Snow forts, snow days, and the Cone of Shame.

"Snowpocalypse 2011" is what people have been calling the storm that just rolled through the Midwest.  The title might lean a little towards the dramatic side of things, I think, but it's a somewhat accurate picture of the last 30 hours or so, I suppose.  It was definitely the biggest blizzard and snow storm I've ever been a part of, and actually I was really excited for it to get here!  I could sense the anticipation in the air.  Everyone was getting ready to have the exact same experience: an enormous snow storm.  It was exciting!  Since January was an uneventful month, I was really looking forward to a little excitement.

After the storm started, I did what any not so confident snow driver would do:  I went and got a manicure, haha.  What can I say?  I like having my nails done and now that all of my clumsy wounds are healed, I could actually go do it!  I think I got their speedy version of a manicure, though, considering there was a blizzard underway outside...

After I got home, Josh and I decided to ride out part of the storm in the snow fort he has been working on the last few weeks.  It was my first time in the fort, but I must say that I was very impressed with his handy work!  We had several amenities that average snow forts don't have.  For example, a built in chimney (aka a strategically placed hole in the roof) allowed us to enjoy a cozy fire. We also had some blankets, vanilla chai, and even candles were burning in "shelves" carved out into the snow.  I must say that it was impressive work and amazingly, it got pretty warm in there.  (Not warm enough for any funny business, though... I know what you're thinking... what with the candles and all..) and we enjoyed our time out there.  We could hear the wind blowing outside, but inside we were enjoying the peace and adventure of being *technically* outside for a whole hour in the blizzard.

Our only picture inside the snow fort before the camera died...

When we woke up today, I was so excited and hopeful that I would have a snow day at work.  We live out in Ionia county, where snow removal is very delayed. So I was really, really hoping for a snow day.  Except, my boss called and said he would come pick me up at home if I was too nervous to drive myself. Despite his offer, I clung to the hope of a snow day all morning.  I even saw a snow plow get stuck on the road in front of our house several times over the course of an hour... and when it got stuck in our driveway.... Josh went and helped them dig out.

So my hope was not unfounded! I thought surely my boss would see reason and not come get me.  But oh no... he did.  About two hours before I actually had to be at work, he called and said he was on his way.  To say I had a bad attitude about it is a huge understatement.  I was so ridiculously disappointed.  and maybe even a little angry.  I understood he's a business owner and everything, and my logical side kept telling me that it made perfect sense... but my emotional side was indignant and stuck on the serious lack of justice that I was clearly a victim of (ha). and you know what?  I just really couldn't shake the negative emotions today.  It was a terrible feeling for someone who can usually control her emotions fairly well.  

Really, I felt like a small child who was desperately hoping for a snow day because every other school was closed. and not only was school NOT closed, but my teacher was coming to personally pick me up (an hour and a half early) to ensure my attendance.  and then, once I got there, I was forced to do the same work (massage) on the same subjects (patients) that I did every other day and every other week. and just when it looked like I might get to go home early, the teacher found more work for me to do.

Torture, my friends.  Torture.  

But, I did get paid... (attempting to be positive) and there are worse things in life than going to work when I was supposed to go to work, you know?  But I think it was just the whole "unmet expectations" thing that was so devastating.  (Unmet expectations are always devastating, aren't they?)

My night got better though when we closed at 7:00. My best friend Nicole and her hubby picked me up from work.  They brought me in their 4 wheel drive vehicle to McDonalds to get me a diet coke which made me feel better... and when I got home I walked in to see Buddy looking like this:

The poor little guy got neutered yesterday. and he's having a really hard time not licking himself (something he struggles with on a normal day as well haha) So Josh took extra precautions and put cones of shame cones on his front AND his back.  Honestly, I'm laughing as I type this.... oh it's so terribly cute in a really sad way.  The snow is so deep that the cone around his head acts as a sort of shovel as Buddy dives through the drifts in our backyard. Bad timing for the ole' snip snip, I think.  Anyway, due to the fact that these pictures are making me laugh harder than I have all day (I like to take note of that sort of thing), I'm going to post a few more for your viewing pleasure:

Ohhhh the joy this little puppy brings me.  I hope you're all smiling, too!