Monday, March 26, 2012

The Winter that Wasn't

The weather for much of March has been just crazy in Michigan. We broke many high temperature records, even reaching the mid-80s one day while the calendar said it was winter. It was so warm and sunny and beautiful last week that I have finally abandoned the idea that it might actually still snow this year. We kept the condo windows open for 7 or 8 days straight. Everyone dusted off their shorts and flip-flops, and the weather here seemed like March in southeast Texas. In fact, Detroit's temps were even higher than Houston's for a few days. I suppose if we can't have snow, it might as well be warm outside.

Ironically, now that it is officially spring, the temperatures have started to drop. Last night we dipped into the mid 30s and tonight the forecast calls for a low of 27 degrees. Jacob has not worn his winter coat yet in Michigan, although he did wear it during our ski trip in Colorado. I have not put on boots for over a year, and only needed gloves a few times in January. This was one of the strangest winters I can remember and, to be honest, I was disappointed - especially in the lack of snowfall. Unfortunately, this also meant that Jacob got very little driving experience on slippery roads. Maybe we will get a bit of ice or something this spring so he can practice in hazardous conditions with me in the car before we set him loose on his 16th birthday in December.

Monday, March 19, 2012

Whirlwind Weekend

Adam was on break from school last week and came to town from Colorado on Wednesday. Jim flew to Michigan from Texas late on Thursday night, and Adam graciously offered to pick him up from the airport. The two got back to the condo at exactly midnight and came clamoring up the stairs at 12:01 a.m. I missed seeing my husband on our 26th anniversary by only minutes. So close!

Jim, Adam, Jacob, and I spent the long weekend visiting with friends & family, and attending parties. Adam saw some of his old group on Thursday and Friday. On Saturday evening, all of us headed out to Char and Hollie's place for a St. Patrick's Day party with our "Bear" friends. Baby Marley made an appearance there and met some people for the very first time, including Adam. On Sunday, we gathered at Jean's house for the March birthday celebrations. In between, we managed to go out to dinner a couple of times, take some long walks, play tennis, shop, etc. Adam went back to Denver this afternoon and Jim flies down to Houston tomorrow morning. (Early in the morning - we are waking up at 3:55. Ugh!) It's back to work and school for everyone after some incredibly fun days!

Monday, March 12, 2012

Bundle of Joy

On February 10 - after 37 hours of labor (Yikes!) - Cobra's daughter, Marilyn, gave birth to a darling baby girl. I have been in such need of a baby fix lately that it was just wonderful to go to the hospital to meet precious Marley. Last Tuesday, Jacob had the day off of school so the two of us headed over to Cobra's house to spend some more time with the little peanut. Marley is simply adorable and, on top of everything else, she is a happy and content child, too. Now if only the nine twenty-and-thirty-somethings in our family would get a move on, we could all enjoy even more baby time. Meanwhile, Marilyn, thanks for letting us play with your Marley. She is such a beauty!

Grandpa Fatty snuggled with Marley at the hospital.


Marley waited patiently for Jacob to make some more silly noises for her.


Marley snoozed in her beautiful circular bassinet.

Monday, March 5, 2012

Blowin' in the Wind

It is always exciting for me to scope out all of the new wind farms popping up here and there when I travel across the country. On our recent road trip, most of the windmills that Jake and I saw between Michigan and Colorado were located in Iowa. There is one farm off I-80 near the city of Adair that boasts hundreds of turbines. While some people feel that these farms ruin the landscape, I personally find them to be aesthetically pleasing. Very charming, actually. Not to mention, they are pretty decent providers of renewable energy. Last year, wind power supplied almost 3% of the electricity in the U.S. Wouldn't it be awesome if every house had a little windmill on the roof? Energy crisis averted!


There are a lot of these turbine blades being transported along the freeways these days.


Jake and I drove up very close to this windmill. Contrary to what I had been told, the noise from the turbine was almost inaudible. We were next to the freeway and the sound of the traffic was far louder than the gentle swooshing of the windmill.


I wish I had taken a better shot of these turbines near Adair, IA.