I finally got out to the car and went grocery shopping

[Wicked Blue]

We've been stuck in the house for nearly a week. There's ice over about 7 inches of solidly frozen snow. I had to actually crawl on hands and knees to get from the front steps to the lawn to the street.

Later we found some pet-safe ice melter in the garage. The stuff damages concrete, but I sprinkled a path over the lawn and it seems to be easier to walk on now

The water pipes froze Thursday night. They burst into a 6-foot-high geyser after we set up a heater in the garage to thaw them. DH turned the shutoff valve, but the pipe beyond it was leaking heavily. Called a plumber, who found 5 breaks in the line and fixed them. Then he found the water meter was leaking, and pleaded with the water company to send someone over. They put in a temporary bypass so we'd still have water, but I think they have to replace the meter whenever they can get back here. And the plumbing bill -- I don't even want to think about it.

The forecast says we might get up to 33 degrees on Monday. I can't remember when we last had a cold spell this bad in central NJ. Last winter there was hardly any snow.

The groundhogs had better predict an early spring.

[underpants]

1. The whole eastern US from the mid-Atlantic at least is one big ice cube

I’ve only wiped once. We finally got our street treated. It’s at least a 30 foot climb from the main road. We were parking one car down there and making the ice rink walk up and downhill.

A water line break is my biggest concern right now.

I’ve taken to wearing golf soft spike shoes when I step out onto the deck.

[Wicked Blue]

6. 30 feet of icy slope? Terrifying

Please be careful.

[The Blue Flower]

2. Me too

I'm in central Virginia. I've been iced in since last Monday. My son and grandkids came over this morning to dig me out. So I got the car started (!) and went out for groceries today. All was fine until I had to get the grocery bags into the house. I'm deathly afraid of falling on the ice and breaking something (I'm 76). I bought enough for a couple more weeks, since we're supposed to get more snow this weekend. I'm thinking a few more inches of snow will make it easier to walk on the packed, slick ice. Anyway, it was a major logistical challenge to get the bags from the trunk into the house since I didn't want to risk losing my balance walking across the ice with them. I did manage it, although I'm exhausted now.

I've been through hurricanes and some ice storms and their aftermath. This is the most brutal weather I've even experienced. My heart goes out to all of those who have lost power (I haven't) and are trapped in cold houses with the food running out.

[PikaBlue]

3. It has taken me 5 days to dig out.

I'm in far north central Maryland. One of my neighbors graciously brought their snow blower over to clear my sidewalks. I'm an end unit so I have many yards of sidewalk. Unfortunately, this was their first time using a snow blower and rather than blow the snow towards my yard, they buried my car late Monday afternoon right before dark. It froze solid overnight. It has been a real adventure to unearth my car which had 9 to 10 inches of icy snow on it before they buried it under more icy snow. I certainly can't complain. They are such kind and caring neighbors; however, just between us, there were many times during the past 5 days in which the tears of frustration and exhaustion froze in my eyes. I kept telling myslf, "Spring is just around the corner".

[Wicked Blue]

5. Yikes

This past week has been the pits. I hope you get a warm spell soon.

Our new-ish dog, who came from a rescue in the South, freaked out when he saw snow for the first time. We bundle him into a warm puffer coat. He does his business very fast, makes a beeline for the door, and races into the bedroom as if all the demons from hell were on his trail.

[efhmc]

8. This Texas "girl" knows how he feels about those cold demons. Stay safe.

[AllaN01Bear]

4. eek.

[mahatmakanejeeves]

7. I'm in Alexandria VA. We had a high of 27 today.

I learned in October that my boiler had gone out sometime after the last heating season ended. The part took a while to get here, but I had heat back before Thanksgiving. It was 52 degrees inside the house without heat -- in the fall. You can imagine what it would have been like now.

The sidewalks defy clearing. I stocked up on food over the last few weeks. I don't have to go anywhere. I'm staying put.

[Maninacan]

9. Sounds tough!

Southern WI. just is longest cold spell in a few years. Not too much snow. Propane heat. Worst can happen is power outage.