Just some bullets from the bathtub, you're welcome for the image.

• I hate baths. Hate, hate, hate! But my body aches enough to demand one currently. Shower only girl here, how about you?
• I clearly don't scrub the tub enough since the ladies have started to shower. Gross. 
• I'm sick of being sick, and of it being winter. Spring come now!
• My tub isn't level, AT ALL. I'm thinking this might be a concern, but im currently enjoying its 100 year old, cast iron, heat retaining self! Take that fiber glass!
• Do they make hot taps for the tub? Like the instant hot water at the sink? I suddenly feel this is necessary for our bathroom.  
• Also necessary for our bathroom, new shower doors! Do you door or curtain?
• Lastly, this bath is amazing.

Farewell from he lady who is currently drugged up on cold medicine, trying to sweat out her flu and not drowned! Drown? Not die by water asphyxiation!

Presidential Accomplishment

We're going to focus on happy things and not the fact that they were brining the roads on the way home. I'm ignoring the strong possibility that school will be delayed or worse cancelled, again. I'm even going to pretend we're all coping marvelously and thoroughly enjoying this lapse in routine. My children haven't magically lost all control of volume and certainly haven't driven me to the verge of insanity. Nope, happy happy happy over here!

So these crates were magically transformed. I'm fairly proud of myself for finishing, for finishing in a timely manner, and for knocking this $23 project out of the park. It was a simple project that brought much needed storage space to the ladies' room. It was also something that they enjoyed helping with. If it involved paint or the potential for great mess, I certainly couldn't do it alone!! They picked and painted the inside colors. It only slightly, horribly clashes with their room. 

Please note the carefully cropped-out man cave. You're welcome. 

So thrilled was I with this snow-day project that I had to set it up immediately.  As in the next day with nothing but phone pictures to show. 

This was the best picture I could snag in their cell block. Your eyes do not deceive you; we have waaaaay too many puzzles on that shelf. Would you believe that is the sorted pile? 

Also, I haven't put feet on it yet which means I'll be removing everything to screw those in. I'm hoping with a few washers I can help level the shelves from the sloping floor. Yay old houses!! 

I've left space for the four additional Playmobil kits to join the ranks among the bottom shelves. They are currently being hoarded in the closet. Even after sorting, pairing down, and cleaning out, their old bookshelf is still full of books. At least it only houses books now and we no longer have "stacks" and hidden baskets of crap. 

It feels so good to walk into an organized room. I plan on being a nazi about maintaining this organization. The bookcases are now segregated and the puzzles and games MAY NOT fraternize with the books, ever again! I also organized the books, knowing that was a perfectly good waste of 20 minutes. One day they will appreciate and maintain the book order, right? There is hope?! At this point I'd be happy for all spines out but I'll count my blessings and be grateful the books mostly make it back on the shelves. 

Lastly, in a final mom-hoarding victory, I came across a cache of forgotten stocking stuffers that just morphed into Easter basket stuffers! Happy Dance!!

So how has the weather been treating you??

Snow Day: Pax Edition

Before we begin, why are we now naming snow storms? Granted, I name many thing in my life but I feel that storms don't belong on the list of things that need to be named. What makes things worthy of a name, my only qualification is that they provide a service. I've named my dogs, children, car, appliances, and even renamed my husband; they all provide me with some sort of service. Dear Pax the snow storm does not fall into this category. 

For this snow day, which for the hubs has now turned into a 5 day weekend, I was nervous. I hate feeling trapped. I was down in the morning, fearing the worst. We woke up to a gorgeous blanket of white that was being trampled down by sleet and freezing rain. Pictures dashed. Once I resolved to get moving, I was able to decorate the house. 

My only Valentine's Day contribution for the ladies. I'm also telling myself that since it is yellow I can leave it up for a while without embarrassment. 

We are fortunate enough to have a fantastic neighbor I've never bothered to meet. He likes to use his snow blower and who am I to stop his joy? Everyone's sidewalks and up to their house. I'll be sending him a thank you card! Should I include a picture of the ladies to identify myself?

So after lunch I undertook the painful task of bundling. Boot, bibs, jackets, scarfs, mittens, and all the careful tucking and fastening -- times two. It was well worth it though. I expected the joy to be short lived, but it actually wasn't cold at all. Sadly, freezing now feels warm thanks to all this arctic business we've had lately. The ladies LOVED being outside and ENJOYED the snow. After a few quick pictures I joined in. I'm glad they make jackets so roomy because I had my camera hanging around my neck and zipped up in my jacket. I never suspected I'd have a need for a camera snow suit! 

Am I right Marcia? 

Smiles are optional at this age, so I'm always happy when they are at least looking at me. Maybe next time someone won't look so devious. 

The one I feared would fuss and scream was totally enthralled.

This little lady and her sister loved eating snow. Perhaps they've spent too much time around HAM. I think they will be thrilled tonight when we make snow cream. I think it will be wonderful over brownies with caramel!

And here is our snowman. This is the first time I have ever made one and I am taking all the credit while giving myself a nice pat on the back. I much prefer sledding and tubing, but this snow isn't the best for that. I also made a half hearted attempt at an igloo, which was more like a retaining wall that we called a snow fort. Bear had been asking since the night before to make an igloo. Thank you C.urious G.eorge for the igloo idea...

Lastly, why aren't "snowman accessories" on the list for winter prep list?

I called in to the hubs for accessories and he was baffled. He ended up joining baby carrots with toothpicks and scrounging around for anything we could shove in. I considered us fortunate to find a stick among the snow when we walked the dogs so Mr. Snowman could have arms. 

Note to self: Make a snowman kit for next winter and store it in the bin of mittens and hats. 

Anyone else enjoying the weather?

Worried Wednesday

It's not knowing that I have no where to be, it's knowing I can't go. The feeling of being stuck. It's already invaded my mind. I'm not stuck yet, but I will be soon enough.

Why?

Because Mother Nature hates me!

I have clearly wronged her, as has everyone else along the east coast. 

FB is abuzz with people complaining about the ensuing panic and continually offering updates; as if I were already obsessively checking. People are making plans for snowmen and cocoa and all the warm, fuzzies a good snowstorm brings out. I don't deny that I will enjoy it for a bit and the ladies will love it for an hour or so. 

I'm sure people may think, being an introvert, that I'd enjoy a reason to be locked away in my house and they are correct. However I'm being locked away with 2 little people, 1 big person, 2 dogs (one afraid of putting his dainty paws in the powder), and a cat who is probably plotting to steal my soul as we speak. This is forced togetherness. This is like prison. 

So I've tried to cook up some "activities" but I'm running dry. I can only do so much painting/crafting/creating while the snow falls. I plan to bake, but I'm not opening a bakery. Of course I will be out playing with the ladies for a bit, but that excitement fades ones someone gets too cold- roughly 17 minutes. With all this nervous energy I have today, I should have all the laundry finished and the beds and towels changed before the snow starts. 

I'm excited for the thought of a picture walk, in the snow! All alone, wandering the streets in silence. I do love the silence the snow brings. So long as it's not accompanied by the sound of crashing tree branches and crackling power lines. 

And so dear people, I leave you. Hopeful to survive the next 48 hours with my sanity and all my family intact. I'm such a wimp. 

P.S.

They've just upped the snow totals. Mother Nature -2, Mandy -0.

Project Life 2013

It's finished! 2013 is in the books, literally!!

Today I finished my last page of PL for 2013. I'm so proud of myself for sticking with it. The last scrap book I completed was pre-ladies, pre-marriage, pre-second dog... A long time ago! PL has made it so much more accessible. No cutting, taping, and fussing over papers and layout. More importantly, and probably because I have children now, is the journaling. I love the little memories I can relive, details that might not be sparked by a picture. 

This is my favorite page from this year. It was the official transition to big girlhood in my mind. I might have left out the part about a hungover mommy trying to assemble bunk beds, but that's a memory I'll never forget. ;)

I'm still on the hunt for a book for this year. I prefer the cloth covers, but I'm considering one of the leather-y ones.  Of course I have to buy it from Michaels with a coupon! In a perfect world they would partner with Amaz.on so I could buy online, with a coupon, and have 2 day shipping. Sigh. 

This year I'm going to make more of an effort to be in the pictures. I already know my photography is heavily dependent on the season, but that's no excuse to avoid the big camera ALL WINTER! If anyone has recommendations for a course on lighting I'm all ears! 

Lastly, this is amazing me! Amazing! It's working!!

Yes, I understand the how and science behind it. For some reason I'm awestruck that it is actually growing. I'm absolutely starting a new one each week when we finish the celery, we,re going to have free celery all summer!!

What else can I grow from scraps??

February Goals

**Whoops, better late then forever a draft!**

Getting back on track with my month goals after a brief respite. 

Family

Date night with the Hubs!

Try a new food with the ladies (successfully) and continue the protein work

Book a spring and summer trip

Home

Build a bookcase for the ladies

Patch/paint screw holes in living room

New trash cans

Taxes

Personal

Finish PL 2013 & new book for 2014

Confirm sitter for birthday plans

Drool over new dining room chairs

Wordless Wednesday

A cat-approved project for this icy Wednesday...

Together, Or Apart?

How do you like your sickness, together or apart?

I was just commenting to a woman at work that sniffles last forever in our house, passing through us one at a time so that I always have a sick child. That has always held true. Every thing that has wondered into our home has has an unreasonably long stay. The second to be sick always got the short end of the stick. That was until this weekend...

*cue dramatic music*

For the first time in my history as a MoM we had congruent sickness. When the first child falls, you always have you eye on the next to go. So when Emma went down Friday morning, and Claire Friday afternoon, I really thought we'd be toast. How could we keep up with the demands of two children? By we, I mean my poor Husband! I had to work and it killed me to leave them.

In addition to leaving them so sick for the first time, and them being sick together, this was also the first time actually called the pediatrician! Yeah, it's been rough. We're now members of the 104F + Club, that's exciting. I was able to explain evaporation one morning at 2 a.m. to sweet, little, vomit scented ladies. [Incase you're curious: a wet rag dries on your forehead because your body is soo hot that the water turns back into a gas, but not the kind for your car - the air kind.]

Relatively speaking, it has been a breeze aside from the 2 a.m. visits. They're progressing at relatively the same rate. They're on the same dosing schedule. Best of all, they're lethargic together! That means that one isn't bothering the other or feeling neglected. From the MoM POV this is a fairly tolerable sickness, as much as one can tolerate seeing their children miserable and the feeling of total helplessness.

The last silver lining of this sickness cloud: extra (although hot and sweaty) cuddles and rocking children to sleep. That hasn't happened in quite a while and it was a welcome memory.

Finally, a letter:

Dear Virus,

I'm not sure if you're a run-of-the-mill nasty virus or a low grade flu. Either way, you've plagued my children and home long enough. Our new mattresses now have vomit stains despite my blotting and treating, my night stand is overrun with "sick supplies", and the stench of vomit is lingering with the house shut for winter. My bed can't hold any more bodies and my dogs can't handle losing more sleep! Just go!

                                                                                                   Sincerely,
                                                                                            One Exhausted MoM