Tuesday, December 23, 2008

It's Snowin' In Them Thar Hills!

It looks like Santa delivered one present early this year, and I'm already thinking about re-gifting it too. As of Sunday, I'm the proud owner of the common cold. ICK!

So far it hasn't been the butt kicking variety, just the underlying pain in the backside type. Headache, stuffed-up, general blech feeling.

On a brighter note, the landscape around here is absolutely beautiful right now. We have about 18 inches of snow on the ground, which as you can imagine, has turned everything as far as the eye can see, white. There was one evening where we got about a half an inch of freezing rain on top of the first layer of snow. That part isn't too thrilling, as most of the tree branches are really, really heavy right now and some have even started to snap under all that weight. Outside of that it's been kind of fun.

This much snow in the Portland, OR area isn't nearly as common as it used to be. In fact, they said there hasn't been this much white stuff on the ground in forty years! It's made driving a bit interesting. Most people (myself included) aren't used to driving in this everyday during the winter months and the city and county infrastructure isn't set-up to handle these type of road conditions either. It makes since. . . why would they have an arsenal of snow removing equipment on hand for something that only happens on a small scale, every five years and to this degree, two or three times a century?

We're in a break today, so I'm going to head over to mom's later to dig out her driveway and take her to the store before she looses her mind from being cooped up for the past several days. Mark's two oldest girls and Gene's middle girl have been stuck there with her too, so I know cabin fever is in full swing over there. If I'm feeling really generous I might offer to take the girls up to the mall for the afternoon.

Did I just say, "Go to the mall?" Maybe I'm getting delirious from a fever. . . ya, that's it!

I'll likely snap some photos to share while I'm out and about today, but thought I'd leave you with one of the boys making snow angels in the back yard the other day.

For some reason, B & W just seemed right for this particular picture.

25 comments:

Raven said...

Sorry about your cold. Hope you feel better soon and that the roads are clear and safe when you drive. We had about 12 inches here but "they" are used to it and the plows come out early and often. The kids look like they are having great fun. Wonderful photo for the memory books and a reminder that I was young once too.

Akelamalu said...

Sorry you have a cold, can you take echinacea?

12 inches of snow???? :0

My God the whole of England would come to a standstill with a couple of inches, how do you manage?

Sandee said...

All that uncommon snow is global warming. Just saying.

Feel better soon. Colds are truly a pain in the backside.

Have a terrific day and a wonderful Christmas. :)

Cinnamon Girl said...

Are the malls open? I know both Washington Square and Clackamas were running limited stores yesterday. It was actually worse out there yesterday because it has all iced over and the RUTS suck ass. My office was closed yesterday. I think it is open today but I stayed home. If it snows again I'll head back out. It's easier to drive in by far.

My ex is supposed to head to Mist tomorrow for their christmas with his girlfriends family. Not sure that is gonna happen. Heck I am not sure how I am getting to my parents on Christmas. They are in the West Hills at the bottom of a monster hill.

Can I say this sucks? Cause it sucks.

nitebyrd said...

Keep warm and dry with that cold! The mall? You have gone mad with fever, man!

Snow is so lovely to look at but a bitch to drive in. Take care.

You and your family have a wonderful Christmas, if I don't get back here before then.

Kaylia Metcalfe said...

Making angels or being burried?

Stay warm :) Happy Holidays!

Finding Pam said...

That is a lot of snow! I wonder if you burn more calories walking in it when it is that deep? haha

get well. good pic of your snow angels.

Jay said...

All that snow is beautiful for the first day or so. Then it starts to get old pretty fast.

Hope you cold goes way fast!

Kelly H-Y said...

I bet those were some cool-looking angels with the snow being so deep ... they're practically buried in it! Great picture of the boys!

Desert Songbird said...

I'm sorry you're not feeling well. It takes me forever to shake those damn colds, so I can feel your pain.

You must be delirious if you're heading to a mall. Yuck!

j said...

Me too. I normally sound like Minnie Mouse and now I sound like Kathleen Turner. Ugh.

Enjoy the snow! It is 55 degrees here. Can't even wear my Christmas sweater!

Merry Merry!

Lu' said...

fantastic picture and b&w does suit it perfectly. Hope you feel better.

Dana said...

Kick that cold's butt! And would you take some of our snow? Please??

Travis Cody said...

We got about half of what you did so far, with more on the way over the next couple of days. It's my first white holiday, so that's pretty cool.

But I haven't been able to get to the office since last Thursday and won't be able to until Monday at the earliest. Luckily I can work from home, but I'm finding that it's better to keep work and home separate.

Still, we're upbeat and I know we'll enjoy a lovely fire on Thursday, possibly after a rousing snowball fight!

Dianne said...

B&W is perfect for that shot

ahhh to be a kid in snow!

feel better
stay safe and warm

Merry Christmas to you and your family!

Jeni said...

Your Mom and three granddaughters -cooped up, cabin fever along with an extra-high dosage of estrogen and you with a head cold -hell of a combination, Jeff! Hope the cold lets up so you can enjoy the holiday to the max -especially the snow and your kids playing in it! We got maybe four inches last Friday, with some freezing rain and sleet -more of the latter starting to come down now as I type but it's supposed to warm up later today. Considering the temps have been around -1 with anywhere from -15 to 25 with the wind chill figured in! Brrr!
Have a wonderful Christmas and the best of New Years too!

Roan said...

I bet the kids are lovin' it! Merry Christmas to you and your family...even Gene.

Mel said...

18 inches....easy peasy.

*chuckling*

Welcome to my world!
But ain't it COOL?!

k....maybe not the iced branches snappin'.

But you getta make snowangels!!!!!

:-)

Feel better soon.
Drink lots.
Rest.
Enjoy the eggnog.

And Merry Christmas to you and yours, sir!!

Jeff B said...

Thank you all for your well wishes. The cold is still going strong, which bites, but I should be able to lay low today for the most part. Hopefully my body will have a chance to catch-up a bit.

Cherie said...

Great photo of the kids. I've been trying to fight off a cold for the past couple of days, and I'm afraid that I'm losing. Hope that you feel well enough to enjoy the festivities. :)

Maggie May said...

Keep your cold to yourself, Jeff!
Snow looks good on the photo, but don't want it here!
England would grind to a halt!

Happy Christmas!

Odat said...

The first snow is always pretty!!! Then ..it's like I can't wait for Spring!! Feel better!!!
Happy Holidays to you and yours!

Peace

Cinnamon Girl said...

Merry Christmas Jeff! The Big Thaw is coming! Watch it flood like the 90's now ;)

katherine. said...

hope you feel better by now...I am far behind in my reading...

talked to my family in portland on Christmas....they couldn't get out to go to church...gratefully my cousin flew home just in time! I would like to have a bit of snow now and then....

Sandi McBride said...

AGHHHHH! I love it! He really is an angel...and black and white...sometimes it's the only way to go!
Sandi