It's snowing again.

As you can see from last post's pictures, we've had some wintry weather for the past few days. Three inches of snow won't seem like much to some of you, but it's a big deal for the Willamette Valley. I'm just happy we got some white stuff at all; rain is usually the extent of our winters. Andrew was off work a couple days this week, partly because of the icy roads and partly because there wasn't anything to do at work. It was great to have him home, but we hope work picks up so we'll have a decent paycheck.

I really like our Christmas tree this year. I really liked it last year too. Maybe that's because we decorated the tree exactly the same both years? ;) We also have candles in the windows and another string of lights around the sliding glass door. I love Christmas lights.

In a [failing] effort to save money on electricity, I've been trying not to turn on the heaters very much. But when your houses gets down to 60 degrees (as it was this morning) and you're shivering constantly despite all your layers of clothing, you say 'the heck with saving money' and crank up the thermostat. I miss the good ol' wood stove at my parents' that kept the house at a lovely 80 to 85 degrees. It was heavenly. I'm beginning to think that heat = happiness for me. If I'm warm, I'm happy. Hot showers are delightful. Three quilts on the bed is just right. Wool socks are the best, and the thicker the better.

We have a drip in our kitchen. It seems the snow is melting and dripping down the oven vent or the warm air is forming condensation on the vent... or something. Anyway, a slow trickle of water runs off the top of the oven hood and drips down the side of the neighboring cabinet, pooling on the countertop. I have installed a large bowl under the drip to catch said moisture, but it's slowly ruining the side of the wooden cabinet. We have informed the apartment manager of the problem and she didn't seem to care very much. "Oh, it's just condensation. We'll have to wrap the vent with something sometime." Oookay.

Speaking of moisture, our windows form a lot of condensation every night. I wake up to a bedroom window dripping with water... on the inside. It wouldn't be so bad, but the wetness grows nasty black mold faster than you can imagine. Blah. So I keep a roll of paper towels nearby to mop up my windows every morning. I'm thinking the black mold may be the cause of the bothersome sinus trouble I've had ever since moving out here.

But all things considered, life is still good. I'm thankful for a loving husband, terrific family, a place to live, food to eat, snow to play in, packages that arrive in the mail, hot water, my computer that still works despite its age, music, friends near and far, health, and most of all a God in Heaven who cares, provides, and blesses us beyond measure.