A Minor Revelation.

Forecasters predicted this would be the worst blizzard Alberta has seen in a decade...

Environment Canada issued several severe storm warnings. Alberta Motor Association rated the roads North of Red Deer all poorly--travel not advised. The weather has even grounded several flights in Northern Alberta cities.

"Currently the temperature here in our city is minus sixteen with a windchill that makes it feel like minus eighty-six" said the broadcaster on the radio. Word on the street was to stay home--today is a good day to curl up in front of the fire, to enjoy a good book, to catch up on your to-do list...to do anything but endeavor the cold, bitter and unforgiving outdoors.

Now you'd think with all this knowledge I possessed before leaving the house this morning that I would have left perhaps better equipped for the unforeseen circumstances that the day would bring...

Flashback.

It was the early evening, I had just been out for the afternoon running some errands here and there around the city. I pulled up to the house as I breathed a sigh of relief, I was finally home where I could get inside and stay warm--or so I thought. I grabbed the few bags I had in the trunk and locked up the car as I headed to the garage door. I lifted the cover and entered the code to enter the house...nothing happened. I tried again and yet again as I realized no matter how many times I tried the code, the garage was not about to open.

Luckily I was not alone in my troubles, I had unarguably the best company one could have.

Over the next hour Jon tried replace the battery in the garage door opener, as I called family and friends--trying to find anyone that would have a spare key to the house. After both of us reached an unsuccessful conclusion, we then proceeded out back to the shed in the yard to find any tool possible that could be used as leverage to open a window.

Never did I think I'd see the day where I would have to break into my own house.

Daylight had vanished at this point as the two of us were digging through the dark shed. The wind gusted and the next thing we knew--the shed door slammed shut. We rattled the doors realizing that we were now locked in. After several hard hits to the shed door, fumbling around in the dark with latches and locks, we were finally out. I went back to the cellphone to try calling a few more people as Jon attempted to get in with a screwdriver and a shovel in hand.

Keep in mind--by this point the temperature had dropped well below minus thirty.

Just as I went to make another call, my phone rang--I had left a message for a family friend and they called back with great news, they had a key! They said to stay put, they were on their way to bail us out and for that I will be eternally thankful.

Next time (which hopefully won't exist) I will not be so quick to leave the house when travel is not advised.