It's Mandarin Orange Monday

February 16, 2015

Good morning.  Gosh it it cold!!!   It's 2 degrees above zero with a wind chill of -17.  Guess who isn't leaving her house today?   The weather man says there is more snow coming tomorrow and Wednesday, and then again next Sunday.   Get it out of your system Mr. Winter.  I don't want any bad weather to mess up my flight plans the following weekend.

I woke up to the sound of pitter patter on my roof.  Nope, not Santa's reindeer making an early visit.  It's the guys who are working to clear the rest of the snow off my roofs.  Between the time they left the other night and this morning, there's whole new mess of snow up there to be cleaned up.  Not to mention all the huge icicles. 

I feel bad for those folks in the South who are getting pelted now with the snow and ice.  The scariest part is the ice.  It coats everything, and then all the power lines and poles start coming down.   I had to drive through the South one winter when they were having a snow and ice storm, and it was not pretty.  Here's hoping that they don't get hit too bad with this storm.

Remember the photo I posted that showed how nice and clean the yard looked Saturday night after Joe was finished shoveling?  Well this is what it looked like yesterday morning.  The first photo is the hedge right outside my window, and the large white mound in the next photo is my car.   There was another foot of snow and the snow did not stop until sometime in the afternoon.

 

I have to admit though, that there is also beauty outside with all that snow.  Here's a shot of the bottom branches on some of my gentle giants.  I'm not crazy about the snow, but this really is beautiful.

 

 

Because it is Mandarin Orange Monday, I took this photo into Photoshop and played around for a while with filters and layers.  And here is my orange masterpiece.   If you click on it to make it bigger, you'll see a sinister face in it.  Once I saw that, I figured my piece was done.

 

 

All the dwarfs are home today, and right now they are having breakfast out in the kitchen.  The food smells wafting in to my apartment are making me hungry.  I think it's time to rustle up some breakfast for Pogo and me.  He's been busy barking at all the noises coming from the guys working outside, and by now has probably worked up a good appetite.  So, till tomorrow, Y'all stay warm and have a fantabulous day.

 

Hugs, Edna B.



We're In The Middle Of Another Blizzard

February 15, 2015

Good morning.  Gosh, for a little while (around 3 a.m.) I thought that the snow had changed its mind about dumping on us again because it had stopped.  Alas, silly girl that I am, that only lasted for a little while.  Then all of a sudden it started back up with a vengeance.  Visibility is not so good outside right now. 

It snowed all day yesterday and last night.  It wasn't too heavy, but it was steady.  Remember that nice man who was going to come by and clear all the snow off my roofs?  Well he wasn't so nice.  He never showed up.  When I finally reached him by phone, he said he was really busy, sorry. 

I called another fellow who said he would come by around ten a.m.  After a repeat phone call, he finally showed up around noon time, took one look and said "Sorry, your house is too big."   Do I need to tell you how stressed I was getting?  

Next I called another young man back (three guys called me back after the first guy was already supposed to be coming out to do the job) and he said he was in the area and would be by shortly.  And he showed up!!   Just two young fellows with two big pickup trucks, snow blowers, shovels, ladders and roof rakes. 

These young guys went to work, and did not leave until more than five hours later, saying that they would be back at 7 in the morning to finish up.   Here's a photo (taken through the storm door after dark) showing one of the  trucks backed up to the porch.  They were trying to put the ladder in the back of the truck in hopes that it would reach up to the top of the highest peak.  Alas, it did not quite reach.  However, I have three roofs on my house, and they cleared two of them before they left last night.

Early yesterday morning, Joe bundled up and went outside to start clearing away some of the huge mounds of snow close to the driveway side of the house.  He was out there all day, and into the evening.   He got the whole driveway area down to almost ground, and moved tons of snow away from our doors and my little gardens by the windows.  We had to take the birdfeeder line down, but have been putting food beneath my car for the birds.

Here's a couple shots of Joe getting ready to clear the path out to the shed again.  All the snow being pushed off the roof filled in the walkway and path that he had already carved out.  How about those snow piles, huh?  They are way taller than Joe and are all around the parking area. 

When all the snow is done falling on us, it will be time to shovel the snow away from the base of the house all the way around the house.  That will be a tricky job, because the snow is several feet high all around the house.  Well, we'll worry about that when the time comes. 

Just now, I have left a message on the young man's phone (the kid clearing the roofs) asking him to call me before he comes out.   The snow is getting heavier, visibility is poor, the wind is picking up and the wind chill is getting quite nasty.  I don't want these kids getting hurt, so I left word that if he wants to wait until tomorrow to come back it will be fine with me.  Now I'll just wait for him to call.

Right now, there has been some snow lightning in Boston.   My goodness, Old Man Winter is in a doozy of a snit.   I hope we're not getting a taste of winters to come.   I just got a return call from the snow removal guy, and he will be re-scheduling for 7 a.m. tomorrow morning instead of today, unless it clears up later today.   Gosh, I feel better now because I don't any of these young fellows getting hurt here. 

I'm watching the Weather Channel, and Boston and Plymouth are getting quite a bit of Thunder Snow (lightning).  It looks really nasty outside.  Our blizzard warning was supposed to be over tonight, but now it is on till 7 a.m. tomorrow.  This is understandable when one has a look outside.  The wind is really beginning to whip around pretty good.   The porch roof over our front door was clear of snow yesterday afternoon.  It now has close to a foot of snow on it.  All new snow.  Simply disgusting!!

Our mail delivery system is not functioning so good lately.  Last week, they missed a couple of days, but I attributed that to the storms.  This week, they did not show up on Thursday which was a good day and the roads were very clear.  They delivered on Friday, but then no one showed up yesterday.   I had put some bills out in the mailbox to be picked up, but now they will have to wait until Tuesday.  Needless to say, I will be calling the Post Office again on Tuesday with a complaint of the non deliveries.

In the mail that we got on Friday, there was a super little box from Nani.   In it was some snack packs for Pogo, and the cutest little doll for me.  What a beautiful little ray of sunshine my little doll is.  Thank you so much Nani.   Here's a photo of my little doll.  Isn't she just so sweet?

It's only 6:30 a.m., and I've been up since 3 a.m.  Pogo had a wee bit of a problem during the night, which resulted in an accident on the carpet and two scatter rugs.  Plus my blue bathrobe and one of his fuzzy blankets.  But now he's been bathed and dried, and there is a load of laundry in the washer.  No biggie.  

*****For the past half hour, I've been trying to take some photos through the kitchen window and my storm door of the snow, and the birds and an energetic little squirrel.  Hopefully some of the photos will come out good enough to post here tomorrow. 

Now I'm going to make myself a cup of coffee and catch up on my blog reading.  Till tomorrow, Y'all have a fabulous day.

Hugs, Edna B.

Pogo Is A Collector Of All Things Fuzzy

February 13, 2015

Good morning.  I'm not so crazy today.  The sun is shining and there is nothing falling from the sky.  No white stuff, no wet stuff, just bright sunshine.  It's only for today, but I'll take it.  Did I mention it is cold?   Today is supposed to get up to 12F degrees, and tonight will go down to four below zero.

Did you like my title today?  I thought I was bad about collecting things, but my Pogo is just like me in a way.  He collects fuzzies.   Blankets, bathrobes, and anything that is fuzzy and big enough for him to crawl under. 

This is a photo of him sleeping on his little sofa last night.  As you can see, he has a pink and gray fuzzy blanket, a black printed blanket, and my fuzzy blue bathrobe.  Under all of this is a green and white Pooh Bear fuzzy blanket.  He has another collection of these fuzzies on my sofa and in his bed.

Early yesterday afternoon, a nice gentleman stopped by to have a look at my roofs and talk with me.  The first thing he said was "Gosh, you sure have a mess on your hands!"   He meant all the snow and icicles on the roofs.   He told me that they are overwhelmed with snow removal jobs, but that he would fit me in somehow.  He would try to come by later today and tomorrow to see how much snow they could get off the roofs. 

We also discussed having him come by later after all the snows have gone by to give me some prices for installing the heater cords that go around the whole perimeter of your roof.   This way we won't have the problem with all the huge icicles and built up water and ice beneath the snow on the roof.  It's another unexpected big expense, but it could save me a lot of money in repairs.  We'll see.

I have a couple of photos to share that I took from our kitchen window.  As you can see, the snow is beginning to take away most of my view.  The snow is getting higher and higher with every storm.  I had to zoom in to get the photo of the little bird on the treat holder.  He and his friends finished this one off, and I made up more peanut butter treats that Joe put out when he got home.

Yesterday, I also did a bit more work on my taxes.  There's still a ways to go, but if I do a batch each day, I hope to be ready for my appointment with the accountant next week.   Last night, I actually got back to my crocheting too.  I am way behind on all the projects that I wanted to make this year. 

Later today, Joe and I will do some food shopping.  On the way, I have to stop by the bank, the hardware store and the Post Office.  It's going to feel good to get out of the house for a bit.

Well that's my news for today.  So till Sunday, Y'all stay warm and have a fabulous weekend.

Hugs, Edna B.

P.S.  HAPPY VALENTINES DAY everybody.

I Have Seasonal Affective Disorder

February 12, 2015

Good morning.  It's not snowing at the moment, but I don't really want to look out my window in case I'm wrong.  They say ignorance is bliss, and right now I'd like to believe that is not snowing this morning.

I've been listening to the Weather Channel, and the upcoming outlook is pretty bleak.  Lots more wicked Artic cold temps and another huge storm is what they are talking about.  However, they are saying that Spring will be here in 36 days and 11 hours.   Well now, isn't that special!

Now they (the Weather Channel)  are asking "Are you grumpty, are you tired, have you no energy?"   Well it's called "Snow Fatigue".    In other words, "Seasonal Affective Disorder".   The best thing to do is to do things that make you happy or that make you feel as though you have accomplished something.  Also go outside and get lots of sunshine.   Sunshine on your face is the best remedy.

This good information comes from a doctor featured on the Weather Channel.   I guess if one has a problem of any sort, you just stick a word in front of  "Affective Disorder" to give your problem a name.  Playing with your crafts and puzzles and doing your household chores should cure you.  As for the sunshine, well that's totally up to Mother Nature. 

Folks, I spent most all day yesterday making phone calls, trying to find a company that does roof snow removal.  Out of all the calls, only one was answered by a person.  He said he'd call me back, but so far has not.  Most places had a recording answer their calls saying that they were not taking on any new customers. 

One business had a recording on saying that they were closed for the season.  Now that one baffled me.  If you do snow removal, how can you be closed for the season in the middle of all these large snow storms?

This morning I've been busy making more calls.  So far, I'm not having any luck.  The only two people I managed to reach did not have any helpful information for me, although one of them may call me back with a number.   Is it any wonder why my Seasonal Affective Disorder is kicking in?  I'm crabby, tired, grouchy, have no energy, have lost my sense of humor, and in short - I'm ready to dance in the sun if it ever finds my little hometown.

In answer to questions about that wicked nasty electric bill that I mentioned, it is a one month only bill for my entire house.  Even though this is a big house, it is still an enormous bill.  I'm expecting three more just like it before it starts to go down a bit.  As for heat, I have mostly oil heat in the house.  Just one room has electric heat, and that person likes her room cool.

Once I got done making all those phone calls yesterday, I spent a few hours working on my taxes.  Talk about Seasonal Affective Disorder!!!  Between working on the taxes and the snow, I'm getting a huge double whammy!   Thanks be that this is not a terminal condition.  If Spring and Summer arrive, and I still have all my roofs in good order on my house, I'll begin to heal. 

UPDATE!  UPDATE!   It looks like I may have a cure coming a lot sooner than Springtime.  My phone just rang, and it was a local landscaper that I had called.  He gave me a name and phone number of someone who could help me.  I called, and the nice man said he would be by in a couple of hours to have a look and give me a price.  Gosh, if he were here, I'd have given him a huge hug!!!!

I have a couple of photos of the leak that we sprung, and the gorgeous orange bucket that catches most of the drips.  As you can see, the wee wee pad catches a lot of drips too.  The leaks are coming in through the top of a door frame.  It is caused by all the ice and snow on the roof.  If the temperature goes up one or two degrees, it leaks.  Then the temperature goes back down and the drips stop.  (This orange bucket is the monster that frightened Pogo)

On a lighter note, I found an adorable image on my daughter's web page and thought I would share it here.  I think all our school kids would really enjoy going to school in something like this.

Now I'm going to grab my little dog and dance around the house like a crazy lady.   No one will see me so it's okay.  And even if they do, I just tell them that I'm old and it's okay for an old lady to act crazy sometimes.   So far, they all buy it.

So, till tomorrow, Y'all be safe and have a fantabulous day.

Hugs, Edna B.

So Much Snow Brings Scary Roof Problems

February 11, 2015

Good morning.  Guess what?  Yup, it's been snowing all morning.  I don't even want to look out my window to see how much of it there is.  I'm just hoping it all stops pretty soon. 

The plow truck came by yesterday morning again.  I'm grateful that he had time to take care of us, but I hope not to have to see him again for a while.  Sorry man.  Nothing personal.  When Joe got home from work, he got out the ladder and cleared the snow off the roof on the shed again, and the snow from the roofs over both porches. 

As for the snow on the main roofs of the house, I may have to call in a professional roof-snow remover.  There's just too much snow, and the roofs are just too high.  I'll have to do some research on this today.  I did manage to order us a roof rake from Amazon, but I'm afraid it won't be of any help to us on these main roofs.

Has anyone noticed a huge difference in their electric bills?  I got some advertising in the Fall about rising electricity costs, and that I should be looking into alternate types of power.  Well, I got busy with other things and paid not enough attention to this.  For December, my electric bill was definitely higher, but I just got my January bill and almost choked over it.  One month and almost $900.  Now I definitely have to start researching alternative power sources.  This is jut not very funny.

On a brighter note, I borrowed this delightful image from my daughter's web page.  I think it pretty much shows how most New Englanders feel.

I have not been in much of a mood for crocheting lately, and sad to say I don't spend as much time on it as I should.  I do have a photo of claret afghan that I started.  This one will be for Jasmine.  I've mostly been working on this and on the blue one for Kevin when I do take time to crochet.

 
That's all my news for this morning.  Now I think I'll make me a fresh cup of hot coffee and do a bit of blog reading.  Till tomorrow, Y'all have a splendid day.

Hugs, Edna B.

The Snow Has Finally Stopped For A While

February 10, 2015

Good morning everybody.  I'm trying to be cheerful.  Sometime during the night, the snow finally stopped falling.  We got several more inches of snow before it was finished.  Now I just have to wait for the snow plow to get here later this morning to clear away last night's snow.   He was here for the second time, late yesterday morning, and then Joe cleared the day's snow away in the afternoon. 

Before going to bed last evening, Joe went out and shoveled all the snow that the town plows keep piling in front of our driveway.  He was out there for a couple of hours.  So you can imagine our frustration when the morning daylight shows another huge mountain of hardened snow blocking our driveway again.  These town plows have no heart at all.

I took a couple of photos of our parking area to show the huge mounds of snow that surround the whole yard, and all the way to end of the driveway.   Is it any wonder why we're getting tired of the snow?

Update on Kevin - Deanne and Kevin made it safely into Boston to the hospital yesterday, thanks to a wonderful family friend who drove them in and home again later.   Deanne sent me this photo just before Kevin was taken in to surgery.

According to Deanne, the surgery went well, but did not show anything that might be causing Kevin's problems.  However, they will go back in two weeks to hear what the doctor has to say after all the test results are in.   I'm keeping my fingers and toes crossed for you Kevin.  (even if it does make me look a bit odd when I walk!)

Getting back to the weather, other parts of the country are enjoying sunshine and warmer temps.  Beth sent me this photo showing new leaves sprouting on a tree outside her home.  I faded the background of the photo a bit so that the leaf area would show up better.   Now if only she could send some of that Spring weather to us!

Well, now it's time to wake up one of the dwarfs so that he can get his car cleaned off before the snow plow gets here.  So, till tomorrow, Y'all be warm and have a great day.

Hugs, Edna B.

Today Starts "Random Acts Of Kindness Week" Feb. 9-15, 2015

February 9, 2015

Good morning.  It's 4:39 a.m. and I thought before I try to catch a few more winks, I had best post my blog first.  If I manage to fall asleep, I might not waked until lunchtime.   With all the snow we've had, I wanted to be awake when the snow plow came through so that I would know what time he came.  He showed up at 3:50 a.m.

Could someone please tell the snow gods that enough is enough!!    We have very little space left to pile up more snow.  The huge piles of snow around the parking area are way taller than our cars.
Here's what it looked like late yesterday morning when Joe got through clearing it all out with the snow blower and shovels.

 

Later in the day once more snow had fallen,  I took this photo that shows my beautiful Red Japanese Maple tree being swallowed up by the huge snow piles.  In the right corner of the photo is my car and dwarf Mikes red car.  That shows you how huge these snow piles are.

 

 

I did not do very much with my taxes, as I was busy tending to the leak that sprung in the top of the door frame in my pantry.  Oh goodie goodie.  This is just what I need at a time when I can't do a darn thing about it.  So we put a pee pad on the floor along with a bucket to catch most of the drips.

 

When the pantry light was out, the silhouette of the bucket must have looked like a monster of sorts to Pogo, so he spent quite a bit of time barking at it, trying to protect us from it of course.  After a while, I found it was easier just to leave the light on so that he could see that it was only a bucket. 

 

I have a rose bush right outside my door that always looks beautiful covered in snow.  Here's a photo I took yesterday,  I played around with it in Photoshop for a while and ended up with the second photo.  Of course, today being Mandarin Orange Monday, I took it back to Photoshop and orangified it a bit. 

 

 

I would tell you how I did this, but I used so many different layers and filters and gradients, etc. that I forgot what I did.  But I'm happy with it so that's all that counts.

 

I think I'll call to cancel and reschedule both of my doctor appointments.  They are only follow up check ups so it shouldn't be a problem.  Maybe I can change them to the end of next month.  The weather should be much better by then. 

 

Has anyone tried to buy a roof rake?  None of the stores around have them, and they aren't planning to bring any of them in.  I was told by two stores that they are out of season.  Excuse me?  We are buried in snow.  How can it not be a good season to carry roof rakes?    Somehow my brain cannot calculate the logic in all of this . 

 

It's rather disheartening to see the stores loading up on spring and summer clothes and garden supplies when the temperature is in the single digits and we'll still be loaded with snow a month from now.  I want to see "ice melt",  snow brushes and shovels, roof rakes, etc.  Today I will go on line and see if maybe I can order a roof rake from somewhere to be shipped to the house.  

 

Yesterday afternoon, I watched a Spring garden show on QVC.  Any other time I could have been tempted to buy a new plant or two for our gardens, but not this time.  We can't even find out gardens right now.  They are totally buried with all this wonderful white stuff. 

 

Today begins "Random Acts Of Kindness" week, which is February 9-15 this year.  Here are a few ideas of what you can do:  Pick up trash, send flowers, clean graffiti, buy coffee for a stranger, help someone with yard work (or shoveling snow), offer a couple hours of free babysitting, give a phone card, pay for the person behind you's order, adopt a soldier (become a pen pal),  bring music to a nursing home, make a bird feeder, give care-packs to the homeless, donate to an animal shelter, help a needy family, give some a hug, send someone a home made card, leave change on a vending machine for the next person.  If you live where there is no snow, you might mow a neighbor's lawn, help to plant a garden or weed a flower bed.  Whatever you do, it will be most appreciated.

 

Now I think I'll hop back under my covers and try to catch a wee bit more sleep.  So till tomorrow, Y'all be warm and safe, and have a fabulous day.

 

Hugs, Edna B.