Tuesday, January 28, 2014

wintery precipitation, come and get us!

In case you live under a rock, or in the event that your Facebook newsfeed isn't filled with residents of the Southern United States, I feel compelled to inform you that it is probably going to snow today.

CUE PANICKED EXCITEMENT ACROSS THE ENTIRE REGION!!!!!

I feel sad for people who have never lived and experienced the palpable excitement that permeates the air of Georgia when there are snowflakes in the forecast. It's not just kids and teachers. It's this magically widespread, all-encompassing sense of anticipation, fear, and hope. We may be horribly unprepared for frozen precipitation, but we love to see it coming just the same.



And would you just look at that beautiful map?? By all accounts, if my sources can be trusted and the blue means ice (??? I think???) and the pinkish stuff off to the west indicates snow...well, the Athens area just may see as many as 14 flakes of the white stuff today.

11:15 a.m. edit: Obviously I am dumb and none of you bothered to correct me, but the BLUE is snow and the PINK is ice/mix. I will just say that we see these two colors so incredibly infrequently on our weather maps that it's understandable that I wouldn't even know what they represented. Also, may as well add that we still haven't seen a flake yet. Over and out.

VICTORY IS OURS!!!!

And that means, naturally, life as we know it will cease to exist. All of the local school systems are all already closed or have announced noon closures. I'm hoping that luck will trickle over to my workplace and I'll find myself back home to settle in by the fire by early afternoon. And that means that instead of blogging this morning (or rather...instead of blogging for as long as I normally do), I'm going to actually get some work stuff done. You know. Just in case.

[Rabbit trail: I'm not sure if I've explained this before, but I've had some folks ask, so may as well clarify now...Matt and I carpool to work, since our buildings are literally 25 feet apart from each other. We both get off at 5, but he has to start work at 8. My office doesn't open til 9. That means I get to work an hour early every day with time to kill. 98% of the time, as you've probably observed, I kill the time with blogging. In the event that I just don't feel like it, I've been known to kill the time reading or napping on the floor of my office. So if you've had the question how does Erika have the time to blog every single morning??? burning deep in your soul...now you know.]

But before I go, I'd be remiss if I didn't disgust you with share a story I heard on NPR this morning. I mean, since I am the de facto source of all health-and-beauty information for many of you...this is obviously news you need to know about.

Crest is about to release some new toothpaste flavors. Get ready.


Source
And uh...yeah. You read it right. Mint chocolate trek.

Mind-blowingly awesome packaging aside, that is so gross I want to die.

And I looooooove mint chocolate chip cream. And Thin Mints. And basically any dessert thing that combines mint and chocolate. So you'd think I'd be their target market here. Except NO THAT IS DISGUSTING. Ew. Just stop.

Other new flavors they're releasing include Vanilla Mint Spark and Lime Spearmint Zest. LIME???? I have no words. Go home, Crest, you're drunk.

The NPR host dude made a comment about 'what's next, after-dinner-drinks flavored toothpaste?' Matt and I cracked up. We're holding out for the Brandy and Cigars flavor. Now that's a delightful combination I want to shove in my mouth before I go to sleep.

Anyway. Food (or flavor, anyway) for thought. Have a happy and hopefully snowy (if you're in the South...my regrets to all of you being buried for the 200th consecutive day up north) day!

31 comments:

  1. I am in no way, shape or form prepared for the impending snow/ice. While I'm mostly certain it's not going to stick around for very long, I have a fear deep down inside that I'm going to regret my decision not to battle it out at the grocery store for the last loaf of bread on the shelves. And bottled water?? I only have about 12 of those in stock... But let's be real here: the closing of schools when a single snow flake hasn't even fallen from the sky and temps are expected to be above freezing for most of the day? The Georgia school system is getting a little too liberal with the snow days in my humble opinion. And I'm not just saying that because I may or may not be bitter that they were so stingy with snow days when we were kids.

    Oh, and mint chocolate toothpaste?? Why did Crest have to go and ruin one of the best flavor combinations known to (wo)man?!

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    1. 8:36 p.m., January 28, 2014. I just wanted to publicly apologize for doubting the county school systems that closed their schools last night. Obviously they have far more insight than the meteorologists and I will never question another school closing. The end.

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  2. You know how badly you wanted snow days as a kid... wait did ever snow in Augusta? Anyway, in N. GA it occasionally did and I would stay up all night waiting for a snowflake... one measly snowflake. Now multiply that times 100, that's how badly I want a snow day. I NEED a snow day (or week). Hope with me!

    Also, I feel like this is a rebrand of a product they launched a long time ago... they had cinnamon, orange, vanilla mint (my favorite)... mint chocolate is certainly new (and gross) but I'm pretty sure that crest has had the market cornered on oddly flavored toothpaste for a while!

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  3. UGH, MINT CHOCOLATE! I don't like mint chocolate anything, and this is why: it reminds me of when you would eat an oreo (or other chocolate cookie) while chewing gum. And then the cookie crumbs get in your gum, and BLAH. Gross. I've just recently found I can eat a thin mint (frozen) without gagging, but that's about it.

    And, bring on the 7 snow flurries, Atlanta!

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  4. Those toothpaste flavors make me want to vomit. Literally. Ohmygosh.

    Houston is under "Winter Storm Warning" too and schools are closed all over town. Brandon is working from home. And. . . there is no snow or ice outside my window as of yet! Ha!

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  5. Crest.. really?! I'm a little skeptical ;)

    I saw the GA weather on the news this morning at the gym and my first thought was you!! Was going to email you, but since you posted about it.......... STAY WARM!!!! Crazy weather. Who is ready for summer!!!!!!

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  6. I'm excited for us to get snow because I'll be on bed rest and I love to watch the snow fall!!

    That tooth past- blech!

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  7. I am enjoying your excitement about the winter weather, because I have none left to give. It was -5 when we left for work this morning, and I think yesterday's high was -2. Ugh. I hope they do send you home early, and I hope you get to relax in front of your fireplace with a good book or trashy t.v. Someone should benefit from this madness!

    As far as the toothpaste goes, I can't think of many more flavor combinations I find less appealing for a clean mouth. It can't be good, right? They may as well come up with coffee-flavored toothpaste. On the other hand, maybe you can get Crest to sponsor a post about how wonderful it is? ;)

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  8. I used to use vanilla mint toothpaste...so I might give that one a try!

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    1. Oh, me too!!! I remember that stuff, it was great! So to be clear, I'm not judging the Vanilla Mint Spark...just the other two. ;) I hope the vanilla mint kind has this awesome of a package, though.

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  9. I'm super bummed that the snow is going to be South of us! If it's coming to my state, I want to see it. That toothpaste sounds awful! I was looking for a Bachelor recap from you today. I don't know who to side with Nikki or Clare. I think I was more annoyed by Clare (she is gorgeous though).

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  10. The snow we got last Tuesday just melted yesterday so I'm not jealous of your snow/ice but only if you get to go back home and get cozy! I did get to telework for the first time last week so it wasn't all bad! But seriously, the cold weather up here is just getting ridiculous. Point proven mother nature....

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  11. Same level of excitement here in Texas, except for from my employer, who has stayed open on both of the "ice-pocalypse" days so far. Boo.

    Also, I used to carpool to high school with Allison (duh) but she had to be there over an hour early for drill team, and this was in the age before tablets, smart phones, etc., so my only options were to (a) study/do homework, or (b) sleep in the hall with my head resting against my locker. I usually did a little bit of both, but blogging would have been way more fun.

    And lastly, I would totally try the Vanilla Mint Spark but def not the chocolate. That's like brushing your teeth with candy… except not as tasty candy.

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  12. Sorry about sending yet another Polar Vortex your way my friend! As a Canadian (and a Canadian) who lives somehwere that sees A LOT of snow and super cold temperatures (-12 F currently) ...I'm always facinated by the stoires coming out of the US in regards to the weather. Stay safe,stay warm!!

    Also...that toothpaste is a terrible idea! Blech!

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  13. Eating warm soup tonight my dear? I LOVE SNOW DAYS!!! I stay in my pj's and go NO WHERE! It's always a perfect excuse to be lazy :)

    waitingforbabybird.com

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  14. It's supposed to be near 80 today in Scottsdale (gag) I'd rather have winter any day. I do miss a good snow day in the south! My Orange Theory instructor mentioned that disgusting toothpaste this morning. ick.

    Hope you get snow (and off early)!!

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  15. I may have just thrown up a little in my mouth thinking about those toothpaste flavors. It reminds me of being at the dentist as a little kid and the hygienist would always pull put bubble gum
    Flavored toothpaste. Gross!

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  16. I am soooo excited about the impending snow! We live on the Georgia/South Carolina line (in north Georgia), so I cannot wait for it to get here. Lake Hartwell is so beautiful when surrounded by snow, so I cannot wait for it to get here!

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  17. We got snow in Mississippi today! I woke up and saw the flakes dropping and felt like a kid excited for a snow day...except I had to go into work. Thankfully work has been slow and we've only had one crazy person come in.

    Living in Missouri made me hate snow since we got it every year and I had to trek through it to go to school, but living in Mississippi has made me appreciate it again. As long as I don't have to be outside for too long.

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  18. That toothpaste has gag gift written all over it. Or prank all over it, in case you're feeling adventuresome. Oh gosh, what if it comes out of the tube brown??!! I just made myself throw up a little.

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  19. HAHAHA - you just made me laugh. "Go home, Crest, you're drunk!" LOL! That's funny. And agreed - disgusting!!!

    Everything you said about the snow is EXACTLY what is happening here! LOL! No snowflakes though... yet... :)

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  20. I'm green with envy...snow is my favorite impending event here up north!!! The craziness in the grocery stores, the news stories, the possibilities of schools closing (which may or may not occur), and the pure hype. Love!!! Hope you were safe and enjoyed the pretty and unique flakes.
    Why would Crest think anyone wants to brush with nasty flavored toothpaste? I brush to get rid of te taste in my mouth...not add to it! Yuck!

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  21. See, I'm intrigued by the Lime Spearmint Zest flavor. I'm crazy for citrus anyway.

    I can't wait to see snow here again. Heard it just started snowing in Raleigh 15 minutes ago. Should be here any time!

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  22. Hope you got to 'call it a day' early! Our map is the exact opposite. All pink, no blue :( I'm grateful everything closed for the next 2 days so I don't have to venture out.

    There is no way that toothpaste is getting anywhere near my teeth. Gross. Maybe their market research team is in one of those states where certain drugs where recently legalized?

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  24. "Go home, Crest, you're drunk" Made me spit out my water! hilarious! :)
    Raffy

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  25. I would love some snow. :( I hope you enjoyed it for me! I think Crest had Vanilla Mint a few years ago, but the chocolate is for sure new. Gross.

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  26. After watching the news this morning of all the crazy happenings in Georgia, I can't wait to hear your update!!! Hope you weren't stranded anywhere and you are home in PJs!!!!

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  27. I am a day late on reading this post because of course I had all day off yesterday due to ice/snow in our area too. This weather just does not happen here often so of course everyone goes crazy. I totally love the extra day and a half off though and was off last Friday too! Hope you start thawing out soon :)

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  28. I am totally moving to Georgia where there is INSANE EXCITEMENT about snow and not the dread of "Holy crap -- where are we supposed to put the 15cm (6") we're expected to get tomorrow???" (True fact -- I'll let you know if it actually materializes.) This is on top of the piles we already have.

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