So, I have missed most of January here on the blog. I guess I could sum it up by saying 'cold, bitter temperatures', 'lovely dinners with friends and family', and 'blessings'. But, here are a few photos and a quick run-down of the month.
We started the month (and the year!) with a blessing. January 1st was not a good weather day with slick roads and cold temperatures. Jackson and Brianna were traveling in to youth group from her house (on a winding, wooded highway) when a deer jumped out from the side of the highway and hit them. Thankfully, Jackson didn't lose control of the truck and was able to stay on the road and not hit anything else. Also thankfully, he was IN the truck instead of his car. Because the roads and weather were bad we had told him to take the truck. If they had been in the car I feel they could have been seriously hurt. Thankfully, a ¾ ton truck was more protection for them. Scary event, but grateful they were okay. Trucks can be repaired.
We enjoyed a couple dinners with friends - one evening where I remembered to take photos and one evening where I forgot. :( Both evenings were a pleasure. I wish I had gotten a photo of Chris and Cheryl (and boys) when they were here, but below are photos from Gary and Denese's visit.
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| Gary and Denese brought us the 'World's Perfect Pet, Polly'! |
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| Ha!! |
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| Marvin, Laura (holding Polly!), Denese, Gary, Julie, Mama and Daddy |
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| Marvin, Jonathan, Denese, Gary, Julie, Mama and Daddy (with Polly on the table!) :D |
We had exciting adventures picking up a ½ a beef from a new processor. We usually buy our beef from people here in town, but had the opportunity to purchase a half beef with other friends - and it turns out their processor is about an hour away. Marvin and I attempted to go pick it up one afternoon and had to turn around and come back home after only 15 miles because of the treacherously icy roads. The next day Daddy offered to go in his AWD to pick up the meat and we gratefully took him up on his offer. Around 4:00 pm he called from a mechanic's shop and said that the slick roads were even worse over there. Going into the processor's parking lot his car had slid into the end of a culvert that was totally snow and ice covered and it had slit his tire. He also had no cell phone service, but luckily, there was one mechanic's shop in the town and he had gotten there. The tire had to be ordered, however, and wouldn't be in until the next day. As Jackson and I headed out to go get him we received text alerts of a new freezing rain warning. I have to tell you that was a total white knuckle drive! The roads were terrifying and the weather was bad and getting worse. We finally arrived in the little town just to be stopped by a looonnnggggg train. :)
We were sure glad to get to Daddy and then to get home again. Poor man… doing a good deed for us sure cost him a lot!
About mid-month I received a surprise when someone called Jonathan one afternoon to inquire if I was in jail!?!?!? What on earth???? They then shared that it had been in our local paper that I was arrested on a warrant for failure to appear in court on speeding and no valid license charges. I honestly didn't believe them until they texted a photo of the notice from the newspaper! Then I completely freaked out! I live in a small town and knew that it was highly unlikely that there was a another person with my exact name (spelling and etc.) without me knowing about it. I honestly began to worry about identity theft! However, the notice did say the other 'me' was 40. That should have been a dead giveaway to anyone who might have read it! I am surely not 40! :) After doing a little digging I discovered that there is, indeed, another woman with my same name who has recently moved to our greater area (not my little town, but a town nearby). I am seriously hoping she leads a much quieter life from here on out! I am STILL hearing of folks who DO think it was me!!! aaaarrrghhhh!!!
The weather for the entire month of January has just been difficult. We have spent way too much time in negative temperatures. That sure makes it hard to care for animals, especially. Marvin has battled waterers freezing up, ice and snow storms, and frostbite. One evening was particularly strange in that the day had been lovely and warm - into the upper 40's!!! - then out of literally NOWHERE a white out blizzard blew up. In less than 5 minutes the wind and snow howled in and caught Marvin out in the field with the horses. They all took refuge in a little 'run-in shed' together. Thankfully, Marvin had his cell phone on him and was able to call me just as Jackson and I were getting ready to try to go find him. He was able to ride it out in the shed while the horses sought comfort from him by burying their noses in his chest. :) Luckily, it was over almost as quickly as it began…. within 20 minutes. But, that was about the freakiest weather I have ever witnessed!
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| I had snapped these photos while finishing up my walk in town the day of the freak blizzard…. |
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| Clearly, there was a front coming in… but we were surprised by the intensity of the blizzard just an hour later! |
Then just this past Sunday evening we were enjoying dinner at Mama and Daddy's house with a family friend, Shana, when the winds blew up (about 60 mph we later learned) and the power went off. We finished our meal by candlelight as we listened to the wind blow a gale. The temperatures were dropping and we knew we were to get down into negative temps overnight. I wimped out and accepted the lovely offer from friends to come spend the night at their house in town (where they still HAD electricity), while Marvin determined to stay home to watch over things. Just as I had my bag packed (by flashlight) the power came back on. Yay! The obvious cliche is so true… you simply don't appreciate things like heat and lights until they are taken away. Why is this (greater) message so easy to forget??
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| sunset photo taken just before heading to Mama and Daddy's that Sunday evening... |
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| Could see the front coming our way… had NO IDEA it packed 60 mph winds!! |
