Everyone was going stir crazy today - I just wanted to go out to eat.  We ended up at a Mexican food restaurant and then informed that we are going other places.  Harbor Freight and then Walmart.  I just stayed out in the pickup with the boys when they went to walmart, I had already been in there yesterday no need to expose myself to that place again.  

Right up the road, a hill that goes down and then back up - trucks were getting stuck on the upside because of ice.  I don't get the need to keep driving in these adverse conditions.  Money is nice, but not that nice.  You aren't making any progress, you are taking twice as long or more to get anywhere, get off the road.  The pictures flowing in from around the country confirmed that fact.  

Meanwhile, a person called me at 7:15 am today.  I'm in the middle of a deep sleep.  I have no reason to get up early, so I was a bit flustered when I found out this person was asking about how we were faring out here.  I'm glad they were concerned for our safety, but that sleep was mighty fine.  Never-the-less, it led to a flurry of other activity.

Namely, the next door neighbor's house.  James and Taylor took off shortly after I got up to take her to work.  Work said no, we are only opening for take out for 4 hours today.  Well, James had texted me asking about where the water valve tool is?  Turns out, the neighbor's house water lines had burst, going through the attic, right over the carport.  Water was pouring out everywhere.  I knew this was going to be a chore. 

Got out the water valve, a screw driver and a thing that churns up the dirt.  Found the main water valve under the snow, dug that all up, got the lid off and - that thing hadn't been touched in years.  You could barely see the meter, much less the pipe that goes to it and out of it.  It took about 20 minutes of digging before I finally found the valve and shut it off.  Damage already done, but ya gotta get the water off regardless.  Not to mention the city has turned the water supply down. Wells are running dry as people have their faucets left on overnight to keep pipes from breaking.

I can only guess the neighbor didn't have hers turned on.  She barely lives there, she found a man and mostly stays over at his house.  She did have the heat on, but that wasn't going to help where the pipe burst over the carport, no heat going in there.

Anyway, good deed done for the day.  Lol.  

Plans for the rest of the day: started last night actually. Taking sample tests for hazmat endorsement.  Need to get all of that junk back into my head.  Absolutely worthless information, all for the manufacturer. Some of it is for the driver, but only a miniscule amount of that information is relevant to the driver. The driver learns what he/she needs to know from the carrier about safety, unloading, what to do in a spill, etc.  In a spill, you try to turn it off or mitigate it. If not? Run for your lives!  Keep people well away from it, tell them what it can do if it blows up, they'll leave in a hurry.  

Anyway, many of the questions I had no clue.  That's the honest truth of it.  What line will --- blah blah blah --- information on the safety data sheet will show up on what line? WHO CARES, as long as it is on there.  That's the manufacturer's concern, NOT mine.  They've been doing it 5 decades plus, their procedures have long been set into place, long passed government scrutiny.

Yet, it's stuff I have to know if I want to pass the exam.  Which I do, lol.

And stir crazy kids.  Lol.  Days and days and days  in the house, not being able to go outside and get the energy out, they are driving the entire house insane.  I think they should get bundled up and go play in the snow for a couple of hours.  But that's me, growing up in the snow, parents made me put on all of my winter gear and said goodbye, don't come back til' you hear the bell.  We didn't care, it was all pure fun.  

Half expecting to get a load for tomorrow.  Roads will start to clear up today and will really start melting off tomorrow. Heck, there is a good constant dripping coming off the house right now even at freezing temps cause' the sun is out.  Our street, however, is still covered with at least 4 inches of snow.  We'll see what it looks like after today.  

Well that's it for now. Getting texts, messages and phone calls asking how we are.  We're fine, really, we are.  There is a 4 wheel drive pickup here, if we need anything. The power is on, we have bottled water - not much left but it'll suffice and if we absolutely have to we'll boil water for drinking - we have loads of food, the grocery stores are open again, albeit limited food supplies, a generator to supply the house with electricity if the power goes out,  nothing really to complain about.  I'm actually happy to sit in my bedroom and vegetate.  Especially after last trip and the icy hell that traveling entailed.  Getting home was number one priority.  I don't want to spend money at hotels, that's what I have a room at the house for.  I also still have stuff left to do with my room. Things to go through, decisions to be made on what to keep and what to throw out.  

With that, I bid you a good day. May the peace and love of the Lord Jesus Christ fill your hearts, souls and minds.  Be at peace, stay warm and have a beautiful day.