SNOW DAY!!

It's been snowing for 3 hours now, and hasn't stopped yet. We haven't had a really hard freeze yet, so the ground is still warm. So, the snow isn't sticking. However, I can see a thin layer on the ground right now. We'll see how this ends up...

The snow was just starting to collect on Skeeter, so I took a picture of him. Right after this picture, he saw a lazy squirrel. That squirrel just got up the tree as Skeet got to him. My dog almost got his first catch!

He loves the snow so much. He's been watching it fall all morning now. He's glued to the windows. He did get tired though, so took a nap right by the sliding door so he wouldn't miss a flake. He's crazy!

So, how did Thunder and Boomer spend their snow day? Sleeping of course, just like the good cats they are. Cute aren't they? Do they look like trained killers to you? They are! Well, sort of. The other day, I saw Skeeter sticking his head in our spare room. It was odd, so I went to see what was up. There were Thunder and Boomer on either side of the desk. No one was moving. Not good. So, I calmly went downstairs to get my wonderful and manly husband. I told him I thought they'd cornered a mouse, and if he had time would he go check it out? So, he went up stairs, then came out of the room again (after closing the door) to get some gloves. Yes, they did corner a mouse. He said they wore the poor field mouse out, who was squeaking in the corner. Greg picked it up and let it free in the back yard, where it ran down the hill as fast as it could. Such killers my kittens are. Oops, not kittens any more. They are 1 now. Oh how those kids grow up.

How am I spending my snow day? I'm watching "Toughest Race on Earth"! It's a Discovery show about the 2008 Iditarod. I fell in love with the Greatest Race on Earth 2 years ago during our trip to Alaska. It is amazing what man and dog can do. This is the best show! It makes me want to get Skeeter in training. We just got a toboggan last year, so who knows...

Enjoy your snow day!

d

HOCKEY!

On Tuesday, I went to see the Minnesota Wild play the Atlanta Thrashers, in Atlanta. My very good friends, Tina and Randy, are huge Thrashers fans. We've started a tradition now of going to see our teams play each other. This was my second time seeing the 2 teams play.

They are such great friends! They put up with me cheering my team on all night long. By the way, the Wild won! It was a great game, and I can't wait for the two teams to meet in Minnesota next year!

Leaves and Relaxing

Yes, I am finally home again. We got back to Northfield last Wednesday. The weather has been BEAUTIFUL! It's been in the 60s and sunny every day. I've spent time in my garden, cutting back plants to do the fall clean up. Greg had to mow the lawn twice, due to 3 weeks without being mowed. The yard is gorgeous! I've had some quality hammock time in my back yard, and can't get over how wonderful it is. The emerald green grass, the smell of cut grass and malt-0-meal, the sight of Skeeter and Greg playing with a Frisbee... it's breathtaking!

We went and bought 5 new trees on Thursday, to be delivered this Wednesday. We bought 3 birch trees, because birches are best when they are in a group! We also bought 2 apple trees. Did you know that you need 2 different types of apple trees in order for any of them to produce apples? They need to produce fruit at two different times, so we bought a Zestar (early fruit) and a Honey Crisp (mid-season apple). I can't wait for those apples!

It's been wonderful to be home. Finally relaxing and enjoying the sights and sounds of fall!

Biloxi, MS

I arrived safe and sound in Biloxi yesterday. We spent about a week in St Croix flying KYLE, but the fun had to end. So we headed home. On my flight back, I was asked to fly Kyle's final mission. That meant a 5:30am wake up for me today.

However, Kyle lost a lot of strength, so the National Hurricane Center cancelled my flight. So, I have a free day off. Greg is now making his first ever Jambalaya and watching the Vikings. Next up is watching the Twins play. Lets just hope they win and the White Sox loose, then we'll be in first place and on to the play-offs!

Greg and I head home Tuesday. I can't wait to get home and enjoy fall in MN! We were just wondering what color our leaves were. We really do miss home!

I've posted some new pictures on our Smug Mug page... http://deeann-greg.smugmug.com/. I hope you like them...

Tropical Trash

For all my hurricane hunter friends out there... you know what Tropical Trash is. For those of you who don't know, it is a messy tropical weather system just like the one we are in St Croix to fly. I flew into it 2 days ago, and it was messy. Actually, I didn't fly into it because it was over Haiti, but I did fly around it for 3 hours.

So, I'm in crew rest to fly this storm again tonight. It continues to move Northeasterly, so it shouldn't hit the US, but you never know. Luckily, one of my best girl friends, Tina, is flying with me tonight. So, we get to share weather duties and take turns napping. It's so much better having 2 weather officers on board.

I'll have more pictures soon, but right now it's taking too long to up load them. Maybe tomorrow.

I hope the weather is beautiful where you are!
d

St Croix

Hello All!

Greg and I have made it St Croix, via Key West, FL. We are here to see if we can make anything of the tropical wave over Puerto Rico and Hispanola. Greg flew it yesterday, and I'm off to fly it tomorrow. Nothing was found today, but they think it is because the center was over the Dominican Republic.

Greg and I had the same day off today, so we took a tour of the Cruzan Rum factory. I'll have pictures soon.

It is raining cats and dogs in St Croix though. The roads are flooded, and the sewer system is having a hard time keeping up downtown. Hopefully, the rain will move off tomorrow.

Second Trip in IKE

Well, what a morning! You can see my flight through the eyes of the Weather Cow at http://deeann-greg.smugmug.com/gallery/5954318_DFiJD/1/371193567_ii98Q#371193567_ii98Q. The Weather Cow is owned by a weather guy at a local TV station in Birmingham, AL. He gave me the cow to take on flights with me for a few days. He did a great job!

We had even more media with us today. After the flight, I heard about numerous press results from my previous flight. We were the top news story on YAHOO news... http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080912/ap_on_re_us/eye_of_ike. The weather guy at a local Mobile, AL station submitted this story... http://www.wkrg.com/hurricane/article/hurricane_hunters_in_ike/17939/video/. They were great guys and gals to fly with. I'm going to be interviewed by Fox and Friends tomorrow at 6:30am (central time), via phone. This is just crazy!

It was a messy storm. The hurricane force winds extended over 100 miles from the center. The pressure didn't drop much and the winds barely rose. It had no eyewall with it. It was odd. I just pray for all those in TX and LA!