Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Ice Storm

We are mid ice storm, and it is slippery out there! The snowman is still hanging on, but he looks a bit chilly!

There is ice on everything!

Stay warm out there!

Monday, January 17, 2011

What a weekend!

On Friday, Andrew had the first part of his State exam (he's about to become a paramedic!). To celebrate, we went Night Skiing! I hadn't been skiing since like March 2006, but it's muscle memory- like riding a bike, right?? Right? Actually, it was! I was a little nervous at first, but my the end of the night, it felt like I was a good as ever!
On Saturday, we went to the City with my father-in-law. We saw the King Tut exhibit at the Discovery Center. AWESOME! We couldn't take pictures inside-bummer. But take my word for it- it was incredible.

After a yummy lunch of Ethiopian food, we adventured through Greenwich Village and Chinatown.

What a well deserved, fun, relaxing weekend!

Friday, January 14, 2011

Pay it Forward

I was able to pass on the good will I received last week (Relying on the kindness of others, Jan. 8). My friend from work was telling me about her life situation the other day. She and her husband have recently split up, and she finds herself (and her kids) homeless. She is thinking about an apartment a few towns away, but it's far away from her family. I mention that my landlord is renting a neighboring house, and it's only about 10 minutes away from her family.
So she called my landlord, looked at the house, and loved it! Last I heard she was going to talk details and dollar signs.
I hope it works out. It's nice to feel that I'm passing on that positive energy I received from others last week. Keeping good karma out there. Imagine what the world would be like if everyone just helped out each other...

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Snow day!

Andrew and I are both off from work today, so we're having a lazy day. Andrew shoveled us out while I made chocolate chip french toast (yum!). Then we went out to play in the snow.

I made a hula hooping snow man!

Now, we're trying to warm up. Brrrr.

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Mountain Jam 2011 Lineup!


My favorite way to kick off the summer is Mountain Jam! Mountain Jam is a weekend music festival that takes place at Hunter Mountain, about 45 minutes away from my house. It's always a lot of fun exploring, camping with friends, and amazing music.
This year's line up includes: Michael Franti & Spearhead, The Avett Brothers, Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros, My Morning Jacket, Bella Fleck & The Flecktones, North Mississipps Allstars, and many more. This is just the initial lineup. More bands will be added. Get your tickets now. I suggest to go for the camping pass...
Make sure to check out http://mountainjam.com/ for more information...

Monday, January 10, 2011

Winter Weather


We've been hit by some storms so far this winter. We had a blizzard the day after Christmas, and we got maybe 8 inches last Friday. And the weather men are predicting another storm tomorrow night and continuing into Wednesday day. I'm hoping that we're just getting all of the snow out of the way early this year so that we can quickly resume warmer temperatures. And the worst part is driving in it. I don't live in a city anymore, so public transportation is out. And my commute is a 15 minute drive, so walking isn't an option either. Sigh. It's just extra stress. But if you don't have to go anywhere, it sure is pretty. And I'm off from work Wednesday, so let it snow- let it snow- let it snow.

Sunday, January 9, 2011

Cat in a box

Whenever we have a box in the house, it's like a cat magnet. I don't get it. Roxy was thrilled when we set this one by the recycling to go out. She pushed it into the middle of the kitchen and enjoyed her now toy.

I think her favorite game is hide and seek. She would wait for She-Ra or Quincy (or Andrew or myself if none of the animals were near by) to walk by and... SURPRISE!

Saturday, January 8, 2011

Relying on the kindness of others

We got hit with some snow today (6-8 inches). And I freak out driving in the snow. But I was scheduled for an evening shift. So I put on my big girl pants (metaphorically), put on my boots, packed a snow shovel and kitty litter in the car and grabbed some tissues for my relief cry when I got to work (all literally), and set out, about an hour earlier than I usually would.
My usual 12 minute commute took about 35, but (whew) I made it! However, since I left the house so early, I subsequently got to work about a half an hour before I could swipe in. Not to worry- I brought my book.
I was sitting in the parking lot with the radio on, and I decided that while I was killing time, I'd dry my gloves using the defroster. Genius, right? WRONG! All of the sudden, 2 beeps and my car turned off.
Double eff! The battery! Good thing I still had some tissues left over from my relief cry, because I needed them now!
Security at the hospital said that Engineering could jump start my car after my shift, I would just have to find the one lonely guy on at that hour. So I trudged up to the unit, still sniffling and fighting back tears. I should have just called out.
But, lucky duck me, one of my co-workers had jumper cables in her car!
So after report, we went outside in the snow and tried to jump my car. Easier said than done. First, my hood popper is broken, and it's just a wire now, and it took quite a bit of pulling to get that latch to open. Then, my battery only has the positive terminal showing. But that's ok, just hook the negative one to a metal part of the car. Well, we're charging and I'm trying to start my car. We see some progress, the interior lights flash, the dashboard lights flash, but nothing when I try to turn the engine over. :-(
Just as I'm about to call it quits and ask Andrew to pick me up at midnight, this group of people happen to be walking through the parking lot (strange, because the hospital is on a hill and not close to anything in town). "Do you need help? I know cars," said one stranger. I figured I'd try anything. Well, this guy might as well have been an angel! He got it up and running in like 5 seconds! After a few laps around the snow covered parking lot (where I did more sliding and skidding then I did on the way to work), I decided that the battery was charged and I could get back to work (like 40 minutes later!!).
My eyes still felt puffy from the stress (and crying) related to this awful start to the afternoon. I spent the next few hours hoping that all of the overnight staff would make it in, otherwise I would be camping out at work for the night.
Amazingly, all of the night shift made it in. Unfortunately, they were all reporting horrific road conditions. The senior nurse on my unit noted that because the census was so low, and because the other nurse on the unit had decided to spend the night in an empty bed rather than risking a drive home (only to return in 8 hours for a day shift), that 2 nurses would be more than adequate staffing and let me leave after bedtime meds. This meant that I could leave work an hour and a half early! I was so glad to be able to make the trek home and put an end to this stressful day!
I just wanted to post this story to express how appreciated a little gesture can be. On a crappy day, it can change someone's whole perspective! Thanks, everyone!

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

Hoopy New Year...

The holidays are over. School is on break. My schedule has slowed down to just a full time job. What to do with all this free time?

Well, I've got myself a new hobby. Hula hooping! It's fun and it's good exercise. And (in theory) it looks cool. I don't have it quite mastered yet, but it sure is fun to learn!