Good Morning, Fellow Sparkers;

I am finally able to sit down and try and write about our snow storm. Our 3-day snow storm started on Monday with a mere 3-6 inches, which is manageable, then day 2 brought on another 3-6 inches in the morning and then the big storm (blizzard) was coming in later that evening into the next morning.

Well, I had to work on Tuesday evening from 4:30-11pm and I had been asked by my boss if I was going to come into work. I stated that I was and she wanted me to bring a bag just in case I couldn't get home because they were planning for a BLIZZARD! Well, I figured it was going to be challenging and such, which is why my husband was taking off the next day. So, I packed my overnight bag, just in case. I headed off to work and as I am almost there I notice I forgot my cellphone, GREAT!!! Then, I was supposed to call my mom and tell her I made it to work okay, forgot that too! NUTS!!! I did, call my husband though. The roads were not that bad coming in but the storm had just started not long before. So, as the night progresses, I keep getting asked if I am going to go home or stay. I keep saying, "I am going to try and make it home, if its too bad, I will turn around and come back". At 9 o'clock, I am offered to be sent home, but I turned it down and stayed until 11. So, at 11, I am walking out of work and stopped by security. I am told or informed not to leave, but I don't listen and kept going. Usually the weather man is wrong and I have not had problems before, so I figure I can handle it. I was advised that if I end up in an accident there is no one going to get me because they have called everyone off the roads, it was that bad. I was supposed to call my husband to tell him I am leaving, but forgot that too. I was batting 100, so I guess that should have been my 'red flag'.

The roads were terrible. But, I was going slow and steady and figure I will finish the drive home. I take the long way home as to be on the main roads for as much time as possible. I seen people in the ditch, the roads were drifting and blowing, only visions of the road at certain times. There were a few other people (idiots like me) that were out but that was about 3 or so. I basically had to go out of my way to stay on main streets, so it was a longer drive. I was about half way home when my car was pulled into the ditch. It wasn't too scary, it was just disappointing and frustrating, as I should have known better to be out in this stuff.

Luckily, (God was watching me) I was only about a little over a mile from my parents house. I first had to try and get out of the vehicle as the driver side was in the ditch. So, I had to maneuver my body (which is overly obese...which made me more mad) around and climb out the passenger door. Then, I was in snow up to my knees, which is a lot. Mind you, I am only a mere 4'10" so anything like that is difficult. No phone, so I couldn't call anyone, although I wouldn't have gotten much help because no one was able to get anywhere...so I walked. I decided to walk through the field off the Hwy, to the road that leads to my parents to avoid being hit, if someone was out on the main roads. The field snow was drifted and very difficult (okay, the whole walked was) but at this moment the snow was to my chest. It was scary. I walked past the fire station and again, should have stopped and at least informed them, but nope, I was on a mission to get to my parents so I kept going. The roads were drifted, deep and sometimes slippery. I was walking past a house when 2 men approached me and asked me what I was doing out in this mess. I explained what happened and they invited me back to the backside of the house to get some protection from the elements and I also used their phone to call my husband and tell him what happened so he didn't try to come find me. Then, I called my dad and he was going to try and get me but I advised him that I would start walking again and try to meet him, but that I was fine and would get there, I just wanted him to know where I was. I didn't want him out either. So, I started back out on my walk and went about another 1/2 mile (passed 2 people in the ditch from earlier that evening) and noticed some flashing lights, and thought, "nuts", my dad is in the ditch too. He has a plow on his truck and flashing lights, that's how I thought it was him. He didn't make it out much past his neighborhood, maybe a block. Another lucky star was with him, as a guy in a tractor was out and pulled him out of the ditch and was going to pull him to me (why I don't know) but they didn't have to because I met up with them. My dad and I went in reverse and that was a challenge in itself and FINALLY made it home to his house. Whew!!! That was a rough time. I don't know how long I was outside but I am going to say about an hour or so. It seemed longer. It was very cold and there was the blowing snow and ice/mix that kept pounding me, but luckily, I had on my boots (which I need new ones, don't know how they held up), my hat and gloves.

Got to my parents and changed, called my husband and then emailed my boss to explain what happened, as I was supposed to email her when I got home. I also advise her that I would NOT be in on Wednesday (I just needed a mental day) and Thursday they took me (and others) off the schedule because that was supposed to be a meeting day, but that was cancelled in advance because of the schedule changes from the storm. So, I have had the last 2 days off and thank goodness, I needed it. I have to work tonight until midnight and then off 2 days. Can't wait. I am a little nervous about driving past that spot, but I will be okay. The roads are a clear as possible. Not much room to put all this snow.

In addition, on Wednesday morning we met the tow truck and had my car pulled out and jumped (after the guy finally figured out how to do it. who doesn't know how to do it, when they are in that type of business?) So an hour later, I was finally on my way home, cold and ready to be with my family.

I am SO grateful to be alive and safe!! My dad is still in tears (he is emotional anyways) but doesn't know how I did it, that far, and those conditions. I somehow found the strength. Now if I could only apply that strength, determination and hard-headedness to my healthy lifestyle, I would be good to go.

Moral of the story, listen, its better to be safe, then sorry. I was lucky, but that could have been different. Next time, I know and I will learn from this.

Thank you to everyone for caring and thinking of me and your prayers. They were heard.

Here are some pictures of the what the snow storm/blizzard left behind. These don't even come close to doing justice to what we got.