Snow Ice Cream

There is close to a foot of snow on the ground after some huge snow storms.  It snowed all Sunday night and all day Monday and we watched an inch be added in a very short time.  This is the most snow we've had since we moved here. 

I joked with J. that I thought we should get some snow pants - would make being outside shoveling and/or doing anything outside easier when there's that much snow on the ground.  I went to the Scheel's website and got us each a pair for 1/2 off!  SCORE!  

We are going to go outside and get some clean snow - not the top or bottom but middle - and try making some snow ice cream and/or do shave ice.  We have lots of sugar free flavoring syrups to use and it sounds yummy.  It would be yummier if it were 100 degrees outside but we have to take advantage of the opportunity. 

Our niece is getting married in June so we are busily planning our road trip and a long weekend in Paso Robles, CA. .  AND it's looking like B. is going to be able to get there as well.  We are excited.  We got another free cruise certificate from Atlantis for NCL (the only cruise line we use) - so I spent time today looking at available cruises. No matter how hard I try to really want to go, I don't.  A cruise leaving out of Qatar visiting Africa sounds awesome - but it's 17 days and that doesn't include the days to get to/from.  We embark from Qatar and disembark in Mauritius.  Flights to/from are 15 hours minimum and that's only if it's non-stop.  I just can't get excited about that.  I wish I could.  

Maybe we'll do a 7 day Mexican Riviera again out of Los Angeles - I think I could manage that.  Maybe. 

J. is busy with a host of things he's working on for one of his golf groups.  He's the current 'Little Sir' which apparently is code for the guy who has to do a shit-load of stuff to coordinate the monthly meeting.  Getting confirmations of attendees, confirming the number attending with the casino they rent space from and also get lunch from, arranging interesting guest speakers.  He also implemented a somewhat automated RSVP system - and he's been incredibly patient with the guys who just won't 'do' technology.  Picture a bunch of SOS (Senior Old Stubborn) men refusing to cooperate.  I picture them throwing a hissy fit as they dial a phone call on their flip phone to say yes or no to attending - but J. says it's truly guys who don't use any technology - at all.  They don't have computers or smart phones.  I picture them with rotary phones.  Anyway - J. is his usual super patient self and hopefully as the new system becomes the 'usual', people will adapt.  I hope so.  

We spent a little time at a casino south of us yesterday as we both acknowledged that we're feeling a little 'closed off' these days.  Not going out all that much given getting out of our driveway and out of our neighborhood is fraught with a host of challenges - our streets are not plowed so they become thick and slick with ice as soon as the snow starts melting.  Once we get past those streets, all the city streets are plowed regularly as is the freeway.  I watched an Amazon van slipping quite a bit as he tried to get moving after making a delivery - not easy to make progress in neighborhoods with no snow plowing.  

As usual, our epic neighbor T. has been shoveling our driveway for us daily - and our other epic neighbor M. shovels the sidewalks.  I went outside on Monday to thank T. for shoveling for us - and he said he makes a point of keeping a clear path between our houses so in case we have any emergency, we can get to their house to get help.  His 4WD GMC truck is a beast and there's virtually nowhere he can't get to - even in the worst of the snow. 

I'm hoping to make a Target run tomorrow or Friday - just need a few things that Target is the easiest option.  Or maybe Walmart which is much closer to our house.  Target is way south of us and even though the freeway is plowed, it's still a trek.  I remember fondly the days of a Target run being such a fun thing to look forward to - but that was in the days of young kids and always fun to get out and window shop.  Now, it's just getting necessities and not much looking at things I know I don't need.  

My first born 'baby' is turning 32 on Monday and I managed to get a small package off to him today.  I hope he likes it.  I told him it was 'schmaltzy' and he asked what that meant.  I said 'you'll see'.  Overly sentimental.