Warming up the bedroom...

 

Get your minds out of the gutter! Although, we all should!(Whatever comes to mind.) But... this warm up is with fleecy throws, 50" X 70", in a dark teal, both very reasonable from Target online, in actuality cheaper than the similar fabric would have been if purchased from Jo-Anne's that I had made my other four out of, at the time very cost effective, but they were, well, made is a bit too much, I had them cut the other ones to size. The new fleecy teal ones, one was placed over our micro suede off white DIY headboard and the other one was placed at the foot end for use when/if needed, as the picture shows succinctly here! 

 Golden bling is added to the small previously all white picture frame on the dresser below, texture in the gold created by an up/down motion tapping with the brush and wooden tray was straight brushing over the previous white colored edges, inside the tray is a purple grape motif painted when before purchased at a thrift shop years ago, most all of the frames hanging had been made golden years ago over their original golden oak, to blend with the décor.

The puff funny face sculptured basket holds make-up and hair items, the desk like wooden letter holder/file matching colored piece also has odds and ends held within it, and I have not decided what color to paint them or if at all. Gold is a possibility... , but of course!

Golden seashells for sponge stamped motif on the white wooden framed window trim,(The blinds are faux white wood from JC Penney's, purchased years ago for both bedrooms, also done years ago, 2004.) to coordinate with the comforter and pillow shams, easily painted over if so desired or we get sick of the design.
Two off white throw pillows designs were painted by making stencils online from clip art and card stock. Originally on the white sleep sofa in the sunroom.
Ideas are for pure fun from many other sites or originating from my own concepts.

More ideas for craft ideas that are fun and keep me out of trouble most days.

Moving on...

Did not go to independent exercise today and won't be for an extended period due to shoulder pain and numbness getting worse.

Who knows when I will be feeling well enough to start once more...oh well, I have been losing weight as long as we don't eat out. Even though I ate little it was not conducive to weight loss.
Busy with doctor's appointments anyway three in this week alone!

That's all for tonight, so allow me to wish you all a very happy good night, and ask you to kindly count all your blessings and share all your overages and we will too!

And next time please be here or be square, ya hear!  

So much going on locally today it was difficlt to decide where to go...

...So we chose to take our furry son, Gus, our Havanese mixed rescue dog out for a change.
The first in a very long time for the dog/bog since on his meds, Prozac i.e.
We went very close to home, less than two miles to Bayshore Live Oak Park.
And again I took out my trusty camera phone and snapped away!
When we parked in the lot much to our pleasant surprise Bette Midler was already there parked right next to us! Okay, it wasn't the famous talented amazing musician actress Bette Midler, but a professional look-a-like from way back when, a woman, a doppelganger for the Devine Miss M and portrayed her at specific occasions while a resident of the greater New York, area years ago! She was from Long Island NY, but a Port Charlotte resident these days. When I worked back in the early 1990's in promotion in Daytona Beach Florida we also had look-a-likes that were in demand for special occasions, and I seem to recall a woman who looked like Joan Rivers, and a Marilyn Monroe, and of course the obligatory Elvis and others that have slipped my memory as of these days...sorry!

My photograph does not do the woman justice, she was definitely a ringer for Bette Midler!

I found more murals this time on benches donated back in 2011 by different artists and sponsoring companies. Back in 2005 when we first visited the Florida panhandle we stayed by a lovely true Florida styled artsy village called Seaside. With pastel  colored homes and tin roofs, just a lovely place, but when we returned in 2015 it had become quite built up, a bit bitter sweet, but that is how it goes... any-who, in 2005 they had had a competition of painting Adirondack chairs with personality, a great idea and interesting medium, and when I think about it a fine way to fund raise for any non-profit, including the arts themselves! They were amazing and individually creative with running the gamut from clever to sublime and everything in between! After the competition was completed and the people received ribbons and monetary rewards, I think, many of their art pieces were auctioned off and that is why I think it would be a great fund raiser!

Hubby and Gus down on the beach front that borders our Charlotte Harbor.

There are a few pavilions and facilities for you to use while there, as well as three fishing piers. Dogs are allowed on leashes in the park, but not on the piers.

Hubby's wanting a PIC of this, so of course I took it...we were parked to its left, see our cashmere caravan to the right of the frame?

Nice wide foot bridges, all ADA accessible, thank you!

The playground was very safe looking and bright and had everything including a large manatee and cow, odd pairing but both there.

This pavilion also has in that brick structure a three tier barbecue pit!

Discrepancy, as you can see this bench claims Charlotte Harbor to be in existence since 1862, while the last PIC claims since 1872 is when Charlotte Harbor has existed? Must research it and get back to you! 

Hubby giving Gus a drink from his water carrier.

 

 

 

On this note of a very nice weekend, allow me to be the very first to wish all of you a very happy good night and ask you to kindly count  your blessings and share your overages and we will too!

 

 

And next time please be here or be square, ya hear!

 

Arcadia/antique perusing Florida!

 

 

 

(1)The train station is a refurbished train station circa 1911, and is now used for offices. (2) Looking down Oak Street at many of its main street antique shops and restaurants, a quaint little town it is. (3) is the entrance to the Oak Park Inn a small hotel with a throw back in time shown by its turn of the 20th century décor. (4) Lobby of hotel. (5) Stairway to rooms.

(6) Park adjacent to hotel.

(7) Where we ate, at the Oak Street Deli, but there are fine dining restaurants there too. Hubby had a Reuben and potato salad and I had their very tasty chicken vegetable soup with a small Caesar salad, but I still took most of both items home again, and ice waters were our beverages of choice!

(8) Marker wall at deli, leave your mark, tee, hee!  (9) Is the sampling of antiques from the delis history, and  honey for you to purchase there.


The reason for going to Arcadia again, was to pick up Gus's medication, now a two month supply of his Prozac at his vet's, at the Animal Ark animal hospital there, where we had adopted him from, the Canine Castaways on 12-27-14.
Anyway, it is just 30 miles east of here or forty-four minutes according to the GPS, so not far at all.

So I hope you enjoyed this pictorial of another Florida town nearby, and allow me to wish all of you a very happy good night and ask you all to kindly share all your blessings and we will too!

And next time please be here or be square, ya hear!

Stress took a strange turn...

...toothaches are not supposed to be psychosomatic, are they?
And no I did not get to see a dentist who told me all was well.
But I did take three doses, since yesterday of extra strength Tylenol for the pain, since we all know it is NOT an anti-inflammatory that it is for pain!
And I still have a dull ache there where my booboo tooth is.
But the local dentist office's fellow at the desk was so very rude and said they could not fit me in, and Hubby mentioned his conversation with the last evening supervisor saying we could wait as walk ins.
He said no.
But he did ask and came back with an alright and started to take my info, while telling me that this first free visit with x-rays included was going to cost $116!
You see, the only insurance that I do not have is dental, and most anyway that I investigated take six months to kick in whether you have a toothache or not, and they are within our budget, but as luck would have it...
Pain before coverage is not a good thing, although I do have a safety net of Care Credit which allows you to use it for thousands of dollars worth with no interest for a certain time frame, usually three years, and that is what we had done for Hubby's extensive work, and we were prepared to do that too once we knew what was my needs. It is a win, win for the dentist because they get paid upfront and we have a no interest loan. And with Hubby I paid it off early due to paying double each month and his was several thousand!
So shame on them not following through with their "free" offer!
So we left and got gas at Sam's Club, BTW 2.15.9 a gallon there, four cents cheaper than all the other guys.
It was still early and my extra strength Tylenol was doing a fine job of keeping the pain at bay, and so I asked Hubby if he thought we had enough time to go over to the Sports Rehab, and so we did.
I got a half hour in.
And then we had lunch at home, after bringing it in from the cooler in the car.
I had suggested to take it with us, since we thought we might be there at the dentist office for hours to do that, so Hubby could eat and I was hoping I might feel well enough to too.
It was his other half of his roast beef sub and my three quarters of my wrap.
We both ate fine, but for me only the other quarter.
I found that if I eat on my right side of my mouth it works without much pain at all!

After we both chilled, me watching GH, General Hospital from 2-3 on ABC, and Hubby napping I decided that since I was feeling better and we forgot to pick up a corned beef while at Publix yesterday that I would see if we had the fixings for beef stew and we did!
Also a festive St. Paddy's day meal, truly served more often in Ireland, since corned beef is an Irish American concept.
Hubby heard this morning on the TV, and we all know that whatever we hear there is true, not, well maybe, mostly, sometimes, needs further investigation for verification...any-who, that the reason the Irish Americans switched to corned beef was due to their arrival in NYC and moving into Jewish American neighborhoods. In Ireland they would have bacon, but that was not Kosher and so that is why they switched to corned beef and cabbage to share with their new neighbors! Sounds like a nice anecdote whether if it's true or not. And yes, corned beef is very popular with many of my relatives, who are many Jews and some Irishmen too I bet, who knows, who cares! For every March 17th we are all Irish!

On that note of joy and celebration, allow me to be the very first to wish all of you a very happy good night and ask you all to kindly share your blessings and we will too!

And next time please be here or be square, ya hear!

PS My tooth has calmed down considerably and with the weekend who knows what each day may bring, but if it is too too bad I will feel sorry that I did not have the dentist check it... meanwhile I will continue to stay off of it, ha! And for back up pain meds I do have my additional Gabapentin. Oh I had forgotten to tell you all I never weaned myself off that higher twelve hundred milligram dose I instead just stopped cold turkey, within days of that last dose, months ago! I have been only on 300 mg. for these last several months once again, one, for at bedtime. So now I know how to use it carefully when need be.

PSS I have found a few days ago another binge worthy Netflix show, called Murdoch Mysteries that is so G rated compared to all those other ones I was watching even compared to Sherlock!
And BTW, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, makes several appearances in this latest faire of my viewing pleasure!
It is set in the late 1890's in Toronto Canada, and everything is just being used and invented in forensics, it's fascinating, truly! Also non-crime fighting inventions come into play. The show was given four stars and has seven seasons. I am well into season one and enjoying every minute.

PSSS I suppose I should take another couple of extra strength Tylenol my last ones were at 10:15 this morning and I am starting to feel a twinge of pain just beginning, see ya!


  
 

3D X-ray of Tatas, toothache, and tally of caring follow-up day!

Today I had my yearly mam-mogram and I realized that I have been going for thirty-two years before they determined an arbitrary number/age for beginning to check for this insidious disease that we all know has no idea if its victim is fifteen or fifty!
Dumb!
As we all know of people even men who have gotten breast cancer much younger than the abstract age determination by the medical professionals and mostly insurance companies, for the start of examining people, to make sure they are okay!
Any-who, I went again and this year I was not in the cone of uncertainty, for me that is in ten year increments. Truly it is!
1992 left one surgical biopsy lumpectomy, hyperplasia ductal, but benign?
2002 bilateral surgical biopsies lumpectomies, both benign!
2012 right one stereotactic biopsy, benign!
And so by simple deduction of logic I am good for five more years! And this 3D X-ray is supposed to be more helpful in preventing false positives, thus ending unnecessary biopsies!
My Mom had breast cancer, but at age sixty-eight.
Supposedly when you get it that late in life it is not as hereditary as if she had it younger... but then why do they say testing should start at forty?
It is much more dangerous if not caught earlier?
Confusing, why we have to listen to the insurance companies as if they were our parents, doctors, clergy or teachers, and we all know what happened when we blindly followed that rationale of believing them to be G-d-like or as in allowing them to hold all the decision making cards for our very existence?
Many were not worthy of that irrational belief that they could do no wrong, when so many proved otherwise.
Too much power!
That is when we learned to think for ourselves.
Oh I am not saying to be disrespectful, but to be knowledgeable, get schooled.
Know where to draw the line on just what they can control, and what is appropriate behavior.
Yes, too many were not proper in their behavior.
While insurance companies are not pedophiles, nor abusers, not physically anyway, they keep ahold of our purse strings and they definitely feel that they can.
They set the obscure rulings on when we are entitled to do many things that concern our health as long as it is profitable to them.
Quantity in this case as well as quality might be the answer!
That is to lower our premiums for our youngins, covering many more.
A win, win situation, the kids get covered and the insurance companies get paid.
And in the long run isn't that what we all want?
To prevent diseases that in the eventual will be much more expensive to treat!
But those ideas of when testing for diseases by ridiculous ageism is just that, CRAZY, anyone can get sick at any age, sadly! Early intervention is the answer!

Moving on...

We came home after our adventures that is after the x-rays and picking up a few odds and ends from Publix, our grocery, we came home and had lunch that we bought there.
Hubby had one of their fine roast beef subs and I had a turkey wrap with the wrap being of the sun-dried tomato type. I had asked for the spinach, but they were out. Basically, mine was a veggie one with a smidge of turkey and a sliver of provolone cheese, enormous! But mine like Hubby's had been cut in half, but even half of the half was too big, and will be eaten over the next day or so...if... my toothache gets treated! I flossed again and again, used additional baking soda and peroxide and more mouth wash then the Oragel and two extra strength Tylenol for the pain, since we all know it is NOT an anti-inflammatory!
We called Hubby's dentist that did his extensive work, and even in pain they could only fit me in next WEDNESDAY!
Oddly enough the line we called went to upstate New York, although, calling the local office number here in Port Charlotte Florida. Apparently, you had to hit the #2 for it to go directly to the local office, but the recording gave too many other options prior to that most important info!
Anyway, we made the appointment for next Thursday, but within minutes cancelled it, oh I know I said Wednesday, but I have my six month neuro appointment then, fifty-miles away!
  Now writing this it all is sounding so ridiculous being in pain and not accepting the offer of WEDNESDAY and changing it to THURSDAY!
But we did one better, we called back and cancelled. Oh I already told you that... well the reason being that Hubby did use the #2 extension and that rang the local office and found they still take walk ins, but it could be hours of waiting, although still better than a week away... so we opted for that choice!
You see, all any of us want in life is our logical choices!

Moving on some more...

While out, our fine voice mail on our landline accepted a message from my doctor's office billing department, Leslie, asking for me to contact her when we get this message, and so I did sorta, but in my own time frame, but of course!
I am quite able to decide when to call back a call that I initiated yesterday and had asked for her to please call back yesterday, but she chose today, got it?
I had mentioned I would be out today for my reasoning.
See how well that goes when you ask them, hmm?
Anyhow, we did stop this not for profit phone tag and did speak to one another.
She and I came to the meeting of the minds by realizing that Labcorp was the fly in the ointment, glitch in the smooth sailing of Medicare coverage of my pre-op testing by not following through but insisting that they had!
Agreement was bilateral, funny that word has a vast usage ability... so in the end, Leslie said if I need anything do not hesitate to call!
Wow, and she even sounded as if she meant it...nice!

In closing, aside from my sore tooth, and more than likely missing independent exercise tomorrow, and no dinner tonight due to the OW-factor, allow me to be the very first to wish all of you a very happy good night and ask you all to kindly share all your blessings and we will too!

And next time please be here or be square, ya hear!

CRAZY!


  

Tests

It would stand to reason, in my mind that if you are having surgery certain tests are appropriate prior to that surgery, correct?
I am talking at this intersection of my pre-op blood tests...
that had been done along with my heart and psychological testing, sleep apnea test, etc. for prior to my bariatric sleeve surgery.
I met all the necessary criteria for the surgery, because that was paid for in its entirety months ago by Medicare.
Then why would Medicare not see or realize that the blood work that been done prior to that surgery that they paid for, that is the surgery, in its entirety, would not include all pre-op necessities?
I have received for the "second" time a bill that was Medicare denied, so my AARP supplemental F plan cannot pay for it either. ( I also called them.)
So today instead of going to independent exercise I was on the phone with this issue that I thought had been taken care of months ago. When I had called my doctor's office who felt it was "just" a coding mistake and had said it would be taken care of, and I was told to toss that first bill and so I did.
I called the doctor's office yesterday after calling Labcorp when I received this newest bill, they had done all of the pre-op blood work and said they felt I needed to speak with my doctor's office thus the phone call.
Apparently, a revised code had been sent in on January 6, 2017, and Labcorp had a so-called claim number from it going to Medicare and so I called Medicare who earlier had stated they hadn't received any other submissions to clear up this matter, that since the original one, last year, on the first of November, thirteen days after my surgery and that claim number I was given I was informed that it was incorrect as a twelve digit number, no such thing, since theirs are only four digits and start with 0 and this one started with a 7!
My head was spinning at this point and so I called back Medicare one more time and spoke with their supervisor who boldly asked me what I though he should do, i.e. this Mr. Tracy Alan. I asked him why this is so screwy that no one has any answers and if they do they are not coordinated with one another, and their computer had nothing showing a reboot of my submission with correct coding, but my doctor's billing department, Leslie, said she had, and the Labcorp billing said they had too!
January sixth was the date of contention supposedly with the proper coding, but Medicare insisted they never received anything and recommended an appeal!
I said what?
The medical necessity wasn't proven, yep they kept saying they could not find the medical necessity, and I said, but you PAID FOR THE SURGERY!
Good grief, I felt as if I was in an Abbot and Costello skit : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RatKhtboq2E, but not a funny one at all, just a not getting it one, ya know? Maybe George Burns speaking to Gracie Allen:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yDCjhLOaNZI  would be a more apropos analogy?
Anyway, after speaking to Sharon the supervisor at Labcorp who said she would file the new codes once again that she received yesterday after I called my doctor's office. And I said then I will not be paying my bill until I know what's what, okay? And she said yes and almost sounded as if she meant it.

Moving on...

An end of an era, our Montreal neighbors from across the canal did sell their home furnished in record time, at a few thousand dollars price cut, to a family from Michigan! Actually, a husband and wife, almost retired from there, she hasn't come down yet, but is expected next week.
Hubby already has made friends and is sharing our floating molded polymer dock with Dave the newcomer across the canal so he can get onto his canoe, loaning it that is, since Hubby hasn't used it lately, but does find it handy for working on the rest of the dock and painting and such.

Meanwhile, we had a cold front come through last night that brought our ridiculous too hot temps down to around fifty this morning and seventy, just barely for the day. Tonight it might go into the thirties, WHOA! Yep, this is crazy! Almost as if living up north again! Sorry to all of you in that blizzard area! I suppose we are still much better off, but this is southwest Florida, in the middle of March, what gives? Wild ride!

That said I went into northern food mode and made my homemade chili today and we had it for dinner, mmm, mmm good!
Over the years I had made it with chopped turkey, but went back to ground beef years ago.
Mine is rather simple, with a can of pork and beans your favorite or vegan one is fine too, stewed tomatoes, one can of that too, a sprinkle of cumin and chili powder to taste, brown sugar about a teaspoon full or more to taste, a dash of Tabasco, and a splash of lemon juice, one and half medium sized onions caramelized, with several cloves of garlic in olive oil and Kosher salt. Brown meat in a dash of olive oil and then add in the caramelized onions and garlic, as well as some water to scrape those brown bits off the bottom of the pan. Add in the beans, and either smash the tomatoes with a potato masher or put the can of stewed tomatoes into the Cuisinart to chop, a bit chunky is fine, add them in too, and a wee bit of your favorite tomato sauce too, leave on the stove to simmer and to permeate the indoor atmosphere with its lush aroma for as many hours as you care to, but taste periodically and make sure the bottom of the pan is not burning, if so turn it off and put it on a warming part of the stove, yep my new stove has that fifth burner for that, and check every once and a while to make sure it is kept at a desirable temperature, and then by dinner it is already to consume with crackers, or cheddar cheese or Greek yogurt or sour cream, or jalapeños, or whatever topping you so desire and enjoy it or naked with nothing at all, au naturale! Great for all cold weather days or even what we perceive as such!
 
On this note allow me to be the very first to wish you all a very happy good night and ask you all to kindly share all your blessings and we will too!

And next time please be here or be square, ya hear!

  

Where is Google out of?

Well, the best that I was able to Google is that Google is in many places, but the main location for the US is in Mountain View CA. here are other locations in the US of A: https://www.google.com/about/locations/?region=north-america&office=mountain-view

The only reason I was wondering is because of Daylight Saving Time every year in the almost Spring I get a reprieve of an hour to write this blog and every Fall I get it taken away!
So now as of Sunday evening I am back on an eight o'clock  deadline, nice.
Oh in reality I do not have any.
Since no one is watching me...oh maybe dear sweet Barack or the CIA or some other entity that all I would say to them is a great BIG THANKS!
And keep reading folks, ha!

Moving on...

Last night we had some excitement not far from here in parts of Punta Gorda and Manasota Key both in Charlotte County Florida as well as Broward across on the east cost of our fine state all had tornadoes! The devastation was severe, but thankfully no one was injured.

Here we finally had a decent rain fall that had been predicted and Hubby went out and spread the weed and feed on the lawn before it came.

I have an app on my phone that notifies us with dangerous weather in our area.
So whenever there would be a tornado warning or watch we would be informed as soon as possible.
Warnings and watches always confuse me, and so I will check again and write it here: http://www.weather.gov/lwx/WarningsDefined
Thanks to our weather.gov! A PSA for everyone!

Hazardous Weather Outlook

The Hazardous Weather Outlook will describe potential hazardous weather and hydrologic information of concern in Days 1 through 7.

The outlook contains two segments: One segment for the marine zones and adjacent land-based (i.e., coastal) zones and the other segment for the rest of the land-based zones. Each segment of the HWO will contain 3 sections: short term through Day 1, long term for Days 2-7, and spotter information.

Winter Storm Watch

A Winter Storm Watch is issued when there is the potential for significant and hazardous winter weather within 48 hours. It does not mean that significant and hazardous winter weather will occur...it only means it is possible.

Significant and hazardous winter weather is defined as a combination of:
1)  5 inches or more of snow/sleet within a 12-hour period or 7 inches or more of snow/sleet within a 24-hour period
AND/OR
2)  Enough ice accumulation to cause damage to trees or powerlines.
AND/OR
3)  a life threatening or damaging combination of snow and/or ice accumulation with wind.

The snow/sleet criteria for a Winter Storm Watch for the five westernmost counties (Allegany, Mineral, Grant, Pendleton, and Highland) is higher (6 inches or more within a 12-hour period; 8 inches or more within a 24-hour period).

Blizzard Warning

A Blizzard Warning means that the following conditions are occurring or expected within the next 12 to 18 hours.
1) Snow and/or blowing snow reducing visibility to 1/4 mile or less for 3 hours or longer
AND
2)  Sustained winds of 35 mph or greater or frequent gusts to 35 mph or greater.
There is no temperature requirement that must be met to achieve blizzard conditions.

Winter Storm Warning

A Winter Storm Warning is issued when a significant combination of hazardous winter weather is occurring or imminent.

Significant and hazardous winter weather is defined as a combination of:
1)  5 inches or more of snow/sleet within a 12-hour period or 7 inches or more of snow/sleet within a 24-hour period
AND/OR
2)  Enough ice accumulation to cause damage to trees or powerlines.
AND/OR
3)  a life threatening or damaging combination of snow and/or ice accumulation with wind.

The snow/sleet criteria for a Winter Storm Warning for the five westernmost counties (Allegany, Mineral, Grant, Pendleton, and Highland) is higher (6 inches or more within a 12-hour period; 8 inches or more within a 24-hour period).

Ice Storm Warning

¼ inch or more of ice accumulation.

Freezing Rain Advisory

Ice accumulations of less than 1/4 inch.

Winter Weather Advisory

A Winter Weather Advisory will be issued when 2 to 4 inches of snow, alone or in combination with sleet and freezing rain, is expected to cause a significant inconvenience, but not serious enough to warrant a warning.

If the event is expected to impact the Baltimore/Washington metro areas during rush hours (4-9 am or 2-7 pm on weekdays) forecasted snow totals of one inch will necessitate the issuance of a winter weather advisory. The snow/sleet criteria for a Winter Weather Advisory for the five westernmost counties (Allegany, Mineral, Grant, Pendleton, and Highland) is higher (3-5 inches).
 

Freeze Watch

A Freeze Watch is issued when there is a potential for significant, widespread freezing temperatures within the next 24-36 hours.

A Freeze Watch is issued in the autumn until the end of the growing season (marked by the occurrence of first widespread freeze). The normal end of the growing season is mid to late October west of the Blue Ridge and early November east of the Blue Ridge. However, during anomalously warm autumns, the growing season may be extended past the normal end of the growing season.

A Freeze Watch is issued in the spring at the start of the growing season (when it is late enough to cause damage to new plants and crops).

Freeze Warning

A Freeze Warning is issued when significant, widespread freezing temperatures are expected.

A Freeze Warning is issued in the autumn until the end of the growing season (marked by the occurrence of first widespread freeze). The normal end of the growing season is mid to late October west of the Blue Ridge and early November east of the Blue Ridge. However, during anomalously warm autumns, the growing season may be extended past the normal end of the growing season.

A Freeze Warning is issued in the spring at the start of the growing season (when it is late enough to cause damage to new plants and crops).

Frost Advisory

A Frost Advisory is issued when the minimum temperature is forecast to be 33 to 36 degrees on clear and calm nights during the growing season.

A Frost Advisory is issued in the autumn until the end of the growing season (marked by the occurrence of first widespread freeze). The normal end of the growing season is mid to late October west of the Blue Ridge and early November east of the Blue Ridge. However, during anomalously warm autumns, the growing season may be extended past the normal end of the growing season.

A Frost Advisory is issued in the spring at the start of the growing season (when it is late enough to cause damage to new plants and crops).

Wind Chill Advisory

A Wind Chill Advisory is issued when wind chills of -5F to -19F are expected east of the Blue Ridge Mountains, and when wind chills of -10 to -24F are expected along and west of the Blue Ridge Mountains and in Frederick and Carroll Counties in Maryland.

Wind Chill Warning

A Wind Chill Warning is issued when wind chills of -20F or lower are expected east of the Blue Ridge Mountains, and when wind chills of -25F or lower are expected along and west of the Blue Ridge Mountains and in Frederick and Carroll Counties in Maryland.

Dense Fog Advisory

A Dense Fog Advisory is issued when widespread fog is expected to reduce visibilities to 1/4 mile or less over a large area for an extended period of time (2 or more hours).

High Wind Watch

A High Wind Watch is issued when the following conditions are possible:

1) sustained winds of 40 mph or higher for one hour or more

OR

2) wind gusts of 58 mph or higher for any duration.

High Wind Warning

A High Wind Warning is issued when the following conditions are expected:

1) sustained winds of 40 mph or higher for one hour or more

OR

2) wind gusts of 58 mph or higher for any duration.

Hurricane Watch

A Hurricane Watch is issued when a tropical cyclone containing winds of 64 kt (74 mph) or higher poses a possible threat, generally within 48 hours. These winds may be accompanied by storm surge, coastal flooding, and/or river flooding.

The watch does not mean that hurricane conditions will occur. It only means that these conditions are possible.

Hurricane Warning

A Hurricane Warning is issued when sustained winds of 64 kt (74 mph) or higher associated with a tropical cyclone are expected in 36 hours or less. These winds may be accompanied by storm surge, coastal flooding, and/or river flooding. A hurricane warning can remain in effect when dangerously high water or a combination of dangerously high water and exceptionally high waves continue, even though winds may be less than hurricane force.

Wind Advisory

A Wind Advisory is issued when the following conditions are expected:

1) sustained winds of 31 to 39 mph for an hour or more.

AND/OR

2) wind gusts of 46 to 57 mph for any duration.

Extreme Wind Warning

An Extreme Wind Warning is issued for surface winds of 100 knots (115 MPH) or greater associated with non-convective, downslope, derecho (NOT associated with a tornado), or sustained hurricane winds are expected to occur within one hour.

Small Craft Advisory

Small Craft Advisories are issued for the Tidal Potomac River and the Chesapeake Bay when one or both of the following conditions is expected to begin within 36 hours:

1) sustained winds of 18 knots to 33 knots

OR

2) frequent gusts (duration of two or more hours) between 18 knots and 33 knots.

OR

3) waves of 4 feet or higher

Gale Warning

Gale Warnings are issued for the Tidal Potomac River and the Chesapeake Bay when one or both of the following conditions is expected to begin within 36 hours and not directly associated with a tropical cyclone:

1)  sustained winds of 34 knots to 47 knots

OR

2) frequent gusts (duration of two or more hours) between 34 knots and 47 knots.

Storm Warning

Storm Warnings are issued for the Tidal Potomac River and the Chesapeake Bay when one or both of the following conditions is expected to begin within 36 hours and not directly associated with a tropical cyclone:

1)  sustained winds of 48 knots to 63 knots

OR

2) frequent gusts (duration of two or more hours) of 48 knots to 63 knots

Hurricane Force Wind Warning

Hurricane Force Wind Warnings are issued for the Tidal Potomac River and the Chesapeake Bay when one or both of the following conditions is expected to begin within 36 hours and not directly associated with a tropical cyclone:

1)  sustained winds of 64 knots or greater

OR

2) frequent gusts (duration of two or more hours) of 64 knots or greater

Special Marine Warning

A warning of potentially hazardous weather conditions of short duration (up to 2 hours) affecting areas included in a CWF that are not adequately covered by existing marine warnings and producing one or more of the following:

1) Sustained marine convective winds (showers/thunderstorms) or associated gusts of 34 knots or greater

AND/OR

2) Hail three quarters of an inch or more in diameter

AND/OR

3) Waterspouts

Severe Thunderstorm Watch

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch is issued when severe thunderstorms are possible in and near the watch area. It does not mean that they will occur. It only means they are possible.

Severe thunderstorms are defined as follows:

1) Winds of 58 mph or higher

AND/OR

2) Hail 1 inch in diameter or larger.

Severe Thunderstorm Warning

A Severe Thunderstorm Warning is issued when severe thunderstorms are occurring or imminent in the warning area.

Severe thunderstorms are defined as follows:

1) Winds of 58 mph or higher

AND/OR

2) Hail 1 inch in diameter or larger.

Tornado Watch

A Tornado Watch is issued when severe thunderstorms and tornadoes are possible in and near the watch area. It does not mean that they will occur. It only means they are possible.

Severe thunderstorms are defined as follows:

1) Winds of 58 mph or higher

AND/OR

2) Hail 1 inch in diameter or larger.

Tornado Warning

A Tornado Warning is issued when a tornado is imminent. When a tornado warning is issued, seek safe shelter immediately.

Tropical Storm Watch

A Tropical Storm Watch is issued when a tropical cyclone containing winds of 34 to 63 kt (39 to 73 mph) or higher poses a possible threat, generally within 48 hours. These winds may be accompanied by storm surge, coastal flooding, and/or river flooding.

The watch does not mean that tropical storm conditions will occur. It only means that these conditions are possible.

Tropical Storm Warning

A Tropical Storm Warning is issued when sustained winds of 34 to 63 kt (39 to 73 mph) or higher associated with a tropical cyclone are expected in 36 hours or less. These winds may be accompanied by storm surge, coastal flooding, and/or river flooding.

Coastal Flood Watch

A Coastal Flood Watch is issued when moderate to major coastal flooding is possible. Such flooding would potentially pose a serious risk to life and property.

Coastal Flood Watches are issued for coastal areas along the Tidal Potomac River and coastal areas along the Chesapeake Bay.

Coastal Flood Warning

A Coastal Flood Warning is issued when moderate to major coastal flooding is occurring or imminent. This flooding will pose a serious risk to life and property.

Coastal Flood Warnings are issued for coastal areas along the Tidal Potomac River and areas along the Chesapeake Bay.

Coastal Flood Advisory

A Coastal Flood Advisory is issued when minor or nuisance coastal flooding is occurring or imminent.

Coastal Flood Advisories are issued for coastal areas along the Tidal Potomac River and areas along the Chesapeake Bay.

Flash Flood Watch

A Flash Flood Watch is issued when conditions are favorable for flash flooding. It does not mean that flash flooding will occur, but it is possible.

Flash Flood Warning

A Flash Flood Warning is issued when flash flooding is imminent or occurring.

Flood Watch

A Flood Watch is issued when conditions are favorable for flooding. It does not mean flooding will occur, but it is possible.

Flood Warning

A Flood Warning is issued when flooding is imminent or occurring.

River Flood Watch

A River Flood Watch is issued when river flooding is possible at one or more forecast points along a river.

River Flood Warning

A River Flood Warning is issued when river flooding is occurring or imminent at one or more forecast points along a river.

Excessive Heat Watch

An Excessive Heat Watch is issued when there is a potential for the heat index value to reach or exceed 110 degrees within the next 24 to 48 hours.

Excessive Heat Warning

An Excessive Heat Warning is issued when the heat index value is expected to reach or exceed 110 degrees within the next 12 to 24 hours. An Excessive Heat Warning may be issued for lower criteria if it is early in the season or during a multi-day heat wave.