While many on the west coast are basking in ideal weather conditions those on the east coast are up to their knees in snow and ice and braving heavy winds to boot. One street Argonne drive in Baltimore Maryland is normally bustling with traffic. At present not a car or soul in sight for several blocks. The December storm of 2009 has struck with a fury and has all but paralyzed the community. "Folks are just glad to have a warm place to lay their head.", says a neighbor surveying the area.
Maryland officials are urging residents to stay indoors. Given the fierce wind, heavy snowfall, icy roads there's not much choice. As the monster storm pounds the east cost airports have canceled flights or are operating with excessive delays.
The caliber of this particular storm may cripple the region for at least two days, possibly more. Often being cooped up inside for a longer time than expected can wear on the nerves of all concerned. A parent experienced at braving winter storms like this one says, "While kids may choose to huddle around the television set or play video games, this soon becomes a desperate attempt to offset fatigue, irritation and boredom." What's the fix? "Now is the ideal time to ask for their help making crafts and baking sweet goodies. The smell changes the mood and encourages everyone to spend some quality family time talking about the good old days, looking thru photo albums and planning for the future."
What are some folks doing while waiting out the long winter storm? We went online to find out. According to blogs, discussion groups and such here's what we came up with.
"I like to take this time to plan the next family reunion. I prepare surveys, lookup destinations, update the attendee registration records and do pretty much whatever else is needed." http://family-
"I normally don't have much time to be creative with the business and family to care for. At times like these I put my creative side to work and make greeting card crafts from whatever I find online. I prefer greeting card template designs that allow me to use my scissors and glitter glue. After printing and cutting I put gifts in them like money, gift cards and such" A greeting card site at http://greetingcards.fimark.net notes folks are looking for something to put to personalize a monetary gift. Printable greeting cards actually do serve a purpose. It's a nice personal touch.
"I catch up on my online gift giving. Since I know I won't be seeing the mailman for a few days I'll save time and money sending email gifts and printable gift cards this year."
A gift card resource at http://prepaid-
"I enjoy writing letters and making phone calls to folks I haven't spoken to in a while. I'm the one in the family with the big bad weather story this year. You might as well make the most of it."
, says one online user.
A party planner says, "This is a good time to plan out the next family party. I get the kids involved. After they've spent a long day playing in the snow we bake cookies and heat up some hot chocolate. Then we look over photos of previous parties and start planning the next one. They love it."
A site called the Party Planner at http://party-
A vacation planner says, "I look for bargains online. Printable coupons, coupon codes and coupon books. Since we'll be going to Florida in the spring I'm looking for good 2 for 1 deals. So far I'm finding what I need."
Fimark Home Online, a pintables, event planning and online gift shop at http://www.fimark.net says, "We're seeing a 33% increase in online traffic to our portals. Many working on family reunion video DVD's are on the hunt for family songs to use as background music for photo slideshows. Other users are looking for gifts and printable greeting cards."
For those who are shut-in while the great snow storm of 2009 rages on outside, finding practical and fun things to do with their free time may not be so difficult provided they have an online connection.
