STIR CRAZY!

SO - aside from M and my doctor appt and other "errands" on Monday, I have been essentially housebound between the 2 houses (ours and Mom's across the street) since last weekend. I'm starting to go a bit stir crazy, as are our houseguests (D's parents). Mom gets out w/ D as her driver to go to/from work and there was talk today of everyone going along and making an outing of it, but plans changed when we woke up to several more inches of snow on the ground, and more coming down. Either that or folks just had a chance to think about the plan...wandering around WalMart on the Saturday before Christmas, during a snow storm...and decide staying home for another day would be a better choice.

The snow is about 18 inches deep in some places - I'm guessing here, haven't gotten out the ruler to determine that for sure, but I can tell you that Pasha is up to her "armpits" (do dogs have armpits?) when walking around out there, and if Romeo isn't careful, he's about to get buried!

When I left Mom's house to come over here to let the dogs out, they (D & his Dad) were still playing Wii Fishing (Dad will fish anywhere - even in the family room!) while M and D's Mom were playing piano or reading. M had been fishing with them - they had a great system worked out, Dad would "catch" the fish, then hand M the "pole" and M would "reel it in". Very cute! Dad has given his seal of approval to the game as an effective piece of off-lake training.

You know, I have lived in Oregon for the past 18 years consecutively, and the first 5 of my life, and I don't think that during any of that time have I ever seen this much snow on the ground. Perhaps our first winter up here in O'Dell, near Hood River @ the base of Mt. Hood, but I was still a bun in the oven at that time, so technically it doesn't count. This is just crazy! If it weren't for the roads being bad, I'd truly be wanting this to last all winter long. I even said this morning that if there was a way to get the snow to only stick on the non-road areas, I'd be so happy. BUT, no luck. D said driving is "fun" - now, I have to say that I'm sure I'd do just fine driving in this, but I'm very glad that he has taken on the role of driver for the family during this weather. If it truly bothered me that much, I'd push the issue and go for a drive, so I'm guessing deep down I'm not bothered at all! You can't tell the difference between the road and the sidewalk, and the sidewalk and the lawns, so pedestrians and cars are often very close to each other. Add into that the slippery conditions and I'm shocked we haven't had more fatalities out there. Some people are being very careful, others, like the idiot who just sped down our street in front of my window, are being less than careful. I'm sure I could make a Darwinian comment right now, but I'll refrain...

AND, now that my feet have thawed from the walk across the street through snow up to my calves, and I've spent at least a few minutes with the dogs who are quite lonely, I'm sure, I think I shall wander back across the street and begin the work in the garage (opening packages, & sorting out Christmas gifts) that I have been asked to do.

AND, AGAIN, I promise to post some pictures real soon...we certainly have several taken!