Wine-ing into Winter

[Phalon]

'Twas the night before Valentine's Day, and all through the town
The teenagers were scrambling, trying to pin their plans down.


BOLL - it was so funny to me yesterday. The phone rang off the hook all afternoon for LX as she and her friends tried to figure out what they were doing last night. But (for once) their plans revolved around accommodating their parents instead of the other way around.

It went down like this: Austin couldn't do anything most of the day and into the night; he was babysitting the neighbor kids because their parents took the day off. This gave his parents, Xena Sis and her Hubs, most of the day and night to themselves too. Josh called and wanted to know if LX could go to the movies and hang out afterward; his parents were having Valentine's dinner at home...alone, without kids. LX could not; she was babysitting BP because Hubs and I were going out to dinner. Could he come over and hang out here? Sorry for ya, Josh, no boys allowed in the house when we're not home. LX then called Keri, asking her if she wanted to come over and babysit BP with her. Keri couldn't; she was babysitting her nephew. Steph called and wanted to know if LX could sleep over because her parents, (the luckiest ones of all), had gotten a hotel room for the night. Sorry for ya, LX, no sleep-overs allowed when parents are not home, but Stephanie is more than welcomed to spend the night here. Nope, can't do it because Steph was babysitting her brother and his wife's little girl.

In a reversal of roles, it was Revenge of the Parents Night. Usually it's us trying to scramble to accommodate their plans.

[Siren]

How sweet of the kids to step up for Mom and Dad that way! I hope it was wonderfully romantic, Gams, or at the very least, a nice change from the everyday.

[Phalon]

I’m pretty sure it had little to do with sweetness, Siren. With all the parents involved, I’m sure it was more like, “It’s our turn. We’re going out; you’re babysitting.”

It was sweet though, the way LX wanted to “help” me get ready…which included dressing me in my deep burgundy velvet “pirate” blouse with a white tank underneath, jeans, and my big black boots which took her five minutes to get the legs of my jeans over the top of. Finishing touches included an overabundance of jewelry, and some kind up-sweep/half down messy up-do that took half a bottle of hair glue to get the messy look “that all the sexy moms are wearing” just right. (eye-roll)

Hubs agreed I was one of the sexy moms, (another eye-roll), and that’s about as romantic as it got. The restaurant was packed, and there was over an hour wait to get seated. Waiting for our name to be called, we found a table in the foyer. It was big enough to seat four, and I told two elderly couples to pull up some stools and sit with us. They were from out of town and traveled all over the place together. We heard all about their recent trip to Greece and Egypt, and discussed everything from sports to raising kids. One of the men presented his wife with a beautiful silver and onyx necklace at the table, and it was sweet seeing her surprised expression. They were very interesting couples, and the time we spent waiting passed like a snap. Not quite the romantic Valentine’s date most people expect, but it was a fun evening - and definitely a nice change from the everyday.

Yesterday, I took BP to the nature center to cross-country ski again – a little Valentine’s gift from me. While the conditions were absolutely the kind I like best – packed hard, and slightly icy – they weren’t the best for a beginning skier. BP’s a trooper though; she mastered yesterday one of the most difficult skiing techniques – getting up after you’ve fallen without immediately falling again! Even after all the practice falling, cross-country is still something she said she wants to do with me, and that gives me a lot of smiles.

A beautiful snow is falling here now.

[Mini Mia]

Saturday, February 06, 2010
A Winter Walk in the Park

[Phalon]

That beautiful snow that started yesterday continued for the remainder of the day, and throughout the night. It's still falling. Snow-globe snow with big flakes falling straight down.

Snow-globe is also doughnut snow. It's wet, and piles up quickly and is perfect for gliding. If I had a big, empty parking lot, I'd be sooo tempted to see how itty-bitty car handles when doing 360s. On the road - not so tempted, (although the controlled slide around that last curve onto my street, and another into my drive was kinda fun). The streets are in horrible condition - the snowglobe/doughnut snow left them extremely slick, and as much as I'd like to see if my skis handled the slickness in the same way as my car, today's winter epuipment seems as if it's going to include a shovel and snow-blower instead.

[Phalon]

Current weather conditions and tomorrow's forecast: continued snow-globe snow intermixed with periods of Lake Effect side-ways snow.

I just took the dog out for (hopefully) the last time tonight. While she was off tearing through the snow, playing stick, and doing everything else except was she was supposed to be doing, I kind of got lost in watching the snow fall; it's coming down pretty hard.

Kitty-corner across the street is a street lamp that glows soft yellow. It's amazing how from my perch on the back porch where I sat waiting for the dog, how I could see each individual flake from all the way across the street under the lamp, and trace its fall all the way down to the ground. It was mesmerizing following one flake's path, and then another....and another. Funny how something as small as a single snowflake can stand out so clearly in the midst of all the others around it.

[Phalon]

We had a couple of very sunny days, followed yesterday by gray skies and colder temperatures. It made for some slick, icy snow - perfect for the quintessential "kick and glide" ski. Stepping into the track I already made, I got into my rhythm and did about three miles in nearly the same time it took me to cut the path a few days ago through the fresh snow. Fast I was - an Olympic skier! Uhm, sure you are, Phalon - my three miles took about the same time it takes the Olympians to ski 6 miles.

I had fun pretending though. I even clumsily tried the skate technique....although Ski Bunny Gabs of a Billion Pairs of Skis for Every Condition told me recently there are special x-country skis for skating.

I'm happy to say that just over two years since her horrific accident, Gabbin is back skiing. Cross-country anyway....I'm not sure about downhill because in the way Gabbinese/Phalonese conversations go, ours kept veering off in different directions. I do know though, that she's returned to the ski-area of the accident, pursuing her petition to get the snowboarders' and skiers' runs separated. You go, Gabbin!

[Mini Mia]

Nice to hear Gabbin is doing so well. I don't recall any mention of what exactly happened. Glad she's still among us. Can't wait for her to get back to the forum. She's been missed.

[Phalon]

It'd be great to have her back, humoring her way through the threads with the Gabbinesque finesse that only she has....because, of course, nobody else does Gabbinese better than Gabs.

We've had a boatload of snow overnight, and are predicted to get up to a foot during the day. It's gorgeous snow - heavy and wet, layering tree branches in white and bending the more slender ones so much you wonder why they don't break.

The girls are off school for a scheduled "mid-winter" break, and though I thought earlier they ought to cancel the day off because they already have to make up snow-days in June, I'm glad they don't have to go in today. I've watched cars slide down the road seemingly out-of-control, one getting stuck at the crossroad in front of neighbor's house because it slid into an already present bank. I had planned to go in to the hospital lab this morning to have blood drawn for my yearly cholesterol check, but decided it could wait until another day.

But Grrrr....I fasted for nothing.

[Phalon]

Our snow today was "Heart Attack Snow". Sheesh - it was so wet and heavy that footprints instantly turned to slush, and a snow shovelful felt like it weighed 100 pounds. Neighbor Lady and myself were out shoveling and blowing at the same time, and both of us collapsed together in a heap in the snowbank between our houses when we were done. Whew! We're both going to sleep well tonight, I'd bet.

The temperatures hovering just above freezing all day dropped when darkness fell. All that snow that was on the tree branches turned to ice, and is sparkling in the glow of the streetlight. Simply gorgeous.

[Mini Mia]

I know. It's a shame such beauty can be so destructive.

[Siren]

Hey, Gams, I am so glad to hear that dear Gabbin is back on the slopes. Here's hoping she's soon all-out schussing to her heart's content. There's not another in the entire Xenaverse quite like our Gaggie.

Cold, grey, dreary weather continues, here in Okie City. Our weatherman said it was a full 20 degrees below normal here today, and that there's a chance for more snow on Friday and Sunday.

You be careful, shoveling that snow, Gams. Don't over-do. *wagging finger*

[Phalon]

Siren, your wagging finger gave me a chuckle – the Universal Better-Not-Do-It Sign, usually followed shortly by the I’m-Not-Gonna-Say-I-Told-You-So Pursed Lips. But I’ll heed your finger wagging, and not over-do with the shoveling. Now it’s my turn….

Our weatherman said it was a full 20 degrees below normal here today, and that there's a chance for more snow on Friday and Sunday.

You dress warmly, you hear? No concert-going in mini skirts no matter how cute you look! <wagging finger>

[Siren]

*exaggerated sigh* Oh, all riiiiight.

The people of OKC thank you for sparing them the sight of my pasty, flabby thighs. Lol!

Had a little dusting of snow overnight. Sunny today, and it was soooo nice to see.

[EllieNeo]

they are predicting more snow tonight. pffft. they've been predicting it all week, and all we've gotten is rain. so i'll believe the snow when i see it, and not before. the weathermen around here couldn't predict their way out of a paper bag.

[Phalon]

Kind of strange to see the spring thread and winter thread both active at the same time. Birds singing and frogs chirping in one, and snow and wind blowing in the another.

The only musical sounds outside here the last couple of days have been the wind-chimes; they've played a dizzyingly, face-paced score nonstop. The wind here was ridiculously fierce. I attempted to go skiing Thursday, but only lasted for a short time before calling it quits. Yesterday, I didn't venture outside except to let the dog out....even she didn't like it, and quickly came back in (thank goodness; I don't think she would have heard me calling her over the wind).

This morning, though, is beautiful. The wind-chimes are quiet at last. The birds' song is back...but was rudely interrupted by the *&@*%ing noise of the plows. How come it is that weekdays they don't make it down our street until 10 or 11 am, but weekends when everyone can sleep in, they're barreling past the house at six in the morning? Ah, well...I'd rather be awakened by a brief noise, than hear the constant howl all day long.

[Gabrielle On Nutbread]

SNOW!!! Five inches! Ellie has been telling me since she moved here that it never, EVVVVVEEEERRR snows here. But then I come here, and it's been snowing off and on since like, two days after I got here! Is the snow following me....?
Lots of car accidents, according to the TV. People here don't know how to drive when there's snow on the ground. It's weird. But then, I'm used to Indiana, where everyone is used to snow and knows how to drive in it. Here, they're all like "wtf is this white stuff?"
I don't have to go anywhere today. Oh... wait. Crap, yes I do. The bank. *sighs* Well, I know how to drive in it, so maybe it'll be ok.

[Phalon]

I wish we'd get some new, fresh snow here. Though our nights are still well below freezing, the last couple of days have been bright and sunny with temperatures in the high thirties. As the snow melts, little patches of brown grass are appearing along the front walk and edges of the sidewalk - we haven't seen bare ground since around Christmas. It looks as if it's going to be another sunny day today - the sunrise was absolutely breathtaking.

March! Ack! March Madness for me has nothing to do with basketball - it's the mad-dash to get everything done before the nursery opens for the season. My winter project list keeps getting longer instead of shorter....at least I have company. Coffee with co-workers yesterday revealed we are all in the same boat; we all have lots of things we started over the winter, but few of them are completed. But HA! I crossed off a major project yesterday, and have high hopes of getting another one done today.....if I don't get side-tracked by the sunny day.

[Gabrielle On Nutbread]

Ya know that five inches of snow we got this morning? It melted. Go figure, huh? And I was thinking about building a snowman, too! Oh well.

[stepper]

My day lilies are up, the live oak is dumping leaves, and the unwanted weeds have sprung up already. Darned weeds seem to grow a couple inches every day. I wish the garden and flowers did the same, but it seems only the weeds grow that fast. Okay, I have a little bit of green grass too. Of course it's in the rose bed where there shouldn't be any grass, but that's where it is. It grew under the posts and plastic liner I used for edging. The rest of the yard is brown - except for the weeds. A few of those have already "bloomed" and look like they have grey fluffy beards that they're shedding at the slightest puff of wind. Hopefully that's blowing into a neighbors yard instead of landing in mine.

[Phalon]

Nothing sprouting here....not even weeds, and I'm sure there are plenty of them just waiting for their chance to spring. It seems as if it won't be a whole lot longer though. We're still well below freezing during the night and not much higher during the day, but the sun's been shining this whole week. There's still more snow than bare patches, but the scales are slowly starting to tip.

I think my cross-country skiing days are over for the season. I was at the track the other morning, and although the skiing was great - very slick with the melting snow freezing to a hard crust overnight - there was a large area of asphalt where I had halt the glide and step across. <sigh> I felt like I looked like one of those large water birds with big feet as I picked my way over the bare spot with skis on my feet.

[Phalon]

I attended a meeting out of town this evening. It ended much later than I expected, so I called Hubs to let him know I was just leaving the meeting, when I should have been just arriving home. He told me to be careful....a heavy fog had rolled in off the lake, the temperature dropped, and there were frozen fog warnings scrolling across the bottom of television screen.

There is only one town between the town I was leaving and home; the rest of the 45 minute drive is on a deserted two-lane road. The fog grew denser the longer I drove. There was a car ahead of me driving about 35 mph when the speed limit is normally sixty-five. Fine with me - if not for his tail lights I wouldn't have been able to see a thing. He turned off the road, though, and I was left alone in the dark and the fog. I swear, I couldn't see but 10...maybe 15 feet in front of me. With the low visibility ahead, and the fog swirling across the hood of my car, it gave me the weird sensation that I was constantly traveling down a steep hill, although the road was quite flat. My rear-view mirrors showed complete blackness.

Every horror movie scene taking place on a deserted road that I've ever watched replayed in my mind. If I wasn't imaging something was going to suddenly appear in my rear-view (something gruesome sitting in the back seat), I was hoping I wouldn't hit a deer. If it wasn't the imagined thing in the back seat or a hitting a deer, I was hoping I wouldn't hit a woman already dead but standing in the middle of the road wearing some white filmy dress that she was wearing 15 years ago when she was hit by a car and killed the first time around (the kind of women you see in all the horror movie road scenes).

I hit a possum. I screamed. This should probably be in the dork thread, but I think I've used up my allotment in there for the night.

[Siren]

Great description there, Gams. I admit, it made me giggle. But I'd have felt just as you did. As you were listing your worries, my mind leaped ahead to visions of a ghostly woman, standing in the middle of the road. When you listed that, too, I had to laugh.

Glad you made it home safe.

[Siren]

When the daffodils are blooming, and mine are, is it time to switch to the springtime thread?

[Mini Mia]

I thought it went by the date on the calendar. Can check back through the thread for the dates on the first post of each year.

[Mini Mia]

First post: Post by gstick on Dec 2, 2005, 12:15am
Semi-last: Post by phalon on Mar 19, 2006, 11:18pm
Last post: Post by scrappyamazon on Apr 7, 2006, 6:54pm

Post by phalon on Dec 2, 2006, 12:31pm
Post by phalon on Mar 20, 2007, 10:07pm

Post by phalon on Dec 3, 2007, 7:37am
Post by phalon on Mar 15, 2008, 7:59pm
Post by phalon on Apr 6, 2008, 7:38am

Post by phalon on Dec 4, 2008, 6:04am
Post by stepper on Mar 21, 2009, 9:33pm

Post by phalon on Dec 4, 2009, 7:33am

---

I say ... if you've got spring stuff going on, post to the spring thread, and if you still have winter stuff going on, post to the winter thread. Those further north don't tend to hit spring as early as those of us who are further south.

And hey. There are those even further south who are going into autumn now ... so why can't several of the season threads be up at the same time?

[Phalon]

You've got daffodils blooming, Siren!? Wow. I was so excited to see the little nubs of my daffodils just starting to poke their nose through the ground where the snow melted that I was going to post it in "Life's Little Pleasures". I love daffodils; nothing screams "Spring!" to me like daffodils.

Though it seems like my daffodils are a long way from blooming, we've definitely got other signs of spring here. The kids next door are shooting basketball hoops, instead of building snow forts; BP and I rode our bikes downtown last weekend and saw a convertible with its top down (it was barely 40 degrees, and its occupants were wearing winter coats!). Birds are all over the place, and the squirrels are playing in the yard (looking for something to tear up, I'm sure).

Most of the snow is gone except in the shady areas and the mounds left along the streets by the plows. The other day, my neighbor across the street was raking out her front flower bed....raking around the patches of snow; I guess she just couldn't wait.

Yesterday, my boss and I went on a six-mile hike through the woods, and saw not one - but a whole flock of robins. I didn't know robins flocked, but she told me they make their migrations in groups, but split up into pairs when they reach their destination. I guess yesterday's group just arrived.

Bringing up the spring thread seems in order. When it's been me that changes the seasonal threads, it's kind of a "whenever" thing - not necessarily by the date on the calendar. Usually, the seasons for me change by events, not the actual date. Summer changes to fall when the girls go back to school; autumn ends when the Thanksgiving turkey goes on the table. The signal that winter is over for me is usually when I go back to work.

The last thing my boss told me yesterday when she dropped me off at my house was, "Work starts in two weeks."

I guess it's spring!

[Phalon]

Funny how the last few posts here were about contemplating when it's time to switch the seasonal threads.

Winter doesn't officially start for another couple of weeks, but for me, autumn typically ends after Thanksgiving, which is typically when we get our first snow.

The snow was delayed by about a week; it's here now, though.

And today, I started my Christmas shopping in earnest...and got my first headache of the season. ARGH! I found next to nothing on my list. How many days 'til Christmas again?

Tick-tock, tick-tock....

[Phalon]

Snow is in the forecast as many days out as the forecast shows. They keep saying the Lake Effect is going to kick in, but we got nothing the last few days except a few flakes that haven't added up to much at all.

Yesterday, I took Quetta to the nursery with me to get more greens; I decided not only to use them to decorate the porch, but I'm making centerpiece baskets to give as gifts. She had a blast. From large hedgerows, I cut Douglas fir, juniper, evergreen holly, winterberry (a type of holly that loses its leaves, leaving very striking stems loaded with big red berries), while Quetta ran in and out of the woods and across the fields chasing birds of all kinds. I was astounded at the number and variety of birds that were out now that the nursery is quiet and deserted. I can see why my bosses, who live on the property, are such avid bird watchers; it'd be hard not to be living among that many of them.

I never did get my flower boxes filled; the soil never unfroze. Hubs offered to put them into the garage to thaw, but when we tried, they were frozen solid to the rock slabs of the outcroppings on either side of the steps. A short time later, I heard all this racket outside on the porch. He was out there with a flashlight, hammering and chiseling the boxes loose, then moved them to his garage. After all that, I guess I'd better get them filled this weekend or I'll never hear the end of it. Flower boxes in his garage? It's just not the proper decor for the Man Cave.

[stepper]

A short time later, I heard all this racket outside on the porch. He was out there with a flashlight, hammering and chiseling the boxes loose, then moved them to his garage. After all that, I guess I'd better get them filled this weekend or I'll never hear the end of it. Flower boxes in his garage? It's just not the proper decor for the Man Cave.

After all that, he deserves more than greenery in a flower box! And he moved them to his garage??! He's yielding precious tool and vehicle space for a frozen flower box?? Wow!