Life is Good on the Plains: December 2008

Thursday, December 25, 2008

Doodle, Snow and Dec Party

Spencer Doodle 9-months

Record December snow fall

Northern Pipe Christmas Party

After a quiet but fun Christmas morning off the three of us went for an hour walk. It was a beautiful day and we had fun getting out. The actual temperature was above ZERO (9 degrees) and the wind chill was only about minus10.
We miss family and friends...wish you were here!

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Blizzard Aftermath Story

Okay now we have experienced a full-force ND blizzard. Yep we had it all - white out conditions, 54 mph wind gusts, blowing snow...generally life-threatening conditions. So, how was I to know that my Eddie Bauer coat rated from zero to 20 degrees would not be warm enough??? As soon as this blizzard stops I think I need to go shopping! :)

The mall CLOSED yesterday because of the blizzard, which is almost unheard of around here. But the mall opened at noon today...and off I went to Eddie Bauer and promptly purchased their 'arctic' coat rated to minus 30 degrees, some fleece lined 'performance ski pants' and a new scarf and hat. That ought to do it I smugly thought (one can only hope). This venture has really cost Mike (the colder it gets the more I shop). I am not entirely sure what we will do with all this extreme winter gear when we leave this 'blankety, blankey, bleepin, god forsaken place - whew- that outburst felt good - but I hate being cold.

However, before I could venture out to the mall on my quest for the WARMEST coat, I had to wait for the snow removal guy to come dig us out. He nicely cleared our driveway, our front walkway, and our front door (yes the snow drifts covered our front door), yet another first for me here in ND - so one would think after all that - all is well in the world - the sun came out, the wind was not wailing at 50 mph, and I was going shopping!!

My trip to the mall was a success. My loot safely tucked in the back seat of the car, I was smiling as I listened to cheerful holiday music on my drive home - surely now I had beaten the ND winter...and would not be cold again...I rounded the corner to our house only to find that the snow plows had come through pushing snow up the driveway to totally block it AGAIN. There staring at me was a nice 3-foot wall of snow blocking access to my warm garage. I tried to ram the car over the snow bank - no luck. So I parked the car on the street to plan my next pioneer- type move. I would have to shovel a path to get the car through. So off I went...on my mission to prove that ND winter's can't get me. I waded through the deep snow, got the snow shovel out of the garage, and then proceeded to dig a path. I have never shoveled snow before. It was bitter cold - wind chills of minus 40 degrees. But, hey the sun was out and I was conquering ND.

I soon realized that I did not have the correct gloves. Note to self: DO NOT GO TO THE MALL WITH GIRLY FASHION GLOVES WHEN IT IS MINUS 40 DEGREES...BECAUSE IF YOU GET STUCK AND NEED YOUR HANDS...THE GIRLY GLOVES DON'T WORK! Within 5 minutes my hands suffered some painful frostbite and it hurt to breathe. But I kept shoveling...

I finished my task and bolted into the house. It has been several hours since this 'episode' and I am still COLD...and I am still swearing under my breath...blankety, blankety...where is summer? I am a SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA GIRL FOR GOD'S SAKE!! I think I need to go back to the mall and find the most expensive warmest gloves they make...good thing for Mike that I am too cold to leave the house.

I wish all our friends were here so we could have a drink and a good laugh. And, because it is more fun to suffer in groups...think of all the suffer fest bike rides we have done together. I am sure all our Oregon friends would just LOVE this...Well, no friends around? Maybe a shot of Bailey's and coffee will warm me up...

Mike and I will surely have some stories to tell the grand kids about our adventures in Fargo, ND...and of course as the years go by I will feel free to embellish! And, when we return to Oregon I promise NEVER to complain about rain and 37 degrees

Happy Blankety Blankety Holidays!
HoHoHo!!

Sunday, December 14, 2008

Blizzard 08

Today we are experiencing another North Dakota extreme - a full white out blizzard. The temperature right now is minus 7 degrees with a wind gusting at about 47 mph creating a wind chill of minus 50 degrees. Unreal. The snow drifts are up around 4 feet and have surrounded our front walkway - if we wanted to go out the front door we would have to dig ourselves out. Both interstates in ND are closed from Montana and Canada to the SD border. I ventured out with Mike and Spencer with camera in hand to capture a few pictures...if you want to view a picture full sized - just click on it. :) Stay warm!!

Friday, December 12, 2008

Bryan CCT Graduation - Earned the Red Beret

After much sacrifce, blood, sweat and tears Bryan earned the Red Beret. Jenilyn and kids sacrificed too in order for Bryan to earn this. June 2008

Coming into the finish...after a long hard year. This picture says it all.

Suffering

A proud day!

Thursday, December 11, 2008

Our Grandchildren

Mike and I are very blessed to have a LARGE and wonderful family. We now have 6- yes this is not a typo - 6-grandchildren. Here are some pictures of the brood!
Jack and Emma - Belong to Karen and Phil Miller
Ashley, Nathan, Daniel - Belong to Bryan and Jenilyn Floyd
Ayden - Belongs to Beth and Levi Ball

Daniel is now 5 and our first grandchild

Nathan, Daniel and Grandma

Nathan Halloween 08 -grandchild #5

Ashley Kay - grandchild #6

Karen and Emma at the zoo -Emma is grandchild # 3

Jack and Emma - Jack is grandchild # 2

Ayden waiting for his Daddy to come home from Iraq - Ayden is grandchild # 4

Happy Ayden!
Each one of these precious children are a blessing to us. We long for the day when we can all be closer to each other. Right now we are scattered all over the country!