The End of the Month

It's hard to believe the end of the month is here. I'm glad I decided to take vacation at the beginning of February-I need a break. Hopefully my cold will be gone and I'll start feeling better. I have a few plans, but basically I'm just glad to be off work. I need to make it through 3 more days. Give me strength!

Frustrating

It's been a frustrating morning. Sam has been whining, I can't find my pedometer-which should be on my nightstand where I thought I put it last night. I've used it for 880 days in a row-today I'll miss it. I went upstairs for a moment and returned to find Sam had eaten the rest of my salad. I'm still sick, but feeling better. I'll go in to work this afternoon and pray for a quick, good shift. I need to get through this week, then I have a week of vacation!

Blizzard of 77 Slideshow

35 Years Ago

It was 35 years ago today that it hit; the Blizzard of '77. I was just a kid, so to me it was a great adventure, nothing scary. My main memory is getting to my grandparents house. Normally it was a 5 minute drive-not so this time. My parents and I set off, driving, but we couldn't cross the border between Kenmore and Buffalo. We left the car and set off on foot. When we got to their street we couldn't believe what we saw. In the middle of the road was a mountain of snow, higher than the 2 story houses. I'll never forget that sight! Apparently, the blizzard only brought 6-12 inches of snow with it; it was the 38 inches already there that caused the problem, along with the 30-40 mile an hour winds which buried cars and houses and stranded hundreds...if not thousands. Here are some pictures compiled from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Buffalo District publication entitled "Operation Snow Go - Blizzard of '77". Here's another site with some great photos. You can also watch some clips on Youtube. If you're on Facebook, like Perry's ice cream and you can see many more pictures and recollections. You can also try their commemorative Blizzard of '77 ice cream-Zero Visibility. I survived the Blizzard of '77...and I have the board game to prove it!

Sore Throat

The day is getting away from me, but I'm just so pleased I'm not at work. Unfortunately, my migraine has returned and meds aren't kicking in. I also have a feeling I'm coming down with a cold. A sore throat woke me up during the night-and kept me up for a bit. Once I woke it pretty much went away-but it's still lingering a bit. I just want to enjoy this 3 day weekend, make it through next week at work, then a week of vacation! I'd better be healthy then!

Peanut Butters

Before I go to work, or leave for Buffalo, I give Sam a peanut butter filled marrow bone. Sometimes warm, usually frozen. He enjoys it and it keeps him busy. With his "peanut butters" he couldn't care less that I'm leaving. He's whining now...I think he knows it's close to time for him to get his treat.

The Year of Black Water Dragon

Gong Xi Fa Ca! Wishing you prosperity at the start of this new year-the lunar new year. This year is the year of the dragon and I hope it brings great things.
 

Squirrel Appreciation Day

Today is Squirrel Appreciation Day. Be sure to put out some extra food for these cute fellows and enjoy their antics. I put a new peanut suet cake in the holder and filled up the "bird" feeder.

Photo Phriday - Kodak

janis joplin-move over

Raise Awareness Wednesday - Wildlife Rehabilitaion

I'd like to share the wonderful work that wildlife rehabilitators do. These wonderful people, who rarely get notice or donations, help those critters that many people don't think about. Here's a site that gives information and can help you find a local rehabber: The Wildlife Rehabilitation Information Directory.

Wallace

Wallace

January 15, 2010 - January 16, 2012

When I got home from work last night I discovered that Wallace had crossed the Rainbow Bridge. Wallace was the last of the Cheektowaga Boys, surrendered to a rescue after an "animal husbandry project". Wallace was the most timid of the bunch, but over time he blossomed into a loving boy-always looking for a cuddle. Those boys were never healthy, but Wallace seemed to be doing the best-looking great until recently. His death was sudden though, and unexpected. I'm grateful for the time we had together. I'll miss you Wallace, but now you can play with your brothers again.

MLK

It's MLK Day, but I have to work. What about you?

Siberian Husky Mixes

Although neither my Brioche (who has crossed the Rainbow Bridge), nor my Sam look like a traditional Siberian Husky-I was told when I adopted each that they were Siberian Husky mixes. Brioche was supposedly Siberian Husky/White Shepherd and Sam a Siberian Husky mix (personally I think he has some Setter in him as well-but that's a guess). I adopted Brioche in Texas, but eventually we moved to New York state and she got to experience winter...and snow. At that point I became convinced that Brioche was indeed part Siberian Husky. She loved the snow and would just stand in it and stare, enjoying the cold. Sam is exactly the same way. Just before bed I let him out for his last business of the night, he does it, but then doesn't want to come in. He stands, in a drift, and stares; while I'm bundled up in the single degree temps!

Learning

I love to learn. I've always said that if I was independently wealthy I'd just keep going to school. I have so many varied interests as well. Time, however, is a bit of an enemy. It seems all I do is sleep, work, take care of the kids, and run errands. I haven't crafted in a while-although I have a few projects I need to start. However, I've decided to take 2 classes. In February I'll be going to the New York Wine & Culinary Center to take a one day class to learn how to make chocolate truffles! I've also applied to take part in an online writing course: Kiss Me or Kill Me: Writing Cozy Mysteries 101 for Romance Writers. Linda O. Johnston, a favorite author, is teaching the course through the Orange County Chapter of the Romance Writers of America. I admit...I'm not a romance writer, but I read them, and I'm looking forward to learning.

Photo Phriday - My Siberian Mix

Winter?

I've been laughing a bit as I hear of snow covering my friends in Oklahoma and Texas, when all I have here in WNY is rain and balmy temperatures in the 40's. That's about to change, however. Friday is supposed to still be warm...but snow coming and Saturday the high will only be in the teens. We even have a winter weather advisory starting tomorrow. Nothing major, just things getting back to normal for this time of year!

Alela Diane - "Dry Grass & Shadows" (DUMBO Session West)

Offically Over..Kind Of

Since yesterday was Epiphany the Christmas Season is officially over. Since I'm off work tonight, I'll keep the outside lights on tonight so that I can enjoy them, but this will be the last night. I'll remove the outdoor extras tomorrow, and get to the lights soon. The weather is perfect for removing them-it's too warm for January. As for the indoor stuff...not sure. The tree may stay another week. We'll see. In Poland the Christmas Season lasts all the way until Candlemas-so I have til February 2nd!

Photo Phriday - Truth in Advertising?

Dentist

I went to the dentist this morning for my 6 month cleaning. No cavities...but plenty of gum inflammation. I admit, I don't floss as regularly as I should. It was also recommended that I use an electric toothbrush. My mouth is quite tight and it's difficult to clean everything-the electric is supposed to clean much better than a manual brush ever could. We also talked about my lost tooth. They're recommending a bridge. I don't mind not having the tooth-you can't see it anyway, but the ones next to it are slowly starting to shift and the one under it is getting higher-trying to fill the gap. In time this could become problematic. My insurance apparently will cover the whole thing-so I suppose I should have it done while I still have it! I haven't made the appointment yet...but I guess I should just resign myself to getting it done. Ugh.

Drained

I feel drained. I may be coming down with something-but I'm fighting it off. I don't feel too bad, just tired and drained...and periodically a little dizzy and nauseous. I woke up with a sore throat yesterday-but that quickly went away. I got to bed earlier than usual last night. I'll have to do so the next 2 nights as I have to get up early Thursday for a dentist appointment and Friday to drive an hour and a half away for a mandated state doctor's appointment. Ugh.

Want a Cookie?

I never did any holiday baking, although I may do some winter baking. Fortunately, I was the recipient of homemade cookies from my mom and a friend. I did see some wonderful cookie recipes I'd love to try.  I subscribed to a few holiday cookies of the day e-mails and I was even involved in a Christmas Cookie Contest at Mystery Lovers' Kitchen. I submitted 2 of my grandmother's recipes and one was chosen as a finalist-Raspberry Rollups. The results-a tie! Raspberry Rollups tied Spicy Gingerbread Cookies. We're now in a runoff. My recipe is a bit behind, but it's close with 2 days left to vote. Did you do any holiday baking? Did you try some new recipes, stick with the old reliables, or a little of both?

Wacky Weather

We had a green Christmas this year and the temperature on New Year's Eve was in the mid 40's. Very strange for this time of year in WNY. New Year's day started pretty warm as well as Sam and I went on our walk, but by the time I got to work the wind started picking up and the temperature started to drop. It also started to rain. Halfway though the evening the winds got wild (we had a wind advisory) and it got colder. As I left work it was windy and drizzly. I co-worker coming in for the next shift warned me to drive carefully and "keep both hands on the steering wheel". It didn't see that bad as I walked to my car...but then I started to drive. The drizzle turned into snain-that wet stuff that looks like snow, but doesn't accumulate and acts more like rain. The snaining continued and the winds picked up. At a stop light I saw sheets of snain! I got on the highway and the snain soon turned to snow-and the winds buffeted my car. Both hands on the wheel. At least the roads were clear...until I started to get close to home. The roads were becoming snow covered and the snow was coming at me...until I was about 5 minutes from home. The snow stopped and all was clear, windy, but clear. This morning it's about 32. There's a small amount of snow-but roads and sidewalks are clear. However, we're under a lake effect snow warning. It's going to start snowing this evening and through tomorrow. Tomorrow the high is only supposed to be 14. It'll be a short walk tomorrow Sam!

Welcome 2012!

Happy New Year! I usually spend time on New Year's Eve reviewing the past year. I didn't do that this year, at least not in depth. Instead I'd like to take time today to focus on the upcoming new year. I'm not making any resolutions-but there are a few things I'd like to try to do. Write more. Since being forced onto evening shift, I haven't written much of anything. I'd like to write more-including more work on my book! Get the house in order-and try to keep it that way. Find more joy in work...even if that means finding a new job...if that's even possible. Here's hoping 2012 brings much joy and happiness. Happy New year!