Two whole days of sun and today it is due to snow again. Thank goodness the Arctic Blast is over and we are back to temperatures in the 30s and 40s for a while.
As of Sunday, November 21 I have been here for three months. It seems like the last month was all about adjusting to the weather and the low temperatures. After an unseasonably warm October, winter came in with a blast in November. November was more like January here, and I now know what January will be like. Real winters take planning. I set up a coat rack next to the front door with a low table underneath it. On top of the table is a basket for all of my hats and gloves and under the table go my two pairs of boots. I tried to go out yesterday wearing regular shoes, which was a mistake and I am sure I will be sick of my boots by February.
I still deal with financial fear and I thought I would have a job by now. The State continues to post openings and I have four applications pending a score. They filled one HR position, but there is another one pending, and there are two more positions that need applications this week. I applied for several positions outside of the State, non-profits, hospital technical support, but I have not heard a peep from any of them. This last week I was glad not to have a job, since I would have driven to it through the snow, but I would really like to have one by the first of the year.
There does not appear to be any activity with the Eagle gallery, but I continue to paint. It really helps to paint when I am not sure what to do next, I just paint and wait for an inspiration. I am glad I have plenty of constructive indoors things to do, since I have three more months of being stuck indoors due to the weather.
The biggest difference in the last month is feeling like I have a life today. I am now good at meeting people and feel like I have many friends. People call me, I call them, and I go out a lot, even despite the weather. I went out to meet someone for coffee yesterday morning. I had a car mishap, I used the windshield washer and spread ice all over my windshield and had to pull over and use the defroster for 10 minutes, then I could not find the coffee place and was 15 minutes late. I forgot the phone number of the person I was meeting, but it turns out she only waited for me for less than 15 minutes and then left. Geez, you would think you could give the new guy that doesn't know driving in snow or where things are more than 15 minutes! So I called and apologized when I got home and found her number, but I don't think I will do that again. When you have a lot of friends, you take responsibility for your part and don't put up with people just because you are lonely.
I keep pretty busy and try to keep moving forward and stay open to possibilities. God's plan for me is going too slow for my liking, but I think I always feel that way. My biggest concern, besides financial fear, is that the cats and I lay on the couch in the evening and keep each other warm and I can't get up and do anything. This doesn't feel very constructive and I hope I can get past this habit before winter ends. I started writing the children's book and finishing this is the goal for this month. Yesterday I got a library card so I can research current children's books and publishers. Today I will renew AAA in Idaho and that is the last detail, the last thing to change over to my new life in Boise.
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Snow and Sun
It snowed almost all day yesterday. Mary Kay came and picked me up and took me out for coffee before noon. By then it was around 30 degrees outside and it felt warm! It stopped snowing long enough in the late afternoon for me to go out and shovel snow off my front walkway. It didn't necessarily need it, but I was a bit stir crazy even with my coffee outing. It started to snow again while I was outside shoveling and talking to Sarah, big light fluffy snowflakes. I felt like I was standing in a postcard.
I am getting used to the cold, but winter in the cold sure takes a lot of decisions. If I decide I need my boots, then I need to decide which door I am going out of so I don't track stuff around the house. I get dressed and then move the boots to the right door so that they are the last thing I put on. Then I gather up everything else I need to go out near the boots so it is within reach after I put my boots on. Do I need two layers under my coat? If I wear two layers, or if it is snowing, then I need to wear the red coat. Which coat do I need? Do I need the light gloves or the leather ones or the warmest ones? Do I need a hat? Which scarf matches the outfit and the coat? Throughout this process I also have the, what did I wear the last time these people saw me? Then when I'm out I have to keep track of all of this stuff. I am that person that really needs those gloves that string together through their coat, although keeping track is easier here since all I need is my cold hands to remind me to check for my gloves.
Then, also because of the boots, I need to think about what else should I do outside once I have my boots on. Take out the trash, get the mail? I've had times where I put my boots on and went out the back door, took out the trash, came back in and then realized I did not get the mail, so I take them off, walk them across the house to the front door, put them on, and go out to get the mail. Then there is the boot puddle that gets left on the floor as the snow melts off your boots. If you move the boots, you must immediately clean up the puddle, or you are guaranteed to step in it later while wearing your clean dry socks.
Today was clear and sunny. I went to the grocery store early and the streets and the parking lot were still covered in several inches of snow. No worries about parking in the parking space, no one can see the lines, just park anywhere. Pushing a grocery cart in snow was an interesting experience. I learned my car has yet another warning light, letting me know my tires have no traction. Yea, thanks, that helps a lot. So far, I've only seen it blink on for a second until the tires find traction, but gee, I sure knew I did not have traction without the light!
Then a group of us went to see the Festival of Trees. This is a charity event where local organizations decorate a Christmas tree to be auctioned. Everyone wants to take the new guy that has never been. The trees were impressive, but the wreaths decorated with hand drawn ornaments by 1st graders were the best. Even though it is warmer, I am glad the event was indoors. Next week-end it's Winter Garden Aglow at the arboretum and that is outside, at night.
I am getting used to the cold, but winter in the cold sure takes a lot of decisions. If I decide I need my boots, then I need to decide which door I am going out of so I don't track stuff around the house. I get dressed and then move the boots to the right door so that they are the last thing I put on. Then I gather up everything else I need to go out near the boots so it is within reach after I put my boots on. Do I need two layers under my coat? If I wear two layers, or if it is snowing, then I need to wear the red coat. Which coat do I need? Do I need the light gloves or the leather ones or the warmest ones? Do I need a hat? Which scarf matches the outfit and the coat? Throughout this process I also have the, what did I wear the last time these people saw me? Then when I'm out I have to keep track of all of this stuff. I am that person that really needs those gloves that string together through their coat, although keeping track is easier here since all I need is my cold hands to remind me to check for my gloves.
Then, also because of the boots, I need to think about what else should I do outside once I have my boots on. Take out the trash, get the mail? I've had times where I put my boots on and went out the back door, took out the trash, came back in and then realized I did not get the mail, so I take them off, walk them across the house to the front door, put them on, and go out to get the mail. Then there is the boot puddle that gets left on the floor as the snow melts off your boots. If you move the boots, you must immediately clean up the puddle, or you are guaranteed to step in it later while wearing your clean dry socks.
Today was clear and sunny. I went to the grocery store early and the streets and the parking lot were still covered in several inches of snow. No worries about parking in the parking space, no one can see the lines, just park anywhere. Pushing a grocery cart in snow was an interesting experience. I learned my car has yet another warning light, letting me know my tires have no traction. Yea, thanks, that helps a lot. So far, I've only seen it blink on for a second until the tires find traction, but gee, I sure knew I did not have traction without the light!
Then a group of us went to see the Festival of Trees. This is a charity event where local organizations decorate a Christmas tree to be auctioned. Everyone wants to take the new guy that has never been. The trees were impressive, but the wreaths decorated with hand drawn ornaments by 1st graders were the best. Even though it is warmer, I am glad the event was indoors. Next week-end it's Winter Garden Aglow at the arboretum and that is outside, at night.
Friday, November 26, 2010
Driving in Snow
Yesterday I practiced driving on snow and ice. I went downtown to volunteer at the Boise Rescue Mission's River of Life. There was not much traffic on Thanksgiving Day, which is good and bad. No other cars to crash into, but also no other cars to loosen up the road. I helped serve a couple hundred lunches and felt grateful that I am not homeless in Idaho. Three of the other volunteers were a couple with their 10 year old daughter. The daughter worked really hard and seemed really brave to me and I thought about all the times I meant to take Lauren to serve Thanksgiving to the homeless. I never did take Lauren to do that, but I still think it is a great experience for anyone to learn what they take for granted.
On the way home I stopped and took pictures at the parks.
I was amazed that the ponds were already frozen enough to skate on. Geese continue to fly over on their way somewhere else, but the seagulls are still hanging around.
I was headed out the door with my pie and Cruiser shot for the door. He keeps forgetting how cold it is outside. I stuck my foot out and he crashed into it, which stopped him. Sorrel boots are much more effective for this than other shoes.
Then I went to Mary Kay's and then to Mary Kay's mom's for Thanksgiving. My pie was a big hit and Mary Kay's mom actually took it around and showed everyone the little apples I put on top of the lattice crust. I used the Honeycrisp apples, which worked out well, and Meyer lemon, which happened to be at the grocery store a week ago. Honeycrisp apples are a bit sweeter than Golden Delicious, so I used less sugar, and the ones I bought were huge, so I only had to peel 4 apples to fill up a pie. I am OK with peeling apples, but sometimes I really wish for the fancy cutter that cuts the lattice strips perfectly even.
The battery in the thermostat at Mary Kay's mom's house went out yesterday morning. Mary Kay's 83 year old mom was out driving around at 5 am Thanksgiving morning looking for an open store that sold batteries. I was glad she found them and to be sitting is someone else's warm house.
The toughest drive was home in the dark where it is harder to see the icy patches, but the worst part is driving down the alley to my garage, because it is still full of snow. As I look at other people's cars outside and covered in snow, I think it was really smart to get a house here with a garage, snow alley or not.
I did some on-line research on my car's 37 degrees warning light. It does not mean there is anything wrong or anything to do and Toyota got rid of this light with the 2006 Prius. The best suggestion that I found to deal with the light being on all winter is to stick a piece of tape over the light. Which would be more annoying, the piece of tape or the warning light? I think the tape, so I resolved to just ignore the stupid light. Mary Kay's nephew offered to go out and start everyone's cars before they left last night, which reminded me again that I am now in Idaho, but I don't think it makes a bit of difference if my car is warmed up.
On the way home I stopped and took pictures at the parks.
I was amazed that the ponds were already frozen enough to skate on. Geese continue to fly over on their way somewhere else, but the seagulls are still hanging around.
I was headed out the door with my pie and Cruiser shot for the door. He keeps forgetting how cold it is outside. I stuck my foot out and he crashed into it, which stopped him. Sorrel boots are much more effective for this than other shoes.
Then I went to Mary Kay's and then to Mary Kay's mom's for Thanksgiving. My pie was a big hit and Mary Kay's mom actually took it around and showed everyone the little apples I put on top of the lattice crust. I used the Honeycrisp apples, which worked out well, and Meyer lemon, which happened to be at the grocery store a week ago. Honeycrisp apples are a bit sweeter than Golden Delicious, so I used less sugar, and the ones I bought were huge, so I only had to peel 4 apples to fill up a pie. I am OK with peeling apples, but sometimes I really wish for the fancy cutter that cuts the lattice strips perfectly even.
The battery in the thermostat at Mary Kay's mom's house went out yesterday morning. Mary Kay's 83 year old mom was out driving around at 5 am Thanksgiving morning looking for an open store that sold batteries. I was glad she found them and to be sitting is someone else's warm house.
The toughest drive was home in the dark where it is harder to see the icy patches, but the worst part is driving down the alley to my garage, because it is still full of snow. As I look at other people's cars outside and covered in snow, I think it was really smart to get a house here with a garage, snow alley or not.
I did some on-line research on my car's 37 degrees warning light. It does not mean there is anything wrong or anything to do and Toyota got rid of this light with the 2006 Prius. The best suggestion that I found to deal with the light being on all winter is to stick a piece of tape over the light. Which would be more annoying, the piece of tape or the warning light? I think the tape, so I resolved to just ignore the stupid light. Mary Kay's nephew offered to go out and start everyone's cars before they left last night, which reminded me again that I am now in Idaho, but I don't think it makes a bit of difference if my car is warmed up.
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Even More Snow
This is the cowboys that I finished last week,
And the next one,
Mary Kay tells me these are Hawthorn berries. Since it has been so cold and gloomy, all I could think about when I painted the orange berries was Bob Ross saying, think happy trees!
It snowed two inches last night and the news today was all about the weather. I called and canceled meeting Laney for coffee and she understood. She had been on the interstate this morning and it was nasty. I went for a walk to take some pictures and get out of the house. People cleared their sidewalks and cars wore tracks in the snow, but the cleared sidewalks and the tire tracks iced over and it was easier to walk in the snow. I figure I won't bother clearing my walkway to the front door.
This guy has the wrong car, too,
I did clear a bit of the back patio so the cats could walk around. They did go out for a bit, but they want me to leave the back door open in case they need a quick escape, and it is just too cold for that. The sun was out all afternoon, which was really nice, even though it was still cold.
Note the November average low for Boise is 32.4° and the average high is 47.5°.
Today the high was 24° and the low predicted to be 3°. Boise had a late Spring and an unseasonably warm October and I think everyone, including me, was expecting a late Winter, not a super cold early one.
The next enlightenment topic is Kindness. The author's selection is a poem by Stephen Crane called "Do Not Weep, Maiden, For War is Kind." This is a cynical poem about war and, as far as I am concerned, off topic. I prefer the Aldous Huxley quote noted by the author in the text. On his deathbed Huxley was asked for his advice to mankind and he answered, "All we need to do is be a little kinder to each other." As we all struggle with the difficulties and emotions and disappointments of the holidays, remember to be kind. This includes the harassed grocery checker, the sister-in-law that sends you out for sweet potatoes on Thanksgiving morning because yams are not good enough, and that grandmother on the road that is driving too slow. This does not include North Korea. War has nothing to do with kindness or unkindness.
And the next one,
Mary Kay tells me these are Hawthorn berries. Since it has been so cold and gloomy, all I could think about when I painted the orange berries was Bob Ross saying, think happy trees!
It snowed two inches last night and the news today was all about the weather. I called and canceled meeting Laney for coffee and she understood. She had been on the interstate this morning and it was nasty. I went for a walk to take some pictures and get out of the house. People cleared their sidewalks and cars wore tracks in the snow, but the cleared sidewalks and the tire tracks iced over and it was easier to walk in the snow. I figure I won't bother clearing my walkway to the front door.
This guy has the wrong car, too,
I did clear a bit of the back patio so the cats could walk around. They did go out for a bit, but they want me to leave the back door open in case they need a quick escape, and it is just too cold for that. The sun was out all afternoon, which was really nice, even though it was still cold.
Note the November average low for Boise is 32.4° and the average high is 47.5°.
Today the high was 24° and the low predicted to be 3°. Boise had a late Spring and an unseasonably warm October and I think everyone, including me, was expecting a late Winter, not a super cold early one.
The next enlightenment topic is Kindness. The author's selection is a poem by Stephen Crane called "Do Not Weep, Maiden, For War is Kind." This is a cynical poem about war and, as far as I am concerned, off topic. I prefer the Aldous Huxley quote noted by the author in the text. On his deathbed Huxley was asked for his advice to mankind and he answered, "All we need to do is be a little kinder to each other." As we all struggle with the difficulties and emotions and disappointments of the holidays, remember to be kind. This includes the harassed grocery checker, the sister-in-law that sends you out for sweet potatoes on Thanksgiving morning because yams are not good enough, and that grandmother on the road that is driving too slow. This does not include North Korea. War has nothing to do with kindness or unkindness.
Monday, November 22, 2010
More Snow
It finished snowing last night, but stayed pretty gray all day. This is first thing this morning and it was too dark, so sorry for the blur,
Later, Spit stayed under the table, where it was at least dry,
I went to the Mall to buy a hat and to the grocery to buy apples for the Thanksgiving pie and to practice driving. The roads were pretty clear and dry and everyone drove carefully. It is supposed to snow and be super cold tomorrow and I am supposed to meet someone for coffee, but I really do not want to drive when it is snowing.
I finished the latest painting and will start another one tomorrow. I also finished another application for an Idaho state job, but I am discouraged with them. My score for an HR job was 95, but that job is now filled and I did not even get a call for an interview. The job that the manager I interviewed with told me about shows I did not meet the minimum requirements. I guess they did not buy my creative interpretation of my grants experience. I applied for another one over the weekend that should get me a 100 and I am going to call about that one once the application date closes and make sure there is nothing wrong. I now have 3 jobs with the state of Idaho that are pending a score.
Later, Spit stayed under the table, where it was at least dry,
I went to the Mall to buy a hat and to the grocery to buy apples for the Thanksgiving pie and to practice driving. The roads were pretty clear and dry and everyone drove carefully. It is supposed to snow and be super cold tomorrow and I am supposed to meet someone for coffee, but I really do not want to drive when it is snowing.
I finished the latest painting and will start another one tomorrow. I also finished another application for an Idaho state job, but I am discouraged with them. My score for an HR job was 95, but that job is now filled and I did not even get a call for an interview. The job that the manager I interviewed with told me about shows I did not meet the minimum requirements. I guess they did not buy my creative interpretation of my grants experience. I applied for another one over the weekend that should get me a 100 and I am going to call about that one once the application date closes and make sure there is nothing wrong. I now have 3 jobs with the state of Idaho that are pending a score.
Sunday, November 21, 2010
It's Snowing!
When I woke up Saturday morning it was snowing.
As soon as this snow melts I will put those steamer chairs in the garage.
It is really beautiful and yesterday morning I was amazed like a kid seeing snow for the first time. I was out all day yesterday trying to take advantage of the warm weather, that is weather above the 2 degrees predicted for Tuesday. I called my friend Christelle Friday night about meeting her for lunch on Saturday and in my message I said I was worrying about driving to lunch in the snow. On Friday night she wondered why I was worrying about snow when there wasn't any snow yet? Sure enough, Saturday morning it was snowing. She called to tell me that story Saturday morning and give me driving tips, and Sarah, my neighbor, called soon after to check on how I was doing with the snow.
By the time I got to lunch it was raining more than snowing and the roads were wet, but not icy. Saturday morning Mary Kay invited me to a pot luck dinner and said she would pick me up and drive me. By the time she arrived the snow was gone and it was no longer raining and I felt like I wasted a free ride. I turned on the Christmas lights before we left and it sure was pretty to drive up and see them lighting up my house at night. Sarah told me she and Joe enjoyed them, too.
Not too long after I woke up this morning it was snowing again and it has been snowing all day. Sarah said they predict an inch of snow, but I put my trash cans out at noon and it looks like more than an inch of snow is sitting on them in just five hours. I walked over to buy a newspaper in my new coat with a hood and understood why people have winter caps with bills. Even with my hood pulled over above my face, the snow as still blowing down on my cheeks. When I got back Sarah and Joe were doing yard work in the snow and cutting down the sad, withered tomato plants.
One thing about snow outside, not only does it look quiet, it is quiet. I have not heard anyone since Sarah and Joe finished their yard work, not a person or a dog or a car.
Neither cat would go out yesterday. They seemed to know the yard was just the wrong color. Both went out a bit this afternoon. Spit just went out for a minute and looked at me brokenhearted. Cruiser stayed out for a few minutes, but it was the snow falling on him that he could not figure out and did not like. Both are fairly calm now, although they are sticking close to me.
The snow inspired a long nap this afternoon and afterward a cup of hot chocolate. Even though I have been heavily in to the giant bag of trail mix with cashews and M&Ms from CostCo, I am still losing weight. I figure I can lose another 5 pounds this winter if I lay off the trail mix, so I put it away for the holidays.
I am waiting for the sun to come out, or at least a break in the snowing, to take more pictures.
As soon as this snow melts I will put those steamer chairs in the garage.
It is really beautiful and yesterday morning I was amazed like a kid seeing snow for the first time. I was out all day yesterday trying to take advantage of the warm weather, that is weather above the 2 degrees predicted for Tuesday. I called my friend Christelle Friday night about meeting her for lunch on Saturday and in my message I said I was worrying about driving to lunch in the snow. On Friday night she wondered why I was worrying about snow when there wasn't any snow yet? Sure enough, Saturday morning it was snowing. She called to tell me that story Saturday morning and give me driving tips, and Sarah, my neighbor, called soon after to check on how I was doing with the snow.
By the time I got to lunch it was raining more than snowing and the roads were wet, but not icy. Saturday morning Mary Kay invited me to a pot luck dinner and said she would pick me up and drive me. By the time she arrived the snow was gone and it was no longer raining and I felt like I wasted a free ride. I turned on the Christmas lights before we left and it sure was pretty to drive up and see them lighting up my house at night. Sarah told me she and Joe enjoyed them, too.
Not too long after I woke up this morning it was snowing again and it has been snowing all day. Sarah said they predict an inch of snow, but I put my trash cans out at noon and it looks like more than an inch of snow is sitting on them in just five hours. I walked over to buy a newspaper in my new coat with a hood and understood why people have winter caps with bills. Even with my hood pulled over above my face, the snow as still blowing down on my cheeks. When I got back Sarah and Joe were doing yard work in the snow and cutting down the sad, withered tomato plants.
One thing about snow outside, not only does it look quiet, it is quiet. I have not heard anyone since Sarah and Joe finished their yard work, not a person or a dog or a car.
Neither cat would go out yesterday. They seemed to know the yard was just the wrong color. Both went out a bit this afternoon. Spit just went out for a minute and looked at me brokenhearted. Cruiser stayed out for a few minutes, but it was the snow falling on him that he could not figure out and did not like. Both are fairly calm now, although they are sticking close to me.
The snow inspired a long nap this afternoon and afterward a cup of hot chocolate. Even though I have been heavily in to the giant bag of trail mix with cashews and M&Ms from CostCo, I am still losing weight. I figure I can lose another 5 pounds this winter if I lay off the trail mix, so I put it away for the holidays.
I am waiting for the sun to come out, or at least a break in the snowing, to take more pictures.
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