Finding fun in winter

It's that time of year when we go stir crazy with all the snow and cold weather.

A winter wasteland.  Where the ground and sky meet, park benches are empty, and flower pots beg for flowers.

So, we have to make our own fun and laughs...

Donkeys?

Professor

Last Friday we enjoyed a local antique mall.  And Mike found all the props...

Number 9

Firefighter at the ready

And to add a dash of fun, why not travel with a cat?  Actually our cat Gilbert is diabetic and needs shots twice a day.  So he travels with us on short overnight trips..

From carrier 

to co-pilot

to fancy cat hotel

He is a trooper for sure.  Of course the amount of stuff we have to pack increases ten fold, but we want to take care of our little buddy.

And sometimes a little sign invites you inside...

Hope you are having a great week and enjoying sunshine and warmth wherever you are!

Diane

Olympics and weather: is there anything else to talk about?

Snowy drive to Southern Indiana last weekend

Weather. Weather. Weather.  It's part of every conversation these days.

• With our trusty cell phones and iPads, we helped friends navigate through an ice storm in Alabama as they made their way to warmer weather in Florida.  And of course when they finally arrived, they informed us that it's 67 degrees.  
• We canceled events with friends because of predictions of ice and freezing rain.  
• We headed out early when traveling to mom's to avoid another snowfall (and good thing we did since we got 5 inches of snow here last Friday).  
• We pulled out our lightweight coats when the temps hit 45 degrees, and I finally got to walk outside (while dodging slushy and icy patches on the road).  
• An Indiana-Iowa basketball game was cancelled when a piece of steel fell into Assembly Hall because of ice and snow on the roof. 
• And we are now bracing for storms and flooding today as temps hit the upper 50's.  





Concrete statue last summer: how it should be.

• And next week the forecast is for another polar vortex.

Concrete statue today: covered with snow. 

But the Olympics are a bright spot. We look forward to watching the events at night even though we usually know the outcomes from the news apps on our iPads.  Even our cat, Blue Belle,  seemed to be fascinated by the downhill ski event.  Unfortunately I didn't get a picture of her batting at the screen.

Blue Belle watching the Olympics

Texas primroses on the deck last summer

And I dream of warm days ahead.  We plan to build a raised garden this Spring and try our hand at growing vegetables.  And I wistfully remember all the flowers from last summer.  I remind myself each day that passes is another step closer to Spring.  Not an easy thing when I prefer whining about the weather...


Have a great week!
Diane

All things snow

Our new tradition of Dunkin' Donuts after a snowstorm.

7 inches of snow = Jeep + donuts + a drive through Eagle Creek Park.  

We're retired. Why not?

We headed to Eagle Creek Park to enjoy the snow.  Normally we enjoy this park on bikes.

We forged a new path through the park before the snowplow.

Good tires are a must...

As are trusty boots...

Where is the picnic food?

Again...where is the picnic food?

Where are the kids?

Seriously?  Register Now Summer Day Camps.

No speeding today.

And after a wonderful morning playing in the snow, a beautiful Hibiscus bloom reminds me Spring is right around the corner...

I hope you are enjoying this day wherever you are!

Diane

Everlast

ing.  All things winter... 

It's January.  Time drags on. Snow keeps coming.  Sub-zero temps abound.  And then there's that lingering cold I've had since December.  And that stupid elbow fracture I've been recovering from since November.  As you can see, it's already been a very long winter, and I might be a bit whiny...







I generally try to be upbeat, but it's been a challenge so far this winter.  Here's my best attempt to find the upside...

I've just graduated to my 3rd antibiotic in 30 days.  As the pharmacist says, it's the "big guns" antibiotic.  I'm trying to be optimistic that this will kick this sinus thing once and for all.

My fractured elbow is improving.  I've graduated in my physical therapy from mobility exercises to light weights to strengthen the elbow.  And despite the fact that I think the medical profession may lack a sense of humor, I got the physical therapist to laugh today.  So imagine this:  a wooden cutting board with a wide strip of Velcro glued to it, and a you roll a Velcro covered lint brush back and forth across the cutting board.  Despite how strange that sounds, it really hurts my elbow.  A simple comment of  "who knew Velcro could be painful" and she about fell off her chair...

And despite a fresh snowfall every few days, it really is a beautiful winter.  And when the sun shines we get to see the bluest sky...

And though our winter world is usually black and white (and blue), I can still find a few flowers and beautiful plants in my house.

Yesterday I cleaned the exercise room, and I know it's been a long time when I had to dust  cobwebs off the treadmill.  Generally when I'm sick don't exercise, but enough of that attitude.  I'm going to try and force my body to get healthy!  And I've been walking on the treadmill for two days in a row.  New trend?  I hope so.

Snow roll.  Photo by M. Heart.

We spent a fun day with our friends Kevin and Kathy at their home in Illinois.  And I got to see my first "snow roll" ever.  Basically it's a weather phenomenon where the winds rolls up the snow into a wintery cinnamon roll. Very cool!














And Sunday was a day of football at Brian and Stacy's house.  You would think that Peyton Manning still played for the Colts as loud as everyone yelled when the Broncos beat the Patriots.  And yes everyone wore their Peyton Manning #18 Colts jerseys...

And I'm excited about an invitation to write guest blog post on a new retirement web site called Retirement and Good Living.  If you are interested, you can check it here:  http://retirementandgoodliving.com/a-new-chapter-retirement/

So goes winter here in Indiana.  I'm trying to like the snow, but I'm dreaming of a warm beach somewhere...

Hope you are staying warm, wherever you are.

Diane

Winter wonderland

Handmade tree from Pam and George

As we decorated for the Christmas season this week, nature added it's own decorations. We received our first major snowfall this week with six inches of f white powdery snow blanketing the area.

 I thought you might enjoy a view of this beautiful winter wonderland...

Front yard

Friday was a day robbed of color.  The world was black, white and shades of gray...

Back yard unspoiled

First snow for our "saved" park bench

Pansies' last gasp

Backyard texture

Sentries guarding the tree. We found this scene as we drove through the countryside. 

Our house during the snow storm

I hope you are finding time during this busy season to enjoy the beauty of the lights (and yes, the snow).

Diane