Learning About Gravity

Daddy, why's there a tree on our car?

I do not know Son.

Water Where Water Don't Belong

Just two days into the new roof, and we get tested. And we failed. Pretty good leak, that seemed to get less as the day(s) went on, but a leak is a leak all the same.

It was a pretty bad storm. Hail and thunder sent the girl into our room for bed, but no matter because we lost all power a few minutes later.

I went out to survey the damage but did not expect this...

Tree right thru the back window

Luckily the trees fell right in between the wood shed, tool shed and Mambo's hutch to hit the only thing we have insured, so.... silver linings.

With water in the hose and water in the car, we should just move out onto the lawn.

Snow. Snow. Snow. Snow. Snow.

So, we got some damn snow here. Lots of it. Laughable really. I've been digging us out, but it's getting to the point where I don't have any place to fling it anymore.

I forget what color the deck is

Yuula has actually been quite a big help in the shoveling, even if it is just keeping me company

She can barely see over the banks

And we're quite literally snowed in

anyone for a barbecue?

it's so pretty when it's untouched

wearing out our winter wear

A Week's Away

Hey.

So I took a little break there, eh? The end of the day comes earlier than it did a week ago. Maybe it's a daylight savings thing. Maybe not. I've given up on shoveling snow for the [rest of] the weekend so we're committed. I'll have lots of time to catch up on all the stories, from snow to curls to Valentine's to new baby boys....

Spice On, Storm On, Spice Off

We're on high alert over here. Laura is 5cm dilated and I think, for most women, that means you are in the middle of giving birth. Of course, this does not apply to my amber-headed beauty, and she ain't had a single, what one would call, contraction, and for the record, it's starting to piss me off.

We tried the spicy food thing, and during the meal realized that the incoming storm would cause a slight travel complications and immediately ceased the spice inhalation, and by immediately I mean after three more trips up for tikka masala and almost accosting the waiter when they said they were out of rice pudding. AFTER that we did things opposite of what one would if they wanted to expedite the birthing process.

Like wander around an antiques warehouse.

Yeah. It didn't go as planned. What has? WWe moved Yuula doctors appointment to today as well, since the storm was going to interfere with that as well. She was a champ.

See.

(I don't know what the makeup is all about)

Slush And Slurry

On any other occasion, we would stay and snug in our beds, take in a few movies, take a few naps, and eat junkfood. But not today. Yuula had dance class, and if she stands any chance of making lead swan, she can never ever miss one. So we suited up and braved the snow.

None of our roads were plowed. The main roads were not plowed. The dance studio heating system had gone out, but we (just happened to) have space heaters in our van. Kiss asses. 

Then, after, we had a brief stopover to wear the girls down at the combination Taco Bell/Survival Course. It works every time. And good thing, because it took us an hour to get home from there, when it normally takes about 15 minutes.

Slow and steady.

Slush and slurry.

Winter Cleaning Warm

So we've been hit. Not as bad as most I think, but enough to make us glad to not have to leave the house. Then we realized we needed to leave the house. Chicken and fruit, that sort of need, since Laura was just moving onto her five-meals-a-day phase, Lord help us if we ain't got meat on hand. 

And since we tidied up the boy's room, we felt Yuula's quarters could use a little freshening up as well. Much more open, better floorplan, plus we wrestled that dollhouse up the stairs and now, she's obsessed. Laura said she set the table in the kitchen and then just stared at it. Good for her. Now do it for real. 

I hope she goes to bed tonight.

Then Yuula got some swaddling lessons. She's already better at it than I am. Oh well. Just one more thing I can delegate.

Here Come Some Darkness

Guess this is happening soon. Like tomorrow. Oddly enough we lost power this morning, only for a minute, but, I suppose that was the dry run. At this point I'd just like to see the Giants game tomorrow. So give me til 7:30 Sandy baby. Then you can have your devastation.

Tornabow In The Area

We're getting warnings on our phones and television.

Nice to know everybody is looking out for us.

But I doubt it.

The Days That Get Away

Everyone looks forward to their off day. Laura's traditional Wednesday off has given us many a joyous afternoon's exploring the local markets or simply touring the mountain passes. Yesterday was not one of those days. We found a moment or two to relax and enjoy the sub 80 temperature, but mostly it was work. These storms have done a number on our once peaceful neighborhood. Last I counted there were 17 trees down within eyesight of our backyard. Yesterday I dragged six or seven of them out and started to trim them down. I have mad firewood, some would say. Laura spent most of the day trying to once again transplant a few things here or there. It has been the summer of relocation. Let's hope the deer relocate somewhere else for lunch. And then around 2 I started mowing the lawn. I realized that I may be the only person to step foot on every square inch of this property. Plus I'm using a lawnmower that is exceedingly more proficient when being pulled as opposed to pushed. So technically I kind of mowed the yard twice. But I didn't finish and I barely raked so... there's still more to do. Laura made a delicious lamb for dinner, and then we had to run some very small and cheap errands. I think we set a new record. Went out to three stores and only spent $7.34. Looking forward to her week off. As long as we don't let those days get away.

For It Will Be Gone By Morning

So we knew there was to be a storm on Monday night. We got our work done early and cleaned up the yard real good. Put things in their place, seating for company, rearranged the decks real nice, even swept the porches and patios. Locked up sheds and cleared walkways of debris. Wow, did it look nice in our yard.

Then there we felt a raindrop.

Inside we go. Time to settle in for some cozy rainstorms while we play with baby and listen to the lull of pitter patter on the patios. Then the pitter patter got loud. Then the winds got heavy. I swear to you some of those skinnier taller gals were bending at 90 degrees. Laura flashed back to her days living midwest and seeking shelter in the basement of which we have none. The first thing that goes is the power.

Not so bad. Next we hear the slamming of hail on the roof and decks.

Then almost immediately, like a bad Asian Simon & Garfunkel cover, the sound of sirens.

Yuula decided to see how candlelight would affect her color drawings.

When the barrage finally let up I went out to survey the damage. Down limbs all over the yard. Rocks washed away by heavy rain. Piles of hail randomly scattered throughout the property. I'm so glad we worked so hard all weekend.

At least a tree didn't fall on our cars. One almost did, but, we had about 15 feet.

Our neighbors were not so lucky.

Neither was the bed of lettuce.

So rather than get upset, we took in the silence (now) and kept our fingers crossed that our power would return before we had to, for the second time this year, throw out all our refrigerator/freezer goods. I think Santa is bringing a generator this year, as long as it fits down the chimney.

And as a direct result of the bad storm and power outage, Yuula ended up in a Walmart bathroom without pants on.

Supposed to get some "severe" weather today. Keep it coming.

Limbs Not On The List

I'm realizing now that we really lucked out with the weather at Yuula's party. Since it's rained everyday since then I'm thinking we were REALLY lucky. Limbs are still falling from the sky. This would not have been good at the party. This limb was not on the guest list.

Cleveland Is A Wash

Well, since we are running ahead of schedule after the Christmas Story house we thought we'd do a mini tour of Cleveland. So far we've gotten lost in a parking garage, gotten lost in a hotel, walked an empty albeit lovely European style mall and gotten stuck in a typhoon. So we are leaving Cleveland. Wet.

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Somebody's Coming (Fluorescent Grey)

When we turned onto Coolbaugh today it was as if we entered the 7th ring of hell. The skies darkened and the wind gushed across the roadway. By the time I got home the trees were at a full tilt and Laura's attention was diverted from her feverish phone conversation to gawk at the skies. I love when the outside is this color. It's a fluorescent grey. I only see it here.



But somebody is coming. Dani & Vic, on their way from NJ for an evening of maximum relaxation, remaxalaxation if you will, before their long drive home. Summer ale is chilled. Glad the storm has passed. While we wait...

Chances Of Hail

before the storm...






...and during...