February 6, 2010

Joys of being a homeowner? Not when it snows

Remember when being a kid, you had no cares in the world? You had no responsibilities, and when the snow came it meant SNOWDAY NO SCHOOL!!!!! You got to play outside while mom & dad shoveled the driveway, and when you came in there would be a plate of fresh baked cookies and hot chocolate waiting for you, just like a commerical. Then one day, you grow up and you have to get the cookies yourself!

Ahhhhh, the joys of being a home owner. At times it feels good to own something, your own place, a place you can go, and you are home. The place you can run to, a place you find comfort in. Then there comes a time when a homeowner witnesses a bad snowstorm. 

Not just an easy couple of inches we are talking here,  I am talking major snow, 2-3 feet of major snow! It is great right? A relaxing day in your house, the snow gently falling outside. And falling, falling, falling, falling, falling.......This is where you learn that snow can also be your enemy. This is where your average homeowner (with a driveway) discovers how heavy massive amounts of snow can be!

Here is our day. Snow stopped falling at around 5pm. 

This is what I think about snow shoveling. Good thing I have a motivated husband who wants things done. I just follow his lead. I would be content building snowmen and making snow angels till my hearts desire was filled. 

So, here we start. Dig, dig, dig, dig. For 2 HOURS. Yes, two hours. Honestly, if I went into the snow shoveling business, I would be in stellar shape. This vigorous exercise helps you discover muscles you never knew you had before.

Time for a break. Ok, back to work.



Ok. Here you are 2 hours later. You're tired. You're sore. All you want to do is take a hot shower. You achieved your goal. Dig a path for your car.


Looks great, right? As you sit there and admire your hard labor, you can almost feel proud.....until you look at your driveway in its entire perspective.........

Then you realize....
You have actually shoveled only 1/4 of it.



You have created an entire wall of snow. In two hours on only 1/4 of your driveway.



When the weatherman starts predicting that big storm, bake those cookies a day ahead and get that Nestle hot cocoa mix out, because mom & dad are not there to the rescue this time. It is your show now! Homeowners, my advice to you: buy a snow-blower when it goes on sale!! Or just do not buy a house with a driveway :-)

snowpocalypse 2010

According to Urban Dictionary: snowpocalypse:

A weather condition in which the amount of fallen snow, while not really such a big deal, wreaks havoc on a city, effectively shutting it down and leaving its citizens stunned and unable to see any sign of hope or a return to normalcy. It's perceived much like the aftermath of a nuclear event, but really... it's just freakin' snow!!
In cases of a Snowpocalypse it is really the panicked reaction of said citizens and NOT the actual snow that makes the situation worthy of the title. People simply aren't used to it, lose their heads and blame the city for the weather.


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So, yes we  got dumped with snow. A lot of snow. Like 28 inches of snow in 24 hours. Luckily, Jack & I both survived the ride home from work on Friday night. Conditions were absolutely terrible! But, we survived. When we woke up, it was like we awoke and were transported to Alaska! One good thing about being snowed in, it enables you to get other things you have been putting off, done! It gives you all authority to hang around in your sweatpants all day and drink hot chocolate if you want to!

Here is a look of our day!

My car has not moved in 48 hours.....and this is the result!

I made Jack take a break from shoveling to take a picture.

This was the snow at 8am. Wow.

Last snow storm, Patches experienced snow for the first time. Here is time #2

This time she couldn't get enough of it! All she wanted to do was play!

Gracie had the right idea, sleep in the bed next to the heater!

Our house, covered in snow!

Remember, do not eat the yellow snow...

The skies finally cleared!

Remember when being a kid, and when it snowed it was AWESOME!? Well, now being a adult, sometimes it can be quite an inconvience! Yet, enjoy the simple pleasures in life, and just have a snow day!

January 26, 2010

Land of the Rich & Famous

Hello! My birthday was January 15th, so we decided to go somewhere. We wanted to go snowboarding, visiting NYC or go to LA to see Jack's sister. SOOOOO..... Over MLK weekend, we went and visited the West Coast! We visiting Los Angeles and stayed with Jack's sister and her husband. Our cousin Kim even came down from the state of Washington to visit too.

It was lots of fun. Justin & Kristen recently bought a house over the summer, and adopted two dogs: Buddy & Scout. We arrived in California on a thursday and walked around Santa Monica all day. The next day Kristen drove us to Hollywood, Beverly Hills, and we visited Rodeo Drive. On Saturday we went to Venice Beach and walked around, and met up with some friends.

We had to leave on Sunday :-(  The weather was great out there, like 70 degrees!!!!....a nice change from the normal 30 degree weather we were getting in DC. Here are some pictures from our trip, I can't wait to visit again!


Santa Monica boardwalk


Jack playing some ski ball


Yup, I am famous!






Gormet cupcakes from Sprinkles in Beverly Hills


Please note the daschund with the pink pedicure we saw on Rodeo Drive....wow


Buddy & Scout wanted some cupcakes too!


Hanging out in Venice Beach where we met up with some East Coast friends!


Sunset in Venice Beach