The snow is still falling. One of my neighbors said that it was falling at about an inch per hour. There’s a lot of it on the ground by now. I just made a lap around the farm and was suprised that there were not many footprints on the ground. It’s cold outside, true. But it’s really fun to walk around in as well, so neighbors get outside. I walked down the driveway to take a peek at the highway. There is a lot of snow on the road and people are still driving on it. Some faster than others. It was hard work to walk that 500 ft. or so. Like walking in sand, the snow is so deep. It was interesting also to hear the craking of the ice underneath all of the snow as you walked. Still cold. Quite beautiful. Also, if you’re reading this neighbors, there will be a sauna at Bayrd’s in like 30 minutes.

Right after I wrote my last post this morning at 10:45 am, the freezing rain turned into snow.  Beautiful billowy, large flakes.  It hasn’t stopped since then.  We are getting updates from those via phone and some who have the here-say.  It’s all different and everyone seems to get a thrill from what new insights they hear.  I hear the 4-8″ is going to be more like 8-10″.  Some one correct me, and please NWA if you read this and hear differently, please mention it in a comment, creating a dialogue for those on the other side of America who read this and go HA HA.  There are folks sledding outside and are having a good time.  It snowed on Christmas Eve and didn’t melt for a week or so.  I was really tired of the snow then.  As I look outside I have a jovial feeling toward it.  If you can’t beat em’ join em’ sort of feeling…even though I’m inside right now looking out.  I’m going to go right now.  And remember, no drive-y drive-y.

SO this morning I remained in bed because I knew I didn’t have to go anywhere. As Paul did the dishes and made the kids breakfast, I was lucid enough to listen along with the morning show on the radio. Callers from NWA love to call this guy during bad weather and tell him how the roads are. “It’s a solid piece of iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiice”. It’s hard to type in a redneck accent, I say that with respect. But people were saying it wasn’t so bad up in Bentonville, but that big rigs were jacknifed on both directions of I-540 in Rogers and don’t go to Greenland because it’s terrible. Being a few exits north of Greenland and a many exits south of Bentonville and Rogers outside of my window it looks pretty ominous. It’s about 22 degrees right now, with freezing rain falling. The trees are covered in about 1/4″ of ice, and for the most part still upright. Last year there was about 1″ of ice on everything and many trees split down the middle, the tops of their branches bending down to the ground under the weight. The day isn’t over yet though. I just don’t understand why businesses are still open in this weather, that poor people have to drive 25 miles north in it to go to work. Nobody is going to be out today shopping. Everyone got the message last year. Now every ice storm could be the “big one”. Again, stay warm, stay inside, don’t drive in your car to see if Wal-Mart is still open. They probably are, but who cares. Take care.

So I now understand the term “Winter Mix” with regards to weather. Sleet for a while, snow for a bit, sleet some more on top of that, maybe some more snow. It’s some scary stuff. In a way I have a weird excitement for this storm, and in other ways I’m not so excited. So this winter mix is what has been happening so far, it’s 9:45 pm, cst. Freezing rain for a few hours, and then a beautiful snow with large, lofty flakes. now it’s sleeting again. My walk to the office was a little slippery, I was walking over grass. NWA, stay warm.

This is the ice storm 2010 play-by-play. The freezing rain started about 30 minutes ago. My front steps are already incredibly dangerous to walk on. I read in the local paper about peoples proactiveness this year regarding this storm, whereas last year people were reactive. Good for you Arkansans. Things such as generators, and kerosene heaters are flying off local shelves. As well as things like batteries, fuel and bread. Keep it safe out there, those of you who are not yet home. No whammies, no whammies, no whammies!

I went to the grocery store last night to get a few last minute provisions for this storm that’s coming (or not), just like everyone else in Fayetteville. If you wanted bread last night at 6 o’clock, too bad, you should have come around a few hours earlier. Residents are stocking up on much needed provisions for the big one. I do not blame them, we were all here last year, we know what’s up. Today it it really cold. I’m not sure exactly what the tempreature is, but know this…it’s colder than I’d like it to be. That being said, I should probably go throw another log on the fire.

So, the weather man says that there is going to be another ice storm on thursday.  My teachers at school are echoing the same sentiment, because they watch the news.  A girl on the bus said it’s going to be the worst one ever, that’s what she heard, I don’t know who to believe.  When I heard “ice storm” a few days ago, I must admit panic was the first response, only briefly.  Being off the grid means no power outtages.  Wunderbar!  Remember last year around this time readers, when I was praying in my bedroom to some higher power that no trees fell on my house?  If you don’t, please look at the right hand side and notice the archives.  It will probably be in February, since I didn’t get my power back on until then.  Ice storms are no joke.  This time we feel even more prepared and the house has no trees around it.  So all of you NWA-ers get ready for the chaos.  Buy bread and batteries and hunker down.  If you want to come sit in some lamplight, come over.  Be safe.