Snow and sickness

Those have been the themes of our lives lately, its that time of year.  With the sickness once one person gets it we all get it.  Luckily that is now behind us and maybe the snow too!

We have been hit with blizzards one after another.  Snow and ice and it has been months since the weather has been above freezing.  The kids are always home, and always hungry.  Last Thursday Pax brought us the biggest snow this year at nearly 2 feet and Last night Sam left us with a couple more inches but the good news... the 10 forecast is in the 40's!!!  Yes this stuff can finally melt.  We have 2 cars stuck in snow immobile at the moment.

(Two days since I started writing this)

And in that time we had a terrible ice storm.  I left for school one morning extra early (7am test day, with errands to run before hand) and congratulated the kids as I was leaving hurrah, for today!  The first time you will have a full day in weeks!  The day before we got more snow, light snow, at least compared to the week before.  Which ended up in the kids having a two hour delay.  As I was leaving Jay said becareful we are supposed to get an ice storm.  I had checked and it was not expect till later so I cheerful drove off.  Less than 5 miles it started freezing rain and my car was sliding all over the road.  It was scary.  Buses full of the older public school students were already being transported.  I was having a terrible time driving so I slowed it down and waited to text only during red lights.  But I made it to my school and when I went to put up the wipers they were all ready frozen.  I figured the buses taking the kids or in the case of mine their van were and big heavy vehicles.  That they would all be okay.  But as the buses and vans started sliding and accidents were all over the roads the canceled and delayed school after it had opened and kids were on their way.  It made for a logistical mess of everything.  But eventually mine went to school, by the time I left school it was fine.  And that was the last snow/ice day we have had lately.  Thank God!

And the best part it has been in the 50's the past 2 days and is supposed to be even warmer tomorrow!  Just in time to melt all the feet of snow for Mondays new storm  :(

I thought last week was the end but I guess not.  Howevere here are some pictures to enjoy in your nice warm place.



Faithy in her house as it started snowing.  They love to play in it.  And I spend an hour dressing them for it each time.



Her house a little later and it still came down



The backyard became grounds to many large forts.  Although you can not see it as they are white against white.  The whole world we know is now and has been white against white for so long.  It is times like this I wish I could have beautiful colorful flowers delivered to cheer us up.  But you know with all the snow I had so many friends complain how they did not get their valentines day flowers till the 18th!  I am still waiting on mine....I might be waiting a long long time too. ( I got nothing for valentines day!  zero, zilch, nada, nothing, except from my mom, lets wait and see how my birthday goes  Not even a text or a coffee, no wine, no nothing.) carrying on...



The girls playing in a break of sunlight.  Baby cakes really does not like the snow.  And I cant even tell you how many feet or inches they are on top of.





14 Fir Street





lots of snowmen have been built



And some of my favorites have been on instagram if you don't follow me go ahead my name there is karen_huse but I believe you can find it through a link to the left.  I love instagram and have turned more towards that but sadly I have been lacking in pictures there too.



the girls were so sad about their cozy coupes



The ice falling from the trees looked like sugar crystals


Just because of all this snow does not mean life still has to go on.  And here Faith and I had to take a very early drive up to the state capitol.  We never made it because of incredible traffic accidents and conditions but we caught a beautiful sunrise.

Me on my way to school, yes cross country skiing it



no snow days for me, well at least not a long time ago.  Haha these 3 are OLD pictures of me from Norway.  Yeah a snow day there?  Didn't happen we had school. We skied to it the had fun on then slopes afterwards.  Good times!!




Yes I am sick of all this snow but I have also got quite used to it.  We feel warm in days above the single digits.  Thankful on days we get no more.  We now laugh at when they forecast under 6 inches.  But the end is in sight.  And we welcome spring.

Snow

Well Wednesday we got snow.  We woke up to the outside blanked in more than 6 inches of snow.



More snow fell but as it was laying it was also melting.  The day before we had been running around to blue skys in our light jackets.  Thurday and today have not been cold either around 50 but there is a cold wind blowing.  This was a spring snow.  And the kids finally had off for a snow day, a real one.

I took Gracie our as I wanted to get a snow angel picture of her.



Ah my little baby girl. We did not stay out to long so she did not mind it.  I was not sure I was going to be able to get a picture of her.  I though she might ball once I put her in the snow but she did real well.



Everything was pretty much closed that day I think we all took it as a day off, a day to stay inside and most importantly a day to say goodbye winter!



Our town square borrowed from the newspaper.

Unproductive

That describes today pretty well.  I have been battling to get school work done but it is just not happening.  Our day got thrown off in the morning.  I went to bed last night under  a weather watch so first thing I did this morning was look out the windows check facebook.  That is right, that because it is where you get all your news from now days.  And sure enough the second post down on it I saw school is having a 2 hour delay.



I promptly walked back upstairs to bed.  Two hours later we woke up well the kids did I never truly was able to get back to sleep, I hate it when that happens.  The funny thing is they did not even notice the time.  They though the felt great and really rested.  HA, I should just put them to bed at 6:30 each night.

Apparently there was ice on the roads.  I saw no snow and none was reported.  It was just another day off for rain.



That is 3 this year.  Three rain days we have had.  And it has not been anything more than an occasional drizzle since we woke, it is just wet.  The first two were for hurricane Sandy and this one for Winter Storm Helen.  Why do they name EVERYTHING now days?  It used to be just hurricanes that were named and now it seems any weather pattern has a name.

I guess we are sorta weather watcher tough.  One recently we payed close attention to was Cyclone Evan.  It was a terrible event for Fiji.



This time last year some friends of ours moved to Fiji so the boys know all about it and set up skype and email with them.  When we heard through them of cyclone Evan we watched it for them annd Because Evan is my middle sons name.



Maybe I can get some work done now before they get back from school at least maybe a nap.

Not your normal cement pond

I mentioned that we took a little bit of damage during the storm but nothing bad.  For the most part we just hung out.



We played with our feet,



Played with Wyatt who would not stay outside.  I guess I can't really blame her.



That is because most of the time it just rained heavily.  However there were a couple of hours where the wind blew so hard.  It ripped out back screen door apart, and bent the awning.



But that door needed to be replaced anyways.

The ceiling got wet.  And continued falling.  It is real soft.  This is going to have to be something we needed to fix immediately before snow sets upon it.  But again it was on the list of things that needed to be done anyways.  Obviously the roof needs to be fixed first that's what we were waiting on.



But where the most damage occurred is where it does not matter that much, I think, except it is the foundation of the house.  Our basement flooded again.  The sub pump never was set up or turned on and we now have a pool in our basement.



Our basement is a common Pennsylvania basement, a dug basement.  It is low and made of dirt and rocks.  It unfortunately stays a bit damp and is pretty unuseful.  We don't store anything down there.



But the waters wash up all types of yucky crap. It is gross.



It was about a foot maybe 2 at the deepest points.  But it has stopped pouring and has slowly been draining with the help of the sub pump now working.  Just a mess that needs to be cleaned up and eventually took care of so we can sell out little home.

But for now it is  okay.  It reminds me of a funny story I heard Joel Osteen preach the other day about his mom and her desire for a swimming pool.  But it was not a desire for a swimming pool in her basement.



When I think of determination, I think of my mom. She's a determined person. You know growing up momma wanted a swimming pool. She wanted a swimming pool really bad. Now this principle-I know a swimming pool is a material thing, but just listen to me. I want you to listen to the principle of determination and never letting go. 

Daddy loved her very much and loved all of us kids very much. He would do anything for us. He would buy us anything. He bought us chickens when we wanted chickens. He bought us rabbits. We had a goat one time. We had 2 dogs. Tamara and all the girls were in cheerleading. I was in baseball. He would do anything for us. And he would buy anything for my mother. But he did not want a swimming pool. That's the one thing he didn't want. And he told my mother, he said, "Dodie," he said, "I'll buy you anything in the world. But I don't want a swimming pool. It's too much maintenance. It's too hard to keep up with. It's dangerous." And you know, that just went in one of my mother's ear and out the other ear. Almost as if there was nothing in-between.  No. I'm just kidding. You know I'm kidding. 

But you know, momma was so determined, she never gave up. She just almost ignored it. And a month or 2 went by and here's momma again. We were out in the backyard and I remember her calling my dad over. And it happened just like this. She didn't even tell them what she was talking about. She said, "John, I think if we angel it just right, we can get it right here."  And she said, "We can put the flower beds over there. And this is the pathway up." And I remember daddy looking at her like, "Woman, you are crazy. What are you talking about?" She was determined. And she said, "John, about that swimming pool." He said, "Dodie, we're not going to have a swimming pool." This went on month after month. And of course, we were pulling for my mom.  We wanted it. But mother was determined. It was a burning desire. 

And I remember another time daddy was out there hitting me ground balls on a hot summer day and mother used the opportunity to come out there. And she said, "John, wouldn't it be fun to jump in our pool when you get through playing baseball?"  She was so determined. And my poor dad, he didn't know what to do. 

But you know one day-we used to travel with my dad during the summer time when he went around the country to speak. And one day we were at a hotel lobby and daddy was about to speak and a man came up to my mom and dad. And he introduced himself. He said I'm so-and-so. He said, "I build swimming pools for a living."  And I saw daddy's eyes roll back in the back of his head. He knew this was trouble. And you know my mom. She gave him that million-dollar smile and gave him that big hug. And said, "Where have you been, old buddy, old pal."  She said, "We've been waiting for you." 

And he went on to say, he said, "I want to build you a swimming pool." And my dad said, "Oh man, we appreciate that. But we really can't afford it and we really don't have room for it." He said, "Pastor," he said, "I don't want you to pay for it. I want to give it to you. Won't you let me give you a swimming pool." Momma was-that was a burning desire and God answered momma's prayer. 

And you know, I'll never forget that we were on another trip and he built it while we were gone. And we came back and all of us kids ran back there. It was a beautiful swimming pool. It was down into the earth. It was a nice expensive one. And we all ran and jumped in. Mother even got it. And here comes daddy to get in.  And I remember what momma said. She said, "John, don't you even think about getting into my pool." 

Tuesday

We made it through the storm.  It was and still is a lot of rain but not that bad of a storm.  We had minor damage, never lost power and got to spend two extra days home with the kids.  Believe it or not they would like to stay home another day.  I think it really is they just want to stay up late.



Not my kid but I can imagine them saying it.  Of course I did take some pictures but my camera battery is dead.  I will have them later this week.

Monday

It is after 8 Monday night and we still have power.  We have had rain all day but it did not stop us.  We still went out for a "Hooray, schools out for hurricane days!" play date and lunch.  It was awesome.  We got to spend time with great friends that between all of us we can never seem to find a time to catch up for more than 5 minutes.

The good news is we still have power!!!  We still have light.  I have ALL the clothes in the house washed but what we are wearing.  BELIEVE me that was a feat, I was so many clothes and sheets daily we are talking about 3-4 full loads a day.  I have every dish clean, tables and counters sparkling because with out power there would be no hot water to clean with.  The kids and I all got showers in.  We are okay for the night if the power goes out.  I have piles of blankets by the beds and candles spread throughout the house, that has not looked so clean in quite some time.

And the best part... well since it was just rain so far today I did my homework for tomorrow and submitted it.  And again my school should thank me because it is closed tomorrow too!!!  No school till Thursday!

The storm is picking up so this may be my last update, I am typing fast.  But we are going to bed soon NOT setting any alarm clocks and we will be fine.

However there has been one major downfall.  There is no trash service tonight, or for the next few days.  Yuck!  They don't understand the amount of diapers we go through a week.

:)

Preparing for Frankenstorm

So there is a little storm headed our way.  The weather channel calls it Hurricane Sandy but the Locals call it Frankenstorm.



Yes that 2 AM white S dot is right over my place.

It is all the inescapable buzz around here.  Twitter, the news, facebook all are reporting continually.  Do I believe it?



Again the big L, yup thats me.

No not at first I did not.  It is not the first time we have got a hurricane or the first time we have had a lot of rain.  It is just people make so much to do about nothing out here.  But I kept hearing about and finally looked it up.  And I saw all these pictures I have posted (from the weather channel)



Okay this one I added me to.  Hanging out there in middle of it.

But the overwhelming  facts is it looks like we are in for a couple of rainy days.  Ugf...

At least we got our trick or treating done yesterday.  And I am not one of those crazy people who clear out the stores shelf's   But today I did buy an extra pack of diaper and made sure the baby has food and water.  We are not going to sit around waiting for it to come we have too much fun stuff planned.  But we will see how it all plays out.

moon

Moon Moon! Smiley yells.



It was a sliver shinning between the clouds.  What a glorious sky.

Fun in the warm January days

We have been having such a warm winter.  I can not remember one like this.  Since we got a decent snow storm in October I thought this is going to be one tough winter.  But it hasn't.  In fact last week was in the 60's.  It did snow a little bit on Saturday and Sunday but it had been to warm to stick and melted as quick as it came down.  Just making a mess really.  This week is warm again.  And we have been taking advantage of it.

The boys got scooters and light up wheels for Christmas.  Evan picked them out for his brothers on black Friday and we really did not think about the cold winter weather then.  But it has not been an issue when it reaches in the 60's some days.  They grab them and head outside without coats.





Faith loves being outside.  She really enjoys watching the boys zoom around her.



But they think she would prefer it to be zooming too.



Smiley has a cars scooter.  He loves cars.  He used to just call it "wace carrsz" but now he is understaning the race cars name is lightning mcqueen.  So it is now "wace carrsz mcqueen".  I love 2.  He really is to little for the scooter.  He just walks it around or stand and I push.  But before we know it he will be zooming away.

He took a hard fall to the face trying though.  Left the poor baby with a big scrape across his jaw.  After that he was done scootering and thought running would be just fine.



It is nice to have a warm winter.  It is nice to not be stuck inside everyday.  But I do not think we are out of winter yet.  A big snow or two could be on its way.  I wont worry about it but enjoy what we have now.

So it snowed

A lot.  In October.  And some people like snow, but not me.  I so want to move.  But if it has to snow this was the way to do it.  It snowed on Saturday, when there was not much going on.  Nothing we could not get out of.  I still can't believe it snowed.  We have had Halloweens in shorts and bundled up so it really should not surprise me.  I kept hearing the weather reports and assumed they were wrong.  But not wrong enough to tarp up some of the big wheels in the back yard, pick up the toys, move all kinds of stuff and grills into the shed, and bring in 3 bags of pellets.  I loaded up the car with extra clothes 2 pairs of gloves, shovel and brush.  I called my parents who were vacationing in the Poconos and said I think you need to come home.  The weather man is calling for a lot of snow, they have all ready called snow emergency in many of the boroughs, they canceled all school events in all the counties.  You might get stuck if you can't get home.  I felt bad saying end your vacation but they would FREAK out if I even walked in a storm like we got let alone traveled the east coast states in it so  why should they drive in it.  I would worry too.  And they came back home.  They left late in the evening and did not get home till midnight but they beat the storm that then we were thinking we might only get.  And we got it, they 2 states away got it to.  But we all got it safe in our homes.

It was a long day.  However it was a nice day of cuddling up with the kids, nothing to do and nowhere to go, like I said at the beginning if it had to snow this day was great for it.  It started coming down light, like a little dusting.

It covered my dead mum that I would not through away yet because I figured how perfect for Halloween.  I draped it in skeletons and wha-la a spooky Halloween decoration, now covered in snow, the dusting.  By the time it was done the mu was pushed down and the snow reached the black line on the big pot.



It covered non dead mums that were alive and vibrant in the yard.



Then picked up.  It started sticking on the roads, on my uninteresting mailbox.



Sadly it took down our "family" tree, Evan named it.  But I do like it, well like what a strong healthy one looks like anyways.  It was never to big due to lack of pruning but no matter how big it was or should have been it got ruined now.



The heavy wet snow pulled  it down to the ground, looks like a tree.  I will try to save it.

On the flip side the rose of Sharon bushes that were just the other day taller than the fence, again due to lack of pruning, now too look like bushes.  They are also broke but I believe can most likely come back.



The kids were begging to play outside.  I was hesitant but I gave in.

Evan rolled large snowballs



Into a fort that Gregory was building and Smiley was kicking.



Catching snowflakes is so much fun.



They came back in quickly.  Why I was hesitant.  They were dripping wet.  This snow was a HEAVY WET snow.  They were soaked in minutes.  Not like they walked in the rain like I pulled them out of the washing machine before the spin cycle, soaked.

I am glad they came in because it picked up.  It kept coming down faster and harder.  Wet and heavy.  The snow was so thick.



It laid so quick and kept coming down.  Soon our Halloween was a winter wonderland.  It was beautiful.



The heavy snow caused so much damage.  It snapped trees, broke power lines, a lot of havoc.  We had power for the most part.  It was flickering on an off all day.  In the light of the day the kids made jokes about it as the day turned to night the were scared.  Every time it went out they cried.  But since it was Halloween we had all kinds of spooky candle lights around, perfect huh?  We had glow stick that they wore around there neck.  They were happier.  My parents had no power for more than 14 hours, a street up no power for more than 10, I was SO fortunate for what we had.  And as far as my parents are concerned they have a generator and it is more than sufficant.  We would have headed down there if we could have traveled the roads.

But we stayed in and we were warm and well fed, I along with half of the east coast went shopping Friday. We watched in awe.  It just kept coming deeper and deeper.  I never took Faith out in it.  I did not even let her touch it.  I regret that but on the other hand it is so cold she would have very much not enjoyed it.  She will have more chance this year.   But she liked watching it.



I liked watching it too but I got worried about the weight.



That tree behind the swingset, that big tree.  It kept getting lower and lower as the day went on.  That was the story all around the area.  Due to how early this storm came the trees have not dropped there leaves yet.  It added to the weight.  Trees could not bare it and breaking and breaking sheds, homes, blocking roadways.  I watched this one out my kitchen window all day.  As worried as I was it stood together.  

We went out today, we headed down worry some roads to church.  But they were fine, we were fine. By 3 pm today it was in the 40's and will be so tomorrow too.  So it is all melting quick.  We will move on to our normal tomorrow.  A little different but a memorable Halloween weekend none the less.