Sigh

So it's been crazy around here due to our snow, and by snow I mean really a lot of snow for Alabama.  We had over 8 inches all across North Alabama. I know, I know my Northern friends this is not a lot in comparison to what you get, however let me point out again, this is Alabama.  We (as in the state) are not prepared nor equipped for this type of snow.  We have a few snow plows but not enough and when it snows here, it melts and turns into black ice.  Black ice is very very dangerous, especially at night as you might imagine.  Our city & surrounding counties have been closed down since late Sunday night, today is Tuesday.  School has been canceled since Sunday night and is closed at least through tomorrow (Wednesday).  It's quite possible it'll be closed or delayed Thursday due to the amount of snow/ice still on the roads. 

I mentioned before I got a new job at Jo-Ann fabric & craft stores, had orientation last week and was supposed to start work this week.  Actually I was supposed to start last night, but they called at 8 am yesterday morning and said they were not opening due to the weather.  OK makes perfect sense to me. They told me to come in tonight at 5 pm. and so even though the city opened some roads today (they were reclosing them at 5) and my local roads still icy I made the trek into work.  There were plenty of people there, so I thought OK we'll be working no problem.  I go on in and the first shift is leaving and I and only 1 other person show up for the 5 shift.  Um OK. They are like oh yeah we're not working tonight.  Excuse me? They apparently were able to call every single other person  BUT me and this one other guy?? I am pissed, beyond pissed they have such a lack of respect for us.  It kills me because the roads were not clear enough to drive on and they did NOT even apologize for not calling. 

I really am not sure what to do. I am supposed to work Wed, Fri & Sat this week, however we are still under Winter storm warnings, hard freeze warnings and the news keeps talking about the roads being bad.  If they are going to be this way tomorrow, WHY would I drive back to that store? Um I don't think so.  The job is not worth possibly getting into a major wreck, getting hurt or killed.  No thanks.

So now a few pics from this week

Cold

Freezing really, well I guess you could say below freezing since the temps will remain around 21 today, not counting the windchill. Last check was about 6 degrees for the windchill and it's almost 1 pm.  Yes I know there are places that are much colder, but this is Alabama! We're not used to this cold weather. We actually had snow most of yesterday and this morning but it was soo windy that it really didn't stick.  So off to school the kids in our city/county went.  Though I wish they had stayed home since it is so cold.  Tonight is not going to be any better and they are also calling for some freezing rain on Wed I believe. Not looking forward to that.  I hate to see how cold Jan & Feb end up being. 

A couple of "snow" pictures from yesterday:

So while it wasn't a lot, it sure was pretty while it lasted. 

One Year Ago Today

I came to the realization that I was miscarrying the baby I had just found out about on Feb 1st. My little one would have been approximately 4 months old today, had I carried to full term. I am sad about it, and I have friends who had babies around the time my little angel would have been born, but I am trying to not dwell on this.  I am happy for them, happy they did not have to go thru the pain I did and happy they get to hold their little ones.

However sad I am today, I am trying to rejoice in the fact that I am carrying a sweet little girl who is due in about 13 weeks.  It's been a hard and stressful pregnancy but in May it will have all been worth it. There are days I am still paranoid something terrible is going to happen, especially when I notice she's not moved much or that I just haven't felt her move.  Then it's like she knows, and she moves around for me and I breathe a sigh of relief.

I knew Valentine's Day would be a little hard and I was right, but we awoke to a beautiful snowy white ground.  As I sat listening to the girls being excited about the snow and anxious to check out their gifts, it made today much better.

RIP My Sweet Angel Baby

Snow Days and Randomness

Well Alabama had another "snow day" yesterday and today. The entire city was pretty much shut down by yesterday afternoon, including all school systems.  I didn't mind so much honestly, it made where I basically had a 3 week holiday vacation as well as the kids.  I have a lot of friends who were not happy with schools being closed, and I can understand.  However after seeing how roads iced up around the time the schools let out, I was glad I chose not to send Jess in for 3 hours. 

We didn't get a lot of snow, maybe half an inch if that, but it was SO cold and continues to be that way.  I haven't set foot outside since Wed morning and that's OK with me. The wind chills are in the single digits, that's enough to make my face feel like it might fall off! lol  I was probably one of few who did not send the kids out to play, they did not even really ask, which was alright with me. There is still some "snow" aka ice on the ground and some road ways from what I understand, and it'll probably be here a couple more days since it's so cold. 

Other than weather days, not much else exciting going on.  I was hoping to go to Bunco tonight but woke up with a terrible migraine. Even after taking a 3 hour nap this afternoon it would not really ease up, so I missed it.  Tomorrow night is the HMMT's 4th Anniversary party. I can't believe it's been 4 years already and we're still going strong. I am looking forward to another fun filled year with a lot of events and fun! 

On the baby front, I am finally noticing the little frog moving around quite a bit.  She's not so active I can feel her on the outside, but I can definitely feel her moving around. We've been tossing around a few names, but nothing even close to being set in stone. The girls want to name her Ashley and my sister wants her middle name to be Lauren, so Ashley Lauren.  While it's a pretty name, it reminds me to much of Laura Ashley, so I don't think it'll make it to the finalized list. 

I am also finally feeling better, morning sickness seems to have moved on and a little energy has returned, yay!  I hope this trend continues since I have a lot to do before the baby's arrival. I go back to the doctor at the end of the month for my next checkup.  I am having a hard time believing I will be 24 weeks then! 

Have a warm & cozy night!

Winter Wonderland

Well not exactly but close enough! We had our first "snow day" of the season, I know in Alabama!! I even took pics to prove it did happen! :) See below!

Isn't it pretty? We got approximately half an inch and some areas got a whole one lol. Ok moving on, now that we have established it DOES snow in Alabama. :)

I went to the dr last Monday for my 16 week check up, and I can't believe how the time is flying by. They were a little concerned I was a bit dehydrated and I just knew I would end up at L&D getting fluids, but bless their hearts, I got to stay home. I just had to drink alot of water and rest, so I have been.

They scheduled my next appointment and my ultrasound appointment! WOOT, I go back Dec 28 & Dec 29- U/S appt. So excited, and hopefully we'll find out what this little bean is! I was only slightly disappointed it wasn't before Christmas, since I was hoping to tell my family while there were here.

So my dad has guessed what gender everyone is going to have and so far he's been right on all accounts...scary eh! So I asked him what his prediction was, he said " I would like for you to have a little boy now, but I think it's a girl". So we'll see if he's on a winning streak lol.

No other news to report, just waiting to drop down some days at work, so I can relax more and get caught up on stuff. I could vent about the bank that we had to deal with but I am not going to bother, it'll just make me mad again!

Until next time...

Hello March & Snow

Welcome to March!

Here in North Alabama and across much of the SE USA, we welcomed in March with snow. It rarely snows here in Al and when it does the kids get excited and the weather men go crazy! I really didn't think we would get any as normally it dies off before it reaches the area, but we awoke Sunday morning to about an inch of snow on the ground. This will probably be it for us this winter and I am really looking forward to Spring!

I figured the kids would beg to go out and play but they did not, I was even feeling bad since it seemed practically everyone else had pics posted of their kids int he snow on facebook. Turns out I wasn't the only one that had kids that didn't get/want to play out in it. Whew, still in the running for Mommy of the Year.....oh who am I kidding, I was probably never in that running.

Hope everyone has a wonderful March!