It's Snowing!!

I get to see winter!!  I'd have preferred a different way of seeing winter, but it's winter just the same.

The good news is, my mom continues to improve.  The ventilator was removed today and she's off the sedation but still extremely groggy.  With the vent off and tubes gone she's able to communicate a little better although it's only a very low raspy voice at this point.  

Today, and quite possibly for the next 24 to 48 hours, I will not be leaving the hospital.  Not because I need to be here specifically for any reason, but because it's snowing, and I don't drive in snow.  Just looked out the hospital room window and there is a man with a snow shovel clearing the walks. 

I snapped a couple of pictures through a large window in the hallway looking out towards a parking lot.

I know, it doesn't look like much but to an inexperienced driver, it's a mountain of snow.
 

There are points to the south of here that already have 8" of snow.  I'm so very thankful this weather wasn't around on the day I drove up.  I'd be an absolute nervous wreck or ... just a wreck in a ditch!
 

The sunsets up here can be so wonderful.  This is just one that I snapped back on Sunday as I neared my destination.  There wasn't much way of avoiding the power lines so just pretend they aren't there.

I had lunch less than an hour ago in the hospital cafeteria and it really wasn't bad, honey mustard chicken with rice pilaf and broccoli that still retained it's color.  I put a little cheese sauce on the broccoli.  Also picked up a small bag of potato chips so I'd have something to snack on later without having to go back to the cafeteria and then return to ICU and have to wait to be buzzed in. 

My dad called and said he'd be out if he could figure out how to put the chains on the car...oh dear.  I'd prefer he just stay at the house, but he's been so excited since last night with Mom's improvements that he's just that much more antsy and anxious to be here with her frequently.  I think a part of him thinks she'll be home in a day or so, but that is not the case.  She is still a very sick puppy that needs a lot of attention and though there's been wonderful improvements, things can change rapidly.  I'm quite realistic about such things, though I am optimistic and very hopeful that she will be home some time in the coming weeks.  When she leaves ICU, she'll still be here in the hospital for a time before being released, and then to a convalescent center even before going home.

Mom's resting comfortably right now and I'm feeling the need for a nap.  Wonder if I can curl up in this chair that makes into a bed-of-sorts?