Snowrush

There is an event that Joel works hard for every year. Months of slow business and hot sweaty summer days are like practice for the big event - SNOWRUSH. And this past week, we've all been in the thick of it. Snowrush doesn't usually start until mid-December. In 2008, our last big stormy year, Snowrush hit about a week before Christmas Day. This year, Christmas came early. While the weathermen questioned how strong this storm would be, folks from all around came storming in for snow tires, chains, and all-terrain tires. This means good things for the paycheck but it also means the girls go days without seeing their dad and I eagerly wait for Joel until sometimes 8 o'clock at night. While these hours aren't as bad as some people get when it storms, it's long days for us.

Now we're in the midst of a huge storm packing snow, hail, wind, freezing and below-freezing temperatures and ice. Yikes!! Joel is working on his day off but there's a certain satisfaction he draws from this. All the guys at work do. They love the speed, the crazy-non-stop action, the chaos, the knowledge they are helping...it all culminates to create a fantastic team-focused atmosphere bent on getting it done.

And for the families of these hardworking men - we love it. We love to see them succeed and endure and push through cold, hunger, and exhaustion. We love it even more to see them come home, relax, and enjoy the few moments before they pass out only to start it all again less than 12 hours later.

I'm very grateful for Joel and his hard work. I am thankful he grew up being able to experiment and perfect his driving skills in all sorts of elements so that I don't worry AS MUCH about his travels to and from work. I hope this storm passes without too much chaos and scary stuff. For now, I'm just gonna bundle up next to my wood stove and wait.