Happy New Year Trees! - R2BC

I think they should have closed the schools!

Remember this?

Whether the weather be hot, 
Or whether the weather be not,
We'll weather the weather, 
Whatever the weather.
Whether we like it or not.

Reasons 2B Cheerful for this week are almost all weather related. I'm joining the R2BC linky over at Becky's Lakes Single Mum.

1. It's my Eight Year Blogiversary. 19/1/2011 was the first the blog post. That's it really, who knew that eight years later I'd still be at it.

2. On Wednesday night we had snow. If the snow sticks and is still visible at 7 am, even the tiniest bit which we all know will be gone by 08.30, school is cancelled. They were expecting it and all schools closed at 3 pm on Wednesday afternoon. (Thanks for nothing - most Primary schools finish at 3 or even 2.30. Remember that we start at 8 am.) DD's class were in a frenzy of whatsapping on Wednesday evening. Reports coming in from all the surrounding areas about whether it was real snow or just hail. We live half way up the valley so we didn't quite believe that there was actually snow. By Thursday morning the storm had passed and the the ground was wet but clear. All over Jerusalem pupils and teachers dragged themselves out into the cold, wet, grey morning. Their hopes of a snow day at home dashed. Apparently there was snow on the higher grounds and I saw some of it malingering on my way to my school. Seriously, I think that patch warranted a day at home but no one asked me.

3. So on Wednesday evening, DD and I settled down on the sofa, under blankets, and binge watched Heartland on Netflix. We saw about five episodes. Yes that's five hours of TV but it was punctuated by rushing to the window every few minutes to see the lightning and count until the thunder to find out how near the storm was. And we had to assess the snow/hail/sleet/graupel situation in order to contribute to the whatsapping. It's very sweet that this group has rules that the kids are very strict about. A previous class group got silly and sometimes nasty so they set up this new official group. One of the rules is no messaging after 8 pm. So at the height of excitement about the weather, at 8 pm it suddenly went quiet. I was very proud of them.

4. On Monday is Tu B'Shvat (the 15th of the Jewish month of Shvat) which is the New Year for Trees. I think it's supposed to be the official start of spring. The traditional song is all about the sun shining, almond blossom appearing and the birds singing from the rooftops. Seems a bit ridiculous  for the middle of January but every festival has been early this year. (It's a leap year in the Jewish calendar which means we have an extra month next month so while Tu B'Shvat was early, Purim and Passover will be late.) Still, the sun is shining, we are forecast temperatures in the teens all next week, and it feels like the end of the winter might possibly be nigh.

Happy New Year dear trees! I'm not planning to go out and plant a tree, which is one of the Tu B'Shvat customs, but I'll definitely give one or two of them a hug.

The No Snow Saga 2016

Please excuse the clothes dryer - I brought it in to keep it clean and dry.

We are in the mountains and a freeze-thaw-freeze situation makes our roads treacherous. Add to that the fact that no one is experienced in driving in ice or snow conditions and that the city does not keep road clearing equipment for two days a year (if that). It's safer and cheaper to just shut down for the duration.

However, to understand the actions and reactions and general hysteria in Jerusalem when snow is forecast, you have to go back two years. We had quite a heavy snowstorm that year (heavy for us means about 10cm) and snow tourists flocked in from the centre of the country (they never get snow in Tel Aviv). That year the snow was heavier than usual and many people got trapped in their cars on the highways for up to 24 hours. In the city they had to open up schools to house the stranded snow tourists over the weekend. We were stuck at home for a glorious five days!

So last year they shut the roads early in and out of Jerusalem and closed all public institutions. They weren't taking any chances. In the spirit of not taking any chances, we got three days off school and no snow. It was hilarious.

Obviously this year, as a result of last year, they are not being too premature and even though snow was forecast for last night, they made us wait until 5am this morning before making a decision. The suspense on fb last night was killing me. At 9.30pm my college cancelled today. As this is where I work on Tuesdays it was all over for me at that point. And the snow had started by the time I went to bed at 11.

At 4.30am I woke up and looked outside. There was snow on the cars. I turned off the alarm and went back to sleep.

Imagine my surprise when I woke up this morning (at 9.15) and outside was wet but clear. "Is there school today?" asked DD. Me: I don't think so but I'll check on the computer. Of course there was school and fb was full of posts about disappointed children (and teachers) having to be in school at 8am. Woops.

So we are sitting here at the computers - me blogging and DD watching Tangled - and watching the no snow out of the window. It keeps trying to snow. Is it sleet? Is it snow? Is it getting warmer? Is it all over? Probably.

Snow!!! I hate it.

Having closed all the schools again at midday because of snow, and all we got was rain - again. Last night I posted on fb: Anyone want to come round and make a Rainman? (27 likes) Yes the cynicism was running high in Jerusalem last night.

We went to bed last night in a not very hopeful mood. Yes it was settling but it kept turning into rain (sleet and graupel actually) which washed it all away.

However we woke up to this (and another day off school, hooray!).

I love to look at the snow but I hate going out in it. My biggest memory of snow in England was being made to go out during the lunch hour at school, aged 7. I had cotton socks in thin wellington boots and I stood miserably on the veranda for an hour while my toes slowly froze.

Fast forward 45 years and other people's photos began to appear on whatsapp and fb, frolicking in the snow and looking happy. Totally unfathomable imo. We were still in pyjamas.

Still, I accepted that with a 6 year old, you have to do your parental duty and I wasn't going to deny her some snow experience. Lucky we had everything we needed on our balcony.

After that experience and a few snowcastles made with the beach buckets, DD was cold, wet, and had also had enough. We came inside, changed into clean, dry pyjamas, put on the heating and made hot drinks.

Right I'm done. Bring on the rain.

Snow Days Without Snow

It all started last week with forecasts of snow for the middle of this week that escalated into full blown panic-mongering about desperate winter blizzards.

It was due to start at 2pm on Wednesday. After last year's once in 50 years, 5-day snow siege in which drivers were stuck in their cars for up to 24 hours whilst trying to make it up the mountains to Jerusalem, the municipality were taking no chances. School was cancelled on Wednesday. This was announced even though most schools finish before 3pm.

Because last year Jerusalem was inundated with snow tourists from Tel Aviv who then got stranded here with nowhere to stay - they had to open up schools to house them over the weekend, the roads in and out of the city were to be closed as well.

I received an email from my college saying all lessons were cancelled for Wednesday and Thursday. At 7pm. I got an sms from one of the local supermarkets that they were staying open until midnight to allow people to shop for the impending siege.

We did manage to make a snowman of sorts

At 1.20pm on Wednesday it started to snow. I would have called it sleet (rain and snow) but friends taught me the word graupel meaning hail and snow. It landed on wet ground and instantly disappeared into slushy puddles.

Forecasts said possibility of snow over night. There were thunder and lightning storms that night but no more snow. They announced that a decision about school on Thursday would be made at 6am. We didn't bother to set the alarm. School was re-scheduled to start at 10am instead of the usual 8am as they were worried about black ice. Reports said that about 5 children per class showed up. Well you can't promise a snow day and them take it back can you? We stayed at home and did lego, workbooks, movies, colouring and food. It did rain a lot.

Thank you Miriam and Charles for the lego caravan

However, the big storm was finally due to arrive this morning. We were warned of heavy snow from 9am till midday. We were urged to shop for the weekend on Thursday night so we didn't have to drive in the snow. Everything was cancelled for today.

It's now almost 1pm and nothing yet. A friend just posted on fb that she cooked the carrot they were saving for the nose of their snowman. The funny thing is that school finishes at midday on Fridays. So that's three days off for snow that didn't happen. Whatever.

Downton And Discipline

You'll recall that my 'word' for 2015 is Discipline. One of the things I specifically mentioned in relation to discipline is that I am going to bed too late.

The talk in Jerusalem since last week has been all about the snow. Last year we had a particularly severe storm and were snowed in for five days! Hahahahaha, not Alaskan blizzards, about 10cm tops but Jerusalem grinds to a halt at the mere mention of snow. We're not set up for it because in the past it only happened once every three years so it's more worth it to shut down for a couple of days than invest in snow ploughs, etc. However, after last year's snowpocolypse they weren't taking any chances.

Snow was forecast for 2 pm this afternoon (it actually started early at 1.20 pm) so they announced no kindergartens, no school, no colleges or university for two days. LOL, I know, I know.

DD went to bed when she felt like it last night (although we did get all her homework done and it was double the amount because of the impending siege). I didn't get any work done as I was too busy discussing the weather, which hadn't even started yet, on fb. Then I decided it was about time I watched the first episode of season 1 of Downton Abbey.

I knew I'd love it as I grew up on Upstairs Downstairs (the tv series not the real thing). But I wasn't prepared for this. I posted on fb:

Rachel Selby

17 hrs ·

So 4 1/4 years late I finally watched the 1st episode of the 1st season of Downton Abbey. I loved it and when he announced they were at war at the end, I burst into tears. I think I can say I am well and truly hooked. No school/work tomorrow luckily, hee hee hee.

So I started to watch episode 2 because it would have been rude not to. On fb:

Rachel Selby It's a bit silly that episode 1 showed the end of the storylines from season 1, unless I accidently watched the last episode first. What's the point of knowing what's going to happen at the end?

14 hrs · Like

No one picked up on that so on I went: 

Rachel Selby I may watch episode 3 now as it's only 1.20 am. 

15 hrs · Like

The rest of the evening went like this: 

Rachel Selby 3 am. I could watch episode 5 and still be in bed by 4. Don't have to get up in the morning, right?

2 mins · Edited · Like

Rachel Selby 6

13 hrs · Like

Rachel Selby 4.30am. I really really really should go to bed. ............ 7

4 hrs · Edited · Like

Rachel Selby 7 is the last one in season 1. I'm such an idiot.

12 hrs · Like

Rachel Selby OH FFS!!!! I watched episode 7 first when I thought I was watching 1! I THOUGHT it was weird that they showed the end of all the story lines in the first episode and then went back four years. Oooof. I'll watch episode 1 tomorrow. I'm such a moron!

12 hrs · Like · 3

I watched the real episode 1 this morning. 

My lovely friend Timna was kind to enough to remind me about my 'word' at around 1 am. At that point I couldn't even remember what discipline meant let alone how to implement it. 

I even dreamt about Downton last night (well early this morning actually). A bit crazy as dreams usually are. I had Sybil and Matthew running off to Manchester in the manner of Hodel and Perchik running off to Siberia. It should have been the chauffeur but come on, be real.

I noted that Chavaleh isn't everybody's favourite in this film but I was still sorry she didn't get her man. 

And that Tseitl is no Tseitl I can tell you, even if she too is determined to choose her own husband. I thought of the meme: Remember dear, Karma's only a bitch if you are. 

I have serious work to do tonight and yet I can hear the dainty clink of crystal wine glasses, the clip-clop of the horses preparing for the hunt, the bustle of life below stairs, ........ *sighs*

Snow Days 3, 4, and 5

It snowed again on day 3. Today (Sunday) was day 4. No school as the roads were still icy but the sky was blue and we watched (from the window of course) the snow melt from this...

to this...

Whilst others were out building yet more snowmen and even some igloos (all seen on facebook), much of  our day looked like this...

We got some invitations to join friends in various local parks and homes but I had loads of grading to do and I couldn't work and take take DD out. Luckily she wasn't too keen to go out in the cold anyway. Single parenting is like that sometimes.

And just when we thought it was all over. Due to freezing weather tonight turning the roads into ice-rinks, areas slightly further out and higher up than us being still covered in snow, trees still down and blocking, damaged schools, still no electricity in some neighbourhoods, and teachers not being able to get in from The Gush Etzion area south of Jerusalem which is still under a metre of snow and cut off... NO SCHOOL AGAIN TOMORROW! Day 5 - maybe we will venture out for a bit.

One other thing. With all the power cuts I was struck by the realization that in this era of smart phones, internet, instant communication, Skype, etc... you still need a torch and a battery operated radio in your house. And if I was thinking about doing away with gas in favour of an all electric cooking arrangement - this weekend changed my mind.

My 2nd Snow Day (With Photos)

Shabbat candles with stormy backdrop

No school again today but we, DD and I, had a grand old time exploring the great indoors. I made that soup, did 2 1/2 hours of grading, DD did her reading practice, I put laundry away and generally tidied up. Altogether a much more productive day than yesterday.

Challah recipes abounded on facebook as there were few challot to be had in the shops. We made do with two slices of bread.

Then, at 1pm, the electricity cut out.

We lit candles everywhere

For us, no electricity wasn't a such a big deal but you have to know what it means if you're doing Shabbat the orthodox way. You don't switch on or off any electrical, gas or battery operated appliances for the 25 hour duration - sundown Friday till darkness falls on Saturday evening. You have a hot platter to keep pre-cooked food hot, you fill a water urn for hot drinks, set the lights and heating on time switches, and often host guests or walk to friends for the big meals of the day (Friday night dinner and Saturday lunch).

Many friends packed up their food and duvets and went to spend Shabbat with friends in more 'enlightened' neighbourhoods. Of course you couldn't leave as Jerusalem was and is entirely closed on all roads leading out of the city.

Stormy weather

On the radio we heard that great stretches of the country were without power for hours today. They said up to 40,000 people were without but they managed to connect 20,000 of those by Friday evening. Many roads around the country are closed and many towns completely cut off. We have now had over 30% of our average annual rainfall this week. The storm was much heavier than expected (it always is) and they didn't close the roads early enough (they never do). Over 700 people have been trapped in their cars for up to 12 hours.

Some of the motorists and their passengers were snow tourists coming from the centre of the country to take a few photos and make a snowman or two. Shelters have been opened in Jerusalem to accommodate them until Sunday. I bet that's the last time they go out of their way to see snow. *snorts quietly to herself*

Damka by candlelight

Here at wimp headquarters we lit candles and put dressing gowns over our sweatsuits over our pyjamas. We played damka (drafts), Taki (like Uno), Junior Scrabble and solitaire on the computer until the battery ran out. DD got a bit longer playing Jelly Splash and Free Flow on my phone until that went dead as well. I heated up the soup on the gas and we dunked our bread.





Reader, I loved it.
The storm is still raging as I type.
And so to bed.

Your move...

P.S. They say it will all be over by Christmas.

My Snow Day (sNo Pictures)

All week they've been talking about snow in Jerusalem and specifically on Thursday. All schools are closed when it snows even when the snow is 2mm thick and melts by 0830 hrs.

Wednesday 0000: It's freezing outside. I go to bed praying there won't be snow until Friday. I have a ton of grading to do and I need a whole day to do it.

Thursday 0530: DD woke up complaining of a tummy ache and promptly threw up all over the bed. My bed.

Thursday 0535-0630: Clean DD up, put her into her own (clean) bed, change the sheets on my bed, put on a wash, get back into bed. Still no sign of snow.

Thursday 0630-0700: Lie awake convincing myself that she's not ill but rather that she ate too much junk yesterday. Therefore there is no reason why she cannot go to kindergarten.

Thursday 0700: Still no sign of snow and I fall asleep.

Thursday 0800: I wake up and realize that DD is still sound asleep. I decide to let her sleep and keep her at home today. I get up to make the relevant phone-calls and see heavy snow falling outside my window. Get straight back into bed and go back to sleep.

Thursday 0930: DD wakes up, she still has a tummy ache and is sick again - this time in a bucket not in the bed. Lucky she's not at K. I'm sorry she's sick but it does cross my mind that we have the perfect excuse not to go out today.

Thursday 0945: Take out the washing, put in another load. Realize that we will need the heating on today (first time this winter), pull two heaters out of storage and plug them in. DD looks out the window and exclaims: Oh Mummy, it looks like Christmas!

Thursday 1000: I have coffee with oat milk, cheese and tomato on toast, and a banana for breakfast. DD has dry rice crackers and water. (Not everyone gets the Christmas they dreamed of.)

Thursday 1030: People are already posting pictures of their kids playing in the snow and building snowmen. I am now officially a SMOSK (smug mother of sick kid) as well as a SMOG (smug mother of girls).

Thursday 1030-1800: I spend the day discussing the weather on facebook, playing computer games with DD, watching videos and eating. At some point after it gets dark I light a couple of candles as the lights are flickering and others (on fb) have had intermittent power cuts throughout the day.

Thursday 1800: They announce no school in Jerusalem tomorrow. Hooray! They record the worst snow storm ever in Jerusalem in December. They announce that Israel has had 25% of our annual average precipitation this week alone - and it ain't over yet. Jerusalem is officially cut off from the outside world - all routes in and out are closed until 0600 on Friday. News report here (with pictures).

Thursday 1830 approximately: Have a huge and terribly mature revelation. I don't need to defend not going out to play in the snow. I love the snow to look at but I hate the cold wetness of being out in it. We will not be leaving the house for the duration. We're Jewish, we don't play out in the snow, we stay in and drink hot soup.

Thursday 2000: Put DD to bed. Read her three stories and come out to start my grading.

Thursday 2005: Realize that there's no way I'm doing any grading tonight. Mess around on the computer for another couple of hours.

Thursday 2200: Write this blog post. Go to bed promising to grade all day tomorrow. Oh, and to make the hot soup of course.

Jerusalem Closed and Divided

Perhaps that title's a little dramatic but that's what it feels like. We woke up this morning to this:


And then it got worse - or better, depending on your viewpoint (both physical and philosophical).

You'll notice that all my photos are taken from inside my apartment with the doors shut. DD, ever her mother's daughter, took one look at it this morning and declared, "hoohoohoo We're not going outside in this. I'm definitely not going out in this!" I readily agreed.

No school today and people are forgiven if they don't make it to work (though apparently they won't get paid). Even though transport is free today to discourage people from driving, all public transport has been suspended till about 2pm, when the snow is expected to ease off. And, as far as I understand, all the roads in and out of Jerusalem are closed.

From the activity on facebook this morning, it would seem that Jerusalem is not only closed but it is also divided. There is a clear division between those who were up early and out enjoying the crisp winter wonderland (mostly mothers of boys funnily enough), and those who have battened down the hatches and are exploring the great indoors.

We are enjoying it all vicariously of course, through the window and via facebook. We heard the children from upstairs whooping down the stairwell with squeals of, "sheleg! Sheleg!" (snow, snow - obviously). My friend told me on the phone that she was out very early enjoying the snow with the dog who was off the lead and in his element. There is not one part of this statement I can begin to comprehend.

Pictures are appearing on fb of children building snowmen and throwing snowballs. The heavy American influence has introduced snow angels to the neighbourhood. Enjoy, my friends - we'll appreciate the photos and do our bit by putting the potatoes in the oven to bake and boiling the milk for hot chocolate.

Later we're expecting the hoards from Tel Aviv and the centre of the country to arrive to see the snow. Of course they have to go to school first (tee hee hee).

And finally, I risked life, limb and dignity to walk 1.5 metres onto my balcony and take a couple of photos from the great but freezing cold outdoors.

The upstairs neighbours

And now it's back to watching Shrek, drinking hot apple cider and maybe baking biscuits later.