33 states affected, 10,000 flights cancelled - we're in for a whopper!

[Tri Girl]

In the northern wintery states people become accustomed to it, I feel worse for those who live in the states that usually don't see any snow because they are not equipped to deal with it, either with actual snow removal equipment or mentally they are just not prepared to deal with it either. It takes a different attitude, a kind of slow down and not be in such a hurry and the ability to suddenly change your plans and not let that rock your world.

That's just it. And I feel bad for places like Dallas where snow is even more rare. 12" to Chicago is no big deal, but to us Okies, 12" is completely devastating. We usually get a couple snowstorms of 2-3 inches a year (and at least one ice event). A foot of snow is world-rocking.

Most businesses were closed for the last 2 days. Schools will be out for 4 days this week. They sent my hubs home from work (he's a postal carrier) at noon on the day of the blizzard for safety reasons- in 18 years at the Post Office, that's NEVER happened.

We just can't handle it. Even the streets that are emergency snow routes aren't clear. With 60 plows, we can't take care of the 600 sq. miles of the city.

I lived in Chicago for a few years and the attitude about it is totally different. People know how to drive safely in it, how to take their time and react sooner. Not so much here. I admire Northeners for their mental toughness through the long winters. I live south for a reason... but when storms like this come through I wish I were even further south- like in the middle of the Caribbean.