Fishing, Rain and PARTIES

 Good morning.  Honestly I'm thinking that since we retired I've lost my voice here.  I don't have anything to GRIPE about so no words.  My life is good, finally.  After nearly 18 years writing on this blog I've become very quiet.  Maybe I've shared all of me that I can share.  

Today I'm going to have lunch with my dear brother.  I thought about canceling because of the impending storms but those won't be here till later tonight.  So lunch it is!  We will be heading to our cabin this weekend too and can't wait.  It's been a couple of weeks and even then we will miss the next weekend because of graduation stuff.  Seems like we are busier than ever since we retired.  This weekend alone we had two parties on the same day, a Kentucky Derby party and then a Retirement party which had a live band.  It was fun.  They set up like a living room, seating arrangements in their driveway with the band in the garage playing Stones, a bit of country (blech) and good old Rock and Roll!  I opted to not drink at all at either party.  Really I'm not doing much of that which is not a bad thing.  I do like a good gin & tonic or dirty martini but just haven't been feeling it lately.  Especially since I felt like I needed to be the designated driver for the weekend.  I know HE will have a few glasses of wine regardless.  

He did get away to the cabin overnight Friday while I had Snicklefritz with us.  He met the shade guy for installation.  We had new shades put on the screened porch to cut wind, pollen and keep warmth in when we use the fireplace on cooler days.  The water is up too from all the rain with more rain to come.  

We will get up there hopefully for a nice weekend WITHOUT rain, time with friends for a build-your-own-fajita bar and a nice fire on the porch.  The temperatures are supposed to be a lot cooler, especially in the AM so I'm sure I will be sitting there enjoying.

Fire and Ice

Of course I'm still not budging out of the house with all this snow and ice underneath but The Hubby can't sit home.  He went into the office and we have two guys working.  These photos are from across the street from our business where Marshall Brewing and Tap Room is, and next door (buildings are  attached) is a little office supply.  This little old man we have watched through our windows for several years has this business.  He pulls up in front nearly everyday and goes in and you can see shelf after shelf of old office supplies.  He doesn't have a store front but delivers I guess to old customers.  Well what he told one of the owners of Marshall's yesterday is that he had some frozen pipes and he set up some space heaters and would be back and forth during the day to check on them.  I guess he didn't make it back in time and the whole place went up in smoke.

Nearly all day long multiple fire trucks and fire-people worked and worked in the frigid conditions to contain the fire and NOT let it spread to Marshall's.

It was quite the scene and at times on our cameras all you saw was smoke.  Eventually the roof collapsed.  You can't help but feel sorry for the little old guy and his tiny business that is literally toast.  I so hope he has insurance.  I know Marshall's does and so far all they have is water and smoke damage.  I'm sure the insurance companies will play the game and he will be subrogated in this incident.  Just tragic, BUT no one was hurt.

Now on our side of the street, let's just say FROZEN is more a reality.

Snow was piled up in the front of the building and it literally froze the front door.  I'm certainly glad I am NOT in there because we would not be able to keep the stone building warm enough for me.  The Hubby said this photo was Monday, that yesterday it was even more frozen!

Luckily I have absolutely no reason to venture into the office until next week sometime.  I WAS going to take my car in on Monday to the body shop to get the hit and run thing fixed but as I've stated, not driving.  Hopefully Monday I will be able to get it in and then will be without a car for 3 days.  Next week should be okay and The Hubby can drive me around if needed.