Phase I

So "Phase I" arrived today with a little more bluster than expected.  This is the first part of our winter storm series, the one that isn't supposed to be as big a deal as tomorrow's anticipated ice storm.  We woke up and the ground was already white.  That wasn't supposed to happen.

It was a beautiful day, just hovering around freezing, with huge snowflakes descending down all around us.  It was a little too wet to go out and play, and the temperature was such that any accumulations we had were ultimately affected in the end.  But the amount of snowfall all day long made it such that tonight as we turn in for the evening, there's still plenty of white out there on the ground.  This is part of the set-up for Phase II, where an even greater amount is due, and temperatures are supposed to be more consistent below the freezing point.

We had power all day, and didn't go anywhere all day either - although I suspect we could have easily gone to town or wherever.  The roads looked clear, but you just never know.  And since we didn't need to be anywhere, we didn't go anywhere.  Why risk it?  Daddy did some work at home, and Mommy did too.  She's feeling better today, which is great.  She's just a little tired, which is one of the symptoms she usually feels the next day after such an epic battle.

Madison and Daddy did a little piano, but for the second time this month, our piano class was cancelled due to weather.  Mrs. Pam sent a practice sheet home, so we'll start on that tomorrow, when Phase II is coming.  That is, if we have power.

Fortunately, we got a lot of wood this weekend in anticipation of such an event.  And we have board games.  You have to have board games when you lose power in the day.  But hopefully we won't lose power.  The people on television are telling us that a lot of people are going to lose power, just because this ice storm that's coming with Phase II is - here's the word again - "catastrophic."  It's not "soul crushing" cold, but it will be catastrophic.

When I think of catastrophic, I think of typhoons and visits from Godzilla.  So in a way, I think they're overdoing it.  But if that is what it takes to get people to use common sense, then so be it.  "Stay Home" should be our motto for tomorrow.  And maybe even Thursday too, the way it's being presented.  We'll see how that goes, of course.

Meanwhile, today was a lazy day, wasn't it?  Daddy did a little work, but not much.  We played Lego Marvel, where Daddy was thrilled beyond belief to see that you can have as a playable character the one and only Squirrel Girl.  Madison and Daddy were tossing squirrels left and right.  This, of course, is all part of Phase I.  Daddy had to reintroduce Squirrel Girl to Madison, and the concept of this character who can never be beaten in battle.  Well played, Lego Marvel!

Mommy made us delicious meals today, and did I mention we got a new chair for the living room?  Daddy will be assembling that tomorrow, as part of the "fill the day with stuff to do inside, because you're not going anywhere."  Indeed, we'll be trapped together again tomorrow.  And that's just fine with me, of course.  But with the snow falling out there, up comes the UPS guy with a chair in a box.  I would have been fine if they waited to deliver this stuff after the weather system had come and gone, but nope:  we've got a chair.

Madison and Daddy watched a bit of the Olympics this afternoon, watching the women's luge competition.  It was great to see the American Erin Hamlin get on the podium - Madison and Daddy watched a bit of that for a time, until it was dinner time at least.  And then it was back to the Olympics some more, watching Shaun White again, and some of the other events as well.

SPEAKING of Shaun White, here's our entry for the Olympics today.  We posted this earlier - sort of laughing at the comparison to Samson here.  He cut his hair, and lost his snowboarding powers!  But, of course, when you see where he sent his hair, you won't mind so much.  It's a cute little side story, but it does have a nice point to it...

“Anyone who gives a lot will succeed. Anyone who renews others will be renewed.” Proverbs 11:25 NIrV

     Olympic snowboarder Shaun White came back to the Olympics in Sochi, and he is certainly a little different than usual.  For one thing, his long red hair – a trademark look – is all gone.  Some could point out it’s a modern day Samson story:  consider a moment that he lost his true snowboarding powers, right after cutting his hair!  And some could say his distracting “Delilah” was spending too much time playing with his new rock band.

     But consider this a moment – and it’s not a bad thing:  Shaun’s hair went to a good cause.  Back in 2012, when he went to get it cut, he made sure his hair went to an organization called Locks of Love. 

     “Somebody needs it more than I do,” Shaun said.  That’s certainly true:  Locks of Love is a group that helps children who lose their hair due to medical conditions beyond their control.

     You can be a hero on the snow, but you can be an even greater hero off the slopes when you sacrifice, and put others first.  The truth is, there’s always someone out there that has needs that are greater than yours. 

     You can’t win them all.  But when you put others first, and give from the heart, you can hold your head up high, and still walk like a champion.