Blizzard ...

If you live remotely close to Chicago or the the southern part of the US, or have watched news recently, you know that last week we got hit by a blizzard. Our house, having no magic bubble to protect it was not spared from this storm, that literally went from a few gray skies to full blown blizzard with hardly any visibility due to snow and blowing snow in about 60 seconds. I know because I was not safely tucked in my house when that happened!
When it was all done, here is the final total for our driveway:



Now they didn't release official numbers for our particular town, but numbers from surrounding cities and this, makes us feel confident that 19" is what we got. I'm pretty sure I've never seen 19" of snow all from one storm before in my life. So it was significant for sure!



Here is our deck when shortly after the big storm had started. Please note the sand and water table. And all those white dots? Snowflakes. There were a ton coming down.



Slightly less than 24 hours later. Same corner of deck. But this time through the door.



We couldn't open the door up at that point. See how high the snow is on the glass. See how the sand and water table can no longer be seen? Crazy.

By the front of my house, some bushes and what not we have as an attempt to call our yard landscaped.




I know, blurry and really bright. But again teh storm had started, my camera was not enjoying photographing the snow at all. And you can see, this isn't our first snowfall of the season. But still. The next day:




I couldn't step back to get the same shot as the first picture because there was a huge drift right behind me. But you can see, those smaller bush branches, all covered. Gone. Hidden under snow!


This is taken from the deck at the start of the storm. Please look at the neighbor's fence.



Although I had wanted the same shot from the after, I couldn't because I couldn't get out on the deck (remember that snow that was up against the door? Didn't want it in our house LOL!) So the neighbor's fence, from another angle ....



But still, I think you can tell the difference. There was lots of blowing and wind, and a lot of that blowing snow stacked against the fence!

And for fun, look at the snow around the neighbor's car:



Here's my son standing next to a pile (from snow and shoveling from both this storm and previous snows):



We always get a pile there, but I think this is the highest it's ever been. So that was the big storm. Just to break down a bit more:

• The storm started at 2:15 pm Tuesday. We were in the middle of piano lessons, I pulled my dd out 5 minutes early because I could see it had started (despite them saying not until after 3).
• Husband's company shut down at 3:00pm Tuesday. Earlier that day they had said no one could leave until 5. The storm started so strong, 30 minutes into they revised! And also declared the building shut down through Wednesday. Husband has worked there for over 11 years. They've never shut down!
• My son's preschool closed on Wednesday.
• Our school district was closed Wed, Thurs, and Fri!
• 19" in our driveway.
• Our driveway was not cleared until after lunchtime on Wednesday.
• Husband went out two times to shovel on Wednesday. The first he did it for an hour and needed a break. Then he went out to finish and worked for about 90 min. Then 3 neighbors showed up to help him finish - one with a snow blower. He estimates they saved him an additional 2 hours of shoveling! We are very grateful for their help!
• I did not leave the house again until Friday. Even then some (major ones too!) only had 1 of 2 lanes in either direction plowed. Piles at corners were so high, right and left turns were scary to make in some spots.

That about sums up our "fun" snow day! This was the 3rd worst storm they've tracked in the area. I hope I don't see any to beat it any time soon! =)

Blah blah blahbity blah

That about sums things up. I've been meaning to come write and blog but I just am all out of words and thoughts to share.

I know, I know, I'm supposed to update and keep posting, but I think that when I feel like I have nothing to say, my posts are boring and blahish and probably not very interesting for you to read.

It's January and winter. It's cold outside. There isn't much going on. All my knitting has stalled. My sewing has stalled. I haven't even finished a book! There has been a lot of sickness still hanging out in our house. I think that has been sucking lots of my energy. A small scare with the 5yo - that was really small, but had me very worried and anxious. But it really is okay now and that is a huge relief. Still doing medicine. Still have some doctor's appointments, but :::crossing my fingers::: we stay healthy from here on out. Because, I'm not sure I can take anymore to be honest!!


So anyway, I'm alive and kicking. And here. I just need to find words again.

Hope all of you are doing well =)

Happy New Year!

Hope you all had a wonderful new year and that 2011 is a wonderful year for you and your family. I hope that whatever year 2010 was for you, that you have some really great memories to hold onto in your heart from it.

Although my 2011 is starting with a lot of sadness, we still rang the new year in in a good way. Which was nice. And better than sitting at home doing nothing (which was our other option). We drove about 5 hours into Wisconsin and hung out with my dad's side of the family. 3 males in the family are getting married this year - all to nice fiances I think. So there was lots of hanging out and a surprise game like the old Newlyweds game - and they were all great sports about it. The kids played, I talked, snapped a few pictures, relaxed a bit and had a lovely evening.

Of course, at midnight we all gathered and sand Auld Lang Syne and welcomed 2011. I took my traditional midnight photograph of the kids. (on a related note the first time they are not with me on new year's eve, not being able to snap this picture will be the saddest part of it. I might have to make them promise to get a friend to take the picture!!) I've done this every year since my oldest was 2 months old! Even taking it of them if they are sleeping! Or if they happen to be 5 and overtired and not very cooperative at the time (ahem. You'll see!)








Anyway, happy new year! =)

Also, head on over to Dupage Mamas to see why I won't be making resolutions this year!

Life

My year hasn't started as planned at all.

My aunt (who was also my godmother) passed away late last week. This was pretty shocking and unexpected. And I still feel a bit stunned, and very sad. She was always very generous to me - I always got a card for my birthday and a little something for Christmas. One year she gave me a gorgeous little teddy bear (I love teddy bears). He had the sweetest green overalls on. Sadly, I was a kid and I have no idea what ever happened to that bear, but I did love it! I even wrote a little story about him for school once! Every so often, as a nice surprise she would leave things with my mom for my kids. And she, like me, was a talker! She could talk and talk for hours (actually I think pretty much all the females on my mom's side of the family are like this. And it's where I got it from!).

I'm thankful for the memories I have to hold on to, but I will miss her.

If you are celebrating ....

I hope you have a very Merry Christmas and that the last two days have been a wonderful time with family and friends  =)

We have had a wonderful holiday at our house and the last two days are just a reminder of how much I love this season and time. And although things have been very busy and there were times I just felt like I couldn't catch my breath, it really truly has been worth it. We've had such a lovely time. I think it's been made extra lovely knowing that we would have lovely time even without all the stuff and the extras.

Anyway, have a lovely weekend everyone =)