Boston during the storm.

Just a quick post so I can share this photo with you.  This is taken from Dewey Square in Boston facing South Station, which is where I catch the train every night after work.  If the photographer had turned to the left, you'd be looking at my office.

The Aftermath

Well the storm has passed and it is now Monday.  Yesterday was a beautiful day with bright sunshine.  Today...not so much.  It's very gray out there and while they were originally saying rain for today, that changed slightly this morning and they said that it would start out as some snow (because apparently Mother Nature feels we don't have enough) before changing over to rain.  They are saying it will only be a dusting to an inch most places, but really, it's unnecessary.  Thankfully the rain isn't supposed to be too much.  You might be thinking that rain would be good to wash the snow away, but too much and we'll be dealing with some major flooding because so many storm drains are covered by the snow so the rain and melting snow will have nowhere to go.  

My commute into work was a breeze today, but I can't say the same for most people.  Trains are running late although they are running.  There are still roads that are unplowed in many places and the snowbanks are so high that it's nearly impossible to see around them for oncoming traffic.  And if you're walking, that's not easy either.  Most sidewalks are not plowed so you have to walk in the street and that is extremely dangerous as the roads are already narrowed because of the snow on the sides.  There just isn't anywhere to put it.  I'm going to try to get some pictures of Boston later. 

Thanks for sticking with me!  Hope those who are also living through this have power and if not, hope you are staying warm!!

Sweet Freedom!

The travel ban was lifted at 4:00 and at 3:58, maintenance knocked on our door to ask us to move our cars so they could plow the parking lot.  So we bundled up again and headed out to play in the snow.  It's always entertaining when it comes to the dance around the parking lot when they need to plow.  And a dance it is too.  We're in a pretty good size apartment complex and they do the plowing in sections.  And if you remember, we were out earlier cleaning off our cars.  There were other residents out there too, but then there are those who do not step outside until maintenance comes and knocks on the door.

So we were out there at 4:00, did a little more clean up and then shoveled out in front of the cars so we were driving over a huge pile of snow and off we went to an already cleared area of the parking lot to wait it out.  If you remember, I said that they had been plowing all night.  Well that plowing was just on the main driveway/roads in the complex.  The Dance is all about clearing out all the parking spaces.

Now those of us who had already cleaned off our cars were able to move them pretty quickly and easily and then it was time for the LONG wait.  Why the long wait?  Well, all those people who waited until "the knock" still had to clear 2 feet of snow off their cars before they could get in and move them.  Which means the plow guy couldn't clean out that parking area until they finished.  So how long was my wait?  Over 45 minutes because that's right, someone didn't clean off their car until after they got "the knock."  Oh, and of course they weren't prepared for "the knock" because really it never snows here and they couldn't possibly imagine that anyone would want to plow the parking lot.  (In case there is any question, yes, that is sarcasm.)

I should have brought my Kindle out with me so I could have at least spent that 45 minutes reading, although if I'd been reading, I would have missed the guy who did a face plant into the snow bank as he tried to climb over it to get back to his apartment.

But anyway, now we're plowed!

Back inside just before 5:00 and as I was standing in the window to take an updated photo (yep, that one right there), I looked out to the street and you would have thought there was a Patriots game today with the line of cars driving down our street.  Apparently lifting the ban was like the annual bridal sale at Filene's Basement.  (If you're not from this area, you probably don't understand that comparison, but Google it.  I'm sure there must be a You Tube video somewhere.)   Anyway, our street usually isn't too busy, unless there is a Patriots game since it's the cut through to get over to the stadium.  Seriously, there was a line of cars moving up the street. 

I'm not sure where they were all going, but now I'm hungry and don't feel like cooking so we just called the pizza place and they were open so we ordered subs.  I'm making a run for it!  Nemo, you can't hold me hostage any longer!! 

Important Info!!!

This post is completely serious!  Please read.

Tragedy has struck in Boston.  An 11-year-old boy has been pronounced dead after a tragic accident.  He was out helping his Dad to shovel out the car.  Dad had started the car and the boy climbed inside to warm up.  The only problem, the exhaust pipe was still blocked by the snow and therefore, the car filled with carbon monoxide.

PLEASE!  If you are clearing out your car, DO NOT start the car until the exhaust pipe is cleared of snow. 

Thoughts are with the family.  I can not even begin to imagine how that poor father feels.  My only hope is that this can be a lesson for others out there.

Home Sweet Home

The Governor has decided to lift the travel ban at 4pm today.  I think I'll still stay home, unless the pizza place up the street is open and then I might have to order some dinner. 

And right after the Governor's press conference, the Town of Foxboro made their reverse 911 call to update us and they said that pedestrian's should not be out because sidewalks are not clear and that "residents should STAY HOME."  Ok, you don't have to yell at me.  I'll stay home.  Besides, it's freakin' cold out there.  I don't feel like walking around town when I can stay in my nice warm apartment.

What is that thing in the sky?

Well here we are on Saturday morning, just before noon and there is a bright spot in the sky.  I can't believe it.  Now I'm not exactly going to call it sunny, because there are still plenty of clouds but every not and then that sun breaks through and it makes everything look so pretty.  See the shadows? 

We went out earlier and did a little shoveling.  The best part of living in this apartment complex is that they are out shoveling and plowing all the time, so we really only have to do around our cars.  Unfortunately, because there is 2 feet of snow and lots of drifts, that means a whole lot of shoveling.  It's a good workout but it is not fun when the wind picks up and blows snow right back in your face, which it did to me several times. 

  No, that's not me.  That's my husband.  But I didn't just stay inside and take pictures.  I went out and took pictures too. 

And yes, I also shoveled.  C'mon now.  Did you think this New England girl leaves all the cleanup to the boys?  Oh no.  I'm outside with my shovel and my snow brush and I take care of my own car.  My Daddy didn't raise no wimpy girls.  He didn't raise any boys either, so we were taught to do everything, from cooking and cleaning the house to shoveling snow and mowing the lawn.  So I was all bundled up and out there shoveling too.

See, here's my car before and after I got to it. 

The travel ban is still in effect so even though we cleaned off the cars, we can't go anywhere.  That's ok with me.  Gives me a good excuse to stay in and chat with you fine people.  So what am I doing today?  Right now I'm sitting in the Red Sox virtual waiting room trying to get tickets for Sox-Yankees.  So glad we have power or I would have missed out on this purchase opportunity.

And we're watching Cars 2 because there's nothing like a Disney movie on a snow day.  If I can't be at Disney, at least I can watch Disney movies.  Just wait, maybe later I'll put in the Disney planning DVD and pretend I'm there instead of here. 

Good Morning Nemo!

I'm assuming that if you're reading this, that means you made it through the Nemo Blizzard so far.  I know we still have a ways to go, so please stay safe!  And if you are reading this without power, please stay warm!! 

If you've been following all along, then you must realize that means we have power.  Yes, all my talking about it must have worked.  It appears that all of Foxboro has power for a change.  Let's hope it stays that way.

Looking out the windows isn't exactly easy as they are pretty well caked with snow and ice.  See...

We are able to see out the bay window, but I honestly couldn't tell you how much snow we have because the drifts are all over the place.  And because we have a pretty good maintenance crew at our apartment complex and they were out all night plowing and snow blowing.    So here's what the place looks like at 7:30am:

The travel ban is still in effect, so we're not going anywhere.  I didn't plan on going anywhere anyway, but Michael might have to go to work once the roads are opened again.  That's what it means to work retail.  If they don't open, they don't make any money.  And if you're thinking "who would go shopping in this", believe me, people do.  They closed at Noon yesterday because the storm was bearing down and yet there were still people trying to get into the store at 12:30.  And no, he doesn't work in a grocery store, a hardware store or a convenience store.

 

So who wants some snowfall totals?  Well, let me start by saying that it is still snowing, so this isn't these totals will change.  It looks like Worcester is at the top of the leaderboard at the moment with a whopping 27.5 inches.  Boston comes in at 21.8.  I'll see if I can find out.  I think the news was saying it was about 2 feet, but really, how do you measure when it's blowing all over the place?