The holly tree resting on the fence is now gone. A friend of mine loaned us (well not "us" John was the only using it) a chainsaw, so John was able to make quick work of the tree.
Some of the out of state workers that came to help us. I got to meet two of them yesterday. They came and moved the power line that has been down all week. Here is a big THANK YOU to all of them. At the bottom, a frozen Frisch's Big Boy
Ok, I am getting over the snow. It is no longer nice fluffy fun snow. It is hard, crusty and dirty. The boys are enjoying it, but they do have enough since to not want to stay out in it too long. Unlike the two legged boys I have.
The back steps are small and both dogs cannot be on it at the same time. I wonder if they will ever figure that out. I think I will take a few pics of them tonight. They both crash like little kids at bedtime.
It was announced today that school will be out for the rest of the week.
Whatever will we do to entertain ourselves???
Well, winter has really arrived here. Monday was a 2 hour delay, no school today and no school again tomorrow (Wed.). We were with out power for about 6-8 hours but it came back earlier this afternoon. There are lots of trees and limbs down in the neighborhood. It was very surreal standing outside at 4:00 am this morning. Everything was very quiet then the creaking would start and limb or entire trees would come crashing down. Sometimes it was very close and I could watch the actual fall. Then the creaking and crashing would start again and it would be from several blocks away. I knew the moment we lost power. The transformer about 2 blocks away, made three loud popping sounds and I saw what looked like blue fireworks shoot out each time.
The holly trees are in my backyard.
The two pictures below are my across the street neighbor. Her house is still without power.
The first picture of the birdhouse was taken about 3:30 in the morning. The next was taken early this afternoon.
I just can't wait to see what the weather brings tonight.
Chan had this on her blog.
I have to come up with ten things I like/love that begin with a certain letter. Chan picked my letter, it is the letter R. So let's see what I can come up with......
1. Ravelry- A wonderful resource for all things fiber related. I can spend hours looking at all of
the finished objects and patterns available. If you are not yet signed up...
GO THERE NOW!
2. Reese's Cups- My two favorite flavors together. Chocolate and peanut butter.
3. Reading- I have always been an avid reader. I still have novels that I read as a young girl.
A dog series by Jim Kjelgaard . I probably read seven or eight of his books. I
still have two of them. Still have some silly junior romance novels and lots
of Stephen King. Lately I mostly read knitting books.
4. Ravioli- Is one of my favorite Italian dishes. Cheese or mushroom ravioli.
5.Radio- I love to listen to the radio in the car, not talk radio, but music. Most of the time
it is on a classic rock station.
6. Roses-Not the ones delivered on Valentine's Day, those are just rip offs. I love roses
planted in my yard so I can enjoy them all summer.
7. Retrievers- Labradors to be exact. A black one.
8. Red hots- The cinnamon candy that my grandfather use to make every Christmas.
Now I have to go buy them at Schimpff's candy store.
9. Ok I give, that is all I can think of, R things were very hard .
Leave me a comment if you would like to play. I promise I will not give anyone the letter R.
You know I have two dogs, well I have to admit that I have a preference. Can't help it, love them both though. Most of the time when I call John to say guess what the dog did, he always knows which one I am talking about. Yesterday's call was different. It went like this, "You will never believe what my dog just did. I let them ride in the car with me when I dropped Alex off at school. Then we went to the bank. Well Hutch remembers getting a treat from the bank, he sat in my lap watching the tube. I filled out the deposit slip and pushed the button. Hutch decides she is taking too long. He jumped out the window and trotted right over to the bank window and put his paws up and looked in at her. ( I was in the third lane over). I opened the door and yelled at him to get back here. All the while trying to hold Starsky back from escaping too. He got back in the car, with me yelling this is the last time I take you for a car ride.
I'm guessing the Hutch thought that the teller was too slow sending his treat.
I bet they had a great time watching the surveillance video
The dog is scary smart.
Edited to add- after all of the excitement, the canister was sent out with about 8 dog treats. Both Hutch and Starsky ate them all up. I wonder if I could get a copy of the security video....may have to look into that.
I have met some of the most wonderful people online. Most of them fellow knitters. They have given support and strength to me when I needed it most. I have tangible proof, in the form of an exquisite lace scarf, of the loving kindness sent to me.
One friend in particular has been there for almost three years. She is the epitome of grace and class. She is always thinking of others and what she can bring to their lives. Of all the people I have ever met online she is the one I would most like to spend time with in person.
Well, now she needs something from me, and I am going to ask something of all of you. Alison Hyde, the author of Wrapped in Comfort, knitted lace shawls, is in need of our prayers. She has been ill quite some time and has recently had a serious set back. Please go to www.spindyeknit.com and give her some of your strength, encouraging words or just say hello Sonya sent me.
Alison, I have been thinking about you a lot, hoping and praying that you are feeling better. Please know that you are very special to everyone you have ever touched. You have touched my life in many ways.
We had some birthday today.
The cousins, aunts and uncles came over, along with some close family friends.
We had a really nice time together, even though mimi and pop were missing. 
They called and said how nice it was in Florida and how they had walked on the beach earlier. Ok guys, do not rub it in. It tried to snow but then the snow gave up. Tomorrow is his first at school as a 7 year old.
My four-legged boys have been missing for quite some time, don't worry they're here.
I have just been busy with my two-legged ones.
Starsky got a new duck for Christmas, he was so happy. It was down right hilarious watching him run around the house with the duck in his mouth. Hutch really has nothing to do with toys. His only interest in them is to take them from Starsky. I have to be careful when I get on him. After I am done saying "No, bad dog or drop it" Hutch gets on him too. Starsky will run and then try to hide behind me or crawl under the computer desk. He is way too big to get under there.
The last picture is of a four-legged creature, but not a doggy. Here is Merino, my webkinz. The kids got him for me for Christmas. Yes, I am too old for a webkinz of my own, but he is very cute and I never have to clean up after him.
I have two new knitting books, Knitting New Mittens & Gloves and the new Mason Dixon Knitting. I think I like the first Mason Dixon book better, it has more patterns that I would actually knit. Also two knitting calendars, Never Not Knitting and 2009 Pattern-a-day.
The beautiful things below were from my KnitTalk holiday swap partner. Frances sent me some wonderful chocolates and really fun Christmas bath goodies. The yarn is from The Painted Tiger. A superwash merino, nylon (80-20) blend in the colorway breezy. I love it! The Lenox angel is going to hang near my desk year round.
Below are Ruth and the ever adorable Sam. Ruth amazes me with her creativity. I love all the "danglys" she has made. You can find some of her patterns here
We still have a few days of Christmas break left. I will say I am ready for them to get back to a daily routine. There has been way way too much togetherness over the past ten days or so.
