Chrome Molly at Benders

Sunday has become a complete vegging day for Aaron and I. When you go to bed at 3:00 a.m. and then up again at 9:00 a.m. it makes for a long day, but worth it. I really love watching Aaron have SO much fun being with this band and performing. I can handle one day of fatigue.

They had a couple of new sit-ins this week as well. Ryan and Gary from the local band "Problem Child" were there. They are another AC/DC tribute band, so they know their stuff. They brought a lot of energy to the crowd and it was a lot of fun.

 

Chrome Molly At Pickled Onion

Despite all of the horrible weather we have been having, the gig this weekend was on. There was a surprisingly good turnout all things considered, though I didn't have anyone to hang out with. Non of the significant others were there, and my friend Robert who usually is my dance partner was snowed in and didn't make it. I called Jeff and he was a real trouper and came up to keep me company.

 

I ended up leaving early, since this gig was on a Friday and I had to work the next day, but not before getting up and getting a couple songs in with the group. I didn't do my best, but it was still fun!

Snow and Ice

As the snow continues to melt, and ice is being left behind, it is making for some interesting sights.

 

My Beautiful Trail Is A Wreck

As promised, Jeff and I ventured out to see the damage done around us. We walked down to my favorite place in the area, my beloved running trail. I have spent SO many hours down there over the years! It is rather sad and quiet down there today.

EVERYTHING is so encased in ice it is practically laying on the ground. There were even a few places where we had to climb under the heave branches to get through.

Not even the ducks look exceptionally happy. I hope most of the damage isn't permanent and it will bounce back quickly after the weight of the ice is gone.... I'll be keeping my ears open for volunteers needed for a clean up crew!

Snowmageddon 2012

The last few days have been pretty interesting around here. We have had a huge snow storm dumping around 8-10 inches of snow, immediately followed by an ice storm that encased our entire world in three inches of ice that gradually turned back into another inch of snow on top of that.

Yesterday morning was the ice storm stage. We already had the first snow storm and woke up to everything encased in ice. Though extremely dangerous for all of our trees because they just can't take the weight, it is very beautiful.

If you look at this next picture you can see just how thick the ice is on top of all the snow, which has been compacted from the weight of the ice: our 8 inches of snow was reduced down to about 4 inches.

At around 8:00 a.m. we lost power. Most people around here have been powerless due to trees falling on the power lines. We were out of power for almost the entire day. I kept a fire roaring all day long, so Jeff and I stayed toasty warm, as long as we stayed in the living room.... it's amazing how much wood you go through when keeping a hot fire burning constantly: but fortunately we have lots!


We got a lot of reading done yesterday. It's amazing how much our lives have adapted to having electricity! There are so many thing you can't do without it any more. At least we are both into great books right now - Aaron went into work for just a few hours to get a couple of things done.


When Aaron got home we all sat down to play a game around the fire. Just as we were contemplating heading out to get a hot meal the power came on! And the Lord said "let there be light!", and it was beautiful!!

As I sit here, today, it sounds like world war three outside. The trees cannot take the weight of the ice and wet snow and are breaking off left and right. As the temperatures are finally starting to warm up all of that heavy snow is literally crashing to the ground. Between tree branches and falling snow I think you would need a hard hat on just to go for a walk in the outdoors or you take your life into your own hands.

Our neighbor lost their tree in their front yard. The poor thing has been getting closer and closer to the ground with every passing hour and it finally gave up and fell into the street.

Aaron just got to work and said it is REALLY bad out there. Not so much road conditions, but trees down everywhere and no one around us has power. It really is like a war zone out there. We almost lost power again a few minutes ago. It went off just long enough for my computer to shut off and me to get a choice word out, an it came back on. 

If I feel brave, I think I'm gonna go out with the camera and record some of the damage. If I do, I will return and report ;o)

Photography Snow Walk

Alison and I decided to take advantage of the snowy day to go on a walk with our cameras. It was a win-win. Exercise, time with a friend, and out enjoying a hobby. I just love the snow and the peacefulness it brings me.

I really enjoyed being out today! Here are just a couple of my favorite shots.

The Storm Is Here

 They have been predicting it for two days now.... "The worst storm since 1985!", "Expect to receive between 6" and 20" of snow!", "If you don't have to go to work, don't!". You know how the media is: everything is exaggerated to pandemonium. Everyone is rushing out to the stores and buying all of the batteries, flashlights and food they can get their hands on to outlive the disaster. That is what it has been like these past 48 hours.

Well, the snow is finally here. At the current time we have about 6-8" compiled on our deck. Aaron's office decided to close (extra money in their pockets since they don't have to pay anyone, so why not?) Jeff's last day of work for the week was last night, and I have plenty of food in the house that grocery shopping is not necessary. We are all cozy and warm inside with no where to go. It's amazing how beautiful and serene snow can be when none of us have to go anywhere. When the farthest I have to travel is walking into the backyard shed to do my workout instead of running out on the streets.

It will be interesting to see what the next day or two brings, but for now I am going to enjoy the day off with Aaron, in the comfort of our nice warm house.

To Run or Not To Run?

I am having to decide what to do with  my running steak for this year. At the moment I am able to run, though it is slightly icy out there..... that is the stupid thing about snow here in Seattle. It's wet, people drive on it so it becomes super slushy, and then it freezes: we are all just driving around on a sheet of ice the next day.

I headed out today to just get a mile or two, to keep things going. Aaron went with me, slipped after about two minutes and turned around and went back: I kept going. I was fine, never slipped once, but if we get the snow they say we are suppose to get over the next few days I'm in trouble.

Here is the executive decision I have made. I am running this streak for myself. I am not trying to impress anyone, get on any lists or win any awards. It's just a personal goal for myself and myself only. So, I am not out to risk life and limb over getting a run in. I have an elliptical, and this is what I bought it for - exercising on days I just can't get out. I am going to count my elliptical miles as running miles when it is impossible to get out and run. 

I feel good about that decision.

My New Years Resolution

I am not one to set New Years Resolutions. I think they are hokey and usually set you up for failure. If you want to do something then just freakin' do it and not wait until January 1st to start AND on the flip side of that coin, if you start something just cause you feel like you need to have a "resolution" it isn't going to happen: you have to want it to make it happen.

With that said, I have decided to start a goal, and January 1st seemed the most logical time to start it. Vacation is over, things are settling back down again and it just seemed fun to do it for the entire year...... I'm going to go on a running streak for 2012.

In order for a running streak to be "official" (which, official is such a loose term, because it's all on the honor system and you don't really get anything for it - just a personal goal) you have to run every day, and you have to go at least a mile each day. I figure the weather can't ever get bad enough, or I won't be sick enough, to be able to haul my carcass out for one stupid mile.

I will not, however, do this at risk of health or safety. If I am really sick, or if I get injured some how, then running will be off - but it would have to be pretty bad. This goal will help me on those days that I just don't feel like it, because the hardest part of exercising some days is just getting out the door - if you can do that, then you are good to go.

We'll see how it goes. I'm going to keep track of my running total on here, because if I have to be accountable then it will help me keep going. I will also write about any significant experiences, thoughts or important notes along the way. I had contemplated actually making a running blog for this, but we all know that I already have too many blogs, and a couple of them are not getting any attention - I didn't want that to happen with this!

So, here I go - on my 2012 running streak! Wish me luck.