So it was the week of MLK Holiday. Scott was off school and busy studying for his upcoming midterms scheduled during the week. They would start testing on Tuesday and run to Friday with half days. He still had Boy Scout planning meetings scheduled and was busy making phone calls to Merit Badge counselors to plan for the upcoming camping trip in Feb. as well as the weekly meetings. Since MLK was a school holiday, Scott was assigned to work. Fortunately since Tom and I were at work, Allison was able to give Scott a ride. She decided she had better travel back to school since it was a holiday and there would be less traffic. Also in order to beat the returning crowds of students as Spring term started the following week. She loaded up her Toyota Fit with her new coffee table that we got for free from neighbors, along with all her winter clothes and Christmas goodies. After dropping off Scott, she drove back to school. She was pleased with the outcome of her midterm exam and recent debate from her online class and was busy finishing up her last debate and preparing for the final exam. The class was over that Thursday night. That is a quick semester! At least she had some fun at home. She and Tom headed up to Hershey PA again on Saturday night to catch a Hershey Bears Hockey game while Scott and I were busy at the roller rink. And I was glad that she made it back to school before the big storm. It was fast approaching that Friday night. Fortunately, the Eastern Shore  and Salisbury does not get as much snow or bad weather like we do here. But better to be prepared.

I sent Allison out to buy a lantern and some bottled water. She will often lose power or sometimes the water has to be shut off at their condo. I also recommended she pick up a snow shovel in case they could not get out their front door! I am sure the condo would be responsible for plowing the parking lot and shoveling sidewalks, but you never know when or how much.  Plus Allison forgot to pack her ice scraper for the car. She managed to find a lantern and water. No snow shovels left. And it took several trips to find an ice scraper. All the students were back at school by Thursday night and Allison says it was crazy! We had the same experience here in EC. I went looking for an extra snow shovel(just in case). The shelves were well stocked the week before. Since our weather has been so mild lately, all the winter items have been put on sale and were still sitting on the shelves. Even our plants had started blooming! My daffodils were coming up and the leaves on the bushes were budding. And the cherry trees were blooming in DC! Anyhow, no more snow shovels or ice scrapers or salt here in EC. And the food shelves were almost empty. The stores were crazy busy! Everyone was preparing for a long stretch stuck at home(and hopefully not in the dark without power or heat).

We actually are fairly well set for storms with our gas fireplace for heat and the grill for cooking(if you can get to it). Plus lots of camping gear. Even Mom B is well prepared at her apt complex. They have a generator, tons of food, and plenty of staff that stayed overnight. Actually, we have considered staying with them in a big storm! I did pick up another propane tank and lots of groceries just in case. I love having my Fridays off from work. I do a lot of errands. Including last week when I took Mom to the broker to sign more papers for the new Family trust(notary required). I also love to get in my water aerobics class in the morning. Fortunately the snow storm held off until late Friday afternoon, so there was time to do the shopping and go to exercise class. Unfortunately, school panicked and closed for the day. They were only going to open for a half day to finish up the midterm exams. Now Scott has two more tests to make up when they go back-math and government. As it is, we had a small snow/ice storm on Weds night that caused a 2 hr school delay on Thursday. What a headache.

The Winter Storm Jonas(Jonas Brothers as the kids called it)was heading our way(and Baltimore was the Bullseye!). It started snowing Friday afternoon and did not stop until Sunday morning. When all was said and done, we had about 3 feet of snow on the ground. Tom and Scott took turns over 2 days snow blowing and shoveling. What do you do when you are stuck in the house? Cleaning and cooking and baking. My oven and crock pot were in overload with chili and cookies and apple crisp. I actually would have been happy being stuck in the house for about a month! I have lots of closets to clean out. I always keep busy with dishes and laundry(plus added snow clothing). I did manage to reorganize alot of Christmas decorations. Now I just have to get it back in the attic. Looks like no school for awhile.

Our Big Snow!

 Shoveling Out.