A great summer day in Pennsylvania

a wonderful sunny day - just back from Mass at 8:00 and breakfast at Eat 'n Park.
Last night's Victory Alumni reunion was good - lots of people came for their 50th anniversary. It's been 53 years since I left, in the third class to graduate at Victory.
Back to an earlier post regarding this year, two thousand and ten [2010]: At Zac's graduation ceremonies in the park on June 13th, the speakers and administrators all said two thousand and ten. If you all remember, that was my vote...
I'm going out to check my garden - tomato's, green peppers, egg plant, lettuce, cabbage, two kinds of squash and 2 burp-less cucumber plants are growing nicely. I have some flowers growing too.
Mom

Family

My family, far and near, are the very best anyone could have. Thank you all for your love and support throughout this journey I am still continuing. I appreciate all of you in so many ways! The Coast's pulled through as we always do! The Russell's and the Coast's are a special clan - thank you all for being there when needed and all the times in between. Todd was a good man who was loved by many.
Love to all, Julie

Garages are the BOMB!!

Having a garage is the best thing we have ever done! Not having to scrape windows, brush snow and get into a very frosty cold car is worth every penny!! Todd's brothers helped mostly, but their arms got tired toward the end of working on the ceiling so Cody and his friends helped one night, Will and Cody helped one Saturday and before we knew it, the garage walls and ceiling were all insulated. Why did we wait so long to build?

All-time Record at Dulles Airport -

Snowfall totaling 32.4 inches set an all-time record at Washington Dulles International Airport in Northern Virginia. Dulles Airport is 6 miles from us - and Sterling, VA (where the measurement was actually taken, is closer).


I'm sure my measurement of 29" was taken after the snow had settled a bit :)



We're going to shovel off the porch roof today before the next storm hits - forecasts of 10-20" starting today.


Schools are closed through the week. Aside from having to clear off the 770 buses in our school district, the superintendent points out that those buses need to be able to make turns and students need a safe place to wait at bus stops. Single lane streets in most neighborhoods (ours definitely), and snow piled up at the corners makes that rather difficult.

At least we can get mail (for today).

Feb 5-6, 2010 - 4th All-Time Greatest Snowfall in Pittsburgh!

The flakes were large and falling fast. Here's Danny buried in the snow!














By early Saturday morning, it was piled high.













The driveway looks like a lot of work -- there are a couple of cars there somewhere. About 22 inches here by the time it stopped!











Finally looks like a driveway again!














Might as well put the 30 foot pile of snow along the driveway to good use -- a 30 foot tunnel!



























Danny taking a break after he and a friend finished their "Great Escape" tunnel.














Caitlin giving Duo a workout in the back yard.















Monica with Duo in the front yard -- Duo wasn't quite sure what to make of this much snow!

FEBRUARY 2010

This would be a good place for us ALL to post our 'snow stories'.

We had 10 inches fall from Friday, February 5th - Saturday, February 6th. Cody and Jason were able to make it down our drive and used the snowblower, taking turns, to clear out the entire 300 feet of driveway and then the parking area in front of the garage and the turn arounds. It was a big job, thank goodness Todd's brother Tim leaves his snowblower here at our house. I can't imagine how to clear the snow if it is higher than the snowblower! Tom and Jan, Doug and Mary Kay - your pictures were beautiful but looks like 'work'. While the boys were working on the snow removal, I made potato soup, Amanda was doing her taxes online and Todd was in the garage keeping busy with some project he is working on.

Now, to enjoy Super Bowl Sunday!!
Julie and Todd

This New Year

I favor saying two thousand and 10 myself...On CBS News Sunday Morning, Charles Osgood said/sang that, and so did a commercial for Office Maxx. Erie News TV says 20/10.
I guess we'll find out by listening.
I'm continuing with therapy for my hip/ab muscles - long way to go till I gain enough strength to satisfy the therapist's. My new knee is doing a good job - I can now manage steps the normal way, no one-at-a-time any more.
If the weather was decent, not so snowy and icy, I'd be driving myself to therapy and other places. Meantime, Darren provides taxi-service. I am fortunate to have such caring kids - each has helped in special times and places. Thank You all!
Mom