Within a period of three weeks (at least I think it was three weeks) we had an ice storm, a 4.1 earthquake,and a house full of people coming for baths and water to flush their potties. Some who had no power for a week even stayed overnight with me. Believe it or not it was fun. But poor old Aiken, SC still looks like a battle ground with so many huge trees down. And did I mention there were frequent warnings of tornadoes?

Fortunately, I kept my heat, along with a gas log fireplace, but I did lose telephone service and computer service for a time. When we did have internet service my great-grandson was on the computer being home-schooled. We ran out of bread but no one seemed to mind that wse had to substitute hot biscuits.

I used to complain that we never had any snow. I’ve given up that moan…..at least until we have a summer-long thaw.

We did have one night during the most recent ice storm where we had a power outage overnight and I realized I am not nearly as prepared for disaster as I thought I was. I was tripping over cats and a dog while trying to find flashlights, candles or even one simple match. All but one flashlight had dead batteries. So now I’m motivated to get all that stuff together for tornado season.

I am seeing more red cardinals in my back yard, but I’m not sure how to attract them. Any suggestions? I would gladly trade this huge woodpecker that makes so much noise for a whole flock of cardinals. (Flock? IDK)

delightedabroad: Sending you love and encouragement– (and some of our nippy weather too, if I could!)

blondie: I WISH we could get to your neck of the woods and have you wear us out by touring all over, too! Who knows, maybe someday… Russ just ends up working mostly in the Scandanavian countries every time we venture abroad– can’t believe we have family in Germany and we haven’t taken gross advantage of it yet!Love and hugs from all the Taffs.

rachelbaker: OK, we’re gonna need to hear ALL about Disneyland Paris– with pictures, if you get some! So glad the flooding and winds have missed you all. Starting to sound like it is a crazy winter everywhere.

bettyrwoodward: I’ve also got Cornwall on my list of places to see…

Gramma Jac: Sounds like ‘grandma heaven,’ indeed– except for the trapped in the house, part! Please let us know how the new job is going– do you still have friends/coworkers there that you knew from before?

Caitlin and boys returned to WA–I continued to work during the day (more about that later) and tried to help Lia with the baby. Daddy works second shift–Lia was having trouble with breastfeeding, healing from c-sec–and hopefully just winter blues not postpartum depression.

My job was another stress–I’m a Speech Pathologist in nursing homes. FIVE nursing homes with a daily circuit of 160 miles–and I HATE winter driving. So in the midst of it all, I got a new job. Loved my facilities and the people I worked with–hated the drive. So today was my last day–Monday I start the new job (actually a former job I’m returning to). But bittersweet to say good-bye!!

So, while nothing has been horribly wrong (and much has been very RIGHT–gramma heaven having them all here!), it’s just been stressful and LONG!!! I personally will dance a jig when robins and tulips arrive. (Tho’ I may have to fit in jig-dancing lessons!)

Oh one other winter irony: dear 102-year old lady died here. Our former pastor flew here a couple of days ago to officiate. On Facebook his wife said it was strange–that he might not make it to Wisconsin because of an ice storm where they live now–in Georgia!!!! Weird weather! (But God was good and he made it!)

So good to hear from all of you!! More please!!! Oh, and a belated Happy New Year!!

I too can’t wait for spring to come, but there seems to be an unsaid rule for the people of the north east of England at the moment. We will not complain about the weather. Firstly, last winter the first snowfall was in October and the last was in April. This year, we’ve had a dusting, once. I have only had to scrape ice off the car three times all winter. Secondly, most of our country is suffering appalling devastation from flooding and hurricane force winds. We, on the other hand, well known for our less than favourable climate, have had some heavy showers, a few gusts of wind and a good number of sunny, milder-than-usual days. This winter, compared with the alternatives, has been a good one.

All that being said, this time last year I was in New Zealand, and I do long for a time when I will be ‘warm to the bones’ again. I’m just a summer person I guess.

Next week the kids are off school and we’re taking them to Disneyland Paris. I don’t imagine the weather will be anything remotely springlike but it should at least brighten the atmosphere.

This winter has been brutal here in Michigan. Bitter cold temps and mountains of snow piled up everywhere! I’ve always enjoyed it when it snows, but this year I’m getting a little tired of it.

As for activities, nothing cool like skiing or snowmobiling. My brothers and sister and I are taking turns caring for my 85 year old mother. She took a fall in June and had several seizures in the hospital and now can’t be left alone. She is adamant that she doesn’t want to go to a nursing home or assisted living, so we are doing our best to keep her at her home. My month to be on “Mom duty” is February and with this snow and ice, it’s very tricky to get her to a doctors appointments without slipping and falling…..her or myself! And I think she’s got that S.A.D. thing you’re talking about. That and she’s grieving over the fact that her doctor took her driver’s license away. Every day she informs me that she can drive just as good as I can! (And if you knew how I drive, you’d know that is a very weak argument.) But we had a good day today—-took her to the doctor and got a good report on her painful shoulder (no surgery), ate lunch at Olive Garden, and bought a boatload of food at Sam’s Club, and didn’t fall once! And though it was chilly, it was sunny! I enjoyed it and I think she did too. So it’s all good. We don’t need a light box. Just give us lunch and a driver’s license.