Showing posts with label snow. Show all posts
Showing posts with label snow. Show all posts

Tuesday, March 10, 2015

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

Wednesday, February 5, 2014

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

Tuesday, January 21, 2014

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

Monday, January 6, 2014

What a beautiful day to be retired


18 inches of snow on the deck
"What a beautiful day to be retired" was the first text I received this morning from my brother Gary.  And I totally agree!

We received 12 inches of snow yesterday, and I awoke this morning to a -13 degree temperature and -41 windchill.

We are under a travel advisory which recommends NO TRAVEL.  And I'm fine with that...






Our Jeep is ready to go

And though most schools and businesses are closed, I'm still relieved that I don't need to worry about whether I should be at work or working remotely.  I remember all the times in the past I made a super-human effort to get to work in blizzards, and I'm happy those days are behind me.  Yes, it's a beautiful day to be retired!

We are fortunate to be cozy in our warm home with lots of food in the 'fridge.  And Mike and I recognize how lucky we are to be together now and not 500 miles apart.

Plastic frosty smiles at the real stuff...


We are definitely staying inside today, possibly with the exception of my crazy husband who wants to say he has experienced this low of a temperature.  What can I say? (Oh yes, he did take several of these pictures...)










And what kind of cruel hoax is this anyway?






Take care and be safe!
Diane








Saturday, December 14, 2013

Donuts in a snow storm.

No, we did NOT eat all 6 donuts! We have leftovers...


Joy. Donuts in a snow storm.  

Our latest holiday tradition is to head out for donuts if there is a snow storm overnight.  So when we awoke this morning to several inches of snow, we were compelled to jump in the Jeep and head to Dunkin' Donuts.

I guess it's kind of like school kids getting a snow day.  You don't have to go to school (or work), you get to play, have fun and eat snack (junk) food.

Now the only problem I foresee is the frequency of  snowstorms this winter.  We've already had two donut trips and it's only mid-December...







Here's a quick tour of our world on Saturday:

Gotta love a Jeep in snow!






Lights and snow

Front yard

Armillary in snow

Backyard

Where have all the flowers gone?

My newest flower bed, planted last summer...

Ho! Ho! Ho!  What's up with the snow?




We enjoyed our snow day with hot tea and coffee at the kitchen table, addressing Christmas cards and watching the beautiful snowfall.

I hope you can take a moment to relax with a hot beverage and enjoy the beauty and peace of the season.

Diane




Saturday, December 7, 2013

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