Baby its cold outside

Happy 2010! I'm back from Jersey where I spent Christmas and New Years. Christmas was great. General family insanity ensued. There are always good stories that come out of it. Mike and I realized at one point that we have adult cousins now. I think I always think of them as 10-14 year olds, but when we looked around the room on Christmas eve at one point, we realized that they are like, real people now! Two of the younger ones are driving, almost everyone is really tall and grown up looking, going to college, touring school, etc. Its bizarre, but now I totally get it when people would say to me, my god you're so grown up! Sorry guys, but I'm going to do it to you every time I see you, even though I hated it.

NYE was a great time. We managed to get together a group of my closest girlfriends who haven't all been together since college as far as we can remember. Limos, several bars, lots of Miller lite, party hats, screaming/singing. Good times all around!


And now I'm back in Brit-land. Its about 35 degrees here right now which doesn't sound that cold. However, when you have single pain windows in an old victorian house, 35 feels like about 3. I'm in a constant battle to warm up my flat. I'm losing this battle.

I did get a laugh this morning when watching the Good Morning, America equivalent. They were talking about how FREEZING it was and how the cold weather is here to stay, prepare yourself, check on old people, etc. Then they cut to their Trisha Tacanawa equivalent who is outside with a car and a "car expert" who is going to explain how to take care of your car in these freezing (35 degree) temperatures. First they talked about how to de-ice your car. "Now even though it seems like a good idea, don't pour boiling water from the kettle on your windshield". Seriously? He walked through how you should have put cardboard or newspaper on your car the night before to prevent the ice, but if you didn't, use de-icing spray or an ice scraper. If you don't have an ice scraper, and old CD case will do. The defroster setting on the car was never mentioned.

Next they walked through how to warm up your key so it opens the car door (heat it up with fire from your lighter of course). After that he talked about precautions that everyone should take in these crazy temperatures. Always keep a thermos with hot tea in your car in case you get stranded. Also, keep a sleeping bag in your car at all times.

I mean, seriously people? Its not even ACTUALLY freezing temperatures! Oh silly brits.