As everyone who has been within 10 feet of a TV, radio or computer knows, Denver has just received it's second big snowstorm within a week. The big dig from the first storm never got completed before the second one arrived.
Snowstorms like this are not common. They stop not just traffic, but all the goods and services needed to keep a community going.
My hubby and I left town a week ago on what at the time thought would be a 2 night trip away from home. On the day we were to come back, serendipity stepped in, calling us south. So off we went. The cool thing about a holiday with nothing that can't be handled by someone else is the fact that we can do this. It's been fun, but now when we want to go home we can't.
We have been getting calls from staff, family and friends giving us road reports. At the present time, the only way to get home is to fly. That would mean abandoning my car in Kansas. Not a likely solution...for one thing, the trunk is full! I've been shopping!
Two days ago, my sister-in-law sends me an email describing how difficult it was to find a gas station with gas. This afternoon my assistant relates how she cannot find gas at all. Nor is there window washing fluid available.
A week ago, when I was shopping for produce, the aisles were very picked over, or so I thought. In retrospect, I realize now, they weren't picked over, they were never filled. The shipment never got there.
In this day we expect to have what we need when we need it. When we don't have it, we complain and grouch and are just miserable. We have become very spoiled.
When you think about our forefathers who settled this country. How did they do it? How did the cross the country on horse back, foot or in a stagecoach without four steel belted radials? Did they have a diet pepsi in the cup holder, music in the ipod and a wireless internet card so they could blog?
The things we complain about today (yours truly included) are so minor, so materialistic. We just don't know how good we really have it.
There is a saying that goes, I complained about my feet hurting until I meet a man without legs.
In 2007 I plan to "go give". I love Oprah's concept of giving thanks for what we have. It's much like looking at life through the lens of a camera. When I am looking to take a photo, I look for the nicest composition I can find. Thinking about what you have and not what you don't have is a glass have full concept. Being satisfied with what one has is a better way of life.
The White Blockaid may stop my car, but not for long; I will be driving home with what ever little space is left packed with Window Washing fluid. My friends and family will NOT go without! :)
<NOTE: I am wearing a John Deere hat, because I am in Kansas. All the roads to and from Colorado are closed so when in Kansas you do as they do...>
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I do feel for you. And winter has really just begun for you guys. I was a Broker for Re/Max Alliance in the Lone Tree office. I lived in Larkspur and hated the snow. It's definitely not for everybody.....neither is the altitude sickness. I lived there for a year and couldn't seem to "shake" it.
Okay, as a former resident of the Sunflower State, I never owned a John Deere hat, never lived in a double-wide, and never dated a cousin. Hope you get home safely!
Kristal, you are so right... we have so much even when we think that's not enough. I hope you get home soon - and safely.
Years ago, while living in Tennessee, I remember when the Mississippi River froze so the barges with supplies couldn't move - affected gas and lots of other things. We got very creative back then.
I see you have a Toshiba tablet computer. I have one and love it.
Yesterday on the Today show they had a story about a very athletic guy who got hit by a bus and lost a leg. He struggled back and began competeing in triathelons. He was an inspiration to many. Then he got hit by a minivan and became a quadraplegic. Instead of just giving up, he made the best of it and now is out there inspiring many more. This guy was so grateful for everything that had happened to him in order for him to be able to do what he is currently doing. Seeing him makes me thankful for what I have and removes all fear of anything that might happen to me.
Kristal - I wish you a speedy and safe return to your home! It's one thing to be gone when you WANT to be gone, it's quite another to be gone because you CAN'T get home.
Your post carries a strong and powerful message - to be appreciative of what we have. Thank you for taking the time to write this post and make us all stop and think about how fortunate we are, no matter the situation we're in.
Happy New Year to you, Kristal!
Ann
I'm originally from Northeast Massachusetts and Southern New Hampshire. I currently reside in Northwest Florida. But, I actually miss the snow. I know it can be a pain but there is also a lot of beauty and peacefulness with it. I have to admit though, taking a drive in the convertible on Christmas day was not to tough to take!
Have a safe and happy New Year.
A map, GPS, and a laptop. You kids could not get lost if you tried. Was Larry a boy scout?
Kristal, I nominate one of those grumpy old me hats with ear flappy things....or rather thing. Since you only need half a hat.
I tried to find one for you, but I only found this:
Kristal: Again Denver gets the snow, we get rain! Perhaps I should take a road trip? I NEED a road trip. If I take a road trip, maybe St. Paul will get some snow and I won't be able to get home! Never mind. Good luck getting home! Nice cap! Medford likes caps like that, the old farm boy.
Jay
KK
Yep - Ken Spencer managed to make it back after the first storm and is now enjoying the aftermath of the second storm. We're hoping he makes it back to Phoenix tomorrow - without the weather!
Chris ~ THANKS for the HAT! That's exactly what I needed! It's snowing like crazy here in Kansas! Now I can be warm.
kk
KK - where are you? Goodland? Farther south? No doubt that this hat keep your ears warmer than the JD hat!
OK, KK, I'll stop complaining about my new computer. But as Maureen F noticed, apparently you also don't trust technology completely since you've got the reliable paper map as a backup.;-)
Like Tim mentioned, I too saw the story about the guy who was hit twice. I was humbled!
Kristal, not to be rude, but that is the least attractive of your many hats. I sure hope it is warm.
Another snow storm for Denver .....WE ARE ROBBED AGAIN!!! 55 in New England tomorrow.
And you got my dishes, too!
Christopher ~ that's funny I worked at the same office. In fact I was there when it opened! Sorry to hear Colorado didn't agree with you.
Rich ~ sorry to hear you were a deprived citizen of the Sunflower State. I'll have to send you my JD hat...
Leanne ~ Mom always said "the more you have the more you want."
Sharon ~ funny how we never think about how things actually get to us.
Tim ~ I love my toshiba Tablet. Funny, the guy you are talking about was on Oprah. I saw him in Santa Fe last Christmas. He came into the same place we were having breakfast. What a remarkable example of attitude he is.
Ann ~ We are working very hard to be appreciative of being safe and warm right now. Many folks aren't...they are stuck in huge snow drifts on the eastern plains.
John ~ You could have left off the covertable comment! :) That vision is not in my memory bank right now.
MF ~ Hubby is very old fashioned, he loves his maps. I actually like to look at them to see where the heck we are...the gps only tells us where to go...
Chris ~ your hat is so warm and cozy. I'm lovin' it!
Jay ~ This cap is great, I don't care what I look like. It's plenty cold and crummy outside. I wish we could have taken a road trip to St. Paul. We had a great invite to a New Year's Eve Party there, but I couldn't convince The Driver it was a good idea. Funny you should suggest we would bring snow with us. We were hopin' nobody would notice the phenomena.
:)
Joanne ~ Serendipity is wearin' thin. We are ready and willing to go home, just not able! Maybe tomorrow...
Suzanne ~ Spencer can bring the weather with him. We've had enough attention in Denver to last the rest of the year. Wouldn't you like to be in the limelight for awhile? :)
Rich ~ Wichita. Hubby's grandkids are here, so we are stayin' put. Goodland is "restricted". Meaning CLOSED! As is all of I-70 into Denver. And 50. And 40..
Elaine ~ It maybe hard to believe but technology has not reached parts of the world. At times the GJS acts like we are in uncharted territory! Did you see the note to Tim? I saw the very same guy in Santa Fe last year. He's a nice guy, amazing story!
MF ~ It's not the hat, it's me. I'm not very photogenic. The hat was a gift from Chris...I love it!
Linda ~ if you really, really want snow, invite me to your house. I can assure you, the snow will follow. It's been doing so lately!
kk
Kristal, Trips are fun but don't you hate it when you can't get home when you want to? You must be getting very antsy.
We are blessed and sometimes it takes a snowstorm (or other crisis) to realize how dependent we are on those who supply goods and services. There's something to be said for the Mormons who keep a years supply of food in storage. You won't get "fresh" fruit and produce but you won't go hungry.
Wichita??? YEE-HAW! Now there's a town for a good time! Last time I was there, we went down to the 76 gas station and watched 'em change tires. And then, we went down to the local theater, and watched them tear tickets. And after that, we climbed the only tree in town. Good Times!
So does this drive any stakes into the heart of global warming? ;)
I remember my long long year living in Iowa, and getting stuck in a whiteout on the side of the road, scared out of my little Southern mind. I thought back to the old Oregon Trail computer game (i think it was an Apple IIC game), and remembered the folks who got stuck in the pass if they didn't start out West on time. It's a miracle this country got settled if you think about it!
Hope you enjoy the ADVENTURE!
KK...what an adventure you've had...I can't imagine leaving home for what I thought was two days...and be stuck away still a week later..ouch. No matter where you are we hope you have an awesome New Years!!!
Oh my! I just realized you are logged on to AR in the car! So I guess Larry is doing the driving. I think you should get bonus points for blogging while driving AND being on vacation. Personally, I would get car sick if I tried to do that. Sorry for the tmi.
Carol ~ The serendipity sort of fell off 2 days ago for me. I'm ready to go home. I must say though we've had a wonderful time and Kansas is a good place to be stuck, if one's has to be stuck!
Rich ~ I read your post to a native here, they didn't find it humorous...except for the first part the last part and the one in the middle! BTW ~don't return here anytime soon. You are now on The List.
Leigh ~ I can imagine how horrifying an experience like that would be to someone who has never experienced it. Thankfully the country got settled by people who sought the adventure and not the comfort by the fireside.
Monika ~ we coulda, shoulda went home immediately after the pottery stop. But then that would have been the safe prudent thing to do...
MF ~ YES, my air card works just about everywhere. I find reading many blogs makes me sick (not the blogs, just the reading in the car part). It is cool to be able to look up things along the way. Like where the eagles are....etc.
Ms Kristal - You are in our thoughts and prayers. Hope you get home soon. No smart alec comments here. What a nightmare! At least you got to shop!
Kristal
Happy New Year!!! And I hope that 2007 is a prosperous and Blessed year for you and your family.
Kelly ~ It really hasn't been a nightmare, I don't mean to protray that. It has been fun and interesting. I prefer serendipity to planned events...:)
George ~ Happy New Year to you too! Thank you!
kk
Hope you get through the next storm too, watched a bit on the news today where they were helping people stranded in 10 feet of snow. By the way love the hat!
Hi Teri ~ we are workimg our way back home right now. 10-15 foot drifts in the plains are very common. Thanks for the compliment on my hat. It's nice and warm!
kk
Are you looking blurry because the windshield is frosted over?
I look blurry because I am chilly and shaking when the camera got me. You should understand these things! :)
kk
You obviously have a large trunk in that car. So many hats and all the new pottery too. Not to mention the windshield fluid. I am glad you don't have to cross any international borders. You would be questioned.
MF ~ My trunk is or was huge. we also have the entire back seat, since we don't carry rugrats anymore. As far as border crossings, well we left the passports at home. Otherwise I would have been in Mexico, NOT Kansas!
92 miles to go. The sun is SHINNING in Colorado. Yippee!
This is a sign in Kansas...
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