Month: February 2013

Wow, there are so many events coming up that I’m helping plan. I am trying to just stay on-task, though, and not bite off more than I can chew (a bad habit of mine). So far, so good, though.

I volunteered to head up the publicity efforts for a large fundraiser for an annual trip at the elementary school, and as I make a list of everything that needs to be done, luckily most of it is communicating, emailing, stuff that can easily be done from home

The other big event is a Cub Scout trip coming up to Battleship Cove! My older son went on this trip several years ago and had an amazing time. We have had such a great response — we actually had to call and increase our expected head count! Of course, one of the big questions people have is about transportation. Unfortunately, there’s no bus, so everyone just has to get themselves there on their own. It would be cool to have a bus (ha — imagine looking up Gregory Poole buses for sale), but it’s just way too expensive. The benefit of going on your own is that you can also stay a little longer if you want, or make stops on the way home. So glad it doesn’t seem to be a big deal to everyone.

And then there are some smaller events: Drew’s birthday, Noah’s First Communion, and Laura’s birthday are all coming up in the next few months. Good thing I enjoy planning!

I try to be positive about whatever weather comes our way, but you know what? I’m done with winter. I’m done with the cold, done with the snow, done with all the dirt tracked into the house. This time of year I feel so lazy — I have so little motivation.

I’ve been trying to psych myself up and get back into working out and so far so good. I’m alternating between using the elliptical and doing a kettle bell workout. It’s killer, but I think I’ll see results from it! I definitely prefer working out at home. I don’t really see myself being one of those women at the gym with personalized yoga mats. Of course, never say never — maybe once Laura is in school I’ll think about taking some classes.

But today I’m going to have to force myself to put on my shorts & tee shirt! Nevertheless, I’m going to do it. Gotta get rid of this winter blubber somehow!

Since it’s so yucky out, I decided to try to put a little more color in my day. At Michael’s I scored on (clearance!) washi tape. I love, love, love using this in my day planner. Plus, there are about a zillion other uses for it. Call me crazy, but I might have to go back and get a few more packages.

At Target, they still had some Valentine’s stuff on an endcap. On a whim I grabbed a box of chocolate and put it in my cart. (I’d purchased one over the weekend for like $2.50). Imagine my surprise when it rang up at something like 79 cents! Mama’s emergency chocolate stash has been replenished.

One of my Valentine’s roses is looking especially gorgeous. I just had to snap a picture.

And finally, when the mail came I got a couple new magazines to read, including one whose cover just screams out “SPRING!”

Alright. Maybe I’ll get my butt downstairs and workout before dinner. Especially if I want to have one of those chocolate truffles later tonight 😉

Well, it’s been a long day. The news has been hyping up this storm for days, so as of last night we were 99% sure the kids would have a snow day today and whaddya know? Yes, another emergency cancellation. Sigh… I can’t say I was surprised, at least.

Snow started falling a little bit around 8 this morning. Nothing much, just pretty flakes that landed and melted right on contact.

This morning I was busy digging my way out of a huge pile of laundry while the kids played around. There still wasn’t too much snow by the time I went out to get them mail around 2. But it was definitely starting to stick.

Around 3 the kids all went outside to play. I think they have more fun on the swing set when it snows than when the weather is mild, because they were out there for quite a while. Then, when I checked Facebook it seemed like roads were getting slick.

We ate supper on the early side. I tried a new recipe for a slow cooker version of chicken cordon bleu, and it was so good! Served with mashed potatoes, broccoli, and salad, it was total comfort food. I even baked up a peach cobbler for dessert. It’s the boys’ favorite (and mine too!). After dinner, Drew and Jake decided to put on The Shadow and Noah asked me to heat up his rice pillow so he could snuggle up with it (and a blanket) and start a new book. Laura fell asleep on the couch and now I need to wake the poor thing up and get her in bed.

As for me, I plan on getting my PJs on and trying to make some progress on blanket squares. I’ll be curious for the morning to see how much snow actually falls overnight!

Gray, gray, gray… that’s the story of the day here folks. The sun was out briefly, but now it’s cloudy again and just seems all the colder. I really was spoiled by that brief bit of warm-ish weather (which really wasn’t even all that warm). Still a solid month and a half of winter to go, so I will just have to deal with it.

This morning I went grocery shopping… Aldi, Shop Rite, and Sam’s Club. Whew… it’s always so exhausting. I decided to treat myself to a few bunches of daffodils, though. Can’t wait for their cheery yellow faces to brighten up the corner near the window.

I’m trying to be a little more brave with color this year, and not worry about things matching perfectly. I’ve got some Valentine’s pillows on the couch (Laura insists these are hers… she’s always playing around with them).

And the dishcloths I’m working on, just using up whatever cotton yarn I have in my basket. Easy, mindless crochet, perfect for when my brain is on “vacation” shall we say 😉

We had a pretty easy weekend. The library was hopping on Saturday morning (always a good thing), and the time flew by. The only other thing I needed to do all weekend was take the boys to basketball on Sunday afternoon (where I sat and crocheted, so really… who can complain?). I love lazy weekends when I actually feel like being lazy. Which was entirely the case this weekend, so it all worked out.

Looking ahead to this week, though, it seems a little busier. Tomorrow Jake starts show chorus at school. It’s signing and dancing — a little peppier as opposed to just regular chorus (which he also does… and band, too. Yes, the boy loves his music.) He’s excited about it, so I’m glad. He might have book club this week too — not sure about that yet.

And lots of scouting events! Tomorrow is a Boy Scouts meeting he needs to attend. There are two Boy Scout troops, so he needs to decide which one he feels is a better fit. I think he’s decided (with a little guidance from us), but after tomorrow’s meeting he can say with certainty. And Friday is his very last Webelos den meeting! Drew has been working on a slide show for the Blue & Gold Banquet and oh my — it’s going to be a tear-jerker. Seeing all these boys grow from first graders to middle-schoolers… it’s so bittersweet.

Well, I suppose I should finish up and switch over my laundry to the dryer. Hope you all had a lovely weekend and are ready for a great week ahead!