Snowmageddon

Q: What happens when the media calls the Blizzard in 2009 (previously reported on this blog) the "Storm of the Century", and then another bigger, nastier Blizzard occurs in the SAME SEASON?

A: Make up an even more over-the-top claim... this is no ordinary Blizzard. It's SNOWMAGEDDON! (I think President Obama came up with the term, but it's been broadcast everywhere the past 24 hours).

Q: What happens when another storm comes along even worse? (Hopefully not this year!)

A: Call it "Snowmageddon of the Century"?????

At any rate, the official totals across Maryland claimed anywhere between 24" and 31" of snow. All I know is that it snowed... a LOT. I also knew it was coming, so I had the Bolens tractor ready and was able to plow the drive -- 4 times. Once Friday night at 10PM, once Saturday morning at 7AM, again Saturday afternoon at 4:30PM, and finally this morning at about 9:30AM. The sun has baked off most of the remaining snow on the drive, but there is literally no place else to stack snow. The snowbank along both sides of the road are as tall as Holly, and the bank my Bolens tractor made are a strong 4 feet tall. It's really ridiculous--as you can see by my pictures below.

My favorite picture is Holly's car--that we parked at the top of the drive to make room for the Bolens and snow cleaning operations below. The car became part of a car-size snowdrift. You literally cannot tell where snow ends and the car begins!

What's worse is that they are calling for "a lot" of snow on Tuesday night/Wednesday morning. Plus, it won't rise above freezing until this coming weekend when another snow storm is supposed to come through. I have no clue where "a lot" of snow will go!

Merry Christmas to all, and to all many presents...

Or something like that.

2009 was a pretty good year. Holly completed her certification requirements to become a Licensed Psychologist in the state of Maryland, I had a good year of work (delivering my first project for T. Rowe Price), we built a barn in the backyard, and we both remained relatively healthy.

We enjoy the end of the year so much because we get to spend time with both sides of our family (mine at Thanksgiving, Holly's at Christmas). It's so great to see everyone and catch up--especially since we live apart from both sides and don't get to see anyone too often.

Since we're out by our lonesomes in Maryland, we wanted to post pictures of our Christmas tree and decorations so that everyone can enjoy.

We can't wait to visit with all of the family that we'll be seeing over the next couple of days, we really regret not seeing the family that we'll miss, but Merry Christmas to all and I hope the next year is as good or better than the last!

Let it Snow, Let is Snow... Ok, that's enough... really, it can stop snowing now... STOP SNOWING!!!

And the blizzard of 2009 is over... 19 inches is the official total recorded in Westminster, but it seemed like an awful lot more. It started on Friday night around 11PM and most of the snow was done with by 11PM Saturday night. That left Sunday morning to clean out the mess.

I got the Bolens tractor all set up for snow, but it just couldn't cut through the mass of snow that was drifted in the back yard -- probably 2 1/2 feet in some places. So, back into the shed the tractor went, and 4 hours and a semi-sore back later and the driveway was clear. UGH! 4" of snow is great, 8" is plenty, but 19"? Yuck! Check the pictures on the deck in the evening... that is a LOT of snow on that table! Also take a look at how high the snow is on the railings.

Now that the tractor is all set up and ready for the next snow, I bet it won't snow again the rest of the year!

Got to Love my Hometown!

When one right-wing conspiracy group isn't enough, how about a second one? Got to love my hometown!

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What a great Thanksgiving!

What a great trip to visit family! Holly and I enjoyed visiting Mom, Dad, Matt, Jenn, Buttons, Grandma, Grandpa, Aunts, Uncles, Cousins... we saw almost everyone on my side of the family. While seeing everyone was the best, the food was tremendous as well. What a tremendous Thanksgiving.

OSU-Penn State

Had another great (and fun) trip with the guys this weekend. This time to Penn State to watch Ohio State beat the Nittany Lions.

Pictures (and a video) below

At Long Last -- The Ontario High School Alumni Band

Everyone that did not get to witness the amazing spectacle of the Chalk Brothers and the Ontario High School Band (I think that's how the billing went)... it is finally loaded to Youtube for your listening pleasure.

It was rainy and wet, but it was still a blast. I actually was able to get it under control, and Matt and I didn't sound half bad, but my trombone skills are already quickly eroding.

Oh well... there is always next year! (They mentioned wanting to do it again next year... and I might just be game.)

Note for the technically dis-inclined... click on the picture below to play the video. Once the video is playing, the button on the bottom of the video second from the left (it looks like a square) will make the video full screen.

Holly and our nephew

Holly spent the weekend with our new nephew this weekend, and this picture was too good not to share.

The much-awaited for barn picture post

All,

I know that many of you have been waiting with bated breath to finally see progress pictures of the shed. The shed was temporarily delayed while the necessary legal paperwork was put in order, and then work continued on both the barn and the patio during weekends and evenings. With one final push consisting of Labor Day weekend and this weekend, however, I'm proud to report that both the barn and the deck have completed all exterior work.

Exterior work? Yes, the deck has some electrical work left to do and the barn has interior stuff such as railings and bracing for the stairs, a few supports to make the county happy with the roof, as well as a lot of work finishing the inside. However, the barn is now officially under lock-and-key, and the deck is now officially covered and closed-in.

Accepting the fact that "finished" is more of a relative term, I would call both projects now "finished enough for pictures".

So, please take a look at how Holly and I spent every spare moment of our Summer.

Special thanks to everyone who pitched in and helped... the work was hard, but we couldn't have done it without you!
Dad -- the mastermind and craftsman (wow did I learn a lot on this project!)
Mom -- the help, the pictures, and the food!
Matt -- Because at 22 years old, how else would you want to spend your Summer, but helping your older brother with his crazy projects? (He was such a hard worker, and so strong!)
Uncle Cal and Nate -- "Hey, welcome to Maryland... would you mind helping us raise the roof of our barn?" (Thanks for being good sports and turning your visit into a working visit!)
Anne and Spencer -- I finally took Spencer up on his offer to help build something, and Anne and Spencer both were such great troopers. Bottom line, the back wall would not have gotten sided without their help!
Holly -- You let me build a gorgeous building in your backyard... and not only helped, but learned to be handy as well! You can side a building, you can use a circular saw, install garage doors... you can do it all!

Thanks everyone!!!
--Jason

GO BUCKS!

Ok, this is pretty cool... you can tell where this baby is **NOT** going to school someday...