What a difference a week can make

While a week ago I was rejoicing over the first snowfall of the season and the possibility of a snow day, now I have most definitely had enough. It was a crazy week of on again, off again school closures, and on Thursday we didn't even make it. One of the interesting things about Portland is how geographically and meteorlogically diverse it is. We live in the north end of northeast Portland not far from the Columbia River, and really not too far from PDX. While this weather has been fun at times, when the freezing rain comes along it pretty much spoils the whole winter wonderland effect. Right now at our house we have about 10 inches, plus a 1/2 inch of ice on top of that, and another 2 inches on top of that. Poor Henry has just about stopped eating and drinking so he won't have to go outside to take care of business.

The family time at home has been really, really nice. (Although cabin fever has definitely set in for one of our four-legged family members--see left! That box of Kleenex didn't stand a chance.) We've actually gotten quite a bit done around the house--cleaning out closets and sorting through old clothes for donation, catching up on all our laundry, cooking and baking, and working on Christmas projects and crafts. We've also trekked to the DVD Play kiosk at our local Safeway a couple of times to rent movies, though there have been pretty slim pickings. (Kira watched Elf for the first time--dang, that movie is so funny!) Today Adam made us a miniature Thanksgiving feast complete with Tofurky, stuffing, potatoes, candied yams, rolls, and cranberry sauce. Tomorrow after we get out of the house for a while, Kira and I are planning to make Magic Cookie Bars, Ginger Molasses Cookies, and an army of Gingerbread Men. Then we can start packing up cookie boxes for our neighbors and family. The house has smelled particularly wonderful this week.

We know how lucky we are to be safe and warm at home, but we're getting pretty worried about our family members not being able to get here for Christmas. Adam's sisters and their families are all planning to come home. Annie was supposed to come in Saturday, and her flight was canceled. Now she's scheduled to come Tuesday with her husband, but that's looking pretty iffy at this point. Rachel and Bay are also due in on Tuesday on the same airline. (Jeff can't make it 'til Christmas Day since he's on duty Christmas Eve.) Mindy and Matt and their three little guys somehow managed to DRIVE through this madness from Helena, Montana. They left home Friday evening and arrived tonight in Salem. (They spent last night in Seattle.) We're so glad that they made it safely, and that they didn't try to get through the Gorge. At least Kira will have some of her cousins here to play with on Christmas!

My side of the family had planned to celebrate Christmas today, but our get together is now on hold 'til after New Year's. It's probably a good thing--we're still waiting on two packages that should have arrived last week, and I still have a bit of shopping to do. If worse comes to worst, I'm setting out on Trimet tomorrow to get it done. If this weather keeps up, we may have to buy a couple sets of chains to get us down to Salem on Wednesday. We'll keep our fingers crossed.