Too Much Snow!!!!

For the past several days we have been getting way too much snow. We appear to have gotten about 10 to 12 inches of snow on Friday and then on Sunday the blowing and drifting started. I was able to make it to work on Friday morning but we all glanced out the windows in worry as the snow storm got so severe that we could not see the Hall of Justice building just one block from our office. There were several "white outs" declared throughout the day and I was growing concerned on whether I could make it home in my car. From our office windows, we could see pick-up trucks having a hard time driving down the city streets and passenger vehicles getting stuck. I was hoping that my hired snow blower, Dan, would make sure my driveway and sidewalk was cleared for me. A call to my neighbor did not reassure me that it was cleared. After a slow drive home I was so relieved to find my driveway and sidewalks cleared by Dan, my snow blowing guy, or so I thought. I later found out that my neighbor, Mark, did the job with his powerful machine. He came on Sunday to clear the snow again and confessed that yes, he was the snow angel. I thanked him although thanks is really not enough.
Although the snow and roads were terrible on Friday evening, Lisa and I ventured out to Dart Auditorium to see the Christmas concert by Sistrum and the Lansing Gay Men's Choir. The concert was well worth it and we got to see our friend Irene perform. We sat with Irene's husband Jon, and also ran into Becky and Jim and a fellow Habitat board member, Pat. The roads were not cleared but we made it there and back without too much trouble.
On Saturday, I spent most of the day adding the finishing touches to my Christmas gifts. I had to take time out to clear the driveway of the piles left by the snowplow. I am way too old and out of shape to do that heavy work but Lisa and I wanted to get to another concert and there was no way I could drive over the wall of snow. The concert at Studio 1210 in Old Town was fun. A few members of Mystic Shake performed some questionable Christmas songs. One a parody of "Walking in a Winter Wonderland" with new lyrics..."Walking Round in Women's Underwear", was absolutely hilarious and is still rattling around in my head. I don't know if I will ever sing the former song correctly now. The main performer for the concert, Jen Sygit, was excellent. She and fiddler Tamanay sang Christmas tunes and some of Jen's songs from her soon to be released CD.
Sunday was to have been our family Christmas celebration at my Mom's but the weather and illness changed our plans. Jim, Wendy and the boys could not make it. The roads were just too treacherous to attempt a drive from Grand Rapids carrying all that precious cargo. Jackson was ill and so Terri, Rodney, and Madeline did not make it to the celebration either. With ten of the seventeen not at the party, it was a little less fun but we managed to put a big dent in the supply of wonderful food anyway. Mom's fudge was really yummy. I made my famous meatballs and crab dip and added some spiced pecans to my contribution. Everyone thought they were tasty. The left overs will keep for Christmas Day. We exchanged gifts, I can't discuss them since some have not been delivered yet. We spent the rest of the day watching my new Birthday DVD, Mamma Mia. Thank you Lisa!!!!! We danced and sang and had fun with the movie. Even Jessica and Xander enjoyed singing and dancing. We also played Chicken Scratch. A game played with dominoes that I learned from my ex-husband's family. Xander had a good time playing the game and he is learning how to be a graceful winner and a not so sad non-winner. This was the second time he has played Chicken Scratch and I am really impressed with his skills as an almost four year old.
With the subfreezing temperatures and Arctic winds, I am very relieved that my car has started without a problem and has been able to make it through the deep snow on the roads. Today is just the FIRST day of Winter...............................I can't wait until Spring arrives.