Let it snow...somewhere else!

If any of you sang "Let it snow" this past Christmas, thanks a lot! You got your wish. I've had people ask me how much we got, and it's really hard to tell you in inches. I just know I can't remember the last time I saw my front yard. I'm assuming there's still grass down there. I'm posting some pictures of Brian and Brandon shovelling the driveway. It's not the first time this year and I'm sure it won't be the last.

Cookies & Blizzards--not the Dairy Queen type

They've been talking about bad weather for a few days now, and since it was predicted for the weekend and I don't have my holiday baking done, I made a trip to the store for supplies. Most people were getting bread & milk, just what you always need when you're snowbound. I loaded up on flour, sugar, eggs and enough chocolate to send all the kids into a sugar buzz. We did get the snow that was predicted, so I spent all day yesterday making Monster cookies. Thank goodness Bonnie & Britty were there to help, I could never have stirred the batter by myself. Who thought of a recipe with 18 cups of oatmeal? I had to break out my huge roaster to mix it all up, and Bonnie and I took turns scooping out dough and pulling cookie sheets out of the oven. It took all evening, with a short break for pizza, to get them all baked. I counted 5 gallon ziplock bags full of cookies. That's after the kids and their friends snacked on them. The novelty wore off this recipe real fast!

Now today, I'm planning to work on the rest of the cookies. I've got a list of what I want to bake, along with all the previously mentioned supplies, but the girls are suspiciously missing. We're having a blizzard right now so I know they're in the house, they're just making sure they don't get drafted for cookie duty again.

Speaking of the blizzard, they say on the radio to expect "whiteout conditions". This is something I don't recall experiencing before moving to Iowa. That's probably because I've always lived in states that grow trees in multiples, not just as the occasional accent for a yard. There is nothing in the way of woods or even small groves of trees to stop the wind & snow, hence the whiteout conditions. This part of the state is flat as a pancake and that doesn't help much either. The wind is calm right now, just 21 mph and the wind chill is -14. It's creating some interesting snow drifts in my front yard. I let Mowgli out for a potty break earlier, and he just turned and looked at me like I was crazy (You want me to do what? Open that door!).

Well I've put it off long enough. If I don't start now I'll talk myself out of it and I'll end up under a blanket watching CSI reruns. I hope everyone is having a wonderful time, I know today was the Christmas dinner. I wish we could be there to spend Christmas with you.

My Summers With You

Today is the one year anniversary of Mom passing away. I looked for a poem to post in memory of her, but I couldn't find anything I liked better than the story that Joe wrote. I'm moving it back up to the top of the blog for that reason. If anyone has any pictures of mom they'd like to add, please do so.

We miss you, Mom

Debbie tagged me...now it's your turn!

1. Do you like blue cheese? Yes, but I hated it when I was a kid.
2. Do you own a gun? One, and I'm looking for a Lady Smith.
3. What flavor do you add to your drink at Sonic? I get the Limeade
4. Do you get nervous before doctor Appointments? Depends on the appointment....
5. What do you think of hot dogs? I try not to think of them...I'm a bratt or burger person.
6. Favorite Christmas movie? It's a Wonderful Life
7. What do you prefer to drink in the morning? Coffee with French vanilla creamer
8. Can you do push-ups? I probably could but my shoulders would break.
9. Age? 46
10. What's your favorite piece of jewelry? My pearl earrings I got from Clara & Dick in the 5th grade.
11. Favorite hobby? Cooking, followed closely by quilting.
12. Favorite Actor? Not sure
13. Do you have A.D.D.? Some people would say so....
14. What's one trait you hate about yourself? My lack of discipline at the table (can't put the fork down) --sorry Deb I copied your answer.
15. Middle name? Mae
16. Name 3 thoughts at this exact moment: Where did the dog wander off to.....what will I make for dinner.......when will I have time for Thanksgiving & Christmas
17. Name 3 things you bought yesterday/today? Nothing, nothing and nothing. I stayed home.
18. 3 drinks you regularly drink: coffee, tea, water
19. 3 Current worries? My kids, money, health
20. Favorite place to be? With all of my family
21. How did you bring in the New Year? Watched TV
22.Where would you like to go? Columbus
23. Tag three to six people... Britty, Bonnie Leigh and Dawn
24. Do you own slippers? Yes cute purple fuzzy ones
25. What shirt are you wearing? purple tee shirt
26. Do you like sleeping on satin sheets? Never have
27. Can you whistle? No.
28. favorite color? Too many to name---periwinkle is in the top 5 though
29. Would you be a pirate? No but I could use one to help with the kids from time to time.
30. What songs do you sing in the shower? I don't, it would not be fair to the family.
31. Favorite girl's name? boy's name? Umm, I have 2 favorite girl names and 3 favorite boy names....lol
32. What is in your pocket? $4 and lint.
33. Last thing that made you laugh? Email from Rodney
34. Best bed sheets as a child? White with pink flowers
35. Worst injury you've ever had? sprained ankle
36. How many TVs do you own? 2
37. Who is your loudest friend? Tess
38. How many dogs do you have? None, but I "share" Mowgli (Brian & Tess' dog)
39. Does someone have a crush on you? I doubt that very seriously
40. What is your favorite book(S)? Twilight series
41. Where were you born? Columbus, Ohio
42. What is your favorite candy? Chocolate in any form
43. Favorite Sports Teams? OSU
44. What songs do you want played at your funeral? Never thought about it. I'll let the kids decide.
45.What are you doing at 12 A.M.? Sleeping
46. What was the first thing you thought of when you woke up? I don't wanna get up.
47. Do you live away from your home town? Where are you currently? Yes, it's about an 18 hour drive. I live in Everly, IA.
48. Do you like to celebrate the holidays? Yes, Thanksgiving is the best.
49. Do you own/use exercise equipment, if so what kind? No, but I should.
50. What do you think of this long list of questions? Glad it's the end!

Maddie and Drew Are Two Weeks Old

Here is a picture Dawn sent me from Maddie & Drew's doctor visit. I'm not 100% sure but I think (judging by the blankets) that Maddie is on the left and Drew is on the right. Don't they look sweet?

Maddie & Drew

Congratulations to Dawn & Mike on the birth of Maddie & Drew! Bonnie called me earlier and said that both the babies and Jen are doing fine. As soon as I have some pictures I'll post them.