Drifting Away Part 2... Photos!

It caked onto the stuff on our veranda...

Weird....

Snow drift on my sidewalk... I could ski on it! Perfect slope!

Behind our garbage can you can see the snow drift pattern....

Alright so on the left of this photo behind my fire thing is a snow drift as tall as my Husband. Pretty tall.

More soon!

LATE!

So I have worked very, VERY hard at making sure Emma is not late for school. Very hard.

I've had her eating ("more") lunch as we're buckled in the van just to get her there on time.

I've created a routine with her that gets us up, fed, ready for school, then play time...

But this week has nearly killed us... And it's only Tuesday!

Today got the better of us... I had her in the van at 12:13pm (class starts at 12:15pm)... If we had just driven away then she may have been considered 'not late' as the attendance would not have been done then.

Instead I had to scrape our van windows (I'm short... I always find this a challenge! *L*), make sure my wipers were done being frozen together, drive behind a huge truck hauling two beds of dirt who decided to pull over at the stop sign and then turn on his blinkers after a bit (I honestly thought he was going to turn right, just like us!)... Wait for the never ending long light and then head to Emma's school.

And because I'm one of those parents that refuses to park in the marked off 'yellow' area (Means "DO NOT PARK HERE!") as I have the wrose luck and that's when the Bylaw Officers would come! *L* I had to park across the road and run carrying Emma to class.

12:20pm

I sent her to class with no socks on (they got stuck in her boots and I refused to let her put them on in the doorway in hopes that she would get to class before attendance was done). I then noted that another Mom was getting a late slip for her child in Emma's class.... So I did the same. As soon as I stepped out of the Office there was Emma with another child from her class (who was holding the dreaded attendance book)... I guess Mrs. Kerr had sent Emma with her to get a late slip.

UGGGGGGH!

Hopefully tonight goes much better! *L*

Snow, Snow, Snow Angels.

Quick thing...

We were late getting Emma to school as it started to randomly really snow today. After brushing off the van I had all the kids get their jackets, boots, mitts, hats, etc. on while the van warmed up....

And then we started to drive.

This is a whole other blog, believe me... But back to my main story.

By the time we got to Emma's school all the parents were leaving (which means all of her afternoon class had already headed in! Ack!)... I'm quite proud of the fact that we have no (yes, NO) lates so far! Bah! Or missed days! None!

Anyhoo.... I tell the kids to double time it to the front doors (as there's no parking in front of the doors so I had to park even further away!) while I'm carrying the dayhome child.... I turn for a second to look behind me and by the time I look ahead again Zoë is on the ground in the middle of the crosswalk making a snow angel!

IMAGINE!

*LOL*

Yeah... Emma was the last one that I saw heading down to her class... Gosh I hope she doesn't get a late. We've worked soooo hard! I'm sure kids were still putting their stuff into their lockers when she walked in.... *fingers crossed*

I did realize about an hour and a half (enough time to clean and make fudge brownies) later that we forgot to take her library book with her to school. Today is her only library day of the week....

UGH!

Not sure what happens with this... Is she banned from taking a book out this week? I'm taking it with us to pick her up... Can she get a new one then? Oh dear, I may have a very heartbroken little girl on my hands.....

Off we go to see what drama may have happened today... I'll keep you posted!

ACK!

Well this week it snowed... On and off... Luckily (and I mean luckily) it didn't last and by morning the snow had disappeared.... Such.... Sadness (can you hear the sarcasm in my writing??!).

I love snow. I love watching it glisten in the light while it covers the ground in soft, fluffy goodness.

I am fascinated by snowflakes... How can there be not one the same? Not ONE! Which them always brings me back to my yearly thought of how we, as Humans, are not one alike. Even if you're identical to someone you become your own person... Your own identity. Hummm....

And I love how my girls get so, SO excited when it snows. Every year since Emma could express her over-joyness about it snowing she giggles and says 'IT'S SNOWING!!! YAY!!!! :D"... Then she asks when she can play in it! I blame that part on the fact that she's a winter baby. Honestly!

This year was neat watching both girls.... Emma did her usual excitement about the snow falling (and she didn't care that it was melting when it hit the ground.... White stuff was falling from the sky!) and then Zoë piped in! She was excited too! Looking out our front window with wonderment written all over her face.... And secretly hoping that this meant Santa would be coming soon!

I myself dread... DREAD going out into the snow. I hate being cold, I hate having a chill.... I hate the feeling of coldness taking over my body no matter how much I bundle up... I hate it! I like the idea of playing in the snow, making snowmen (and women!) all over the front lawn.... Snow angles and all that good stuff.... But quite honestly I'd prefer to be inside with a good book and some hot chocolate!

I hate (Uggggggghhhhh!) wiping off and scraping off my van windows only to make my way to the front again to do the process all over.

I hate shoveling.

And I really don't care for how ANY winter jacket (or at least one that will make my body heat attempt to keep me warm) adds at least 20lbs to my figure. Bah! *L*

Yup. Winter.

I am looking forward to more excitement from the girls... Maybe some sledding for them as well (if the wind cooperates... Oh the wind!).... I'm looking forward to nights in with popcorn and hot chocolate while watching those classic Christmas movies....

I'm looking forward to the feeling of Christmas... The spirit of it as I like to say. How you can just see the goodness of people (and some who may surprise you here!) radiate off of them.

I'm looking forward to Christmas decorations (Oh yes, I'm 'one of those people' who get SOOOO excited when they put out the Christmas decorations before Hallowe'en is over! But I refuse to buy until after Hallowe'en of course! ;P)...

I am looking forward to Christmas... Just not the 'Winter' part....

You?

Geese + South =

A very, VERY sad Mista!

Today I went out to close my back windows of my van (it's been gloomy for the past few days)only to notice that there are Geese flying south!

SOUTH!

Already! Ack!

I know that summer is coming to and end... Especially here in Alberta. We practically live in 10 months of winter and two months of summer. Lately we've had 30+ degree weather....

I LIVE for 30+ weather..... While most people I know are complaining that it's too hot I'm soaking it all in while I can. Must keep my warmth reserve on high for the whole winter! *L*

Now please don't think that I won't go as far as to say 'Yup, it's hot!'.... I'll happily mention how hot it is... But I prefer not to complain about it... I save that up for the -40 weather we get all winter!

Anyhoo, back on track.... So here I am, slightly down by the fact that a few days ago the lake behind out house was hosting a Canadian Geese party only to know that the party theme was 'Bon Voyage!'.....

*sigh*

White stuff...

It's snowing.

The girls had just started getting really excited about seeing grass again... And then it snows!

Back to winter wear... Hats, Puffy jackets, Mitts... Etc.

Please, PLEASE let all of the snow come from the sky by the week before we move...

PLEASE!

Winter Weather Part.... 3??!

Ugh. It was starting to get a bit calmer (wind-wise) and then all of a sudden

BAM!

Wind chill warnings and such kick in again!

Ugh! Late last night the snow drift winds began.... Tonight they're calling for a low of -23 with Flurries, then overnight -36! I have no clue how Tyler can work outside in this horrible weather... I suppose it's because he doesn't have much choice.....

Tomorrow morning it's supposed to be -28 in the afternoon.... Yippee??!

We were supposed to be skiing, snowboarding and toboganning tomorrow for free through Tyler's Union.... But they cancelled it until March seeing that it's soooooo cold! (Which then reminded me that I don't have snowpants.... Huh). So instead Tyler will be working his usual night shift.... Blah!

Silly weather.

A cold looking pedestrian crosses 108st with the Alberta legislative building in the background as the temperature hovered around -30 on Monday afternoon.John Lucas, Edmonton Journal

Traffic bunched up all over the city of Edmonton Monday morning as crews and equipment plowed the roads after a cold, snowy and windy weekend. This grader was at 85 Street and 98 Ave.Brian Gavriloff, Edmonton Journal

Mailman Gregory Villner has been delivering mail for 21 years even in weather like today's where it reached -30C degrees or -45C degrees with the wind chill factor . He was spotted in the Strathern area.Brian Gavriloff, Edmonton Journal

Cold arctic air has invaded Edmonton with temperatures in the -30 C with wind chills in the -45 C with blowing snow. Bryana Perreaux standing at a bus stop along 109 St. near 72 Ave. maintains a brave front.Ed Kaiser, Edmonton Journal

Roger Drobot walks past a Billboard promoting travel to Cuba while spotted along 96 street at 102 avenue Sunday morning.Walter Tychnowicz/Edmonton Journal

***I chose this one for Jessica..... She'll understand why! *L* ***

Winter Weather... Continued from Facebook.... (Part 2)

No relief to cold in sight

By FRANK LANDRY, CITY HALL BUREAU

Sam Stewart's face is covered in frost as he clears snow from the sidewalk along Whyte Avenue and 107 Street yesterday. Edmonton's daytime temperature hovered around -28 C with a wind chill that made it feel like -40 C. (David Bloom, Sun Media)

"Winter have you stuck in a rut? You'd better get used to it.

City officials say major arterial roadways have all been plowed following this week's bout of bad weather and the focus is now on clearing bus routes.

There are no plans to clear residential streets - some of which have become increasingly rutted and snow jammed.

Barry Belcourt, the city's director of roadway maintenance, said generally, the snow pack must exceed 10 cm in the driving lanes before that's done. Yesterday, it was at about 5 cm on residential streets.

"It's not going to be a total city-wide plowing," he said of the current effort. "But if we've got a couple of locations adjacent to an open field, and the wind's blown in, we'll go and deal with those one-off locations."

Belcourt said crews may also do the occasional back lane if conditions warrant it.

Because of the sheer ice on the roads, the city has stopped using sand and has been throwing down a sand/rock chip mixture to give motorists more traction, Belcourt said.

He said the product has been put down on arterial roads and will go down on bus routes as they're cleared today. Even more rock chips - which embed into ice - are put down on hills.

DRIVING ON MARBLES

"If you threw chip down on bare pavement, that would be hazardous," Belcourt said. "It would be like driving on marbles. You only throw the chip down when you have ice. What we're doing here is not rocket science."

Windrows - the large piles of snow found in the middle of some streets - are expected to be removed from business areas tonight.

As well, crews will continue to smooth out some of the ruts caused by snow and ice on both arterial and bus routes, Belcourt said.

Officials have said the cost of this clean-up will be in the millions of dollars.

Meanwhile, anyone looking for some relief from the frigid weather is going to require patience.

Daytime highs until Friday are only expected to reach the high -20s, while nighttime lows will be close to -30 C.

Saturday's forecasted high of -19 C will seem balmy by comparison, but Environment Canada meteorologist Dan Kulak said that's still nearly 15 degrees below seasonal norms. The average high this time of year is -5 C.

"When the cold air moves in it tends to stick around for awhile," Kulak said.

He said the temperature could reach the minus single-digits early next week.

ODDBALL

The frigid weather wasn't enough to keep one oddball from heading out for a run in his underwear.

Four police cruisers and an ambulance were called to 50 Street and 93 Avenue shortly after 9 p.m. when the nearly nude sprinter was seen disrupting traffic.

"When the weather is this bad and we get a report of a man outdoors in his underwear, we need to get him inside, even if he doesn't want to be," said a cop, who couldn't help but crack a smile.

"Apparently he really wanted to be outside, he resisted arrest."

The man was later taken to hospital by ambulance."

Kindly taken from:

http://www.edmontonsun.ca/

**As a side note... Sarah and I were driving W. on 149st and our lane just ended because of the snow pile jutting out from the sidewalk.... No warnings or anything... At least give us some warning that it's now a one lane road! Especially right after an intersection!**

When the wind blows...

....things get cold.

Like me.

Our house is old. And if from here on end it seems like I'm complaining.... Well I probably am! I know just how lucky and blessed we are to be living in this house.... How kind Tyler's parents have been to help us out all these years... Heck, we would never had been able to start building our own place by now if it wasn't for the opportunity we've had to stay in this house!

But it is old. And cold.

Today (Sunday) the beginning of what is to be a week long blizzard (think about it folks, the actual blizzard hasn't even hit yet! Ugh!) started... It has brought insane winds that are cold... Bone chilling cold. Hands, noses, whatever will freeze in a matter of, well... A minute. It sucks. In order to get to my van today I had to shovel my way there! Ha! I'm sure everyone around me thought I was insane as I had been dressed for Church (so in a skirt and very colorful knee highs! *L*)..... It was awesome.

Can you see the missing sidewalk? And this is

a tiny snowdrift!

Looking out to the bus station. See our car??!

Tyler worked today (which he doesn't do often on Sunday's... But we're trying to save some money for, ya know... Curtains for the new house and such... and they offered) and it was outside.... ALL day.... I felt so bad for him.... And now he has to do it all week... Sucky...

I can't imagine what Tyler has to do at work

all day/night. I know they do shovel snow off

plates of metal when it snows... ALL shift!

But yes, back to my silly blog...

Long story short.... We had had dinner and the girls were in bed... Tyler had fallen asleep on our couch while I contently watched Mythbusters make a rocket out of a Hot Water Tank (if you ever get to see this episode pay attention.... It really can happen! And it's insane!!!!) when all of a sudden Tyler asked me if they were plowing outside (we're on a bus route and so the city plows ALL night ALL around us.... It's one of the most horrible noises I've ever heard... It shakes the house even).... At this moment I had to laugh..... It was our furnace that had come on....

Our house is old.

I'm not sure what a furnace should really sound like.... But I'm thinking that if someone was to think that it was snowplows outside our house.... Well maybe we should have it checked on.... Just a thought....

(I'm still on track with the second sentence of this blog, I promise).....

Even with the furnace kicking in constantly (honestly, I think it take maybe two minutes to rest and then kick back in) our house is FREEZING! I knew that it was cold in our living room (it always has been... Old house, old windows, etc...) but didn't realize just how cold it was until I left my cozy spot on my chair where I had been using one of Tyler's zip-up sweaters as a blanket (he fell asleep on the actual blankets...yes, ON them! *L*) to use our washroom.....

It was so warm in there! Of course, I had to eventually leave and head back into the living room... Oh yes, it's cold in here! There's a draft* from under out front door (which I have one of those draft-stop-rice-filled-bag thingys and it doesn't do a whole lot... But it does a little so I keep it there), our windows are extremely drafty.... I won't allow our curtains to be opened (all two layers of them) until the spring weather kicks in as it's just too cold with them opened. Now... Our heaters don't actually warm the room up much (thank you furnace that seems to never stop running... No heat but huge heating bill...something seems wrong here....)....

Hard to see where the snow is on the trees

right now... I'll try again tomorrow day.

So yes, I am cold.

And I'm complaining.

Deal with it.

I know I am!

*L*

*All night I've been hearing this cracking type noise from our door area.... When I opened the door to get take some photos of the snow I realized that the cracking noise is snow coming from under our screen door and making a mini-snow bank between our two doors.... And it's actually made it's way into the house now! Imagine that! *L*

Well this is new....