope we meet face to face someday!

I don't know how you did it but you also have perfect timing  - one and only one today! :-)

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Sheila, Lift up your head and hold it high!! I returned the ugly boots :)

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Sheila, We are now having a heat wave...LOL!! The end of the week is supposed to bring colder temps. I think Finnley and Vern could be best friends. Now, about my velcro boots...bug off :) LOL Even my 7 year old nephew says I can't tie my own shoes, when he saw my velcro gym shoes. Since he is 7, I cut him some slack!

Charlotte, Thank you! We haven't got as much snow as in some past years, but it has been enough for two Doodles.

DJ, Thank you! Yep...I feel the same way about rain, but you will find me out in it walking two dogs :)

Karen, Yes, I definitely prefer snow to rain and mud. OMD...won't go in the rain....poor JD....poor you :) Fudge and Vern love the rain almost as much as the snow and still feel they need their walk even if it is pouring. Vern can make a pretty big angel :)

Jarka, It's a lot of paws to wipe off when it involves TWO dogs, isn't it?? We forgot to mention that when you wanted to add Auggie to the family....LOL! Fleece lined booties....oh boy.  I won't even tell you what my two would do with those. LOL

Donna, Now that you mentioned it, I have those boot things somewhere around here. Great idea! I am so jealous of your XC skiing. We have not had enough snow to do that yet. You really live in paradise :) I think my doods and I can tell the difference between Yak shoes and chews. We are all jeniuses, after all.

Camilla, I can send you the link for my velcro boots. LOL  You will be the envy of all the other co-eds :)

Bonnie, Thank you! I love to bake and usually run some of the surplus over to the neighbors or else I end up enjoy my baking too much :) Move closer....LOL!!  I do love walking at night in the snow and I did forget. I also love being snowed in for about one day with my family :) LOL I would miss snow if I moved somewhere else.

[Pat and Traveler]

Love the Vern angels and the sad doggy faces!  We don't get snow very often here--but there is rain and mud.  Trav isn't wanting to stay outside for long at potty time!

[Elizabeth, Bailey & Bruin]

Laurie I also have a curse talent for attracting people who want to chat with me or tell me their life story.  Sometimes people tell me things I really shouldn't know LOL!

Here in Florida the weather is going into the opposite direction.  84 today(record high for January)  and then rain tonight...And tomorrow morning 37..WHAT!  with highs of 62 tomorrow! 

I wish it would make up it's mind!  Is it summer or winter?

Try to stay warm everyone and enjoy your doodles in the snow!  Can't wait to see pictures1 

[Sheila & Finnley]

Good morning Laurie. Reread the blog this morning. Still not feeling the velcro for you. Let us know if you get your snow today, and take pictures of Vern and Fudge enjoying it !

I think that where ever we live, just the mention of a snow storm send people out in a frenzy to "stock up"!

Finnley tried the snow angle roll and wiggles yesterday. I had to pick the giant snowballs off every time she came back inside. She actually dug herself out a little nest type hole to lay in, and just didn't want to come back inside. Aaaah snow storms mean happy doodles !

[Charlotte and Bo]

Vern angels-- I do love your blogs.  Can't seem to get enough snow here for Bo to have any fun.

[DJ & Chance]

Love the contrast between human and dog desires on a snowy day.  On a cold snowy or rainy day, I long for a fleece robe, hot drink, fresh baked goodies, and a good movie.  My dog?  NOT.