Cardinals and Violets

"As surely as cometh the winter, I know
There are spring violets under the snow"
R. H. Newell

Sitting here yesterday afternoon, looking out at the snow, I saw a bright, beautiful cardinal in one of the fallen branches behind my house. It reminded me of my grandmother - my mother's mother - Gramma Jo.  Seeing a cardinal on a cold winter day always prompted a phone call to her. 

"Hi, Gram!  I saw a cardinal this afternoon and it reminded me of you."

I have a box that belonged to her - a small silver-colored box with a white ceramic lid - two deep red cardinals on top.  I keep it on my dresser and it reminds me of Gram. 

Gram loved cardinals - and violets - and the promise of spring.

There are so many things that remind me of her.  I don't know that anyone other than Grand-daddy Mechling had such an influence in my life.

When my mother was most angry with me she would tell me that I was JUST like my grandmother.  She couldn't have said anything nicer.  :)

Celebration Dinner

And what were we celebrating, you ask??? Well.... helllooooooooo!  We were celebrating hot water!  Duh!

Amy, Greg, Gregory, Alex, Matthew, Michael and I descended on Mazzella's last night for a well-earned "thank you" dinner. (Okay... I know I said it was a celebration dinner, but maybe it was a combo "celebration - thank you" dinner. Semantics! Semantics!

ANYWAY... I must say, Amy did NOT look like a woman who's been stuck in the house for two weeks with three kids - the first week with sick kids - and then when the kids got better - snowed in for the second week. Her hair was all fluffy and pretty and when I looked in her eyes to see if she had cracked under the strain... all I saw was calm, clear sanity.  I was DEFINITELY impressed! 

One of the highlights of the evening for me was watching Gregory try Amy's Chicken Piccata.  Gregory is a very fussy eater - almost as fussy as... say... me.  It wasn't his favorite and he ended up enjoying Mazzella's super-fantastic pizza, but he tried it.  Impressive!

AND... Gregory was wearing blue jeans last night instead of sweatpants.  He looked GREAT!  He's growing up soooo fast!  (Oh man!  Did I just sound like an old geezer or what???)

Wait 'til you hear this one!  Yesterday Greg asked the kids if they wanted to go to the movies.  Gregory and Alex were excited, but Matthew answered, "No. I want to go to Grammie's." Awwwwww  How sweet is THAT?!?!

Alex was his usual sweet self.  Alex is my card playing buddy.  I got a few new card games at Christmas so that when Alex comes to my house, we'll have something new to try.  Shortly after Christmas we tried one game, but I had to keep stopping to read the instructions.  Alex waited patiently and then finally said... "Grammie, why don't you take some time and figure this out and the next time I come, we'll try it again."  I wasn't watching, but I'm SURE he was rolling his eyes.

It was fun to get together after these back-to-back snow storms.  I couldn't help but notice everyone's positive attitude.  We do take so much for granted - electric, hot water, dinners out, each other.  Being snowed in changes your perspective - makes you a little more grateful for EVERYTHING. 

Life IS good!  :)

Hot Water!!!

After three days, we finally have hot water!!!!!  Yaaaaahooooooo!

Out hot water heater died on Monday after a long, lingering illness.  NOW all the strange behavior exhibited by our hot water heater over the last year makes sense.  It was just leaking and leaking out of the bottom.  Since the water heater sat right next to the sump pump, we never noticed the trickle of water.

ANYWAY... during the worst winter storm we've ever had  - no hot water.

When I realized on Monday morning that something was wrong, I called Greg and he said he'd stop by on his way home from work to take a look.  He pronounced it dead within minutes.

Since our hot water heater was a "direct vent" hot water heater, replacing it on Monday night after a huge snow was a trick.  Greg was all over Wilmington trying to find a hot water heater and an installation kit to match.  One place had a hot water heater - another place had a kit.  Unfortunately, they didn't match.

It was 9:30 before he was able to get back with a hot water heater AND a kit to match.  He (with Michael's able assistance) got as far as he could on Monday night, but they couldn't finish.

Tuesday, back again after a short trip home after work to change his clothes, say hi to his gang, and get something to eat. 

The next round of snow started on Tuesday afternoon and by the time Greg arrived, it was snowing hard - accumulations of up to 2 feet expected.  At 9:45 PM, he realized that he needed another fitting.  So off he went in the blizzard to Home Depot.  When he got there, they had just closed, but he was persistent, banging on doors, until they finally let him in to get the part. 

Michael arrived home from work shortly after Greg got back from Home Depot.  Greg was in the process of drilling a 4 inch hole in the concrete block for the intake vent.  Greg got the hole drilled and Michael helped him put the vents in and all looked well.   Until...

Everything was together - all of the water lines had been soldered - the hole in the wall drilled - vents installed - water heater mounted, but ONE last part missing for the gas connection.  Nothing more to do but quit for the night.

Wednesday morning, the storm raged on.  The Governor declared a State of Emergency - but we needed that part sooooo we found a Home Depot that was opened and off we went.  (My little CRV goes great in the snow)

Three hours later (we took the scenic route) we were home with the part.  Michael installed the part and we hoped that all would be well, but it was not to be!  The threads were stripped on one of the fittings, soooooo we had a water leak that wouldn't quit.

Greg again made it to Home Depot in blizzard conditions to pick up a new fitting - just as they were closing . 

To make a long story, just a tiny bit shorter... after finding some problems INSIDE the water heater (no... they were not taking it down and returning it), they creatively fixed the broken part... made a final inspection and...

HOT WATER!!!

I am so grateful for Greg's ablities and his tenacity and for Amy's cooperation to get this completed in the worst conditions imaginable!  Being stuck in the house with 3 housebound kids could NOT have been fun!  I think dinner out for everyone is in order - my treat!

I don't want to forget Michael's assistance (he and Greg are considering using their experience to start a "tankless hot water heater" installation business.  I did a fine job, too... sitting in a chair close by asking repeatedly, "Greg... are you watching the time?  It's getting late, Greg". But then, I've had lots of experience in the nagging department!

I also wanted to thank Matthew, who came with his dad yesterday and joined me for a popcorn party!

It's SO easy to take things like hot water for granted.  The first entry in my "grateful journal" yesterday was... guess what????  You betcha!  Hot water!

MORE snow!

More snow here in the frozen tundra known as Delaware.  I'm looking out my window at HUGE tree limbs, broken from the weight of the snow.  But, like Scarlet, from "Gone With The Wind"... I'll worry about that tomorrow (maybe).

No work today.  Looks like we are still under a State of Emergency.  If I were the Governor, I'd cancel tomorrow, too.  Well, I don't think he has the power to actually cancel tomorrow, but he COULD cancel work for tomorrow.  I think he should.  (I wonder if he'll call for my opinion)

Since I forgot my camera when we were out yesterday, (we took the 3-hour scenic route to Home Depot) I've had to steal snow pictures from my kids. 

Julie should send this somewhere where they are accepting snow pictures.  What a great picture!  And what a wonderful little girl!!

Family snow time!  Richard and Kate taking a snow bath???  Obviously Mom was stuck behind the camera.  (We need more "mother" pictures!) 

If that sled is moving, it must be REALLY icy!!!

This one concerned me. I was worried that if he kept moving his arms, he might keep sinking and cover himself with snow.  (I always said that he was an angel.)

This one was from Greg's last trip to Home Depot yesterday. He and Matthew no sooner made it in the door, and they announced.. 'Home Depot will be closing in 5 minutes." 

I stole this one from Facebook. Greg titled it - "In training".  I think that says it all!  Matthew is definitely a miniature Greg.

Greg took this one on our street yesterday. SO pretty!!!

I think I heard on the news yesterday that our total accumulation for these two storms has been 31.7".  Amazing!

Snowed in!

2 feet of snow in Delaware is enough to close the state - and it did!  We've been under a State of Emergency since Friday evening.  Travel restrictions were lifted last night at 8:00 with requests not to go out, so we were trying to be well behaved and not go out. 

Drifts were 5 feet and higher.  My oldest son said that he couldn't get out his back door because of the drifts and that he couldn't get his snow plow out of the garage. 

Michael is preparing to go shovel as I write this.  We have a WONDERFUL neighbor who plowed our driveway last night.  In the process, he plowed Michael "in".  So.... Michael has to go play in the snow this morning.  He points out, though, that he's grateful for the amount of shoveling he DOESN'T have to do!

We were very fortunate that this was not a heavy, wet, snow that takes down power lines.  Michael and I spent the day yesterday watching the snow - safe and warm. 

Most of the screens were full of snow, making it difficult to even see outside.  Our big front window doesn't have a screen, so Michael was able to take a few pictures from inside. 

Greg and his crew were out in the snow and even made it to Target. 

Greg took this one at Target yesterday and titled it:  "Need a cart, anyone?"  The State of Emergency MIGHT have had something to do with Target being so empty. 

Before Target, though, I think he made a morning trip to Dunkin' Donuts.  And before that, who knows, BUT I promise you there WAS a "before that", knowing Greg.

Richard didn't have time to play in the snow.  He was out shoveling and snow-blowing his driveway and the driveways of three of his neighbors.  I'm afraid this experience will turn him against "old people" (of which I am one) for good!  Now that it's over and he's safe, I'm so very proud of his care for his neighbors.  I'm sure they appreciate his kindness.

Maybe today he can take the top off of the snow in an area big enough for Kate to play.  He said the drifts were so high in his yard yesterday that it was over Kate's head in many places. 

I haven't heard from Scott yet.  It took 2 ft. of snow to get him a Saturday off from work!  I'm sure he enjoyed the day with his family.

I know that for many, this would be no big deal, but for Delawareans, this is a biggie!  We don't have the manpower or the equipment to handle this kind of snow. 

Schools could be closed here for a week because the buses can't get through the back streets. Main roads get plowed.  For the most part, secondary roads do not get plowed unless a community hires someone privately to plow their community. 

In Delaware it snows and then it melts - and then it snows - and then it melts.  Nature usually takes care of the roads (more or less).  It looks like the temperatures are going to be right around freezing or a little below this week (according to weather.com) so who knows what this will do to our tiny state. I guess we'll  just have to wait and see. 

Should we blame the groundhog???

Happy Birthday to Kate!

Kate is 3 years old today!!!!

She's more than one.
She's more than two.
Kate is three years old today!

This is truly a day for celebration!  Richard and Julie took the day off and took Kate to the aquarium for the morning.Where in the world have the past 3 years gone??? Time has wings!

Happy Birthday to you!

Happy Birthday to you!

Happy Birthday, dear Kate!

Happy Birthday to youuuuuuuuuuuu!

Extraordinary Measures

I took the afternoon off today and Michael and I went to the movies to see Extraordinary Measures with Brendan Fraser, Harrison Ford, and Keri Russell.

This is the true story of John Crowley and his race against time to find a cure for his children who have Pompe disease. 

I won't tell you all about the disease. You'll get the message when you go see the movie.  (And you SHOULD see the movie.) 

ANYWAY... the real John Crowley is better looking than Brendan Fraser.  I'd have cast him as himself.  They didn't ask me, though.  What's up with that??

And Harrison Ford? I think he rations himself 3 smiles per movie - two crooked half smiles and one "throw-your-head-back-and-smile" smile. 

So... yeah.  You should go. If you have children, you will really feel this one. 

If the movie isn't enough for you or if it leaves you thinking... "Hmmm I wonder what the Crowley's are up to now", the Crowley's have a website that tells you what they're up to.  And of course, I DO have the URL:  The Crowley Family

And if THAT isn't enough... John (with some help) has written a book. You can find it at Amazon (among other places, I'm sure):  Chasing Miracles

(I mean... really... is this thorough or what???)

So... go see it.  It's a 4 GO movie.  Let me know what you think.