Spring??

We have had more snow this winter than anyone can remember. It is amazing. We have built snowmen, schools have added 5-6 days to the school year, and it has been cold. However, all of a sudden, plants are popping out of the ground and we have buttercups and other bulb plants beginning to bloom. It is a sign that warmer weather is on the way. I love seeing my favorite flower (buttercups) coming out of the ground. And when my favorite trees (red buds) start blooming I know the warmth is on the way.

In national news, there are huge problems in the middle east and gas prices are soaring, jumping 25 cents in a day or two. Citizens are protesting so that their dictator leaders will resign. All this uneasiness is causing the gas prices to go up very fast.

It looks like Alabama basketball could do well this season. We are going to a game next weekend to see UA play Georgia. Should be a fun game.

It also looks like Tide Guy's job is a bit more secure right this minute. This could change, but we feel safe for about a year. Boeing just got a $32 billion dollar contract with the Air Force. Tide Guy has been moved to a different program, but in a few months is expected to move back to his original program. He is very excited about the move back. I'm still holding out for a pool this season. However, we are going to Kauai this summer. I can't wait.

In the adoption world, China surprised everyone with an early referral. This action has raised some spirits, but we are all still cautious. We never know what causes fast referrals or causes the slow downs. I read on someones blog that the CCAA has said the referrals will not exceed 5 years. Well, we are at 3 years and 3 months and we have a very long ways to go. I don't see how the CCAA can go through the referrals to keep us in a 5 year window. The coming months will be interesting, but it still will be no indication of what is to come.

Well, we are headed to Nashville today to see Brad Paisley and Darius Rucker. We love going to Nashville.

Ready for Spring!!
Tide Gal

More Snow?

Yep. It snowed again last night. Just a little, but it snowed. I think we have close to a inch in some places. School openings were delayed an hour or two. The funny thing is the last snow just melted about a 6 days ago and schools were out a whole week. And, even funnier, is that we are supposed to get more snow in two days.

Gas prices are way up to about $2.99/gallon.

In the adoption world, the news is basically the same. Nothing new.

We Still Have Snow

Yep. We still have snow on the ground and it has been there for over a week. A lot of it melted yesterday and with a possibility of rain today, it should be gone today.

More Snow!

We have snow. And, for here, we have a lot of snow. It started snowing Sunday night and continued on through Monday. It is now Friday, the snow is still here, and local schools have been closed all week. It has been a winter wonderland and the temperature aren't getting above freezing often. Very large snowmen can be found in many yards. Luckily, the roads are mostly clear in most areas. The "back roads" still have ice in the shaded areas. The best part is the power never went off. We were prepared in case, but hopeful we wouldn't have to eat sandwiches or grill in the 20 degree weather.

To make us feel better, Tide Guy has booked us a trip to Kaua'i for the summer. We are excited!

It's a New Year

On with 2011!

But, first a few updates from the end of 2010:

We actually had a white Christmas. It was wonderful. We built a snowman that we named Snow Bear Man. I then made a snow shaped duck named Duck. I used green paint on him, and put two green bead necklaces on him. He was in tribute to the Oregon Ducks who play that other school in Alabama this month for the National Championship.

Gas prices are on the way up. Again. I paid $2.95/gallon recently. Ugh.

We started work on the dropped ceiling in the "industrial side" of the basement. It looks so good that I commented it doesn't look like we did it. We have now renamed it "the shop".

Back to 2011:

On New Year's day, Bama played Michigan State in the Capital One Bowl in Orlando. We did not go and Bama may have played the best game of the season. They completely dominated in all areas. In fact, their first and second string quarterbacks were both hurt during the game and they had to play someone that wasn't a quarterback. Our starters were pulled midway through the third quarter and we played our 2nd-4th string players. Afterwards, the Michigan State players and coaches all commented on the strength of our team. Some stated it was like playing a NFL team. The officials were quoted on the politeness Bama's team. They said they heard "yes sir" many times. I am so proud of this team. Pure class.

Tide Guy begins work on a new program at work next week. We are so grateful he found a job within the same company. The program he is on now could start back later depending on the new, current administration. However, he isn't sure he would go back. He would have to compare job security on each program.

On with 2011!!

Tide Gal

It is a White Christmas

Ho Ho Ho! Merry Christmas. It is snowing! It was snowing when we woke this morning and a few hours later, it is still snowing. Everything is white and gorgeous.

We have been partying for weeks. Work parties, family parties, having people here, and going to friends' houses. Now, the un-fun begins......packing away all the Christmas decorations. I think I will leave the decorations up another week just to enjoy the lights.

Tide Guy is off work for a week and plans to get the drop ceiling started or maybe completed in the basement industrial side. He got a big tool box/organizer for Christmas, a Lowe's gift card, and has bought some supplies to complete the project. Once that project is done, we'll start on the floor, then we should be able to get the organization going.

Gas prices are now back up to $2.89/gallon. Ugh.

So, on with the day of fun, eating, visiting, and playing!!

Merry Christmas!
Tide Gal

Not Much to Say.....

I haven't posted anything in a while. There really hasn't been too much to say. My Bama team ended the regular season 9-3. Not bad, but the 3 losses were games we should/could have won. Now, Bama is headed to Orlando to the Capital One bowl. As of right now, we are not planning to go. We may change our minds later.

Gas prices soared to $2.89 for a while, but gratefully have dropped back down to $2.79 or so.

Tide Guy's program at work is barely hanging on. Job hunting is not fun at this time. There is a chance his program will hang on and start back soon. There are several factors and statements that seem positive and the new congress could help.

Christmas is just around the corner. So close I can almost see it. I need to finish shopping and I hope to complete my list today.

I just had a friend visit this week. We were friends in Okinawa and I have not seen her since June of 2004. She and her husband were visiting family close by. They have recently moved and are now about 7 hours by car from me. I see a road trip in my future.

News on China adoptions? Well, we completed our home study. We also had our fingerprints done. When we received our appointments for the fingerprints, Tide Guys was at 3 pm one day and mine was 8 am the next morning. Really? Seriously? Of course, there is no phone number to see if it was possible that I could have mine done at the same time. So, I went with him with hopes they would slide me in during his appointment and not have to make the 3 hour round trip the next morning. Luckily, they did. We received notice that our fingerprints have been accepted and we are now good for another 18 months.

So what have we been doing? Here is a short list: Carrie Underwood concert, tailgating in Tuscaloosa, all Bama home games, Bama games in Columbia, SC, and Knoxville, TN, Styx concert, local basketball games, Heart concert, met Verne Lundquist in SC, started some work on the basement, etc.

Merry Christmas!
Tide Gal