Snow Day 4

We were expecting only a dusting of snow on Tuesday, so our school called a one-hour delay.  But before I even got out of bed, I received word that schools had been closed for the day.  It ended up snowing all day, and we got about three inches.

Still convinced that the roads could not be too bad, especially after my husband called to assure me they were fine, the kids and I got dressed and headed to my 9am dentist appointment across town.  I had already had to reschedule once due to inclement weather last week, so I was not going to fail to keep my commitment this time.   And besides, when I saw a neighbor literally sweeping the powdery snow off his driveway with a broom, I assumed the roads would be fine.  Big mistake!

However, when I got out onto the roads, I found that they were quite slick indeed.  The snowfall was picking up, and the roads had not been prepped for snow since the forecast called for so little.  We slid a few times in my new van, and I almost wished to have my old 4WD SUV back in my possession.

We made it, but the news forecasts on the TV screens around the dental office showed images of all the major highways turned into parking lots like that nightmare experience we endured when snowed in in Dallas during our Christmas Eve flight to OK.  My husband had left his 8am appointment and was now stuck in the gridlock.  I begged him to give up on work and come back home.   During my hour long appointment I had to watch more horror stories of wrecks all around our little metropolis and wished I had cancelled so this dental hygienist, who had driven further than I had could go home (although she did end up having another client show up for the 10am appointment after me).

As the kids and I (recall my daughter is still on crutches hobbling across snowy parking lots) were headed home through near blizzard conditions, we saw a guy running along the sidewalk beside us wearing a T-shirt and shorts!  It was 22 degrees outside.  He must have been a recent northern transplant..probably from the Boston area. :-)  We made it home, and my husband had someone managed to navigate through all the gridlock to beat us home.  (Gift #960)

Now that we were on our 4th snow day, I was really missing the peace and quiet I have when the kids are in school.  I know I keep thinking I should homeschool the children, for it is the best way to ensure each child gets what he/she needs academically without them becoming so frustrated with the long hours of sitting in strict positions, wearing uniforms, and taking so many stinking tests.   But I just don't have the patience yet to endure so much chaos and noise all day long.  I was longing for them to go back to school.  It seems the snow is turning this level 10 extrovert into a level 10 introvert, desperate for tranquility and alone time in our house.  Maybe it's only because I have so much work to do right now, but I do hope I will grow to cherish the noise and chaos created by all the yelling, whining, stomping, mess making, hot cocoa sipping, and snow cream slurping.

I did enjoy watching the kids play outside.  One advantage to powdery soft snow is that when your son attempts to hurl a snowball at you, it breaks down into snowflake bits that fall right back into his face. Mommy 1, Boy 0

The kids put a shirt on Muffin, and I took her outside so she could check out the snow.  She wasn't too crazy about the snow, for once a house rabbit, always a house rabbit.  Our funny bunny is no snow bunny. I am thankful for how cuddly and cooperative she has become, for a friend reminded me yesterday what a gift that is, for her bunny will not let people near him, much less dress and snuggle with him. (Gift #961)

A bunny and her boy

Our daughter hobbled around in the snow, too, despite her injured foot.  

When she came back in, she looked like she was wearing new snowflake accessories.  Buy your own snowflake hair pieces from her now.  *Limited Time Offer* (until they melt)

 

Threats, bribes, sticker charts, cold hard cash, and the joy of obeying thy mother and father have all seemed like insufficient motivators to get our right brained collector/hoarder to purge her room & closets with a happy heart. But today, while playing in the cold snow, she thought of how cold the homeless must be during the winter, so she began cleaning out her closet with great gusto in search of items that could keep those in need warm. So apparently the secret is to appeal to her spirit of compassion and then give whatever she cleans out to those in need.  Thank you, Lord, for giving her the gift of mercy.  (Gift #962) Our family sure needed more of it.