stop the world...it's snowing

I can't think of a better way to stimulate the economy than to announce a possible ice storm in Georgia. The minute the local news announces a "Winter Weather Mix" the entire state shuts down. Everyone rushes to the grocery store to stock up on supplies like bears preparing for hibernation. Then there's the line at the gas station, wrapped around the parking lot with cars filling up their tanks...just in case. And of course, you couldn't have a winter weather party without a movie rental or two.  Just think, if we could have three of these each month our local economy would be in pretty good shape. Heck, we might even be able to keep our local Blockbuster in business.

After living here for 9 years I have come to this conclusion...
When Georgia is facing inclement winter weather the following are guaranteed:

1. People will flock to the stores to buy anything and everything they may (or may not) need for a week (or month, for that matter). 
2. People who are not "from" Georgia will laugh and joke at how everyone is reacting. They will share stories of their experiences from the arctic climates of Nebraska, Michigan, New Hampshire, wherever, with the sole purpose of making the locals feel silly. I doubt the purpose for these jokes is mean-spirited, but I could name a few local Georgians who are tired of hearing it. 

Yeah, yeah, yeah. We all know you walked a mile uphill in the snow both ways to and from school. And of course your parents made you shovel the driveway and scrape the ice off of their windshields every morning. And yes, we are aware that in [insert northern state here] the airport would have never canceled flights for an inch of snow or a little bit of ice.

I wouldn't be true to my Yankee roots if I didn't poke a little fun of the Georgia winter weather mix madness. Probably because I do remember walking to school in the snow and scraping ice off the windshield of my dad's car. But that's not the point.

You see, I have a confession to make. I totally love the fact that our city is closed tomorrow. I love that my husband won't go to work and instead will be home with me. I love the idea of freezing time for a day- a day where we can't go anywhere or do anything. It's a rare opportunity we have as a family to just stay put. All of us. So that's what we will do.

I am going to embrace the winter weather mix with open arms and just enjoy the moment. And as for all of my friends who live north of the Mason Dixon Line...well, I hope you have fun at work tomorrow!