Major storm

It's common knowledge 'round these parts that if the weathermen start hyping up a winter storm, it probably isn't going to happen (or we'll get only a third of what they originally predicted.) So I'm going to use this as a forum to see just how accurate these guys really are. They are predicting a slow-moving storm to cross our area right around New Year's Day. That means it could dump a lot of snow. And I love snow. So here's the outlook as of this morning:



And here is their technical outlook:
As the ball drops in Times Square on New Year's Eve so will the temperatures! Weather conditions will also be on the decline. We are watching the possibility of a coastal storm developing and roaring up the coast to help us ring in 2010! The latest model runs show the storm taking a track closer to the coast. We will most likely see a scenario where snow will break out at the onset and then transition to a wintry mix inland and to all rain along the shoreline. The storm will be a slow mover. Therefore, it may mean significant precipitation throughout the area. As always, the smallest change in any storm track can have a tremendous impact on the type and amount of precipitation we see here. Stay tuned!

Brief synopsis:
They have no idea what to expect so they're keeping their outlook extremely vague. I agree with the last sentence though - Stay tuned!

Another year, another party

Well another Christmas has come and gone. In a way it was quick, in another it was probably good that it was quick. Our first Christmas without my mom around was like eating cake without any frosting. Sure it was good, but it lacked that special touch that made it awesome. In time I'm sure I'll get used to eating frosting-less cake but trust me when I say that it'll never be as good as the real thing. Despite that, we still managed to have a good time. Christmas eve was quiet but very nice, spent with dad, B and J opening up a boatload of gifts. Christmas day was roudy since everyone was at our house for dinner, but I actually enjoyed the busyness for once. Boxing day was a blast as we spent it with hostess extrordinaire SJ and her hubby J who were unfortunately in the same boat as us as they too had unexpectedly lost a loving mom very recently. I think they were just as grateful for the distraction as we were. Not to mention that they are fantastic hosts with a fantastic new house. I'm so totally jealous of their newly acquired space.

And now we are diligently preparing to continue the festivities in another 2 days as we ring in 2010. We'll be hosting about 5 families and their kids (thank god I cleaned out the basement and turned it into a play room!) In a way, I'll be glad to see 2009 over. But I really hope that 2010 turns out to be a good year, for all of us.

I heart my gadgets!

There are days when my iPod Touch really helps to concentrate. I get in a groove (musically and workingly) and before I know it, it's quittin' time. Then there are those days where I'm so busy, that my poor iPod just sits on my desk, waiting to be used, only to get shoved into my purse at the end of the day with not a single song played. I almost feel like I have to apologize to it. Seriously, I totally planned on listening to you and your wonderful songs and podcasts today, I swear! Those days are bad, but not as bad as the days when the podcast ends and minutes go by before I realize I still have the earbuds in my ear and the iPod sits completely silent and forgotten during my busyness.

On the one hand you probably think I'm lazy - like she couldn't have taken the 2 seconds to select a new podcast? On the other had, it allows me to eavesdrop on conversations since everyone around me thinks I can't hear them. Thank you iPod - you're the best!

Let it snow!

We had our first accumulating snowfall this past Saturday while we were visiting New York City. Although New York being further south than us, it only rained while we were down there but it was cold cold rain. In any event, the rain didn't seem to dampen the holiday spirit that surrounded Rockefeller Center and Radio City's Christmas Spectacular - both of which we managed to see. Our sightseeing was not limited to only the holiday attractions, however. We also managed to see Grand Central Terminal, Times Square, St. Patrick's Cathedral, Saks Fifth Avenue, the World Trade Center site with the new tower under construction, St. Paul's Chapel, Trinity Church, the New York Stock Exchange and Wall Street, and the bronze bull. All in all - it was a lot of cold, wet walking, a few subway trips for Brendan and Dad and some really good food at a French organic bistro and our favorite Italian restaurant on 44th. It was Dad's and Brendan's first time strolling in the city and I think they had a really good time.

And now this morning, we have at least another 6" of snow on the ground. It wouldn't bother me so much except that now it's sleeting, which means there will be a hard crusty layer on top of all that snow. That's good for the cats - they'll be able to walk across it without falling through. Bad for us since we'll have to shovel/snowblow even more weight. I think I might forgo my toning class tonight at the gym. I'll be getting a good upper-body workout right here at home tonight!

Gobble gobble!

Wishing everyone out in blog-land a very Happy Thanksgiving!!

Sheesh CNN...

You KNOW it's a slow news day when these are at the top of the headlines listed on CNN.com:

I am sick and tired of being sick and tired

It all started near the end of October when B came down with a nasty cold. At about the same time, I wasn't feeling the best and it turns out I came down with the regular seasonal flu. (This after being told that I had been exposed to H1N1, but thankfully the swine flu test turned out negative.) Thank god for Tamiflu - that stuff works wonders! B started feeling a little better but his cold didn't completely go away. That usually means something else is brewing and sure enough - a double ear infection was next on the germ platter. After my course of Tamiflu was over, B started his course of antibiotics. Then I came down with his cold. Lovely. I think these bugs are taking turns here - virus, bacteria, virus, bacteria. I'm just hoping my home doesn't turn into a superbug factory!

After dealing with one yucky sickness or another for about 2 weeks, we enjoyed a week of rebounding energy, warmer than usual weather and the schools reopened for November. Yes, they actually closed the schools in our town due to 1/3 of the student population being absent for various ills including a few swine'y's in the mix. Now we're well into the 2nd week of November and gosh darnit, I feel a tickle in my throat again. Oh and B has been coughing his head off lately, which is usually the first sign that he's coming down with something. AGAIN. GRRRR!!!!!

Seriously I want it to be summer again. Winter hasn't even started yet and I feel like we've spent the better part of fall dealing with germs. I wish I could pick up my house and dip the whole thing into a disinfectant bath.