It's the little things.

Little did I know that when a package arrived from my sister Susan on Christmas Eve, the wrappings would be the most sought-after spots for cat lounging. Silly me, I should have known.

Here's Zellie with the outer box. She immediately turned it on its side and made it into a cave.

And here's Pumpkin with the paper wrapping that the box inside was wrapped in. Other than the ribbons, it was the only Christmas item that aroused his interest.

Kitties say "Thanks for the presents Susan!" More pictures to follow of the cute and clever gift that was inside.

Dig dig dig...

Das Beetle normally endures inclement weather from the relative comfort of her covered carport. Since I was holding out deluded hope that Kris and Kevin would still come down to visit (they are fellow 'ganders after all), I parked her out in the scary open so that they could have my carport spot if they managed to arrive. I doubt she has ever had this much snow on her slick black roof.

One of the endearing qualities of the New Beetle is that it can be hard to tell which end is which. Snow makes this even more apparent.

The snow was much higher than the bottom of Das Btl's doors!

Rob and I cleared out two spots for our cars because I was still hoping that Kris and Kevin could get out on Sunday, but their streets still had not been plowed. I think our cars make a nice pair.

The tomatoes and bananas were restocked by Sunday though! Armageddon averted, for now. No promises for the next storm though.

THE BLIZZARD THAT ATE DC

Apparently while I was at work yesterday, my friends and neighbors were busy devouring the produce department at the Giant next to my apartment. Where are the bananas? The tomatoes? What surprised me was what was not taken -- the onions were cleaned out, but the broccoli was still looking well-stocked. Asparagus was about half gone. Water? Check. Chips? Try again tomorrow.

But it's pretty!

After I walked to the store, I spent some time in the parking lot helping a couple of people get unstuck armed with my mighty snow shovel and my winter driving skills. I had to try to explain to a guy who spoke little English how to rock himself out of the crater he was in by switching from forward to reverse. One poor guy (the same one who warms up his car if it drops below 40) said he had never seen so much snow in his life. He had summer tires on his Mitsubishi Eclipse and I feel like maybe I should have left him stuck -- it would be safer for him. But my motive was a bit selfish; I wanted his parking spot for Rob if he can make it here.

Everyone, this is Rob. Rob, meet everyone.

Rob and I went to the holiday party where he works, but since no cameras were allowed this is the only picture we have. Here we are!

Happy Michiganders!

We waited for days, hoping that the weather forecasters were right. And they were! About 5 inches of heavy wet snow fell on northern Virginia last weekend, and I got out to Great Falls National Park to enjoy it with Rob and Chris.

Note to Chris's mom: this is totally safe and your son was never in any danger of tumbling into the icy river full of jagged rocks.

This was not -- not -- the only kayaker we saw on Saturday. They appeared to be having fun, but they may have just been delirious with cold.