True Arctic Blast 2008

The storm really did turn into a "Winter Storm." Our flight was canceled out of PDX, so we're back home alternating between staying warm and playing in the snow. I was able to do a little bit of last-minute Christmas shopping while the streets were nice and quiet. Joe tried snowboarding down the little hills in our park, but there was too much powder. My steps sank down at least seven inches into the snow on the hills. We ended the outdoor fun with a couple of snow angels.





































A few TriMet buses got stuck outside our condo & the rescue team(s) are on their way. The rest of the day has been spent sipping hot chocolate and watching intrepid drivers (dummies - I am not the Mean Girl in Portland) crossing the bridges over the Willamette. Crazy people...be smart and stay home!

Winter Storm 2008

Portland-area weather forecasters get overly excited when there is a storm coming, as do members of the public. The storm gets labeled (Winter Storm 2008), and the skeptics get in their cars and find themselves being videotaped by the hovering news helicopter a result of sliding on the Marquam Bridge (which we witnessed from our condo, as well as watched the news helicopter shoot video of the slides). The schools get snow days tomorrow, even though the flurries have stopped. I need a snow day, too. It is really cold outside.

Providence Festival of Trees

This annual event at the Oregon Convention Center raises money for Providence Hospital programs, so the entrance fee and the $$$ raised from the tree auction supports excellent causes. The largest trees raise between $3000 and $20,000...quite spectacular. The photo only shows the little trees. I'd like to be able to sponsor a tree some time, and design it, too. But only if they ask me.