Frustration!

Yeah, I know, it's the most wonderful time of year... yaddah yaddah yaddah... While the snow sure it pretty, it sure is a bit of a burden. I LOVE my house and it's location, but it's not a ton of fun hiking in the snow a 1/2 mile.

To top it all off, the Christmas shopping needed finishing. Matthew did manage to take me on Sunday, and then yesterday I left him at work and ventured out... along with the other 1,000s of people who needed to fninsh their shopping, too.

Today, I successfully rescued my little truck. I needed to get back out there to get a few more gifts. The ride to town was bumper to bumper, but I expected that. I did get a sweet parking spot close to the first store.

The next spot was a little nerve wracking to exit. A lady saw that I was backing up, so she backed up to take my spot. I'm trying to back up and not hit her, someone else decided to back up at the sametime. I don't have a little car that can turn on a dime, so I needed to pull foward into the "other" lane and the lady makes a beeline for the other spot almost hitting me! CRAZY!!!

OK. So I make it home... well, to the driveway, at least. I'm debating on how far I want to try to go. I don't have 4-wheel drive, which limits my choices. As I'm about to gun it for my last spot, the neighbor is coming up the driveway. She can't go anywhere. I had to back out of the driveway and into the church drive across the street.

After parking it in the old spot, I begin the hike up to the house with a 12 pack and a honeybaked turkey + 2 jars of chutney. I guess it's good training for our trip to Mexico. :)

See that? I managed a smile. I can find the bright side... OK. No more whining! (Unless I can wine... beer works, too!) Christmas shopping is finished, mom & dad are on their way to visit and spend the night, and tomorrow we celebrate with the King family. Then tomorrow night (YIKES!) we'll drive to Charlotte to spend the night.... You won't hear from me again until after January 4! Unbelievable! Sorry I had to vent, there are SO many positive things that outweigh any of the above.

MERRY CHRISTMAS and HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Another Snow Day

So Moldy has not been much for going outside since the snow. Today, she was a little restless and decided to try it. After several minutes, she came running back to the front door. I let in, and she took off for the back bedroom and hid under Matthew's desk. Moldy promptly began to pull up the register vent. I was afraid she was going to dive inside! Something definitely spooked her. (I have the feeling it was some mischievous crows.)

A little later, she tried going out again. She even braved going out in the snow! (Of course, the top layer was so frozen, she just walked right across it without getting her feet wet.)

My favorite visitor came by today. We have a Pileated Woodpecker, and this is frist time I've managed to get a good picture of him.

A Broad-Winged Hawk landed in one of the trees towards the fence. He was too far away to get a good picture.
I walked to the mailbox and back. That was a pretty good workout. I checked on my poor little truck, and she's not going anywhere for awhile. Matthew helped our City Cop neighbor get his crusier out of the driveway... Yup... That's about it...

4 MORE DAYS!!!!!

Riding Around

Let the adventures begin... Actually, it wasn't too bad once we got to the main road. We only had to back up once to make a second running start up the driveway.

A pic of Grandad's Apples. They have a John Deere tractor on top of their silo.

This is a shot of Four Season's Blvd.

We had a good time in town. We went to Hannah Flannagan's, our local Irish pub. We played Texas Hold'Em on the TV. They were closing early, so we headed to Binion's for dinner.

The trip back up the driveway was not successful. We didn't think it would be, but it was worth a shot. We realized that we have a bulldozer in the driveway, so that is where Matthew is right now. Maybe I'll be able to get my truck out! Poor thing has been stuck in the orchard since Friday.

6 DAYS TIL MEXICO!

Snow Finale

Here is the scene at 8:30pm.

And the scene at 8:30AM the next morning.




Needless to say, we got around 8 - 10 inches of snow! It's so pretty. Matthew and I played in it today. We made some massive snowboulders. Then we made a sled out of a piece of metal roofing. Finally, around 3:30pm, cabin fever took hold, and we made the trek out.

We had a great time playing Texas Hold'Em at Hannah Flannagan's. They were closing early, so we headed to Binion's for dinner. It was great!

We made it safely home but the F250 did not want to get back up the driveway. So... it's sitting in the driveway at the creek.

ONE MORE WEEK AND I'LL BE SITTING ON A BEACH IN MEXICO!!!! :)

Snow News Pt. 2

This is the scene at 2:00pm. It has not paused since my last post.

This is a pic of my little froggy that sits out front. Matthew calls him "Baby Jabba".

Snow News is Good News?

Today was supposed to be an early release day for students. They get out at 1:00pm. The faculty has been working on a silly Christmas play for the kids. The teachers have 2 furlough hours, so we would leave at 1:30 (instead of having to stay until 3:30).

At 6:20am, I received "the call". "This is David Jones, Assistant Super. of HCPS. Due to inclement weather, HCPS will be closed. Today will be an optional teacher workday." Ughh!

Matthew left at 6:30am and called me at 7:00. He had left something at home and needed me to bring it to the shop. I go out to crank up the truck, and it's snowing pretty heavy already. I managed to make it to the shop, but decided it was a bad idea to try and go to school.

I left and headed home. I managed to pull into our driveway but decided to park the truck in the orchard and hike the rest of the way to the house.

Here is the scene at 8:30 this morning.

Shortly after Matthew arrived home, the snow had turned to a rainy/sleety/snow. It practically ruined the pretty snow. But never fear... it's snowing again! We are supposed to get about 10 inches total. I think I'll just enjoy the snow and not worry about having to make a day. :)

Birthdays!

Before tackling Christmas, our family has several birthdays. It begins with my sister's, Michelle, on November 28. Here she is with her present from me, Taylor Lautner on the cover of Rolling Stone. :)

One week later, we celebrate my nephew's, Joshua, birthday. He turned 5 this year! He shares a birthday with my mother-in-law (age not announced).

I love my little leprechaun.

Michelle & my oldest nephew, Stephen. (He's 10!)

Josh received $5 in one of his birthday cards. He likes to save his money. His dad told me how they all went to the movies and had some time to play video games. Steve gave each boy $2. Stephen went right away to play games. Josh looked around, put the money in his pocket, and said something about saving it for later!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

The next day is my birthday. I had a great one. Sorry, there are no pics. My birthday began with birthday beers with good friends (on a Friday night, btw).
Saturday was with the family (see pictures above). Mom, Michelle, and I went shopping which invloved a trip to Old Navy and Target. :)
Sunday was THE day. Mom and dad had already given me my present... A SHARK FLOOR STEAMER! It's AWESOME! I can clean my tile AND hardwood floors. I actually used it... on my birthday. Matthew bought me two rackets and some birdies because I have been talking about getting a badmitten set for the last 3 years. I love that boy. The King crowd went to dinner at 131 Main, and it was sooo good. I'm glad Mom and Dad got to join us.

One more week of school! Then let "Countdown to Mexico" begin! You heard me... Matthew & I are headed South for Christmas!

Christmas Decorations

The first decoration is Moldy and her Santa pillow. (It might be wishful thinking...)


My most favorite Christmas to put out is my Willow Tree Nativity set. Most of the statues are situated to face the Baby Jesus... except the donkey. But I guess he brought them there, so he's good.

I have so much to be thankful for this season. We're in our beautiful new house, which we did a lot with our own two hands. I have wonderful family and friends. I have a full-time job with benefits. My kitty, despite the fact that she jumped on my face in the wee hours of the morning AND scratched my chin, is a good snuggler. I am also glad Matthew and I will be taking our first vacation TOGETHER since... well... it's been a few years. We leave Christmas day for MEXICO!

Well, I am off to shop with Mom & Sis today, then celebrate Josh's 5th birthday! Tomorrow will be my "big" day :)

I hope everyone has a WONDERUL Holiday Season!