We have gotten probably about 6-8 inches of snow today. I left work early and had the oddest deja vu sensation as I slowly traversed home through the piles of snow. It took me a good 1.5 hours to drive home. Thankfully I left early.
So, back to the deja vu. 2 years ago, we had a similar snowstorm on a Thursday just like today. It was also the end of February/beginning of March. Same type of snow, same long drive home. That day we ended up with 13 inches of snow and work actually closed on that Friday. I doubt we'll have that happen again, but who knows...it is still snowing. Anyway, I decided to take advantage of my "snow day" and start by shoveling snow. Well, most of you know the end of that story...a slip on a patch of ice, snap, crackle, pop, ambulance ride, lots of vicodin, crutches, surgery, plate and screws in the ankle, 4 weeks off of work and lots of sympathy.
I think I'm better prepared this time. I don't shovel, I have boots that fit, and I look at the ground when I walk. Still it's hard not to think about it when the weather and dates are all setting up to be quite similar.
I can't believe it's been 2 years since I fell. My ankle is drastically improved. It still gets sore and looks terrible with the scars and such. But, I'm able to play squash at the gym without too much trouble. I never would have thought that I'd ever get back to normal, but all in all I have.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Valentine's Recap
We are not known for going all out on any holiday, let alone Valentine’s Day. I’ve gotten some great gifts over the year around the holiday, but never on it. A dozen roses here and there, a pair of earrings, but again…not on the actual day.
This year we ended up having quite the Valentine’s Day. One of our current favorite restaurants, Café Levain, was offering a prix fixe menu on Valentine’s evening paired with a wine flight for a nice, economic stimulus friendly, price. So, we made reservations for 6:30 and headed out. We arrived at the restaurant and I knew we were in for a good night when I heard a live clarinetist playing the background music. As a clarinetist myself, I have no clue how he was able to play the entire time we were dining let alone if he played all evening. It was quite a nice touch and really added to my dining experience.
We had a great dinner complete with a Beet Salad for the first course. My meal followed next with Seared Dayboat Scallops with Parsnip-Potato “Risotto,” Parsnip Puree, Celery Leave - Herb Salad, Brown Butter, and Vanilla. The main course was a Grilled Rib of Beef with Roasted Polenta. The finishing touch was a Valrhona Chocolate Torte with a small scoop of White Chocolate Ice Cream. It was SOOOOO good.
From here we moved on to a Coffee/Wine Bar to listen to Machinery Hill. We know a member of the band and we’ve become quite the “groupies”. It’s an interesting musical genre – kind of Celtic, folksy, all wrapped up in one. On Saturday there was a large crowd gathered to relax, hang out and enjoy some music. Of note were the aged hippies that started dancing to the music. One guy looked exactly like Frasier Crane – only about 30 years older.
We ended the night when the band took their first break so we could go let the dogs out. It was a memorable Valentine’s Day….even with the wine flight!
This year we ended up having quite the Valentine’s Day. One of our current favorite restaurants, Café Levain, was offering a prix fixe menu on Valentine’s evening paired with a wine flight for a nice, economic stimulus friendly, price. So, we made reservations for 6:30 and headed out. We arrived at the restaurant and I knew we were in for a good night when I heard a live clarinetist playing the background music. As a clarinetist myself, I have no clue how he was able to play the entire time we were dining let alone if he played all evening. It was quite a nice touch and really added to my dining experience.
We had a great dinner complete with a Beet Salad for the first course. My meal followed next with Seared Dayboat Scallops with Parsnip-Potato “Risotto,” Parsnip Puree, Celery Leave - Herb Salad, Brown Butter, and Vanilla. The main course was a Grilled Rib of Beef with Roasted Polenta. The finishing touch was a Valrhona Chocolate Torte with a small scoop of White Chocolate Ice Cream. It was SOOOOO good.
From here we moved on to a Coffee/Wine Bar to listen to Machinery Hill. We know a member of the band and we’ve become quite the “groupies”. It’s an interesting musical genre – kind of Celtic, folksy, all wrapped up in one. On Saturday there was a large crowd gathered to relax, hang out and enjoy some music. Of note were the aged hippies that started dancing to the music. One guy looked exactly like Frasier Crane – only about 30 years older.
We ended the night when the band took their first break so we could go let the dogs out. It was a memorable Valentine’s Day….even with the wine flight!
Friday, February 6, 2009
Random Thoughts
A posting is in order if for no other reason than to move the Nexus down the page. While I’m thrilled at having a working loo once again, it’s time to move on.
Just some random thoughts on a Friday…
Why is it that with a history degree I actually tend to dismiss reading historical fiction? You would think that I would love it, but alas…I really don’t. However, if anyone has a book title that is a must read that is historical fiction, pass it along. I might reconsider.
How come in the fall an air temperature of 32 feels downright cold and in February it feels like shorts weather? I do know the answer to this one, but it still is rather perplexing from a strictly 32 degree temperature reading.
Why is it that some days productivity comes so easily and the next it is so difficult?
How come it feels like Friday will never arrive and then on the other hand you can’t believe how quick the week went?
OK, these random thoughts are a little annoying, but I didn’t have a full-blown post in me today.
Have a good weekend!
Just some random thoughts on a Friday…
Why is it that with a history degree I actually tend to dismiss reading historical fiction? You would think that I would love it, but alas…I really don’t. However, if anyone has a book title that is a must read that is historical fiction, pass it along. I might reconsider.
How come in the fall an air temperature of 32 feels downright cold and in February it feels like shorts weather? I do know the answer to this one, but it still is rather perplexing from a strictly 32 degree temperature reading.
Why is it that some days productivity comes so easily and the next it is so difficult?
How come it feels like Friday will never arrive and then on the other hand you can’t believe how quick the week went?
OK, these random thoughts are a little annoying, but I didn’t have a full-blown post in me today.
Have a good weekend!
Thursday, January 22, 2009
My Hope for Today
It’s the small things in life that really can get you excited. After several weeks of not having a functional toilet in the master bathroom, behold….
The Nexus!
If everything goes as scheduled, it is my hope that this will be installed by the end of the day.
Ahh….the little things.
The Nexus!
If everything goes as scheduled, it is my hope that this will be installed by the end of the day.
Ahh….the little things.
Sunday, January 18, 2009
A Bit Warmer, but Still Winter
We have gone through a temperature swing of about 40 degrees. Sad that even with that swing it's still just around 20 degrees. It might feel downright balmy, but the wind and the snow just prevent that from occurring. We may get above freezing on Wednesday before we head back down to single digits for highs.
As much as I complain about the cold, I guess I only have myself to blame. I agreed that this would be a great place to live. Hmmm....
As much as I complain about the cold, I guess I only have myself to blame. I agreed that this would be a great place to live. Hmmm....
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Bracing for the Arctic Blast
As I write this, the sun is brightly shining over the numerous inches of snow that have piled up over the last month. On first glance out the window, it actually appears to be pleasant. However, I know it is not over 0 degrees outside. Yes, while those of you readers in what I consider now the south face the possibility of negative temps – know that we’ve been living with it now for a couple of days and we’re not done.
Tonight is supposed to be the coldest temps in 10 years. If you do the math on that one, I haven’t lived here for 10 years (quite yet). So, I do not know what these temps are going to feel like. All I know is that my car registered -26 Tuesday morning. That means if that wasn’t the coldest morning then could I possibly hit -30 tomorrow morning?? And those are air temperatures. Not counting wind chills. On the weather last night the wind chills were registering around -25 or so. That’s with the new formula for figuring out wind chills. With the old formula we would have been at -40. Seriously – how did Laura Ingalls do it up here!
I do have to give the Jeep “props” for hanging in with me this week as I force it to power through the tundra to and from work. It does keep me quite toasty. However, keep in mind that I have the blower on high for the majority of my commute. And that commute has been averaging over an hour both ways. With Monday afternoon’s 2 hour drive taking the award for “crappy commute” of the week.
As I write this over my lunch hour, I have also taken a moment to explore a warm weather get away. I now see the allure of being a snowbird. Not that I’m quite old enough to be considered a snowbird, I’m ready to find a job where I can work in the sun and warmth during the winter. Of course the airfares are a little steep right now….give me another week like this and I’ll cash in all of my frequent flier miles to go anywhere that the temp is over 60.
For those of you with thinner blood that aren’t ready for the arctic blast…prepare. Wear that hat (even if hats make you look stupid), double up on socks, gloves, scarves. Whatever you do….layer, layer, layer.
Tonight is supposed to be the coldest temps in 10 years. If you do the math on that one, I haven’t lived here for 10 years (quite yet). So, I do not know what these temps are going to feel like. All I know is that my car registered -26 Tuesday morning. That means if that wasn’t the coldest morning then could I possibly hit -30 tomorrow morning?? And those are air temperatures. Not counting wind chills. On the weather last night the wind chills were registering around -25 or so. That’s with the new formula for figuring out wind chills. With the old formula we would have been at -40. Seriously – how did Laura Ingalls do it up here!
I do have to give the Jeep “props” for hanging in with me this week as I force it to power through the tundra to and from work. It does keep me quite toasty. However, keep in mind that I have the blower on high for the majority of my commute. And that commute has been averaging over an hour both ways. With Monday afternoon’s 2 hour drive taking the award for “crappy commute” of the week.
As I write this over my lunch hour, I have also taken a moment to explore a warm weather get away. I now see the allure of being a snowbird. Not that I’m quite old enough to be considered a snowbird, I’m ready to find a job where I can work in the sun and warmth during the winter. Of course the airfares are a little steep right now….give me another week like this and I’ll cash in all of my frequent flier miles to go anywhere that the temp is over 60.
For those of you with thinner blood that aren’t ready for the arctic blast…prepare. Wear that hat (even if hats make you look stupid), double up on socks, gloves, scarves. Whatever you do….layer, layer, layer.
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Happy 2009!
I haven’t had much “blog-worthy” material lately, but my audience of 1 has commented recently that I must have given up on the blog. So….here I go.
Started a new job a few weeks ago. Nothing more humbling than going from being the “expert” in a position to being the newbie without a clue! It helps that I at least stayed within the same company, but it really feels like a different world. I think I’ll enjoy a bit of a slower pace for awhile though. My last job kept me extremely busy.
I traveled at Christmas and got to know the Detroit airport quite well. Thankfully they have a Westin hotel within the airport. That helped with the overnight wait that I had! It was actually kind of nice to be forced to do nothing but sit and watch tv. No computer, not much reading material with me. Not to mention no clothes, etc. I have learned to pack differently when having connecting flights. Always keep a change of underwear, toothbrush, and hairbrush in the carry on luggage. Of course you are told that all the time, but had I been listening???? Of course not. I now have a nice t-shirt souvenir from Detroit. And no, it isn’t a Lions t-shirt nor one of the Big 3. Although I guess that might have been a boost to the economy.
I had a great holiday all in all. Saw a lot of family. Saw “Marley & Me” – very cute, but sad. When I got back home I got involved in watching the “Lord of the Rings” trilogy with Steve. Probably a good 10-12 hours of hobbits, elves, dwarves and orks. Next up…The Godfather series.
Now it’s 2009. Crazy that the year flew by like it did. I’m off of school for a couple of weeks, so it’s a great time to get immersed in my new job. Of course I also have time for those other items I like to procrastinate with like…working out, cleaning, etc. I’ll try and balance my free time appropriately. :)
Hope you have a wonderful and peaceful 2009!
Started a new job a few weeks ago. Nothing more humbling than going from being the “expert” in a position to being the newbie without a clue! It helps that I at least stayed within the same company, but it really feels like a different world. I think I’ll enjoy a bit of a slower pace for awhile though. My last job kept me extremely busy.
I traveled at Christmas and got to know the Detroit airport quite well. Thankfully they have a Westin hotel within the airport. That helped with the overnight wait that I had! It was actually kind of nice to be forced to do nothing but sit and watch tv. No computer, not much reading material with me. Not to mention no clothes, etc. I have learned to pack differently when having connecting flights. Always keep a change of underwear, toothbrush, and hairbrush in the carry on luggage. Of course you are told that all the time, but had I been listening???? Of course not. I now have a nice t-shirt souvenir from Detroit. And no, it isn’t a Lions t-shirt nor one of the Big 3. Although I guess that might have been a boost to the economy.
I had a great holiday all in all. Saw a lot of family. Saw “Marley & Me” – very cute, but sad. When I got back home I got involved in watching the “Lord of the Rings” trilogy with Steve. Probably a good 10-12 hours of hobbits, elves, dwarves and orks. Next up…The Godfather series.
Now it’s 2009. Crazy that the year flew by like it did. I’m off of school for a couple of weeks, so it’s a great time to get immersed in my new job. Of course I also have time for those other items I like to procrastinate with like…working out, cleaning, etc. I’ll try and balance my free time appropriately. :)
Hope you have a wonderful and peaceful 2009!
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