Weather

[dgunnels]

Over cast and 78 here today. Should cool off after it rains tomorrow or the next.

I tell anyone who moves here that you can pack up your winter coats around March but you NEVER put away your summer gear.

[JTG]

Burrrrr
So today the Tile Guy Enterprise has come to a halt in the field. The roads are like a skating rink out there this am. Lot's that needs done in the office.

Dave and Marge: You can be the best driver on snow and ice in the world (I have 12 years in Alaska 300 inches a year in Valdez under my belt.) It is the IDIOTS who have the four wheel drive SUV's and think they can go anywhere anytime, the kids with 18" rims and tires that don't work on snow and those who just don't know how to drive in snow combined with all the hills in Seattle. It is a nightmare. Every hill has a bus stuck on it along with a couple cars that stopped and can't get going again and in the other lane a couple more cars that were coming down the hill and locked it up and are sideways.
It doen't take much of that and everything is plugged. It is just not safe to drive unless you just have to and getting someones floor done is not that high of a priority when it is like that. Mike was right if you can believe the weather forcast it should be warmer by the weekend.
My report and I'm sticking with it.

check out this story of one lucky dude who drove his car off the overpass.
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/..._plunge28.html


JTG

[Shaughnn]

Jerry,
I'm on a hill and both roads down are iced and packed like parking lots. So, today is a "Snow Day". Here's Hannah's first adventure into the fluffy white stuff.
Cheers!
Shaughnn

[JTG]

Shaughnn,
cute. It looks like you have a fair bit of snow compared to us here.
Stay warm.
JTG

[Trask]

Wow..how much snow did you guys end up with?

[Shaughnn]

From the looks of it, I think we got about 5 inches last night. The bed of my truck is half-full but it's all very very fluffy stuff. I cleared my windshield with a pushbroom. I've been watching some contractor neighbors of mine *attempt* to drive out all morning long. They drive out and return about 20 minutes later. Then they drive out again after 20 minutes and are back again in the same. They both drive big honkin 4X4 diesels and if THEY can't make it down the hill, my silly little Tacoma isn't leaving the drive way.
Shaughnn

[Bugman]

I spent the first 34 years of my life in Wisconsin so I've had a little experience driving in snow. Some of the problems I see here are: We usually start out with a little freezing rain, then sleet, then snow, then sleet, and finish with a little more freezing rain. Makes for a real slick mess. Very little snow removal equipment, so if we should get a big snow, parking lots, etc. get left with a build up of wet snow, it freezes over at night, and is a mess the next morning. Also, no one has snow tires. Then you have a few crazies with bald tires and the fun begins. Of course the local way to drive in the snow is to floor it or slam on the breaks. Exciting!!! We also have the hot shots with the big 4X4's that think they are invincible. They sure look funny nose down in a deep ditch.

But then again, I remember 6 months of winter in Wisconsin and compare that with having had to shovel the drive way only about 10 times in the past 28 years. Hhhhmmmmmmmm. I think I'll stay right here, light a fire in the fireplace and watch all the crazies on TV slam into each other and slide in the ditch.

[JTG]

News at noon said that they have had over 90" of snow in last four days at the Mt. Baker ski area.
JTG

[Shaughnn]

Seeing that powder this morning, Jerry, really made me ache to ski again. But since I can't anymore I'll just enjoy the dads outside on their kids go-karts, spinning in the streets.
Shaughnn

[JTG]

Shaughnn
Why can't you ski anymore?
For me it has been fear of breaking something and it has gotten so damm expensive.
Patti's company is taking everyone to Whistler next weekend for the annual company party. We will do a little cross country skiing while we are up there.

JTG

[John Bridge]

I like cross-country. Haven't done it in years, and probably won't. Don't want to travel in or near snow country.

Cross-country is nice, though. Especially if you're the first one out into the pristine landscape. Beautiful.

[Bugman]

I did a little cross country skiing the last winter I was in Wisconsin. It's a great sport, not too much risk of ruining the knees and excellent aerobic exercise. Wish I could do it here, but I sure enjoy not shoveling snow.

[Shaughnn]

Hi Jerry,
No slopes for me after an ankle injury. I've been warned by my orthopedic surgeon that if I injure it again, the surgery will leave me with cronic pain for the rest of my unnatural days,...in addition to the instability I already experience. Spun the ankle 180* without breaking anything so the ligaments and tendons are completely useless now. I have an orthotic brace to keep my ankle stable but even then I have to sit down at the end of the day. As much as I enjoyed skiing, I enjoy sleeping without meds much better.
Shaughnn

[Marge]

What snow??? I see Hannah pitchers! Thanks Shaughnn!!!! She is such a cutie.

I just got back from picking up our snowbird neighbors from Seattle. All they kept saying was "can't you change your flights and go another weekend? It's a mess up there." Of course we aren't flying SW this time and would basically lose our entire fare to change fees. Murphy's Law.

And the irony....these poor folks are excited to be here now....and it is predicted we will be below freezing the next couple of days! Go figure.

[Marge]

In honor of the Seattle snow and the Christmas season, Shaka has officially updated to her holiday avetar!