THINK BEACH!

As I stare out of my front room window at the snow mountain that dominates my view, I can't help but think... WE'RE GOING TO THE BEACH. I'm not too excited...well, yes I am. Each time a flake falls and stacks up higher on my azaleas, I just go to the beach in my mind. I can picture it...cool ocean breezes taking away the stress of the day and warm, balmy days making the cool breezes oh so welcome. My family and friends with me and lots of things to see and do...or not..if that's what you choose. I'm there.

As for life in an igloo...I can't say that I'm for that very much. I don't mind the cold weather at all and a little snow is just beautiful. A mountain of snow is not so beautiful unless you are climbing the Alps or something. This is Virginia for goodness sake. This isn't even the Blue Ridge area where I grew up and winters like this were expected. This is the Piedmont and this should not be happening to us.

Of course, Luna the lab-mix loves this snow. She can't wait to get out and run and leap like a deer. Skeeter, on the other hand, is not a fan. It's over his head and his low ground clearance makes for a very chilly willy...so to speak. We had to dig a path for him so that he could walk safely outside. He is so funny. When he really doesn't want to do something, he'll look at you with those pitiful eyes and start to shake. Come to think of it..so do I. It must run in the family.

Speaking of family, Becky and Katie have had some big adventures lately. Becky is on a mission to retrain our parrot. She has set up an appointment with the bird specialist so that we can get to the bottom of all of his squawking. The specialist thinks that he's mad that Becky got married and moved out and didn't take him with her. (I am too!) So, he has given her this regimen of things to do to get him to be more cooperative and happy. Really?

Katie was supposed to visit with the Social Security folks on the 8th...cancelled because the federal government closed. It was rescheduled for the 9th... which was cancelled because the federal government closed again. Someone backed into her car and damaged her bumper so we now can look forward to the repair shop adventure. Needless to say, she has not been easy to live with lately.

Stephen is doing great. He hasn't had any big things happening lately. He is just so steady. He goes to work, pays his bills, talks to his girlfriend, and visits friends once in awhile. He is being very responsible. Now, he just needs to get back into school.

Ed's working on a new proposal for work so that takes most of his time. He has made a decision to go to New York monthly to see his dad. I think that's great. I have some pictures to post from Pop's 83rd birthday in New York a couple of weekends ago. I still need to finish editing but they'll be up soon.

For the most part, things here are fine. The snow is beautiful, the time with my family is fantastic and I am at the beach in my mind. Life is so good.