Ice and Other Bothers for my (mumble-mumble) Birthday

It is almost comedic how crazy this week has been. (I can say that now that I am through it.) I put in more than twice as many hours at work this week than normally, which means that my Mom put in more than twice as many hours teaching and caring for my kids. Since I view my main job right now as teacher and nurturer to my girls, and my vocation as "a little something extra", the added time was a bit stressful.

Wednesday, on my day off, the girls and I spent 3 hours in the van on the way to and from Pittsburgh to take J's violin to be repaired. We were given an estimate of $250. I guess that withholding J's allowance for a month won't quite cover that expense! Ah well...it's a good thing she didn't drop a piano, as the damages could have been much worse!

Last night, J was invited to her friend's birthday sleepover party. The plan was for her friend's little sister to come home with us and spend the night with L (the 2 of them are BFFs.) Little E began having second thoughts about sleeping over with out her big sis, so L ended up borrowing PJ's and a sleeping bag and sleeping over there.

JP and I had the unexpected pleasure of playing a good, Mennonite game of ROOK with our friends. We returned home, childless, through the beginnings of freezing rain. This morning, the house was quiet, and the driveway was as slick as snot. (That's pretty slick, right? I've always wanted to use that expression!) JP managed to get the chains on all four truck tires by noon, and get a practice run down and back up the driveway safely. Only then did he venture to town to bring our reluctant children back home.

The ice is beautiful while it is troublesome. The chickens hopped out of the coop when I brought their food, and slid right down the icy sides of the garden bed.



Right after breakfast this morning, I stripped the girls' beds and attempted to start a load of wash. The washer, however, after 12 years of faithful service, had quietly passed away between loads of wash. Guess what I'm getting for my birthday this year?

We were anticipating a date this evening with several of our good friends, but John became feverish, and developed some sort of GI illness. He encouraged me to go without him, and it was fun, although I wish he could have been there.

Tomorrow, my Mom has invited us over for my birthday dinner. I'm looking forward to it too, and the comfort food I remember from my childhood that Mom has promised. I think I may make it through the entire weekend without having to cook. That in itself is a WONDERFUL birthday gift!

Overshadowing this whole, crazy week, is the fact that my Grandpa is wasting away in his bed at the Nursing Home. I am very sad, even though this is not unexpected. He is the undisputed patriarch of my family, and (until I met JP) the most gentle man I knew. I wonder, at the passing of each hour, if it will be his last?

Sleep well, my friends. Tomorrow I turn (undecipherable gibberish here) years old. I'm glad to start a new year and a new week on the same lazy Sunday.

Signs of Spring

It was a glorious day today! It started out a bit nippy, but warmed up to the mid thirties by mid-day. We took the opportunity, while the mud was frozen, to hike around the property.

We had to stop for a rest and a snack, half-way through the walk.

Everywhere we looked, there were signs of Spring. The poplars are blooming on Poplar Ridge!

Tiny fingers of fern were uncurling from beneath the skeletons of last years leaves. The grass was verdant near a spring on the hillside.

The last bit of roof is on the house now.

The prow comes out over the deck in front.

This is the view from inside. There will be another row of windows above the french doors in front.

I liked the air pockets under the ice in our "moat". J usually comes around with a piece of board and smashes all the ice, so I had to snap this quickly!

Hooray for Spring!

Ice

This week was a stellar one if you are interested in bad weather. The public schools were closed Monday and Tuesday, and delayed on Wednesday and Friday. We had snow, freezing rain, sleet and ice descend upon our small town. Today, the sun is out and the thermometer reads 50* in the sun.

The builder and crew were not able to achieve much at the house because of all of the above. On top of our hill yesterday, the scene was sparkling with pristine ice covered snow. This is the view from the study and laundry rooms.

There was an ice skating rink in the future study.

Some of the equipment was iced in.

Icicles hung from the most improbable places. These are in the downstairs window...the one that is below grade!

We also had some sort of tiny visitor in the first floor...bunny perhaps?

Today all of Western Pennsylvania is focused on the Super Bowl, and hoping that the Steelers pull off a "6 pack" of wins. We are headed out into the sunshine. I'm praying that it lasts through next week!