One month to the day before the arrival of the vernal equinox and spring, we experienced the heaviest snowfall to date for the winter season. Approximately one foot of heavy, wet snow blanketed the area. Today, in keeping pace with the unusual weather being experienced everywhere, it is 45 degrees and windy at 7:20 a.m.; the snow is rapidly melting away and rain is predicted for this afternoon! The winter has been so unseasonably warm, it's denied me one of my great cold-weather pleasures -- wearing my collection of wool sweaters!
In the past month, to use an old cliche, we've 'dodged several bullets.' For nearly three months the kids have kept us on edge with the announcement they'd both been offered new jobs. . . in Tennesee! A recruiter/headhunter contacted Josh in early November. After a five day/four night visit to Greeneville (east of Knoxville) and negotiations with the company, Josh and Meg turned down the offers. Of primary concern, a significant change in Josh's job description would have required him to work two weeks each month in Houston, TX for a year; a plan not conducive to family life with two small children.
On my part, at least, TN didn't seem all that bad. It would've returned us to within a day's drive of our hunting property, Glenn's mom and sister, my sister and, not unimportantly, Ann Arbor and Wolverine home games! But, selling our nearly new home in this economy did give us cause to pale at the potential financial loss.
Last week, Glenn underwent an endoscopy; for several months he'd been experiencing (unknown to me) occasional episodes resulting in difficulty swallowing. As a result of the test, we learned he has a hiatal hernia; his esophagus was stretched and he's been advised to take Prilosec daily. On the heels of the Jurgens' decision to stay put at least for the time being and Glenn's good prognosis, we're moving on with a new project.
During the initial building process, we only finished off about one-third of our second story, primarily to enclose an area at the top of our stairs and to give Glenn a place to display his hunting trophies. Now, we're moving forward with finishing the rest. We've hired friend Barry Smith, a retired educator who also spent several years doing home construction, to assist Glenn. Although lots of work, we are not doing anything crazy. . . boxing in an additional closet/storage area and then drywall, paint and carpet. The room is large enough to accommodate a guest bed as well as sofa, etc. Not sure yet what we'll use it for, but getting it finished will make it look so much better and more useful, too.
In preparation for the project, we spent last Saturday moving all of the "priceless possessions" (read, crap) that we've managed to accumulate up there in the past three-and-a-half years to the lower level. As many time as I went up and down two flights of stairs carrying boxes, you'd think I'd have thinner thighs! :-)
Frankly, there's not much other news to report at this juncture. Winter has been something of a bust; we've been ice fishing a few times but the extreme lack of snow means we've not been able to go sledding in our driveway once this year. I'm at the point now where if winter does finally show up, I'll be quite disappointed!
We do have one trip scheduled, however. April 22-29 we and the whole Jurgen clan will be in Las Vegas. I've rented a two-bedroom (sleeps eight) condo off the strip. We're not anticipating a 'big win' other than a getaway to somewhere really warm with a swimming pool!
On my part, at least, TN didn't seem all that bad. It would've returned us to within a day's drive of our hunting property, Glenn's mom and sister, my sister and, not unimportantly, Ann Arbor and Wolverine home games! But, selling our nearly new home in this economy did give us cause to pale at the potential financial loss.
Last week, Glenn underwent an endoscopy; for several months he'd been experiencing (unknown to me) occasional episodes resulting in difficulty swallowing. As a result of the test, we learned he has a hiatal hernia; his esophagus was stretched and he's been advised to take Prilosec daily. On the heels of the Jurgens' decision to stay put at least for the time being and Glenn's good prognosis, we're moving on with a new project.
During the initial building process, we only finished off about one-third of our second story, primarily to enclose an area at the top of our stairs and to give Glenn a place to display his hunting trophies. Now, we're moving forward with finishing the rest. We've hired friend Barry Smith, a retired educator who also spent several years doing home construction, to assist Glenn. Although lots of work, we are not doing anything crazy. . . boxing in an additional closet/storage area and then drywall, paint and carpet. The room is large enough to accommodate a guest bed as well as sofa, etc. Not sure yet what we'll use it for, but getting it finished will make it look so much better and more useful, too.
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(02/21/2012) Glenn and Barry Smith begin the unenviable task of stringing electrical wire through already existing blown-in insulation. They ended up with more than a 55-gallon garbage can of "warm snow" that fell during the process.
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(02/21/2012) Child labor at its best, Miles 'assisted' Grandpa and Barry. Being safety conscious, he remembered not only his Home Depot work apron, but the goggles, as well!
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We do have one trip scheduled, however. April 22-29 we and the whole Jurgen clan will be in Las Vegas. I've rented a two-bedroom (sleeps eight) condo off the strip. We're not anticipating a 'big win' other than a getaway to somewhere really warm with a swimming pool!
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