Monday Monday

Christmas eve was a traditional family gathering and we had a great time.  We were too late for the sledding but it was really cold so thats ok.  Most everyone that is in the local area was able to make it and enjoy time together.  It was Bonnie's sisters birthday and we continued the tradition of singing happy birthday to her via speaker-phone.   We got home after 9 and Bonnie was able to video chat with her sister out in Reno, NV and wish her a personal Happy Birthday.

We had a great Christmas.  Slept in a little and then in to my daughters around 10am.  We opened gifts and there were several surprises, not the least of which was a skateboard for Alexus, which was her last gift and was hidden so she had to find it.  We had watched the Christmas Story the night before when Ralpie's BB gun was hidden behind the desk.  Alexus asked me if thats where a I got the idea to hide a present.  No not really I can remember my parents hiding something we really wanted and making it the last present we would find and open.  One of the new games was Pictionary for the Wii and we enjoyed playing that.  Then a movie or two and finally ham and turkey with lots of fixin's.

We also got to video with my son and family out in Alabama via Skype.  Its fun to see the kids and amazing how fast Reagan is growing.  They even had some snow overnight to enjoy and make it feel more like Christmas.  A pretty busy day but very enjoyable as it was filled with family both in person and electronically.

Grandpa the oldest at the party

Bonnie with two of the 4th generation, including Kaellyn the youngest, oops 3 Alexus is in the background

Sunday found us at church in Java Village, with Bonnie's parents and lots of family.  Our nephew Briss is visiting with his family from San Diego, CA and there was a baptismal service for Kaellyn their daughter.  Then I set up Bonnie's mom and dad's new TV.  They live in a valley a tough spot for TV.  So far 2 channels come in so they could watch the Bills yesterday (another lost game) and Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy during the week.  Then I went up to her sisters house to talk and watch the Bills lose.

Then the family gathered again at 4 for Jackson's (my nieces son) second birthday.  Another great get together and a good time.  Bonnie and I have been married almost 40 years and its been fun to watch her younger siblings grow up, raise up families of their own, and now watch their children raise families.  We are proud of them all.

It snowed about an inch and a half last night, nothing like the East Coast got and continues to snow today but not bad.  No court tonight but I have some work to do there and have to do a bank deposit.  I was able to schedule an oil change for the truck this afternoon also so will get that done also.

Tuesday
I was about to post this when I noticed one of the deer climbing the three stairs to the deck.  I went for the camera but it saw me move.  I guess the sunflower seed on the deck is easier to get than the seed in the snow.  Anyway it did not run away just got off the deck so I got the camera and got a few shots to post.  I even had time to change lens.  Hope you enjoy them, I believe they were twins born this last spring.  Mom stays in the edge of the woods most of the time.  I need to run to the bank then, a funeral service, and then the Post Office.

Thanks for checking in.

View from the dining room

Did I see someone move in that house

Lets get to a safer distance

Nope the seeds are just too good to leave

Wish I could smile for that guy

No fair opening the door

I will be back later

Twas the Night before Christmas

Tomorrow is Christmas wow the year is almost gone.  The weather has continued cold with just a trace of snow falling, mostly overnight.  Today is the time for Bonnie's family to gather together for the evening and to exchange gifts.  We each draw a family now a days.  The family has grown to large to buy for everyone as in the old days.  Tonight I believe there will be 4 generations present.  Bonnie's brother has a nice campsite at the farm and there is to be a sledding party all afternoon and a nice fire to keep warm.  Then all will head up to her sisters house to enjoy Christmas snacks and I understand Chicken Cordon Bleu.  We always have a great time and enjoy each others company.

The deer continue to come to the bird feeder

I had to knock on the window several times to get this one to stop eating and look up.

Wednesday I worked at the county.  I have consulted there for the last 5 years on different projects.  First a completely new Police and Fire radio system, then in the 911 Center, and lately Emergency Services.  I have really enjoyed it and feel that we have accomplished a lot of modernization and updating of emergency plans and procedures.  However my contract is over the end of the year and with the "financial crisis" the state is in it looks like I will be done.  The county has had to lay several off this year and eliminate some positions.  So while there is still a lot to be accomplished it will have to wait.

Bonnie's plans call for her to retire a year from June and then travel.  Last year I had to let a lot go around here as I recovered from shoulder surgery (which has come along nicely).  We have about 23 acres of woods with logging roads that did not get cleared last year.  So while that should not take a year it will keep me busy for a while this year.

Bonnie is working a half day today so should be home soon.  Alexus spent the night, first time in a long time.  Her mother had some special things to get ready for her.  So as soon as Bonnie gets home we will head for the family farm and see whats going on and help prepare for tonight.

Merry Christmas and I hope you all can enjoy time with family.
Thanks for checking in.

Just a Dusting

Well after a day of no snow we got just a light dusting overnight, so thats good.  It is still very cold in the low 20's.

The deer have been coming to the bird feeder every day to pick through the sunflower seeds that the birds knock to the ground.  It is hard to get a picture of them as they spot your movement through the window.  Two yearlings were out there this morning and I was able to get a few pictures through the window, hope you enjoy them.

Bonnie bought 3 books for us to read when she attended the Woman of Faith conference in Rochester last November.  I finished the last one the other day.  Pre computer days I used to read a lot.  So I have been turning off the computer and picking up a book more and more lately and still enjoy it.  So to combine the two I am considering getting a Kindle.  Sort of an electronic book.  If you have one please leave a comment.  My sister has one and has just started using it, so far she likes it.  Let me know your feelings.

Tuesday
Court went well last night and it was the last scheduled session for this year.  We received about 1/2 inch of new snow overnight so we are doing well.  It is still in the low twenties so looks like a white Christmas for sure.

Bonnie broke a tooth eating popcorn Saturday night and was able to get an appointment with the dentist today.  After that we are going shopping for one last present and then I think we are done.  We both work tomorrow and each have a different party to attend on Thursday.  Then there is a sledding party Friday at her brothers in the afternoon and the traditional Family get together Christmas eve.  Hopefully if all goes well I will post again just after Christmas

Merry Christmas to all and thanks for checking in.

Not the BIG One but SNOW never the less!

Thursday
Its pretty but it still has to be moved.  The big snow never came Monday but the Lake Effect Machine as it is called kicked in on Tuesday.  When I came home from court on Tuesday afternoon I had to turn around on 20A on the hill above Byrncliff trucks and cars were stuck near the top.  I was able to easily get to my driveway by going around the block so to speak.


I say to my driveway because when I got there a car was stuck in my driveway.  Our driveway has a bit of an incline to get up onto the high way, but his tires must have been bald.  He came to my truck window and said he could not make it up the hill and so backed in to turn around.  About that time his sister showed with shovels to help him get out.  I managed to squeeze by and get to the house.


We were to attend a dinner that night at Salvatore's Italian Gardens in Depew, we decided that the smart thing to do was to stay home.  I hated missing the dinner as it is a good get together.  Looking at the radar online we were smack dab in the middle of a Lake Effect band the started up around Niagara Falls and stretched past us to at least Warsaw, 12 miles to the East.  It snowed for a couple more hours and we ended up with at least 8 inches of new snow.


I had cleaned off the back deck while Bonnie worked on dinner.  After the snow stopped I went out and cleared the driveway so we were ready to go in the morning as we both were working.  Wednesday morning was good as there was not much more snow over night.


Now overnight we got about 3 more inches and about another inch so far today, its almost noon so guess I will fix some lunch.  Bonnie has something that smells real good cooking in the crock-pot for dinner.


Well it snowed all day so when it got to 6 or 7 inches I went out and cleared the deck and the driveway. 
Nuisance Lake Snows, that is what the National Weather Service is calling it and yes it is still in the forecast.  Bonnie just got home and said the snow has eased up a little.  


Friday
Snowing again this morning.  Only about another inch so far from overnight.  I have to work up  at court this morning and then take Bonnie's car in to the Subaru dealer for an oil change and a checkup.  I did hear on the weather last night that this Lake Effect should wind down by late Sunday.  My list shows about 34 inches so far.


Saturday
A treat for us, while it is only 24 degrees out, the SUN is out.  Here are a couple pictures from today.  It is beautiful!

View from our front porch

Can you find the deer in the woods

Last night our church did a fantastic job with the annual Cantata and drama, they reminded us all of the True Reason for Christmas.

I wish there was more to write about than the snow and weather but it is that season here.  The favorite saying here is "Its Buffalo, Its Winter, Deal with it."

I hope to get another post off before Christmas, have a good week and Thanks for checking in.

Promise of a Storm

We did get about another inch or so of snow overnight everyday until Thursday.  No snow Thursday that was great.  However thats about when they started telling us a big storm was coming starting Sunday night.  So it was nice Thursday and Friday not to have new snow.  It was still very cold and I cleaned off the deck and around the pavers.

Today Saturday it is 39 degrees out at 3:30 in the afternoon.  It has not been sunny at all so lots of warm air moving in from the South.  So most things are melting off and most people are preparing for the storm.  I have fueled up the truck, the tractor and the blowers are all full of fuel and ready to go.  I fixed the broken primer hose on the deck blower and went to Elma and bought a new fuel cap for the Cub Cadet blower as the original always allowed gas to leak out.

I had checked the propane about a week ago and it was at 20% full.  So I called as it has been over 2 months since we got filled and they usually come every month.  They said a work order had been issued and they should be there any time.  Well a week passed and no one came.  So I called again and the truck came Thursday night just before dark so we should be good to go for the next month.

Tonight we are headed to N. Tonawanda for our RV club's Christmas party, its about 50 miles and there is a chance of freezing rain tonight so I do hope it holds off for a while.  I did see quite a few deer out in the fields feeding today so hope that is not a sign of too bad of weather coming maybe just a sign that the melting snow is uncovering what they like to eat.

Saturday and the grass is showing and foggy in the Woods

Sunday

We had a wonderful time with our Chapter 12 RV friends last night.  We had 30 people at the party.  Most that could not be there have gone South for the winter.  We do a gift exchange where you can take an already opened gift from a friend or choose one from the table, also a great time to catch up on what everyone has been up to, then the list of the campouts for 2011 was passed out (one of my favorite parts) and of course lots of fantastic food and drink.  We had a great time and the weather cooperated.

Today is pretty eerie out as there is a lot of ground fog since the cold snow and almost 40 degree warm air are meeting.  Time will tell how much of the snow melts off today.  Remember the big storm is still coming.

The snow sliding off the roof, it stopped here

Trying to melt off the garage roof, it did not make it.

Monday

Only a dusting of snow overnight.  Its windy and the temperature dropped to 12 degrees.  Its snowing a little but after half a day only about an inch.  I will go ahead and post this.  If we get lots of snow I will post again on Wednesday if not more like the end of the week.

Here are a couple pictures from several years ago:

Sledding in the front yard

Lots of snow on the deck, Thanksgiving day 2008

Have a great day
Thanks for checking in.

No news is Good news

If you are wondering what happened to my posts, nothing.  Yep pretty much not much to write about.  Our area missed most of the Lake Effect snow that Buffalo and the Southtowns got.  We did get about 8 inches one day, it was a surprise it had not been forecast.  That caused quite a few accidents but once the road crews got rolling everything was under control.  After that we pretty much have received an inch to an inch and a half a day.  Today was the first I cleared the driveway since last week.  I have been shoveling off the deck and the apron in front of the garage almost every day.

Sorry about the lack of pictures but this is pretty much how it looks out the front window all winter.  Except the sun is casting shadows on this day.

Thats about it for today.  I hope to update the blog at least once a week during the winter and will do some review and put some pictures up to remember the summer.

Thanks for checking in. . . .