more snow...

today as i sit at my computer, eli runs down the stairs announcing in a gleeful voice, 'i haven't been to school in 5 days!", my response....mmmmmm. yes. it's taking it's toll...and it's only january.

looks like we are snowed in for sometime now...at least the rest of the week....what is really getting to me is my dog, fleetwood....for she thinks that she needs to constantly be giving off a 'snow' warning bark....non- stop...over and over again, relentless at her job to inform others...in and out, in and out...tracking in snow to turn to puddles in the kitchen...

my task today is to get my nephew his flannel sheets that his mom sent up from florida...he's freezing, he is a florida boy...and you can imagine how i love those calls from my sister, 'can you run those over to him'...now i know it sounds like such a simple request, but come on...

i will spend much time getting the car ready, scraping ice and brushing off the snow, dressed in so many layers that i will have a hard time fitting into my car without hitting the steering wheel over and over again, and of course tracking in the snow that always seems to land right on my seat...trying to navigate the snow and ice from my place to his, which is about 1/4 - 1/2 mile away...

this is his first winter here, no 4x4 and on crutches...could it get worse for him? but i'm telling you, if he weren't 'family', well i'd have to say your on your own kiddo - something like 'why don't you come over here with kids and dogs and try to get something done..., hey why don't you just do that for a little while and see if you haven't lost your mind"!!!, but he is my nephew, i love him, and i don't want him to freeze, i will get him warmed up.......checked in with my client, outside of chicago, the one i refer to as 'my twin', and yes, she has had it too...for she hates the snow for all reasons, all the time...no exceptions...

i received email today from my florida family...they are suffering mightily...for it is 50. they are bundled up and the threat of a freeze is sending them to pile on the blankets...dad hopes his golf game is canceled...how i wish it were 50 here - we would be outside throwing the football...digging in the garden and probably cooking dinner out on the grill...it would indeed be heaven...

my sister sent me this email this morning...fitting...i did have to do some editing though to make it much more tame....

Diary of a Demented Snow Shoveller

December 8, 6:00 PM

It started to snow. The first snow of the season and the wife and I took our cocktails and sat for hours by the window watching the huge soft flakes drift down from heaven. It looked like a Grandma Moses print. So romantic we felt like newlyweds again. I love snow!

December 9

We woke to a beautiful blanket of crystal white snow covering every inch of the landscape. What a fantastic sight! Can there be a more lovely place in the whole world? Moving here was the best idea I've ever had! Shovelled for the first time in years and felt like a boy again. I did both our driveway and the sidewalks. This afternoon the snow plough came along and covered up the sidewalks and closed in the driveway, so I got to shovel again. What a perfect life!

December 12

The sun has melted all our lovely snow. Such a disappointment! My neighbour tells me not to worry-we'll definitely have a white Christmas. No snow on Christmas would be awful! Bob says we'll have so much snow by the end of winter, that I'll never want to see snow again. I don't think that's possible. Bob is such a nice man, I'm glad he's our neighbour.

December 14

Snow, lovely snow! 8 inches last night. The temperature dropped to -20. The cold makes everything sparkle so. The wind took my breath away, but I warmed up by shovelling the driveway and sidewalks. This is the life! The snow plough came back this afternoon and buried everything again. I didn't realize I would have to do quite this much shovelling, but I'll certainly get back in shape this way. I wish I wouldn't huff and puff so.

December 15

20 inches forecast. Sold my van and bought a 4x4Blazer. Bought snow tires for the wife's car and 2 extra shovels. Stocked the freezer. The wife wants a wood stove in case the electricity goes out. I think that's silly. We aren't in Alaska , after all.

December 16

Ice storm this morning. Fell on the ice in the drive way putting down salt. Hurt like hell. The wife laughed for an hour, which I think was very cruel.

December 17

Still way below freezing. Roads are too icy to go anywhere. Electricity was off for 5 hours. I had to pile the blankets on to stay warm. Nothing to do but stare at the wife and try not to irritate her. Guess I should've bought a wood stove, but won't admit it to her. I hate it when she's right. I can't believe I'm freezing to death in my own living room.

December 20

Electricity is back on, but had another 14 inches of the damn stuff last night. More shovelling! Took all day. The damn snow plough came by twice. Tried to find a neighbour kid to shovel, but they said they're too busy playing hockey. I think they're lying. Called the only hardware store around to see about buying a snow blower and they're out. Might have another shipment in March. I think they're lying. Bob says I have to shovel or the city will have it done and bill me. I think he's lying.

December 22

Bob was right about a white Christmas because 13 more inches of the white ---- fell today, and it's so cold, it probably won't melt till August. Took me 45 minutes to get all dressed up to go out to shovel and then I had to go to the bathroom. By the time I got undressed, and dressed again. I was too tired to shovel. Tried to hire Bob who has a plow on his truck for the rest of the winter, but he says he's too busy. I think he is lying.

December 23
Only 2 inches of snow today. And it warmed up to 0.The wife wanted me to decorate the front of the house this morning. What is she, nuts?!! Why didn't she tell me to do that a month ago? She says she did but I think she's lying.

December 24

6 inches - Snow packed so hard by snow plough, I broke the shovel. Thought I was having a heart attack. If I ever catch the ---- who drives that snow plow, I'll drag him through the snow and beat him to death with my broken shovel. I know he hides around the corner and waits for me to finish shovelling and then he comes down the street at a 100 miles an hour and throws snow all over where I've just been! Tonight the wife wanted me to sing Christmas carols with her and open our presents, but I was too busy watching for the damn snow plough.

December 25

Merry Christmas! 20 more inches of the damn slop tonight - Snowed in - The idea of shoveling makes my blood boil. I hate the snow! Then the snowplow driver came by asking for a donation and I hit him over the head with my shovel. The wife says I have a bad attitude. I think she's a idiot. If I have to watch 'It's A Wonderful Life' one more time, I'm going to stuff her into the microwave.

December 26

Still snowed in.. Why the hell did I ever move here? It was all HER idea. She's really getting on my nerves.

December 27

Temperature dropped to -30 and the pipes froze; plumber came after 14 hours of waiting for him, he only charged me $1,400 to replace all my pipes.

December 28

Warmed up to above -20. Still snowed in. She's driving me crazy!!!

December 29

10 more inches. Bob says I have to shovel the roof or it could cave in. That's the silliest thing I ever heard. How dumb does he think I am?

December 30

Roof caved in. I beat up the snow plow driver, and now he is suing me for a million dollars. The wife went home to her mother. Nine more inches predicted.

December 31

I set fire to what's left of the house. No more shoveling.

January 8

Feel so good. I just love those little white pills they keep giving me. Why am I tied to the bed?

yep....this is normally the feeling i have by mid february, ready to head down to florida and warm my bones on spring break...easter is mid april this year so spring break will be late, feel i won't make it that long....have cabin fever, have been in for a week now...down with that dreaded chest cold and then shut in from the snow...yes, things could be worse, but let me whine a little....maybe i will move the furniture around today...that is always fun...ahhh probably not, seems like a chore...and if i hear 'i'm bored' one more time....