Tuesday, December 23, 2008

It just keeps on coming.

I took the day off as a vacation day -- use it or lose it. Another winter storm came through. Probably another 5" and that was as of 4:00. I met a friend for lunch at Logan's Steakhouse. YUM. We spent about 2 hours there enjoying the food and conversation. From there I went to visit my folks and shopping. Then it was home and attack the driveway again.

The problem with the driveway is that when I blow the snow into the front yard, it fills in the sidewalk that leads up to the front steps so then I have to blow that out but I can't blow it high cuz it would go in the neighbor's driveway or my front sidewalk. As I looked out across the back yard, a lot of the snow is piled chest high (I'm 5'7"). It's DEEP.

Tomorrow they are calling for rain. NOT GOOD!!!!. I'd rather have the snow. Rain will bring on flooding and then ice when it freezes.

Sunday, December 21, 2008

Looking out my windows

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Looking out my front door.

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Frost on the front door.

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I love the snow on my neighbor's side door. ( I love photographing doors.)

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Looking out my kitchen window.

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Looking out the back door.  This does not show the show that has since become an overhang.

 

Basically it is a nasty day.  They are saying on TV to please stay off the roads.  They have even pulled most of the snow plows because they can't keep up with the blowing snowing.  The airport is open but it is a challenge.  I'm glad I'm on the inside looking out.

Winter has officially arrived

Although here we think it arrived a month ago. Today it blew in with a vengence. It is snowing and blowing like crazy. I am afraid my driveway is going to be drifted full by the end of the day and tomorrow may be a challenge blowing it out before I can go to work.

I think all churches in Allegan, Kent and Ottawa counties are closed. It is NASTY out there. And cold -- temp 16 with chill index of 2. Yup, a whole 2 degrees. I'm staying inside today for sure.

Friday, December 19, 2008

SNOW SNOW SNOW!!!

WOW, we got some snow today. It started about 3AM and by the time it stopped at around 2PM we had gotten at least 12 inches. The roads were pretty much ok until I got to my street. There were 2 vehicles -- a van and a panel truck -- stuck at the entrance. So I sat and waited wondering if my little car (Hyundai Sonnata) would be able to make it. The two vehicles finally made it out with lots of help and then the wife of the panel truck driver pulled in with her full-size car with front wheel drive. Yup, she got stuck too. After a few pushes she got to a neighbor's driveway that was blown out. So I tried my luck. My little car just plowed right through. I parked in front of the neighbor's house where he had blown out the street. I waded through knee-deep snow to get the snow blower out of the garage. An hour and a half later, I had my driveway, patio, sidewalks, half of the neighbor's driveway and the street in front of my house all blown out. Now I'll wait until the next storm -- Sunday. Total snow total for the season to date 41", normal average for the season 72". And Winter has not even arrived yet. Oh boy!!! I'm very thankful for my snowblower.

Sunday, December 14, 2008

Half way through December almost

Today is Dec 14 and by the temperature you would not think so. More like the end of Oct, first of Nov. It is 44 degrees at 9PM. This is not really good news because the snow is melting and by tomorrow the temperature is supposed to plummet and we will have ice everywhere. I did manage to get a lot of the ice scraped off my driveway this afternoon. But there is still some left. Anything that is wet today will be ice by morning. I'm wondering how the roads will be for driving into work.

Tonight I was looking for some quilting patterns for a friend and came across my Coke Santa and Polar Bear picture. I'd forgotten about it. It is now hung in the living room. I really like that picture.

Christmas is just around the corner. I'm almost ready. Two more gifts to buy.