As Ms. Bear wrote last week, we remained huddled in our house for almost a week straight!!! Now, staying in my house?? You know I never have a problem with that — I could do it all the time if I could! Heck, if staying inside your house was an Olympic event, I’d win the gold medal by a landslide! That’s why last week, it wasn’t having to stay indoors that got to me. No, no. What chilled me to the bone — LITERALLY — was battling the Great Polar Vortex of 2019…

This Polar Vortex was like nothing I’d ever felt or seen before. It was a fierce one, let me tell you! Remember, I do have a history with ye old vortex, but not of the polar variety. When I ventured out to Arizona in 2007, a vortex literally made me sick to my stomach; seriously, the closer we got, the more I had to recline the car seat and actually lie down because I was getting so nauseous! I don’t recommend it!

But this 2019 Polar Vortex? It had me shivering in my boots — or, custom-made shoes, as in my case. The temps dipped below zero for a HIGH and the wind chills sank well into negative double digits. Did I also mention that my mom was off work for FIVE DAYS IN A ROW?!?!?

Like I said, this type of weather seemed unprecedented, even for the Midwest, which has seen its fair share of wild and inclement weather over the years!

The heat? I can handle it. A tornado warning, maybe even with a few sirens mixed in for good measure? Piece of cake! But what I cannot tolerate AT ALL is the cold, bitter wind of the Polar Vortex, and that’s exactly what we were treated to last week. In addition to those winter window cling things, we had to cover the kitchen window with a blanket to keep out the cold and had to wear multiple layers just to play Yahtzee since the kitchen table is right against the windows!

And when the temperature was -15 degrees, I had to move my work desk in front of the fireplace, naturally!

The next day, I set up my office in my mom’s room, where the cats were the perfect coworkers and Gibbs’ classic, intimidating stare kept me focused.

Plus, I don’t think it was a coincidence that I chose this word in Quiddler. ICER, INDEED…

Have you seen these cool photos of the Polar Vortex in Chicago? When you take away the bitter cold, there’s actually something really beautiful, serene and magical about it all, you know…?

Were you impacted by the Polar Vortex? Stuck at home for days on end?? What did you do to pass the time?? xoxo