It is bitterly cold here only -3F so far. They have changed the weather forecast and lowered the expected highs for the next three days as well. The news weather used the term Chi-beria (smash up of Chicago and Siberia, for those not from the area) for the first time in a few years. We do have to go out: we need to pay rent, get groceries and get cat litter. Our two week recovery from the cold left us with spoiled milk, yogurt, and cottage cheese. Plus we need to replace other staples. But we will make the trips as quick as possible and bundle up.

We got started more than a bit late because the car wouldn't start. That was frustrating because much earlier Mom started it and let it run while she cleared the snow off. It took almost an hour and a half to get through to her insurance company and get them to send someone out to give us a jump. It was annoying but understandable considering the wallop this weather has caused over such a large part of the country.

This story is interesting in light of our shopping today. We were looking for Tidy Cat scoopable litter in the paper bag rather than the plastic container. We did get it in plastic first time around but don't really don't want to discard more plastic. We finally settled on a different brand that comes in a cardboard box. We don't use as much plastic as we once did but getting it down further is difficult given the amount of plastic packaging.