♪♪ Oh... The Weather Outside is Frightful♪♪

I live in Indiana. We got a bit of snow...
Actually a lot of snow. 11 inches within 24 hours. We had some before this storm, and we have had some strong winds which have caused beautiful yet treacherous snow drifts.
While this winter wonderland scenery is amazing to view, it came with a deadly temperature as well.  Once the snow stopped, the cold came with a vengeous. It is currently  -14* with a wind chill of -40 degrees.. That is some serious cold! Killer cold.
This storm ripped across the country and many folks just did not understand the seriousness of it.  While others remember too well the Blizzard of '78 we had in Indiana.  At that time I may have only been 15, and really most of what I remember was fun, but I did understand the seriousness.  For more on that story go HERE.

Friday, many of us started preparing for this storm to hit us.  I went to the store. Choose Meijer because even though it's not my favorite grocery store, it had the best potential of having everything I was needing.  Here is my view from the line to check out....

and yes, every check out was open. It was CRAZY. I was please that people were polite and even helpful to each other. People were ready to help each other get ready for this pending storm.

On Saturday, it started. We got an inch every hour over the course of a 12 hour span.  Hubby and I shoveled snow, every 2-3 hours.

We did a  good job keeping up... although I fell down the deck steps once,

there is only a few, thank goodness! I am fine.

 

The dogs had a blast...

Dakota

Bandit
 

And especially the Girls...


Zoe & Stella
 

It was really amazing to see.  We enjoyed while we could, as we knew soon we would be stuck inside once the temperatures dropped. The tress were so very pretty.

 

what's that Stella?

ohh...

you're right! I see the squirrel!

 

 

 

I took this last night as my Hubby and I walked through the neighborhood.  I think our house looks warm and inviting, even though we are snowed in and no one can get thru our road...

My daughters are also snowed in. Emily, is safely tucked into her apartment with Roomies. Annie got stuck at a friends, but is safe and sound... They are probably having a blast. I am just grateful that they are in... there was some discussion about work.  We were trying to explain what a City-wide snow emergency is and that regardless to what they think, they are not allowed to go out... The Teacher daughter was fine with her school closing but the younger ambitious daughter trying to advance up a ladder of success was waiting to see what her boss would say... Luckily, the parental units were correct and her employment will remain closed all day.

 

I worry about all the homeless and the stay animals... Our shelters are overflowing and some places are even taking pets.  Last night, over 30,000 Hoosier residents were without power... remind you the temperature has dropped way below zero. People are actually freezing to death.  It's so quiet outside too.  Except for occasional pops and crashes of limbs breaking and such.  Yesterday, I mentioned to the Hubby someone is really got a fire going in their fireplace, it was so strong. Then a few hours, while on our walk, we saw the fire trucks a block over, finishing putting a fire out of a home!

It's really dangerous.  We have to keep our faucets dripping so the pipes do not freeze, push the snow off decks, out of the satellite dishes, and even try to relive some tree branches so they don't snap.

 

I am reminded how fortunate I am.  I sit here typing away in my warm house with a great cup of coffee.  Hubby and I have the day together.  I will attempt to get some things done that were not completed during my two week Winter Break. Later I want to watch some old VHS videos of years gone by.

But for now, I will enjoy this peace. And thank God for keeping us safe.

 

Auld Lang Syne

 

Life is interesting.

As 2013 has come and gone, I, like many,

reflect on what the year brought me.

Pleasure and pain.

Sadness and joy.

Prosperity and destitute.

 

I am 51 years old and have had my share of a good life.

I have been Blessed. I have been dilapidated.

 I had to learn to really appreciate my life. 

To accept the life God has given me as well as the plan

He has for me.

 

Life IS good. Very Good indeed.

 

I see my life differently than previously. Finally learning to control the depression and to focus on the way I handle things that come my way.

 

I expect change for 2014. Good change. So much opportunity in this year and I am going to embrace it.

 

In order for me to see more positive and less negative, I must start within myself.

 

I am trying to think of the many things I can do every day to make a more positive impact within myself and perhaps outside the walls of me. Who knows? Maybe it can be contagious and others can enjoy more happiness and contentment as well.

 

Janis' euphoria list for 2014 in no particular order, what I intend to begin, increase, and continue for this Blessed year, every day or at least more often...

 

smile, laugh, kiss, hug, dance, compliment, listen,

 

walk, exercise, therapy, meditate, healthier eating, drink more water, more soaking in the tub & sharing the shower, manicures & pedicures (even just a do it myself),

 

read, sing, write & photograph more, 

 

less social media more live social interaction,

 

gardening, de-cluttering the home, simplify housework, master knitting and/crocheting, sewing,

 

make more time for loved ones less for those that do not need me

 

prioritize my work... do what I should, not what I settle for.

 

love my husband more, for he is my rock, that gets me through (and he is still such a hottie!)

 

get to know my adult daughters, as our roles have changed and I continue to be in awe.

 

The list continues. I could go on and on.  But, rather than write about it, maybe I should start living it.

Life is too short not to live.

xoxo