Not Again!

Now, I try to have a good sense of humor about things.  I mean, generally I take things pretty well.  (For my brothers and sisters: I've grown!)  I do still have a bit of the "Drama Queen" in me, that is just my nature but by and large, I have learned to go with the flow.  So when we hear that snow is expected and everyone is caling it 'that four letter word', I let the kid in me come out and get a bit excited.  I'm not afraid of driving in the snow after all, we had more than our fair share growing  up in N.W. New Jersey, I've even been known to play in the snow a bit.  But may I just say: Enough Already!!!  Yes, we are expecting another storm to dump more snow on us today and tomorrow.  Actually, it is two different systems that are expected to come through and the they have upped (is that a word?) the expected totals from 6-10" to 12-20".  Oh- My- Goodness!! 

Jim and Timmy did a wonderful job of clearing the snow that we got over the weekend.  They did the very large majority of it, but I did help.  A little.  After the plow came through and cleared our road, if you can call it that, our driveway was then blocked in.  I went out front to attempt to work on that while Jim and Tim were in the back clearing off the deck and hot tub.  I was only out there for a few minutes before my neighbor came over with his snow blower and said that if I loosened the snow, he'd then use the blower on it.  No problem, right?  After about 20 minutes of it my arms were burning and I was experiencing some serious pain. 

Let me say that I do have some difficulty in comparing pain levels and discomfort because of my MD.  When I was going about the diagnosis process and was asked what I was experienceing, I would describe the initial discomfort as somewhat akin to what you feel after having had your blood pressure taken, and go on to describe that a bit.  Finally, one of the doctors looked at me and said that most people do not feel pain or any lasting discomfort after having their blood pressure taken.  Hmm, news to me.  So maybe you can see where I am coming from, I can't always compare things in an accurate manner because my sense of normalcy is different from most.  But let me tell you this, my arms were KILLING me!  After finishing up and going inside, my arms were shaking and twitching.  That evening, I spent some time in the hot tub hoping to alleviate the muscle spasms and cramping that I knew would come.  (Yes, I went outside to use the hot tub in 30 degree weather.)  When I woke up yesterday morning and attempted to move, it was then that I knew that the hot tub had not worked.  Every inch of my arms, chest and underarms ached!  Driving was difficult.  I mean, I hurt.   And as I said, I only did a little. 

(Bella had some fun!)

Jim was probably aching all over.  Not that he said anything, because he didn't.  That is until yesterday.  When I got home from work he was on the phone.  He got off and said hi and a short time later he again went to his den and got on the phone.  Later last night, he told me that he had called every store in our area looking for a snow blower.  He said that he just didn't think that he could move another inch of snow, let alone another 10 or 20!  Unfortunately, there was not one snow blower to be found.  I guess everyone had the same idea.  So, it looks like we will be shoveling again tomorrow or later today even.  Say a prayer for me, would you? 

Chester likes the snow.  He'll go outside and just lay down in the snow.  Timmy let Chester borrow his scarf!

Monday at Work

We made it through the weekend and Monday has arrived.  The above picture I took from my deck looking into the backyard.  As you can see, we got a lot of snow!!  That hole to the left of the picture is our little pond, we got around 34 inches total.  Guess what?  Another storm is headed our way and is expected to dump another 6-10 inches on us.  Schools are closed today and I'd guess they will be tomorrow as well and with more snow expected who knows when they'll go to school again!?

I made it to work today, but if we get more snow as expected, I don't think I'll make it in on Wednesday.  People around here don't drive too well in the snow and though I can manage, I worry about other drivers.  Many don't even take the snow off their cars.  This morning I saw a woman driving (and I was on the road with her for at least 15 minutes) she had 2 feet of snow on the top of her car and all her windows, except for the windshield were covered with frost/ice.  That's crazy!

Despite the shoveling, snow removal and an extra 5 year old, I did manage to get some scrapbooking in over the weekend. 

These pictures of Bella were taken at her pre-school last year.  They had picture people come in and they were allowed to dress any way that they wanted.  I thought they came out great!  (You can click on the pictures to see it bigger.)

This layout was scraplifted from one of Becky Higgins' books, quick and easy.  The pictures were from our trip to the pumpkin patch in 2008, so I got some catching up to do! 

What did you do this weekend?  Any snow where you live?  Let me know!

Snow!

And lots of it! We had several inches when I went to bed last night and then I woke up this morning to a couple of feet. The tv reported that we had 31 inches at about 11:00, and it is still snowing!  This is Jim shoveling last night, yes in his shorts!  The man doesn't get cold. 

This is a view out my front door this morning.!  And it is still snowing!! 

I have been dealing with a wicked headache and stomach stuff, which has just about put me out.  This weather really messes with me big time.  Haven't moved much off the couch today except to take a few pictures. 

Happy Friday!

Well, I had to cancell my appointment with Dr. Wagner today.  The snow storm is expected to hit us around 10 this morning and I don't want to get stuck in Baltimore or anywhere  but home for that matter.  Everyone around this area is preparing for a big winter weather event!  Schools are either closed or are dismissing early.  Frederick County Schools are closing 3.5 hours early.  Businesses are closing or preparing to close early and the grocery stores, hardware stores and gas stations are ringing the registers!  The radio this morning was announcing where you could find bread, milk and toilet paper.  Ha!  I will be leaving work early today, hopefully by 1:00 and prepare to be snowed in! 
I am really hoping that Bella and Chazz (my co-workers 5 year old son who I will be keeping for the weekend) will play well together and I can get some time in my Scrapatorium this weekend.  I'll let you know.  In the meantime, have a safe and happy weekend!

Heading into the weekend

And guess what we are expecting?  That's right, more snow!  It is expected to start sometime tomorrow afternoon and end on Saturday.  Early reports are guessing anywhere from 20-50 inches before it is over and if that's not enough, another storm should hit on Tuesday!  Joy. 
Tomorrow I will head down to Baltimore for an appointment with my doctor at Kennedy Krieger, she has moved from Hopkins.  Kennedy Krieger has a opened a new Center for Genetic Muscle Disorders and Dr. Wagner (the doctor that I see) is the Director of the Center.  The center was opened in December, so I am anxious to see it.  After my appointment with Dr. Wagner, I will be seen by a Physical and Occupational Therapist there at the clinic.  I've not had any therapy at the clinic before, so I think it will be interesting to see what they have to say and/or recommend and to see if it is any different being as there specialty is people with these specific types of muscle disorders.  The physical therapist that I had seen in the past had never even hear of the type of MD that I have and had Googled it shortly before my first appointment. 
After I finish up at the clinic, I have to return to work for a while and then I am going to pick up my co-workers 5 year old at his school and take him home with me for the weekend.  Michele, my co-worker, is going away for the weekend with her boyfriend and his 16 year old daughter to celebrate the 16 year old's birthday and she had asked me to keep Chazz for the weekend.  Chazz had spent a weekend with us last Summer, and Bella is anxious to have  him visit again.  So we will see what the weekend brings!

Another sunrise

This morning as I was driving Isabella to her before school program, she pointed out the sunrise to me.  I glanced at the sun rising above the horizon and said a quick  yes, my mind already wandering to other things.  But then she pulled me back.  From the backseat I heard her little voice say "I love the sunrise GaGa." I was surprised to hear that and I asked her why she loved the sunrise so much and to my surprise she replied "Because it is the start of a new day. God is giving us a new day."  Then she rembered, "It's Groundhog Day!" she cried and began singing a little song.  From the mouthes of babes.  Indeed, He has given us a new day, a fresh start, a chance for renewal, a chance for redemption, another sunrise.  I smiled and agreed with her and a minute later we were at school, getting out of the car and heading inside.  I gave her a kiss and told her that I loved her and she said "I know!  All the way to the moon and back, but not as much as I love you!"  I left with a smile on my face and in my heart, what a way to start the day.
As I drove to work I couldn't help but think about what she said.  A new day, given to us by God.  So many opportunities await us each day, each day a gift.  Then I got to work and my day began and I quickly forgot about the events of the early morning.  A busy morning at work waited for me and it became more hectic by the minute.  I was being pulled in several different direction, able to be in just one place at one time, and unable to satisfy the demands that were being asked of me.  I wanted to yell, my frustration was mounting and with each minute that passed, I found myself becoming angry.  Then I stopped and I took a moment for myself.  I took a deep breath and looked out the window and saw the beauty the waited for me just beyond the window.  And I took a minute to pray.  To thank Him for the beauty of the earth, for the richness of my family, for a job that keeps me busy, and for a new day.  And I felt better.  My burden was lifted.  I could only do what I could do, no more.  And what doesn't get done?  It will still be there tomorrow. 
So I will keep working and when I leave for the day, I will reflect on what I have accomplished and what waits for me when I get home.  My family, and a 'special dinner'.  Bella's request.  Her favorite-ham.  In honor of Groundhog Day and six more weeks of winter! 

Happy Monday!

Welcome back!  I had a rather productive weekend, how about you?   Friday night I was bogged down by this migraine headache-still.  I can't seem to shake it for good.  It will go away for awhile and then rear it's ugly head back up, making my life miserable!  I really wish that we could find something that would work for me to get rid of the pain and prevent the re-bound headaches from occuring.  So needless to say, Friday I didn't get too much done.
Saturday we took the little one to dance and when it was over we went out to find that it had begun to snow.  We were only expecting to get an inch or snow, but as the snow kept falling and falling it became apparant that the weather man was wrong.  Go figure!  We wound up getting about 6 inches.  I had to go out in the midst of it all to make a hair appointment, which I wasn't going to miss.  So I got my hair done, cut and highlighted.  Had to get rid of the 'pilgrim' look.  Ha! 

Sunday I stayed in all day and it was great!  I got many of my completed scrapbook pages actually in the scrapbooks.  I don't work chronoligically so I tend to keep the pages in a plastic storage box until they are in some kind of an order.  I started Bella's new album and completed another one page spread for the front. 

She saw the page and asked why she was crying in the second picture on the left.  She's not crying, she was putting the heart in her stuffed animal and the girl that was helping her told her to make a wish before she put the heart in and that is what she was doing!  I cleaned up my room a little and got a few more pages completed, so I felt really productive. 

I know the picture quality isn't great, sorry for that!   I was photographing them in my Scrapatorium and it has no natural light in it.  I love the picture of Bella in the bottom layout, with her mouth wide open.  She had such a great time that day and it shows! 

I also had time to take a nap, watch a movie with my daughter and spend some time with my son, too! 

All in all, a good weekend.