There was a thin film of ice over everything this morning, but the commute wasn't bad. Phew!

We could go do something cowgirly!!!! and then go have drinks with DJ and her fun friends!

I want to do this! I could even buy boots!

I will be in Dallas in April! IJS.

I got up really early and got over to the pool at 6:00 to go for a swim, only to read the sign on the outside of the locker room stating that the pool was going to be closed for maintenance from 1/31 to 2/1 noon. Of course, that sign has been there for a few weeks, and I just completely forgot about it. Damnit.

Oh, well, I then just changed out of the swimsuit I already had on under my clothes, put on my underwear, and came into work at 6:15. I was the first one in my wing (a strange thing, since I'm usually the last one here!), and will be leaving before 3:00, hopefully getting home before the storm even kicks into gear.

The storm has started here. I should have left for work already! Dithering on whether to go out grocery shopping now or later....

Gingerly shuffled to the car and scraped the ice off and came into work. Going to keep an eye on the radar and head home early, if only to swim and then telecommute the remainder.

So far, I am the only member of my branch on the premises.

I'm looking at the radar now, and it looks like the storm is already hitting St. Louis.

Things sound even worse now:

There has been no easing at all in the forecast of a major blizzard hitting northern Illinois and Northwest Indiana starting this afternoon. If anything, the situation appears more dire than it did 24 hours ago.

The National Weather Service continues to describe the storm as "potentially life-threatening" for those who might get caught outside and advised that final preparations for it should be completed this morning.

A blizzard warning of 24 hours duration includes the likelihood of snowfalls of up to 20 inches and in some places even more, wind gusts of up to 60 mph creating whiteout conditions making travel nearly impossible, lakefront flooding and perhaps prolonged power outages.

Latest blizzard warning: Don't travel, stay indoors

eta:

"Consider if getting to your destination is wowrth putting your life at risk."

You know, I've never missed work due to snowstorms - I've always manged to make it in by walking or public transit. But it looks like tomorrow I'll be staying home.

Holy crap, you guys! Definitely stay inside!

msbelle, I might try for a grant after I know whether or not I'll be asked back for next year.

Same here. I know that if budget allows, I'll be asked back. But, we're headed for staff reductions so I don't know.

And, I am at work right now. We have an institute day that is supposed to last until 3, but with the Blizzard o'Doom coming, I'm leaving at lunch whether or not we cut the day short.

Wait, I did miss a few days of work when we had 30" of snow in 24 hours in Minneapolis. I was on crutches and couldn't even leave my block due to the piles of snow. (This was in 1991.)