8 inches total at 10 pm and snow shows no sign of stopping!

So the snow started at 4:00 pm....
and it hasn't stopped yet...
and it is currently 11 pm...
Molly and I watched the 10 pm news...
We are expected to get almost 2 feet by tomorrow afternoon...
Additionally, the road conditions are pretty hazardous, and VDOT asked all people not to leave their house unless they had to. Just so you know, Molly and I will not be leaving the house - unless by foot to take a walk and pictures.

I'll post more pictures tomorrow...until then, I'm set to go....

UPDATE ON MATT and UVA WOMEN'S BASKETBALL TEAM:
The team left at 4:30/5:00 this afternoon on a bus to Richmond to fly to Athens, GA for their game Sunday against UGA. The bus trip took a really long time because of the weather, but the team arrived at the airport safely. Since then, it has been a waiting game. They are sitting on the plane and have been de-iced a few times and attempted to take-off, but problems with the runway. It looks like now they maybe sleeping at a hotel in Richmond tonight - and I'm not sure about their plans for tomorrow yet. I'm just happy they are safe.

10 Steps to Preparing for a Snow Storm

1) Purchase milk and bread....and by that I mean purchase whatever milk and bread is left in the stores...along with other necessities in case you get snowed in or the power goes off...

2) Purchase salt, window de-icer, and a window ice scraper thing that has a brush too...and by that I don't mean cooking salt...I mean this Roadrunner stuff that works to melt the ice so your car can gain traction. Put this salt down covering your half of the driveway (only not putting it on the other side in case that might upset not so friendly next door neighbor) and path to front door. Clear the crappy window washer fluid out of your car, do this on Georgetown Road because you don't want your area to have water on it...then put the whole bottle of Rain-X De-Icer fluid in your car. But the ice scraper thing with brush by the front door for tomorrow...because you realized last snow fall that brushing the snow off your car with your sweatshirt makes for a very very very very cold and wet arm!

3) Purchase lantern...because let's face it...what will you use as light if your power goes out? I mean some things you just need a light for...you know?

4) Purchase snow shovel...now this is a bit tricky because as of 7:30 this morning Lowe's was sold out of snow shovels (70+ shovels sold that fast in one morning)...but never fear...Kroger's had 6 left....or at least 5 when you left there! Score!

5) Purchase Duraflame logs...(12 of them)...because you will be starting a fire at 4 pm because you've decided it is officially cold, even with the heat on!

6) Purchase Long lighters...how else are you going to start that fire??? Especially when each time you go to use your match the stinkin' wind coming in from the flu blows it out!! Crazy wind!

7) Purchase warm pants, gloves, hat, scarf, and most importantly COAT...It's just how it goes people...in Virginia you really do need this kind of winter-wear....Apparently I'm not in Bama anymore!

8) Make Mommy's Chili and Cornbread....ok, so it was the worst cornbread you have ever made in your life and you had to throw it out...but it was balanced nicely by the best chili you have ever made! God Bless your Mommy (in this case mine) for the recipe and God Bless my Grams for the genetically good cooking skills she passed on to my mommy then me (I consider cornbread not to be cooking...)!

9) Start dishwasher and do laundry....It's your day off...you were going to do it anyways...and this way you'll have it done if the power goes off! Not to mention...who doesn't love putting on socks right after they get out of the dryer....ahhhh, 20 more minutes and I'll love it!

10) Say Goodbye to your Husband and settle down and wait for the snow...Ladies, it's true...you can brave your first real winter storm as an adult by yourself....well, at least you and a 7 year old choc. lab named Molly can brave it together...because your husband is off with UVA Women's basketball to Georgia (a day early b/c of the snow) to take on UGA Sunday at 2.

Saturday Night Lights...

I've been lucky to have this weekend off of work....It's been nice to relax, run errands, clean, laundry...you know the whole deal...However, Matt has had to go to work for practices...Yesterday, after he got home from practice....we were able to unload a few boxes we have received full of presents from the Elves and Mrs. Claus, which we placed under the tree.

The we were off to go look at Christmas lights....We went to UVA first and saw the lawn all lit up for Christmas and the individuals doors as well. Then we walked to Christian's on the corner for dinner...best pizza in Charlottesville for sure! Then we walked back to the car and drove out to a place that we remembered always had loads of lights...It was located next to where Matt used to live before I moved here. Oh my gosh...it was crazy! We thought it was a drive by kind of thing...but when we drove by there was Santa holding a sign that said "Come Inside"....and we did!!! It was crazy, made me feel just like I was back in Alabama at a certain spot that is full of silly lights and displays!

Hope you enjoy these pictures of our Saturday Night lights!

This is a very busy and Christmas filled week for Matt and I! We are meeting Matt's dad for dinner tonight, then Kory and Diana for large Christmas lights drive-thru on Tuesday, meeting Matt's mom and sister for dinner on Wednesday, and then Friday the UVA Women's Basketball Christmas party...

15 cards + 1 note = Sharing the Christmas Spirit

I got an email from my mom a few days ago about sending some cards with blessing, thanks, or greetings to service personnel (actual service members, family of a service member, or a veteran. Matt and I, each having family who was in the military at one point in time during our lives and having friends who are serving now, decided to participate. So, we thought we would give other people the opportunity to thank those who are serving our country, their family or a veteran and to sent them a little holiday greeting.

Here's the important information:

Buy 15 cards (max) [We got a pack of $18 @ Kroger's for $5.00]
Address cards to: "Dear Service Member, Family or Veteran"
Sign cards
Write note within [Matt came up with our note...it was great...he wrote 7, I wrote 8 and we signed each others]
Enclose nothing inside, it will be confiscated
Buy one large envelope to mail all the cards in [You might have one laying around the house/job like we did!]
Mail To:
Holiday Mail for Heroes
P.O. Box 5456
Capital Heights, MD 20791-5456

2 games - 1 W, 1 L

So, I haven't missed a home UVA Women's basketball game yet.....but these last two were...well, they were something....

On Dec. 3rd, UVA took on Purdue in the Big 10/ACC Challenge...this game was one word....LONG!!!!! The game was scoreless for a long long time and then there was a shot clock problem that delayed the game even longer...however, it ended up with UVA's 3rd consecutive Big 10/ACC Challenge win!!! UVA 56 - Purdue 49....

On Dec. 6th, UVA played James Madison University...Now let me say this about JMU...they are a good team...they are undefeated in their division...and they also have a top scorer...and with that being said...their top scorer...she definitely showed up to play...and JMU fans also showed up too...Unfortunately the Hoos lost the game by two points...I was up and down out of my seat...horrible refs (for both sides)...bad shots...but all in all I'm sure that this will make them a stronger team!

That leaves UVA with a 6-2 record! The Hoos are still looking good this year!

Next is Furman tomorrow.

LET'S GO HOOS!

Playing Catch with Snowballs!

So I tried to tell Matt about how Molly "loves" the snow...and by "loves" I mean that sarcastically...but Matt was sure she would love it when he got home from work on Saturday....So...after Matt got home and before I left for work....we took Molly out to play in the snow...

Besides playing frisbee...Matt threw snowballs for her to catch! Molly was hilarious! She was running after them like the were tennis balls, but when they hit the ground she couldn't find the ball...then he would throw it so she could catch the snowball in her mouth...well as soon as she caught it the snowball was destroyed, but Molly was so confused! It was hilarious and adorable....and, Matt was right...Molly loves the snow (and this time I don't mean it sarcastically)!!!!

Winter Wonderland...

Well, I guess when the weather man here in Virginia calls for snow the next day...he isn't kidding!!!

As most of you know, I (Kelly) grew up in Alabama and besides rarely seeing snow (unless skiing in Snowmass, Colorado)...everytime it was predicted for snow...it never really happened...and if it did, it was melted by noon....(except of course for the blizzard of '93)...However...I do have a point...

IT'S SNOWING!!!!

It started around 10 am, and it is now 1:30 pm and it hasn't stopped snowing!!!!!! It's beautiful outside and I can't help but smile at it! It definitely makes it feel like the Christmas spirit is all around us!!! I love snow! Love it! Ok, so I don't love driving in it...or how cold it makes me...but let's face it....looking out your window to everything covered in a blanket of white and watching more snow fall...it's magical!

Now typically when it called for snow growing up, you did 1 thing and 1 thing only...your got to the grocery store as fast as possible and loaded up on milk and bread (and yes, this never really made sense to me either)....So, you are probably thinking....that although the hubs was at practice this morning....I probably did exactly what everyone from the South (the real South) is trained to do...run for milk and bread...and well...I DID!! ha! ha! ha! At least kind of...I took a new vantage point on the old saying...and instead ran for goodies to make chili and cornbread on this winter wonderland day!! I mean we already had milk, but never fear, I did pick up some bread too!

And I can say this...apparently other people are used to driving in this...My less than 10 mph, with hazard lights on, crawl to the grocery store wasn't really appreciated by other drivers....then again, to get the snow off my car to even leave the townhouse this morning made the sleeves of my sweatshirt soaked! Thank goodness I braved the grocery store early, I don't think I would try driving now!!!