Creative Storm II

Cat Nap

Oh, be a cat with the ability to enjoy a sunny window.

Creative Storm I

Hangover from Snowmageddon

This

Is

The

End

Of

The

Road

I laughed when I took that picture. People here in the DC area are idiots when it comes to snow. What person tries to drive down an unplowed road when it just snowed 3 feet. Unless you are driving one of those off road, 4x4 trucks with tractor tires, you aren't going to make it down that road. At least this driver was smart enough to realize it before they were too commited and got stuck. I did see another pick-up truck stuck down at the end of a cul-de-sac, considered photographing it...but decided the driver might not appreciate it.

We had a lot of trees that snapped under the weight of the snow.

While the photo below was taken the day after the storm (Sunday)... Tuesday it doesn't look much different. I had a scary driving experience getting out this morning.

While our townhouse circle was cleared out down to the asphalt, the main roads through the neighborhood were not...and still look much the same three days later.

The only vehicles that were moving about on Sunday were SUVs, 4-wheel drives and pick-up trucks. However, people driving those types of vehicles aren't always that great at driving in the snow. After honking at me to get out of the tire tracks, this guy gunned it, causing the vehicle to fish tail wildly. I almost thought he was going to spin out right next to me so I started taking pictures...hey, if he was going to kill me, I was going to go down taking pictures.

The reason I had been standing in the tire tracks is that I saw a great picture...nice straight tracks through the snow...then the truck went by. As you can see he fish tailed the whole way.

Reflections Snowmageddon 2010

This first picture was taken at sunset on Saturday night. The snow had finally stopped, after 24 hours and seeing the sun was such a relief! Despite the fact that we didn't have power and that the snow was covering the brokenness of the trees, it looks beautiful. Peaceful. Like an Alpine villiage.

While I know my facebook followers have already seen the chronology of the storm, for those who follow me here on blog spot...and for my own memory, here are some photos showing the progress of the storm.




The above shot is my front yard around 10 p.m. I think I went out to shovel at this point but opted to not shovel the deck off for the third time (big mistake as you will see later).

Around 11:30, 12 midnight, we lost power. Luckily, I have a wood burning fire place and a lot of fire wood. The cats and I snuggled up on the couch in the family room in front of the fire. Besides sweats, I was wearing my hooded robe with the hood up and had two thick, woven blankets thrown on top of me. With three cats that then snuggled over my feet, behind my knees and ontop of my chest, I was quite warm. Actually was sweating. I shed the robe around 2 a.m. when I woke up to stoke the fire and add another log.

Around 3:30 a.m., something woke me with a start. I went upstairs to look out the windows, they were finally plowing down our street, so maybe it had been the noice of the plows. There was an eerie red glow in the sky. Despite there not being any power, it was quite light out. I noticed all the broken trees behind my house and was thankful that none had hit my house. I had been worried about a couple. God is good!

The tree in my back yard was bent almost to the ground.



Poor thing, for some reason this reminds me of something from a Dr. Seus book. Not wanting it to break, I came out with a broom and beat the snow off of it. Despite its freedom, it struggled to spring back into shape.



I'm not sure why I took this next picture at three a.m. However, it becomes a good reference for later. Just remember that garden cart.



In the morning, the destruction was more evident.


With more snow falling, more trees were threatening the houses.



I decided to tackle my deck. I really didn't want it to collapse under three feet of snow. I had shoveled it off twice the night before. However, I had a food and a half of snow in the morning, and it was still snowing.

I am about half way through getting it cleared off. I'll be honest. It was discouraging because we were getting about 2 inches of snow an hour...so when I got back in, from shoveling the front, the deck already had another 2-3 inches of snow on it.



Where was all the snow going?

I was pusing it off the side of my deck.

Remember that garden cart? I don't think I'll be seeing it till sometime in June.



Sunday morning was glorious! While I had dug out around my car...you can see how far I got with my car. I was tired of shoveling Saturday night.



This is me before I headed out to check out the neighborhood. Don't worry, I wore much more. It was only about 15 degrees at this point.



One of the things I've really enjoyed about the snow is talking with my neighbors as we are all out shoveling. In our busy lives, we really don't do much with each other or say much more than "Hi" as we pass each other coming and going.

Losing power...I didn't realize how much I miss electricity and the internet...or watching DVDs. I would have been fine with no cable, because I could have watched movies ...but no power...I sat there and looked at the cats for awhile, expecting them to entertain me. They however, were content curling up next to me or on my lap. Eventually, I did fall asleep. When the power finally came back on Saturday night, I found I was a bit disappointed.

I did learn what I need to get to update my "Shelter-in-place" kit. It totally sucks when your batteries for the flashlight are dead. While I have candles...they are all scented. I need some plain, white, un-scented candles. In addition, I need batteries for my radio. I can't believe I didn't have those.

Marine Corps Documentary Looking for Backers

Dave Scantling is producing a documentary film about Marines in Afghanistan and he's looking for backers. Check out this link to his project.


Patrol Base Jaker

A New Year, New Outlook, New Goals (sorta)

I have heard that who you spend New Year's Eve with, you will spend the rest of the New Year with. The only year that seemed to work out was the year my small group Bible Study spent the night eating and chatting at Christine's house. I certainly hope that it holds true with 2010, because I spent it with an awesome bunch of people. I can't think of a better group to spend 2010 with.

The photo above was taken at the All Single's New Year's Eve bash put on by the Mid 40's - 60's group. They invited the group I belong to (the 30s - mid 40's) and 20 of us braved the ice and snow that was still on the roads to party. What a great party it was. There were over 100 people there. I'll be honest, I was pleasantly surprised at what a good time we had...You don't need alcohol to have a good time, we certainly had it. The midnight toast was done with sparkling cider and when I left, it was us "young 'uns" who were dancing the last dance.

2010 is also another year of changes. Last year I braved the new hair color world and went red, with a streak of blond framing my face. This summer, I went all the way red. For the new year, I went darker red and longer hair. I'm digging hair extensions. So, here is the straight look.



And here is the curly, beauty contestant look:



I'll be honest. I freaked out a little at how dark it was. I also wasn't so sure about the length. I don't like the straight look as much as the wavy/curled look. I have never had hair this long so it was and is still an adjustment...like when I sit back in my chair, my back rests against my hair, when I bend my head forward to look at something on the computer, it felt like I was yanking my hair out. So I suppose this year, I will be learning the art of the hair flip over one shoulder or something.

Also getting a new look, Ranger. My little lion!



He had mats so bad on his back and by his rear end, I had to get him shaved. He was smelly. I love how he feels, he's like velvet right now and I so enjoy petting and snuggling with him, I'm sure he enjoys this too. Annabelle, my foster kitten, loves to play with his pom-pom tail (oh the humiliation!).

The goals for 2010 are pretty much the same as they were for 2009. I achieved none of the things I had set out to accomplish...like losing 25 pounds... over the year. I know that was a big goal, but realistic as it really is only half a pound a week. I suppose I should be happy that I didn't gain anything. I start 2010 at the same place I started 2009. I have survived one week of P90X (I know the feeling that my body has been hit with a baseball bat will subside by the end of the week.). I have signed up for Zumba with two of my friends so I hope to also get to know them better.

Relationships, growing them, is another goal of mine for 2010. While it would be nice to meet "the love of my life" and be talking about a wedding at the end of the year...I'm not holding my breath. In regards to relationships, I am talking about growing and deepening ones I already have as well as starting new ones. The relationship I hope to deepen and grow the most is my relationship with Christ. My prayer that I will pray this year is that my will become more in line with His will, that I can let go of myself. I hope to get to know the women in my small group better. In addition to that, I hope to get to know my co-workers better, we have new people that have come onboard and since I spend most of my time with them, I should get to know them.

For personal growth...in addition to getting into shape and eating healthier, I hope to continue taking dance classes, a photography class and maybe even stand-up comedy or improv. I think learning to see the humor in things or to be funnier can boost a more positive attitude about life. I think I also read somewhere that laughter can help you live longer.

Financially - - pay the darn credit card off. I think I will have this done in March. That is the plan anyway. I'll let you all know in March if it happens.

Travel plans - - I am going to Bali this year. I am REALLY looking forward to this adventure. I also plan on going to Texas to visit some friends I have there...and maybe some of my blog friends I have made too....anyone up for San Antionio? I'm still finalizing that plan...I'm thinking of taking a train down instead of flying...if a train goes where I want to go. I realized when doing my holiday letter (which I still have to send out to people, sorry) that I really didn't go on any day trips this summer like I had planned. I hope to turn that around. I'd love to visit some of the civil war sites down by Virginia Beach, head out to Bedford, VA and the World War II memorial, hike Old Rag (I have never done this anyone want to go with me?), and spend some time exploring and hiking in the Virginia hills this summer and fall. To tie this in with building relationships...I will be better about asking others if they want to go with me.

Final goal - - get rid of the clutter.

That is it in a nut-shell...or a blog anyway.

Here is to 2010 and all of its possibilities!