Winter hit hard on December 21, 2008. And for the Seattle/Tacoma area it is a winter for the history books. Days of snow turned into a week and then many more days, followed by snow melt, heavy rains, wind and rising rivers, creeks and streams.

This was my first winter in Puyallup, Washington and I received over ten inches of snow. Now for people of the Dakotas and Minnesota and further points North and East, ten inches isn't much. But in our region, this is record snowfall. And we are not equipped for continuous snowfall and ice. Side and private roads are not plowed. We are on your own.

Fortunately, I prepared for the harsh weather. I could ride out a week, though I did have to have someone clear the snow off the low-pitch roof of my single-wide for fear the roof would collapse under the weight of the snow and ice. Oh how I'd wished that my log home was already built and that I was snug within its sturdy walls and under a solid roof curled up in front of a roaring fire. Instead, I was holed up in my little manufactured home praying a tree wouldn't snap and come crashing down on top of me.

For days I'd look out on the frozen pond and buried vehicles. It as beautiful, and I was glad I was on vacation and not having to fight the commute. With temperatures in the teens and single digits, I took every precaution I could to avoid freezing pipes. I never lost my power, so my indoor activities were not restricted. I read four books in one week. I surfed the web. I did some small sewing and craft projects. But after six days I was really feeling trapped.

All holiday plans were cancelled--the family holiday dinner, the cookies & crafts day and holiday shopping trips.

When Christmas Day rolled around I got out my phone book and throughout the day I called friends and family and really took time out to talk. There wasn't any: "...well, just wanted to say hi, I love you; got to go..."

I cooked what I wanted, when I wanted and took all the time I wanted since I didn't have to rush for company. I opened all the drapes and looked out on the snow falling and the Christmas lights and thanked God for THE MOST relaxing Christmas of my lifetime.