The Week Between

Thursday

Looks like the snow is back.  Light snow when I got up, then it stopped, now I can hardly see the woods it is snowing so hard.

Finally letting up some

So we only got a couple more inches before the snow stopped.  I went out and cleared the deck and then had some lunch.  After lunch I sliced one of the small hams that Bonnie bought for sandwiches and ground up the other one for ham salad, one of my favorites.

Grinding up the ham salad

Then I headed out to clear the driveway.  Just as I finished that it started to snow again.  Bonnie cooked up turkey and rice this afternoon and I had a bowl for supper, boy was it good.  It was still snowing as I headed out for church for rehearsal with the worship team.  I tried out my new socks, very comfy and one of my new long sleeved pocket t shirts also very nice.  Thanks Bonnie and Elizabeth.  The snow stopped during rehearsal and I had a nice drive home.  I am ready for a good nights sleep.

Friday

It was not snowing when I woke up this morning and stayed that way all day long.  There was a couple inches on the driveway and deck from yesterday evening so it did get cleaned, I just did the deck at 6:30pm.  We had the FedEx truck coming today so I wanted the driveway clear for them, and it was.

Not much happening today for a Friday.  I did go up to court and worked a little up there.  Bonnie did the wash and the rest of the day we pretty much took it easy.  We did have the ham salad for lunch and boy was it good.  Thats about it for today.

Saturday

No snow and in the upper 30's again today, the snow is melting.  Nothing on the agenda today but the Town's end of year meeting and I was asked to administer the Oath to the reelected town officials.  Bonnie did a little cleaning today other than that we took it easy.

Sunday

My morning got off to a rough start, my alarm never went off.  I was awake a couple times but when I finally looked at the clock it was 8:15.  I was to be at church before 9:00.  No shower, no breakfast, no coffee.  I woke Bonnie threw on clothes and headed for church.  I did make it in time to get ready for the service, but it took me a while to really wake up.

I was happy to get home and relax and nap in my recliner.  Bonnie brought Alexus home with her and I had my cereal for breakfast/lunch and then napped.  I woke up just before we needed to leave for our nieces for Jackson's birthday party.  We picked up Elizabeth and headed into East Aurora.  We found their new house no problem.  I was surprised that Grandma and Grandpa were not there.  We found out that Grandpa needed to go to the emergency center since one of their cats has bitten him and it needed looked at and treated.  Seems it is infected and he needed some antibiotics.  Hopefully he will be healed soon.

Grandpa is on the mend

Carissa had lots of good snacks and a couple kinds of Chili and then there was the birthday cake.  Lots of good eats.  Soon it was time for Jackson to open his presents.  He has gotten pretty good at opening the presents and he knows which ones he wants to open first.

Jackson enjoyed his presents

He scores a fishing rod and fishing gear from Uncle Pete

 Jackson went around and thanked everyone for his gifts and gave out lots of hugs.
I think he enjoyed another gift from Uncle Pete, silly string

Uncle Bill bears and wears most of the Silly String

 We watched a bit of the Bills game, hoping they would come from behind, we headed home.  Elizabeth offered to cook supper but we headed home.  It rained a good part of the day but was dry when we got home.  So thats about it for today.  As the year comes to an end I hope you can enjoy time with friends and family.

Bonnie got her deep roaster pan back, not sure where it has been residing

Happy New Year, this is the last post for 2013.  There have been 32,914 views of the blog in 9 different countries.

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"If Your Dreams Don't Scare You, They Are Just Not Big Enough"

Merry Christmas!

Monday

Not much to say tonight.  We had a great day.  We met Bob and Jean at La Bella's today for lunch.  We both like to eat there and we visited for several hours before we both had to head out.  Bob and I worked together in Buffalo and still enjoy getting together and keeping in touch.  Bonnie and Jean had a good chat also.

Then we headed for East Aurora to Tops for a few last minute things.  Bonnie also dropped off a gift card thats going to end up helping a family have a good Christmas.  Traffic was crazy in the village it was real close to being grid locked around Tops but we got in and out and finally made it home.  I had picked up a few more driveway markers at Value while Bonnie shopped, so I put those in when we got home.

No court tonight but I did go up for a little while to do paperwork and a couple people actually showed up that were not on the calendar and we were able to help them.  Wow has it cooled off down in the lower 20s already.  High tomorrow is to be in the teens.

The mail brought a couple Christmas presents today and UPS should bring a couple tomorrow.  Thats about it for tonight.


Tuesday

Wow its been a long day.  My day started at 2:15am when the phone rang.  I soon was on my way up to the Town Hall.  Things went smoothly up there and I was back home at 4:45am.  I went right back to bed but laid there for a long time before I could get to sleep.  I was up before 9 and Bonnie was up shortly after.  It had started to snow while I was at court and when I got up we had between 3 and 4 inches.

We will have a White Christmas

I needed to go to Attica to the bank and the CRV had no trouble getting out of the driveway.  When I got home I tried to nap for an hour or so in the recliner and had some success.

We needed to head over to Bonnie's sisters for the annual family Christmas Eve party.  So I headed out to clear the driveway.  I was also hoping UPS would come as I 3 things that are to be delivered today that I need for Christmas.  I showered after I finished and we headed out, no UPS yet.

We had a nice surprise when we got to Carol's, she was there, they got out of work early today.

Our hostess for the evening.

Carol and Bonnie got the lasagna going in the oven and we had a chance to talk and catch up on whats been going on.  Just before six I went out and shoveled around the garage and every one started arriving.  We had a nice turnout of family and it was so nice to see everyone.  The kids had a great time playing together and a hula hope kept them pretty busy.

They were counting how many times it went around

Even the teens got involved

and the adults

It was good to see everyone having a great time.  We did a small gift exchange and of course had lots of desserts and cookies.

Nicole, Brielle, and Grandma Donna. all headed to Erie tonight

This group stayed close to the food and drink

We left just after nine as we have an early morning again.  So I am off to bed and hoping for a good nights rest.  After the early start to the day I have not felt very good all day.


Wednesday

Merry Christmas to all.  A special thanks to all that are out there Protecting us today.  I know a lot of firemen in our county are busy at a fire.  A special thanks to the Men and Women in our military that Stand On the Wall to keep us Safe everyday.

Bonnie and I are headed in to the City Mission in a few minutes to help with the Hambone Express.  The plan today is to deliver about 3800 meals to those in need throughout the area.  This includes a number that get Meals on Wheels, the Mission delivers for them on Thanksgiving and Christmas to give their preparers and volunteers a day off.  Its 4 degrees out so it will be a bit nippy but at least its not snowing at the moment.  By the time we got to Elizabeths to pick her up it was -6.

Glad the car heater was working.

The roads were good going in to the city and we arrived on time and got our assignments.  Alexus and I worked together as Greeters and handing out the delivery assignments.

Sue giving the thumbs up to Elizabeth

We worked the greeter and assignment table

Some folks really enjoy this day

This is where the meals are assembled and packed

 The meals are served cold with reheating instructions.  Each delivery team got a map and list from me with 5-8 stops.  They had bags with from 1 to 4 meals to deliver at each address.  During the time from 8:00am to 11:15am almost 3800 meals were taken and delivered to those in need.
Approx. 400 volunteers were involved today and many others before today getting ready.

The last of the meals is given a blessing before it leaves

The magnitude of this whole operation is overwhelming.  The impact is far reaching not only on those that receive the meals but on those that participate in preparing and delivering the food.

One team that stands out from today was a Marine just back from Afghanistan, that brought his family.  He knew about this and actually volunteered and signed up his family by email while he was still in Afghanistan.

We had a great day.  Then headed to Elizabeths and opened presents while the Turkey baked and made our tummies growl in anticipation.

Dinner was great and the clean up is just about complete.  Time to post this and sit back and relax.

Merry Christmas one more time have a great evening.

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"If Your Dreams Don't Scare You, They Are Just Not Big Enough"

Now the Rain Comes

Thursday

What a start to the day the temperature is above 32 and the sun is out, hope it stays that way for a while.  I have a busty day planned.

Then the phone rang.  Alexus needed to go to the Dr., Bonnie was not feeling well so I rearranged my day but still had a lot I could get done.  I knocked down the snow that was overhanging the gutters out back and in the front of the house.  Hopefully now all the snow melt will go down the gutters and away from the house.  I am a bit surprised that we do not have any icicles on the house, we usually get some out back, anyway this is a good thing.

I got things together and headed in toward East Aurora.  First stop was at court to pick up a check for stamps for court.  I stopped at the Wales Center Post Office as they open at 1:45pm.  All the post offices out here are only open 6 or less hours a day so you have to keep a schedule of who is open when.  I mailed a check to our time share in Grand Cayman but he did not have enough stamps for Court.  Then I took off for the bank in East Aurora to deposit some stuff for Bonnie.  But Alexus texted me and needed picked up by 2:07, so change of plans and headed to pick her up.  After I got her we headed back to the bank, finally got that done.  Then we were off to the Post Office and despite the long line it went pretty quick and they had all the stamps I needed.  Time to head for the Dr. office.  But first another quick stop at Tim Hortons for a couple iced cap drinks.  All that and we made it to the appointment a couple minutes early.  Alexus went in by herself and I stayed in the car and read on my iPad Kindle app.  She came out and we headed home her mother will pick up an Rx for her on the way home.

Finally home and I am sleepy, guess I will try to get a power nap.

I just checked my records and this time last year it had not snowed yet, what a difference this year, I show 64 inches so far.  Never got the power nap so I am off to bed.

Friday

Things around here have been about as exciting as watching snow melt.  Wait a minute thats exactly whats going on.  In the 40's today and raining a little so the snow is starting to melt pretty fast.

The driveway is reappearing

The pavers were under the snow

Out by the highway

We are to get a lot more rain and it is to be warm for at least the next two days.  So now we have flood watches for areas around us. Up here on the hill we should be ok.

I went to court for a while today and Bonnie made another run to the post office.

Bonnie and I headed to the Cove tonight.  She wanted to hear a band.  Ken Wilczak started this band years ago and they continue to play and entertain.  I have know Ken for about 60 years.  His Aunt and my parents were friends when we were very young and we played together when he visited her.  Then years later he moved to Depew and ended up graduating with me.  Ken plays guitar and sings and was inducted into the Buffalo Music Hall of Fame in 1984.  Anyway we got there a little early and had dinner.  Chris another classmate and her sister joined us.  The lighting is not so great but here is what I was able to capture

Ken came and chatted between sets

Ken up on stage

Ken and the band

 The place really filled up and quite a few people started dancing.  Then Ken called up friends that were in the crowd that he had played with through the years and they had a jam session and played some songs together.

The db meter on my iPhone was a jumping.

We had a good time and were home safe by 10:30pm.  We did follow a driver on the 400 for a ways that was literally all over the road, a bit scary.  I thought he was going to hit a bridge one time.  We fell back and lost track of him as other cars caught up with him, hope he got home safe.

Its midnight now December 21st and its now 45 degrees out.  Good night all.

Saturday

Another overcast day hard to get decent pictures.  We both slept till 9:30 this morning, then neither of us had much energy.  Its foggy and raining and the snow is melting fast.

The run off from up the hill out back

And out by the highway, this runs under our driveway

Still hoping all the snow on the roofs will melt

So my coffee gave me enough energy to go out and get the mail.  While out there I figured it was time to sweep up the garage floor.

I hope it has a change to dry out some.

Its amazing how and what melts off the cars.  I must have swept up 5 or more pounds of the grit they mix with the salt for traction on the road.  Again I am reminded how nice it is to have all the melted snow run to the drains and out of the garage, thanks again to Beck Builders and crew.

Well its almost Christmas so I started one of my least favorite things, wrapping presents.

First two done

Sunday

The deck had a glaze of ice on it when we got up for church this morning.  But no ice on the driveway or roads when we headed for church.  North of us got a lot more ice and there are some without power.

Not anything on the agenda for today so we watched a couple Christmas movies on Hallmark.  I also got a couple short naps.  It was up to 46 this afternoon and we got a little more rain.  Some areas are flooded while others have trees and branches down from the ice.

We are headed back to church tonight for the children's pageant that was snowed out last week.  So we are looking forward to that.  So I am going to go ahead and post this.

Merry Christmas and remember the reason for this season!

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"If Your Dreams Don't Scare You, They Are Just Not Big Enough"

51 inches and counting....Now over 60 (5 Feet)

Monday

So since I posted yesterday we have had 8.5 more inches of snow.  So we are around 59 inches now.  I cleaned the rear deck just before bed last night and this morning we had about 3 more inches out there.  Bonnie needed to run to Warsaw this morning so I headed out and got the driveway cleaned out.  The snow plugged a lot at the end of each pass but I finally got it done.  Good thing was that it was not snowing and in fact the sun was out a time or two.  Bonnie was home before I finished so I guess it took be quite a while.

I showered and changed clothes.  Then we left for Hamburg.

Big difference from yesterday, clear and sunny, I love it.

Bonnie had an appointment and we made it a few minutes early.  We were there a couple hours and headed home.  We made a quick stop to drop off a few things for Alexus and then continued home.

Lots of icicles at Elizabeths house

We had some delicious chili that Bonnie had made over the weekend.  Then I changed and headed for court.  Finally home from there and time to relax.  The moon is up and beautiful so far not snow lets hope we get a few days snow free.

UPS did bring my replacement GPS today and walked it in all the way from the road.  The driveway was cleared but has snow on it, I wonder if they have some rule about that.  Anyway nice of them to bring it in the other day the driver tied it to the mail box post in a plastic bag.  Both our GPS needed the new maps installed and that took about 3 hours each, so thats done too.  Time for some sleep now.

Tuesday

Cloudy again but does not appear that we got much snow overnight, hard to tell since I did not clean the deck last night.  We do have a promise for more this afternoon and tonight so after I run around for court I will clean up what remains around here.

It snowed while I was out running around enough to make the roads slick.  I had my morning banana and washed dished.  Then changed clothes and went out to clean the deck, the pavers, and the driveway.  I even shoveled the stairs up to the deck.  Good news while I was out they came and filled our propane tank, 189.4 gallons.  Thanks to the delivery man as he had to tromp through some pretty deep snow to get to the tank and then clean off snow to get to the fill port.

The propane fill port is unburied and the tank is full

I really appreciate his effort since I was not here to help.  Here is a picture of the garage roof, we have had over 60 inches of snow and you can see how much it has packed down.

Packed down to less than 2 feet.

You can see the layers in this close up

Kind of a heat wave today up into the 20s today.  Bonnie got back from the Dr and shopping and we carried in the groceries.  Now for a little TV and hope to get to bed early.  I worked on the snow for about 3 hours earlier and am tired.



Wednesday

The alarm went off at 6am, I checked and there is only 1 inch of new snow.  We are headed to the mission today to volunteer.  I unburied the trash yesterday so hoping it gets picked up today.

Nice drive downtown today.  Elizabeth was not feeling well so after 2 hours we got back in the car and headed home.  All was well until we got back to Wyoming County.  The Lake Effect Snow Machine has kicked in again and we had 3 or more new inches on top of the inch we got last night.  Bonnie laid down as soon as we got home, not feeling well either.  I napped and watched a little TV.

Well the snow so I headed out to clear everything.  I have stopped counting inches of snow and am switching to feet.  We got a half foot of snow today and now that it is moved maybe the blacktop of the driveway will appear again.  We have lots of ice so I am hoping it all will melt the past few days.

Well I am beat, time to relax, post this and maybe nap a little.

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"If Your Dreams Don't Scare You, They Are Just Not Big Enough"

More Snow and Still More Snow

Thursday

Woke up to light snow again this morning looks like a couple new inches since I cleaned the deck last night.  Bonnie has to take her sister to the Dr today so I need to get out and clean the driveway.

Just getting started (Turned out to be my view a lot this week)

The snow was like paste again and kept plugging the chute at the end of the runs.  The snow is wet next to the blacktop and then freezes once it is exposed.  It continued to snow as I cleared and about another inch came down in the 2 hours it took me to clear the snow.

Two hours later

We could use an afternoon of sun but not seeing that for the next few days, lots of ice on the driveway and I am hoping to not have to put chains on the tractor.

The sun tried to burn through but no luck

Heard these are call "Selfies" so I snapped one

Bonnie left to take her sister and the Lake Effect moved north and cranked up here again.  Alexus called hoping for a ride home, but then found a ride with a friends Grand mother, I just had to call the school and say ok.  Her mom is in a meeting and could not call, but said ok.  Just heard she is home safe, good.  Snowing hard again.  UPS dropped my package off out at the road, tied it to the mailbox pole.

Bonnie made it home and brought her sister with her for the night.  Tomorrow they are heading over to Warsaw if the weather is fit to travel.  The snow bands moved north but will pass by here on their way south again later this evening.  Looks like I will be blowing snow again in the morning.  Not much else to report on tonight.



Friday

Well we got another 4 or 5 inches overnight.

The railing were all clear last night

Bonnie and her sister needed to go to Warsaw so I headed out to clear snow.  I did the driveway all around the pavers, and the rear deck.  Took me over two hours.  It snowed while I was out there so I was soaked inside and out.  I popped something in my back while I was shoveling so have had heat on my back and took it easy all day.

Bonnie got home after dark and we carried in the groceries, I think it has stopped snowing for the night.  Looking out back we have another 3 or 4 inches on the deck.  Watched the news and the forecast is for a snow storm for the whole area tomorrow, not lake effect but a real storm so the whole area will get snow.  Could be 10 inches or more, oh boy.

Not much else to say about today.

Saturday

Looks like another 4 inches or so of snow this morning.  I cleared the driveway and headed up to court for a couple hours.

Just as i headed into the house I spotted a broken bolt on the ground, never a good sign.  I recognized it and had a spare.  So I put the new bolt in and went in to change clothes.

Never good to see a broken bolt after you have run the tractor.

Bonnie was baking and cooking.  I got home and we got ready to leave for the Camping club party.  Its snowing but I think it will be all right to go.

We left home around 4PM and headed for North Tonawanda about 44 miles.  We made a quick stop in East Aurora at the bank and then jumped on the 400 to the 90 to the 290 to get there.  We had one car lose control on the 400 up in front of us and bounce off the guard rail.  There were two other cars stopped and they were getting out of the car so we continued.  We move along pretty good until another car lost control right in front of us.  He weaved back and forth and got stopped without hitting anything, we eased past him as he composed himself.

Lots of people were at the party when we got there and we ended up with 18 people, a pretty good turn out.  The food was excellent and after a short business meeting we did our traditional White Elephant exchange.

The girls catching up before we ate

Bob checking out his dancing dog.

Everyone was interested in see what the gifts were

After dessert we convoyed toward home with the Rindo's.  We split off at Route 77 and they continued to Batavia.  Our roads were pretty good and we only saw one deer as it jumped over the guard rail and off the road.  I picked up the phone to text them just as they did us.  We were both home safe.  Bob face timed me and we chatted for a few minutes.  My sister then chatted with me for a few minutes on AIM.  Bonnie and I watched a recorded show while the washer and dryer ran.  Now its time to call it a day.  Its still snowing but not too hard we only got a couple inches since I cleared the driveway today.

Sunday

Still snowing when we got up this morning.  Not a lot of new snow but several inches.  We are not going out until later today so I will clear the driveway later.  We will be headed to the children's pagent this evening at church.  So we are catching up on recorded TV again.  Bonnie made biscuits and gravy for brunch and is working on goulash for later on today.

My back is still sore but I am able to get things done.  I went out about 1:30 and cleared another 9 inches of snow off the back deck, that only took about 30 minutes.  Then back to TV, good news the Bills are winning right now.  Still have to clear the driveway and of course its still snowing.

Clean Deck again

We watched one show and then I went out to clean the driveway so we could get out to go to the pageant at church.  I started to blow snow and it was just right for packing in the chute again so I had to dig it out quite often.  It started snowing harder and harder.  I snow was piling up on the tractor and on me.  My carharts got soaked through hope they dry before I have to go out again.  I am running out of places to put the snow.  While I was out it snowed over two inches.

You can see the new snow line

It is really coming down

 Lots of snow, thats how Lake Effect is.  The band is only 8 miles wide.  It was working its way north and normally will sink back south as the wind shifts in the evening hours.

The band of snow with us in the middle

 Its coming down at a rate of 3-4 inches an hour.  The road out front is a mess.  While we were discussing that we probably should not go out tonight I got a text that the Pageant at church was cancelled.  We were looking forward to it but its not safe to be out, the plows can not keep up with the snow.

Another 6 inches on the railings since about 4 or 2 hours worth of snow.

We just tried to watch the Hallmark Christmas movies I set up to record.  We got an error.  I thought I knew what happened.  I went out and cleaned a lot of snow off the Satellite Antenna, all is well again.  No recordings but we can watch one live.

So we are in for the evening.  We had over 51 inches of snow since Tuesday and that was this afternoon.  Stay tuned for new totals next week.

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"If Your Dreams Don't Scare You, They Are Just Not Big Enough"