The Aftermath

Okay, so my title is a little tongue in cheek, and I lied about the previous post being the last blizzard post.  These have been an easy few days, and we haven't had any trouble.  We were smart enough to stay off of Lakeshore Drive and not try to take our cars down unplowed streets; so, we've been having a grand ole time.  Last night I took a walk to the alley for a few more photographs.  The end of the alley was largely cleared by someone, but the snow drifts on the uncleared area were nearly to the top of the garbage and recycling cans.  Our garage (the cream colored one by the light pole) looks downright buried.  When I opened the garage door this morning, it was much less impressive... I really thought it would be a significantly higher drift than it is.  Oh well!

As I returned to our apartment one last time for the evening, I paused to notice the landing of our downstairs neighbors.  We were in and out many times yesterday, and each time I noticed their boots sitting on the landing unmoved.  There were also wonderful food smells wafting under their door.  They apparently spent a cozy day in, enjoying some good food and conversation (I could hear them talking, too).

 That brings us to today.  CPS got a second snow day, but Daddy went to work, and my part-time ward came to me today.  So, Yaya is the only one with another vacation day.  This is the last, though.  The principle just emailed that CPS announced school will be open tomorrow.  Skinner North, located in the heart of the former Cabrini Green, is as yet unplowed and sitting amidst 3 foot snow drifts.  School bus service won't be running until Monday, so it looks like I have to dig my car out before morning.  Before I would let the girls out to play today, I made them work.  Their room was a mess, so they had to clean before playing.  Just before lunch we went out to the backyard.  Last night Daddy shoveled a path up to the garage, but the rest of the yard was untouched.  We fixed that!

Conquering the snow wall

Everyone needs a large chunk of snow.

"Don't come any closer, Bumble.  I'm sinking."

It's tough to climb a snow mountain when you're small.

"Here, Mama, for you."

The girls were willing to climb on the part that had been shoveled up. However, they were less sure about going over it at first. I really wanted Yaya to make a snow angel for me, but she refused for fear of sinking and being stuck forever. So, I had to make the first angel, and then both of them were eager to follow!  Yaya managed to make a small angel next to mine (the photo is from the second floor balcony), but Bumble couldn't do more than climb through it.  When they finished, I had to climb in and lift both of them out and back to solid ground.

 

 One last photo comparison:

Our messy, but still pretty deep fire hydrant

A pristine hydrant at the end of our block

Final Blizzard Post

9:30 AM

 The first pictures here will be from 9:30 AM this morning.  Shortly after declaring she no longer likes snow, Yaya decided she did indeed want to go outside.  So, we bundled up and headed out to play in the heavily falling snow.  We couldn't build a snowman because there was really no space to do it -- not to mention that after many years of trying, I've never managed to roll snow into a ball bigger than my fist.

Our hydrant being shoveled

The girls made many a snowball to throw at each other and me.  Bumble was chasing me down in the picture on the left, and Yaya was gathering her ammo to do the same.  I climbed over mounds of snow to take the street view below.  In fact, while taking the picture I was actually straddling one mound because I got stuck!   By the time we decided to go back inside the girls looked like snowmen.

After coming inside at about 10:00, we called Mat. Joanna to check up on her and learned that morning liturgy had not been canceled -- no one let us know that...  So, after wavering as to whether we should venture out for the end of church, we decided to go.  Since we would be missing most of liturgy, I tried to get the girls out of the house quickly and left my camera at home.  We did make it for the last 10 minutes of church -- how very Orthodox of us!  That made for a grand total of 6 attendees!

 We stopped to have a bite to eat at the corner coffee shop, which is open, before heading home.  I put Bumble down for a nap and settled everyone in before heading out again to get what I think are some pretty cool pictures, including a warning of why you shouldn't drive the day after a blizzard.  Chicago is a city that just won't give up.  It's a city of walkers, so even if they can't get their car out, people are still out and about.  And if you can walk to a major street, you can even catch a bus!  The buses and trains are running!

This is also a very friendly city. As I was walking around taking pictures, many passersby said hello.  One man even stopped me to ask if I had seen the van... "No, what van?"  "There's a burnt out van on the corner a block south of here.  It got stuck in the intersection and while revving the engine to get out of the snow. It caught fire."  Someone in the crowd, whom I think lives on the corner, said that the two passengers did get out safely and were even able to save the tools in the back.  The area reeks of burnt rubber, but the fire department was able to do its job and put it out rather quickly.  Fortunately, there is a fire house only a few blocks away.  I probably even hear the sirens this morning.

Finally, a couple of pictures of Holy Trinity Cathedral...

Blizzard Update #1

A cyclist! Believe it or not I saw three such people today!

The snow started falling lightly in our neighborhood a little over an hour ago (it's now 3:30PM).  It has gotten heavier in the last hour.  I went out to wait for Yaya's bus at 3:15 knowing that I'd have to wait longer than usual, but intending to take some pictures of the early snow.  While I was taking the pictures, her bus driver called to say that what is usually a 15 minute drive looks like it's going to take an hour!  Yesterday Yaya was the only one on her route riding the bus home.  I hope she has some company to keep her from being bored!

North view of the street

DH checked in and is going to try to leave work in an hour.  His adviser told everyone to go home about 30 minutes ago.  However, he's getting stuff done, which doesn't always happen with cells, so he's going to try to stay longer.  As I glance out my window, I see the snow is getting heavier and the wind is really blowing.  Fortunately, the L trains should make his commute home a little easier.

South view of the street

Our priest is currently deciding, in collaboration with the deacon and choir director, whether to cancel services.  I know Fr. Tom really wants to have the services, but poor Mat. Joanna would be much more comfortable if he were home with her.  I put in my two cents that perhaps they should be canceled if it would keep the deacon home... It's no trouble for us to get there, but it would certainly strand him.  He may not like me for giving my opinion if he reads this!  (If you do read this, Fr. Tom, Bumble made you a lovely birthday painting, so don't be mad...)

 The mail and FedEx were able to make it through today, but tomorrow may be another story.  If school is closed tomorrow, we'll have some activities to keep us busy.  The package on top of the mail box is a paint sample I ordered to paint the bedrooms in a dollhouse we got for the girls around Yaya's birthday.  Her February Ask magazine also arrived today!

Skinner North is having after school programs for parents who couldn't make it there for 3 O'clock pick up, but the school across the street from us is not!

I thought it might be fun to follow the snow with the fire hydrant

Preparing for the Chicago Ground Hog's Day Blizzard

My husband and I are Southerners, but we've been living in the North (both the Northeast and the Midwest) for over a decade now.  We've seen a fair bit of snow, and since having kids, I've pushed all sorts of strollers through it.  We even have snow shoes that we take out to Northerly Island to tromp around in the snow for fun.  Despite all our snow experience, however, neither of us has yet encountered a blizzard.

Assuming we don't lose power because of ice, which seems unlikely to happen here, we're pretty well set.  I've already gotten all the groceries I would need for a week (that's my Friday and Saturday task anyway).  Today I'll be driving DH to work so he won't have to try to bike home in deep snow.  While I'm out, I'll get a few extra groceries that we might like to have just in case -- if the shelves aren't bare.  Our only worry is whether our 100+ year old roof will hold two feet of snow.  It has a few leaky spots in severe rain that are a little worrisome.  Say some prayers for us on that one...

In addition to being Ground Hog's Day tomorrow (which we think will be the namesake for this storm) it is also the Feast of the Presentation or Meeting of the Lord in the Temple (and Bumble's baptismal day).  Fortunately, we live only a few blocks from the church (as do the priest and choir director).  So, while most of the parish will probably miss the services, I've got my plan for making it.  Later today I'm going to fashion a sled out of the girls' old baby tub and one of their many jump ropes.  Then, I can strap on my snow shoes, put them in the "sled," and pull them to church.  It will be easier if CPS decides not to close the schools tomorrow because Yaya is heavy!

As we wait for the snow to roll in we'll be following Tom Skilling like so many others across the nation, and I have plans to take pictures and document this storm as it goes.  So, check back later for more news...