Monday, February 8, 2010

Lessons Learned



Lesson number 1: You know when those nice people on the weather channels tell you that there is a storm of epic proportion coming your way ~ listen! I, for one, did not. I was all set to go away on Friday morning to a little retreat up in the hills of Shenandoah for a much needed bit of R&R. My girl friends and I had been planning this trip for weeks: a bit of arting, food, wine, chatting and generally just to get away from the stresses of the world and Zen out! Come Wednesday the weather forecast was for heavy snow in northern Virginia and the D.C. area, somewhere between 12 and 24 inches. I was having none of it and insisted to everyone that it would all be okay, just being hyped up and we should still go. Along comes Thursday with even more panic and frantic calls to call off the whole thing, we can always plan another trip when the weather gets better. No, not me, I was still having none of it. Mmm ~ bad idea. When I eventually admitted defeat on Thursday evening and fell into a sulk, I had really not planned on getting supplies in for being housebound for an indefinite period because I was so annoyed at the inconvenience. So Friday it snowed and snowed and snowed! And Saturday it continued relentlessly. When all was said and done, Gainesville had managed to accumulate 31 inches on top of the 6 inches from the Tuesday before. I was stranded ~ alone ~ with no milk for my tea! I spent the best part of 5 hours yesterday trying to unearth my car and make an escape route to civilization! But even today (Monday) the roads are treacherous, there are still over 100,000 people without electricity and I still have no milk! I have severe cabin fever and knew it was getting worse today when I started making my cat some 'kitten mittens' out of duct tape so he get out to pee! So lessons learned from this past weekend: Be prepared and listen to the weather forecast!




My backyard






Ice in my bird bath


And on a more somber note ~ Below is the most recent photo my husband sent to me from Haiti. I think this says it all really. He will be coming back home some time in early March so that will be somewhat of a relief for me. He says things are moving very slowly over there at the moment. Supplies are very limited and disease is everywhere. My heart goes out to the people suffering this tragic disaster.


Haiti


I'm sure I will have plenty of more time on my hands over the next few days to update my blog. We have another snow storm coming this way tomorrow afternoon through Wednesday! Yippee!!!

Have a great week everyone!

7 comments:

  1. Normally, I'd be the one pooping off the weather warnings -- until we had a huge (for us) snowstorm Christmas Eve. Luckily, I had gone to the grocery store a few days before - thinking my son (the dog watcher) would be staying here while we were in Dallas. So -- no Dallas trip over Christmas, but plenty of food. Otherwise, I'd be figuring out how to cook doggie kibbles five different ways!!!

    I hope your able to get out and release some of that cabin fever, before you make your cat a complete outfit out of duct tape! I especially want you to get some milk for your tea!!!!

    My prayers go out to your hubby and all the beautiful people who are helping -- as well as those affected by the earthquake in Haiti.

    PS -- the snow/ice looks lovely in your pictures.

    Keep safe, warm, and stock up!!!!

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  2. Wow Anji! Thank God for the internet! The snow in your back yard looks amazing! I've never seen real snow - we're having another mini heatwave here in Adelaide!
    I hope you can venture out soon, but be careful. Not too long to go before hubby gets back - you must be proud of his contribution to Haiti. Every little bit helps.

    Cheers,
    Stella x

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  3. Anji!!! What a storm! My boys were just complaining that we have not gotten snow in Texas. I told them to be careful what you wish for, but I think it fell on deaf ears:) The photos are beautiful, but I am so sorry you missed your arting get-together. I am sure that it will happen soon. Tell your husband I said thank you for his hard work in Haiti. The photo is so sad. Love, Jamie

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  4. Thanks so much Frances, Stella and Jamie for your comments. I am now mentally prepared for the next onslaught! Looks like another 12 - 20 inches heading this way tomorrow but at least I got some milk!

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  5. Well your photos are astonishing with- beautiful snow- but I hope things are okay for you there- weather has been weird this year- stay warm... also your husband sounds amazing - I wish him a safe return as well!

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  6. We still have the weekend away to look forward to! It can't come too soon. Hang on!!!

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  7. You have a lovely blog. I've been marveling at all the wonderful snow pictures... yours and others' that have been posted on blogs I visit. I'm in Florida and while we've had some freezes this winter, I feel like I'm missing out on snow. I may have to travel to western New York soon... so maybe I can play in some snow.

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