Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Snowpocalypse ‘11?

And it has begun.  This is supposed to be the biggest snow storm since 1967.  I've even heard it referred to as "Snowpocalypse '11."  Kinda reminds me of all of the "Stormwatches" we had in California any time we were expecting more than 1 inch of rain in any given day!

Here is the scene as I went to bed last night.
I know it looks like stars and the moon, but it's really snow!

Looking out across the street.
 Today the snow really picked up.  You can't tell from these pictures but it has been snowing sideways.  It's even snowing upwards!  Kinda like a snow tornado.....School has already been canceled for tomorrow.


Here's a picture of the kids coming home from school.

Note how high the snow drift is
The dogs loving running around in the snow!

"That's right.  I ain't afraid of no blizzard! Bring it on!"

        Here you can get a better idea of how hard it's snowing.  You can hardly see the houses across the pond.

See how the snow is blurring sideways? Click on the picture for a larger view.


According to the Northwest Herald:
A blizzard watch issued early today warned of a "dangerous," "multifaceted" and "potentially life-threatening" winter storm to hit the area Tuesday afternoon....
Commuters should be warned of lots of blowing snow, white-out conditions, wind gusts between 25 miles per hour and 40 miles per hour, accumulations of 2 to 3 inches per hour, and possible thunderstorms throughout the metro area. There will be wind chill values as low as -4 degrees.

The heaviest snow will come Tuesday night and will make traveling very dangerous, especially in rural areas. Travel will become virtually impossible at times...with extremely poor visibility and snow falling so heavily that plows will be unable to keep up. Side streets and untreated roads will be impassable.

Heavy snow still will be falling Wednesday morning and more than a foot of snow is expected to accumulate by the afternoon. Flooding may occur along Lake Michigan shores Tuesday night and Wednesday morning with widespread blowing snow after noon.
 Some areas may get inches in the mid- to lower 20s, [sic] likely making it one of the top 10 biggest snow storms the area has seen. There is also some potential that it could be the biggest snow storm in recorded history. Currently that chilly title belongs to a snow storm right around this time in 1967, when 23 inches fell on January 26 and 27 at O’Hare International Airport.
But the weather service meteorologists are weary [sic] to speculate, citing many factors that could alter or completely change the outcome of inches.
A swath of Illinois...could see 22 inches or more of snow between this Tuesday and Wednesday.
“With a high-impact storm like this that will affect parts of Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana and Michigan, we’re telling everyone to prepare for it.”
...A total of 18 inches is expected to cover most of northern Illinois.
Crazy, eh?  I'm not much into hype but it's definitely building up to be a nasty storm.

So now we are settled in for the next 36 hours or so.  We have plenty of food, endless water (thanks to the snow piling up outside), our gas fireplace and lanterns and batteries in case the power goes out.  Most importantly, I have the receipt to return said lanterns and batteries when the storm turns out to be not such a big deal after all.  LOL!

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

From California to Cornfields to Where???

Most of you know that we're moving but I wanted to share how the conversations went down.....

End of November:
Phil (to Me): I'm not being transferred.
Me (to Phil): I'm so sorry.  I know how much this meant to you.
Everyone Else (to Me): I'm so glad you're not moving.
Me (to Everyone Else): Me too.  Just don't tell Phil I said that!

At this time, I settled back into my home and my life here in Illinois.  Disappointed for Phil, but happy to be staying put for now.  Happy because Kiki decided to move to Chicago.  Happy because Scott and his family are going to be moving much much closer to us.  Happy to be staying near my brother, sister-in-law, nieces, nephews and countless cousins. 

Two weeks later: 
Phil (to Me, over the phone): You'd better sit down, 'cause things are changing.
Me (to Myself, as I sit down): Oh my goodness.  He's been laid off.  But he doesn't sound stressed.....
Me (to Phil): OKayyyy......
Phil (to Me): I'm being transferred.  My boss had an "epiphany" and decided that she better move me out there.
Me (to Phil): Out where?
Me (to God): Please, not Florida.
Phil (to Me): To Ohio.
Me (to Myself): Does he mean we're all moving? (In my defense, I was in a state of shock).


I'm not really sure what we said after that.  Shock, still.  I called my mom and between crying and laughing (if I didn't laugh, I would have fallen apart) I somehow managed to tell her what was going on.  She was just as shocked, because at one point she said, "Wait a minute.  What did you say?"  Yeah, I have no idea what I actually said to her but I eventually got the important information across.

Me (to Anyone Who Will Listen): I'm glad to know that Phil's boss values him so much, but couldn't she have had this "epiphany" two weeks ago?!?

So anyway, that's where we stand.  We've rented a house in Columbus.  The elementary school rates very high.  Tons of shopping nearby and we got a family pass to the Zoo/Aquarium.  And I've already found myself a knitting group.  But the question begs.....

What will I call my blog???

Off to continue purging and packing.  Wish me well! 

Monday, August 16, 2010

And They're Off!

....To school, that is.

Today is the first day of school.  I can't believe that Kai is in second grade and Malia is in first.  For the first time, they are both in full time school.  I thought this phase of life would be hard for me, but I have to admit that I'm pretty excited about having a little time for myself again.  After nearly 9 years of pregnancy, infants, toddlers, preschoolers and kindergartners, I finally have a little bit of freedom again.


Here they are, waiting at the bus stop:

I have no idea why Malia is making such a silly face!
Our friends, Elise and Adam
Daddy, waiting in the shade (with his phone, of course!)
 
And waiting to go into school:

This is the 4th year that Kai and Jaclyn will be in the same class
Malia and her friend, Jory



So the question begs......What do I do now?  The house needs some serious cleaning and I have a ton of projects to work on.  I haven't actually read a book in months or wandered around a store with no time limits and no one wanting to "go home now."  Wait!  I think I hear my knitting bag calling me.....Gotta run!

Monday, May 17, 2010

The Ballet Box Presents...

.......CELEBRATIONS!

Malia's dance performance was on Friday and it was so much fun!  Malia was a little nervous but she had such a great time! 

Waiting to go onstage


The preschoolers performed first and they were adorable!  They did a tea party dance....

Here they are, making a "tutu train"

In order to watch the videos, you will need to enter the password "dance"


Here is a video of Malia's tap number, "Welcome Aboard."  Sorry for the wiggling camera.....I couldn't stop laughing!




And here is her ballet number, "I'm Cute," and boy, were they!  Expect more camera wiggles.....



My friend, Amy's, daughters were also in the show.  They are the sisters of Malia's friend, Adam.  Both girls always make Malia feel so special.

Malia adores Elise and is always excited to see her.  She is the second from the left (the one with the adorable smile).


Olivia is a graduate of the Ballet Box and she was one of the girls who was invited to return and perform for the school's 10th "birthday."  Olivia once commented that Malia looks like her when she was little (lucky Malia.....lucky Olivia.....).  Olivia is in the center in purple and yellow.


Feel free to leave lots of comments telling Malia how great she was! LOL.

Friday, May 14, 2010

A Sneak Peek

Tonight Malia makes her dancing debut!
Here is a sneak peek of what's to come....


The top outfit is for her Tap performance
and the bottom one is for Ballet

Sunday, March 21, 2010

Spring-Take 2

A much brighter second day of Spring!

What a difference 24 hours can make

What did I tell you, Heather? Save the clothes shopping for when you get here. We have a great outdoor mall right here in town (in village?).

Saturday, March 20, 2010

First Day of Spring

Hi all and sorry I haven't blogged in so long. I did want to take a minute to wish everyone a happy first day of Spring!

The tree in our front yard


Anyone want to come over for a BBQ?


We can eat on the deck and enjoy the view!


Gotta run so I can go unpack our Summer clothes......