clevebtch's Blog

You know - where it seems to rain practically every single weekend when most people are off work and be nice through the week?  If so, I'm going to re-think my work schedule!

Come on, Mother Nature, give us working folk a break!  Weekends are just about the only time when most of us can get some serious "outdoorsing" done!

Many people are making this big issue out of this alleged global warming issue.  However, I'd like to know how they come up with this theory.  Look at our temperatures here - we can't even keep at the "normal" temps for more than a day, let alone be much warmer for the season than it's supposed to be.  I don't know how that consitutes global warming?

My opinion?  It's a political scare tactic by telling people to "buy green" so that these major industries have yet another gimmick to make more money and take away from the consumer.  Think about it - if "going green" was so utterly important, why, then, does it cost so damned much to try and GO GREEN?  I would think that if there is that much of a concern for our environment, going green would be much more affordable than it is today so that more people would (and could) work at buying green.

Nope, this is yet another ploy to get money from people who are so intimidated by the media, politicians (Al Gore) and others.  I wonder if they all aren't in it together and pocket all the profits out of those buying green because they are so scared.  I keep waiting and wondering about this global warming effect, but it never seems to happen because, frankly, I think it's still too darned cold to be that worried!

As I was getting ready to head for work this morning, Fox8 flashed their "just in" school closings and lo and behold, Parma was on there at about 6:10 a.m.  I looked outside and thought, "hmmm. . it doesn't look THAT bad.  I've seen worse."  Then as I was driving into work from Parma to Cleveland, I noticed the roads really were not that bad.  I kept wondering why in the world they decided to close the schools.

Now, as I sit here, looking out my office window, it looks like a gorgeous winter wonderland with the way the snow is sticking to trees and wires, but the roads look fantastic.  And, I still wondering why schools were closed today in Parma?????

When I was a kid living in Parma, we had to have snowfall amounts in FEET before they called off school.

Know what I think?  I think panic set in because of our wonderful news media.  They sure know how to instill fear in people by babbling STORM!  STORM!  STORM!  I believe this same thing happened two weeks ago - told we were having this HUGE storm and then, nothing - NADA - ZIP - ZILCH!

Come on people!  This is CLEVELAND.  The snowfall we've had thus far today is nothing!  Give me a break already!

I'm going crazy, here.  During that whole time we were so depleted of rain, I ensured that all of my potted plants were watered!  They were doing FABULOUS through the so-called drought and heavy heat.

Now that we've gotten a couple of days of rain, a few of my pots look like they're dying!  One is a petunia and the other two are those little, mini petunias.  I just do not understand it!  I would have thought they would be delighted to get some of Mother Nature's water!  And, I've talked to a few other people who are having the exact same issue with THEIR petunias as well!

Anyone know what could have happened?  I certainly don't and it's making me nuts!

I could not believe how much snow was on my drive when I got up this morning to let my dog out.  My dog isn't all that big and the poor thing had snow past his little belly!  There was a small drift by the door that was pushed away when I opened it and then I witnessed my pup sinking into the snow and trudging over to do his business.  It's so hard to believe that just last week, I was able to walk out with my dog, robe and slippers on, coffee in hand, and enjoy the warmth and chirping of the birds.  What a difference a week makes, huh?  Last week lawn mowers, this week, snow blowers and shovels.  Gotta love Cleveland!

By the way, if this keeps up like it is, I wonder if the Indians will even get to play at all today?

Even though yesterday started out being damp and rainy, I must say that once the sun began to show later on in the day, it was nice to see everyone outdoors enjoying a fairly decent day.  The kids were all out having a good time and the adults were bustling around, whether to do some clean-up in the yard or just chatting with other neighbors and grilling out.  This went on even after dark with fire pits sparking up and good times being had by all.  Having the fog roll in actually made the evening more eventful, fun and interesting.

Since it's predicted for today to be even nicer, it truly will be a delightful day, again for everyone to be able to break free of the drab of being cooped up inside parked in front of the TV or merely climbing the walls.  I truly am excited about spring arriving and am looking forward to spending time outdoors again.  Mother Nature, please keep the good weather coming!

Okay, I wanna know....

WHO'S READY FOR SPRING? 

Anyone?  Anyone?

I am - that's for sure!

Okay, here's the thing.  I barely slept a wink last night because when I went into bed, I put it in my head that I was going to wake up SUPER early this morning to get a jump on traffic and the storm to head into work.  I was up and getting ready by 4:00 a.m. after a very restless night.  I proceeded to clean off my vehicle and get the drifts plowed out to be able to leave and was ready to hit the road before 6:00 a.m.  My street never did get plowed during the night and it was a nightmare.  When I backed out, I did get stuck and it took about 20 minutes to rock it out.  Once I got started, I cruised through and headed on into work.

I could not believe my eyes while I ventured to my low-paying administrative job.  The roads were absolutely horrendous and the blowing snow was blinding in the dark.  I got about half-way to work and called my boss on his cell to see if he was there, yet.  He actually was on his way, but had not quite made it there at that point (he had further to drive than I did).  My concern was whether or not our parking area was plowed.  When I finally reached work, the cross-road in front of our building (we're on a corner) was impassable and you couldn't even see the lot.  I don't work in the best of neighborhoods, it was still dark, and no one was there at work, yet.  I was still on the phone with my boss, who told me to just head back home since there was nowhere to park.

So, I did proceed to trudge all the way back home after what seemed like an endless trip.  My hubby was home today (they closed his company) as was my daughter from school.  I barely made it back into my driveway due to the blowing and drifting.  I could not believe how it didn't even look like my drive was plowed at all.  After I got in the house and unbundled, I watched Fox8 to see what all was going with the storm.  Shortly thereafter, my phone rang and it was my boss informing me that he found someone to plow our parking area and that two other people showed up for work.

Because I don't get paid time off and the company was technically classified as being "open," I knew that if I didn't go back in, I would lose a day of pay.  Of course, had the company officially closed, we all would still have been compensated for it.  My boss did give me the option of whether or not to come back, but aside from the loss of pay issue, I felt as though I was abandoning those who did get in and leaving them hang.  Two of the three who were there did not know too much about all of the various things that should be done and being that we are in a customer-related industry, I knew that things would go awry.  So, I proceeded, once again, to bundle up and trudge back out in the mess and head back to work.

Now, I do feel dedicated to my boss (not the owner of the company, but the GM) because he is a good and fair person and is only going by the rules of the owner.  He has done quite a bit for me and has been awfully good to me in the years I've been working there, so I felt like I needed to go because he needed me.  He also was kind enough to mark on my time-card to include the entire travel time to and from - and to and from - so that I at least could get compensated for a double trip.

In my heart, I feel I did the right thing.  However, some people said I was nuts to do what I did - to return to work and fight more of the storm than needed.  I like my job and the people with whom I work and feel that since they treat me fairly decent (the most decent out of any job I've ever had), I should be there in their time of need.

So, do you think I'm a dedicated employee or just plain dumb?  Come on - be truthful.  I can take it!

Okay, I work by the West Side Market and live in Parma - not too terribly far, right?  Well, I got off work at 4:30 and finally got home a little after 7:00 p.m.  Nothing was moving and the roads were horrendous!  I have those automatic locks on my vehicle which activate at about 8-10 mph, but the entire trip home, my locks never once locked on their own.  What a mess it was out there!

It's terrible!  Cleaned off the snow from the drive after pulling into a big drift when I got home and couldn't move any further.  Didn't know where the road ended and the driveway began.  Doesn't even look like anything was plowed in the drive, now.

Ugh!  Does this mean I have to leave almost 3 hours early in the morning?  Why can't they just state some emergency issue in all cities and counties being affected by this storm and enforce closure of the roads to emergency vehicles only?  I am so not looking forward to the drive into work tomorrow.  Egad!  I guess it could be worse - like New York had last week, though, huh?

For those of you who have to venture out tonight or in the morning, please be careful!  It's terrible outside!  If you don't have to go anywhere, stay home and stay safe!