What 14 "snow days" can do for you.

Seriously, another one. Today is #14 in one month. The snow really should be going to Vancouver and who ordered this much anyway. I wouldn't mind watching it on TV instead of out my window. There have been a few things we have accomplished.

1. Lane is mastering Mario Galaxy as we type.

2. I have forgotten that the world still has deadlines. I failed to sign Lane up for basketball. He handled it well considering that we have weeks of make-up games from his winter league.

3. The kids have exercised their muscles by knocking off icicles from our roof and no one was impaled. 

4. Blake thinks it's unfair that there are no snow days for him. Lane told him this morning that when he becomes a kid lawyer he'll make it so dads can have snow days and 2 hr delays, too.

5. The kids have gotten pretty sick and not had to miss any days of school. 

They (the weathermen) tell me spring is just around the corner. I'll believe it when I see it.

Time Out For Women (TOFW)

I just wanted to share this video. I know it's not new and most people have seen it. "Time Out for Women" Conference is coming to Pittsburgh and I've been asked to help out a little. I love these mini weekends. Blake takes the kids and I get a hotel with other women (it takes me back to High School and rooming with a bunch of cheerleaders-good times, good times). I've been able to go two other times. Once in Albany, NY and once in Richmond, VA. They have both been amazing and uplifting and completely hilarious. You know when you can't stop laughing and have to cross your legs and have tears running down your face because you can't breathe? It's that kind of laughing.

Hillary Weeks will be one of the presenters that will be in Pittsburgh. I'm looking so forward to hearing her speak and sing. I love listening to women who understand and appreciate the glamour (or lack of glamour) of being a mother, wife, and daughter of God and find humor in it. As time gets closer I'll share tidbits of other presenters that will be there. If you live in the Pittsburgh area, totally check it out. And if you live a little ways away (like old friends in Albany or CT) still check it out and come see me (consider me one of you own personal 'presenters').  Mark the date: April 23-24th.

Simple Woman's Daybook

Outside my window...

it's cold, wet, gray, and miserable. Pretty accurate for this time of year. I'm privately holding a grudge against a certain popular groundhog for telling me that I have to deal with it for 6 more weeks. Ugh.

I am thinking...

about what to have for dinner. Isn't this the dilemma for most moms?

I am thankful...

that we found a house and our offer has been accepted. Paige was doing a happy "we have a house" dance. I secretly think she just wants the kitty-cat daddy promised her.

From the kitchen...

dirty dishes are multiplying and I don't know how. Shhh, it's a mystery.

I am wearing...

clothes. Does it really matter and does anyone ever care? I'll just promise you that I'm wearing something.

I am creating...

a dip in my bed. You know, the dip that occurs when you can't get your butt out of bed. 

I am reading...

The Demon King by Cinda Williams Chima. A great YA book.

I am hoping...

that my husband continues to love and accept my inadequacies. Okay, loving my inadequacies is pushing it. Just accept them and keep coming home to me.

I am hearing...

the news. Nothing new going on in the news.

One of my favorite things...

Monopoly on my iTouch. I love being able to yell at the other computer pieces and not hurt their feelings. And when I'm losing the game I can just quit. Or when I'm winning I can drag it out and make it as painful as I can for the unemotional computer pieces. 

A few plans for the rest of the week...

read to Paige's class, paper mache a president's head, PTA, and the greatly anticipated NWTF (National Wild Turkey Federation) dinner. 

A picture thought I am sharing...

This was a new kid-friendly dinner we tried this week. Lane saw it in a Family Fun magazine and wanted to try it. Two of his favorites: noodles and hot dogs. Spear the 1-inch hot dogs with 4 angel hair pasta noodles and then throw it all in to cook together. Wa-La, squid dogs. Only problem: Ketchup or Butter?

Presidential Opinions

The other day I asked Lane to do something (can't even remember what it was). And of course as most children do, they don't do it. So I repeated myself and asked 'nicely' again. Blake always makes matters easier and said, "Man, your mom is a slave driver." To which Lane replied, "I know. I thought Abraham Lincoln did away with slavery a long time ago."