Allen and Gayla's Continuing Saga

On Thursday Gayla headed out for work. We had gotten the typical 6-8 inches of snow the night before and we had cleared our driveway of snow. Unfortunately, the roads had not been plowed. Gayla got stuck on the hill right before the front gate. She called me to come get her. I stopped to pick her up and I got stuck. One of our neighbors came up and tried to pass us and they got stuck. They called their dad (the one that plows the roads on Saddle Mountain). He came up and helped me get my chains on. That helped as I was able to get to the top of the hill -- but the chains broke/came off. So I took Gayla to work in my car. When I got back he had plowed the roads so I was able to get my car back to the house. We then went back to Gayla's car -- he towed Gayla's car out of the snow drift. Then I took it home. I can't tell you the number of times we have gotten stuck. We are doing all we can to adjust to the harsh winter we are having. Luckily we have great neighbors that don't mind rescuing the transplanted Virginians!!!!

Good News

I just landed a job working for Liberty Tax Service for the tax season. I will be the Office Manager. I start work next Monday (5 Jan 09) and on Tuesday (6 Jan 09), I start teaching the tax prep class that started Monday!!! Should be interesting.

Winter Wonderland

It's a Record

Well Spokane, WA set a record for snow fall. It had snowed 63 inches so far this season. 61.5 inches in December alone. That's right over 5 feet this month. That doesn't count the 2 inches we got last night. We are scheduled to get another 12 incher tomorrow. That's in the valley. The mountains get more. What a winter wonderland. As you might expect we got a White Christmas. We may even have a white Memorial Day if it keeps this up.

Gayla's Big Five Seven (57)

Yep, that's right Gayla is now 57 years old due to the fact today is her birthday!!!!

Just a few reminders what it was like in 1951:

A New House cost -- $9,000

Average Income -- $3,515 per year

Average Rent -- $78 a month

New Car Cost -- $1,520

Tuition to Harvard University -- $600

Movie Ticket -- $.65

Gallon of Gasoline -- $.19

United States Postage Stamp -- $.03

Dozen Eggs -- $.24

Bread -- $.16 a loaf

Well you get the idea!!! What a Wonderful Life!

Have a Great Birthday Gayla!!!!

Love, Allen

A Break from the Snow -- Not!!!!!

Yesterday we awoke to a blast of warm air that caused the snow to start melting and it rained for a little while -- then the temperatures dropped and the rain/snow that melted turned to a sheet of ice. It made coming home form church an adventure -- again. But not to worry we got up this morning to another winter storm -- should get 4-7 inches of snow today with blowing and drifting snow this afternoon. I knew it wouldn't last. To add to the fun the electricity went out last Saturday night around 10 pm and stayed off till 12:48 am. The reason I know when it came on is all the lights in the house that had been on when the lights went out were suddenly on and we awoke with a start when they came on!!!

Pictures from Siberia