Life in the Snowglobe

Someone must have shaken our globe!

On Tuesday night the snow started to fall. I had already planned to stay home on Wednesday because after the first two hours of snow fall we had about 6 inches and it wasn't suppose to stop until Wednesday afternoon.

Jimmy and I had snuggled up for a movie when I received a phone call from my boss saying UW had cancelled classes and not to come in the next day. This was the first time in over 20 years that UW cancelled classes because of snow. At this point they were forecasting a blizzard with up to 16 inches when all was said and done.

When I awoke on Wednesday I looked outside and everything was white. I got Dash to take him outside only to find out he is terrified of snow and would not step off of the front porch. I thought how bad can it be. So I forced him off the porch. We both took a few step and sunk. He was basically swimming in the snow. It was up to his head.

So I quickly dug a path for Dash so we both could easily walk out to road for more clearance.

Once outside this is what I saw:

As you can see, the snow was really deep. Look at the level at Jimmy's legs.


This is me jumping into the big snow piles from the deck. It was like jumping into a swimming pool.

The path that we made in front of the house.

This is me jumping into a snow pile.

The back deck. Look at the grill.

Front porch.

Tree in the front yard.

Around 7am on Wednesday.

Let me tell you about my weekend

When I got back to work on Monday people were asking about my weekend and what I did. Some people went shopping, some stayed home, some went to grandma's and I went to Nashville.

We all traveled to Nashville to surprise Jen for her 30th birthday. All went well and she was very surprised and very pregnant too!

After the AppState v. Richmond game. It was close but at least we won!!

White Out

Looks like our first snow storm of the season is a few hours away. We are expected to get up to 11-14 inches overnight with lots of wind. Yippee....should be interesting. I will keep you posted.

What a difference a day makes.

No sooner did I post our first pictures of Christmas decor this happened. Enjoy.

Christmas Time Is Here!!

We bought our first real Christmas tree last night. I grew up with real trees but have had a fake tree during all of those years in an apartment. The lucky tree is a Blue Spruce, 6 feet tall. We bought it from a local boy scout troop. Here are some pictures that I took last night.

Goodbye Fall, Hello Tundra

It is that time of year again. I have been struggling to wear turtle necks and wool. This November has actually been really nice with above average temperatures. Just last week it was in the 60s but today the high is 36. The rest of the week will bring dropping digits with lows in the teens at night. Last year at this time we had already recorded a few inches of snow. No snow yet....but I know its coming.......

The Window Candle at Christmas

This may sound odd but for a long time the one lacking aspect of my Christmas decor were window lights. A small electric candle placed in each window of the house.

For my first house the window lights were a must! I quickly went to the store to find my window lights as soon as I saw Christmas displays in stores. They were hard to find as only a few of them existed in the store I visited. I found this sort of odd but then again it was before Thanksgiving and I thought most of the decor is not out yet.

I went home and happily placed the lights in each window. Mom and dad can vouch for this....putting up the window lights was my job growing up. I loved placing them in the windows, even though finding extension cords and new bulbs was frustrating the finished product was beautiful. The house windows were a glow...it was Christmas!

As we rode through our neighborhood last night I saw one other house with window lights. In North Carolina, Ruffin and Raleigh I see lots of window lights. Is this a southern thing? An east coast tradition? Irish? Colonial? Religious roots? What does it mean to have a light in your window at Christmas?

So being me I did some Internet searching and found out that window lights have very many origins. Irish, Colonial, Religious. The lights welcome strangers who need a room on Christmas Eve. They welcome Mary and Joseph, showing you have room for them in your house. The lights guide angels to the newborn son.

"Many homes in Ireland still today will show a lighted candle, or perhaps today's equivalent, and much safer, electric lights, in the window of their home on Christmas Eve. This stems from the custom that to show a light in the window lighted the way of a stranger out after dark. It goes back to most ancient times, when the laws of hospitality were stronger and not abused. To have a light in your window on Christmas Eve to welcome the stranger meant that you were welcoming the Holy Family too. To have no light meant that you shared the guilt of the Innkeeper at Bethlehem who said, "No Room"! " www.christmasarchives.com

In Colonial times the candle was lit to welcome home a loved one. It showed warmth and security. It was used not only at Christmas but also used to announce a birth or the visit of a dignitary. Or to just plain celebrate.

My other internet research indicates that window lights are more common in New England and the Southern states, which probably explains why I don't see many here. Do you see window lights where you live?

So I will enjoy my lights with a new meaning. Merry Christmas!

Another Dash Moment

I couldn't resist another video.

Wet and Wild Thanksgiving!

This year we did something out of the ordinary for Thanksgiving. Instead of sitting around the table spending the day eating turkey, dressing and pumpkin pie we slipped on our bathing suites and headed to the rides.

The Mercier's, Jimmy's dad and Jimmy and I went to The Wilderness for Thanksgiving. We rented a cabin and hung out at the waterpark from Wednesday-Friday. In case your curious, it is an indoor waterpark. A great time was had by all!!

I hope your Thanksgiving was a good one!

Daily Dash

Happy Thanksgiving!

I hope everyone enjoys a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday. I hope that you spend time with your family and friends and eats lots and lots.
We are headed up to the Dells tomorrow for Thanksgiving with the Mercier Family and Jimmy's dad.
Love, Anna

The story continues......

If you remember back to my posts about Chile my last phrase to Jimmy as we landed in Madison was, "where to next?"

We now have an answer to that question: SCOTLAND, July 2010. The best part about the trip is that the whole family is going. Jimmy, myself, Sara, Keith, Mom, Dad, Jimmy's dad Dave and his wife Marina. This is a once in a lifetime trip and we are all very excited. I am playing the role of travel agent extraordinaire, having lots of fun researching places to stay and touring options.

Watch out Scotland here we come!!!

Up

I have not lived here all that long but I have gotten attached to a few places. Like in Raleigh I was attached to The Rockford and Cat Banjo. I loved Chic fil A. I simply had to visit Tuesday Morning or get my haircut at Sam and Bills even though it was out of my way. I liked these places whether it was the food, the service, the atmosphere, the friendly people or just everything about the place.

Here I have grown attached to a little store called Up. They carried really cute, colorful and stylish clothes. The store was bright and cheerful and I found myself dropping by or window shopping every time I was wondering down State Street on my lunch break, which is quite often.

I have purchased clothing here, gifts and shoes and always received excellent service. The door was always open, sweet smells of candles coming from inside and a friendly face. The store was just plain cute!

All things must end. Yesterday while walking down State Street Up's door was closed and the beautiful coats that were normally on display in the windows were gone. The store was dark, the shelves empty and the door locked. Surely, they must be doing inventory? It can't be closed? I pressed my face to the door just to see if there was sign or an explanation but none could be found.

As I walked back to my office I was a little sad. This store was nice and had lots to offer State Street. Why did it close? Who owned it? Was there a closing sale and I missed it?
Who ever owned Up had a great idea for a store, sorry it could not have lasted longer.

Daily Dash

Time to Catch Up

Wow, I have not posted in a few weeks......time to catch up.
We had a really fun Halloween. We passed out candy to a ton of kids. We even dressed up too. Ginger, Aaron and the kids came up and we carved pumpkins and the kids went trick or treating.

Here is Jimmy dressed as Jason. He gave some kids a good scare.

I dressed up like the devil with horns, a tail and pitchfork. I passed out candy.
The pumpkins!

Ella is a cat, Joe a shark and Jack is The Continental from the Christopher Walken skit on SNL.

The Flu

Well, the flu has made its way to our house. At least I think it is the flu. Jimmy has a fever, cough and body aches. I just have cough. Hopefully it won't last very long. I am tired but not feeling too bad.

A weekend of accomplishments...

Nothing really exciting for you but for us we got a lot done around the house this weekend. We raked leaves, mowed the grass, painted the dining room, hung pictures, cleaned......boy are we tired!!

The dining room was painted a color called "sea salt" from sherwin williams. We still have a few touch up spots but for the most part it is done. We both love the color. I will post pictures of it soon.

Rain Rain Go Away

Wow, it is raining so much here. We have had sunshine for two days in the last 2 weeks and they are forecasting more rain until next Friday. Sheesh....I am tired of this rain!!! At least it isn't snow.....yet.

Other than the rain things are good here. Dash is doing well. Although we have realized he is a klepto. He takes things from around the house and then brings them to his bed and sits on them. His big fetish right now are towels. It doesn't eat them or chew them, he just keeps them.

Maybe he does this because at the kennel nothing was really "his." None the less, if we are missing something, we tell him to get up and normally the small items are on his dog bed.

Yesterday he ate a drier sheet. I guess his insides are Downy soft and static free.

Ode to the Peach House

For many years our family sold peaches from this little log cabin. We sipped sweet tea and ate cheese toast while waiting for our first customers of the morning. When the tractor would come in the baskets filled the front porch. Customers swarmed around snatching baskets and holding their bills. They smiled as they left with their cars full of peaches.
Sometimes there were so many people my sister and I had to assign numbers to each person as they arrived. While I was home I remembered a little song that Sara and I made up about our customers and their questions. (to the tune of My Darlin' Clementine)

Are they mella are they yella
Are they sweet and full of juice
Can you can them can you freeze them
Can you pull the peeling loose
I just need enough to make a pie
Or just enough for some ice cream
If I don't get my peaches soon I think I gonna scream
Are they Georgia Bells are they Albertas
Do they cling to the seed
A great big box of yellow cling frees is all I am going to need

Trip to NC

Despite the trauma at the airport our trip to NC was wonderful.
On Thursday we went to Old Salem. I think the last time I went there I was in 5th grade. Here is a picture of mom and dad at the tavern ordering lunch.
Jimmy and Dad touring the village.

On Friday night all of the girls came over for a Girls' Night Pizza Party. Just like old times. We had a blast.

Mary, Christie (plus little Payton) and Sara.

Snacking before the pizza arrives. Christie, Ethan and Mary

On Friday we took Bee to lunch at Mayberry's

Our group photo.

Sara and I on the front porch.

Nightmare Come True

Have you ever had an anxiety type dream? You know the one where you are in college but somehow have forgotten to take your exams and can't graduate. Or show up at a race and don't have on your running shoes. OR you show up at airport security just getting ready to check in and whoops your wallet is missing.

The later dream actually happened to me last Wednesday morning on our way to North Carolina.

I was cool, calm and collected all the way to the airport. For those of you that don't know I get kind of anxious on planes. I love to travel I just don't like the flight. But on Wednesday I was doing good nice and relaxed. I think my long flight to Chile cured some of my fear.

Jimmy and I arrived at the airport in Milwaukee, he checks his golf bag and we are headed to security. We are the only people in line. Jimmy hands over his license and boarding pass. They are checked. I on the other hand am panic strickened....MY WALLET IS LOST!!!! OH NO!! I can't go home, I have no credit cards, no ID, no passport, no nothing!!!

At this point we back up from the line and dump my entire bag on the floor. I probably look like some looney person but I really didn't care. Jimmy is going through my purse and I am sorting through my entire bag. No wallet! I have never been this absent-minded. I forget little things but not a wallet during a flight.

Jimmy decides that he will go back to our car and check the seats and floor. Our car by the way is at the Hampton Inn in Milwaukee, since our flight was so early we decided to stay overnight and park at the hotel and take a shuttle to the airport. Parking is cheaper at the hotel.

He races from the airport, jumps in the first cab and heads back to the hotel. Meanwhile, I am still going through my bag. I go through it 3 times. No wallet!! Too many horrible thoughts are racing through my mind. Tears are pouring, I am still frantically searching. Then I decide to just sit back and wait. Maybe he found it? Maybe we will be fine? I have finally started to gain some type of calmness when a lady approached me and nicely said, "I have seen you search your bag 3 times and I just wanted to say I hope your day gets better." I said thanks and started to tear up again.

It felt like hours before Jimmy returned, it was really only about 15-20 minutes.

HE FOUND IT!!! It was on the floor board in the back seat. It must have fallen out of my purse.
I guess I was so calm traveling this time I never even checked for my wallet. It was always in my purse and I had no reason to think otherwise.

I have never been happier to be on a plane!!

Our first UW Football Game

We made it to our first UW football game. It was a lot of fun. So many people...everyone in red! It was a great game and a beautiful day. Here are some pictures from the game.

This is part of the student section. I thought it was neat to see everyone in red.

Pictures of the Pooch

Here are some pictures of Dash.