A Surprise Snow!

Last Friday, the weather report was that there was going to be uncommonly cold and snowy weather hitting from mid-Georgia all the way down to Florida.  We live in the North Georgia Mountains so were told it would totally miss us.  By Sunday they said we might get some flurries from it but no accumulation.  It started snowing hard and fast yesterday at around 11:00 a.m.  Authorities announced they were sending children home from school at noon.  By 3:00 p.m. there was trouble.

I was raised in Upstate New York so grew up with lots of lake effect snow and long drawn out cold winters.  If it snowed you just kept moving and living.  People used studded tires in winter or had chains on your tires.  The roads were salted and plowed round the clock in snowy weather.  There were times we got so much in a blizzard or storm it did stop things for a short while.  But we lived in it and it was part of normal winters.  Everyone prepared for them.

Down here in the South it happens so rarely and often fast, as it did  yesterday.  It cripples our state.  It does not matter if you drove on snow and ice your whole life.  The roads are not salted and cleared as easily down here.  Most people down here don't have experience driving on it at all.  If we get an ice storm it is even worse as we often loose power from downed limbs and trees or wrecks into poles.  Praise God we still have power this time.  This time it was bad enough.  Roads gridlocked. People stranded and taking hours upon hours to get home or to a safe place.  Many wrecks.  Praise God for cell phones to keep in contact with our many family members that were stuck and trying to get home.  Needless to say most everything in town is closed for the day today as it is not supposed to get above freezing. 

On a happier note my children are all southerners and rarely see snow like this.  I think the last time was five years ago or so.  It brings them great joy and although they don't have the snow pants and heavy snow gear, they bundle up as best they can and enjoy the fun.  I used to go out and play with them in it but now they are older and play hard in the snow and I prefer to stay in and watch from where it is warm.  I don't enjoy snow balls fights anymore like I used to.

Of course we have no snow toys so sand toys work.

Or a chair from the play house makes a pretty good sled.

Of course William could not resist a lego shot.  He sent this to my dads phone as a text.  My dad sent back.. Send the little guy down and I will give him a spoon to shovel the drive way with.

William sent him back this picture and said...no need for the spoon he will bring his own shovel.  ;)

Kids can have such special relationships with their grandparents and relatives that they could never have in the past with these cell phones.


The ponies were ready to come up to the barn and get into their nice, dry, warm stall for the night.

It is not supposed to get above freezing today but as the sun hits the roads it should melt some of the snow and ice off and with the wind blowing hopefully dry a bit.  It is supposed to get to 7 degrees tonight.  I have three appointments tomorrow so hoping for better driving conditions tomorrow. 

Romans 15:13   Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.

^{May the God in heaven, maker of all things, be with us all as we go thru things in life.  May He provide abundantly for our needs with protection and peace as we live and grow in Him.} 

^Blessings, 

^susan