Snow

They said it was going to snow.  Last projection I heard was 2"-4" at our place.  Was supposed to begin with rain about 9 p.m. turning to snow. 

It did begin, right at nine.  Sounded more like hail or sleet hitting the windows.  Looked out the window and it was blizzarding.  They got the time right.  They got right the fact that it was going to snow.

But the amount?  Hardly.  The husband went out at six to start shoveling.  (He hasn't yet got the plow blade on the John Deere - that'll be a priority in the next day or two.)  At nine-thirty (3 1/2 hours later) he finally came in and took a break.  Then back out to do the walk from the street up to the front porch.  I spent a bit over an hour helping but there was so much snow it felt like our progress was tiny at best.  

Bottom line:  I estimate we had about a foot of snow.  Wet.  Heavy.  Dense. 

Welcome to 2-4" (in reality 10-12") of snow.

At one point, the pile I was shoveling onto was taller than my 5' 1 1/2" inches and I could no longer toss the snow high enough (got lots of snow thrown back into my face) to get up and over the top of the pile to the other side.  Had to push,push,push the snow off to the back of the pile.  

And for the last two nights,  I received a very clear mental image of what it is like when books, etc. describe the wind as howling.  It was strong and loud and definitely a bit on the scary side.  Made me more conscious of how grateful I am for our snug warm house.  And grateful for plenty of snow shovels. 

Again was asked to play for a special musical number for a ward across the valley - for this coming Sunday.  With much guilt I declined. As kindly as I could.  I say yes so much that it feels like people don't even stop to think about what they're asking of me.  How much time it requires.  That when I say yes at the last minute it requires me to put everything else in life on hold so I can learn a new song, master its intricacies and polish it well enough so as to please our Creator when I play.  And when I'm accompanying someone, it also similarly affects their life, in addition to having to schedule practices together.  Now, I know I'm not the only one that has a hard time saying no.  And I know I'm not the only one that sacrifices to help others out.  (And probably my sacrifices are very small in comparison.)  It just sometimes feels like too much.  And today was one of those days.  So I'm living again with guilt.  For no real wrongdoing, just for finally saying I need to take care of me this time.  Sigh.  I just so dislike disappointing people. 

Yesterday's fresh-made chicken noodle soup was a welcome dinner that will also be welcome tonight.  I'm convinced there's magic in homemade soup.