We’ve had a weird trend in southern Wisconsin this winter: it has snowed almost every Thursday.
Thursday isn’t the only day it has snowed — but it has been the most reliably snowy. This isn’t just a subjective observation, either. The stats back it up. In 2023, it has snowed every Thursday but one.
Add Feb. 16 to that chart. It’s been snowing all day. We have about 4-5″ on the ground and it’s still coming down. We’ll probably see another couple of inches before our Winter Storm Warning expires at 10 p.m.
Oh, and guess what? I took a peek at next week’s forecast. Granted, we’re seven days out, but they’re predicting…drumroll, please!…SNOW next Thursday.
I’m just as shocked as you are.
Our local meteorologists say it’s just a coincidence that we’ve had so many snowy Thursdays. Weather sometimes gets stuck in these weird little patterns, they claim. Personally, I’m blaming it on a glitch in the Matrix.
Either that or a weather balloon.
We are now less than a week away from closing on our house!
Yesterday, Justin the Realtor texted us with a link to a Spotify song. It was Europe’s “The Final Countdown.” Not to be outdone, I replied with a link to another song: Barenaked Ladies’ “One Week.” Tara followed that up with “Our House” by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young.
Never let it be said that we aren’t competitive.
In fact, during our inspection, JTR mentioned that he once had a couple who were so excited about their impending home purchase, they would surreptitiously sneak over there before closing, take selfies, and text them to him. Does this sound like gauntlets being thrown? It did to us.
We’ve been popping over there from time to time, taking photos, and sending them to JTR. And because Justin is the coolest realtor ever, he got in on the action, too. We’d talked about replacing the woodstove downstairs with a cool retro Mid-Century Modern Malm fireplace, so when he came across one in a Madison antique store, he texted a photo where he was standing in front of the fireplace with a similar comical expression on his face. We were enjoying cocktails in Lake Geneva when we got his text, and we laughed so hard, the other patrons probably thought we were special. I’d post the photo, but don’t want to intrude on his privacy. Here’s the fireplace, though.
Gotta admit, that would be perfect for us. But the wood-burning stove is pretty nice, too. It’s a solid cast iron beast. The question is, do we prioritize warmth or ambience?
That’s a decision for another day.
In any case, we will be doing our final walkthrough next Wednesday morning, then heading to Jefferson — one town over — to sign our lives away.
Naturally, I will be texting JTR a link to Semisonic’s “Closing Time” that morning.
Then, we immediately shift gears and get to work. Our proverbial dance cards will be full for the foreseeable future, but instead of doing the tango, we’ll be gradually emptying out the apartment and garage, and spackling, painting, and cleaning. Every night, or almost every night, and every weekend too, until we’re outta here for good in mid-March. We’d better enjoy these last few free evenings relaxing on our recliners in front of the TV, ’cause these muscles are about to get a workout. Good thing we’re almost up to the seventh and final season of The Shield.
In fact, I’m taking a vacation day on Wednesday. With the walkthrough and closing that morning, I figure I’ll be way too amped up to think about TobacCo work that day anyway.
Six more days!!
Mark My Words 
LOL over the various text exchanges. It’s nice when someone gets you. Wood stove, for sure. Warmth will lower your heating bills and stand you in good stead when ice storms take out the electricity.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Tara and I both said the same thing, independently of one another, when reading your comment. “Damn it, she’s got a good point…”
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are too funny Mark! That lurker behind the tree made me LOL as well as the song competition. I think you have to get that fireplace, it’s perfect and then look for a fridge and other kitchen appliances to match. From experience that color coordinates well with faux vinyl brick flooring right next to a gold shag carpet.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I can’t tell if you’re being serious or sarcastic re: the vinyl brick flooring and gold shag carpet, but those are two things that would personally make me very happy!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hahaha! There are many things that I can embrace and/or remember fondly about the 70s like bell bottoms, platform shoes, feathered hair, puka shell necklaces…the list really does go on and on with the exception of most things burnt orange, gold or avocado green. Those memories of my childhood home are burned into my brain and I wish so deeply that I could just un-see them forever 🙂
LikeLike
so funny
LikeLiked by 1 person
February can be snowy here although they took the snow out of the forecast next week and put in some bitterly cold temps instead. Teens at night in Western WA?? I love the fun exchanges of selfies and music; you’re getting so close to livin’ the dream!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve always said, there’s little point in cold if you don’t at least get some snow to go along with it!
LikeLike
Oh my goodness, the song/picture/text exchange is hilarious! Thank goodness you are getting the tv watching done – you’ll going to need to save all your energy to get everything done in about two weeks. Thank goodness you’ve practiced this before!
Love the picture of you behind the tree. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Honestly, we could probably do most of the work in our sleep at this point. Which just illustrates how deeply this sense of wanderlust is imbedded.
LikeLiked by 1 person
We got in a weather pattern one winter where we had a snow storm every third day for two weeks or so. Indeed, sometimes the weather gets “stuck.” Of course, that’s when it used to snow here. It doesn’t anymore apparently. The text/picture challenge with JTR is LOL!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Just watch: next winter you’re going to be inundated with snow. Mark my words!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Christmas in February. Cool!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Believe it or not, there are still a couple of houses in the neighborhood with lights up…and one still has a Christmas tree plugged in.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You met your perfect realtor in Justin didn’t you?
I get the struggle between that amazingly cool fireplace and the wood burner. I’m not the one over there in the constantly snowy Thursdays life, so I’d opt for the fireplace (y’know, in a style over substance kinda way!)
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s like Justin is our soulmate. In a real-estate manner of speaking, of course.
Style over substance is the perfect way to put it. I could go either way at this point, but I want to try out the wood stove to see just how good it is.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That selfie! I love you guys… and your realtor apparently. If you had time I’d tell you to go full Friends With Benefits and have a flash mob accompany Closing Time, but you’re new to the area and might not know a thousand random people yet.
Enjoy your last few relaxing days. Moving is hard work.
LikeLiked by 2 people
There’s barely a thousand random people in our new town, ha. But I love a good flash mob!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think I speak for all your readers when I say I fully expect you to keep blogging through these next few busy days and weeks. 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think I speak for myself when I say I fully intend to do so! If I don’t document the whole process, did it really happen?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Very exciting news about the closing! Some great songs being bandied about, too. I’m glad you have a fun realtor.
I’ve noticed for decades that it is usually windy/rainy here on Mondays. That’s our trash day and nobody likes trash ‘blowing in the wind.’ (See what I did there?)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, there’s definitely a correlation between trash day and microclimates. Once we figure out what our pickup day is, I’ll be sure to watch the weather even more closely!
I see you’re getting into this whole share a song game now…
LikeLike
Now I have that song in my head final countdown thanks a lot… ugh. 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
I mean, you could always listen to “One Week” instead…
LikeLike
You are correct about it snowing on Thursdays. Whoa…
You two are adorable. Those text exchanges are hilarious. I also absolutely love that fireplace and believe it would look fantastic in your home. Maybe Justin could get it for you as a housewarming present? .🤣
FIVE MORE DAYS!
LikeLiked by 1 person
As great a bond as we have with Justin, I doubt he’d spend $2,000 on a housewarming gift (though it would be awesome if he did!).
LikeLiked by 1 person
WHOA. That is steep. But they are really cool.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You guys are very very cute! Thanks for the chuckles.
LikeLiked by 1 person
We do have our moments, ha.
LikeLike
Does this sound like gauntlets being thrown? Heck ‘ya! I’m tickled that you picked up the gauntlet, so few are thrown anymore. 😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m the type of person who can’t leave a gauntlet lying on the ground when walking by. I’ve got to pick it up! Gauntlets deserve a little respect!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Congratulation on your impending closing! We love our wood burning stove and use it every chance Georgia temperatures allow. Admittedly, ours isn’t as cool looking as the one in your photo.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good to see another vote for the wood stove. Hopefully we’ll get a little use out of it before the weather warms up, so I can at least have a game plan!
LikeLiked by 1 person
All the songs are amazing. You peeking out from behind the tree–too great. Congrats again.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you! I figured you’d appreciate the musical portion of this post.
LikeLike
Absolutely. And musical puns are the best puns.
LikeLike
Those photos in front of the house are too funny! Love it.
LikeLike