Polar vortex (that is the legitimate meteorologic term) round two has hit us. We really haven't had much snow since Saturday (Sunday was a surprise "break" in the ridiculous pattern) but temps started falling (plummeting) yesterday. It literally was 35 degrees colder yesterday afternoon then Sunday afternoon. Because wind chills were forecasted to be in the -30 range, we were pretty sure there would be no school today...and sure enough we got the call around 7:00 last evening.
We've all worked out on the wii and are keeping a close eye on the forecast for this week. Should be school the rest of the week, although tomorrow might very well be a delay. Thomas was supposed to begin his foreign language classes today and the basketball team from our old community was supposed to be coming here to play, but none of that is happening. Instead, we are staying warm with good books and will be having quiche for dinner this evening...a nice HOT meal! And as a friend pointed out in the comments of my last post, every day brings us closer to SPRING training for major league baseball. SPRING...it will happen!
Tuesday, January 28, 2014
Friday, January 24, 2014
Winter has to end eventually...right?
After being off Monday for MLK, Jr. day and having the schools closed Tuesday due to the timing of the two or so inches we received, we never did make it to school on time this week. Oh no, my family wasn't running late, it's just been THAT cold. The wind chill has been in the single digits and below zero pretty much all week, so there has been a two-hour delay every day. Must say, we are all enjoying sleeping in! Wednesday evening when I ventured back from the wrestling meet we also received another inch and then probably another inch overnight, but enough to do any more than delay Thursday. It is so cold outside it is literally almost painful.
But winter doesn't last forever right? It does if you look at the forecast! This weekend we might have one day that gets above freezing (Sunday) but we are expected to receive another two to four inches of snow tonight into tomorrow morning, and then starting mid-day Sunday temps are going to plummet again so that the lows overnight are below zero...not counting windchill. I LOVE winter weather, and honestly it really plays into my true nature of being an introvert by justifying my wanting to be home so much...but this is becoming ridiculous!!!!!
I am beginning to feel as though I am living one of my favorite children's books by Laura Ingalls Wilder. The Long Winter tells (I believe) of their first winter in DeSmet, SD and how they had blizzard after blizzard...starting in October and lasting until April. I am planning to re-read it on our next snow day to remind myself that it could be worse!
But winter doesn't last forever right? It does if you look at the forecast! This weekend we might have one day that gets above freezing (Sunday) but we are expected to receive another two to four inches of snow tonight into tomorrow morning, and then starting mid-day Sunday temps are going to plummet again so that the lows overnight are below zero...not counting windchill. I LOVE winter weather, and honestly it really plays into my true nature of being an introvert by justifying my wanting to be home so much...but this is becoming ridiculous!!!!!
I am beginning to feel as though I am living one of my favorite children's books by Laura Ingalls Wilder. The Long Winter tells (I believe) of their first winter in DeSmet, SD and how they had blizzard after blizzard...starting in October and lasting until April. I am planning to re-read it on our next snow day to remind myself that it could be worse!
Thursday, January 23, 2014
Friendly familar faces
Tuesday evening I had received a message that the jr. high wrestling team where we used to live was coming to our new town for a meet. I was SO EXCITED! I looked forward to it literally all day, and I don't even overly like wrestling. But I was so excited to be able to go and see people I know who know me! That probably sounds a little ridiculous, but as I looked at the crowd from the "home" team, I literally knew not one single person...not the coaches, none of the parents, none of the wrestlers. Yet on the visiting side, I could name every wrestler, the coach was our former neighbor, and I got to sit and visit with the parents...people I used to see frequently. It was so fabulous to be able to do so.
When I came home and told Andrew about it, I began to cry. I didn't want to, but I did. It was just so nice to be known and recognized again...everyone needs that. I know that it will eventually happen here as well. I've become involved in band boosters, and eventually we will meet people through our kids and hopefully once we settle on a church that will also help. Andrew felt so badly last night about me crying, and I reassured him that I was still glad we made this move. I have never once questioned that this was the best decision for our family as a whole, and I know that eventually I will feel comfortable again. In the meantime, it was such an absolute treat to be able to see friendly familiar faces last evening!
When I came home and told Andrew about it, I began to cry. I didn't want to, but I did. It was just so nice to be known and recognized again...everyone needs that. I know that it will eventually happen here as well. I've become involved in band boosters, and eventually we will meet people through our kids and hopefully once we settle on a church that will also help. Andrew felt so badly last night about me crying, and I reassured him that I was still glad we made this move. I have never once questioned that this was the best decision for our family as a whole, and I know that eventually I will feel comfortable again. In the meantime, it was such an absolute treat to be able to see friendly familiar faces last evening!
Tuesday, January 21, 2014
Yet another snow day
We are home with yet another day off of school. This is really beginning to get a little ridiculous...and we are only a month into the "official" season of winter! This one actually isn't that much snow, but it fell at EXACTLY the time needed to create a day off of school.
Of course everyone was off yesterday for Martin Luther King, Jr. day, so we are all on day four of being home together. The hard part about this snow is that the temps are in the single digits (and going to be getting colder) so the kids can't even get outside and enjoy the snow. We are all STUCK inside for another day. This is also our last "free" snow day of the year before we have to start making them up. Fortunately we are scheduled to be out in May anyway, so regardless of how many more we take we shouldn't have to go too far into June.
Maybe some board games and cooking baking in our future today? I know that our day will include some praying. I've just learned my grandmother's sister has been rushed to the e/r with stroke symptoms. I adore Aunt Margie, and she and my grandmother are so much alike. In fact, their birthdays are only two days apart with Aunt Margie being four years older...she just turned 87 two weeks ago. They lost their brother nearly 20 years ago, and both have lost their husbands. I just can't stand the thought that Grandma should have to grieve again so soon after losing her son so recently.
Of course everyone was off yesterday for Martin Luther King, Jr. day, so we are all on day four of being home together. The hard part about this snow is that the temps are in the single digits (and going to be getting colder) so the kids can't even get outside and enjoy the snow. We are all STUCK inside for another day. This is also our last "free" snow day of the year before we have to start making them up. Fortunately we are scheduled to be out in May anyway, so regardless of how many more we take we shouldn't have to go too far into June.
Maybe some board games and cooking baking in our future today? I know that our day will include some praying. I've just learned my grandmother's sister has been rushed to the e/r with stroke symptoms. I adore Aunt Margie, and she and my grandmother are so much alike. In fact, their birthdays are only two days apart with Aunt Margie being four years older...she just turned 87 two weeks ago. They lost their brother nearly 20 years ago, and both have lost their husbands. I just can't stand the thought that Grandma should have to grieve again so soon after losing her son so recently.
Sunday, January 19, 2014
Basketball has begun
Last week Catherine was able to play in her first basketball game of the season. She has a fabulous coach, and we could not be more thrilled with the experience she is having. She did fine, although it was evident that she was playing in her first game of the season.
Yesterday Thomas had his first game. There are nine kids on the team so each child only gets to play about half the game. There is a child on his team that is a phenomenal player and scored 25 of the teams 40 points. I didn't even think it was possible for kids to score that many points at this age. This kid is so impressive...and then there is Thomas. He was out there playing his position and trying to stay on top of his defense stance, and when the ball was passed to him...he ducked. A chuckle could be heard throughout the room. My, oh my.
Catherine then followed with her second game, and she played well....she even managed to score yesterday. The thing that amused me the most was the way each child attempted to coach the other after the game. It's nice to see them being supportive, but it is also a little comical in the way they handle it! While basketball is not my favorite sport generally speaking, it is definitely my favorite one to watch my kids play!
Yesterday Thomas had his first game. There are nine kids on the team so each child only gets to play about half the game. There is a child on his team that is a phenomenal player and scored 25 of the teams 40 points. I didn't even think it was possible for kids to score that many points at this age. This kid is so impressive...and then there is Thomas. He was out there playing his position and trying to stay on top of his defense stance, and when the ball was passed to him...he ducked. A chuckle could be heard throughout the room. My, oh my.
Catherine then followed with her second game, and she played well....she even managed to score yesterday. The thing that amused me the most was the way each child attempted to coach the other after the game. It's nice to see them being supportive, but it is also a little comical in the way they handle it! While basketball is not my favorite sport generally speaking, it is definitely my favorite one to watch my kids play!
Saturday, January 18, 2014
Date night!
Andrew and I had a much needed date night last evening. We realized it had been since Labor Day weekend that we had done that, and I'm so glad we took the time to do so...especially since the college kids come back in a week and it will be crazier uptown again.
We sat and talked and laughed and I even learned some things about him that I didn't know...hard to believe after all of these years of marriage! After dinner we ventured to the grocery and purchased a couple of bottles of wine, and came home to fall asleep. That's right! We are such exciting people that we were in bed sound asleep by 10PM! Maybe a bottle of wine will be shared tonight...maybe not, but we really enjoyed our time together last evening!
We sat and talked and laughed and I even learned some things about him that I didn't know...hard to believe after all of these years of marriage! After dinner we ventured to the grocery and purchased a couple of bottles of wine, and came home to fall asleep. That's right! We are such exciting people that we were in bed sound asleep by 10PM! Maybe a bottle of wine will be shared tonight...maybe not, but we really enjoyed our time together last evening!
Friday, January 17, 2014
It all hit me
Last night, I was sad. Really, really sad. I cried and cried. I cried more last evening than I did the evening my dad passed away. I think it was nine weeks of tears built up that finally just came out. It didn't help that it was a Thursday evening which is when Dad passed, nor did it help that I was edgy because Andrew had taken Thomas to scouts in our old town and the roads were bad. Normally we would just consider not going, but last evening was Andrew's turn to run the meeting so off they went.
I've really been pretty okay for the most part. I have my kids and Andrew to distract me and keep me busy (and oh my, have I been distracted...the stories I could tell of some of the things I've done! But perhaps that is another post). My father's passing was not a tragedy, and I refuse to allow anyone to say otherwise. Dad getting sick at 42, that might be a tragedy, but his passing after suffering for 17 years and failing quickly in the last year, regardless of how young he might have been, was not a tragedy. I was at the time, and have continued to be, grateful that he did not pass any closer to the holidays, that my kids were settled in school and our new home, that he didn't pass in the hospital, that my parents never had to make the excruciating decision to put him in a nursing home, and that his passing seemed peaceful and was not some violent incident. I was grateful that I was not under the stress of "trying to get home" before he passed. There was nothing I could have done to have been there, and because of conversations my dad and I had over the years I know that was okay. I am very, very grateful that he is no longer suffering...no longer struggling to breathe or in any pain.
There are so many people who are dealing with things far greater than my father's peaceful and merciful passing. Any time I have felt sad I have reminded myself that I have so many things for which to be grateful. I think there has been part of me that feels guilty for feeling sad, and I've simply willed myself to just get through. There is nothing wrong with that, but I also recognize that pretending I'm not sad, doesn't mean that I'm not sad, and when one loses her father, it is okay to be sad and to cry. That was me last night, and hopefully it's a step forward.
I've really been pretty okay for the most part. I have my kids and Andrew to distract me and keep me busy (and oh my, have I been distracted...the stories I could tell of some of the things I've done! But perhaps that is another post). My father's passing was not a tragedy, and I refuse to allow anyone to say otherwise. Dad getting sick at 42, that might be a tragedy, but his passing after suffering for 17 years and failing quickly in the last year, regardless of how young he might have been, was not a tragedy. I was at the time, and have continued to be, grateful that he did not pass any closer to the holidays, that my kids were settled in school and our new home, that he didn't pass in the hospital, that my parents never had to make the excruciating decision to put him in a nursing home, and that his passing seemed peaceful and was not some violent incident. I was grateful that I was not under the stress of "trying to get home" before he passed. There was nothing I could have done to have been there, and because of conversations my dad and I had over the years I know that was okay. I am very, very grateful that he is no longer suffering...no longer struggling to breathe or in any pain.
There are so many people who are dealing with things far greater than my father's peaceful and merciful passing. Any time I have felt sad I have reminded myself that I have so many things for which to be grateful. I think there has been part of me that feels guilty for feeling sad, and I've simply willed myself to just get through. There is nothing wrong with that, but I also recognize that pretending I'm not sad, doesn't mean that I'm not sad, and when one loses her father, it is okay to be sad and to cry. That was me last night, and hopefully it's a step forward.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)