I really have a problem wasting a day off so when I saw my neighbor shoveling her walk, I went over to help. We talked and then went to shovel the sidewalk of some elderly people on the block. She mentioned needing to go to the post office and I said "how about a walk?" She gave me a strange look as the post office is at least 1.5 miles away but said, "Why not? We can take the bus back." I said, I could always walk with her there and we could separate as I prefer walking. Well, she ended up enjoying the walk and we had a really great time.

The snow was better in some spots and worse in others. There were streets that were perfectly clean and streets that weren't even touched with a plow. Here, the snow report will continue.

My walking partner.

This road was in severe need of plowing.

Slush is one of my favorite things in the entire world. I love putting on boots and sloshing through it. This brings back memories from my childhood. I had to cross two streets to get to school, streets that were always full of slush after the snow.

The sun was actually starting to break through.

I tried going back to sleep after the school closing announcement was made but I realized after 30 seconds that I was not going to be able to return to slumber land so I got up and shoveled and then took a walk. I wanted to see for myself how bad conditions were. What I saw was pretty, but not conducive to leaving the house. I kept thinking about why it took Mayor Money bags so long to decide to close schools. I just kept thinking MORON, IDIOT, HEARTLESS, INCONSIDERATE, CLUELESS, BASTARD, SELF CENTERED, CONCEITED... I welcome everyone to add their own descriptive words to the list. I'm sure there are many more that I missed.

I'm not the only one out taking pictures.

According to NY 1, branches are falling. Visibility is so poor you can't see more than a few inches in front of you. A news reporter showed the snow was up to her knees (and she is 5'4"). Another reporter talked about how the snow is just burning her face. A school bus driver was just interviewed. He said driving conditions were horrible and now he had to turn around and go home. Another bad thing is that if you are standing too close to the curb, you will get bombarded with salt from the trucks. (This happened to me during the last snow storm, but it was my own fault. I insisted on going out to take pictures.) The snow will keep falling all day.

All this, and it took Bloomberg until 5:30 to make his decision to close schools. Maybe he is smart and has some plan I can't figure out but, he has no heart and no common sense.

What I don't understand how we, as New Yorkers will forget this when he decides he wants a fourth term in office?

(We all forgot how he issued tickets to cars who could not be moved after the last ice storm. We forgot how he cancelled school buses on school children. We forgot all the other atrocities he has inflicted on this city in his tenure as mayor.)

311 finally changed their message to state schools are closed.

I just got home from my college class. Luckily, we are trusted to do what is right and I was able to let them go a little early tonight. Only about half showed up and I can't say I blame the ones that didn't.

The roads are slick. Even my four wheel drive car was slipping a little. I can only imagine how bad road conditions will be in a few hours.

My husband is sick so I did the shoveling. This has got to be one of the heaviest snows I have ever felt. The rain and slightly warmer temperatures have combined to make ice. It is going to be brutal in the morning. I'm guessing that my car doors will be frozen shut.

Now, I understand that Mayor Moron doesn't care about teachers and truthfully, I am not complaining about having to go to work tomorrow. Most jobs don't give a day off for snow. Teachers have the option of using one of their 10 sick days for such an occasion and believe me, if the buses aren't running, I will be using one. I don't feel sorry for the teachers who live on Long Island or Westchester. either. They chose to live where they live and should be grateful for the opportunity to take the sick day if they can't get in. New York has a good public transportation system and that, combined with a few blocks to walk, make almost every place in the city accessible.

I do have a serious problem with Mayor Moron's lack of regard for the safety and education of our children. They should not have to be forced to endure the weather hardships. And, if teaching goes on, as the mayor suggests, the kids who can't make it in will be behind because of the instruction they missed. Last time it snowed, teachers in my school actually gave exams and wanted to hold absent students accountable. They saw no reason for the children not to be in class. Thankfully, Mr. AP intervened on the students behalf.

I have another proposal as to how the city can handle a snow day. Let them open schools as scheduled (or on a delay) and announce the day will be used for enrichment and tutorials. No new work will be covered and no exams will be given. That way, the city can get their dollars worth of babysitting from the teacher and parents won't stress about whether they should risk sending their child to school or not. The only ones who can possibly lose on a deal like this is the teacher and since the sick day option is always available, no one loses. Oh wait... we will lose state revenue for absent students so maybe my plan is not so good after all. Money trumps safety when it comes to New Yorkers.

I cancelled my scheduled exams for tomorrow. I have my metro card and boots ready. I'll be in school to greet the handful that show up.