Pure Determination

So, my own, personal tribute to Glacier National Park has been living on the end of my driveway for a week, thanks to the plowing skills of Springfield Township. Between my attempt at getting a path for my tires to get through, and the street clearing, a giant iceburg formed on the end of my driveway, preventing me from being able to turn right into my drive. Now for a while, the novelty of being able to leave my house (in the ill-fated airport attempt) was enough, but because of the melt yesterday and today, I managed to clear the rest of the drive, and the sidewalk to my door (should I desire delivery food of some sort).

This left today, only the 5 foot by 4 foot by 3 1/2 brick of ice that obstructed half the entry to my drive. Tonight's trash night, and when I put the trash out, I realized, "I won't be able to leave the house tomorrow without moving the garbage."

And so I started eliminating the Titanic's Villian's stunt double. Now when I considered that I was trying to eliminate the distant cousin of the very thing responsible for Leo's death in that film, I had second thoughts, but I decided my freedom was more important.

Now no ordinary snow shovel is going to break through the shell of solid ice that is encasing the snow bank. Thinking to my Hyper-Villigilant Safety Guy's words (If you don't work for Best Buy, this won't make much sense to you), I use the right tool, and go grab my garden spade. Keep in mind, that MY garden spade is actually child size. It has a short handle, and is meant to be wielded by a shortie. I figure my 5'2" qualify. But it's professional grade, and has a real (not plastic) blade, with a rather damaging point. What I really needed was a hatchet. Pretending that I was on an Everst trip, I ended up chopping at the ice with great force to loosen enough snow to scoop up with my snow shovel. The wet snow underneath probably weighed 25 pounds a shovelful. My arms are killing me. My heating pad is my back's best friend. But my driveway is clear for entry from either West or East.

And hopefully tomorrow the garbage will be picked up (Unlike last friday)

Thank you, Technology Gods

Got to spend part of the day with my family as it were, via the internet. We set up an ichat, and I snapped a lot of photos with the digital camera to send to the family. I opened the gifts they sent me, and they got links to their gifts, which I shall send them when I can.

It was fun, and sweet, and a very happy day after all.

My brother gave me a pass to the New York Subway, and a promise of a flight to come visit him when I get time off. He want to take me to see Avenue Q, so I am really psyched. Mom gave me sheets & some calendars that have pithy momisms, and one that is made of handcrafted paper, filled with mushy, tear-jerking quotes about what a wonderful daughter I am. *sniff*

The only thing that would make my day complete would be for someone to fulfil their promise of calling me when they got home.... but no use dwelling on that!

The cats are sleeping off thier Holiday Catnip high, and I am settling down to do some serious laundry.

Happy Holidays, one & all.

If Only In My Dreams

I had it all planned out. I snagged a round-trip ticked to Richmond, and secured a rental car there, so I could drive home for Christmas. I was to leave Thursday, right after work. I'd show up on Mom's doorstep as her big Christmas Surprise. Given my chosen career path, I'm never home for Christmas, but this year would be different. I packed my bags, including all the gifts Mom & Dad had sent me, and my Christmas stocking, ready to hang it on their mantle.

Then came the snow. They cancelled my flight, which was fine enough, as I couldn't get to work, and after waiting on hold for numerous eternities, I was booked on the first flight out to Richmond on Christmas Eve. Fine!

I called my parents yesterday, to let them know that the reason the "package" carrying their gifts hadn't arrived was because I was planning on bringing it personally. Mom was crying, so touched was she by my "special gift" to her. I told her that I was rescheduled, and I would call them when I got to Richmond.

I ensured I could navigate my driveway & side streets, and stayed up all night on coffee so I would leave the house at 4:30 am to make my 7:50 am flight. I got there after much icy, spooky, driving, white-knuckled, but safe. Parked my car, grabbed my suitcase (only to discover that one of the feet had broken off of it somewhere, and that it would no longer sit upright) and showed my ID at the curb.

"That flight has been cancelled, you're rebooked on the 7:05pm flight."

I called my parents to let them know, and it was decided that I should just get the refund and come down when I could spend more than 18 hours with them.

Tearfully, I asked the Delta guy how I could get a refund, and he said "come back another day or call when things are normal again."

I took the shuttle back to my car, and because my flight was cancelled, they didn't charge me parking. Happy Holidays!

The disappointment is so overwhelming, I am now going to go take a hot bath (my muscles ache everywhere from shoveling out the drive enough to escape the house) and go to bed with cats. The tears will come later when I talk to my family.... the one that was so excited to have me home, only for the bigger disappointment.

Maybe I'll make New Year's......