During the summer of 2017, the area was hit with such a rainstorm that viaducts flooded, roads were closed and the only north-south road open was Green Bay Road. Most the road in one lane in either direction and a 30mph speed limit. That day a half hour drive to work was two and a half hours!

For those of you around the country and overseas (yes, I do have a few followers outside the bubble I call Illinois), there is a motto about Chicago traffic. Even though I’m not living inside the city limits, the traffic encompasses all the surrounding counties. My favorite line delivered by a traffic reporter that stuck with me was: It’s another character builder out there today! It’s also grit-my-teeth, clench my jaw, and try finding your zen moment.

With the knowledge we were getting about a foot of snow over the next 48 hours, I planned accordingly. That means, that I know my half hour drive can be at least an hour long and at its worst, two and half hours.

Been there. Done that.

My wonderful neighbors plowed our drive and wiped off our cars, making me feel like a princess. Friday is my day to drop off laundry at the laundromat – another princess thing I do for me. They were opened and with that little item on my to-do list complete, I began what I thought was to be my adventure going to work .

As snow swirled around the car, adding to the five inches already mashed onto the street, I settled in for the drive by clutching the steering wheel and praying I didn’t slip and slide, or fishtail. Digging deep into my memories of driver’s education, I kept five or six car lengths between me and the car in front of me. Now I just prayed I wouldn’t have to stop suddenly.

Yet what I came across was less traffic and no school buses to stop for. Because all the schools closed for the day – even the empirical Chicago Public Schools (gasp!) closed because of the storm, the traffic was light.

Like two creams and one sugar light.

Not only were parents home with children trying to put boots on while still in their pajamas to play, but the libraries were closed as well. I thought to myself, what was the first thing we did as a kid or with my own? Run to the library, of course!

As I wait here at the office for the municipalities to catch up plowing the roads while six more inches fall around of us, I shall sip my tea and count my blessings – I’m not shoveling.

And now for the latest princess thing to happen to me today – I received a box of Valentine chocolates (I’ll never tell who they’re from!). I’m looking forward to watching television and eating bonbons! That is, IF it doesn’t take me two and half hours to get home.

Happy weekend everyone!