BOHICA: PA Bracing for Round Two, Possibly Three

Things here still haven't returned to normal since Friday's snowstorm. Yes, we can travel the main roads, but it's still tricky. School was canceled today and is also slated to stay closed tomorrow. My older son called to say that classes at his college have been nixed for the rest of the week. On top of all of this, we're bracing for another foot of snow tomorrow into Wednesday. Imagine the joy on my face! *snark*

As I was at Wal-Mart this evening, I grabbed the last two loaves of white bread on the shelves before running into my mother. She had just gotten off of a four-hour stretch of running a register up front. Telling her that school was canceled for tomorrow, she said that there is yet ANOTHER storm system that's being watched by forecasters and could hit over the weekend. My heart sank.

While being snowed in has its advantages (I might finally be able to catch up on things!), I honestly don't look forward to another storm. Travel this winter has been treacherous at best, and I worry about my kids' education. They need to go to school!!!!

Thankfully, we haven't lost our electricity like many in this area of the country. Should that be the catalyst to send me over the edge, I have no problem going to a hotel with the kids. The hubby can rough it since he thinks there's nothing to it.

My advice to anyone who may be anticipating this storm would be to PLEASE stay in if you can. If you absolutely can't get around traveling, take your time and be safe. My prayers are with you.

Pennsylvania Under State of Emergency

In what has become a storm to remember, we are now at a total of three feet of the white stuff within a 24-hour period. Pennsylvania has been declared a state of emergency by Governor Ed Rendell, and the outlook for the rest of the week is bleak.

It started yesterday afternoon. While the prognosticators out of Pittsburgh were calling for 5-8 inches in the mountains, they couldn't have been more wrong. When it started, it didn't stop.

I was fortunate enough to have the morning shift yesterday at the bar. I figured I'd be out at about 5 p.m., enough time to still safely make it home. WRONG! The evening bartender called off, so guess who was stuck working. That's right....everyone's favorite B & G fan.

As the snow fell and my energy levels plummeted, the decision to close the bar early fell into my hands. Still, people decided they absolutely HAD to have a beer, so I chased them out ASAP and closed down. It was about 11:20 p.m. by the time I got done with all of my post-closing duties. Still, I didn't worry. I have a Honda CRV with all-wheel drive. No worries, eh?

What usually takes 10-15 minutes under clear conditions took me over 45 minutes. The hubby had called and said to go to his mom and dad's to await his call letting me know that the driveway was passable. Cars and trucks littered the roads the entire way home. Living near a ski resort, I'm used to seeing people who can't drive in the snow, but nothing of this magnitude. Even the most seasoned winter driver was going to have difficulty.

I arrive at my in-laws' house shortly after midnight. Psychotic from lack of sleep, I'm cranky, hadn't showered or brushed my teeth since leaving the house before work, and I had a bad headache. I tried to park my car and wait for the phone call announcing a clear driveway at home. Notice I said TRIED.

Getting my Honda stuck, I decide to do the unthinkable: wake my in-laws to let me in. I trudge through almost two feet of snow and get to the door. No one answers the doorbell, so I pull out my dying cell phone and call inside. My father-in-law comes down and opens the door.

Going upstairs, I place a call to the hubby.

"I'm at your parents'. I'm so tired I could cry, so screw plowing tonight. I'm getting a blanket and sleeping on their couch. Do not call and wake me in the morning; I'll call YOU. Love you, good night, and kiss the kids for me in the morning."

This morning, the decision to keep the bar closed came from my cousin. After hearing "state of emergency", I think that was a safe bet. Honestly, I REALLY hope we just keep it closed tomorrow. PennDOT is recommending people stay off the roads for at least 24 more hours.

Monday will be the day I go to Wal-Mart to stock up as Tuesday through Friday they are calling for another storm system to move in, dumping at least 4 to 5 inches on Tuesday. Bitter cold temps and drifting snow will also make things nasty.

I pray that everyone stays safe and warm. Please don't take chances if you don't have to. Masses have been cancelled for tomorrow with the bishop giving special dispensation. I figure if God had wanted me in church tomorrow, He would've stopped the snow at 3 inches.

Right now, Al Gore and Punxsutawney Phil are at the top of the B & G Shit List.

(Note: The photo is of the half pipe snowboard course at Seven Springs Resort, a ski resort near my home.)

TRAPPED!!!

Today has been interesting. Anyone living north of Florida or Texas is most likely getting pounded from the first winter storm of 2010, and the excitement parents feel when Christmas vacation ends has been dampened by the extension of Christmas vacation by at least a day.

Here in the mountains of Pennsylvania, we've received almost two feet of snow--global warming my (_|_)--with more on the way. The bad part is that the cherubs at my house can't go out to play in it. Bone-chilling temps have made that much too dangerous.

Today has been spent refereeing fights and arguments between the two younger kids on my only day off until Thursday. Needing to go to the grocery store, I'm forced to make them French toast for supper because travel to the store would be hazardous. Thank Heaven I had the foresight to stop and get cigs on my way home from work last night.

To all of you who are in the same or worse position than I, I feel your pain. Now I understand Jack Nicholson's character in The Shining (minus the axe of course).

I'm praying that the storm will soon be over. Family togetherness is getting to all of us.