It's snowing

The snow is really coming down outside. Which, you know, normally I love. But we're supposed to be leaving for Florida tonight and it would be nice if the roads were drivable. So I'm hoping it's just a short downfall, followed by no rain or ice whatsoever.

Naturally, on the week when I really needed to be getting packed and ready to go, both for Florida and then China, I have had a two-day migraine. Today is day three and I'm hoping it doesn't come back like it did yesterday, because I REALLY need to get stuff together. I need to pack cold weather clothes for the second leg of my trip, all of my face stuff and tooth stuff, cameras with chargers and batteries, books, bathing suits, and everything else I'm forgetting.

And then all I need to do is laundry, cleaning the kitchens (I have two), vacuuming, scrubbing the floors, taking out the garbage, setting up food and water for the cat, etc. etc. etc.

So I'm going to go finish my coffee and get to work. And hopefully the snow will just accumulate enough to look pretty. I don't intend to do all this work for nothing!

Snow day!

Today's Fake Quote:

"I don't know why, but I've always liked cold weather." - F.T. Snowman

We had more snow here last night, but not much. Most of the storm went north of us. I'm a little disappointed. The boys love going out and playing in the snow - they even tried sledding on Wednesday. And I love watching them enjoy it.

It's not quite the same euphoria I used to feel as a child, but I still get that little thrill when I look outside in the morning and the ground is totally white. Kind of silly, really. It's not as if I'm getting a day off. The boys don't get a "snow day" because of it. And not only do I enjoy seeing snow, but I actually get a little annoyed when I see the radar images of huge snow storms that just glide to the north of us, like we have some sort of invisible shield around our county. And totally annoyed when I hear people complaining about it. It's snow, people! Be happy!

I found this poem the other day in a book of poetry for children and, while not the best poetryi n the world, I thought it just perfectly describes how I feel about snow:

Snow, Today and Me
by Linda Flashinski

Today, on this day
of the very first snow,
I walk and I walk,
with nowhere to go.
I'm so full inside
of the crispness of air,
of the snow on my lashes
and white everywhere.

Maybe when I am grown
this won't seem so new,
this firstness of white,
this winter-white stew.
Maybe then I won't feel
like I'm bursting inside
with this wintery fullness
I'm sure I can't hide.
Maybe then I'll just grumble
about the snow and the cold.
Maybe that's how I'll know
that I've finally grown old.

That one's for you, Dad. ;)

And how was your weekend?

I now officially feel better. I spent all day Saturday in bed, and all day Sunday cleaning the basement. I was actually amazed at how clean it was compared to what it's been in the past. I had planned to scrub the floor on Thursday night, but instead I was in bed trying not to throw up. So they did a really good job of keeping the house relatively clean. I have to give Hubby props here, because I know how hard it is to get the boys to keep things neat.

The boys were so sweet. On Friday, they made me lunch: tuna with mayo, mustard, relish, croutons made from toast, carrots, two kinds of salad dressing, and frozen strawberries. The oldest did a really good job of keeping the younger ones from climbing all over me, too. Not an easy task.

And finally, we got about four inches of new snow! It's so pretty and white outside. I love it. I feel happy and rested. It's going to be a good week.

Snow day!

Today we are finally getting the snow for which I have been waiting all winter! We've had little flurries here and there, and even as much as half an inch total, but now we're getting a full-fledged winter storm!

I don't know why I love snow so much. Maybe it's the way it makes everything white and pretty. The world looks new and clean and fresh. Maybe it's the anticipation of taking the boys outside, packing down the snow on the hill, and sledding. Or trying out those second-hand skis we picked up. Maybe it's memories of when I was little and the snow drifts were taller than I was, and my dad thought it was funny to throw the cat into them (and it was). Maybe it's the silence, that all that water can fall from the sky and not make a sound.

Our homeschool co-op is canceled today because local schools are closed. And it's just as well because my oldest has been sick and I wasn't going to go. So now the kids won't miss anything. I'll have to check our policy - I think we have one snow day, so we extend the semester one week. Anyway, it's a good day to teach the boys about snow and seasons and things like that. And if it's deep enough, we can even make snow cream! Yummy!