Is everyone else in the midwest as freezing as me, and ready for a getaway?
 

It has been so cold here (Michigan), I am finally unburrying us from the blizzard. After all that, I am ready for a warm locale. Any other midwesterners care to comment?

Definitely. But I'm patient. I've got our family scheduled for a massive blowout (massive for us) next summer. What helps right now is a day with sunshine instead of the leaden grey skies so common this time of year.

Exactly, somedays, even when it is cold, I open my front door (with the glass) when the sun is shining...like today.

Wore my Lands' End stadium coat (mid-shin length) again today, but the sun shining and we're one day closer to spring. (Also, leaving for Tucson on Feb. 5.)

Looking forward to a warm destination always helps ones mood.

Even in this cold weather, I bundle up my 6 month old and we go for walks (unless it is really cold). We only go out for aobut 10 minutes or so, but it helps both of us. He loves to be outdoors.

Freezing here in NY too! We have our early April trip booked already. We do not like going away to warmer climates during the deep freeze months. I find it way too depressing to come home after time in bathing suits and bare feet, we don't want to come home-and we do not feel any better from it. There is nothing more depressing than flying home from the caribbean and watching the water turn from turquoise blue to grey and feeling your tanned skin shrink and tighten from the cold the minute you step off the plane. 10 days in summer during the winter just does ot cut it for us. When it's cold we go to cold weather locations and look forward to our first blast of hot weather late winter/early spring when the warmer weather is not too far away.

Here (Chicago) it's been sunny at least the last few days-yesterday and today were freezing but Wednesday was nice. I'm definately ready to get out of Dodge for awhile. I was just telling my husband last night I can see why people become "snow birds"!

I love winter! My only winter getaway is to get MORE winter - got a great 2 week ski trip planned for March.

I used to hate winter, but I figured if I was going to live in a climate with winter, I should learn to embrace it. Took up skiing (downhill & cross-country) & never looked back. After work these days, I teach skiing at our local northeast Ohio ice hill. It's a blast & it keeps me fit and happy. For me, Ohio winter is no longer even cold or snowy enough, but the past couple of weeks it's been pretty good. Can't believe the whiners on our local news stations - they keep calling 26 degrees bitterly cold and hoping for warm spells. It's northeast Ohio, people, deal with it, don't make yourself miserable wishing it could be something it's not.

If you want endless summer, MOVE, I say!

From another Chicago area guy:

I'm with KMK. I have a bigger interest in getting out of town that out of winter. I spend significant time in Wisconsin no matter what time of year.

This morning / last night the temps dipped and I got up to 2 inches of powder this AM. Right now the sun is bright and the temp is low 20's going to single digits tonight. It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood!

Me three as KMK and placeu2 above. I actually go to Michigan several times each winter to skate etc., while men ice fish. Best guy also takes at least 2 or 3 trips to Colorado to ski in blizzards etc. as he is retired. Winter has its own special good times, and in every home I've had I always have one big SOUTH facing window into a large room. That gives me SUN. Reflection off of snow works except for the particularly dreary and grey days that we do have. But this week that room has been brillant and very sunny in the daytime hours. You can picnic with blanket on the floor and become too hot. Grandkids love it. I don't have anything but shade and scarves on these windows and let the sunshine come right in an entire wall. It works so well that the windows' glass/vaccuum needed to be replaced once already.

Snow birds, I can see the appeal as bones get to hurt etc. as you age. But definitely not me. This year (first time) I will be in Caribbean for 10 days soon. But I do not crave summer heat or beaches, find them uncomfortable for the most part after an hour. I love to swim/snorkle, but am not a beach sitter. And I have never felt bad after coming home from a warm place in winter (I had to go to AZ frequently for a sick aunt).

The only thing that bothers me about winter is driving to work in ice/snow conditions and with blizzards pending. That is the unpleasant part for me. I also do not do the downtown Chicago trips as much as I used to in winter, because of that same factor. I hate digging myself out (car) at the train station etc.

I think the sun is it-it's not so bad if it's cold and sunny but the grey skies (not today luckily) just get wearing on a person (or at least me). Once you get through January though, it does seem to be better-plus one month until Vegas so there's something to look forward to!

Another Chicagoan concurs, get me outta here! Don't get me wrong, I love my city, but this is the time of year I start looking at brochures with palm trees on them ;)

Thankfully though, I live downtown and don't have a car, so I never have to actually dig out, and as such, unlike my neighbors I don't throw my furniture in the street to 'reserve' my spot.

Today though is lovely, but cold. I do often enjoy those brisk sunny days when everything is covered with fresh snow.

And another from Chicago who doesn't mind the winter, as long as we get some sun now and then (which has been the case in the last few weeks). I know this probably sounds odd, but having grown up in the Phoenix area, I find I have more appreciation now for the different seasons, which you don't really have there. There are definitely some things I like about the winters here.

And besides, when the cold does get to me a little, I just start looking at pictures of Capri and the Amalfi Coast, where we will be in less than five months, and that makes it all better!

I feel like JJ5. I do not like driving. If I were the only one on the road, I would be alright.

Like PlaceU2 says, it is the media. They say, "the blizzard of 05". As much as I prefer not so much snow at one time...get a grip people, this is Michigan (Midwest). It is January, it is supposed to be cold and snowy. Cold temps, snow and ice should not be a shock. After all, it is supposed to be cold in the winter.

I loooove the snow & cold. Just not bitter cold. Today would be miserable without the sun (my car temp reading was 1 degree when I ran out to grab some soup for lunch).

Snowy Michigan days are wonderful!! Go out & make a snowperson (must be politically correct;-)) and them come in & warm up w/ some Spanish hot chocolate or coffee w/ buttershots & Bailey's!! Perfect!!

Sorry to hear that. Today in Fort Lauderdale, it is 78* sunny, and the water temp is 73*(not bad for Jan)IMO, Y'all come down now!

I have seen both sides of the winter issue. Born and raised in Michigan but 15 years ago relocated in the South. I was very active in Michigan wintertime. Skiing, ice fishing, etc. Only thing got me down was November weather. No sun and low clouds. Now I would never see the situation of ever going back. I now have sun 300+ days of the year and moderate temperatures. When I was watching the news the other day of the blizzard, I could no longer relate. It might as well have been taking place in Siberia, not just a few hundred miles away.

As a Buffalonian, I don't mind the snow. As long as the temp stay around 30, I deal just fine. My family room has windows from floor to ceiling so at least when it is sunny out, it heats up like a sauna. But, what I hate most is the transition from winter to spring. It drags on and on and just when you think it has snowed the last snow, it snows again.

With that said, I am still ready for a getaway. It has been well below average temps for the past few weeks. I am leaving for Honduras in 3.5 weeks - this warm vacation should tide me over through the rest of the winter :)

Go sit on a chari outside with your clothes off until your teeth start chattering, then run in the house and drink your hot beverage of choice. I guarantee you won't mind the cold. ;-)

cassidy-What is Spanish Hot Chocolate? Never heard of that one..

Should be "go sit in a chair," not chari, I can't type worth a darn today...

As a former midwesterner now on Cape Cod watching MORE snow adding to the three feet from Sunday, I would love to go somewhere with no snow. And no wind and no wind chill. It doesn't even have to be tropical! I don't remember the last time I saw the sun. At least the sun shines in the midwest!!

Actually, I would miss the 4 seasons, and winter is very beautiful. I took some great pictures over the weekend blizzard. My body has a difficult time changing to extreme climates -cold to hot to cold. I love going to the gym for a swim and seeing piles of snow outside. I love to bundle up and take the dog for a walk, go out for a nice cozy dinner, have a roaring fire in the fireplace. And the winter sky at night is breathtaking. There is a great place on the water where we frequent for a lobster lunch. It's so nice to sit by a sunny window, have some drinks and a nice meal. Hey beef stew just does not taste good when its 85 degrees outside:)

There's a lot to be said for the beauty of winter.

Hey gomiki,

Where does the sun shine in the midwest?
Almost never here. We're having a rare sunny day today in Michigan, the 4th cloudiest state in the nation!

As for me, I'm looking forward to becoming a snowbird some day.

The best news I have heard here in Boston is that it appears my FF tickets on USAirways are safe in February for 4 day trip to Florida to see my brother - who was mean enough to call me from the beach on Sunday during our blizzard.

Pat_in_Mich: Well, some posters were talking about the sunshine and I do remember the sun out there. And it stays light longer. Dark here at 4:00 PM in December and dark at 8:30 in summer!! I miss those long summer nights. Also, I heard that Chatham (a few towns away) has the most foggy days of any town in US.

Snowbird sounds good! Lots of Michigan plates in FL!

Buckeye:
Spanish Hot Chocolate
1/2 cup Cocoa
2 Tb Plus 1 tsp. cornstarch
1/2 cup Water
1/4 cup Honey, melted
2 tsp Vanilla
1 qt Milk (I use the one litre Carton)


Directions:
Combine cocoa, cornstarch, and water in blender. Whirl until smooth. You can use an immersion blender instead. Pour into saucepan and whisk in melted honey. Gradually add milk and vanilla while whisking constantly over medium heat. Turn it on too high and you risk burning the chocolate and the milk (absolutely foul to clean). Continue whisking until chocolate is smooth, creamy and thick. The texture when hot is like chocolate pudding, only runnier. If you don't drink the chocolate all at once, you can keep it in the fridge for a couple of days. I have added up to four more cups of milk to the chocolate without losing the thick and creamy texture. Variations: If you want Mexican Hot Chocolate, you can add 1-2 tsp. cinnamon instead of the vanilla. If you want sweeter chocolate, you can add another quarter cup of honey. This is excellent dunking chocolate. The perfect accompaniment is the traditional churro, a fried loop of batter that is ridged (all the better to catch the chocolate). I haven't had anything in North America that resembles it (it's not cakey like a doughnut, but it's not crisp like a waffle either), but some fritters might be similar to the churro.

I can't stand the cold weather here! It's suppose to get down into the teens tonight! AH!! I'm looking right now for a cheap ticket anywhere warm...

As I get into my car at 18 degrees in a few minutes- I will be cold.

But guess what, it's not comfortable but it makes me feel alive. It braces me. And we have lots of grey days but I wouldn't trade the entire Gulf of Mexico for one grey day trekking home-made tobaggan hills with my grandkids. It's priceless- as the commercial says.

And the most ironic thing of all is that several who I know well and who have snowbirded it or moved to sunnier climes still spent most of their time inside on a computer or watching tv. Also entering into involvement in their own new communities very little, if at all, isn't unusual.

I'm happy for all those who find their perfect place and comfort- and can make an active/stretching life for themselves. But mine will always be in a place that offers me a challenge plus the adventure of change & variety. It's great for the brain. And we do have sun in winter (Illinois)and long, long days in summer also.

I love winter, I love spring, I love summer, and I love Fall.
I think I actually like Fall the most.

I just checked the forecasted low for Toledo tonight and it's "0". As soon as January hits, my mind immediately shifts into vacation mode. I booked a trip to Disney over Easter this week and a trip to the Yucatan for June yesterday. I feel better, now!

Love the cold, crisp, refreshing winter air, love the snow--nothing's more fun than skiing!!

Our winter vacations are always ski weeks.

Hi all, do you mind if the Alaskan contributes. You know, break down Alaskan, it mean in Greek, "I can" escape whenever I'm sun deprived.. but it is so funny to see everyone who lines up for the charter to Hawaii(they go frequently)on a -25 day at 6am, dressed in shorts, aloha shirts, sandals. I mean, I have to wear regular clothes til we at least get as far south as Dutch Harbor!
And so many days I feel blessed to live here, between the northern lights, the clean air and mountain ranges and the water full of sealife. I have to cross a bridge to go into town, and looking to my left, the pastel skies, bright violet and fuschia, airplanes quietly flying..
Yeah, it is extreme. In Kenai, where I am, our normal winter temps are -10 to -30, depending on the storm patterns, wind chill. Makes me grateful for our two fireplaces.
But on the flipside, I love the outdoor recreation. Skiing, snowmobiling, just having snow. There are many leathery people with the year round permatans, I feel sorry for them, only because no one should look that old so young.
This is pretty vain, but 15 years ago, I bought a bright pink snowsuit at an outlet. That has lasted through two pregnancies, and I'm sort of proud that I can still wear it(James Bondish).. so if we didn't have any harsh weather, I'd be locked up for wearing my skisuit in summer,lol.($39.95, and my dh says it's the only bargain I ever managed to find). I work out during the winter months, it makes me feel like I've earned a spring trip and some warmth.
The frustrating part is the long stretch between breakup, when the snow begins to melt, and the time the new grass appears- two months later! J.

Well...to all you other midwesterners...looks like we are in for a heatwave the next few days...temps up to to high 40's...yeah!!!! 8-)

They even used the "F" word here as a possibility for this weekend-50s! I've got my fingers crossed!

me too!!!!

So far we've been lucky in the Ozarks...not that much snow and cold. I can sympathize with others since we have family in Des Moines, Chicago, New York, Massachusetts areas. Recovering after surgery I have been staying indoors anyway with some good books and movies. Bound to warm up soon!
Meanwhile, we're looking forward to that overseas trip late May.
Bill in Springfield, MO [email protected]

It is sunny in St. Louis today. But if that darn grey sky comes back I will go crazy. It can be so depressing... I have been looking at Portugal brochures.
The only warmish spot on my horizon is Dallas and right now theyare only about 10 degrees warmer than here1

I guess I am lucky because I live in Colorado. Everyone thinks it is so cold here but it is not.
Going to Hawaii in 4 days anyway...

It feels like a heat wave is here and will stay with us for a week in Chicagoland. We are going to hit the 40's.

If this keeps up I'm going to wear a spring jacket to the airport next week. I did that once and came home to a blizzard with a joke of a coat. No gloves either. But I hate schlepping all that around the South and Caribbean for any reason. Maybe I'll take the heavier and store it in a locker at Ft. Lauderdale's airport. If it gets colder again, that's what I will do. I'm ready for my getaway, and really looking forward to it- but not because of weather- more because of work. This semester has been hard and it's time.

Actually, it's been a pretty good winter in Chicago. Lot's more sun than usual. The cold isn't such a big deal, but I do miss the sun. We've also had a lot of extremes in temps. Going from near 60 to below zero. Thre have been two decent snow falls, but there was a quick warm up that got it to disappear pretty quickly. After this weekend (near 50) it should all be gone except the big piles in the parking lots.

Downstate Illinois hasn't been too bad this winter. We've been "just south" of a couple of big storms. Lucky us!

I'll be on my way to Bangkok on Sunday to some sun, hot temps, and a nice beach for two weeks!! By the time I get back, we'll be a little closer to spring, hopefully.