Please snow.

Reason # 126 that I love Portland: Portland shuts down when it snows. Sometimes even when there is threat of snow.

Reason # 26 that I hate Portland: Portland shuts down when it snows. Sometimes even when there is threat of snow.

I love that I work at a place that values the safety of its clients and of its staff. I get snow days. When Portland Public Schools are closed for a snow day, generally my workplace is as well. Got to keep the oldsters safe. Every year I get to a point where I want an unexpected and unplanned day off- a snow day. A day where I can stay in my pajamas all day, in bed or on the couch and watch movies, crochet, bake, cuddle with the kitty. A day when I can do whatever the heck I want, whenever the heck I want (so long as it doesn't involve sliding down the hill I live on-which is inevitable when it snows here). 

The thing I don't like about Portland snow days: when they happen mid day and I have to drive home amongst all the "I'm from Portland so I don't know how to drive in the snow" drivers. Everyone here freaks at the mention of snow so roads get backlogged, stored are hit all at once for the necessities as are gas stations. People abandon their vehicles on the sides of road and freeways. Now, mind you- I'm not dissing the Portland drivers, because I've become one. When I see the first flake fall I think, "I've got to get home before I can't." This is partly valid because roads can get bad here and there are very few plows and I live part way up a hill that is not kind to cars getting up or getting down when snow is involved. So, when the snow started Thursday while I was at work we went into minor emergency mode of getting everyone home on the buses. Then I decided to hit the road within the next hour or so. My normal 30 minute commute turned into just over an hour. But, I got home and when I walked in the door I said to the cat, "we aren't going anywhere until we have too." Not like she understood, but I think she also sensed the difference: Mom was going to be home for cuddles, which she loves. We ended up having 4.5 snow days counting the weekend. Here we go:

This was the view on my drive home....it was blowing like crazy.

 This was afternoon #1 out my bedroom window while it was still snowing.

 This was a few hours later: once the snow stopped for a bit. Notice that you can see a house on the right side of the picture about a third of the way down that you can't see in the previous picture. In past years I would get deer grazing down in that little valley and I waited to see them this year and they didn't come...or I missed them.

 Once the wind stopped and snow was taking a break from falling, Ezme decided to explore...

 She prowled around and checked it all out.

 Then she came in for a nap. I decided she knew how to do a snow day: some time in the snow and then a nice nap.

 She did some more napping later as well while I crocheted.

 This was day 3.5 (Sunday-snow started on Thursday around noon): by this time we had gotten freezing rain on top of the snow. That is the real doozy here. Freezing rain is not a pleasant thing.

 Tree with ice on it out in front of my apartment. This was the first time I'd even stepped out of my apartment since I'd gotten home from work on Thursday. That's what I call a snow day.

 Icy, frozen branches.

 Portland issued a Severe Weather Alert that was texted to all Portland area residents that people should stay indoors to avoid problems and safety issues.

 When it started warming up chunks of ice started falling all over. It sounded intense and frightening on my roof and it feel for hours. I was thankful that I never lost power. We were also closed Monday and that is the first day I really ventured out from home and walked through the complex and down the hill....check out those snow ruts.

 A pretty winter wonderland.

There were a few smashed cars on my hill...so I was glad I was like a Portland driver and got home early. Back to work Tuesday...

That was Snow-pocalypse 2014 Portland Style...or my style anyway.

Grand Adventuring Time!

I can't even begin to decribe how important my friend Stasia is in my life and with that comes the importance that her lovely family is in my life. I'm blessed to be Godmother to two of she and Dave's three children and Myles is just as important to me as his sisters. This is grand adventure #5 for us. I picked Myles up and as usually his first request was to go to my work to see the fish. He and Josie both love fish and they know exactly where to go in the maze of hallways at my work to see the fish tank. It's hard to pull them away at times. So, on this adventure day we went to work to say hi and see the fish.

Then to lunch. We've been to the Grilled Cheese Grill a time or two and as I was looking up the hours on the computer Myles spotted that in addition to the location we went to in the past that has a converted school bus to eat in there was another bus-a double decker bus. That was our location mission.

We made it...while it had started to snow outside.

We ordered lunch and then waited in a cold bus to get our food to eat it. I put my scarf on Myles and here he is showing it and his sandwich off!  Love that face and it totally shows how cold we both were!

 Can you spot him up there?! Top level-window above the brown paint!

 The bus...

 After lunch we headed to the Portland Aquarium. "You have to take a picture of the fish, Miss Stephanie. Look at them."

 Myles checking out one of the first fish tanks.

 "Look. Cool."

 Find the (almost) 5 year old!

 Myles took this picture of the jellyfish. I loved the jellyfish. All of them.

 Nemo!

 Stingrays. Or some sort of harmless ray. I pet them. Myles wouldn't, but he was proud of me and happy for me that I got to.

 This picture makes my laugh everytime I look at it!

 More jellyfish!

We also went to have our traditional Burgerville Milkshake and then to the Dollar Store to buy balloons and temporary tattoos for Myles and Josie.

My lovely adventure buddy! I'm so blessed!

Can't wait for our next adventure Mr Myles! You are so special in my life and I'm glad I get to experience you growing up!

RIP

From the wee pup he was when we got him to the bouncing, energetic dog he always was-even up to nearly the very end- Max was definitely left footprints on our hearts. He traipsed into Doggy Heaven early this morning laying in bed being comforted my my Mom and one of his favorite people. Max will most definitely be missed and a piece of my heart will always be dedicated to him and the memories I have of him.

And now, for my photo dump of only a few of the pictures.

As a wee one...

He loved to sit on the back of the couch/in the window sill and greet (aka bark at) anyone (four legged or otherwise) who walked by.

Clean cut dog!

Max loved giving kisses!

Max had a few favorite toys...Mr Elephant was one of them. He took Mr Elephant to the kennel, outside, would walk him around the house every night before bed and cry and whine while doing so.

 

 Snow time with Josh!

Costume time at the vet/kennel he would stay at. They miss him. He was a steady "guest" and some of the stories I've heard (even before his death) was that they'd put him in a kennel next to a new or nervous guest because he would sleep right up against the fencing to keep that dog comfortable and calm. He was also the Alpha dog there. When he walked in and barked the other dogs would quiet down.

Look at that face. I love and miss it!

Gazing out the window at the happenings in the park across the street. 

This is the profile picture that is on my cell phone and will stay on my cell phone for when my Mom's home number calls or is called. 

Rest In Peace buddy. I will always love and miss you.