Winter Wimp

I know.  I haven't been here in a while but really, it IS the weather's fault. 

It's either been freezing cold or nice and warm outside!  No in between - just 30-40 degree swings back and forth and then back again. 

I see signs of spring in the garden and then when I go out again, those signs are frozen.  Glad I don't have fruit trees at this time of year.  We've already had our ice storm for the season - way back at the beginning of December.  So the though of the impending one strikes fear in my heart and toes.

Yes, you read that right .... toes.   I detest cold toes.  I don't like to wear shoes and socks.  The building maintenance people removed my little heater that I used to protect my toes.  So now I keep my fur lined boots at work to warm my toes.

Hmmm.  It just occurred to me that the only boots I have are for winter.  I'm a native Texan and I don't own cowboy boots.  Can you tell it's Stock Show time?

My new great niece went to the Stock show yesterday with her new grandparents.  My sister sent pictures of Maddie on a long horn steer yesterday.  

So no pictures.  It's too cold for cameras.  Yes, this winter wimp doesn't like it when the high for the day is at 5:30 am.  That's just downright wrong!

Craziness

Yes, Sam sleeps face down when he's tired

Oh my, after the ice storm, we have 70 degree weather.  The good news is that my toes are finally thawed.

I was able to sneak out of work early Friday (mind you, my version of sneaking out is to tell my boss that I'm leaving early to warm my toes before the next batch of ice arrives) and the train I caught took me part way to the end station.  I left early enough (about 2pm) that the Orange line only goes half way.  So, my fellow travelers and I got dumped out into the partly cloudy but warm train station.   I've had to do this once or twice before - even once when it was below freezing - the train broke that time and we had to wait a longer than normal amount of time as the other trains passing through were packed like sardines.  Oh, back to this story:  we only had to wait 8 minutes but it was so nice to be outside in the warmth.  

 And  Saturday.  What can I say?  It was nice and sunny.  That's it.  That's all that needs to be said.  

Well,  actually my brother and sil decided to go up to my Mom's a day early.  We put away all her Christmas decorations.   and put away.   found some more and put away even some more.  After lunch, we kept finding small things so we kept putting it away.   

For such a small house, she has more closets and storage than I do.  I sure would like a big closet where boxes and tubs can be stored for those things that just don't need to be in the attic where it alternately freezes and heats to a thousand degrees in the summer.    I do exaggerate a tad, but I'm a native Texas so it's in my DNA. 

This is what Millie dreams about

She has real dirt in her yard - I have clay.  But the only advantage I have is that gophers don't tunnel through clay.  

Got to go now so I can enjoy the weather we are supposed to have today.  When we get nice 70 degree weather in January, we frequently get a bunch of ice in Feb.  And I mean a bunch.

Happy New Year 2014

Hmmmm... no words of wisdom for the new year.  

Hope it is a good year for everyone.

Hope it brings more smiles and good deeds and good health.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Good morning and Merry Christmas!

Hope your day is a good one where ever you may be.  Enjoy the day.  

Thinking of those no longer with us with joy and some sadness too.  

M*E*R*R*Y   C*H*R*I*S*T*M*A*S !!!!

ICEAPOCALYPSE/ICEMAGEDDON aka winter storm Cleon

these pictures are from yesterday Saturday 12/7

Jim Bob didn't get fired only because his primary job is to scare the rats and mice away.  He will have a new job description when his contract expires.

Desert Willow - bending not broken yet

Crape Myrtle ok but Bird of Paradise tree took a hit

Volunteer Desert Willow - by the way, that is all ice not snow

Texas Red Oak is usually much taller when it isn't weighed down with ice

Yikes, the Oleander is completely bent over and the little gazebo? well, this was taken right before the weight of the ice collapsed it

poor pansies

It's all ice from the sleet - no snow here at all.  Since we won't get above freezing until Monday (maybe), damage won't be apparent for a while. 

The good news is that I have a gas fireplace and gas usually isn't a problem here.  The bad news is the short power outages and thankfully, they've all been 5 minutes or less.

Sure glad I have battery candles.

Updated title as some think ICEMAGEDDON was last year?

Happy Thanksgiving

Have a save and happy Thanksgiving Day!