Update on . . .

Remember this. . . . ?

It now looks like this . . .



And this . . . .

And it is supposed to be finished in a week!
(translated in contractor's time: add 2 weeks)

Hopefully (I always heard that wasn't really a word. Too bad, 'cause I use it all the time), I won't look like this when it is over:

no, that really isn't me, it's Ad, in case you were wondering . . .

AND (drumroll please), the above face has turned in his papers! Now we wait . . .

Entombed in Ice

Ok, I know I've been a blogging slacker.

I have been a slacker in everything this week. I think I have cabin fever. I have been in my house SO MUCH!!! I WANT OUT!

Here's what we woke up to yesterday
And this

Check out the suet feeder. Poor birds! They don't seem to mind the ice much.

those droplets you see are freezing rain. Cool, huh? NOT!

So, the end result is that we had no church yesterday, no school today. Ems still hasn't had a full week of school since Christmas break. She is loving it. She won't be so happy when summer comes and she is still in school.

I did a happy little ice dance on my driveway today (unintentionally). It is 3 inches deep in ice all from one end to the other. Walk at your own risk! I'm supposed to teach piano at my home today but I had visions of cars off the driveway and many many tow trucks visiting my house. So I'm off to teach at the studio instead. I'll risk my life driving down the driveway, but no one else's. And it is supposed to be cold all week! I'm praying for an early thaw.

Baby, it's cold outside!!!

I got up this morning and it was -4 degrees!!

Add a 25 mph wind to that, and it is enough to shiver me timbers, mateys!

This weekend was kinda sad. Ems and I went to the dance (which turned out very nice, BTW), and she came to me about 8:30 pm and said "I don't feel good." "What's wrong" I responded. "I feel like I'm going to throw up."

Bummer.

So I sat with her for awhile in a small quiet room with a bowl at the ready. She admitted that she hadn't felt well all day, but really wanted to go to the dance (to see someone special).
Long story short, we left early.
I was supposed to be in Midland the next day for unit conferences. Sunday morning, I stayed with Em at home from our church meetings, trying to pysch myself up for the trip and argued with myself, something like this:
"I need to go. I can't desert them."
"But it is freezing outside. The roads are terrible. I really don't need to be there."
"It is my duty to do my job. I know I don't have to teach or do training, but I should be there for support."
"Emily needs me here. I can't leave her alone. They'll understand. Besides, I don't feel too well myself."
"Good mormon women ALWAYS follow through, no matter what. Don't you want to be a good mormon girl?"

I don't know at what point the decision was made, but I stayed home. I felt bad--for a few minutes. When Roger got home and found me there, still in my pajamas, he was surprised. When he said the roads were terrible, I felt vindicated. See! I was supposed to stay home.

Later that night, as I was sniffling after watching a program on President Hinckley, he said, "Do you realize that you have been in your pajamas all day?"

"Yes, I do. I think I'll wear them all week!"

That's what the cold does to you. Makes you want to hibernate. Which I did. All day. On Sunday.

Learning something new

Well . . . do you like my new header???

I did it all by myself.

Nobody helped me.

Pretty impressive, oui? (thank you, thank you) (and, yes, that is a picture from our front yard)

Today I have a fairly simple day. DH and I are planning to go cross country skiing. Gotta take advantage of all that lovely snow before the next thaw. Missionaries are coming over for dinner, and brownies are in the oven! (I will not be tempted, ha!!)

This morning I worked with my trainer again. Alas, yesterday I had a day of rest because of the weather. My muscles were grateful for that. Today wasn't AS bad. I think she realized, after her class with my husband, that it was a little too intense for a middle-aged lady.

Tomorrow is a stake dance (which I am in charge of) and unit conferences on Sunday in Midland. Em and I are spending the night rather than go back and forth. And of course, more snow is on the way for Saturday.

I hope you all have a lovely weekend! I am enjoying the blogs--too, too fun!

Diggin' Out

Boy, did we ever get a whoppin' storm! Here's the proof:

That's the TOP of the ruler (in case you can't tell). Our poor deck, no picnics today!


Now we are digging out

But there is still time for fun! The dog loves it!

And DH gets to use his Tractor. That makes him happy too
And up . . . !
And over . . .!
Even though it's work, and wet, and messy, it sure is beautiful

Lingo

I love my husband. Dearly. Everlastingly. (Doesn't he looks good in a wetsuit?)

Over the years I have gotten used to his habits, as I hope he has gotten used to mine, both the good and the bad.

Lately, well, over the last few years or so, DH has become creative with language. Now if you know our family intimately, you will know that we tend to make up words. Interesting words. For people, things, places, you name it.

So, I was not all that surprised to hear DH start to lop off the ends of his words. Like, “Pass the sal” (salad) or “I’m going to work on the trac” (tractor). “Time to water the bons” (bonsai plants). Most of the time I get it. I have to think a bit, but I usually get it.

Sometimes, lopping off words can get you into trouble. Like when you forget that normal people don’t do that and you start talking that way in public. Or when a lopped off word turns into something else you didn’t intend. Something way nastier than you would ever say!

It’s contagious too. I’m typing on my com, thinking about what to make for din tonight, and watching the weekly bliz. I'll wri mor lat.

Oh my achin' muscles!

Today I had my first session with my personal trainer.

Before I give details, I need to back up a bit. DH teaches a personal trainer class, and I usually don't get to participate, but by my great fortune, one of the participants backed out and he needed someone in a hurry. Lucky me! Free training, yahoo!

So last week, as I mentioned previously, I had my assessment. It was interesting. I have done it before so I sort of remembered what was done, but my memory these days isn't always accurate. At any rate, I had to ride the exercise bike, as increasing tension was added. I was peddling along thinking, "Wow, I don't remember it being this hard. Boy, my legs are burning!" Periodically my trainer would take my pulse and blood pressure, as I pedaled away.

So, FINALLY, after 25 minutes I was finished. I was pouring off sweat (which I usually do anyway) but GEEZ, that was hard! So when I got home I casually asked athletic man (DH) how long the bike ride was supposed to be. "Oh, 8 to 13 minutes." "WHAT???" I blurted.

So, I faced today with much trepidation. Would I live through this? How hard could it be?

After a few exercises I knew I was in trouble. We worked the quads, the gluts, the abs, then the quads again, then the gluts again, then the inner and outer thighs. When we got done my legs felt like noodles. My trainer smiled and said, "You will probably be a bit sore tomorrow."! Ha! That's an understatement!

So, here I sit. Unable to get up. I may still be here tomorrow morning. When I have to start it all over again.

Another wintry day

Ok, I know this is getting old . . . sigh . . .

Em is home again today. Another canceled day at school. She has attended only twice this week. We are getting copious amounts of snow. It is pretty though, as long as you don't mind staying inside your very small, slightly dirty house.

Actually Miss Em and I have been quite productive. We've brought in a load of wood, vacuumed the basement, cleaned the kitchen and mopped the floor. All before 11:00 am, which is saying a lot on a day you could be sleeping in bed.

This morning I met with my new exercise trainer, one of the benefits of being the wife of the professor that teaches the class. She promised me slimmer thighs, tight abs and a Brazilian butt (don't ask me to explain that one). I told her in exchange I would teach her a song on the piano. I think I'm getting the better deal, if I don't die before its over.

Now where are those cookies we made the other day . . . ?