<PING> Sharon, Juno and anyone else in the path of the huge storms

Thanks for asking Beverly, We are fine and have been. Haven't been out of the house for 2 days and getting itchy to get out. It doesn't much matter though because Bill still has very bad vertigo so we can't do much. It's making me lazy. We hope he can see the physical therapist tomorrow, who specializes in problems of balance and vertigo. Remember the picture you saw of the icicles in NH . I think we're right up there with them. We have some well over 4 feet. They go from the edge of the roof to the ground at the one story side of the house. We do make sure to have plenty in the house in the winter as far as food, milk and eggs. I can always make bread if I run out. We are accustomed to bad winter storms and roll with it. I haven't been able to do much on my jacket because Bill really can't help me yet with fitting. When he feels better I'm going to put him to work. You beat me to the punch here on checking on people. Sharon and Emily how are you making out with the weather. The map I saw showed the storm all the way into southern Texas. I also saw that Australia had that terrible storm. Those are the ones I'm really concerned about. It just hasn't let up for them. Juno

I moved to TX in 1960, and have lived here since except for about 6-months in 1969, and the 2 &1/2 yrs, spent in CA after I retired from teaching; and I've never known the state to have rolling blackouts in the winter till today.

It was 19-degrees at 6:45 this morning, when DS left for work, and didn't reach 32, until after 12:00, but the sun was brightly shining all day.

Tonight's low will be in the mid 20s, and still clear till sometime late morning. In the afternoon, the sleet followed by snow is supposed to be here, but gone by Saturday, when the high will be in the 50s.

One of the TV's weathermen announced on this evening's news that this week is the forerunner of what is to come next week.

When DS did the shopping over the weekend, he picked up a few extras, so we won't run short on anything till Saturday.

That is the day I am supposed to finally get my correct glasses, almost

2-months since the surgery. I got a pair 3-weeks ago, but they were not what the doctor actually prescribed. You'd think at almost $400 just for the lenses, the job would be done correctly the first time. I know who I'll NOT be doing business with again.

Emily

Emily, That's terrible that your glasses aren't correct. You shouldn't have to pay for them I would think. The place that made them was in error, you should you be compensated. Juno

Seems to have blown out here. (Northern Indiana.) Last night was a very good night to not be a cop or a truck driver or the driver of the only tow truck with a plow blade in town; being none of those, we were quite comfortable.

Shortly before sunset tonight I put on my Vibram-soled insulated boots and took a nice long walk; not at all unpleasant out there -- once I'd gotten out of our driveway! Had to walk in the streets, but hardly anybody else was using them.

You are fortunate to have been able to go for a walk. I think it's the greatest feeling to take a walk after a snow. Everything looks so clean and fresh. We have to much ice to walk up the drive. We are down off the road and don't have a paved drive. That and the fact that it faces north all contribute to a short, steep, icy hike up. I will no longer go to get the mail in winter, for just that reason and the fact that the box is across the road. If Bill doesn't go out for it, it stays until he gets it. Not that there's much there anymore. Mail is usually ads or bills. Both of which I can do without. Juno

Umm, not wanting to be controversial, but if the situation is being corrected at no extra cost, and I accept Emily hasn't said, why compensation?

I'll second that.

Juno, They are re-making them, but no offer of a refund. And this is the place the doctor recommended; I should have gone back to where I've always use. Emily

Her time and inconvenience, and good customer relations I would say a small refund would be nice, $50.00, $75.00. After all she's in a position to do a dis-service to them, by telling other who they are and what happened. I doubt Emily would do that, but she could. Juno

It is very inconvenient being without proper glasses to see how to read, sew, etc. I took the prescription in on January 6th and received the wrong ones on the 19th; and am now waiting for the new ones, which should have been here this week. Hopefully, these will be correct. I am using some old ones, that provide enough sight to watch a bit of TV and read some e-mail before getting a horrific headache. Emily

We're fine as far as the weather goes. The kids have both been out of school since Tuesday. We got about 1/4" of ice (freezing rain.) Then we got about 1" of sleet. Then we got at least 6" of snow. Doesn't sound like a lot of snow, but that is enough to cripple things here. The winds really picked up too and the temps dropped like crazy. (It was -2 at 7:00 this morning.) So the wind whipped the snow/sleet into little waves on all the roads. Then it got so cold they froze that way HARD. All of our main streets are still solid sheets of that. It's drivable, if you go very slowly. It sounds like you're driving on the rumble strip along the side of the highway the whole time. Today it's supposed to start warming up a little. 26 today. 30 tomorrow, but with a chance of more snow in the afternoon. 43 on Saturday. Then right back down with more freezing rain/sleet/snow Sunday night into Monday. yee haw!!! Oh and the weather guy was just on TV and says more snow Wed. and Thurs of next week too.

*sigh* I'm ready for spring.

DH is in north west MO for work this week. The official snow total up there was 22". But they had BIG WINDS too. There are drifts 6' high. The company car was totally buried. It's a mess. Hopefully, he will be able to get home safely tomorrow.

Fortunately, we were able to get out yesterday. Tickles became very, very ill yesterday morning. She was also obviously in a lot of pain. We knew she had been failing over the last few months, but this was horrible. I knew there probably wasn't anything to be done for her, and the vet agreed with me. The kids both went with me, because they wanted to. All three of us were with her till the very end. I pretty much cried the rest of the day. I know it will be hard the next time I work in the sewing room and she's not there to supervise too. We had 17 wonderful years with her. So many great memories. I just couldn't let her continue to be in pain.

Sharon

{{{{hugs}}}} to Sharon & family - BTDT :-(

Lizzy

Oh, Sharon, I am so sorry about Tickles. And so soon after your other loss is really sad. Emily

So sorry about your dear cat. You all did the right thing, as hard as it was. Barbara in FL

Sharon, I'm so sorry to hear that Tickles is gone. I know how much you loved her. You must have a big empty space in your heart. Juno

Here in NE Indiana, we didn't get as much snow as our neighbors to the west (and my parents), perhaps 4-6 inches of snow. The wind was brisk. No electrical outages, so we never lost heat or lights.

But I am so glad that Phil saw his shadow yesterday! I am ready for spring.

Maureen

I'm relieved that you are well, and stocked up on supplies. Keep warm!

Shocking weather, must be all that 'global warming'. I'm happy to learn you are well stocked with supplies, and that your DS can still get out and about.

Emily, that's not unusual. I had to go through two pair of glasses two years post surgery to get a good correction (and my HMO covered the replacement lenses at no additional cost to me), after discovering that I had acquired some fogginess behind the new lens implants. Laser surgery took care of that and the second set of glasses were perfect.

I'm just about due to receive another pair of specs, although they reduced the amount covered, so I may just take the Rx to Costco.

According to our forecasters, another one is headed your way. Hope you continue to stay warm and dry.