It began snowing in the wee hours of Christmas morning and did not want to stop. As expected, we lost power later that day, but the generator was full of gasoline and it was not too bad. The household was at 6 people and 2 dogs for a few days.

Between the two storms, 2 more couples arrived, 2 kids and a dog. We were all here together! A very rare occurrence. Of course, it was chaos, noisy and crowded. 12 humans & 3 dogs snowed in, without power. Hours of shoveling to make a path for vehicles to get onto the road, so we could navigate to town and get cell service. A generator will power a house, but not the internet and telephone services.

I needed to book a hotel room by the airport if I was to make my flight out Thursday morning. Weds afternoon would bring the second big snowstorm and no way was I going to miss my flight out of here! The airport was a 2-hour drive away and at sea level, so safe from snow. With that chore done, we climbed back up the hill and had leftovers for dinner.

Now I had to pack. Ha! My brain was absolutely not ready to do this a day early. It took me hours after dinner and before lights out to get almost packed. Then the next morning while the overnight snow was shoveled out of the way, I spent another few hours making sure I had enough of my diabetic supplies, meds, and undergarments. The house was cold (except in the front room where the wood-burning stove was.) I knew it would be a warm 80 degrees in Texas, so I had T-shirts, a bathing suit, long sleeve shirts, and a sweater. I forgot to pack my capri pants. I forgot to pack a skirt. No sunscreen. Oh well. They had stores in Texas and I could not pack anymore. My suitcase and carry-on bag were stuffed to the limit, and I was done.

I kissed and hugged all concerned and happily left the chaos. Sure, there were a few twinges of guilt, but I got over them. Hubby and I rode with our oldest son in his 4-wheel drive car. When we got to the lower elevation, the rains pounded us all the way. A quick hug and I was dumped (their word) at the hotel and they needed to hurry back before the heavy snow started.

And so, on Dec. 29, at 2:30 pm, the adventure begins…