Snow Day

I am not shy about my hatred of snow. While I'm willing to admit that freshly fallen snow under the light of a full moon has a sort of celestial beauty, it's far too cold. After about thirty seconds outside in the snow, I can no longer feel my hands and feet. And, yes, that is WITH gloves and boots on. I do my best to bundle up when I must journey forth into winter's fury. Years of riding the school bus with frozen appendages taught me that much.

So. Knowing how I feel about snow, it should impress you to know that I actually went outside with the kids to make snowmen a few days ago. Heath joined us and, of course, his snowman was over twice the size of mine. Brute strength may give him the advantage in the SIZE of his snowmen, but I have the advantage when it comes to the shape of them. MY snowperson was actually a snow PRINCESS (for Abby) with a tiara and floor-length gown. Although, I had to make one little snowman whose head was rolling down the hill in front of him in the tradition of "Calvin & Hobbes". I wonder what the neighbors thought of THAT one!

I built one sitting on top of the mailbox, too, but Heath assasinated him when he got the mail. Poor thing. Never even got the chance to melt.

Another New Year


Heath suggested we make resolutions this year. I declined to participate as I don't feel I need anymore expectations to live up to. Especially not in my own mind! Living with depression is enough of a challenge, but parenting with depression? Yeah. My plate is full enough already, thanks. No need for resolutions. I'm just trying to get past the point where I'm merely surviving each day by itself. Everyone in this house deserves better than that.

Peaceful sleep still eludes me. I'm trying to avoid taking sleeping meds, but what else can you do when it's 3am and your mind is going like a cracked out hamster in a wheel? The doctors tell you to get out of bed and sit quietly in a dark room until you're tired. I'm convinced I'd become completely nocturnal if I tried that approach. That may work for owls, but that's because their offspring are nocturnal, too. Mine are not. I still don't understand how Perrin is a morning person when Heath and I are not. If he wasn't so stinking adorable it would be really annoying.

Abby has decided she wants to learn "Kung Food". Is that a new kind of Asian cuisine or self-defense for entrees? She doesn't get words wrong very often anymore. When she does, one clarification is all it takes. I'm probably biased, but I think she's exceptional for her age. She has always amazed me with how fast she learns. I mean, how many children know the color "chartreuse" at the age of two? I don't mean two-almost-three, I mean just BARELY two. If only she hadn't had to suck my brain out to grow her own...

Perrin continues to fight me on the potty-training issue. He seems determined to stay in diapers for some reason. Abby was ready by this age, but I shouldn't expect Perrin to be, I suppose. I know he'll get there eventually, but it would be SO nice to not have to change anymore diapers! If he's not ready by summer, I'm going to have to really motivate him somehow.

So far, 2009 is going well. Money is still tight, but I've admitted to my spending problem and realized I need to cut back. Thank goodness it's almost tax time! We should get a really nice refund this year since we bought the house. I hope so. Heath and I have talked about taking a "honeymoon" to Vegas for a weekend since we never had a real one. Of course, I'd prefer England or maybe someplace tropical, but Vegas would be fun, too. Besides, Vegas is alot more affordable as long as I can keep Heath from spending too much in the casinos! My international adventures will just have to wait until we win the lottery. Maybe someday...