Still Snowbound

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Yesterday we had our third snowstorm in a week, which actually had two waves. It was supposed to stop snowing late morning and then have scattered snow showers in the afternoon. But after stopping briefly in late morning, it snowed steadily from noon until after 4:00. We got about 5 additional inches. We probably received about 10" in the last storm combination.

Seattle is not used to this much snow or this sustained, so it pretty much comes to a halt. The traffic cameras around town show that not many people are on the roads. I shoveled the entrance to our garage and the high center spot in the alley in front of the garage and took a little test run to see if we could get out. I got stuck twice: once getting from the alley to the street and again getting back into the garage. I guess the answer is "no". The temp is just above freezing and we are getting a little melting, so maybe tomorrow we'll be able to use the car again. Carol and I both are getting cabin fever.

We don't have snow tires or chains because we rarely need them. Although it might make sense to get some since we'll definitely use them in Boston.

The snow was pretty light and powdery as it was falling. Audrey wanted to build a snow man but it wasn't possible with that snow. But with the bit of warming today the snow moistened and we built a big snow man in the back yard. The girls loved it.

My sister Elizabeth was scheduled to fly to California this afternoon to visit our parents. Yesterday Alaska Airlines canceled all flights because after a week of freezing weather they had run out of de-icing solution. Apparently they obtained more because today some flights are getting out. There are many people stranded at the airport who were supposed to just make a connection - three days ago. Hopefully Aunt Betsy is in the air right now.

This weather is forcing me to take a real vacation. I had big plans to accomplish a bunch of projects around the house, almost all of which were outdoors (build a fence, install the last gutters on the garage, etc.). I can't do any of that, so I just have to relax and play with the girls and read. It's nice!

This morning my grades for Fall semester were finally posted: two A's. So now I have five A's and one B for a 3.83 GPA. I wish I would have worked a little harder in that B class. Straight A's would be cool. Three courses left to go.