Well, We Got the Blizzard

We definitely got hit by the Blizzard of 2011.  We got a little bit of snow on Monday night, then 18-22 inches of snow (mainly in massive drifts) Tuesday afternoon through Wednesday morning.  Since the snow came down with massive amounts of wind (we're talking 50+ mph here) we mainly got a TON of drifts.  The doors had drifts against them that kept them from opening -- I understand that for fire code the doors have to open outward (have to go with the flow of traffic leaving a building), but that prevents us from getting out entirely when there is two feet of snow up against the door.  The city was basically shut down yesterday as the snow didn't really stop until mid-morning.  A quick timeline in pictures: 

This was about 3:30 pm 1 February 2011

This was about seven pm 1 February 2011

This was about ten pm Tuesday 1 February 2011

 

This was about seven am Wednesday 2 February 2011.  

Since they canceled UIC, as well as the cafe, that meant both Chris and I got to hang out and have a snow day!  Something we thoroughly enjoyed.  We got a surprise day together and it was great for both of us.  We got to sleep in since we knew both works were closed.  We didn't have to clean the house since we both work on keeping it clean during our hours we are here alone, and I didn't have to work weird hours at the cafe -- I told the pastor (who originally had ideas of us opening the cafe at 6 like normal) that I couldn't get out because my car was buried.  When there is snow above the bumper of a car it doesn't go very far very well.  I ventured out earlier than Chris did to take pictures of the aftermath. I also wanted to dig the car out as the plows had started getting some spots clear.  I had a few guys come over and help dig me out -- really they just gave the car a big push to get it initially over all the snow.  The driver's side door was pretty much completely covered, and the entire passenger's side was a drift of snow.  After getting me out the guys and I went around and helped brush off a few more cars.  It was nice to see the people here help each other out.  So often it feels like we are very isolated, but this demonstrated something a bit different. 

Later in the day both Chris and I ventured out.  We walked around the complex a bit and wanted to see the roads -- wanting to know exactly how bad they were since he'd have to be on an early train this morning.  We walked as far as they had plowed on the sidewalks, but ended up walking in the middle of the streets a bit.  We also walked by the lake/pond across the street where I typically run and it was quite pretty.  We ended our venture out by climbing a few of the snow piles at the edge of the complex.  They are probably 15-20 feet tall and very fun.  I was jealous of the children going down the snow piles on sleds, but we had fun going down our snow piles sitting down.  Here are a few pictures of the various things we saw while out.  The first picture is one of the fire hydrants.  Most people ask us, "Why are there little flags on top of your hydrants?" the first time they visit us -- and this is why! 

Notice the snow piles

ripples in the snow from the wind

 

This morning when I took Chris to the train it reminded me a lot of driving around OK at Christmas in 2007 after the massive ice storm.  The largest difference was that the trees were replaced with snow!  The snow is also a lot taller than the tree piles, but the fortification feeling was the same.  Most places only have one lane of traffic open because they can't get the snow out of the second one after plowing the first lane. 

13 Year Old Mail

Well, in the middle of our winter blizzard we decided to check the mail.  Apparently the post office is cleaning out mail in hopes that they don't have to deliver for the next few days.  (UIC is shut down tomorrow, possibly on Thursday and since 1965 when the university started that has NEVER happened.)  We received some report cards for the parents of Ashley Rushing.  If you know who this is, as they've graduated college now, they probably are concerned with their middle school report cards we received in the mail today.  We also got a few messages for the lady who lived here before us, but that was only 4 years old.

We're watching it snow and listening to the howling wind.  It is windy enough that driving home from school/work was horrid.  And not really because there was a lot of snow, but because of the stupid wind.  In 20 minutes that I was home while waiting for Chris's train to get here, the windows on the car froze entirely -- on both the inside and the outside.  We're also enjoying laughing about the fact that the pastor in charge at the cafe wants me to come in tomorrow at 530am.  Before I left the cafe this morning to go teach I basically told him I wouldn't be there tomorrow, but he didn't believe me.  I tried explaining that I was simply not going to make it, but he insists that I get up at five am and (while watching the snow come down still) confirm that I'm not going to make it. 

We watched the weather map and over the course of an hour it expanded to cover an extra 400 miles.  This means we will be getting DUMPED on.  :) I'm excited, though I'm not excited that it isn't really packing snow, so that means no snowmen to build.  Though that's on the agenda for tomorrow if we can stand the wind.  The windchill on Thursday is expected to be close to -30F.  As it stands we're already getting massive drifts happenings, but that's what happens with blowing snow.

Like I said though, we got 13 year old mail from the post office in hopes that they'd not deliver again until Friday.  However, the dust bunnies accompanying the mail are interesting.  I mean, where does the mail go for 13 years?  Did they all of a sudden decide that they needed that crate and it fell between a crate and the wall?

Since Chris and I have an unexpected bit of time together we're going to watch a movie and maybe make some supper.  (I was supposed to have class tonight, but they canceled it -- yay!!)  And I'll be taking regular pictures of the amassing snow, so that'll be the next post. 

Blizzard on the way?

Well, the past week has been a busy one.  Sunday we found out for sure that I didn't get the AstraZeneca position.  Oh well.  I'll apply for a different one, and maybe with a different company.  I worked five days at the cafe, was scheduled to work six, but ended up having to take yesterday off.  I woke up with a nice fever of 99.5 (which in my world is high as I generally run around 96-96.5, even these days) so thought working with food and coffees for people wouldn't be the best idea ever.  Hopefully tomorrow goes okay as I'm opening and I've still got a nasty cough and congestion going on.  I opted to not play for woodwinds as well, and this saddens me as there is one other time on the schedule for woodwinds this Spring that I can play.  Chris managed to play and it went well he reported.  He didn't horribly embarrass himself or anything and the service was good. 

This coming week I'm supposed to work all six days at the cafe again -- I think it is scheduled to be close to 45 hours, and 43 with taking the lunch breaks out.  Plus I'm also teaching at Westwood, so it should be a busy week.  I'm ready for it to be over.  In the forcast is also a blizzard -- so that will be interesting.  I'm quite curious to see if we get enough snow to shut the city down.  Then maybe I can hang out and home and deal with my pictures and getting stuff more in order for the various things going on this Spring. 

We started some serious Spring cleaning this weekend.  We're getting there, still have a lot to do, but are getting there.  Its a slow but steady process.  Hopefully we'll have room to put baby furniture soon. 

Besides for work we both didn't do much this past week, and that's what we've got planned for this week as well.  It kind of stinks being grown up and responsible about working, hopefully this means we'll get to take more time off when the new one gets here. 

It is bedtime though and as you can tell by my rambling I need to find the pillow.  Will let everyone know about the blizzard!  I hope your part of the country fares well whatever amount of snow/ice/sleet you receive. 

Learning the Oboe

As I sit I'm listening to Chris learn to play the oboe.  We've really needed one for the woodwind ensemble at church, and since we're playing next week for the church services, he's decided to really practice some.  Nothing like a performance to make sure you get in practice time.  He's sounding quite good, though I'm not horribly surprised as he has played several reed instruments before. He is sitting next to me flipping between internet music and fingering charts online.  I'm even starting to notice some actual music come from the bell, so we're off to a good start.  Here's a candid I did for my 365 project.

The past two weeks have been busy with us starting school.  School for both of us started out with a bang.  I had several people say they didn't even want to come into my classroom because of the stories being told about me around school.  Chris had flooded labs with sewage gas leaking into them and such.  Joy.  I also didn't get fired from the school (much to my chagrin because at this point I'm needing to scale back hours that I'm working I think -- no more 60 hour weeks for me right now -- or ever probably) when I had to discuss my Faculty Course Evaluations (FCEs).  I had an average of 5.03/6 and the school has set 5.5 as a goal.  Fortunately (or unfortunately) my direct supervisor realizes that a lot of the comment written on my FCEs weren't really about me doing a horrid job, but about how bad science is, or how science shouldn't be required, or as much science shouldn't be required, etc.  It is nice to know that she realizes that it isn't my fault people don't like my subject.  She also sat in on my puppy chow/rock cycle demonstration that day and since all the students kept piping up with the answers, she was super excited, but it didn't help my case for when everyone says they don't like my classes. 

Apparently I'm getting a demonstration for covering the holes in the oboe... He's now devised a method to help train his fingers what to do, though hopefully he'll lose it by show time. 

Work at the cafe has been going well. The past few days have been really really boring.  We've not had much business until today.  Since we've got a few people going to Hawaii for vacations this week and next I get to work six days in a row this week!  Here's to hoping I don't burn out.  Here's to hoping (and praying) that I get the position with Astra Zeneca as well so that I can quit the two job/60 hours a week bit, and have only one that pays me well enough to only have one.  I still haven't heard back and I was told that I would hear one way or another.  At this point since I haven't heard one way or the other I've still got a 50/50 shot right?  Maybe Monday. 

Jim Henson's Fantastical World

Today we went to MSI to see the Muppet exhibit!  When we got there they only had two tickets left for the four of us.  We ended up sneaking 2 people in.  I'd feel worse about it if I didn't get free passes and don't really plan on using the other four free passes we've got coming to us.  The exhibit is only there for a few more weeks so we may not make it back in time.  It was neat to see the different drawings that Henson had.  He had a TON of stuff -- and most of it wasn't ever published.  Surprise Surprise there right?  I wish that the kids weren't there so we could have played with the muppets and such, but alas, the museum does incorporate children quite well and us adults have to be "mean" or just wait our turns and get looks when we want to do something that is "just for kids."  They had a few muppets, and the coolest one was of Miss Piggy all dressed up as a bride.  I managed to sneak a few pics, so if you want to see them then you'll need to talk to me because I'm not entirely sure I was supposed to take them...


We also got to play with the storms exhibit again.  We got to listen to a talk on the Tesla coil.  I could have given a better one!  I felt bad for the poor girl giving it who was having trouble with simple words -- we think it was her first day there, or at least that's what we'll tell ourselves because there really isn't any other excuse for some of it.  I found a few new quotes and here they are...

This morning started early because I played with the woodwind ensemble for church.  Chris is working on learning enough oboe to play with us by the end of the month.  The conductor was like, "what we really need is an oboe" and Chris thought he might be able to use him sax skills on a double reeded instrument.  We'll see how it goes, but it would be fun to play with him in the same group again. 

Overall our weekend went quite quickly.  We had the Wink Christmas Party last night (he does it in celebration of Kings Day -- Jan 6).  I hadn't told him that I was expecting so it was quite entertaining when he kept pouring the martini out of the shaker long after the ice was dry.  Now a few more people know about the whole pregnancy thing.  I'm lucky that I'm still not showing because no one really believes that I'm pregnant.  Hopefully it will help me land this Astra Zeneca position soon and I can get trained.  Pray for it! 

School starts this week for both of us.  Chris starts tomorrow morning and I start Tuesday.  I have a section of Earth Science and a section of Physical Science.  We'll see how they go this term.  Hopefully I'll get to quit mid term.  I'd almost feel bad if by the end of each term I wasn't dreading going to school.  I suppose I need to get to bed though because 430 is going to come early tomorrow.  Hope everyone has a good week!

"Its all Normal"

We heard back from the doctor about the ultrasound today.  Everything was "normal."  Yay! 

I also had a great interview with Astra Zeneca today.  Just before Christmas I put a resume in to be a pharma sales rep -- kind of a see if I can do this type of thing.  I think it went well, and I hope that as opposed to going through the rigamarole of having a 2nd interview and such that I just get offered a position.  Hopefully, at least I get a call back by Friday.  :)  It would be great to not even have to start the term teaching, though at this point I don't see how to get around it.  I've dragged my feet by not doing my syllabi, well, I did a lot of the stuff at the end of last term, so I haven't looked at the stuff in two weeks or so -- and let me tell you, it feels great!! 

Right now Chris and I seem to be playing "share the sinus infection".  I get it and as it clears up, Chris starts to get sick.  Then as Chris is starting to feel better I start to feel sick again.  Joy.  I hope this cycle doesn't continue for long. 

We are also trying to get back into the swing of work and school (which is work for us these days).  It is going interesting, but as I said, I really really really hope that I get the pharma sales rep position.  So, if you're the praying kind you can put that on your list.  It would honestly answer so many questions we have and put us on much more stable footing, and I wouldn't have to teach or make any more coffees.  Though right now making coffee isn't the difficult part, it is putting up with the drama from having a staff mainly of women who while nice, smart and great, never really left high school in terms of how to deal with other people.  I didn't like dealing with people like a high schooler when I was in high school, when I taught at high school, so why would I want to deal with it now?  Plus, the cafe being associated with a church makes it ripe for political maneuvering.  I don't want to play politics.  I want to do my job and be done with it when I go home for the day. 

Anyway, off to shower and bed. 

01/01/11

Well we rang in the new year while sleeping.  We've both been kind of sick for a while now, so sleeping seemed like a more prudent option than going out and hanging with people.  Both because we didn't want to get anyone else sick and because we were just flat tired.  Our trip to OK went well for Christmas.  We got back Wednesday night and I got to be at work at 530 on Thursday morning!  Yay!  Not really, it was quite difficult to get up, but I did manage to make it to work on time.  I'm amazed at how much changes in the cafe in such a short amount of time.  I really want someone with some business sense to take over soon.  Either that or I can find a different job.  I still have my interview on Jan 4, and look forward to it more every day.  Pray for me (and us all) that I do well and get asked back for a 2nd interview, and eventually offered a job. 

Thursday afternoon we also had our ultrasound.  It went well, but we have a stubborn baby.  I'm sure that no one is really surprised by this if you know both Chris and me.  We didn't find out the gender, so everyone will have to wait until May.  It was positioned against my spine, as apparently my spine and back may be easier to expand than my abdomen wall.  While it was moving around a lot, it wasn't really going anywhere or turning like the tech wanted.  She wanted to try and get a profile picture that is the classic ultrasound baby pic, but no dice.  Our picture instead looks very alien-esque as it is the frontal picture showing eye sockets and such.  I'll photoshop labels for the different parts and try and get the picture up soon.  The heartbeat was strong and there were 2 arms and 2 legs, so at this point that's what we're happy about.  Apparently my spine is also a piano for the baby which is why I keep having weird tingling down my legs and into my feet.  We're going to see a chiropractor about the last bit, hopefully soon. 

We are also starting the new year with a new recipe.  I bought some gluten free oats a few weeks ago and there is this great recipe for peanut-butter, chocolate chip, oatmeal cookies.  They are quite tasty and Chris thoroughly enjoys them.  To introduce oats back into my diet is going to be a challenge, so we'll see how it goes and hopefully I don't get too ill. Since introducing oats alone is a bad idea, putting them with chocolate and peanut butter seems like a good alternative.  I have to be careful about how many I have a day though, so hopefully Chris doesn't decide that they need to be his before I get a good re-introduction of oats into my system.  The recipe for those of your curious:

Preheat oven to 350. 

1/2 c butter
3/4 c brown sugar
3/4 c white sugar (I used vanilla sugar since it wasn't a large amount of sugar)
2 eggs
2 tsp vanilla
1 1/4 tsp baking soda
1 c peanut butter
3/4 c chocolate chips
3 c oats

cream butter and sugars.  Add baking soda, eggs and vanilla.  Add peanut butter.  Add oats.  Add the chocolate chips.  Make sure to mix well after each addition (duh).  Drop on cookie sheet and bake 10-14 minutes depending on sheet and oven.  They'll be a dark honey brown color when ready to pull out.  Cool.  Enjoy.  Made 4 dozen.

I did alter the original recipe some when I made this, and all the alterations are in the recipe above, so don't worry about the original as far as I'm concerned.  This recipe is easily done as gluten free or not gluten free depending on the ingredients used.  I was also a bit concerned about the lack of a binder (like a gum or gelatin) but it was okay because of the eggs and peanut butter.  Also the oatmeal helps soak up some of the moisture as they cook which helps keep them from spreading out too much I think. 

And since they are all now out of the oven I can say I've successfully made all the recipes I've tried this year. :)

I hope that everyone else has a great New Year's Day after recovering from your New Year's Eve.  I also hope that this year brings lots of blessings for you.  I also hope that you do have an eventful year, just that the year is a good eventful, or at least the good events out number the bad events.