Snow!!!

This is the time of year I like to visit snow. It's a wonder-full thing to behold when you are on vacation and have no where to be at a certain time.

We celebrated Christmas with most parts of our family last weekend (we'll see the rest on January 1, I hope) and then took off Monday morning for Colorado. Our flight from Greenville to Charlotte was cancelled, but thankfully we had time to drive there to catch it. Arrived in Denver right on time.

Christmas Eve worship at Mission Hills Church, where the Eyes, McNealys, Humphreys and others we know attend. Woke Christmas morning to flurries that continued all day, the first white Christmas in Denver in 46 years. And we were here to see it.

Enjoyed hearing about and seeing the photos and video from Wayne and Sarah's trip to Europe in Sept to do some mission work and tour the area near where Emily and Johannes live. Friends came over for the afternoon to play games, one of our favorite things to do out here. The 26th Eddins took me and Alan to Camp Hale, the summer camping spot, to snowmobile. It was a beautiful day but COLD. Around 10 most of the day, high in Denver only 20. I loved touring in an area I was familiar with (the roads, creek, gates, etc); being disoriented diminishes any outdoor activity for me.

Snowed again all day today in Denver. Alan shopped this morning, took me out to lunch at Big Bill's pizza and then to the McNealys for games and generalized visiting and catching up.

I guess we've seen about 10 inches of snow so far, total. None, to speak of anyway, when we arrived. All is white now. Tomorrow we are planning to go back to the Leadville area and snowmobile around Turquois Lake - 8 adults on sleds and 5 kids. Maybe I'll have pictures to post soon.

So far this vacation has been a great way to end this year!

Ho Ho HO Merry Christmas

Yikes! Christmas is just 12 days away. Not having Internet access at home, and being swamped at work as usual, has really limited my blogging these last two months.

Personally, I'm ready for 2007 to end. It has been a good year in some ways, but it hasn't "felt" like a good year. Still it was easy to be thankful on my favorite holiday (Thanksgiving)for:
a year without change - same house, same cars, same jobs
good health
good church
great family
Amen!

Once a Month

I can't even remember the last time I blogged. One reason is we have, at least temporarily, given up internet access at home. And I don't have much time at work to blog. But it is Friday afternoon and I'm already planning to work tomorrow morning so I'm taking some time out now to catch up.

A few things on my mind lately. First, Monday is a big birthday - 39. My last one. Ever. All this year of 38 I've been thinking of myself as 40. When Alan turned 40 in August it was harder on me than it was on him.

I have felt exceptionally tired and "middle aged" lately. But I had my annnual physical and Dr. Leary said I was very healthy, thankfully. Learned an important lesson at church Wednesday night about the need for "margin" in our lives. It seems like everyone I know is stressed out these days. I have to be intentional in creating margin, space, room in my daily life, instead of packing it in, living on the edge, overwhelming myself. Yesterday I tried it, and I had a MUCH better day than usual.

Started a 6 week Tai Chi class yesterday. So far I think it is HARD. It takes so much concentration to think about moving my body parts simultaneously - hands, feet, shifting weight - oh, and breathing. I'll probably hurt myself.

I've been in a "farm phase" lately - reading about sustainable farming and eating locally, visiting some farms, thinking about how the food economy works, or rather works against me. Interesting stuff for my brain. Had a fun day with Bill and Vikki out exploring this topic. And fun with Alan and Cara too. But no good pictures to share.

Some Like It Hot

...and I'm one of them. Alan is NOT. As soon as the temp gets above 75 he starts sweating and complaining of being hot. As soon as the temp drops below 75, I have to put on two shirts and long pants. Oh, the dilemmas of being married!

Today the weather is picture perfect and beautiful. Alan is off to ride bikes in the woods with friends in Greenwood. I'm at home, with all the doors open, enjoying the sunshine and cool breeze.

September is half over; I knew it would fly. Our plans for volunteering at NewSpring are coming together - the training, the schedule, etc. Work is better post-vacation. We really did need those days away.

I'm reading Bill Bryson's A Walk in the Woods about his time on the AT. Plus last night I knocked out a cute children's chapter book - Kimchi and Calamari, about an 8th grade Korean boy adopted at birth by an Italian-American family, who has to write an essay about his heritage. I'm glad there is well-written and thought-provoking literature for children.

Yesterday Team J.A.B. worked together on some house projects. We scrubbed the kitchen floor in prep for the new bamboo rug I bought on sale at Pier One. Then we cleaned the bunny and his porch and also trimmed the bushes around the house. Good work!

Happy Anniversary to Us!

After the wild weekend related in the previous post, we escaped for a few days this week to the mountains of Western North Carolina, Eastern Tennessee and Southwestern Virginia to find some cooler weather and celebrate our 15th wedding anniversary.

Wednesday afternoon we made last minute reservations at Augusta's Appalachian Inn in Damascus, Virginia, and hit the road for an easy 3 hour trip north, through Asheville, NC to Bristol, TN and over to Abingdon, VA. Damascus is a tiny town (950 residents) about 10 miles from Abingdon and it's twin claims to fame are it is on the Appalachian Trail, which comes down the main street, and it is the mid-point of the 35 mile long Virginia Creeper Trail, a multi-use rail-trail.

Damascus' newest inn was our base. Hosts Terry and Cissy Kammer made us feel at home in Grace's room and laid out sumptious breakfasts that we thoroughly enjoyed. Thursday morning we caught a shuttle to the trailhead and set out on the borrowed tandem for 16 downhill miles through some beautiful riverside and mountainous areas.

After a quick sandwich on the front porch to rest, we drove ourselves to another trailhead in the area to do a short, I think 8 mile, "moderate" singletrack. Three miles on pavement in the campground, about a mile straight up Lum Trail, 3 miles across the ridge on Iron Mountain trail, down Shaw's Gap to the car. WELL, let me just say that whoever decided THIS trail was moderate was smokin' crack. We fell over on the first big climb and I took a rock to the coccyx. The rest of the climbing I walked and Alan pushed a 45 lb tandem. On the ridge we saw a coyote on the trail, and some of that riding was ok, but the downhills were murderous. I could hardly hang on. "Mr. Toad's wild ride" probably saved me $4500; I think Alan now agrees with me that I have NO BUSINESS on the back of his mtn bike.

But I will say, it was an unforgettable way to spend our anniversary! I love you, honey.

To Lock or Not To Lock

Families are different, and one fundamental difference between Alan's family and mine is the propensity to lock. Alan's folks are lock-ers and many times in our marriage we have argued about his locking me out of the house or the car. My family tends to leave things unlocked, leave keys in the car, be generally laissefaire about "security" issues. This difference was highlighted once again in a dramatic way Friday night/Saturday morning. Oh, my family is FULL of adventure. Here is my version of the story.


Alan and I both had a hard week. Friday night we took off to Ninety Six to board the bunny at the farm and to have dinner with John, Kathryn and Bob. Drove by the football game (Ninety Six beat Calhoun Falls handily) and generally enjoyed the evening. A good start to our nine day vacation.


Got to my mom's house to spend the night about midnight. Mama has been sick all week and we had planned a family meeting for Saturday. The agenda changed about 2:30 a.m. when the highway patrol called to ask me if I knew who might have wrecked my Daddy's truck on Richland Road in front of the Methodist church. After I checked to make sure Mama hadn't lost her mind and gone out in the truck, Alan and I went to meet the patrolman to reclaim the truck. Sometime after we arrived at midnight someone stole the truck from Mama's driveway and apparently took it for a joy ride, as nothing else was stolen from the house and the truck wasn't damaged, except for a flat tire and broken side mirror. The driver had crashed through a Bridge Closed sign. We found it EXTREMELY ironic that the truck was wrecked in Richland. We joked the truck could have driven itself there.


Once we finished with the officer, we pulled a nasty, but completely unintentional, trick on my brother by leaving the truck in his driveway without explanation. The next morning he too thought perhaps our mother had lost her mind. He said it NEVER occurred to him that the truck had been stolen and returned to his driveway. Well, of course not.


We also managed to lock ourselves out of Mama's house on Saturday, so locking became a continuing theme to the weekend. Mercifully, Mama seems to be on the road to recovery and no damage was done.

Survived August

Whew! I am SO thankful that August is behind us. It was a HARD and HOT month. Mercifully I am off the first nine days of September. The weather is already cooler, and football is ON! Everybody in America will be watching the Clemson Tigers play tomorrow night. Went by the field today and the stadium looks great! GO Tigers!!

Dog Days

OK, I like it hot. But as Cara said recently "This is ridiculous!" Awesomely articulate two year old. These are the dog days of summer, for sure. I'll try to remember to travel somewhere cool next year in mid-August. 95-100 degrees every day. Cools off to the mid 70s at night, if we are lucky. The air conditioner runs full time. How did we ever live without it?

Camping - finally

We had a fun weekend camping at DuPont State Forest near Brevard, NC. Alan did trail work on Saturday with a group mostly "organized" as it were on MTBR, his favorite website. His "name" on that site is SCHomer. He has ridden with some of these guys but mostly they "know" each other via the website.

In exchange for his labor, we were given permission to camp inside the forest. See pics here

Friday night we "camped" in our Honda Element for the first time. Note to self: bring the back headrests or the seat recline will not exactly fit the body contour. Saturday night we slept in the tent. Interesting group of folks. Beautiful setting. Alan enjoyed the physical labor of trail work and then the ride Sunday morning. I enjoyed the rest.

Since we missed out on the Colorado camping trip this summer, it was great to get out, enjoy nature and meet new people.

We are also enjoying the Tour de France. So fun to have something good on TV this hot, hot time of year. Otherwise there is nothing to watch, esp. in sports. Plus the Tour is on for hours each day. I can sometimes catch the beginning before work, a bit at lunch, the end during dinner, and then the full show all evening.

What I Did on My Summer Vacation

It's been years since I've written anything with this title, but in 2007 there is a story to tell. I don't know what happened to June. How can it be already July?

So, the last Wednesday in June Alan and I had the neighbor drop us at GSP after work for a short hop to Charlotte and an evening flight to Denver. Unfortunately, Charlotte was as far as we got. And since it had been $100 per ticket cheaper to book the flight from Greenville rather than directly from Charlotte, when US Airways finally cancelled our flight at 12:35 a.m. Thursday morning, we were trapped - without a car, no rentals available and all hotel rooms booked. The only saving grace was the sleeping pad and bag we had packed for the Colorado camping trip. A few hours on the floor and Alan was up, in line to rebook before 5 a.m. But alas, nothing less than an arrival in Colorado 18 hours later was available. Only by a miracle did we find a car to rent. We were home and in the bed by 9:30 Thursday morning.

Regroup - off to Ninety Six to retrieve Hopson and our wonderful friends the Eichelbergers offered us their mountain house for the weekend. After a restorative meal with friends and a restful night in our own bed, Friday morning we took off for our favorite SC state park - Jones Gap - for Alan to fly fish. No such luck. It STORMED just as we arrived and muddied the water. We took a short hike and then crossed Caesar's Head to the house. In to Brevard for dinner and grocery shopping for the weekend. It was SO much cooler in the mtns than it had been in the Upstate.

We slept peacefully, with the windows open, and took off to DuPont Saturday morning. I rode a bit, on my classic 1992 Trek Antelope, on the new kids loop at the Flatwoods and then other trails on that side of the park. Hung out a while in the Element with a book while Alan rode on. In the afternoon he went into town to the bike shop and I had some quiet time at the house while it rained. John and Kathryn arrived about dinner time and Alan and I cooked up a pork roast (all day in the crock pot), okra three ways (boiled, fried and gumbo), corn on the cob and placed other delicious accoutrements to the meal on the table. Yum. Then we tackled a 500 piece puzzle out on the porch in the cool evening.

Sunday Alan rode at DuPont again, after I made delicious French toast for breakfast. John enjoyed the exertion of yard work while Kathryn and I sat on the porch and watched another storm roll in. A leisurely day, we packed it in about 4 and were home before dark.

Our neighbors, who expected us to be away until the 4th, were buzzing with curiosity about our revised schedule. We enjoyed quiet time at home on Monday, sad that we had missed the Colorado camping trip and the chance to catch up with our friends there.

Tuesday the 3rd was project day. Alan helped his Dad and the Beattys lay over 7000 sq ft of sod at Anita's new house. Exhausting physical labor, but at least the weather was overcast and only in the 70s - strange July weather for SC. I spent the day inside at Mama's taking down wallpaper and painting the small master bath, a surprise project for Mama. By bedtime, we both were worn out.

Wednesday the 4th Alan helped me rearrange the guest room at Mama's and then we enjoyed the afternoon and cookout at Doug's pool.

We both worked Thursday and Friday. Alan's schedule was 5:30am to 2:30pm. July 4th is shutdown week at Nestle. Things were quiet at TheCateLawFirm and I got caught up easily.

Back to Seneca Friday evening for the first party at Anita's with all the Blacks. Fun Fun. Plus we got the current plans for Jessica's wedding. Saturday Alan helped Mama with projects, then we scooted down to Oakway a while and watched the prologue to the Tour De France. Then to Doug's for a little time with Kade before we headed home.

This holiday has been both stressful and restful, at times. Even though we didn't ride much, I'm excited about the next 23 days of Tour coverage. July should be a good month. I'm hopeful, at least.

Rain, glorious rain

What a good weekend! We enjoyed dinner Friday night at The Pita House in Greenville and on to Vikki's for tea and baklava for dessert. We had a GREAT TIME at a bike ride in Iva Saturday morning. Beautiful weather for riding. We took the short route (25 miles) so we could enjoy "brunch" at Grits and Groceries in Saylors Crossroads. Had to buy a G&G tee because it says "Southern Cookin' Keeps You Good Lookin' " Big shopping trip to Grady's in Anderson for me some new casual clothes for the upcoming camping trip to Colorado. Fun with Alan's family in the evening - some gardening, a drive in Mom's new Avalon, dinner in West Union, a tour of Britt & Anita's new house. We planned to bike again this morning, so we slept over in Oakway - in the CAMPER. It was good sleeping to the sweet sound of rain, which cancelled our bike ride. We've needed rain, and although we got less than an inch, it was good, slow rain and the ground savored every drop. Going to be HOT this week.

More tandem miles

50 more miles on the tandem. Saturday we rode 36 in Oconee County - from Oakway to Richland to West Union, in to Walhalla and over to Westminster. Did the short route on Sunday - only a 15 mile loop from Richland in to Walhalla and back. Alan put in 24 on Levi (his favorite? but not newest mtn bike) on Monday at DuPont with Andy and Tim.

On this Memorial Day, a moment to remember my Aunt Nell who passed away Friday night at age 91. A remarkable woman. As the pastor said at her memorial service today, "Nellie Welborn out-classed them all." And a moment of thanks for those who are serving and have served and to their families who sacrificed so I could live free. God bless America!

GTR 2007

We are in LaGrange, Georgia, for one of my favorite events of the year. The Georgia Tandem Rally is always a well-planned and well-attended weekend. And this year the weather is even cooperating. It has been Beautiful here!

We arrived late Thursday night and made the 9a.m. ride Friday. 43.5 miles included a self-guided tour of Callaway Gardens - the vegetable garden and the butterfly house. After a delicious late lunch in Pine Mtn we went back to visit the fly fishing shop, the Discovery Center, the Horticulture Center and the butterflys again. Ice cream social on the square Friday evening helped us connect with friends old and new who ride tandem.

Today we slept in (this IS our vacation) and made the late/remote start ride at 10. Enjoyed a fabulous lunch at a state park as we "looped the Lake" into Alabama and back. Only 33.5 miles today. Napping now in prep for a fabulous dinner (as always) at Butts Mill Farm tonight. Then 26 miles in the morning before we hit the road for home. Makes for a great weekend!

Camp for Adults

Five years later, my handbell skills are about as good as they ever were. Yes, that's me in the orange hat. I got to spend last weekend at the Colorado handbell festival at Keystone resort playing (in the front row, no less) with my friend Carrie's bell choir from Mission Hills Church. 10 hours of bell ringing in 3 days - fun for me! A well planned event, just like camp for bell geeks - 300 people ringing together, interesting workshops, eye-popping concert performances, good food, walking & talking, meeting new friends. It even snowed on Saturday. Fun way to spend the weekend. Thanks, honey!

Alan spent the weekend riding bikes at the Baker's Dozen.

The Family 5K

We've had some weird weather lately, but Saturday the 14th from 7-10 am was beautiful. Joyce, Verner, Devilla, Delisa and Annalisa joined me and Alan for the Volunteers in Medical Missions 5K at South Cove park on Lake Keowee in Seneca. We had a great time! Hopefully we can do it again sometime soon and maybe others will be able to join us. Yeah, team!

Softball Sarah

Saturday before Easter Alan and I slipped across the line into NC to Gardner-Webb University in Boiling Springs to catch my cousin Sarah Vaughn play softball. The weather was miserably cold and windy, but Sarah's parents (my cousin Kathy and her hubby Eddie) were there for the doubleheader so I was willing to make the best of it. Sarah is a sophomore at Belmont University in Nashville and her Bruins fought hard but lost both games, 2-0 and 6-5. She is an excellent softball player, a smart, funny and beautiful girl who we think is a joy to be around. Kudos, Sarah!

Easter

We celebrated Easter at NewSpring and then had lunch at the Flemmings. Too cold for egg hunting this year. Fun to share the holiday with Emily and Johannes. Too bad we can't be two places at once. We had to miss all the fun with the Hughes' at Dustin's house.

Eat at Wade's

At least twice a week Alan says to me "Let's go eat at Wade's." I put him off about every other time. Many people have heard of The Beacon, the most famous hamburger joint in Spartanburg. I'll eat there once a year. Their "a plenty platters" ought to come with an angioplasty discount. Wade's is the most famous Spartanburg "meat and three." Good service and we like their attitude. Be sure to check it out if you are in Spartanburg. At least visit their website; it's cute!

In My Neighborhood

Tonight was a fun night. Neighbors next door and across the street were outside from when I got home at 7 until about 8:30. Little boys playing in my yard, climbing our dogwood tree, playing with Hopson. Alan played basketball with Wesley, age 5, next door in his driveway. Andrew, across the street, will be 5 Tuesday and his party is tomorrow afternoon, so there is a big blow-up, jump-in thing in his front yard. Hayes and Whit, age 7, begged me to jump with them, so of course I did. It was fun to be outside, to hear the boys playing and having fun together.

Embrace Your Inner Geek

It's been a rough month. That's all I'll say.

But the weather has been cheerful these last two days. I love sitting in the living room in the evenings with the door to the screened porch (Hopson's home) open.

The other great thing about this time of year is March Madness. I love that there is basketball on ALL the time. Watched my Tigers pull one out (their usual style) in the first round of the NIT last night. Alan's dad was there. I look but never see him on TV. This "season" we just leave the TV on from the time we get home until Alan goes to bed (I'm usually already there). It's the only time of year I can stand the constant drone of the announcers. I've never pulled for Virginia Commonwealth before.

The great good news today is that I'm going to Colorado in April for 3 full days (plus 2 travel days). My friend Carrie invited me to play in the handbell choir she directs when they attend the Colorado Handbell Festival at Keystone April 20-22. My staff encouraged me to embrace my inner geek and GO. The boss asked at dinner Saturday night, with spouses, what our ART was and I confessed I love to play bells. She encouraged me to go. Plus I prayed for a financial sign and that very day I got a bonus that will cover the trip. God has great timing! And Alan is awesome to reassure me that it is in the budget, go, go. I love him.

Spring Sprang

Yesterday the weather changed. Spring is on the way! Yeah!! We still have some cold weather ahead, but the tread is definitely towards warmer weather. Plus the row of daffodils in front of our house is blooming. Yesterday I cut a handful and enjoyed them in my office. This change makes me so happy. It's not warm yet; the March winds are blowing. But the sunshine is brighter and so is my mood. Yeah Yeah Yeah!!!

Happy Saturday

Snow Day

A poem I wrote in 1992 seems appropriate for today

Snow is coming late today
I heard it on TV
Clouds are in the western sky
A chill is in the breeze.

Back home the snow was icy crisp
It crunched beneath our feet
School let out and store would close
At the very first sign of sleet.

Snow didn't blow, it fell and froze,
Broke tree limbs with the weight;
In three short days the slushy mess
would melt into the lake.

Sure, we would play and slip and slide,
But mostly we'd get wet.
Southern snow 's a wonder-gift
This belle won't soon forget.

But western snow is something new
That I've encountered here
A feather-weight of frozen dew
That lasts most all the year.

It blows in from the Rocky slopes
And takes a while to stick,
But folks here do know how to cope
Life doesn't miss a lick.

It's true, this powder's pretty,
But no one stops to say -
"Thanks, God, for all this beauty,
and for a holiday!"

CLEAN

The maid came today - for the first time but not for the last. Since we hit "debt free" we budgeted for someone to clean the house occasionally. She did it while I was at work today and it was GREAT to come home to a very clean house.

We also budgeted for a new laptop. Alan bought an HP Sunday and picked it up today, the release day of Windows Vista. So I'm on the old model while he is trying to set up the new.

Opera

Sometimes in January I pick a theme and do a little self-study of a topic I'm interested in. Around Christmas I read about Physics - a topic I had a poor education in and do not have any natural aptitude for, but one I've been frustrated by my ignorance of. (I know there are lots of preposition problems in that sentence) I enjoyed Understanding Einstein and Physics for Dummies.

So in January I went to the library and checked out Opera for Dummies (with a CD) and the NPR Curious Listener's Guide to Classical Music. I have had a little education and exposure to this topic and enjoyed reading about it this month.

And today I went to see the Converse College Opera Theatre production of Die Fledermaus (The Bat or Flying Mouse, originally in French, by Johann Strauss Jr). It was three hours long (well worth the price of admission) and I went an hour early to catch the Opera Talk by a Converse professor, explaining what I needed to notice about the plot and music. Mercifully, the production was in English. The vocalists and orchestra did a great job. The sets and costumes were well done too. I just wish I had eaten more. By the end of the second Act, I was starving. A lawyer I practice in family court is a baritone with a PhD in music, and he played one of the main characters today.

Can't say I'm going to be a big opera fan, but I've enjoyed learning. Alan and I listened to the CD on the way to church this morning, and I read aloud the notes in the book, describing by the second counter what to listen for in the music and explaining the plot, scene and translating the words. I liked learning that way.

Good things

Actually I rode my bike to work THREE times last week - MT&W before the weather turned cold and rainy on Th. The schedule is not looking favorable for a ride this week, tho'. Too much court, esp. in Union. But Thanks go out to my honey for taking me for a walk in the evenings lately. A new thing for us. We have never been a good walking pair before, but he bought us red flashing lights to wear, so in the evenings we usually bundle up and walk about 2 miles in the neighborhood. We are also on the brink of being Debt Free (thanks Dave Ramsey). The student loan is leaving us in just a few days, and then all our money will be ours. We are having a good time "telling our money where to go" on paper these days. Last night Alan even went online and chose a new Compassion kid for us to sponsor and sent the whole year's support. Eduardo Padilla of Honduras was born on our wedding day, so he is 14 now. Another thing I am very excited about these days is GTR - the Georgia Tandem Rally 2007. It filled in a week (75 teams) but we got in this year and are looking forward to FUN in LaGrange in May.

A biking day

Today I met a goal I've had for a LONG time - to ride my bike to work. It's only a mile, but I really enjoyed the ride. It changed my attitude about the workday. Riding home was great too. Seemed like it only took about 2 minutes. Alan came in just after I did and we got the tandem on the road for the first time this year. Just around the neighborhood, down the Hub City Connector trail. Maybe 5 miles. And then I was so energized I walked 1.5 miles on the treadmill.

Snowmobiling & scenery

The view from the snowmobile parking area and play meadow

The whole crew: Wayne, Alan, Eddins on Freebie, Me, then Carrie, Savannah, Kate and Sarah (not necessarily in that order)

Me and Alan
Look who is driving!

Wayne, Eddins, and Alan

Alan turning from the trail onto single track


Me driving on the trail

Carrie just being sporty

New for 2007

Here she is. Annalisa Bradlee McCall born on her mother's birthday, December 28th. Congratulations to Delisa and Brad.


There he is. The Man in his new wool cycling jersey. Thanks to his parents for this great Christmas gift. Alan wore it 4 times while we were in Colorado - twice snowboarding and twice snowmobiling. He even got comments on this shirt in traffic. We got caught in a blizzard and as we inched along I-70 down the mountain, the driver of the truck beside us asked him about the shirt.


Snowshoeing -- What fun! No, you don't usually need a helmet but I had just gotten off the snowmobile. Wayne got the shoes for Christmas, and I got to try them out on the culdesac in all that snow. Alan used our new digital camera (again, thanks to his parents) to practice his photography skills. Mostly he took lots of snow and scenery and pics of me in an orange helmet or an orange hat. Not too exciting.

He didn't get to bicycle any this trip. We never saw the ground. They had about 2 feet of snow when we arrived and got 8-10 inches more while we were there. And have had another storm since. Oh how happy I am to live in SC, but all that snow was fun to visit.