Winter Wonderland

We have waited a long time for a sight as pretty as what we have here today in Minnesota. Since yesterday afternoon, we have received around 10 to 12 inches of beautiful, white snow and little flakes are still falling. It was such a quiet event - a little wind, causing interesting drifting - but no thunder or lightning here like they experienced in Rochester. The snow simply fell during the night and delighted me when I opened my blinds this morning.

We haven't had this much of a snowfall in 24 hours in February here ever before! So many times lately, a big snowfall or blizzard was predicted, and then it missed us. In fact, until yesterday Minneapolis had recorded only 12.5 inches of snow for the entire winter. Now for a state that is well known for being the icebox of the nation, we really should have snow cover! Oh, how I would have liked for this to have happened the week Josiah was here visiting. He could have had so much fun playing in it.

I've enjoyed the fact that it occurred on a weekend, as it gave me a chance to spend time watching it fall, knowing I didn't have to drive in it. I've ventured outside a few times just to take in the splendor of it (and to get the mail and take out the garbage).

(Sorry about my big fur tree photo on its side - - it did NOT fall down; I cannot figure out how to rotate it. Help!!)

Annika's (office) 1st Birthday Party

Happy 1st Birthday, Annika!

Today my beautiful granddaughter Annika turns one year old. It doesn't seem possible that one year has passed by so quickly. She is an absolute doll ~ has stolen everyone's heart! She is sweet, lovable, has a beautiful smile, eyes that capture you instantly, and loves to play with her big brother.

Born in Japan, she now lives in Rhode Island. Oh, how I wish I could have celebrated with her in person today. But since I could not, I had a little party for her at our office. Happy birthday, little Annika. You are Grandma's little angel and I love you!

Red Hat Sewciety

This evening is the monthly meeting of the Red Hat Sewciety group of which I am a charter member. We have been meeting for three years now. I am the hostess at tonight's get together.

Here's how it works for dinner: the hostess decides the menu and chooses which item(s) she will be providing. Then she sends out an email with the rest of the items needed and each person signs up to bring one. In this way, it is not a huge deal when it is your turn. Tonight we're having tomato soup, Monte cristo sandwiches, fruit (or fruit salad), cold and hot beverages, and dessert. After we eat and visit for a little bit, we'll adjourn to the living room to work on our sewing projects (Sewciety was chosen for our title as originally we liked to do crocheting, knitting, cross stitch, embroidery, and quilting or mending. Lately only a few of us have worked on crafts and the others just visit.).

For our meeting in May (I know, that's a ways off!) we have made reservations at the Chanhassen Dinner Theater to dine and enjoy the musical presentation of Easter Parade. I'm looking forward to that ~ and nicer weather!!

BUGGIE Is All Better

Earlier today I reported BUGGIE was under the weather (truly, it may have been the extremely cold temperatures we've had lately that caused her troubles). Well, what she had was a weak battery. Once she got a battery "transplant," she is all better and runs like a top! I hope she has many, many more years left in her!

Fun In the Afternoon

At 3 each work day, clusters of people in our office can be found visiting, playing Scrabble, or playing Canadian Salad, a card game I learned at Lil's this past fall. Our break time lasts only 15 minutes, but we can usually get in 3 or 4 hands of cards, or 2 or 3 games of Scrabble. It's really fun -- good fellowship!

BUGGIE ist krank

At the close of the work day yesterday, I pressed the magic button on my automatic car starter, and BUGGIE started right off. In a few minutes I trudged out into the fresh snow that had fallen a greater part of the day, reached into my car to get my snowbrush/scraper, and put the key in the ignition, then proceeded to brush off the snow and scrape the ice from the new snowfall. When I was finished, I climbed into the car, put my foot on the brake to shift to reverse, and BUGGIE died. I attempted to start it a couple of times, but only heard "click, click, click, click." Fortunately this happened at my office. Many co-workers were still in the building and thus I went to the lobby phone and phoned my next door cube neighbor. He said try this, try that. Do the lights come on? Yada yada. Since I knew it would be safe to leave my car in our parking lot over night, I chose to do that and got a ride home with Dave, another co-worker.

This morning, Dave picked me up (bless his heart) for work. He and I discussed my options and the decision was made to phone an auto repair shop a couple of blocks from my home to see if they could fit me into their schedule today. They told me they were pretty busy, but would try. They also gave me the number of a towing service they use.

I phoned the towing company and made arrangements for them to come to my office to 1) try to jump-start my car and if that wouldn't start it; 2) put it on their flat bed and take it to the repair shop. To my surprise, they were at our office in less than an hour. Now, this is exceptional service considering it is 7 degrees below zero, and there are reports of many accidents on the bridges crossing the Minnesota River this morning.

The driver used a powerful jump starter and BUGGIE started right off. I was so pleased! His suggestion to me was to drive it to the repair shop and have the electrical checked out, which I have done. To be continued. . .

Baby, It's Cold Outside. . .

Issued at: 1:51 PM CST 2/2/07, expires at: 10:00 PM CST 2/2/07

Wind chill advisory in effect from 9 pm this evening to 12 pm cst Monday, The NWS in twin cities/chanhassen has issued a wind chill advisory, which is in effect from 9 pm this evening to 12 pm cst Monday. A prolonged period of sub-zero temperatures, coupled with brisk northwest winds, will cause dangerous wind chill conditions through Monday morning. The most hazardous wind chills are expected during the late evening through early morning time periods. Wind chills from minus 25 to nearly minus 40 degrees are expected across much of central and south central Minnesota and west central wisconsin. A wind chill advisory means that very cold air and strong winds will combine to generate low wind chills. This will result in frost bite and lead to hypothermia if precautions are not taken. If you must venture outdoors, make sure you wear a hat and gloves. If you must travel, be sure your car is equipped with a winter safety kit in case of emergency.

So, this is what we are dealing with this weekend. It's a good thing I didn't have any plans to go out of town. For those of you who live in warmer places, I envy you!! One blessing I have is the automatic car starter that I got for Christmas in '05 from Heidi and Chad. I can actually start the car from my desk at work and about 5 minutes later or so, go out to a warmed up vehicle. It even melts the snow off the windshield (when I remember to leave on the defroster and fan!).