The last day of November was hard and cold but bright, sunny and blue.  It's like the month was trying hard to make sure we remembered it fondly.   December roared in this morning kicking ass and taking names.  December doesn't give a crap what we think of it and to prove it, here's an assfull of snow, Grunt!

It's snowing.

In Minnesota.

In December.

To hear the hysterics on tv and radio, you'd think the entire population of Minnesota had just arrived from the South Pacific, has never seen snow or experienced cold weather.  We don't know how to drive in it, we don't know how to dress for it and good grief, we need someone wiser, stronger and preferably associated with the government to tell us how to heat our homes.  IT'S SNOWING!  RUN FOR YOUR LIVES!

In Minnesota.

In December.


As we watched the snow swirl down this morning we discovered that Josie has outgrown her boots and Zack no longer fits into the winter jacket he wore this year.  So we took our lives in our hands, hopped in the car and went off to find boots and warm coats.  But where? Where?  Where does one find such cold weather necessities?  Should I call my city councilman?  The governor's office?  The StarTribune or KARE11?

Nah.  We just went to the Burlington Coat factory.  I love that place.  We found Zack a really nice jacket that looks like it should last for years.  I'm fairly certain that he's finally done growing.  Even if he does grow a little more, it can't be that much, right?  Anyway, the coat looks like it can accommodate another inch, maybe an inch and a half. We also got a thick stocking cap that doesn't look like it's about to pop into the air from the strain of stretching over his big, round noggin.  They had no snow boots that Josie liked so we hopped across the hi way to Target and got her some boots.  By noon both kids were ready to go out and shovel the driveway.

Jay had an afternoon game, which we won.  Afterwords, we all wound up at home.  Friends came over.  While Jay, Dick and I ate steak in the kitchen, Josie and Meg watched a movie downstairs and later Zack and his pals, who had been out sliding and skating on the creek, ended up on the porch.  I didn't realize the house was filling up with people, but when I looked up, it was.

Now it's almost midnight and we just chased the girls to bed.  The boys all left again, with promises not to stay out too long.  It's winter, and despite December trying to cow us into submission, we're off to a flying start.