Monday, March 8, 2010

Just say: I don't know

We have been a bit chilly, for a bit too long in Georgia. This part of the country has two seasons: Summer and Fall. Summer lasts 9 months and Fall lasts for three. So the fact temperatures have bobbed around the 20 - 40 degree mark for months leaves us in a pinch. You already know that states doused frequently in sunshine have drivers who can not drive in even a sprinkle of raindrops. Snow? We are paralyzed and the city is shut down.  Buy your bread and milk, Mabel. Snow = emergency conditions. 

People live in the South for a variety of reasons. One of my top five: weather. If I wanted to be chilly  and damp more often, I could return to Seattle. There I would be looking at the greenery, and water, and deal with about 92% less a-hole drivers.

And when we are weeks away from Spring, we don't like our temperatures to begin with the numbers 2, 3, OR 4. So when the weather prediction at the end of last week was sunny and almost 70 degrees on Sunday, people greeted the news with the same enthusiasm you would expect from someone winning an Oscar. 

We planned a full day involving things outdoors. I took off at 9 am to run. No jacket needed because it was supposed to be 50 by then. Wrong. I should know by now not to trust the weather report. It was 39. Brrrrr. 

And Brrrrr needs a coat, and hat, and gloves. I mean, when you are a little weather pansie who has been enjoying a warm climate for a decade. 39  degrees in March  might feel like suntan weather to our friends in the the Midwest and NE.

We waited all day for the sun. Hope you enjoyed sleeping in, Sunshine. Thanks for foiling my plans.  Oh, you finally made it to 55 by late afternoon. 

Weatherman: Just say, " I don't know" OR "Your guess is as good as mine" OR "Whatever you hope for, expect the opposite" OR "Yes, I have the best occupation with no prerequisite of accuracy or success needed in order to get the dollar bills" OR "Why don't you wake up tomorrow, look out the window, and then you will KNOW what the weather is going to be for the day."

Sun: I miss you. We are getting a bit surly, a bit salty, and a bit desperate down here. 

PS: You don't have children, Sun, so let me share a piece of information. Outdoor play time is awesome. In fact, it is really quite critical to nap time.  The more outdoor play time, the longer and better nap time.  Mamacita really, really loves nap time. Outdoor play time with freezing ears basically, well, sucks. So let's work on the temps.  

PSS: Forget this request in August when you are burning us like tiny bacon slices in a very humid inferno.

62 comments:

Liz Mays said...

Weathermen are so smug in their predictions too. Why don't they just shrug and admit they're really just tossing a coin and guessing.

Anonymous said...

Yeah, Hubby and I have learned to ignore the weathermen YEARS ago... "Today you can expect 6-8 inches of snow." And we'd get none. Then "There may be a light snow dusting," and we'd get 8 inches. They are totally guessing.

Little Ms Blogger said...

My hubby is a weatherman junky and I'm not.

Personally, I think the blue/green maps are bogus and they really go in the back room and throw darts. And, if the weatherman is in a bad mood, he takes it out on his viewers giving best weather forecast possible only to sit back and laugh.

Inspired by eRecipeCards said...

Oh, you should live in Kansas where the weather men are always advertising the storm of the century is on it;s way... And don't get me started on tornado weather...

But, the temps in the Virgin Island are 74 at night and 85 for a high... everyday! Think about moving here for the weather

Anonymous said...

I truly long for the day when I can move to a warmer climate. For now, it's still chilly New England for me. Yesterday was like summer, we did have the sun, and almost 60 degree temps! I went for a trailride with only a long sleeve T-shirt! I even wore flipflops for a portion of the day!

Your weather will improve shortly, and I'll still be shivering. Happy spring!

mo.stoneskin said...

So why is it that Seattle has less a-hole drivers? It's a mystery to me, the Brit with no knowledge of America apart from the fact that it is a long way from here and there is some bloke called Obama or something at the helm.

Slamdunk said...

Perhaps this week the weather will be more in your favor--outdoor activity is crucial for good sleeping.

Our little ones staged an uprising a few months ago and now are exempt from nap time. It was a difficult adjustment for mom and dad, but it was going to happen sooner or later.

Likely, the person most affected by no nap is me--as I was always a team player and volunteering to help put the kids down for an afternoon nap and then accidentally waking up my self an hour later.

Jessica said...

Damn you Al Roker!

becca said...

No TV personality gets me more riled up than the weather people. They think they're all high and mighty and really they dictate how our days play out! We have not choice to believe them but they are wrong far too often. Living in NE, I'm desperate for temps above 40 and when they promise it to us and don't deliver? Momma is not happy.

OK - enough venting. It's supposed to be in the 50's today so I'll hope all the smiling goofy weatherpeople on TV today are right.

Found you through Liz at But Then I had Kids... I'll be back!

Chez Zizi said...

You always have me smiling. It is so true, living in the Northeast when we hear 40's it is like I don't own a jacket anymore...

My kids were out all day yesterday riding bikes and such and of course I did not have a jacket on, only a measly cotton shirt (long sleeve).

Here's to warmer weather.

Zizette

Badass Geek said...

Up here in Maine, we have two seasons, too. Winter, and mud season.

Ed said...

Pansy.

39 IS summer temperature here.

Stacy Uncorked said...

I've always said I missed my calling and should have been a weather girl so I could make a boatload of money for always being wrong. :)

Sorry, I think we stole the sun from you yesterday. It's still here - and planning to warm us up to almost 60 today...shall I send some your way? ;)

Kelli said...

Im in Arkansas and yesterday my husband was hell-bent on working outside. I kept complaining about how cold it was. He was not amused.
Nor was I with the stupid cold weather.

Cybil said...

We have 2 seasons here in Pittsburgh - Winter and Construction! The temperature is going up to a balmy 43 here today, and my 8 year old left the house in shorts because "it's going to be soooo hot today." ha ha!

Simply Suthern said...

Our Weatherman recently informed us in the overnight forcast that it would be the coldest right before it started warming up. There's a piece of useful info. He must've learned that in Weatherpeople School in the How to sound sincere while being vague and non-commital class.

Unknown said...

Weathermen are asshats. It drives me bonkers.

Fortunately we had a lovely afternoon yesterday when it was almost 60 degrees. My kids wanted to change into SHORTS (just goes to show you how their mentality is---that is warm considering what it has been this winter in KC).

I envy you your nap time. We bid naps farewell a few months ago. Sad face. However, occasionally I'll get lucky and someone will sneak in a 20-minute cat nap during quiet time (and quiet time is more for mommy's sanity than for them, but oh well).

Hope you warm up soon! (p.s. I am a wimpy winter runner---cannot run unless it's at least 50ish)

MommaKiss said...

It was in the 50's all weekend. My kids wanted to wear shorts. We were at the park like 4x. And sleep. Did they SLEEP!

that said? thursday it's supposed to snow. yay us.

Mama-Face said...

You are correct. Around here 35 degrees is considered perfect running weather. As long as there is no snow on the sides of road. And still some people run in that. I'm too afraid of falling myself.

So yeah, I'm the best at turning any post into a post about me.

Writing Without Periods! said...

I hear you sister' I get so tired of bogus weather reports. I live in the desert and all it's done is rain this winter...I'm ready for some heat.
mary

Christine Macdonald said...

Reminds me of comic Richard Jeni (may he rest in peace). He said 'those weatherman say 'Let's go to the map!'. I always say 'Let's got to the window!'.

Liz Aguerre said...

We barely have autumn in South Florida. Around here, it's usually "hot" or "frickin' hot". But lately, we've had like 40 degree weather every morning forever and the highs barely hit the high 60s and yes I know that everyone in the world is colder than we are and that we can't complain but I don't care. I pay way too much for real estate and suffer through chaos and traffic in order to live somewhere sunny and festive. So if sun shows up after your post, send him down here, will ya?

Cranky Mommy said...

I usually check with weather.com and it has been wrong a lot lately for ATL hasn't it? Going to the zoo today though!

Unknown said...

Y'know, Mr. Sun hasn't been as regular in his appearances here in Vegas as we would like him to be, either. If I wanted to fall asleep to the sound of rain pounding on my roof and days on end with a 500 cloud ceiling, I, too, would move back to Seattle. At least they put more than dirt in their front yards.

And you would think that the weatherman job would be a SNAP in Las Vegas. Astonishing how often they get it wrong.

We'll both be whining about the heat soon enough, I suppose! But still...

MommyLisa said...

Now Now people. Weathermen are ACTUALLY trying to predict correctly but it is all a prediction based on conditions...it sucks for them that conditions can change.

I have three friends that ARE or were weatherpeople. It is not nice to bash them!

Weatherpeople need love too.

Intense Guy said...

I found its not so much the weatherperson, its the media - they have gotten so "hype" crazy (as in 12-14-30! inches of snow!) that accuracy isn't important anymore.

So as a rule of thumb I pare back the spectatular forecast about 40% and the weather is usually about what I predict!

Warm weather is coming though...

Helen McGinn said...

Sigh. Sun, warmth I miss yer wee cotton socks. I'm with you, gal! x

JennyMac said...

Mommy Lisa: you are right..its not the weatherman..its the sun refusing to shine!!!!

Anonymous said...

The max temperatures in my part of England have been stuck on about 6 celsius for 2 months now!! The weatherman said we should expect some warmer air from Gibraltar. Sounds great, except it's cool down there as well and we're not warming up! Where's all the heat gone?

Jen said...

This weekend, we had weather that was sunny with temps in the 40's. We had to go and put shorts on. Oh yeah baby, heat wave! ;)

Emily said...

Seriously, I've secretly thought of what I might do if I ever met the weatherman in a dark ally...
I know I definitely won't be complaining of the heat this summer!

JenJen said...

We're coming to savannah next month. Can you put in a special request for temps beginning with a 6 or a 7? I'm flexible. thanks.

Marcy said...

And all this messed up weather in the south will lead to sky high prices on tomatoes and strawberries.

And when my son melted down at 5 p.m. after an afternoon at the park, it took me a little while to figure it out.

BonBon Rose Girls Kristin said...

Oh no...It was just beautiful here. I'm hoping it sticks and isn't just teasing us!

The Four Week Vegan said...

I'm going to encourage my children to become weathermen and women. You are so right -there is no other profession where you get paid the buckaroos and have no accountability, if you don't count politicians.

Anonymous said...

I don't even watch the news or weather anymore. I just go outside before I leave the house to see what's up.

I'm ready for Spring too but not the hot summer months for sure.

Unknown said...

This weekend did turn out quite nice! yes, it was a slow start to get warm and sunny but at least it happened! Now, I don't want to be at work cause its so wonderful!

Unknown said...

Yeah...I don't know how anyone can live in the South during the summer.
No.Thank.You!
I don't think anyone in the country has had a normal winter. We have had a very mild winter in the PNW, especially compared to Snowpocalypse from last year.

Secret Mom Thoughts said...

Being a weatherman is the only job one can keep and be wrong so often. I can't wait for spring either.

Existential Waitress said...

your weather sounds much better than our's. fall and spring are ok in LV, but summer can bite my ass with temps that reach 120 degrees. Ugh.

Mom in High Heels said...

Hahaha! 39 WOULD feel warm here right about now. We got 4 inches of snow on Saturday! WTF? If was in th eupper 40's last weekend and we were wearing our light jackets, now we're all bundled up again. One good thing about snow though it that Indy LOVES to go out and play in it. He doesn't nap much anymore, but he likes to go out and play in the snow while *I* nap. Huzzah!

Unknown said...

It's going to start raining down near your way, on or about Tuesday Evening and will not be stopping for a few days...just saying.

Ellen said...

Seriously! Or at least be as entertaining as Ron Burgundy in Anchorman. "I love scotch. Scotchy-scotch. Here it goes down my belly..." Ok, sorry, random! I just love that movie! :)

http://www.firednfabulous.blogspot.com/

Mrs. M said...

I took the kids to Costco and it was pretty sunny when I left so I was like "hey, look at the sun! Guess what kids, we don't have to wear COATS today!!". As we got to the store I realized there was a pretty dark cloud above us....and once we arrived it was starting to SNOW and it was COLD! Now the sun is back out. Crazy weather indeed!

Sniff said...

Ah...9 months of summer? You lucky b¤"%&$s! :)

This was my reality a few weeks ago:

http://insniffschoos.blogspot.com/2010/02/diary-of-snow-shoveler.html

Aunt Juicebox said...

LOL 39 means long sleeves and long pants, and only a jacket if it's dark out. I am used to the cold, used to the snow, but I still effing HATE every minute of it. I've been begging my husband to let us move south for years. I knew I should have used one of those ginormous icicles we had a few weeks ago as a weapon.

Maria said...

Yeah, the weatherman. The only person who still gets paid when they are continually wrong.

South Florida needs to start living up to it's reputation as a sunny, warm place. This mama is SICK of bundling up her boys and herself...Where are you Spring?

HalfAsstic.com said...

Oh, I SO know what you are talking about. I can remember numerous Christmas's where over half the population in town was wearing shorts.
But, I have to say, the only thing worse than lingering cold is the infernal humidity combined with triple digit heat.

Lit Chick said...

I can't wait for sun's warm glow either. We are terribly cold in my neck of the woods.

Georgia Peach said...

BRING THE SUN! We miss it too. Why are people in the PNW enjoying better weather than us?

Mrs. Micek said...

I am a new reader to your blog and I'm LOVING it! Your too funny!! :)

But Ugh... I'd give almost anything for a 55 degree day!! I am trying to convince my hubby to move to Phoenix!! We are currently in Salt Lake City and our days center around 30-40, we have SUMMER (3-4 months) and WINTER (the rest of the year)...
But yeah, don't you just want to call the news station and say, "who is this guy?!"

Anonymous said...

I just realized you lived my dream. As I've mentioned I grew up in Seattle too, and moving to Georgia was always my dream (Big Gone With The Wind fan)I have never made it to even visit but I know eventually I will get there.

I did at least get out to Maryland. While we certainly have all 4 seasons (I would much prefer your 2) the cold season is relatively short as compared to Seattle and the humidity I love more than makes up for it from May through September.

citymouse said...

It reached 59 here today and we were all doing our Spring is Finally Coming happy dance. God, I miss the warmer weather. We still have nasty, dirty piles of snow to deal with. Yuck.

Poindexter said...

I just chalk it up to Male Answer Syndrome, that common malady that effects so many individuals of the male persuasion. Pose a question and they are COMPELLED to provide an answer. Any answer will do. No couching, no caveats. The statement is delivered to the listener as if it was an engraved invitation to a State Dinner at the White House.

shortmama said...

Being in AZ I definitely know what you mean about rain or snow turning stupid drivers into lunatics. We have had way more rain than normal this year and as much as I love it I am ready for some sun!

Fragrant Liar said...

In Texas, we've learned to never trust the weather forecast. And so the saying has developed: If you don't like the weather in Texas, just wait a minute.

Yeah, it changes that fast.

secret agent woman said...

I always feel I'm allowed to complain about the cold because I chose to live in the South just for the warmth.

Anonymous said...

We have similar weather patterns here. It was close to 70 on Sunday and Monday. We took advantage and visited the zoo. Now, it's cold and rainy. And August... Well, I could do without August in the south.

Ela said...

I think not knowing is a pre-requisite for that job. I pretty much open the front door morning of and decide from there. It's the only way to know in Toronto. Sigh.

Pandorah's Box said...

Grrr....I know exactly what you mean about the weather man! Although here, in Toronto, Ontario, we have four seasons, and they can happen at ANY TIME. It's May and there is a snowstorm coming? Great, cool. I was wearing next to nothing yesterday, now bring out the winter coat.

Sigh.

Unknown said...

Since we are complaining about weather... can I just tell you about today? Rain. Cold. Dreariness. Children fighting at the top of their lungs in the living room. Too scary to drive in torrential downpours... What a freaking day.

Anonymous said...

heehee.