Posted 8:25 PM by john

I realize it has been a while since I posted. It's been busy and well, I just haven't felt much like writing. I am in the process of trying out a new internet service provider. I went with the Sprint Overdrive mobile hotspot. It's been pretty slick so far, but I am concerned about the monthly 5GB data limitation. I think it will work out ok, so long as I am not streaming Netflix movies or things like that. What I do like is that this device is mobile. That opens up a host of possibilities.

Anyways, here's some pictures from our recent visit to Elizabeth's brother Matt's new house down in Durham. We visited Matt, Dana and Tyler weekend before last. They have a wonderful new home in a great neighborhood. Zachary got to go to Wheels, play in the ball pit and playground. The grown-ups stayed up Saturday night playing Pinball and Beatles Rock Band. Good times, good times.

Posted 7:17 PM by john

Zachary got a new toy to play with from our recent NYC excursion. Enjoy!

Posted 9:24 PM by john

Well this is the weather wrap up. I have two photo galleries posted up. The first storm is located here:


First Storm Photo Gallery


Second Storm Photo Gallery


Second Storm YouTube



All told we had more then 50 inches between the two storms. There is a smaller system heading our way on Monday. Not fun.

Posted 11:00 AM by john

The local ABC folks have said that Eldersburg had 13.5 inches at 7:30am. I am guessing it must be at about 16-17 inches by now. The winds have picked up considerably causing some whiteout scenarios. Just got word that plow operations have been stopped and power outages are picking up. We aren't going anywhere, anytime soon. They set an all-time winter snow total record at 68.1 inches for the winter. THIS SUCKS!

Posted 9:39 PM by john

Here's a Snow total link from NOAA, key in on Carroll County and Eldersburg/Sykesville to get an idea of what our totals are. I saw a total from 9:13pm that said Eldersburg had 8 1/2 inches. That looks about right from what I can see.

I did take a video of the snow falling tonight. The lighting isn't all that hot but it gets you the idea. I will post more pics and stuff tomorrow. Should be fun to see what we wake up to. For now...check out the Photo Gallery from the other day.

Posted 5:54 PM by john

The National Weather Service is getting really annoying. The storm watch for tomorrow has been canceled. Instead, we now have...wait for it...a storm warning. Apparently we have another 10-20 inches on the way tomorrow afternoon. I don't know where I am gonna shovel all this white stuff.

Posted 2:45 PM by john

I have the snow pictures posted up in a gallery. I particularly enjoyed this one of Zachary. This one and this one gives you an idea of how deep it is, the plow has not come by yet. This is the mailbox from this morning and this one is the mailbox from this afternoon. They forecast 8-9 inches during the day after a heavy fall overnight from last night.


Enjoy!

Posted 8:20 AM by john

Here is a picture, I will eventually make a photo gallery once I have several pics, for now though this is an early picture to show the overnight snow...





Don't forget to check out the NOAA Snow total link, key in on Carroll County and Eldersburg to get an idea of what our totals are. It's still coming down pretty good, not as much as last night but steady.

Posted 11:24 PM by john

Wow, 7 inches as of about an hour ago. The forecasters are saying 2 inches an hour overnight. By dawn we should be at 20 inches with another 5-9 inches during the day tomorrow. Here's a Snow total link from NOAA, key in on Carroll County and Eldersburg to get an idea of what our totals are.

Posted 3:19 PM by john

Well it has been snowing for about 3 hours and it is now sticking. They are calling for accumulations of 20-30 inches. The storm warning is through 10pm Saturday night. Should be fun. This time we are prepared and have a sled for Zachary. I have the wood stacked by the house and a nice fire going downstairs. I should also point out that this is the second major snowstorm we have had this winter which is very unusual. We are also on our third snowfall this week alone. We had one last Saturday, Tuesday and the big one starting today. I believe there are also a few days forecast for snow next week as well.

Posted 7:54 PM by john

Elizabeth had a check up this morning and the due date has been moved up to June 26th. Which is actually very close to the magical date of June 23rd. It is also very close to Elizabeth's mother's birthday which is June 25th.

Posted 7:41 PM by john

Elizabeth is expecting a baby girl due July 5th. The name is going to be Addison Grace.

Posted 8:44 PM by john

Big snowfall in Maryland this weekend. As per usual the locals cleared the stores out of toilet paper and the National Guard was mobilized the night before. Virginia and Maryland declared a state of emergency before the first snowflake fell. Usually I laugh it off and we get 1-2". However, this time it was a bit justified as we got 19". This was Zachary's first significant snowfall and was it a doozy.




We tried to find a sled at the stores Friday night but struck out. I was able to fashion one out of a large cardboard box, it didn't fare too well. The snow started late Friday night and was still going strong on Saturday night when we went to bed. I think we'll be able to go into work in the morning but we'll see. The road into the neighborhood finally got plowed this afternoon. It looks a bit slick but I think we can get out without too much trouble.


Enjoy the pictures!!!

Posted 5:23 PM by john

Let me take you way back to 1993. I was a freshman engineering student at Northern Illinois University. My dorm held a Mr. Irresistible contest and I actually had the gravitas to enter. In my defense, it raised money for some charity that I have long since forgotten. But I digress, this post is not about my failed attempt at winning a pageant.







This picture was taken in the lounge of the engineering floor I lived on my first two years at NIU. From left to right it is Doug, Chris, yours truly and Duane. I have since lost touch with Duane and Chris. Last I heard Duane was backpacking through Europe. I ran into Chris not too long after graduation at Otto's. He seemed to be doing well. Doug went on to become an optometrist and is now known as Dr. Doug. Last night he married the love of his life, Judy. So to Mr Irresistible 1993 and his lovely bride, Judy...from Elizabeth, Zachary and myself we offer this blessing.


"May you see your children’s children. May you be poor in misfortunes and rich in blessings. May you know nothing but happiness from this day forward."

Posted 6:43 PM by john

Busy as usual here at the Laycock household. The in-laws were out over the weekend for a visit. We went to the WWII Dance at the Sykesville firehall. We all had a great time and met some very neat people, including Dick Yates who sat across from us with his wife, Mary. The music and and food were great. We're looking forward to coming back next year.

Forward progress on the bathroom front. I had a friend of a friend come out to knock out the new lines I needed run. They did that and more. Elizabeth and I were really happy with the work that they did. We had a few plumbers come out that weren't worth a darn. One never called back with a quote, and the other came in with a crazy high number. Now I have to get up in there and get some framing done and the shower pan set. After that I will have to get some wall boards up and tiling done. Still lots of work left but I am happy to be moving forward again after stopping for a while.