Hello everyone, and Happy Friday!

There was historic snow yesterday across parts of Pennsylvania and Upstate New York.  State College, PA broke the record for the earliest snowfall on record with 7 inches of snow breaking the old record set back in 1901 of 0.1 inch!

More snow is in the forecast as another nor’easter roars its way up the coast bringing inches of snow to the Alleghenies, and cold rain and wind from the Midatlantic up to New England.  If you live in any of these areas, we’d love to see some pics!  You can send them to janicedean70@yahoo.com

Possible record breaking cold will reach as far south as Florida this weekend with temperatures plunging 10 to even 25 degrees below average.   Drier conditions are on the way for the south this weekend which I’m sure is music to their ears after buckets of rain over the last few weeks.

The Midwest will see unsettled weather – including rain, snow and a mixture of the two.  Temperatures here are also well below average.

Much of the West with exception to the Northwest will warm up as a ridge of high pressure builds across the area.  The northwest will see a couple of systems push into their region bringing more rain, mountain snow and breezy conditions.

And finally, some pictures from last weekend’s visit to Canada!  We were in Chatham for Thanksgiving with my Mom Stella, Brother Craig, Aunt  and Uncles Jan, Ian, Joan and Tom.  My second cousin Adriana is also here holding little Matthew. 

Have a GREAT weekend everyone!

JD

Good morning everyone.

Another sleepless in Manhattan evening.  Matthew has the croup.  We’re going to the doc’s again this afternoon.  I was in tears with him last night as he kept waking up with that horrible barking seal noise.  From what I read, there’s not much we can do except keep his little head elevated at night and bring him into the bathroom to run a hot shower to steam up the room (I remember this remedy from one of my favorite movies of all time “Terms of Endearment”…where Debra Winger brings her baby into bathroom to steam it up while her husband played by Jeff Daniels admits to cheating on her! Eeek!)  We also put a cool air humidifier in the bedroom to help.    This could take a few days to get over, so I’m starting to get used to the sleep deprivation.  I just want him to get better so badly.  It’s got to be one of the hardest things as a parent – seeing your little one suffer.  At any rate, hopefully it’s nothing too serious, and he can get over this along with plenty of TLC from his mom and dad.

Last night I was able to download some of the little videos we’ve been taking with Matthew while he’s been out in Central Park – here’s a little snippit (I’m not sure why it’s sideways, but at least it uploaded onto the blog!!)

Before we get to weather news,  I also wanted to wish Fox News Channel a very happy birthday!  We launched in 1996 with just 17 million subscribers.  Now we’re the number one cable news network and we keep on growing!   I feel so privileged to work here.  It’s the best job I’ve ever had, and the people I work with are some of the nicest I’ve ever met.  This is like a second home to me, and I don’t think I would’ve come back after having Matthew if I didn’t love this place so much.   

Ok – back to weather – a lot of you have mentioned to cooler temperatures.  We should get used the extra blankets and maybe get out those heavier jackets and coats this weekend as a lineup of storm originating in the west will continue to bring unsettled weather (including snow!)  across the U.S.  behind these systems, temperatures will drop considerably especially as we head into the weekend.  Heavy rain will fall from North Texas through the Ozarks and into the midwest over the next 48 hours.  6-12 inches of snow will pile up across the Northern Rockies.  And the pattern continues later this week and into the weekend.

We’ve also got Tropical Storm Henri out there in the Atlantic that just kinda popped out of nowhere yesterday east of the Antilles.  Henri is not going to threaten any land and will weaken to just a low pressure system by tomorrow.

That’s all for now folks.  Time for lunch!

jd

Hi everyone.

I wrote this post last year, and thought I would publish it again.  September 11th is the hardest day of the year for my husband.  He put on his uniform early this morning and once again had a tired, worn out look that only comes once a year.  He doesn’t talk about 9-11 very much, and as years go by it still doesn’t get easy remembering or talking about that real-life nightmare.  My little son has no idea what his father has gone through.  He’ll never really know, I guess.   I thank God my husband was spared that day.  I pray for all those whose loved ones are gone, and who have to re-live this day each year.

Janice

September 10th, 2008

As the wife of a New York City Fireman, I wanted to pay tribute to all those who gave their lives to save others 7 years ago tomorrow.

I see flashes of sadness in my husband’s eyes from time to time, and the weight he carries with him being one of those who survived.   I know he questions why he was spared that day while most of his firehouse died in the line of duty.   I wish I could take away that dull ache that never goes away after losing your brothers.  I wish I could spare him from the nightmares that continue to haunt him when he sleeps at night.

People ask me if I get scared or nervous knowing what my husband does for a living.  Yes, there are times when my mind starts to wander, and worry about the risks he takes on a daily basis,  but I also realize that what he does is a calling.  It’s what he loves to do, and despite the risks, I know he goes to work each day knowing his mission is to help others.  Everyone who walked into those buildings on that fateful day 7 years ago in uniform had the same goal: to save lives.   No one imagined how many of them would never walk out alive.

I think of the little boy that’s growing inside of me, and how I can’t wait to see what a wonderful father and role model my husband will be to our son.   I get excited thinking about them playing catch together in the yard, or to watch them read a book together, or give him an encouraging hug when he needs it.   I imagine my son’s eyes lighting up when he visits his dad at work in the firehouse. 

Please take a moment to remember those whose family members never came home to them that day seven years ago.  Tell those around you how much you love them.  Take a moment to appreciate the people you care about.   You just never know what can happen…in an instant.

My husband keeps this prayer on our mantle at home, and I thought I would share it with you, and to all those who wear the uniform:

Firefighter’s Prayer

When I am called to duty, God,

wherever flames may rage;

Give me strength to save some life

whatever be its age.

Help me embrace a little child

before it is too late:

Or save an older person from

the horror of that fate.

Enable me to be alert

and hear the weakest shout,

And quickly and efficiently,

to put the fire out.

Hello everyone!

Well, summer has come for one day here in the Northeast!  (I know the rest of the country has seen maybe way too much of the summertime heat) but for New Yorkers, we have yet to hit 90 degrees this summer…we could break some records across across D.C. and Baltimore as temperatures push 100 degrees.  Tomorrow, temperatures get knocked back by ten degrees or so.  It’s been a strangely cool and wet season so far here in the Northeast and Midwest.

Showers and thunderstorms are popping up across the Great Lakes back into the Ohio Valley and the Central Plains thanks to a cold front pushing across the region.  Ahead and along the front there’s a chance of severe weather with strong winds and hail being the main concern. 

The Northwest is back to their “normal” weather with cooler temperatures and some rain while the rest of the west will be warm.

In tropical news, a devastating story out of China with Typhoon Morakot making landfall and bringing deadly weather conditions to the region with extreme flooding.  It reached 100 mph winds as it was making landfall, but it was the torrential rain that caused mudslides and massive flooding.  The pictures and video are terrifying.

Tropical Storm Felicia is weakening considerably now, and shouldn’t be too much of a concern for Hawaii.  It looks like the storm will be just a depression as it makes it to Hawaii and the Island tomorrow.  Still, heavy rain, winds and high surf will be a concern for this area.

We could see something develop in the Atlantic basin over the next few days.  There’s a wave off the coast of Africa that looked pretty decent yesterday, but doesn’t look as impressive this morning.   Since we’re getting into peak season in the Atlantic, we should keep an eye on the tropics as something could develop any day.

And in Matthew news, we had a great weekend with our little man.  A few visits to Central Park and a trip to Brooklyn to visit family.  We took some great pictures at the park which I’ll post tomorrow.  For now, here’s a couple of recent cute pics!

Hello everyone!

Well,  it might just be the year without a summer here in the Northeast and the Midwest as we have been stuck in a weather pattern that has just not given us many warm days…and TOO MUCH RAIN!  It looks like here in NYC, we will have the 2nd coolest July on record with the average temperature rounding out to 71.6 degrees!  We’ve only hit 85 degrees once, and haven’t had any above average temperatures.  21 out of 23 days have been below average here in the Big Apple.   We have not reached 90 degrees this summer…it will only be the second time since 1869 that 90 degrees was not reached in June or July!  NYC is just one of many cities across the northeast and Midwest where summer has really not made an appearance.  Meanwhile, the Northwest continues to break heat records – including places like Seattle and Portland.   Crazy stuff.

Across the Upper Midwest, a chance of strong to severe storms as a cold front pushes into the region, dropping temperatures yet again heading into the weekend.   And we’ll see pop up showers and or thunderstorms over the southeast back into the Gulf Coast.

In personal news, my little boy is officially 6 months old today!  I can’t believe how time has just flown by…and he is turning into quite a little boy.  He’s literally  just days away from crawling, and can hold his bottle without any assistance!  He likes to put his little pacifier in by himself now, and can turn over and over and over and over again!   Part of me is a little sad that he’s already showing signs of independence.  I do love it when he puts his little hands on my face and smiles ear to ear when he sees me come into the room.   He is truly the best thing that has ever happened to me.    It is just an honor and a pleasure every moment to be his mommy.

Have a great weekend everyone!

Good morning everyone…

As promised, here are some of the pictures we took at the 2009 Chicken Inferno this past weekend!  Our friend Seth and his dad hosted the annual event upstate.   A great time was had by all…as you can see!

Good morning everyone!

It’s been a quiet start to the week since we are deep into Sotomayor Hearings.   I am on standby once they take a lunch break, but otherwise, I’ve got my feet up at work!  (But don’t tell anyone, ok?) 

There is the possibility of strong to severe storms across the Upper Midwest today and then the Great Lakes and Ohio Valley tonight and tomorrow.  Hail, winds, heavy rain and maybe an isolated tornado could cause problems over this region in the next 24 hours.

And another day of excruciating heat over the southern plains.  I had a friend visit me from Houston yesterday, and she can’t remember the last time it was this hot for such and extended length of time.  Heat advisories are still up for the Arklatex up into Kansas and Missouri. 

Meanwhile, I had a great little visit to Ottawa over the weekend.  My best friend Neera was celebrating her…24th (wink wink) birthday, so I got to see her and her family.  My mom got to spend time with her little grandson which was really great as well.  Matthew was a champ on the plane ride back and forth.  People were commenting on what a well behaved baby he was!  I am so proud of him.

Here’s a few of the pictures we took of Grandma, Neera and her kids Marcus and Sophia with Matthew!

Talk to you soon!

JD

Hi everyone!

I was up before the rooster this morning to do Fox and Friends weather.   I’m here until 2 today – on my second cup of coffee.

Thanks for all the great advice about feeding Matthew solids.  I guess mom should’ve picked a more “FUN” vegetable to start him with other than GREEN BEANS!  You’d think I would’ve picked something that I would actually enjoy eating!  HAHA.  The good news is my nanny tried to feed him sweet peas yesterday, and he seemed to like those, so I’m optimistic that he may start to like his veggies.  I went out and bought some sweet potatoes, squash and carrots yesterday to add to his repertoire.  So fun. 

So what are you guys up to this 4th?  BBQ?  Pool Party?  Fireworks?  Tell me what you’re up to!  I’ve got to work tomorrow afternoon as well, so let me know your plans.

Weatherwise, I read that New York had the 2nd wettest June on record with over 10 inches of rain.  The northeast has been water-logged — however, it looks like we have some sunny days ahead as we head into the weekend and into next week.

It’s hot across the south with temperatures hitting the century mark with heat indices in the 105-110 degree range across the Arklatex into southern Mississippi.

Showers and thunderstorms could spark today and tomorrow across the Plains and into the Midwest, but I don’t think any one are will be a total washout.   The Northwest is also dealing with the heat this weekend with temperatures 10-15 degrees above average in some spots. 

I asked my husband to take a picture of Matthew in his 4th of July finest this morning, so here is my little all-American boy for you to enjoy!

A big one today!

I love you more and more everyday.  And when I see you with our son, my heart fills with such happiness and joy.  It’s beyond words.  I am truly blessed.

Good morning everyone

I’ll get to the weather in another post, but I have to say I’m still shocked and saddened by the death of Michael Jackson.  Yes, I know there’s a lot of people out there that think he was “wacko” and can’t believe the amount of coverage he’s getting in the news right now, but for my generation he was a Pop Superstar.  I raced out to get the album Thriller like millions of others, and I have dozens of Michael Jackson songs on my I-Pod that I still listen to on a regular basis.  Say what you will about his personal life,  he was a musical and performance genius.  I remember Motown’s 25th Anniversary special  when he came out with his sequined outfit, signature loafers and white socks with the pants that were a few inches too short so that we could really see those feet move when he did his “moonwalk”…and of course the white glove.  He was beautiful back then.  That performance was pure magic.   There’s no other way to describe it.  I still get chills watching it.   That’s the Michael Jackson I choose to remember.    And the first time I saw the video for Thriller –   I couldn’t believe what I was seeing.   I  would tape the video on my VCR and try to figure out all the dance steps by rewinding and playing it over and over.    I’m proud to say I can still do the moonwalk…

I look at how his life has been always under the microscope from such a young age.    He never had a “normal” life…I feel sad for the young little boy who was pushed into the spotlight and perhaps thought love was measured by how successful or famous you became. 

There will never be another Michael Jackson, and yes, I do think his music legacy is comparable to Elvis and the Beatles.    Once the tabloid dust settles, believe we will remember this man as a true legend, not by the lawsuits, plastic surgery or bizarre behaviour.  His music made me come alive as a teenager, and inspired me to dance.   I feel like part of my childhood has died today.

Janice