February 12, 2006
Nor'easter
Snow - We're currently in the midst of another Sunday morning Nor'easter. While I prefer having snowstorms on the weekend or overnight, I don't like it when they hit their stride on Sunday morning, keeping us from going to Mass. This should be a rather ordinary storm, dropping between 6 and 12 inches of snow. The kids will be happy because our snow cover has been gone for weeks and they haven't been able to do any sledding in the back yard.
I haven't written much because, aside from grandma's surgery, it seems to be an autopilot week. Things are wrapping up at work as we prepare for shutdown on Wednesday. Without breaking stride, I start at ATI on Thursday. Two items of mild interest happened this past week. First, Monday Claire's class had a music performance. Every year there's one. I expect I'll be attending Abby's soon. I brought Abby with me to see Claire's class perform and then took Claire and Abby out for ice cream at Blakes afterwards. Second, Friday after school Claire and two of her friends went to a 4th/5th grade Valentine's party at Hampshire Hills. It was a fundraiser for the Milford Mustangs. Other than that, the week has been marked with the usual events: piano, CCD, clarinet, YMCA, etc.
Movie - After the girls' gymnastics classes yesterday, I brought the twins and one neighborhood friend to pick them up and take them all to see Curious George. It was a cute movie. I don't predict it getting any awards, but it was well done, funny, and had nice themes. I'm glad that Claire isn't so "grown up" that she can't be seen at such a show. It helped that I brought my iPod along for the drive to and from the theater and let her navigate the van's music choices.
Stoves - Once I got home, I rolled up my sleeves and gave both wood stoves a thorough cleaning. You're supposed to do so roughly every ton of wood. It takes quite a bit of time and is a messy operation. Your arms come out looking like a chimney sweeps'. I kept my mouth closed throughout but let's just say that later when I blew my nose, the result was black. I know: too much information! We've used about 2 1/2 tons of wood so far this season and have a ton and a half left to get us through the rest of the season. On the plus side it's kept our propane usage way down.
Evening - We wrapped up the evening with some pizza from Sal's Pizza. Claire and Abby each had a friend sleepover. Hopefully it'll keep them entertained today as we fight off cabin fever. Aside from snowblowing and some minor honey-do's around the house, I'm not sure what's in store for today.
So I just looked at the pics from the Valentine's Party Claire went to, and I saw her, and I can't believe she's old enough to go to a real dance! How'd that happen? Wasn't she just born?!?!?!?
Cassidy went to a dance on Friday night too, at school, and Tom chaperoned another dance at the Moose Lodge for junior high students in River Grove- must have been the day for dances everywhere!
Went to Mass with Mom & Dad last night in honor of World Marriage Day- it was nice to see them renew their vows!
Enjoy your last few days at the old job!
Alyssa
Wow! You're right! I hadn't seen it but here it is:
http://www.milfordmustangs.com/files/dance_5.jpg
Posted by: Scott at February 12, 2006 12:01 PMSince you are getting all of this snow on the weekend, I hope all the kids get to enjoy it. They should get some good use out of the sleds on the hill. I do remember how much I enjoyed it last year at this time.
Last night Mom and I went to the Anniversary Mass at St. Cyp's and she renewed my marriage contract for another forty years. I hope the next forty years will be as good as the first forty! After the Mass, there was a reception in the Pavillion which we were invited to. We thought we were going for cake and coffee but it turned out to be a full dinner for all of the Anniversary couples (there were 16 couples) and their guests. Sometimes they really do things in a first class manner at St. Cyp's. I'm glad that Alyssa and Suzy were able to enjoy the evening with us.
Enjoy the last few days at the old job!
Dad
In the end we didn't have all that much snow. Weathermen have such a hard time giving good estimates. I think that when I went out at the end of the day to snowblow, there was only about 5 inches of light fine flakes. Usually southern NH gets denser, wetter snow but it was cold enough today to keep give it a lighter texture that was easy to cut through.
The girls had three friends over most of the day. While it was a struggle, they did manage to keep themselves entertained most of the day. The boys are always able to keep each busy.
In the evening Claire and I did some browsing through books we had on lives of the saints. (Thanks Grandma Donna!) While looking into the historical eras that the various saints lived, we came up with some new terms for the marriage between Michelle and I. There's BC for "Before Claire" (ie. pre-children) and AD for "After DooBees" (DooBees are the twins).
Besides snow clearing I had a few minor honey-do's accomplished. I had to fix a door stop literally ripped out of the baseboard by one of the children. My children?! Who would have thought?! I changed a few curtain rods in anticipation of some new valences that Michelle is picking up this week. I also renewed my IEEE membership and upped my life insurance (again). Sometimes I joke that if the insurance is *too* high, Michelle is going to off me!
Posted by: Scott at February 12, 2006 07:57 PMWow! I was just reading how much snow other parts of the northeast got! We got off "Scott free". For instance, see:
http://thewmurchannel.com/weather/6968007/detail.html
New York got about 27 inches. By the time the storm hit us, it didn't even dump half a foot. Go Figya!