The main thing was the Snowpocalypse or Snowmaggedon or whatever other name you wanna call it that we had at the end of January. It was PURE CRAZINESS. I don't even want to go over the details because I'll have to semi re-live it, but I have to document this to some extent so here it goes.
On Monday, January 27th, the forecast said Birmingham would receive a light "dusting" of snow. Usually, when there's a chance of snow, they close the schools and businesses (or at least have late-starts where they don't start/open until 11ish) and all the bread, eggs, and milk disappear off store shelves. But this time, the weather forecasters were certain that the snow would be minimal, that it wouldn't stick, and that we could and should carry on with our days as usual.
On the morning of Tuesday, January 28th, I checked the weather forecast again before going to work to see if it had changed, but the "dusting" prediction remained. So I drove to work and started seeing the preschoolers. Then it started to snow, and the preschoolers were excited and it was a cute, magical moment because we don't get snow here and kids (& adults) love it when it happens! Then it kept snowing and we noticed it was sticking. Soon after that we hear Jefferson County Schools were closing and informing parents to come pick up their children so Glenwood Preschool Program did the same. I got a little excited because this meant I'd probably get to leave work early , make a yummy, warm meal and then snuggle up & watch a movie with Newel.
Once preschool parents were picking up students, I went up to Allan Cott School to work with the residential students since I knew they wouldn't be going anywhere. When I got up to the school, the director said I didn't need to worry about seeing them for speech therapy because they were trying to get residential staff to come to work early and get the students to their houses. I was thinking, "YAY! Now, I only need to write progress notes for the preschoolers and then I can probably go home."
All the while, it's still snowing and sticking, and a long line of cars started to build up to get out of Glenwood. I figured I'd wait until there was not a line and the traffic out on the main roads died down.
But it never died down, and people that left Glenwood as soon as it started snowing came back because the roads were impassable. My heart sunk into my stomach when I found this out because I realized I'd be sleeping at work. I thought, "SLEEPING at work?! NOOOOOOOOOOO. I can't sleep at work. No."
Yes. I got stuck at work and slept there, but I was lucky to get stuck at Glenwood. Since they have residential programs for children, adolescents and adults, they had extra food, blankets, toothpaste and toothbrushes. I was also able to find a couch to sleep on. And once I found out Newel got home safely (after spending 7+ hours in traffic), I was able to sleep. I had a dream that night that the snow was melting and my supervisor, two of my coworkers, and I were walking out of Glenwood and heading home. Oh, what a wonderful dream!
The next day, Wednesday, January 29th, the snow had stopped but the roads were iced over and the roads still impassable and it wasn't looking like anything was going to melt because temperatures were below freezing. It looked like we'd have to stay another night. But what about my dream?!
I tried to do work, but couldn't focus. I just wanted to go home and be with Newel. After lunch, some people decided to leave work and brave the icy roads. They didn't come back and rumors were that they were getting home. So my supervisor and 1 of my coworkers and I left in my supervisor's SUV and made it to the freeway. My supervisor dropped me off the main road that was close to our apartment and I walked the rest of the way. After leaving for work 30+ hours before, I finally made it home! It felt so good to be with Newel and just give him a big hug.
The next day, it was impossible to get to work so I stayed home and took some pictures. Here they are:
Our mailbox.
When we were still so happy to be together again.
The apartments behind ours.
Now looking at these pictures, it doesn't look so crazy. But it was. And everyone that experienced it has their own story. I think we all learned a little something from it. Being better prepared, having gratitude for all we do have, Alabama doesn't know how to forecast the weather, etc. :)
