The weather is steadily getting colder, and I feel so lost about so many things. I grew up in Austin, Texas! When it's going to freeze we all panic, run to the store for bread and bottled water, and school is canceled. I remember when it froze over in 2007, we all laughed at the strange items people used to de-ice their cars. Credit cards, spatulas, and much more.
So here is my problem: I have never lived around snow. I don't know what to expect! What do people wear? I've been making do with under armor underneath my jeans and t-shirts. Is that how it's done?
How do I take care of my car? We don't have a garage. Do I need an engine warmer, and if so, how does it work? And the salt on the roads, will that hurt my car? Is there some kind of maintenance for that type of thing?
And then there's my house. We have heaters, not central heat, because we're in Germany. Now, in Austin when the temperature is expected to be very low we let the faucets drip to keep the pipes from freezing. I'm wondering, is that necessary in a place that has a lot of snow every year? Are their pipes built to prevent freezing. And another question: I'm leaving for one month. Should I leave the heaters on? I don't want it to get too damp, but I'm afraid of leaving the heaters on for so long, it seems like it could be dangerous.
My in-laws keep telling me I should stock up on canned food and battery powered lamps. Is it really necessary to make a survival kit for snow? I have no idea.
My last concern is this feeling of gloom I'm getting. It starts getting dark here at 4 in the afternoon and is completely black by 5. In the middle of the day, I have to drive with my lights on, it's so gray and cloudy. All of this has left me feeling a little depressed, when fall usually makes me feel invigorated and alive.
How do you deal with winter weather? Does anybody have any tips to help me get through this winter?
Comments (3)
Gosh, we STILL don't have a snow shovel. We always have to use our regular garden shovels.
Normally, you should let your car warm itself up. This is done by turning on the vehicle and letting it run for about ten, fifteen minutes. If it doesn't start, that probably means you shouldn't be driving anywhere (now THAT'S freaking cold!).
The salt can clog up your wheels...by forming what people 'round here like to call "clunkers". This is usually easily remedied by kicking 'em off your car with your boots. Elsewise, it shouldn't do much damage.
In the winter, driving's more dangerous. Depending where you live, the officials may not send out salt and maintain the roads until after a certain time a day or under certain conditions, so I hope you mind yourself when traveling.
In places where it gets cold, most pipes are kept where they're never gonna freeze in the house and they shouldn't freeze as long as you keep the thermostat above the point where the house gets to where water will freeze. Freezing expands the pipes and could cause leaks.
So other than keeping your house warm, you shouldn't have to worry about your pipes. And, it depends on your type of heat. If it's wood or gas, you might wanna hire a housesitter or have a friend or family member keep it heated. If it's electric, you shouldn't have to worry.
Yes, battery lights and non-perishable food is a must for winter survival kits. Because if the winter storms get really bad it can knock out the power and snow you inside your house where you can't dig yourself out. You might wanna research what the worst storms your area's had and how to keep warm when your power's out. My family was poor once, so we had to live through two winters without heat or very much electricity. We had a generator hooked up to our little house so that we could run a little space heater, cook things to help keep the house be above 40 degrees F. We also burnt candles to help as best we could. Having animals to snuggle up with and walking around in several layers of blankets is good for these situations.
As for the darkening of the days, well so much happens at night that's wonderful. Beautiful ice formations, rabbit footprints in the window (if you're in the country), an unexpected blanket of snow...
It always helps me to view the night as nature's time for surprise artwork, which I look forward to seeing in the mornings.
And the work you have to do, shoveling out your drive...can be turned into fun occasions with people you know (which makes it go so much more quickly and is much easier with extra hands) as well.
Thank you so much! I definitely appreciate all of the tips. :) It did start snowing a few days ago, and while it still makes me a little nervous, I think the beauty is worth it. Especially watching my dog (who also had never been in snow) jump around in it and eat it. :D
We did buy a snow shovel. :)
The idea behind a dungeon gym is it gets rid of all the fluff and distractions of a normal gym and lets you focus on your goals. Most people with dungeon gyms are hardcore powerlifters, strongmen and bodybuilders who find that the normal commercial gyms don't cater to them. We buy the equipment ourselves so we know its good (most commercial gyms have horrible bars - good for the people who lift there, terrible for the elite strength athletes, we can listen to our own music, we can get as loud as we need to, we can use chalk, we can do any lift we desire, and its open 24/7 :).
It just caters to our needs much much much better than a normal gym like a YMCA or 24/hr fitness.