Snowy, Snowy Friday

It started early this morning and hasn't let up much. Thankfully, it's not sticking and warmer weather is on the horizon. Hubby is safely in Washington and arrived around 6ish last night (after leaving at 5:30am yesterday morning. Yikes!). He spoke to me of the beautiful drive and the lush greenery the Oregon coast has to offer. Neither of us has ever been to Oregon. I guess he's now got one state "up" on me.

He said that they drove past a tree farm and, initially, it appeared to him as mountain terrain but as they drove closer, they discovered that it was acres and acres of trees. How I wish I could have seen it for myself. I asked if he'd taken any pictures. Well, of course not. Ugh!

I thought I wouldn't sleep well last night, missing my hubby and all. Surprisingly, I slept better than I've slept in weeks! I gathered it was because I wasn't waiting up at all hours to talk to him. Also, instead of "teddy", I threw an extra blanket on the bed to mimic his warmth and presto! Instant, fabulous sleep. I woke up happy and light, but of course, I still miss him.

Yesterday, I organized the Babe's closet. She had an onslaught of plastic baby hangers, old clothes and randomness that I just had to get rid of. I wonder how long her closet will look the way it does now, all nice, neat and organized? She was ill, yesterday, so I worked from home and tended to her needs as best I could. Two Albuterol treatments and several ibuprofen later, she was raring to go for school this morning.

I can't believe Easter is nearly here! I suppose next week will be filled with doing hair and glamorizing my children. I don't know if I'll do pictures, but I'm considering it. I always take pictures of my own at the park. Beautiful spring photos of my girls prancing around with the ducks (wearing their Easter dresses) is sort of a tradition, now. Guess I won't be able to pull that off when they're teenagers.

I don't really have plans for the weekend, aside from taking the girls to Easter program practice at church. They haven't even looked at their speeches yet. Oh, well. I guess we'll go over them a couple of times tonight. Hopefully, they're short and sweet. Indy has never spoken in front of a large group before. I'm hoping she sees her big sister as a stellar example of how to do so.

Heavy , Wet Snow

Most of the time, the snow around here is like sand. You could pretty much blow it off your driveway with your own breath. This morning? Oh, no. We got the "lake effect" stuff and it was heavy as hell! My body was aching after I shoveled our driveway and sidewalk. If felt like I was lifting sand bags.

The drive wasn't too terrible, but I kept thinking about that lovely weather we just experienced. I suppose everyone will get sick, now. Ugh! Spring, I'm ready now please.; placing my order for lovely flowers, beautiful blue skies and full on sun. Hubby and I are considering moving again...much more seriously. We're both done with winters and snow and shoveling. For some reason, I can't seem to have snow on Christmas eve and Christmas day only. Yeesh! Is that so much to ask for?

This would be our home through retirement (the one hubby is constantly looking for). It's certainly becoming more and more appealing. How old am I again? Well, it never hurts to plan ahead. ;)

Two-Day Work Week

Life's sweet treats! Even better when you go an entire week without working. Oh, good times await (I hope).

This year, I've been asked to bake the Costco Caramel Cake for Thanksgiving. There are lots of reviews online from various people who've tried it. I hope it's as good as everyone says. It was my mother's idea for me to try it. Normally, I bake my rum cake or my apple crumble. This may turn out to be a staple for future pot-lucks, if it's as tasty as I think it will be.

We got snow yesterday! After leaving the theater (New Moon, for my oldest), the car was covered in the white stuff. The streets were a bit slushy, but I just took my time and drove the three minutes home. Little danger, thankfully. I did hear there were many accidents on the highway.

"Just keep the white stuff away until we don't have to drive in it, please."

Hubby was off today, so we had lunch together. Nothing special. Just lounging on the couch with our respective choices from the fridge. We giggled at "Living Sing.le" episodes on the tele and talked about the errands he has to run. This got me thinking about the other items I need to pick up for my girls and hubby for Christmas. It gets tricky when you always have a kid with you (and Santa is still a strong presence in our family). Dad may have to put in some babysitting time.

I found out recently that a divorce has occurred with the family down the street. We noticed we hadn't seen the dad's truck in a while. Then, hubby and I had our cable installed. Hubby asked the contractor if he knew our neighbor. "Oh, yeah. He moved to Wyoming." Wyoming? Turns out he got a job there and has pulled up stakes. The contractor said that he and his wife separated, but after hubby talked with the neighbor and the subject came up, the marriage is officially done. It's sad to hear, but I'm hoping that everything is for the best. They have two, very active boys and I really hope mom is able to take care of everything they have going on. They participate in every known sport. I hope she can carpool with the taxi duties.

The Pig Flu Tangos Around the Office

So, one of my new co-workers is home fighting the hog ailment. She has the same symptoms I did and informed us that her parents are recovering from the same. They were actually tested for pig's disease and so...there you have it! Truly, the media does a number on us. We've been hearing about this thing for months. They'd have us believe it's a revisit of the bubonic plague, but it's just a nasty, pain-in-the-ass flu. Do what you're supposed to do when you get sick and you're golden! Be an idiot and run around in a T-shirt in 39 degree temps (our temperature yesterday, if you can believe that) and risk the inevitable.

My new spot in the office totally sucks. I'm right by the door which leads to the restrooms. Major "in and out" action all freakin' day. It's only four months, I keep telling myself, but it's little comfort. Only ten feet away is the blasted break room door. We're also now located on the floor with marketing and our enrollment counselors, many of whom are college age (or very close to it). They chatter incessantly and talk about the most inane things. Was I ever like that? Ugh! We try and keep the door closed but, inevitably, some wise ass opens it up and then we have to hear about the gay-love that isn't happening frequently enough in the bedroom or the too-high gas or how black men are the best lovers (which is true, but why do I have to hear it at work?).

The weather was crazy, yesterday. Wednesday, we ended with a high of 86 degrees. It seemed like we were going into an Indian summer, then an Arctic blast hit us from the northwest, sending our temps into the 30s. The thirties! By yesterday afternoon, the mountains were covered in a blanket of snow. I could no longer see the beautiful reds, oranges and golds of fall. I hope this early freeze doesn't kill them all. Those colors are the best part of fall.

(The picture was taken in my yard, yesterday. It's of the mountains directly east of my house).

It's an Arctic Tundra!

I spent Monday shoveling, shoveling, shoveling. The grand total? Around a foot. Oy! It wasn't the sweet, fluffy stuff. Oh, no. It had to be the heavy, weight, turning-to-ice-upon-contact-with-the- ground, stuff. Hubby doesn't get off work now until 6:00pm, so it was just me out there. My neighbor came home, just as I was reaching the end of the driveway. The snow plows were so kind to barricade us all into our homes. A mini-wall of snow was formed that I knew my hubby's car would never get over. That stuff was so heavy! The kind neighbor, after shoveling an entry for his own car to get through, came over and assisted me with clearing mine. What a guy!

Later, my other neighbor's husband came over...not to help, but to chat about how his wife was doing weight watchers and how he ended up doing it by default. He's lost over 20 pounds and you can totally tell. He said his wife has too...unfortunately, I don't see it. I'm sure it's because of what she wears (baggy, baggy, baggy) and how she's shaped. I hope this improves life in their household over there. She suffers from depression and the kinds of foods one eats can totally attribute to how one feels. Of course, they've also had a lot of sickness over there this winter. That certainly can't be adding to the happiness morale.

I've got a bugger of a cough, now. I'm sure it's from shoveling, shoveling, shoveling and sweating in the cold. I really hope I don't end back up in the doctor's myself. Ugh! The youngest (Indy) had a fever of 102 last night. I quickly encouraged her to chew down a children's IBU last night, poor kid. The babe has also had the sniffles and a cough for a few days. Winter, be gone!

More Snow?

Yeesh! It's dumping white stuff everywhere here. I need to go out and measure, but I'm thinking five inches so far. I can honestly say I'm tired of it. I'm ready for spring, bloom and sunshine. I haven't even shoveled/snow blown yet because it just keeps coming down. Yes, it is beautiful but the thrill has worn off.

Did you catch the grammy's? I thought the sound was weird...like you were sitting in the audience, but then hearing vocals was a challenge. Then there's the "missing" acts. I suppose more will be out about that later today.

Weekend Statistics

The weekend got off to a great start. The girls and I enjoyed a quiet, snowy Saturday (the picture to the right is picturesque and visually similar to what we saw, but this is not in Utah). I attempted to shovel, but the snow fell as fast as I shoveled. Fun! When hubby came home, we ate too much and watched movies again. Sunday, I got the girls up (in plenty of time) got everyone dressed and headed out for church. Before hitting the very snowy, slushy, icy highway, I stopped at the post office and shipped my best friend's Christmas gift.

As I traveled the highway I thought after only a few minutes, I need to get off of here. I even called my mother to tell her that I may not make it. Well, first instincts weren't enough. I kept going, trying to make it to church. I got all the way into Salt Lake when, all of a sudden, I felt the wheel give and I went into a spin. The next thing I knew, we were careening across the highway. We slammed into the concrete guard wall and finally stopped. The babe was completely freaking out, while I (surprisingly) remained ultra calm. I called my mother to tell her what happened. Then, I called the police to notify them of the accident. Finally, I called the insurance company to report the crash. An hour later, highway patrol was guiding me off the highway to have me fill out a report. Hubby had arrived by then and I began to feel the stress of the event hit me and then leave almost as fast. Thank God for his ability to do that for me.

When we got home, he took good care of me. The girls seemed fine and, after breakfast, had a nice long nap. I wrapped a few Christmas gifts while they slept. The babe has become very inquisitive about our newly locked closet in the spare bedroom. She keeps wondering how gifts are magically coming out with me, all wrapped and ready for Christmas. I should tell her I have an elf living under the bed and see what she says to that!

So, I became one of the weekend stats.They talked about all the crashes that occurred, due to this weekend's big storm. There were approximately 221 in Salt Lake County alone. Dang it! Way to be a statistic!

My Sunday Morning

Um, yeah. I'll have more to post later but...I can't even tell you how weird this was...waking up to this on October 12th.

From La Bella Noire...Wow! Another award!!

When you receive the prize you must write a post showing it, together with the name of who has given it to you, and link them back.

Choose a minimum of 7 blogs (or more) that you find brilliant in their content or design.

Show their names and links and leave them a comment informing they were prized with ‘Honest Weblog’. (I’m lazy today, but I will try to get around to commenting)

Show a picture of those who awarded you and those you give the prize (optional).

List [if you can and or dare] at least ten honest things about yourself. And then, pass it on.

My seven (um, five...there are only a handful of blogs I read these days. Too busy):

Radio Ventriloquist
Miss Construed
Maintain Sane
Fried Chicken and Manduros
Soshallitbe

Ten honest things about me:

1 ) I love, love, love horror movies and honestly would love the opportunity to work on set or help with a screenplay. Too many repeaters around right now. It's time for originality.

2 ) Disco is not dead. It reigns supreme in my car (singing at the top of my lungs).

3 ) I love to cook, but don't have the time I'd like to spend doing it as well as I think I can. Around Christmas, I'm the baking queen.

4 ) I'm not a fan of the great outdoors. Hubby's always trying to camp and stuff, but I believe in showers and mattresses.

5 ) Was totally addicted to the Travel Channel before we ditched satellite.

6 ) I'm afraid of my talent. I've been told over and over again that I can sing, but I never believe it.

7 ) I think, "Lady in the street but a freak in the bed," was coined about me. You just never know about some people.

8 ) I love, love, love to travel and want to do lots of it once I'm retired. I just hope I can afford it then (our economy...does it have a snowball's chance?!).

9 ) I was never in fights in school, but the friends I kept had all been in their share. I guess they were sort of my body guards.

10 ) When I was an extra on a popular t.v. show, I hoped it would lead to more offers. It did, but I haven't done any more spots. I really, really want to.

Weather Alert!

Hubby stayed the night to keep me warm. He's still here, snoring beside me. I'm glad he's here to keep me warm because my weatherbug just screamed this at me:

ALERT 1 - Winter Storm Warning

WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM THIS MORNING TO 6 PM MDT SUNDAY
Issue Time: 5:16AM MDT, Saturday Oct 11, 2008
Valid Until: 4:00PM MDT, Saturday Oct 11, 2008
Back to summary

WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM THIS MORNING TO 6 PM MDT SUNDAY
UNTIL 4:00PM MDT
Urgent - Winter Weather Message National Weather Service Salt Lake City UT 516 AM MDT Sat Oct 11 2008



Cache Valley/Utah Portion-Northern Wasatch Front- Salt Lake And Tooele Valleys-

... Winter Storm Warning In Effect From 11 AM This Morning To 6 PM MDT Sunday...

The National Weather Service In Salt Lake City Has Issued A Winter Storm Warning For Heavy Snow... Which Is In Effect From 11 AM This Morning To 6 PM MDT Sunday. The Winter Storm Watch Is No Longer In Effect.

This Warning Is For The Cache Valley And The Northern And Central Wasatch Front Including Logan... Ogden And Salt Lake City.

Snowfall Totals Of 2 To 6 Inches... With Higher Amounts East Of The Great Salt Lake And On The Benches... Are Expected By Sunday Afternoon. Although Snow Amounts May Not Be Exceptionally Heavy In All Areas... The Wet Snow Falling On Trees That Have Yet To Lose Their Leaves May Result In Tree Damage And Localized Power Outages.

Rain And Snow Will Spread Into The Western Valleys This Morning Then Change Over To Snow By Late Morning Or Early Afternoon. The Snow Will Continue... Possibly Heavy At Times..Into The Day On Sunday. The Greatest Accumulation Should Be East Of The Great Salt Lake Where Lake Effect Snow May Develop. The Snow Should Diminish By Late In The Day On Sunday.

A Winter Storm Warning Means Heavy Snow Is Expected Or Occurring. Travel Difficulties Can Be Expected As Roads May Be Slick. Slow Down And Use Caution While Driving. For Winter Road Conditions From The Utah Department Of Transportation Visit... Http://Www.Udot.Utah.Gov Or Dial 511

PMS and the B's

It's really telling when your hubby can tell when you're about to have your visit from TOM/Aunt Flo. He asked me last night, "Is it almost your time?" and I informed him that it was due in about two weeks (PMS land). I thought all the B vitamins he has me taking would have me a little more balanced and a lot less bitchy. The bitchiness is still there (albeit not as bad) and my distance towards him is in full force (one of the other lovely side effects). As a woman, I would welcome any sort of magic/herb/medicine/pixie dust that would ward off these effects. I would especially welcome the ability to change them myself, if I could; however, most women are very much aware of the nature of their personalities when it's happening and have no way of controlling them. Today, it's a practice in control.

Yesterday, we got hit with yet another storm! This time, we got around a foot or more in the valleys. People aren't sure what to make of all this wet stuff. I say, enough is enough already. Can we just get some good old-fashioned rain for a change? I feel like I've been shoveling for weeks! Yes, it's great for the drought and the grass is going to love it for the spring and summer, but I can really say I'm done with snow. Unfortunately, we could get snow for several more weeks. Last year, we got a snow storm on April 18th. Granted, it was all melted by the next day, but still!

I'm working from home today because of it being a Quality Teaching day. Whenever I see that on the calendar, I think of the Simps.ons episode where there's a close up shot of Mrs. Crabapple talking to other teachers about Teacher Inservice Day and then the camera pans away to all the teachers drinking liquor and riding a roller coaster. I know that they're really preparing for report cards, but I do hope they get to have those days where they can "ride free".

I have a birthday approaching and I'm not quite sure how I feel about it. It's one of those birthdays that's sort of in between (like eleven, fourteen, twenty-three). Your in the decade, but you're not at the beginning or near the mid point. I hope it's a good one. I went to dinner with the family last year (on my dime). Granted, it was a gift card I gave hubby, but it still seemed like I was paying for it. I have no idea what we're doing this year (if anything). I hope it involves seafood. Yum! I've been craving crab legs.

Five More Days till Christmas

Whoa! It's nearly here and I'm too glad about it. Ugh! The crowds have become stadium worthy at the malls and I haven't gone anywhere besides home, work and the gas station in days. It's snowing again today (and it snowed a bit yesterday), and their predicting four to six inches on the valley floor. Please, let me make it home first before that happens. I'd much rather be watching it come down from my window seat than driving around in it.

The basement is done? Yes and no. All the priming, painting, drilling, grouting, caulking and assembling is done. Decorating? That's next and I'm actually happy about that part. The posters I've ordered over the past few months are nearly all framed and only need to be placed in varying areas of the room. I think that will be my responsibility, but something tells me hubby will step in and want to decorate too. It's fine, but I think this area should be mine. He decorated the sitting room (and rather well, yes) but I should be in charge of the super heroes. No doubt about that!

I ate out for lunch today and it's the first time in weeks. It was so good; beef tamale with refried beans and rice, along with a Mexican soup. Yum! I forgot my own lunch today and so had to find an alternative by going to one of the restaurants in our complex. I'm terribly full now and I don't know if I'll do dinner tonight. It's true what they say about your stomach shrinking when you loose weight. There was once a time when all that would have only dusted the bottom of my stomach.

I have a list of movies to rent tonight for the babe (well, me and the babe mostly). Most are holiday flicks that either she hasn't seen or would like to see. I hope I can find them all at one place, but I have a feeling I'll have to visit both Hollywood and Block.buster tonight:

• Hairspray (2007)
• Babes in Toyland (Disney version)
• A Muppet Christmas Carol
• The Nutcracker ("Misha's" version)
• Little Women (Liz Taylor version)

We'll also watch these over the break. Thankfully, they're titles we own:

• Scrooged
• White Christmas
• A Christmas Story
• A Charlie Brown Christmas
• Die Hard (takes place at Christmas time)
• Lethal Weapon (also takes place at Christmas time)
• Home Alone
• Total Recall (This was released on video at Christmas time, so I watch it around Christmas time every year. I know. I'm weird.)

The Calm Before the Storm

We had 60 degree weather here, yesterday. Absolutely gorgeous! My coworker wore her espadrilles in celebration of the spring-like day. I wish I'd thought to wear something spring-like...oh, wait. I can't wear any of my spring-like attire, just yet. She looked awfully cute, though. We all enjoyed the day as much as we could, acutely realizing the storm was fast approaching. By the time I got home last night, the clouds had slunk in...dark and looming over the city.

This morning, I awoke to my precious Jump Start not available by my dish service. This told me the snow had arrived and was effectively covering our dish making it impossible for my normal morning shows to get through. I guess dish companies work extra hard to push the local networks through or use different services to keep those channels alive. My local Fox news and weather is currently playing with all the updates of the storm and the commute we'll all be forced to endure. I'm also forced to endure the morning repeats on the news, which is why I typically schedule only an hour or so of news programming.

The weekend will be filled with a lot of the same...snow, snow, snow. I can deal for a while, but I will be ordering up the spring-like weather again very soon. That extra light was encouraging my spring fever and I was totally digging it.

I'll be taking my girls to a local high school for a "free day" of fun and games they've planned for the kids. We got our days mixed up and went out there last Saturday, only to discover a very empty parking lot and lots of locked doors. I hope she enjoys herself and that it really is free (you know how that goes). Other than that, there are no real plans for the weekend. Hubby will be working and I'll have the girls here with me, hanging out at the house. It sounds so boring but perhaps it's what we need. I could take the blouse my sister gave me for Christmas and finally have the ink tag removed (it's been in my trunk the entire time). It's really beautiful...a Kimono style wrap with lots of vibrant reds and blacks, but it's too small just yet. I hope to be able to sport it by late March or early April. She's the only person who bought me clothes for Christmas this year.

Maybe this is the weekend hubby and I can reinvent and be a little adventurous (as adventurous as one can be on a schedule like his). Perhaps I can scheme in my free time today at work.

What Happened to my Early Spring?

For days we've had temps in the 50's and yesterday, we got as high as 60. Sixty in February! It was so beautiful (but I didn't get to get out and enjoy it like I would have liked to). So, this morning...what do we wake up to? Snow. Buckets and Buckets of snow. Granted, the weather guy says it will taper off by mid morning and we'll get up to 43 but, what happened to my would-be spring weather? Those who happen to be traveling to work or where ever today are not going to enjoy the commute.



Meanwhile, they're also talking on the news about the guy in Australia who just beat the Guinness World Record of head-butting watermelons for the watermelon festival. Man,can we have a little watermelon, please? I'm so over winter, now. Seriously, I've had enough. I'm ready for the sun to return full blast so I can retire the coats and jackets, sweat pants and dark colored everythings. Pastels! Tank tops! Summer dresses! Come out of hiding and be seen. We're waiting for you.

I think I'm more excited about spring this year because for one, I won't be pregnant and two, I won't have to hoist around 24 extra pounds (I'm speaking of Indy, not my unfortunate weight gain)...although I hope to be rid of that, too. Indy is walking pretty well and I imagine, by April, will not need me to carry her for any reason, other than to help her into high chairs and car seats. She's so cute toddling around, learning how to get her bearings. There are so many things I've forgotten about these formative years. Seems like the babe has been grown up forever!

Last but not least, are you feeling generous? Want to help an important cause and gain a sweet reward in the process (besides the wonderful feeling anyone gains from helping others) check out the information here. Hurry! This opportunity only occurs February 20th from 7:00am-10:00am.

First Day Back...Home Early

It was my first day back in the office today. I hate to admit it, but I kind of missed my coworkers. I was happy to chat with them about their holiday festivities. They all lead such fun lives, it was good to hear about everything they did with their time off (for those who took it or had it to take). I came back with a new do and was told that my look was "glamorous". Hmm. I hope I'm looking even more glamorous in the coming weeks. I've been off to a great start with my workout and eating plan.

After only four hours at work, I received a call from a coworker that the roads headed home were terrible. We got hit with a snow storm that was only supposed to dump 1 to 3 inches. Well, not so much. I think there's at least half a foot in our driveway. Wow! If only we could have had all this while I was off. Oh, well.

I received a summons so, I get to call and see if I have to appear in court tomorrow. Big fun. I hope I don't have to go. It would mean hubby getting off work, then coming home and taking care of the baby all day. Poor, guy. But what choice do we have? Hopefully, I don't have to go. Then, he can come home and sleep and I can try and last a full day at the office tomorrow. (P.S. These are photos I took today, believe it or not. I'm always saying I'll post photos I take and I never come through, well I came through. Ha! check out the winter wonderland that is my front yard. Craziness)



UPDATE - 10:04pm

Well, I have to go to court tomorrow. I've been summoned four other times and out of those, there were three times where the case was settled out of court. The fourth time, I had to go and witness the jury selection. What a long day that was. I wonder if when I take my laptop, they'll have wireless I can access? Probably not. I'm guessing the government will have a tight hold on that area and all I'll get to do is read (which is okay) and type long, endless blogs in notepad, word, wordperfect or wherever. I'm a little nervous. Why am I nervous? I guess because TOM is on the way and I'm emotional about everything. I wonder if that's a good excuse for ducking out of jury duty; "Sorry, your Honor. I feel that I would not be an unbiased juror because I may break down and go into hysterics over any little thing the plantiff, defendant or random witness may say about the case." Somehow, I don't think that'll fly.