Java Junkie

Frosty Winter Daze

Yes, hello...is there still life out there?  Hard to tell here in the frozen tundra...tonight the temps are supposed to dip quite low...like a low of -10, but with the wind blowing our wind chill is supposed to be around -25.  Very thankful for a warm cozy house, a comfy recliner, and a fuzzy blanket tonight! 

This winter we have had so. much. snow.  We have had a lot of snow for the past two or three winters, but by January 1 this year we already had as much snow as we usually get for the entire winter.  Since then we've had at least a foot more.  I believe our total snowfall is nearing 60 inches...that's a whole lotta snow...and will make a whole lotta mess when it starts melting since we had started the winter with ground that was pretty much saturated already. 

This picture shows Mike gunning it to get out of our driveway after round two of our New Years Blizzard.  The plows had come by and left a waist deep (on me) drift across the end of our driveway. 

 These are the "bean climbing" poles on my square foot garden in the summer...in the winter I use them to measure our snow.  Halfway up means we have too much.  More than halfway up means we need to move south...soon.  These were taken around the first of the year.  

Icicles that formed on Mikes pick-up

Trey and Xander playing King on the hill.  Trey loves it when Mike brings the Bobcat out and makes a hill for him to climb!

As much as I dislike Winter, the tree's have been so pretty this year when Jack Frost visits.  I'm trying to find the beauty instead of focusing on what I dislike.

 

Remember my measuring sticks from above--here is a short two weeks later...remember above I was trying to find beauty...doesn't take me long to forget does it.  Also remember I said more than halfway up means we need to move south soon?  WHAT in the world are we still doing here? 

       

While I'm not sure I'll ever embrace winter with wide open arms, that puppy in the picture above at least forces us to get out in it.  It's really easy for me to "hole" up in the winter and pretend I can hibernate.  But...going out in the elements even for a short walk around the block on a cold snowy day does has to be healthier than lounging in your sweatpants for 7 whole months...probably...although the latter holds lots of appeal tonight!

Stay warm...

Kris

A Boy's Best Friend

We have a new addition to our family...a four-legged addition. 

 
We adopted Xander last week from a local rescue organization.  He is a sweet little guy, and pretty well behaved too.  Trey has been wanting a puppy for ages...Mike and I haven't been even remotely on board with the idea until a few months ago.  When we started considering it, we quickly determined we were not interested in getting a puppy, nor did we want to buy from a pet store.  So we would check the local rescue organizations websites frequently, and even go to the adoption days at Pet Smart too. 

 

About 2 months ago we were in the big city and stopped to see the dogs at adoption days.  There was one in particular that fit what we were looking for...and that Trey left a large chunk of his heart with when we left.  So we started the adoption process...but before we could go to far with it, we had to get Joey to the vet for her shots.  Let me tell you, that was a fun trip.  To say she doesn't enjoy car rides would be an understatement.  It's no wonder why we hadn't taken her for three years.   After she was up-to-date on vaccinations, we filled out the on-line application (which included three references...seriously), and waited to hear from the organization. 

 

Two weeks after submitting our application we had our "home" visit from the organization.  On all adoptions, a volunteer is sent to the potential adopters home to ensure the house will be a safe place for pooch.  The following Monday we received word that we were approved...but the pooch that we had been hoping for had already been adopted.  Twas a saddish day in our house.  It was during that same time though that Xander was placed in the rescue's care.  We were a bit unsure if he would be a good fit for us since he was only between 6-7 months old...and we were not wanting a puppy.  Our reasons for not wanting a puppy are basically potty training and chewing...didn't want to deal with either. 

But, last weekend we arranged to meet Xander at his foster home. We spent an hour with him at his foster home that day...it didn't take us long after we drove away to agree he was the one we wanted.  Mike and I had instructed Trey when we left home that morning not to get his hopes up becuase we most likely wouldn't be bringing Xander (or any other dog) home with us that day.  Yeah...we kinda sorta ended up bringing him home with us...way to hold firm on that declaration huh? 

It's hard to say what type of dog he is.  He was listed as a Corgi/Spaniel mix, but we think he must have some basset and retriever in him.  Whatever he is, he is sweet.  He loves to sleep.  Seriously, he puts the cat to shame.  

  

So we're all adjusting to having a pup in our house.  Except for Joey...she's not adjusting at all yet.  But the extra work, and the occasional mishap are totally worth seeing this look on our boy's face.