The Aftermath

Our streets have been cleared since I took this photo on Monday, but it is snowing again and well, I am not hopeful that the plow will come again. I am so thankful our truck is AWD. I never in my life thought I would need it or the snow tires, but even if it is only for this winter, it is so worth it.
The one good thing about the snow not ending is that there is not enough time for the snow to get dirty. Everything is beautiful, clean and white. But, man oh man it is cold today.
Opa arrived last night and the fun has yet to stop. J is happy as a clam and Apple has been giving him lots of smiles. We are thrilled to have him and if it weren't for the snow and cold we might have been able to convince him to stay longer. Note: they are playing in the new room!!! See my treadmill. How I love my treadmill :).

Snowed in Again.

Take note of the left swing...
The snow started around 6am this morning, but didn't get into high gear until the afternoon. I kept watching the swing in the back yard as it slowly got buried.

Note: buried swing...
My Sister and her family, thankfully, made it in Saturday night, they were delayed by two hours as the storm had already hit Toronto. But, with the storm today, we didn't get to see them. That and the fact that J has been fighting a fever for two days.
He had a break in his fever and we decided he should get some fresh air. He only lasted about five minutes but it was good for him to get out. I really hope that he is his old self tomorrow morning as he will be sad to miss gymnastics and his cousins again tomorrow.

And little Apple spent the day laughing at us all. I think she is the only one that wasn't affected by the snow storm. Being in lockdown here definately wasn't good for us big people, so much to do at this time of year. I think I used the time wisely, I got a few dozen cookies baked for Hubby's employees, finished J's hat that I was knitting and remembered to take photos all day of the snow.

I posted a few more photos on Flickr. Our tree decorating and the ornaments I received from Beanish. They are beautiful and look fabulous on the tree. I am having trouble getting a good photo of the tree as my flash is too bright and without it everything is jiggly, even with the broken tripod.

If it snows anymore we won't have anywhere to throw the snow from the laneway.

First Snow of the Year

Came so much earlier than last year. We made until Boxing Day last year, but this morning Hubby and I were blindsided by the snow. As of 6pm the forecast was for freezing rain, so when I got up for a 4am feeding I was shocked to see the snow. And lots of it.

Hubby took J to school letting him toss a few snowballs and slop through the snow. The teachers even let the kids play outside longer this morning. Hubby thought he was feeling well enough to go to work himself, until he stood at the bus stop for a few minutes. He returned home to bed for most of the day.

I was able to pick J up without Apple, which made his so happy that he was tossing snowballs the entire way home. He went from being forced outside in the snow last year to not being able to keep him in. He had a blast tossing snow at the dogs, who grew weary quickly of that game and ended up tossing the snow at Hubby through the window.The forecast is calling for another 10-20 cm tomorrow, should be another fun day.

Thanks for all your well wishes. We are doing much better today, although not up to par yet. And yes, to answer the question posed by Red Dirt Road, we have more than one bathroom. Not that I am bragging, but we have three in total, so I took one, he took one and Mom kept one clean for her and the kids. And yes, I am thankful for that fact too. Oh so much to be thankful for this day before Thanksgiving.

Winter is here and life on the couch.

I have been trying to write this post since Monday, when Winter finally arrived. After much anticipation and wonder as to whether winter would make an appearance or not it reared its ugly head in the form of snow and freezing temperatures (we are talking a 35 degree difference from a week ago). Whether it is Global Warming, El Nino or God telling us never to expect the same thing year after year it arrived. And for some of us we could have gladly done without it, for others it means saving their livelyhoods or putting their new bought winter toys to good use.

I wish I had some fun things to share about playing in the snow or doing some fun winter activity, but nope. I have nothing but tales from the couch. J seems to be taking my relaxing in stride so I am happy about that. I had been having two good mornings where I was able to get off my couch and clean up the disaster our house has turned into. Tuesday I tidied and vacuumed the main level, something that gets done every other day normally hadn't been done in a week and a half almost! My carpets were driving me crazy. Wednesday I tackled the upstairs bathrooms. Oh the excitement, let me tell you. Then. All of a sudden, after cleanning the bathrooms, my back gave out. I can barely walk. Thankfully yesterday my Mom and Sister came to my aide and kept me company. And today, although feeling a bit better, I can't do much I had my Sister drop of J2 so J would be kept company and you know what? They are playing happily together in the 'good' living room as though I am not even here. I should have gone in there myself and enjoyed a different view and a softer couch with a cozier blanket, but because I was already established in the family room, they left me. I am good with it, I can hear them and they are doing great.

It is with mixed emotion that I am posting of the passing of our family friend who was 104 last summer. And I say with mixed emotion as she was 104 1/2 almost and she lived a full and wonderful life. Made even better these last two years since she has been living with my Aunt and Uncle. Who at 104 1/2 is still living in a house, next door to her own house complete with homemade food, loving care and attention 24 hours a day? On the other hand, I feel the loss for my Aunt and Uncle who have cared for her all these years. For my cousins who thought of her as a Grandma. Our own mutual Grandmother passed away in 1976, so this woman was kind of like our replacement Grandma. Although I only saw her once a year, she did make a few treks north with my Aunt and she will be missed by all of us. The worst part is that I won't be able to go to the service to support my family as I can't make the drive through the mountains at this time of year. I mean, I can, but would be terrified to hit a blizzard or get caught in a storm with J in the car, all by myself. It never mattered before I was a Mom, I would drive through anything, but now, I just don't take my chances. She will be missed and my prayers are with my Aunt and Uncle now, who have to sort through her house and settle up all her affairs. She did not have kids so there is only my family and a few neices and nephews who never came to see her but are waiting to see what she left to them.

Let it Snow!

As much as the no snow and warm weather has been great it just wouldn't be winter without a little fun in the white stuff. We got a little the other day, enough to build a snowman. J's first. And this morning we have woken up to another dusting that is quietly covering the ground. Some of the outdoor rinks are almost ready and if we get enough cold nights (ten, I think is the magic number) the canal might actually open for skating this year.

Christmas was strange with above average temperatures and no snow, but New Year's looks like it will be typical. Snowing and cold, perfect for putting on a dress and heels (not that I have done that in a couple of years, but I do remember those times).

Coming up soon, the list. I don't usually make New Year's resolutions but, I do make a to do list of all the things that need to get done that have been driving me crazy. It is already big and it isn't finished yet.