So, part of my job is to make arrangements in various communities within Northeast Nebraska, for our office board meetings. Usually 25 people, food is a must, a separate meeting room is a must, and a door to the room is a high priority (not always an option). Other preferred perks are: good food, take credit cards, don't mind 25 separate checks, good service and free use of the meeting room. Pretty basic requests.
Here's the clincher... the median size of a community in Nebraska is 350. I live in a village (for those under 800 in population) of 368. We have one cafe, to dine out at. No separate meeting room. Therefore, they are not on the list of places to eat out at.
But here's the other part... the boss picks the communities with some randomness, and some rhyme and reason; and then gives me the list. I, the very non-native to the area, are then left to discover the list of eatery options. Most times, the list is a list; other times, the list is one. Ok, maybe two.
So, last night we were in Bloomfield. It's getting rather close to the South Dakota border. Lovely city of 1,126 people. You'd think you would have options. We did. Our option was JB's. I think, in the daylight, it also doubles as a gas station/convienent store. But by night, it's the city's only eatery, and it has a NEWLY remodeled meeting room. (They finished the remodeling just in time for our meeting). It was great... tables filled the main store area; and we crowded creatively in the meeting room. We could order from the menu; but they had planned a special Special for us. 2 pieces of Broasted Chicken, a large mountain of mashed potatoes, overflowing with cream gravy; a side of green beans; one very large roll and if we still had room, a large piece of chocolate cake with chocolate frosting; all for $4.95! What a deal! 20 of the 22 visitors dined on this great feast; while a few opted for the menu's burger and fries.
You must keep in mind that we were all most gracious for the warm and cozy environment, as it had dipped to -3 degrees by the time we departed the meeting. We left in the freezing chill of the night; with tummys full and another successful board meeting checked off my 'to do' list.
I'm just waiting for us to get to a community, where an eating establishment isn't an option... maybe my boss already knows where he can't go...
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Friday, January 25, 2008
It's All Relative
This morning, I awoke to an outside temperature of 17 degrees! And so, as I dressed, I honestly debated whether or not it was too warm to wear a 100% wool sweater to work. But rationalized it that I wouldn't have to turn on my space heater, and I could always crack the window if I got too hot... as it would be close to 30 degrees for a high. And did I really need a coat, hat and gloves for my drive to work?
Let me put this in perspective... growing up in Texas, the internal conversation would have been, "Is it cold enough yet for the sweater? It is already down to 40 degrees... and I could always change at lunch if it just gets too warm. I'd really like to wear the sweater at some point this season." Oh, so sad...
So, the highlight is that it will be above freezing for 3 days this weekend... even into the 50s on Monday; and crashing back to the low 30s and into the 20s after that... then again, it is winter in the Midwest.
I've quickly realized that all of the coldness is 99% more tolerable when the sun is out.
2 more months till Spring... but who's counting?
Let me put this in perspective... growing up in Texas, the internal conversation would have been, "Is it cold enough yet for the sweater? It is already down to 40 degrees... and I could always change at lunch if it just gets too warm. I'd really like to wear the sweater at some point this season." Oh, so sad...
So, the highlight is that it will be above freezing for 3 days this weekend... even into the 50s on Monday; and crashing back to the low 30s and into the 20s after that... then again, it is winter in the Midwest.
I've quickly realized that all of the coldness is 99% more tolerable when the sun is out.
2 more months till Spring... but who's counting?
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Southerners Surviving Another Winter
I must report that despite that it's just '-7 degrees on my way to work; it's 'not too bad.' Ok, so we had to shovel ourselves out of our house this morning; scrape the car windows (a morning ritual for 5 months), and dress beyond all recognition... it really isn't so bad.
The wind could have been stronger, the snow could have still been falling; and the car could have opted to not start. All of which are possible variables in a Midwest winter.
The first snowfall of the year was around Thanksgiving, I'm pretty sure we still have some of it on our ground... the rest have just stacked on top... melted a few days here and there; but prevailed.
Maybe it's a contest between snowflakes... who can stick around the longest? It's no secret that with Easter coming at just about the earliest possible date (March 23), we've already resigned ourselves to the fact that there will be snow on the ground while we don our springtime attire, in hopes that the more flowers you wear, the brighter the colors, the less obvious the cold winter blanket will feel... right? Or maybe we should just hold off on the Easter dress this year, and wear our Christmas attire, once more... get more wear and tear for the almighty (but shrinking) US dollar.
So... I'm happy to say. we're alive. We're managing our weather conditions just fine. We've adapted and continue to adapt to the early days, the long nights and the blanket of fresh snow that greets us, almost weekly. We know it only lasts 6 months; and then we're greeted with growth, renewal and green. We can wait patiently... or at least, we can wait!
The wind could have been stronger, the snow could have still been falling; and the car could have opted to not start. All of which are possible variables in a Midwest winter.
The first snowfall of the year was around Thanksgiving, I'm pretty sure we still have some of it on our ground... the rest have just stacked on top... melted a few days here and there; but prevailed.
Maybe it's a contest between snowflakes... who can stick around the longest? It's no secret that with Easter coming at just about the earliest possible date (March 23), we've already resigned ourselves to the fact that there will be snow on the ground while we don our springtime attire, in hopes that the more flowers you wear, the brighter the colors, the less obvious the cold winter blanket will feel... right? Or maybe we should just hold off on the Easter dress this year, and wear our Christmas attire, once more... get more wear and tear for the almighty (but shrinking) US dollar.
So... I'm happy to say. we're alive. We're managing our weather conditions just fine. We've adapted and continue to adapt to the early days, the long nights and the blanket of fresh snow that greets us, almost weekly. We know it only lasts 6 months; and then we're greeted with growth, renewal and green. We can wait patiently... or at least, we can wait!
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