Vegas, ER & a Snow Storm - 52/365

Today we were going to start our day with a yummy breakfast at Planet Dailies.

We all decided on a yogurt, granola, fruit bowl and a side of the crème brulee French toast. It was SO DELCIOUS!!! We all loved it!

After breakfast, we walked around the Miracle Mile shops. We hit Brighton for some charms and Alex & Ani for a couple bangles. I just love the Alex and Ani's. I have most of the Disney Ones, but I wanted to see if there was a Vegas One. Sure enough, there was! YAY!

After breakfast and shopping, we were going to walk around and enjoy the sunshine. It was going to be in the 70s again, which felt like 90s to us, after all this cold.

We walked down to the Linq and hit a few stores. Chloe wanted a tall, slushy drink you could walk around with, so we ended up at the Purple Zebra. We all chose some fun glasses and most of us decided on the coconut drink. It was so yummy, too!

After we got our drinks, we decided to hit the high roller. We had done it at night time last time, so we were excited to see the view in the day time. It was amazing and did not disappoint. You could see all the mountains, watch the planes at the airport and even see a few golf courses, which is funny against the Las Vegas desert. We enjoyed it very much!

After that, we decided to head back to the room a bit, to take a rest before we got ready for the Britany Spears show.

We were meeting the whole crew for some dinner before the show. We decided to just walk around the Miracle Mile and stumbled on a pretty decent place. I think it was called Harbour House.

After that, we headed over to the show. The Britany show was ABSOLUTELY AMAZING! That girl can dance. The dancing and special effects were probably the best I've ever seen. I had even forgotten just how many songs she had that I knew. We were all singing away to every one. Amazing!

After the show, we stopped in the Britany store to get some souvenirs. Jenny and I both got "Work Bitch" t-shirts and what we called "Britany pants". They were just leggings that had names of the songs all over them. They were a hoot!

After the show, MJ and the crew were going to go to a club, being we were still on Ohio time, we were pooped. We decided to just go grab a nightcap at the bar section of Miracle Mile and call it a night.

We ended up at a lovely Mexican place. We had some snacks and a drink, then headed back to the room.

We were walking along, just talking about the show when suddenly, I went DOWN...HARD!

I slipped in my foam flip flop on a small puddle of water and screwed up my knee pretty bad.

They ended up calling the ambulance because I couldn't walk. I ended up at Desert Springs hospital amongst all the crack addicts of Las Vegas. When they were wheeling me in, they said to Nana, stay to the side, because they will grab at you. They were moaning and getting threatened to be restrained. We ended up being there like four hours. It was horrible. Nana, Jenny and Pam ended up using a sheet they gave me, to cover up the chairs because it was a dirty hospital, too! YUCK!

They did an x-ray which was negative for a break, thank goodness. I got a shot in my knee to help with inflammation and some pills.

Finally, I was released on some crutches. What an ordeal that was. It was CRAZY!

My leg is super screwed up, but we'll just have to see what happens.

Meanwhile at home, Jim and Reagan were trapped in the house all day because of a winter storm warning. They spend most of the day playing in the snow, then hanging around the house watching movies and playing games. Her new favorite game is now Sofia the First, Magical Tea Party. The tea pot puffs air into the tea cup and changes your tea into different colors. She loves it.

Jim also had to cook Brinkley his ground beef, rice and gel meals today. It seems to be helping, so hopefully he be back to normal soon!

Breakfast!

 High Roller

 Britney

 Ambulance Ride

Waiting for me.....while hanging with the crack heads.

 Crutches at 3:30 Vegas time!

Ready to play in the snow!

Snow STORM!

Watching Movies

Sofia Tea Party

 Brinkley's gourmet meal!

 

 

 

 



Snow Day & Super Bowl - 32/365

Well, if the freezing cold wasn't enough to shock us back into winter, after two blissful weeks down in Florida and the Caribbean, the Winter Storm Warning today will do it.

Yes, we're under a winter storm warning with potentially a foot of snow coming. Lovely!

We were supposed to head to Matt and Nikki's today for Andrew's 10th Birthday party. We woke up to hearing about a travel ban for certain vehicles on the Ohio Turnpike, so Nikki decided it was best if they just cancel. We are now going to celebrate at Ally's party later in Feb.

We didn't do very much today at all! Jim got all our shopping done yesterday, so I spent the day trying to get my new laptop up and running, while throwing a load of laundry in here and there.

Jim and Reagan spent the day playing. They went out in the snow for a bit and ran around. They had a good time!

This evening, we watched the Super Bowl! Seattle and New England played. Seattle was driving down the field in the last seconds to win and they threw a pick on the one yard line and lost. It was pretty sad. Oh well. We liked the Katy Perry halftime show. Reagan was fascinated with all her props and was seriously worried how she would get down from her "firework." It was a good, lazy day trying to get settled back into reality.
Playing in the snow!

Katy Perry flying high at the Super Bowl!



Paper Cutting and Rotary Meeting - 89/365

Today, Jim was off to another Rotary meeting in Canton. 

He had to leave around 6:30 this morning, so he was pooped. It was a quick meeting, so he was happy. He was home around noon, which is WAY earlier than he thought he'd be. 

Reagan was still at my mom's for most of the morning, so I just plugged away on my never ending photobook project. 

This evening, Jim, Reagan and I spent some time doing art projects. Reagan loves to sit and glue things. We cut up a ton of paper and she was just making cool mosaic art. She actually started to perfect her paper cutting skills, too! She had used scissors at some of her classes, but didn't have a pair of her own. I ran over to the Dollar Store, right by the house, and got her a pair. She sat for at least an hour just cutting stuff. It was so cute! 

On a different note, it is almost April and we were actually under a Winter Weather Advisory tonight. We're expecting 1-3 inches. WHAT!? Spring where are you!? 

The photo of the day is Reagan cutting her paper.

Next, the weather advisory. 

 

Polar Vortex - 6/365

Today the temps were expected to plummet as a polar vortex moved into the area. Temps were expected to be at zero with wind chills down to nearly 40 below. That's cold! 

Reagan and I were just going to stay in and hibernate today. We played with toys, but spent most of the day playing with her new play-doh stuff from Christmas. We had a blast making all kinds of fun stuff. 

When Jim got home, he and Reagan actually braved the two minute drive to Austintown Bounce for a little bit. They had a good time! 

When they got home, we decided to try an experiment that my Uncle Ed and Aunt Pam did, where you toss a pot of boiling water in the air and make snow. I have to say it was really COOL! It made a TON of snow, instantly! I love little science experiments. 

The photo of the day is Reagan and her play-doh.

Next, our little experiment...

 

Honda Pilot - 3/365

Out with the old, in with the new! 

Jim and I have been wanting a new car, specifically a Honda Pilot, for some time now. Well, today that came true! Jim HATES dealerships, so Nana and I took a ride up to look at one. Well, I ended up driving it home! It was so exciting! It was exactly what I wanted, black on black touring edition! Just like my awesome cousin, Zach! We had the trusty Saturn for 5 years. It was a great car. I loved it, but it was time for a new one! I'm already in LOVE again! I just want to go riding around!

Reagan spent the day with grandma, so I could go take care of things more easily. What a HUGE help that was, because it turned out to be quite the marathon day with Nate and his friends at Classic Honda! 

 This evening, I got to have dinner with my special friend, Kim. We don't get together, or even talk, nearly as much as we'd like, but getting together it's just like old times! We had such a great dinner catching up. It was SO great to see her! We want to make a resolution to really try to see each other more. That's a resolution I sure hope sticks! The only thing I regret, is forgetting to get a picture of us at dinner! Next time.

 While I was at dinner, Jim and Reagan hit Austintown Bounce for a little bit. Jim said Reagan was a bouncing fool and had all her imaginary princess friends with her! 

The photo of the day is my new Pilot, next to my old Saturn. I will miss my little Saturn, but I LOVE my new ride!  

The CRAZY COLD continued today. I noticed these yucky, but beautiful, ice crystals on our garage window.

 

Wind Chill - 2/365

Holy cold weather! 

We were under a winter weather advisory all day today. We only got around 4 inches of snow, but the wind was crazy. The winds were up to 20-30 miles per hour, sheesh! 

Reagan went to Nana's today, so I could get all the Christmas stuff down and get some other stuff organized. I felt like our house was swallowing me! There was just stuff EVERYWHERE! Jim even helped me when he got home by running the sweeper all over! 

The house is all neat again, and I can breath! YAY! 

 Reagan had a great day playing games with Nana and Papa! 

The photo of the day is the blustery snow on the deck.

Next, Reagan and Papa playing Candyland.

 

Last Browns Home Game - 349/365

Today was the last Browns home game of this season! 

We've been lucky this year, we haven't had to drive or sit through any blizzards. 

It was going to be a REALLY cold one, but no snow. The high was in the twenties, with a wind chill of 8. Brrrrrrrrrrr!

 We got up to the game at our normal time and grabbed a table in the club. It was just going to be us, from the normal crew. Our cousins, Sue and Dave were going to be joining us, though! It was so nice, because we RARELY ever get to see them, even though they live near Cleveland. We had a great time at our indoor tailgate just chit chatting and catching up. They are so great! 

We headed out to the seats right at game time, to discover, that they had NOT cleaned the club area of snow. WTF!? The seats were pretty much covered and there were drifts on the ground. It was crazy! Even the cup holders were filled with snow. This worked out, because it kept your beer ultra cold! LOL! 

 The game itself was pretty fun to watch. They played the Bears and actually hung on pretty good. They scored first and then it was all tied up at half-time. By the fourth quarter, they had a lead! BUT, in typical Browns fashion, they let another one slip away. They lost the game 38-31. It was so sad. We had to do the walk of shame, one last time. We had a blast even with the loss and the crazy snow. There is always next year.... 

  Reagan spent the day with Jim's mom and dad. They played most of the day over their house. This evening, Grandma and Papa Greg took her up to Fellows Riverside Garden to the Winter Nights. The garden puts holiday lights up along the paths, to walk along and enjoy. They also have music, cookies and hot cocoa inside. They had a great time checking out the lights and playing in the snow. Reagan really enjoyed herself! 

 Overall, it was a great day for everyone! 

 The photo of the day is Jim, Sue, Dave and I at the game..

Next, is the crazy snow at the seats...

Eppie Adventure - He was watching the game. Well, the highlights...what does he know!? 

 

Winter Storm & Arthur is Back- 330/365

Winter Storm Warning today. 

I have to admit, it feels a little early for an actual "warning." Oh well. 

 We headed out to the store this morning to grab some stuff to get us through to Thanksgiving, before it got too bad. 

Reagan and I, were just going to hunker down and ride it out the rest of the afternoon. We had a nice day just hanging around. We played dollhouse and just watched the storm roll in. 

It started really snowing around 1:00. We finally went out to do the first shoveling around 2:30, before her nap. Her new snowsuit hadn't come yet, so she had to wear last years. It was a little short, but it got the job done. She had a ball shoveling the snow. She couldn't quite push her shovel with her mittens so she asked to take them off. She didn't even complain of cold fingers. She loved getting snow on the shovel and dumping it on Brinkley's head. He didn't even mind, he's always burying his head in the snow! By the time Jim was due home from work, it was REALLY snowing. It usually only takes him 10 minutes to get home from work, but this afternoon, it took around 30. He didn't see any wrecks, but he did see a firetruck and an ambulance. 

Once he got settled, we decided to all go out and play in the snow, even though it was dark. We thought it was the perfect day to bring, Arthur, our snowman, back to life. We have a little kit and when we built him last year, we named him Arthur. Reagan actually remembered his name! It was amazing! It didn't even take us that long. The snow was excellent packing snow. It was nice being out in the blizzard bringing Arthur back. We had so much fun! 

The photo of the day is Arthur! 

 Next, Reagan and Brinkley helping me shovel. Or, Reagan shoveling on Brinkley...

Covered Crocus - 84/365

It's almost Easter AND it's almost April but we were under yet another Winter Weather Advisory today! We woke up to snow covered everything and most of the schools were closed. It was cold, but not cold for a winter storm, so my mom, Reagan and I went out to play in the snow! 

We headed down to Mill Creek Park near the Daffodil meadow to see if any Crocus were popping up amongst the snow. We saw so many beautiful ones last year in that same spot but no such luck. We then headed down to the Lily Pond to check out some ducks. We took a nice stroll around the whole pond and saw a bunch of geese. They seemed really friendly today. There were two that literally "followed" us around the whole pond. They would come up right to the water's edge and just look at us. Reagan was in HEAVEN! She kept saying "What dat duck doin?" and "That duck see Reagan!" We finished up there and headed to Fellows Riverside Garden. We wanted to walk around the garden and hoped to check out the nature photography exhibit. We forgot they were closed on Monday, so we never got to see the photography, but we had a great walk around the garden. They have the nice brick path now and it was all cleared off. Reagan was having a ball bouncing in the slush piles. She stomped every slush ball she could find! 

We ended our afternoon at Gia's for some soup and salad to warm up. What a great little adventure we had trying to make the best of hopefully the LAST SNOW STORM of the winter!

 The photo of the day is a Crocus we did find peeking through the snow....

 

Snowy Spring - 79/365

It's the first day of Spring!

Although, you wouldn't know it here in Ohio. It was only around 30 degrees most of the day with scattered snow showers. Around 5 o'clock this evening a pretty good squall came through that actually left a dusting of snow on the grass and mulch. The low tonight is only supposed to be 17 degrees and we could get an inch of snow! Cuyahoga County is expected to get between 4-8 inches.... What!? 

The other day, I noticed that my Irises are already starting to come up. They are probably ready to turn back around and head back in to hibernation...LOL! I hope they don't get destroyed in this crazy weather. They are my favorite in the Spring! 

 They say March comes in like a lion and out like a lamb...I think the lion is getting some overtime pay. Yuck! Hurry SUMMER! 

 Today's photo is my poor Irises peeking up from the ground surrounded by the awful snow....

 

Sleigh Ride - 40/365

We went on a little adventure today! Awhile back, I had discovered a little place called Ma & Pa's. It's a tiny little colonial house with a gift shop and they offer sleigh rides all winter, and carriage rides in the summer. I had signed up to receive their "snow alerts" which will tell you when they are heading out.  I finally just got one the other day, so I called and got us an appointment for today. 

I was a little nervous leaving home, because all our snow was pretty much melted. I was thinking "how can we do a sleigh ride with no snow!?" As we kept going north the snow seemed to be holding steady and by the time we got there, they had at least a couple inches still on the ground. YAY! 

We arrived, hopped out of the car and spotted the stunning horses. They were HUGE, gorgeous animals! There were four horses and two sleighs. We ended up in the green sleigh which was the first one in the ride. That was nice because Reagan could see both sets of horses. I think she really enjoyed it and Jim and I did, too! It was a really nice relaxing ride through the beautiful country side. It's something we would all do again! Us in our sleigh is the photo of the day!

We finished our day with a trip to the Eastwood Mall to check out the fish since we were already on 422. We ended up riding the little train they have, which was also super fun. Each little car has a speaker with jammin' music...LOL! We finally grabbed a bite to eat at Fuddruckers! Perfect day!

Frigid Flag - 39/365

The last couple days have been pretty much like Groundhog Day around here. Wake up, work on the party, go to bed. It makes for some tough photo of the day possibilities. I hope I'm not having "photographers block" already. I'm only 39 days in. LOL! 

Today the news was all about the huge winter storm ("Nemo" as the Weather Channel is calling it...whatever) that's pummeling the East Coast. New York City was expected to get between 12-18 inches, and Boston is expected to get nearly TWO FEET of snow! WOW!

 Here in Youngstown, we weren't affected by "Nemo", but the winds were quite blustery. I could hear the house creaking from the wind all day. Luckily, we only got a dusting of snow, which was good news. Jim, awesome daddy that he is, braved the wind and still took Brinkley for his walk. He said Brinkley's fluffy hair was blowing all over the place but the pup didn't seem to mind. Thankfully, we're nearly half way through February so the yucky winter days, will soon come to an end. 

Today's photo is our American Flag being tossed about in the wind.
Not the best, but hey, it's a picture! LOL!

Walking in a Winter Wonderland - 35/365

Jim is such a great daddy to Brinkley. He ALWAYS makes sure Brinkley gets to go outside whatever the day and whatever the weather. Brinkley gets over walked sometimes in the summer because my mom and I walk every morning around 8, then in the evenings, Jim, Reagan and I go to a wooded trail and "hike". The winter poses some challenges for outdoor sports, especially with a little person, so Jim always makes sure Brinkley gets some form of exercise even if it's just throwing the ball in the backyard. Most of the time though, they go for at least a 10 minute walk down the street. Brinkley really appreciates getting to stretch his legs and he's always so happy when he comes home. If Reagan and I are playing he comes bounding in, wagging his tail, almost like he wants to tell us he had fun. 

 The photo of the day is Jim and Brinkley heading out for their stroll.....

Brinkley says "Thanks, daddy!"

Goodbye Arthur - 9/365

Today we had to say goodbye to a good friend. The sun decided that it was time to take our snow friend, Arthur away. When I went to run some errands this afternoon, I noticed his face and buttons had fallen to the ground and his hat was tattered. 

Arthur was a great snowman and watched over our yard day and night. I have to say, since Arthur had been around, no one had driven in our yard! LOL! 

Arthur came into our lives on December 29th, 2012 after the December 26th snow storm. Reagan loved to go outside and visit him and always waved when we pulled into the driveway. 

He will be missed...

Here is Arthur pre-sunstroke - 12/29/2012