Cold, colder, coldest

Today I had to go to Brenden's school briefly.  It was -30.  Today the high was -11.

Yesterday it came down to 45 minutes before time to go get Brenden from the bus stop.  When Doug left for work, I hadn't realized he was leaving in the only working vehicle.  I decided I better get started with figuring out how I was getting to the bus stop.  I tried to start my car to no avail.  I tried to jump start my car, but I was freezing so I had to go inside and put on some more layers.  I returned to trying to jump start my car (with a battery charger) and gave up.  Then I was freezing again and ran back inside for more layers.  I moved on to the snowmobile.  Not only is the engine frozen, but it is frozen to the ground.  The others are up on a trailer.  I worked on that for a little while before giving up - been there, done that and 3 hours later you have nothing to show for it.  Finally it was really and truly down to the wire and I ran inside, put on my snowpants, gloves, and ear warmers and ran to the bus stop (after tossing Ethan safely into the crib and making sure Nolan was in a safe spot - I wasn't about to take them on a walk in that weather, but what else was I to do?).  Do you know how hard it is to run in -25 degree weather?  Let's just say it's uncomfortable.  First of all, there are the oversize men's knee high snow boots.  Your snot freezes the second you step foot outside.  Then your eyelashes start to form frost on them.  Your eyes, nose and cheeks burn.  Your lungs burn.  I got to the bus stop right as the bus was pulling up (at least I didn't have to stand around in the cold weather).  Then we began the trek home.  

Brenden, at times, walks very  s l o w l y.  It was painfully long, especially knowing that I had 2 kids awake at home.  It is just up the street around the corner... and up another street and around another corner... and then up another street, but really it is not all that far.  I guarantee there are bus stops further, but when Brenden walks that slow, it makes me want to scream.

Also along the way home, Brenden stepped out into the street (okay, let's not kid ourselves here, we are in Alaska and walk in the dirt street, but usually along the side of the road - beyond that it is forest and who knows what lives in there).  But, he stepped out into the road without looking and there was a car coming up right behind him.  I quickly in what might be interpreted as "loudly" to a deaf person signed "Look!" and he threw himself into a pile of snow plowed along the edge of the road.  While being lectured on how to properly walk out into the road Brenden announced, "But this is ALASKA!"  He did not enjoy my sarcastic tone when I replied, "Are there cars in Alaska?  Yes!  Do they drive on the road in Alaska?  YES!  Look where you're going!"

All was well at home when we returned.  I am glad NOT to have a story to share about that.