Things I'm Grateful For #1

Here I am, 10 January 2009. After quite an odd sort of December, the first week of January really kicked me in the pants. The traffic was beyond horrific. The workload was utterly overwhelming. The weather...was still gray and rainy, which means it was truly a bright spot for me :)

Last weekend however, was brilliant. I was able to start the year off with a five day weekend which included an overnight trip that I will post about more tomorrow.

I'm not very good at consistency on my blog. So, I've been thinking it will be nice to make sure each week to post something I'm grateful for, something I've noticed, that I've looked around me and found. This is somewhat (ok, mostly) inspired by D & T and their lovely blog. (by the way, I absolutely love D's response to pit zips - utterly inspiring)

So here goes: I am so - so grateful for winter!! I have loved the snow, the frost and the crisp wintry air. I am wishing for more!!!

Forest along HWY101 between Port Angeles and Forks, WA

pit zips

Yes, I am here today to discuss the sense in pit zips. If you are not familiar with the aforementioned, absolutely brilliant invention, let me enlighten you. A "pit zip" is just that--zippers in the armpits of a coat.

Now, many technical outfitters include this splendid edition in their expensive specialty coats. I, however, am here to petition all coat makers everywhere to incorporate these little wonders in all outerwear!!!

As I've been afoot in recent weeks I've noticed how much I miss my pit zips. Well, I could put on my Early Winters coat with pit zips...and I have. It would be nice if, when I decided to walk to the theatre, I could throw on my felted trench coat without worry of overheating--knowing these little zips were there for me. Alas, they are not. Neither are they in my furry brown coat (a tribute to Hagrid in all it's fashion), nor in my corduroy coat to wear with jeans. No, if I choose any of these cozy and cute pieces I know that I will be faced with the choice of sweating up a storm or opening up the front.

Seriously, all I'm asking for are two measly little zipper additions to every coat. I know there must be a way to accommodate my request fashionably without great increase in price.

Please, please, please...how I want to wander the streets, cozy in my coat rather than being faced with only two options--overheat or risk catching a chill.

hmph. I feel better.

100

Here I am. My 100th post.

I've seen many fellow bloggers reach this landmark with much fanfare. I've seen folks give things away, create fun lists of 100 things and other creative stuff.

I've known it was coming...watching the numbers tick higher. I even asked my sister what, if anything, I should do.

Today it hit me like a hundred bricks.

I walked into the auto parts store and asked for a new set of snow chains (my previous set is long gone and wouldn't fit my current auto anyway).

BAM!



$100!!
(ok, so it was really $91.40, but seriously---that's a hundred bucks!)

***hmmm...perhaps this is a sign I need to move to Denali or back to Lake City where I'll really get my money out of these little guys?? ;) ***


So, I drove across to my bank. They have a nice, flat back lot that is usually pretty empty. I opened the box and noticed that they did seem easier to put on than the old ones. Some consolation! I stepped out with my bare hands and went to work. It really wasn't too difficult. Too bad the joints in my fingers were beginning to solidify. UGH! You'd think I'd remember gloves in winter--oh, yah, I NEVER remember gloves!

There was another guy heaving out his rugged truck chains and I meekly went over and asked for assistance. I hate looking like a helpless girl.

HATE IT

Thankfully he was one of the nicest folks I've met in this state. Typically strangers are polite, but they (really) like to keep their distance.

He came over, made a suggestion and wha-la! - chains fully installed.


I managed to equip the snow chains with their bungee thingy to take up the slack. I was grateful my hands were rather frozen as I kept whacking them with the yellow grippy things.

Off I went knowing I'd be able to make it back to my parking space when it was time to return home.

Apparently this storm is to last through the week. Supposedly the wind is to return and we are to expect power outages. I did pick up some extra logs...but it's a little disconcerting knowing temps have remained in the 20s outside...I'm not sure Duraflame will keep it near sixty as it did during the last big outage.

Ah well. At least I have control of my front wheel drive!



Did I mention that I've really missed winter. I'm loving the snow and the cold. It's beautiful and wonderful!!


edit: DANG! Do I look fatty in that photo or what! ICK-A-NAST!
: )

Winter

Well...the snow finally came. Initially a couple of inches fell at my place and the temperatures remained below freezing for the following days. It has been brilliant! The winter sun shining down upon the frozen earth.
Winter.
Lovely.

Here are a few photos from the last week:


This is dear old Normie as the flakes began to fly. He loves the snow. Thankfully, after quite a rough go he seems to be feeling well. It's been difficult. I expect it shan't be any easier as time continues to roll by.









Here is the snow lingering upon an evergreen bough. Snow in trees--I find it quite lovely :)








I decided while in California that it was time to cut my hair. I didn't chop it all off, though. I went to a new shop and had about two inches trimmed off and asked for some good texture and wispies--no fringe. I am quite pleased with the outcome! Both of
these photos show my locks with no actual style, but they do show how much it pulled up with just a bit of weight taken off!

Perhaps I'll post some photos from Cali and some of the treats I've been working on (though I've actually remembered to photograph very few). I'm absolutely enjoying the Christmas season--and it's been made even better by the snow!
It began falling yesterday before four and has basically continued right up to about an hour ago. Since then I've seen only a few flakes. We'll see if it is going to truly let up. Either way, this is not the Rockies. Things just sort of stop when there is snow or ice.

Weird, yes.