And Life Came to a Standstill

Winter Wonderland in our backyard.

At first glance, you would think this was a snow storm - snow is only on the top.  Underneath is about 3-4 inches of pure, treacherous and deadly ICE.

Paul Bunyun, alias, the Bishop, was kept plenty busy with cutting us firewood.

A constant fire in the fireplace kept us warm and added ambiance to the memory.

Usually reserved for General Conference weekend, I broke tradition and made homemade cinnamon rolls for Sunday breakfast.  Kathryn called from Utah and made me promise to save her at LEAST two.

It started last Thursday, on the 5th.
I had an all day orthodontic Seminar in Dallas and car pooled with our receptionist, Bryleigh.  I decided to drive, since I am much more experienced in driving in snow and ice, which was expected to come down by the time we came out of the Seminar, than she was.  She's only 23 years old and has driven in snow once.
But even as experienced as I am over my 37 years of driving, it still took us over 2 hours to travel the 47 mile trip.  It was deadly.
I got home and we spent the rest of the evening watching the news - both the local and National news had OUR weather situation on the t.v.  I had so many commitments over the weekend - Friday was supposed to be another half day at the Seminar, then a Relief Society Pres. Mtg for the following two hours, then back to Mike and Kylie's to babysit for the evening.
Friday morning arrived with the roads and freeways covered in layers and layers of ice.  Schools throughout the Metroplex were closed, roads were closed and the airport was shut down.  I was going no where.  Everything got cancelled - and then the same thing happened for Saturday, another day that I had packed with previous commitments.  Del, as Bishop, counseled with his counselors, and after some discussion, concluded that the Ward Christmas party had to be cancelled for that evening. Disappointing.  At the same time, a mass email went out from our stake president informing the stake members that all church meetings would be cancelled for Sunday throughout the stake.  Kathryn was supposed to fly home from Utah Saturday afternoon, but the airlines called informing us her flight had been cancelled and she would be coming home Monday instead.  I called her with the news, and she was thrilled to have two more days with her dear friend Rachel.
That takes me to today....
The weekend has been spent at home, in and under the protection of my home.  There are thousands and thousands without power.  There were many who were stranded for over 32 hours on the freeway that I take to get to work every day.  The freeway has since been shut down.  During that shut down, a man in a car/truck, tried to pass another on the Lake Lewisville bridge, plunging into the lake below  He later died.  My sister Elaine and her husband have many neighbors and ward members who are without power, so for two days, they have been offering food and shelter for any who have no place to eat or be warm.  They have several ward members doing the same thing.
We have had several phone calls going back and forth to ward members making sure that each ward member is safe and taken care of.  We have no power outages over here, but there is no leaving of homes either, so we needed to make sure everyone had food and warmth.  Del did leave the house yesterday to go to the store two miles away for a few things.  He didn't return for two hours.  I was worried, but knew he was a very experienced driver.  But even he said the roads were deadly.  We have stayed home the rest of the time.
The pictures tell our weekend story.  We have had a continual fire in the fireplace, played games, watched BYU basketball, football, had yummy food, including homemade cinnamon rolls I made this morning, and listened to Josh Groban Christmas music.  Today has been spent having a great family conversation with Jordan and Lexi, watching The Spoken Word and reading scriptures.  It has been most peaceful - I have missed the time I was supposed to be with the grandchildren, but it's been nice to hear from Kylie about all the one on one time she and Mike have been spending with the kids - reading, playing, putting up their tree...etc...etc.  They have had their own sweet time to take advantage of being 'shut in' with their kids.
I will be anxious to see what tomorrow brings.  Part of the freeway I travel to work on is still closed.  I may have to go a completely different and longer way to work.  And then, there is Kathryn to pick up from the airport IF her flight does not get cancelled again.  We'll wait and see.
So, life came to a standstill this weekend.  It went from probably one of the busiest planned weekends in December, to a mandated, yet much appreciated, standstill.
The Lord likes to slow things up a little during this busy time of year, doesn't He?
I hope there have not been many that have had to suffer too much, although, the news has told of four deaths of homeless people - and then, of course, the man on the freeway.  Slow down people.  Be safe - and don't go out if you don't have to.  Stay home, with your families.
Enjoy the standstill.