Santa Claus decided to come last night. He was exercising his reindeer. He brought some Chinese New Year candy, an orange, and slippers intended for next Christmas. Only one slipper fit inside the stocking so Santa left a clue that sent the girls on a treasure hunt for their missing slipper. The clues even rhymed because this is what happens when we have too many snow days and I have free time.
The girls really enjoyed following the clues to their missing slipper.
Aren't they cute in their new slippers?!
As the girls were searching for their missing slipper, we heard a tree fall (we have heard several trees fall lately...) followed by a big pop. The power then went off. Sure enough...a tree had fallen on the power lines. (Actually it was two big branches from the tree.)
I ventured to the river by myself because it was sooooo cold outside. The girls didn't even want to go outside which was fine with me. It would have been miserable to go outside, get cold and wet, then come back into a cold, dark house. I enjoyed my morning walk and took a few pictures.
This picnic table is a good gauge of the amount of snow we have received. The girls wiped the table clean yesterday morning so we have had even more snow than the table indicates. I know this is nothing compared to Alaska or even my parent's home in Idaho, but it's a lot for us Washington Wimps who are used to rain, but not necessarily snow.
Our river...
Poor cold ducks on the river...
Our rain gutter...
Our lake...
We were so excited when the power company showed up to restore our power. I wondered why they paid the salary of two traffic stop sign holders. Hardly anybody was driving and nobody could drive on the road anyway because the tree was covering the road.
I also wondered why they brought five trucks, several workers, yet only one chainsaw. The rest of the crew just stood around watching this lone worker cut the tree.
At least a few more people helped him clear the branches off the road.
Working on my neighbor's electricity...
This crew has been working since yesterday morning...that's over 24 hours with no sleep. They get paid overtime though and I'm sure they have a nice salary so I don't feel too sorry for them. I did let one of them use my bathroom and I offered them hot chocolate, but then realized I couldn't make hot chocolate because of my lack of electricity. I told them to quickly restore my power and I would bring them hot chocolate:)
I'm glad we have another snow day tomorrow. I really don't want to drive anywhere. I don't own a snow shovel. I really am a wimp. I'll just wait until it melts. It is supposed to warm up and rain by tomorrow. Phew! I survived our five days of winter.
