This is my first time in such dastardly cold weather. I stuck my head out the door and involuntarily gasped, unable to breathe for a second. Here is what I’m talking about: 

Issued by the National Weather Service, Cheyenne, WY

Wed,Dec 4, 2014

WIND CHILL TEMPERATURES EXPECTED TO FALL TO 30 BELOW ZERO SHORTLY AFTER SUNSET AND ARE EXPECTED TO CONTINUE FALLING OVERNIGHT. WIND CHILL TEMPERATURES CLOSE TO 40 BELOW ZERO ARE EXPECTED AROUND CHEYENNE AND ALLIANCE OVERNIGHT.

• IMPACTS… EXPOSED SKIN WILL FREEZE WITHIN MINUTES. PETS AND LIVESTOCK WILL DIE IF LEFT EXPOSED TO THESE BITTERLY COLD TEMPERATURES.

 FROSTBITE CAN OCCUR IN AS LITTLE AS 5 TO 10 MINUTES. THE MOST SUSCEPTIBLE PARTS OF THE BODY ARE THE EXTREMETIES SUCH AS FINGERS… TOES… EAR LOBES… OR THE TIP OF THE NOSE.

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The cold is seeping in through the walls and cupboards, like a bitter cold slime oozing in through every crack. The furnace is on, the fireplace is simmering, I have on wool socks and my feet are still cold.. Time for hot chocolate, peppermint schnapps and the electric blanket. BRRRRRR. Any fantasy I had about a trip to the Arctic Circle is now gone!