What a difference a day makes! Our temperature shot up to 51 degrees F yesterday and everything was melting. Instead of using the snow shovel to actually shovel snow I was using it for scooping water out of the miniature pond that formed at the base of our front steps. Patches of ground have begun to appear here and there in the yard and I could finally scrape the last of the snow from our deck. I know it sounds silly, but I find it feels very liberating.

We haven’t been able to put Johnny away because we couldn’t get the fence open due to frozen solid snow, but finally yesterday we got him stowed away out of the elements again. Now he can have a bit of a vacation since warm temperatures are forecast for a week or more and any kind of precipitation should be in the form or rain.

If this keeps up the snow will soon be gone. I know we’ll get more, but at least this snow that’s been hanging around for over a month will get replaced with fresh, pretty, new stuff.

Here’s to days above the freezing mark!

Even though the ground is still covered in an icy pack of snow and our little hibernating groundhog couldn’t get out of his hole if he wanted to, let alone see his shadow, change is on the way. I can’t feel it in the air yet because it’s 9 degrees F outside this morning, but it’s coming sure enough. The seasons are starting to turn. Why do I think so? Because it was so light this morning. Much lighter. At night too, the daylight seems extensive and I have to look at the clock to see what time it is and I am amazed it’s as late as it is. 

In short, more light = spring. At least that’s my take on it.

Until then I have my other amaryllis to brighten my day. C’mon sun!

Just three days ago I was swinging in one of these hammocks and sitting poolside sipping the frosty “drink of the day.” The sun was shining, warm tropical breezes were gently blowing across my body, and the day was warm.

This morning I am standing by the side of my own pool here in New Jersey hugging a hot cup of coffee between my hands to keep them warm. I can’t sit down because the chairs are covered with snow. As for the pool ... well, I know it’s in there somewhere! The sun is shining, a frigid breeze passes by and my body shivers. It’s 8 degrees F. What’s wrong with this picture?

Reality bites sometimes.

We left in a snowstorm and we arrived back Tuesday night in a snowstorm. In-between I think they had a few nice days here. We were certain our flight was going to be delayed coming into Newark and our pilot even told us that we might be, but as we approached he made no mention of going into a holding pattern. He spoke about the frigid air we would encounter upon leaving the plane and that it was lightly snowing. We landed ahead of schedule, something almost unheard of at Newark Airport, especially with some weather. By the time we got to the car it was snowing heavily and we were glad we landed when we did.

As we got closer to home the snow was ending. Our wonderful neighbor had plowed our driveway of the three or four inches of snow that had fallen. I got out of the car, took three steps, hit an icy patch and went straight down on my butt. Welcome home, Lynne.

I’m not complaining. Really, I’m not. Okay, help me with my mantra here.

I love New Jersey winters.
I love New Jersey winters.
I love New Jersey winters.

The dogs did great in the kennel and Bella had no problems. She did however un-learn some manners (such as biting and jumping up), so we have to work on that. She also turned from a puppy into a somewhat gawky teenager while we were gone. Not quite sure how that happened. The kitties all did well and Luke did a great job taking care of them and the house. All in all, a really successful trip.

It’s good to be home but I am having a few issues. Where is the breakfast buffet? I have to make my own bed, cook my own meals and do the dishes. Can’t I just throw my bath towels on the floor for someone else to pick up? waaaaaaaahhhhhh.

It all seems a dream now, like we were never there. But we were and we had a great time. Now it’s time to pick up the threads of normal life again. Still, I hope you’ll bear with me over the next few days as I share some vacation photos with you and then I’ll get back to being a “new” Jersey girl again.

Walking out of the Cancun airport the warm sultry air hit me in the face like a warm wet washcloth. ahhhh... it felt good. It was hard to remember that only hours ago we were driving through a snowstorm to the airport over unplowed and snowy roads. The hour-and-a-half wait sitting on the tarmac at Newark airpot waiting to be de-iced (or de-NJ-ized as I like to refer to it) was only a dim memory. To think that only 3.5 hours by air separate that life and this, yet I feel a world away.

This morning finds me sitting on my balcony penning these words (Rick has the computer during the day in meetings). I know you will all feel very sorry for me as the temperature is 70 degrees F or so. The ocean breeze lifts my hair and blows it about my face. The palm tree fronds bend to and fro.  The waves gently roll in and crash softly on the white sandy beach within sight of my room. Sheer heaven.

view from our balcony

Our hotel is one of those “all-inclusive” compounds. A city unto itself, there are seven different restaurants to choose from and (only) ten bars. Each wing of rooms seems to have its own pool. Our room looks out over our “private” beach and pool. We’ve been allotted a junior suite in the VIP wing (for what reason we are not quite certain of). The only difference in our room and everyone else’s must be the jacuzzi tub on our balcony and the seating area with a couch.

I do love the mountains, woods, snow and wildlife of New Jersey, but I think I could just as easily become an Island Girl. More to to come.

*Jimmy Buffet ...
The weather is here I wish you were beautiful
The skies are too clear life’s so easy today
The beer is too cold, the daiquiri’s too fruitiful
No place like home when you’re this far away
I don’t care what they say (I don’t care)

We are due to fly out to Mexico tomorrow. It figures. Weather predictions are not good at all—“significant” snow is said to be on the way for tonight and tomorrow. At its best, Newark Airport is always a mess. We can only hope the weather forecasters are still not able to get it right. We could be sitting in the airport all day waiting for our flight to leave. I don’t like flying that much anyway, so I don’t need the added stress.

But, once on our way we will be staying here. It looks lovely! The trip is part business (for Rick) and part pleasure. I know, I know. It looks like a tough place to conduct business, doesn’t it? Do you blame me for tagging along on a business trip? I will try to post a few times from our new digs but Rick will have the computer with him in meetings during the day so maybe I can sneak a few things & photos in here and there. I plan to do a lot of beach walking and shell seeking. We’ll have a few days to ourselves and we’re not sure yet what is possible to explore. We are signed up for a horseback ride through the jungle and on the beach, so that will be fun. I would love to visit a Mayan ruin that we didn’t see last year, Cobá, but unless the hotel offers a tour there we won’t be going since we are not renting a car this time. We’ll just go with the ebb and flow of the Caribbean lifestyle and let things happen as they may.

Once we get out of New Jersey, that is!

It will be Bella’s first time in the kennel and I hope she does well. This time of year the kennel is not busy so they’ve assured me she will get lots of special attention. My baby girl. I will miss her.

Until I post again, stay cozy and by all means keep your feet warm!