Let it snow, let it snow.... NOT!

I think that I really, really, really REALLY don't like snow...

and subzero temperatures...

and vehicles with rear-wheel drive in the above mentioned conditions.

The snow came down on Sunday. Not much of it, but in Oregon it doesn't take alot of it to totally bring the world to a screeching halt.
Went outside and stood on the porch. Total and complete quiet.
No cars. No neighbors voices. No highway noise. Nothing...
I could hear frogs breathing in the next county.

If they weren't frozen that is.

I got to go on the rescue twice yesterday and once today. Calls weren't major, but the folks needed help. And I'm starting to learn where things are in the jump kit. Even started the O2 by myself with a nonrebreather mask.
Talked about it in class...acted it out. But never actually DONE it.

Don't be scared. You don't live near me.

The first few times the tones went off, my house instantaneously became a Chinese Firedrill. (My apologies if you are chinese). The kids start running in circles, the dog is barking and running trying not to get stepped on. The cats are running for the nearest high spot. I am trying to get around the ironing board, grab my medic jacket and my pager and my cell phone, get my shoes on and get out the door.

Ummmm...YAH! Not so much.

So after the second time, I called them all together and said "Alright, guys. When you hear the tones go off, FREEZE. Whereever you are...DON'T move. That way I can dodge around you. When you hear me holler 'see ya soon' and close the front door, THEN you can move."
They are starting to get the hang of it.
And I'm realizing that I need to have step in shoes.
And I need to wear socks ALL the time...or at least have some handy to get into fast.
And that I can grab the pager and listen to the call details as I am running down the porch instead of waiting.
And that the street about one block away is SLICKER THAN SNOT!
I just about lost it earlier today. Started fishtailing and appraising the ditches to see which one was the shallowest. But got it straightened out ...
and SLOWED my HINEY down.

My family Christmas Celebration this Saturday has been cancelled.
Which is good, cuz it was a BIG HUGE source of stress for me.

However, I have to make certain pickup sites in the next few days in order to have a Christmas for my kids. Still on the charity list. Someday, I won't be. Someday, I won't have to go stand in line at the Salvation Army to have gifts for my kids. Someday, I won't have to look in my Assistant Fire Chief's eyes and say I can't come help wrap the charity gifts at the station because some of them are for MY kids. Someday, I will be able to give presents to others again like I used to.
Someday...

I did scrape up money for a tree, though. And it's a good one.
Can't remember if I told you already or not. But it's one of the benefits of living in Oregon where we GROW the trees. Got a nice seven footer for fifteen bucks.

But I won't be able to visit Loverboy like I wanted to.
And I won't go to my parents. It's a matter of principals.
And everyone else has their own things to do.
So unless God intervenes and has other plans, it'll just be me and the kiddos for the holidays.

That's ok. We'll have our Birthday party for Jesus. The girls want to make Him a Teddy Bear cake this year. With sprinkles.
And we have candles.
And we'll sing to Him... and remember that this party is HIS gig, not ours.

Gonna sneak out in the morning and try to make it to town. I'm out of Laundry soap and dishwasher soap. Mainly because i was using the laundry soap in the dishwasher.
So we have fluffy soft dishes that smell Mountain Fresh.

Turn in my mommy license again.

School was cancelled for Monday and Tuesday here. And Tuesday was supposed to be the kids' last day before holiday break.
SOOOOOOOO, I've got four kids home in a house in freezing cold weather with Christmas Anticipation and Cabin Fever. Till January fifth.

I'll just hand in that Mommy License RIGHT now. Don't bother giving it back till AFTER the holidays, thank you very much. :D

And you think I'm being funny...

bed time!