Coming to a Grinding Halt

Our little man measuring the Christmas tree.....for some reason....

Our decorated tree....a bit off center, but at least it's not falling over.

Let's go outside.....now! In five minutes, it's "Let's go inside .....now!"

Remember my lovely blackberry bushes from last summer? Yep, that's them.

The city has declared only vehicles with chains are allowed to drive. Well, then you can either use your four wheel drive Jeep.....or cross country skis.

Beautiful ice laced holly tree in our yard. It's fun to see the beauty all around.

It's official in the last 24 hours, not only has the city come to a complete halt. It has now hit emergency levels. Emergency vehicles cannot get around, and are actually requesting a plow to plow in front of them to make it to emergencies. Parts of the grocery store near us has closed down, because the shelves are bare. A couple was found today having died from carbon monoxide poisoning because they were trying to stay warm in their car. So, around the city, you can feel it--some critical levels have been achieved. Some of the remote rural communities have some serious concerns about getting supplies to them. So, I ask your prayers for them. When we hear such news, we are struck by how blessed we are to have a roof over our heads, and food in our cupboards. Yet there is not much we can do for those we are hearing about, prayer is the most effective thing I can think of.

I am bummed for another reason. We do a giving tree at our church every year, like most churches. We adopt a few families and provide for them Christmas. I mean it, we provide it all. The gifts for the kids, a few for the parents, a full meal including a ham. So we all pick items to bring. I was lucky to get to a store late last week to provide two presents for two kids. I am so sad for those kids because there is no way our church can get these things that I have bought and others have bought for these families.

As I watch my little local yahoo chicken chat group online, I am amazed at how many people are losing chickens to frost and cold. We have been consistently in the 20's for the last several days. So, while I put up with Lizzie squawking in my house, I am glad we can bring her inside. She may not be though.

We are blessed that we will have a cozy Christmas here in our home. Traditionally, we go off to the inlaws and have a huge Christmas. I have always secretly (not so secret anymore) wanted to have a few Christmas memories in our house, with just our family, with our own traditions. This year will be memorable for that.

The world around us has come to a grinding halt, in some cases, quite tragically. We count our blessings.

We wish all of you a most blessed, lovely, special and memorable Christmas.