Hi, Nicker -- thanks so much for the wishes. I am so thankful; even though I have about two feet of snow to clear from my driveway, I have good neighbors who will help. I don't like to act like the "poor little widow" though, so I get out there as well. And, my power has not gone out (so far). My three dogs and I can survive a day or two with flashlights and a fireplace, but I really worried about my two birds, who can't take too much cold. My car is not made for icy roads, so even if I dig out, I won't be going anywhere for a few days. Of course, these experiences make me miss my husband who was a good companion for these kinds of times, and another pair of hands for digging out.

Thanks again, and my best wishes to those who have not fared as well as me. Alice

Yes my blessings are for a safe, warm, and speedy recovery from all the bad bad weather, we here in the midwest, lucked out. Our winter here has been mild, by most standards. much love and big hugs, carla, from oklahoma

We got 14 inches of snow and I had 3 foot drifts in front of my house, plus a layer of ice under the snow. I didn't lose power, I stopped at the grocery two days before it was supposed to arrive, filled up my van with gas, even though our water pumping station has problems with the power grid, we did not lose water. I survived my second snowstorm since Brian died.

Today as I was going to the door to look at my birds, I saw someone in my driveway. I step carefully out on my porch which is covered in ice, and two of my neighbors were clearing my driveway. They were almost finished before I even saw them. I couldn't thank them enough and I went back inside and had a good cry. It's so nice to know that I have good neighbors and people who care about me.

Nessie from KY

Hi Nicker. Thanks so much for thinking of us!! I'm right there with Alice. I ended up with 16-18"!! I also have neighbors that helped out. One let me put my car in her garage, and the other has been plowing our road and driveways. I've shoveled so much I can barely move. (I have a big dog that needs to get outside, so I kept the porch and sidewalk clear for him during the storm, and did it again today.) I missed my husband quite a bit too. We would have had so much fun together. I sensed he was here with me, and that was comforting. Then I went on a cooking jag and hosted the neighbors for chili and homemade cornbread as a thank you. That was fun too. Tomorrow I try to perfect my cinnamon roll recipe. Thanks again!