The first snow? no

They say we had our first snow of the season Monday night 10/17/22. It did appear there were huge flakes coming down, and the ground was even covered. However, I am choosing to believe that was fake news and did not really happen. It couldn't have! It's much too early.

Snow day

Once there was a day, and it snowed. A lot. The result was... a snow day! I haven't had one of those in a while.

As I stated in my previous post (I think), we got a bunch of snow last week. The week started with temps in the 50s, but two days later (Wednesday) it started snowing and it lasted into Thursday night. The news said we got 13" total. I measured 9" very unscientifically at our house. Whatever. It's the most we've had at once in quite the long while.

On Tuesday places started announcing closures for later in the week. Not where I work, of course. When it started snowing Wednesday I was swamped with phone calls wanting to know if we were open, if we would be closing early, if our classes would still be going on, etc., etc.. It was approaching insanity and, of course, the people who make those decisions wouldn't say a word. In case I forget to say it later, the CEO and COO are absolute morons with a capital "MORE." It seems they go out of their way to make things more difficult for their employees, and never do anything to help (and I don't think I'm exaggerating, for a change).

Well, Wednesday night the city put us in the Red category which meant only emergency vehicles could be on the roads. So they closed the branches around 7 pm. I was expecting them to then say the branches would all be closed on Thursday, since literally everything else in the state was (since it was to continue snowing). Nope. I was informed that I was to check the travel advisories when I got up at 4AM. If it was still red I didn't need to go in, but if it wasn't then I was to open as usual. So, naturally, I asked how long I was supposed to keep checking it? What if they lifted the travel ban at 7? Was I supposed to just sit and refresh it all day until my shift was over? No answer. Finally at 10:13AM I was informed we would be closed all day. Really??? What took them so long to come to this realization??? (Did I already mention how pathetic these people are?) Oh! And we weren't supposed to post anything on social media about being closed! Hahaha. Well, I already had. I was telling people on Wednesday that we would post our status either on the app or our Facebook page (because why else do we have them?). So I posted it on the Facebook page.

Anyway, so we were closed all day Thursday. Poor Jane had to work from home. I pretty much did nothing except bitch about the ceo and coo (if you can imagine that). I guess I did run the snowblower on our driveway and sidewalk 3 or 7 times that day. The first dumping on Wednesday was really wet. The snow we got Thursday was very fine and powdery, and it drifted some later on.

The travel ban was lifted late Thursday afternoon. I was told we were expected to open our normal hours on Friday. I was only scheduled to work from 5-8AM Friday, and got a number of phone calls again. Of course the young guy who was supposed to come in at 8 called in that his car was stuck. One of the supervisors came and relieved me around 8:30. Fun times.

The fun only got funner after work. I don't even know now how many cars I helped push out. More than 3 and less than 6, I'm guessing. The streets in our subdivision were terrible. There just isn't enough traffic to pack the snow down. Of course even the more 'main' roads on the south side of town aren't a real priority anyway. It was a mess. I could get around okay in my Ford Escape because it sits high off the ground. People in cars were screwed.

We finally had a snow plow come through our neighborhood sometime early Saturday morning. Right now it just looks like a lot of gray winter suck outside. I'm ready for Spring.

Sorry for the rant. Ugh. It was all so stupid. Why do executives have to be assholes?

***

“Come now, let us settle the matter,”
    says the Lord.
“Though your sins are like scarlet,
    they shall be as white as snow;
though they are red as crimson,
    they shall be like wool.

- Isaiah 1:18

 

Still streaking

I can't seem to stop. Running, that is.

I started running every day on November 11, and it's still going on. All but one day (Christmas Eve eve, when I was super short on time) have been outdoors.

In December I covered a total of 129.45 miles. January was 139.95 miles. Maybe 1/4-1/3 was walking.

What started out as wanting to do at least 1 mile per day, somehow turned into at least a 5k per day. Most days I try to do an hour - so a 5k run and 2-mile walk fits nicely. Some days it is 4/1, and on Fridays I've lately been doing a 10k with a mile walk. On rare occasions I don't have time (like Sundays) or I just don't feel up to it (like Saturdays) and I will only do a mile or two or three.

February started off with quite the mood swing. On 2/1 it was 51 and sunny and I ran a 4/1 on the greenway in shorts and a long sleeve shirt. The next day we got hit with a winter storm and I had to break out the screw shoes to run in the snow. The temp was still in the 30s, and it was actually kind of pretty (that's my greenway path below).

 

Today the roads were closed (and we had a snow day). I was nervous to run because I measured 7" and there was no sign of a snowplow in our neighborhood. I put on my screw shoes and headed out around noon. There was a set of tracks down and around and toward the main-ish road (Winchester). I traipsed along a tire track and was able to run down a somewhat plowed Winchester to the church with the 1/4-mile loop. There was one set of tire tracks most of the way around it. I thought for sure I would ware a nice path, but it still wasn't too smooth even after 14 times around. Anyway, I did a pretty slow (even by my standards) 4.5 mile jog in the snow and walked the 3/4-mile back home. My feet were pretty wet, and my mustache was frozen stiff. Overall it didn't feel too bad though. It was still snowing, and a bit windy since the church isn't very well protected. I think the temp was 19F with a windchill of 5. 

There are times I think I can't continue this streak. My right fascia has bothered me some, and my left calf now and then. Plus my legs just get tired sometimes. Yet I'm still afraid to stop for fear I will stop altogether. I know it's silly, but likely the plight of my addictive personality.

So, that's how I've been making it through... even the snow. I really hope Spring gets here soon. 50 degrees was pretty nice. 

***

“But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble.” -Psalm 59:16

 

The first major snow and anna is 11

We had the first significant snowfall of the season on the granddaughter's birthday this year. 

I was kind of hoping I'd be able to put the snowblower away without having to use it. No such luck. Sunday morning we got 3-4 inches of light powder. It made for easy blowing, and wasn't even terrible to run in. However, I have a feeling the ground is going to be dirty-white for another month or so. More snow is expected today.

The granddaughter was pretty excited that it snowed for her birthday though! She turned 11 Sunday, and it's hard to believe she will be driving in 5 years. Oh my! 

She spent the night with us Friday. We took her to Target to pick out a birthday present. Saturday she asked to go to the pet store to look at animals, then to Claire's for some more presents. Then we joined up with her family at the movie theater and watched Sing 2. It was good.

I don't know if she's too old for parties or they just didn't have one. Last night we went to their house and gave her the one surprise present we got her: one of those Snapchat picture books from when we took her to the Cincinnati zoo. We also got to see the giant donut she got for her birthday.

And... that's about that. It didn't seem like much of a celebration for her, and I felt bad about that. I pray it will be a good year though. This past year she played basketball for the 2nd year, played with another schools volleyball team, played Y volleyball, and seems to have come out of her shell a little more. She's growing up so fast. ...

***

"May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed." - Psalm 20:4

A foot of snow

We've had quite the little bit of snow lately. Yeesh! Another 12 inches fell Monday night into Tuesday. 'Twas not fit for man nor beast for awhile out there...

There were rumors Monday that they may close the Y branches, or at least delay opening (like almost every other nonessential business did!). I woke up around 1:30 am Tuesday and had still received no notification. I finally decided I could either lay in bed and fume at the idiots who are *supposed* to be in charge, or I might as well get up. I think I fired up my snowblower around 3:15 or so in the morning (I'm sure to my neighbors delight). 

I was able to get the drive cleared even though it was still snowing fairly heavy. Unfortunately, the street was another story. There was one set of tire tracks when I went to leave at 4:10 am. I made it up to the corner before getting stuck. I was able to rock it back and forth out of there, and it wasn't much better the rest of the 4.5 miles to work.

Luckily the parking lot I use had been plowed already, but none of the downtown streets had been. I tiptoed a tire track down the middle of the street the two blocks from my car to my building, and what normally took me under 10 minutes had taken me 25. But I made it.

Of course it was a super slow day at work. I didn't see a snow plow go by until after 5 am, and then only one pass. As the sun came out it got clearer and they finally opened things up. So I spent the day mopping up salty footprints and cleaning sweat.

The trip home was much better... until I got to our neighborhood. A snowplow had made a path on the main street into the addition, but that was it. Once I turned off it I still had a tough time navigating the two turns to our house. The above pic is our street at 5 pm. Still no snowplow.

Anyway, in the afternoon sun I finished cleaning out our driveway and sidewalk, and always enjoy the clean geometric look. Although, when I got up at 4 this morning I discovered a snowplow must have snuck down our street during the night and blocked in the driveway. I shoveled out enough to get through it this morning and will finish  after work.

Jane was able to work from home yesterday. Which was good because her work parking lot had still not been plowed at all. Today she rode in with me, worked out, went to work at 7, and will ride home with me after my 9-hour shift and 1-hour run. 

It is now bitter cold at 0 degrees fahrenheit. Tomorrow we're supposed to get another couple inches of snow, but I heard it may creep into the upper 30's next week. Yippee.

Oh the joys of winter in the Midwest. It happens every year. Though it has been like 7 years since we've had this much snow. Such is life.

***

“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?” -Romans 8:35,37

 

First big snow of the year

We had our first big snow of the season this past weekend. When we went to bed Saturday night there was nada on the ground, but when we got up Sunday morning... 8 inches!!!

I don't even remember the last time I'd used the snowblower. I don't think I did at all last year. And this year I hadn't even had the snow SHOVEL out yet! I believe we'd had one dusting of snow prior to this.

I don't really mind it. It seems weird that it's now February and it was the first time I've had to drive in snow all year. Jane and I took a walk around the edition yesterday just to get out and about. It seemed kind of like a "snow day" from our youth. Funny how they probably don't even have those anymore, with elearning and all...

I am a little surprised at just how bad the streets in Fort Wayne still are this morning. I didn't expect there to be a snowplow through our neighborhood for another week or so (if at all), but the MAIN roads were still terrible! Airport Expressway and Fairfield (south of Rudisill) are fairly main arteries, and it didn't look like they'd been touched. Certainly cars had packed things down and they were drivable, but geez-Louise...

It won't be long now until it's all black and cruddy looking. The yuk of winter is here. At least February is a short month.

***

Isaiah 55:10-11

“My word is like the snow and the rain
    that come down from the sky to water the earth.
They make the crops grow
    and provide seed for planting and food to eat.
¹¹ So also will be the word that I speak—
    it will not fail to do what I plan for it;
    it will do everything I send it to do."

 

The first snowblower-ing of the year

Friday 2/7/2020 was the first time this season I used the snowblower. As you can see from this picture out our front window, I did not get it cleaned off before we'd driven on it.

I actually debated whether to even bother. We only got an inch or two of snow last week. However, I came home late Friday morning and decided to give it a quick go-over.

The neighbors probably wondered what I was doing. I worked out after work, so I had my running shorts and shoes on. I suppose not just everyone uses their snowblower in their shorts.

Anyway, this is a posterity posting. The first snowblower use has been noted. It did not get a very good workout, but is still one of those things I'm really glad I have.

The first snow of the season

We had our first snow of the season yesterday. You can see it here out our back patio door (the pic was taken around 5:30 pm). Some reportedly saw flurries a couple weeks ago but this is the first I'd seen, and the first to accumulate.

It's kind of funny how things work. When I was a kid I don't really remember whether I liked snow or not. I don't remember a lot of things about being a kid. I grew to NOT like snow once I could drive though. Living in a rural area, and not being one to have a 4-wheel drive truck or snowmobile, slick roads were a major nuisance as far as I was concerned.

Now, though, I kind of don't mind snow so much. I was actually sort of excited yesterday with anticipation. I don't know if it's because we live in a city now and there is little we don't have access to even in bad weather, or if I just don't worry about things as much as I used to. I don't know.

I am a little surprised at all the people wondering if I made it into work alright this morning. I mean, we got maybe 3" of snow! Come on, people... this is the Midwest! That's nothing!

Anyway, it snowed. And it's supposed to get bitter cold now. I think the high today is supposed to be 24f, and it's supposed to get into single digits tonight (6 degrees f). Burrr... it seems a little early for that.

Now the big decision is... do I put the lawn mower away and get out the snow blower, or do I wait a little longer? Hmmm.

-15 to +55

I have heard people refer to a "100-degree temperature change" last week. Me thinks that might be a bit exaggerated. However, I do know for a fact we had at least a 70 degree Fahrenheit ACTUAL temperature change from Thursday to Sunday of this past week. That's nothing to sneeze at in 3 1/2 days!

I'm guessing some of the 100-degree stuff is due to reports of -50 wind chills. This is true, but as for actual temperature... it went from -15f on Wednesday/Thursday to a warm and sunny 55f Sunday. That's just crazy. In other words, the polar vortex turned into a bipolar vortex!

Today has been a few degrees shy of 55, and it's raining, but it feels like Spring still. The snow is almost gone, and I'm hoping it will all wash away before the temps cool back down again.

Anyway, weird weather stuff...

This is not a polar joke

No kidding. It is a little chilly here right now. It was -15 degrees Fahrenheit when I snapped this on my phone. Brrrr.

While it is cold, it seems just a tad dramatic how so many schools, companies, and businesses closed down today and tomorrow. I mean, I opened the Y at 5 this morning and didn't have any problems. Although, I gladly would have stayed home if I could have...

Anyway, it never did get above zero today. I think the "high" was -5 or -9 or something. Rumor has it tomorrow might actually edge up over 0 in the afternoon.

All told, so far it hasn't been too bad. The furnace works, the bathroom works, and both cars have worked. I am glad we live in the city though. I do not miss the days of rural living where pipes froze, roads went days without being opened, and if/when the power went out - so did the water.

So... this is what is happening right now. I am looking out the window as I type this, and it looks cold as...

The first snowblower-ing

I suppose it's somewhat ironic that the last post - from a few days ago - had to do with the first snow. Well, now I've had to go and get the snowblower out!

It snowed pretty much all day Saturday and created a nice blanket of 4-5 inches of pretty white stuff. I waited until Sunday morning to open the garage door and managed to get at it before anyone had walked or driven on it. Yes, it's true, I did not get out of my pajamas all day Saturday!

This was, of course, the first time I used the snowblower this year. If I cared just a tad more, I would search my past posts and see if I ever did get it out last year. I may have used it one time. Or, perhaps I'm confused with another year. At any rate, the little red Toro fired right up.

I did remember to spray the shoot and inside plastic part with silicone again this year. That helps keep snow and ice from globbing up and let's it flyyyyyy.

So, that was about all the excitement for the weekend. Both teams I was rooting for Saturday lost (Colts & Cowboys), but it was nice to laze around and watch football all day nonetheless. Sunday we were greeters at church and also helped serve communion, but after grocery shopping, we were right back in the basement recliners for more football. I'm pretty sure we watched more football this weekend than perhaps all year. It was a good weekend for it.

And, that's about it. This morning I was mad as a cat when I got to work. The place was trashed and no one had cleaned on the weekend (again!). This place is a joke as far as workplaces go. Yet, what else am I going to do?

So, now we set in for the long cold suck of winter. Fun times.

The "first" snow of the season (bright morning)

I'm not absolutely positive, but yesterday may have been the first 'measurable' snowfall we've had this year here in the Fort. We had a couple of dustings in November or December, but I was actually beginning to wonder if it was ever going to snow this winter. I took a picture (above) of just how much we got!

It was somewhat of a surprise (to me) yesterday too. When I drove to work at 4:30 am there were just a few flakes floating around. Pretty soon people started coming in saying how slick it was and how many accidents they had witnessed.

All told, we still only got a barely-ground-covering amount (again, see pic). I do have to admit, though, that it was kind of pretty watching it snow for a change.

One odd thing I noticed on my way to work this morning was... just how bright it made it seem at 4:30 am. I'm guessing it's the city lights reflecting off the snow-covered ground. Not that it was like daylight or anything, but it appeared significantly lighter out than usual. Interesting.

It was also interesting how weird the cat was being yesterday when I got home. I'm assuming it had to do with the snow.

So... that happened.

Advent of christmas 2017: parties and gatherings

I guess it's been about ten days since last posting. I suppose there's been a few things happen.

BENNETT'S PROGRAM
Grandson Bennett had his first Christmas program at this particular preschool (the same school Anna attends). It was just for his class, so it was short and sweet. I think it only lasted about 10 minutes, then we all shared cupcakes and punch in the cafeteria. It was just about right, and he was a hoot.

Bennett is apparently kind of the leader in his class - at least among the boys. He did super well, and managed to stay tuned in for most of the singing of songs. He's a good kid.

Y PARTY
Jane's party for the Y (for full-time employees) was on Saturday the 16th. It was once again held at her boss's house (the main boss). He and his wife throw an excellent party every year. They have food catered and an open bar. There is also karaoke and plenty of room to chat.

Jane and I both partook of too much drink, and she spent much of the night with a mic in her hand, singing up a storm with some of her co-workers. We were among the last group to leave, and Jane paid for it dearly all that night and the next day. It was a good time while it lasted.

PARTY AT OUR HOUSE
On Wednesday, Dec. 20th we hosted a party for our church group that feeds the under-served of downtown. We had a potato bar and we supplied the potatoes while everyone just brought a topping to share. I believe there were 16 of us present, and it was a good time.

I prayed before we ate - which was kind of a step for me. Several of the people in this group had no idea I was a pastor so there were a number of questions throughout the night. Another interesting thing about being among Lutherans is - drink flowed fairly well. Most everyone drank wine or the sangria punch Jane made. It was over fairly early so no one got too tipsy, but still much different than how we grew up. It was a nice party and we enjoyed hosting it.

FAMILY TIME
The Atlanta Horwedel's arrived Thursday evening. Isaac and Ricci had originally planned to fly but opted for driving instead. They also brought their two "kids" - Crosby and Tig. The Feipel five joined us and we spent most of the rest of time together until Isaac and Ricci left Christmas Day early-afternoon.

The women went shopping one day, and other than that not a lot happened. I guess we ate out one night (minus Drew). We went to Ceballos for Mexican. Saturday night we all went to the Feipel's and Scobbie joined us.

MIKE'S PARTY
Our friend Mike had his annual Christmas Party Saturday the 23rd. We normally look forward to this event but were torn this year with all the family in town. We made a brief appearance and Jane made some of her famous bacon-covered dates. We had to leave before the games began though but it was still nice to see everyone.

CHRISTMAS EVE
We all went to church Sunday morning at C2G. Drew was helping lead worship, and it was Isaac and Ricci's first time there for church (Isaac had attended some concerts there years ago). It was a somewhat rowdy crowd with at least one person having to be "escorted" into the prayer room. Poor Anna had a terrible cough too and Carrie had to take her to get some medicine. Otherwise it was nice having everyone in church together for a change. That doesn't happen very often.

We opened presents at our house after having Jane's delicious lasagna for lunch. Anna was too sick to participate in the Christmas program with her classmates, so Jane, Carrie and I went to C2G's Christmas Eve service at 5 pm. It was a really nice service with mostly just Christmas Carol's, Scripture, and Communion.

SNOW
It started snowing Christmas Eve day and snowed 3-4 inches total. I suppose a lot of people got their wish for a white Christmas. The roads were briefly a little hairy Christmas Eve - which probably kept some people from attending church services - but otherwise it was an almost perfect holiday snowfall.

Isaac and Ricci, being southerners, are at least prepared with a Subaru. However, the one thing Isaac forgot to bring was his winter coat. It wouldn't have been so bad if they didn't have the dogs to take outside for potty time, so I gave him my "work coat" I bought for outside work at the storage place. I did wear it still, but don't need it like I used to now that I am working strictly indoors. It matches the work boots I gave him last year. :)

I was able to get the snowblower out for the first time this year. I filled it with gas and started it up on the 23rd, then used it on the 24th and 25th. Christmas day I took it over and let Drew use it in front of their house too. Still one of the best purchases I've ever made!

CHRISTMAS DAY
It was a beautiful morning on the 25th. There were still a few snow flurries, but it was mostly clear and sunny (but pretty cold - like 17f). The four of us went over to the Feipel's around 9:30 to see what Santa brought the little ones. Carrie also makes her famous cinnamon rolls on Christmas morn. So we hung out there until around noon, then made our way back home.

Isaac and Ricci packed up their belongings and took of for her mom's side of the family in Indianapolis. So we went from having them, the dogs, and the Feipel's filling the house with energy and excitement, to just the two of us again. Oh, and the cat did finally reappear. She had kept herself hidden from Thursday afternoon to Monday afternoon. She would have done so even without the dogs (world's most shy cat).

AND SO...
Now it is back to work (which is where I am typing from). I opened at 5 am and Jane just got here to work out at 6:13. She's the third person here.

All in all it was a really nice holiday season. Though, technically, most of it has simply been the Advent. The true Christmas season is just now begun. Tonight we are hosting some friends at our house for pizza (our pastor and his wife, along with Dalen and "the other Jane").

Not sure how much I will be blogging for awhile yet. It seems weird not to, but I can't say that I miss it all that much. It's been kind of nice to give my brain a break.

Anyhew... hopefully everyone has survived and your year will end well. Until the next time...

First snow of the year

Yesterday was the first significant snowfall we've had this season. It was only an inch or so, and it came Friday and Saturday, but it's the first that stuck to the ground.

I am not a big fan of winter, but it doesn't seem to bother me as much living in the city. I absolutely hated it when we lived out in the middle of nowhere and you had to worry about going in the ditch (or a family member doing so) everytime you wanted to go somewhere or do something.

Anyway, Jane took this pic of our house, and it's actually kind of pretty. Not that I'm all hopped up on holiday spirit or anything, but... it is kind of pretty.

I have yet to get the snow blower out of hiding. One of these days I suppose I will need that again.

A brief storm

Yesterday was hot and muggy from morning until... this brief evening storm blew through. I was sitting on the back patio enjoying a cold beer and the wind picked up a bit. There were dark ominous clouds moving in from the North. I thought they were just passing by, but all of a sudden there was one rain drop. Then another. Next thing I know I'm grabbing my phone and running in the house. There was a side-ways-rain little gale that blew for about five minutes. When it was over the sun shoved its way back in and we had tree limbs scattered from our front yard all the way over to the next block on the back side. What's weird was... it was only OUR trees!!! It's like the wind pinpointed our house and said, "We want to hurt that tree." Three good sized limbs found there way to the neighbors house kitty-corner from us in the back. One took down their cable wire. I went out as soon as it stopped raining and the neighbor right next door asked if her son could cut the limbs up for firewood. I was like, "Sure!" After it dried off a bit Jane and I went back out and picked up the rest of the limbs our tree had scattered across the neighborhood. It was weird.

These pics don't do a very good job of showing the extent of spreadage, but I hadn't yet noticed the rest.

Storm damage to the new car

Wednesday evening we went to get groceries, some birthday presents for Caleb and pizza. I wasn't even aware it was supposed to rain. On the way home, though, it started to just downpour. And I mean like monsoon-like downpour. We were driving along Ardmore somewhere around Covington Rd and we literally could not see. All the cars had their flashers on and were just stopped wherever they were. All at once we heard something hit our car but the force of the rain and the resulting noise was such that we weren't sure until we got home. Jane said she saw a tree limb at one point, and judging from these dents in the side of the car and the leaves poked in and around the door grooves, I'd say that's what did it.

I took it to the body shop today and the estimate for repairs is just under $1600. That's not as bad as I was afraid it might be. Fortunately it appears just one section needs replaced. Although they said it would be about a 5-day job. Our insurance guy did say we had rental car coverage, so I guess one of us will be driving an economy car for a week coming up.

Hail of a day

This pic was taken out our back door last night. I haven't seen hail like that in a long time, if ever. Fortunately it was around 50 degrees but it's been some crazy weather this February. It continued to storm through the night but we both slept through it. I did hear the tornado sirens (or something) at one point but just went back to sleep.

Today is a mighty warm and windy start to March. The high is supposed to be 60-something, then tomorrow's high will be in the 30's. Yay.

This is also the beginning of the Christian season of Lent. Our pastor was joining with another one in town to offer "Ashes to Go" for anyone that wanted their forehead smeared. I like that. I've never been too into the ashes thing, but I like the idea of offering a blessing to people on the street corner.

Personally, I do like the season of Lent. I was unaware of the Christian calendar for most of my life, but for the past several years have found it a great way to identify with Christ, as well as others who are doing the same. And, naturally I suppose, I am drawn to this season in particular due to my contemplative nature.

That said, though, I will not be participating in any Ash Wednesday services. I started the day by going to the Y and doing the elliptical machine for 1/2 hour. That about killed me. I'm not used to it but it did feel good to work up a sweat, take a shower and then head to work.

Tonight we are supposed to help with this online class our church is offering. We have yet to discover our role exactly, but we've already been through the class. It's called "Every Day" or something like that, and is a simple course on learning to read the Bible and journal prayers.

Also, this year I think I am going to try giving something up for Lent. I normally don't do this but I thought this would be a good way to cut alcohol out of my life. At least for awhile. So we will see. It will honestly be a struggle for me, which is probably another reason it's a good idea.

Well, that's about it. The wind is still blowing like crazy. I'm just waiting for something to get damaged at work. Until then, I will try to hang on.

**Note: I tried adding the pic on my phone and I couldn't get it to work, plus it was just way too sluggish.

Cold weather

Baby.... it's cold outside! Dang. There may be nothing that makes me feel older than cold weather. And it's been downright frigid the last few days. This morning it was zero degrees fahrenheit, and the windchills have been below zero that last couple nights.

Last night we had our twice-monthly group that serves food to the under-served outside the downtown library. I wondered what they would do since it was supposed to be so cold. No one acted like it was anything out of the ordinary, so we put on our longjohns and headed to church. There weren't a lot of folks there, but the few who were seemed pretty happy to see us. We gave them some hot food, some food to take with them, and passed out a number of sleeping bags, blankets, coats, hats, gloves and whatnot. Jane and I ended up giving one guy a ride to the rescue mission afterward. He seemed almost numb, as did many of them.

I wish there was a way I could wax poetic on something like this, but the truth is, it's just sad stuff. I guess. I mean, I don't really do much in the way of serving food. I usually help bag sandwiches or something at the church, but once we arrive at the library I guess I've kind of taken on an overseer-type role. I stand back and observe and see if there is anything that needs taken care of, but I have also taken the stance of simply trying to look at people's faces and learn names. These are real, live people who have substance to them. They're not mere statistics. They have sense of humor, and responsibilities, and needs and wants and concerns. Sure, some of them have behavioral or mental issues, and some struggle with addictions, but they're humans. Sometimes I feel a bit selfish in that I often wonder if *I* don't need this more than some of them! It's so tempting to get caught up in politics, or theology, or thinking I know right from wrong.... and totally lose touch with the reality that "there but for the grace of God go I." I don't know, there was a point last night where I kind of started to get weepy just thinking about it.

So, after last night, today I got up and was feeling fairly good. I also had my storage auction at work today. The "high" temperature for the day is to be 6 degrees. Ugh. I'd done quite a bit of work preparing for this auction, and I really hated even having it - 10 days before Christmas - but it had been too long since I've had one. It did not go well, though, and I would guess this might possibly be my last on-site auction. There were 10 people who registered, and I only took in $25 after paying the auctioneer. And that was for 5 units! This was far and away the worst auction I've ever had, and possibly the worst for the company. It was only made more miserable by the frigid stinking weather.

So how's that for a paradox? Last night I freeze my butt off with a group of people who have next to nothing, and today I froze my butt off auctioning people's stuff who now have next to nothing. Life is weird like that, and I'm feeling older than ever. This weather also makes me extra tired. Just a few more days until the days start getting longer though. Of course that means winter is just now getting started. Ugh. I have about zero ambition right now.

Keeping the kids for the weekend

We kept the three grandkids this past weekend while Drew Carrie went to Florida. Apparently he got a trip through work somehow, so they flew out Friday and got back Monday evening.

Jane picked A, B, and C up from their neighbor when she got off work Friday. We had them Friday night, all day Saturday, and then took them back to Drew Carrie's Sunday evening. Drew's dad stayed with them Sunday night and took A & B to school Monday.

We had a good time with no incidents and they were super good. It's nice now that they're old enough to sleep through the night and they can basically take care of themselves (for the most part).

Saturday we took them to the play area at Jefferson Pointe and they exerted quite a lot of energy there. Saturday night Jane and I went to her work Christmas party and so Drew's niece babysat at our house from around 7-10:30 pm.

It started snowing Saturday night and when we got up Sunday there were several inches on the ground. The kids were pretty excited to go to our church though, so there was no chance we were going to miss (we probably wouldn't have considered it anyway). There were not a lot in church, but for some odd reason Anna, especially, likes going where we go. B & C went in the nursery (Bennett said he got bored) and Anna went in the kids class. The roads weren't real good, and when we got done with church it was snowing pretty hard.

When we got home the kids wanted to play in the snow. First we had to get the boys some gloves, then they went out and had a good ol' time prancing around the yard. Well, A & B did, C never did seem to be having much fun.

A had swimming lessons Sunday afternoon so Jane took her and I stayed home with the boys. They pretty much just watched TV and played upstairs. I might have even taken a short nap at one point.

Once Jane got home we started getting their things ready to transfer back to their house. We got there around 4:30 or 5 and I felt bad because I didn't realize Andy (Drew's dad) didn't have a key to their house. He arrived earlier and decided to kill time by shoveling snow. He had my car all dug out and the sidewalks shoveled all around. When we left the kids were having a good old time playing outside again. Hopefully he was able to corral them in at some point.

So, all in all, it was a pretty good weekend - even with the kids and 6-7 inches of snow.

The first snow (or second)

Yesterday we had the first snowfall of the year - at least for me personally. People say it snowed in Fort Wayne on November 18th or 19th, but we were in Atlanta at the time so I can't really confirm it. It didn't last long if it did.

Yesterday's snow didn't stick around long either. There are a few remnants in the grass, but I don't think it stuck to the roads at all. It was in the upper 30's and I doubt the ground is cold enough for it to stay around long.

I do have to admit that it was kind of pretty during late afternoon. I swapped the lawn mower for the snowblower out of the storage unit just in case. I did not need it. Yet.

Jane was sick on the couch all afternoon and evening yesterday. I think it may have been the bug the grandkids passed around.

I am not really in the mood for winter. But... I'm not much in the mood for anything, so I guess it might as well be winter. Like it or not, here it is.