I Love Winter

I know it is crazy, but I really do like winter.  (Kelli at The Hays Crew blog feels the exact opposite, and I do sympathize with her right now.)  Well, I guess I should say that I like winter as long as when the calendar says it is spring--the weather cooperates! 

Probably, in another life, I was a bear.  (Yes, that might fit me in more ways than one.)  I like to hibernate in winter.  The early darkness suits me.  I get home to my warm house and don't want to go out again.

I love...
  *snow
      *thick socks
         *flannel sheets
             *wood stoves (in our case- a facsimile)
                  *hot soups and thick stews
                       *snow days
                           *boots
                               *cute knit hats and scarves
                                    *hot cider and hot chocolate
                                         *shoveling snow
                                              *warm fleece pajamas
                                                   *over-sized sweaters
                                                        *ski jackets
                                                             *lap blankets
                                                                  *time for a good book
                                                                      *long underwear--especially long underwear tops
                                                                           *and cute snowmen

It helps that we live on the same power grid as the Senior Citizen housing, meaning our electricity is never off for long.  (Hope I didn't just jinx that.)

It would really help if the Mr. would buy me a remote start for my car.  I would love to get into a warm car and not have to scrape windows after school.

Did I mention that I love snow days?  I do.  And I'm having one today.  (Or at least a bitter-cold-minus-zero-wind-chill day.)  And I'm not complaining.

Why Schools Have Snow Days

Some people don't understand why schools close for ice and snow.  I think I know.

The Mr. picked me up right after school yesterday, so I could make it to my dentist appointment.  He drove because the freezing rain and snow were getting worse.  We followed three buses out of town. 

The first five miles were slow.  We were all following a snow blade, and no one was passing. Suddenly, I saw the first bus in line swerve wildly, and then a car flew into the ditch on our side of the road. 

The driver of the car had hit ice and slid into the bus head-on.  Kudos to the bus driver for not going into the ditch and rolling the bus.  I was also thankful that the driver was the solo occupant of her car, and that she took the brunt of the hit on the passenger side of her car.

Everyone walked away.  BUT...

Do you know how tragic that could have been? 

And that is why there are early releases, late starts, and snow days. 

(Yeah, after that we turned around, went back home, and cancelled my dentist appointment.  Some things just aren't worth it.)

CraZy CoLLeAguE

I have a colleague who is quite whimsical.  We have both been teaching at Tiny Town High the same number of years.  I age.  She still retains that childlike curiosity and playfulness that she came in with 29 years ago. 

Several years ago she made dangle snowflake earrings for all of us in the English Department.  When we were feeling the need for a magical Christmas snow, we were to wear the earrings.  She insisted that there was magic in the earrings--and sure enough, we'd get a snow. Feeling a little blah in January?  Wear the earrings and voila!

This year the earrings have been a little too potent.  Our district builds at least 5 snow days into our calendar, and this year that hasn't been enough.  We've had so many snow days, that we are having to give up our vacation day for doing evening parent-teacher conferences.  We're saying goodbye to Good Friday, too. Drat!

Yesterday, CraZy CoLLeaGue gave each of us a pair of dangle flip flop earrings.  They are the cutest things.  She is certain that "If we wear them, it will come."  "It" being the sun!  Let's hope she's right. 

All day yesterday I was humming that song that seems to go with the flip flops:

Something about toes in the water and rear in the sand.  (OK. I censored the lyrics a bit, but I might have added something about a margarita in each hand.) 

Oh, don't get me wrong.  I still want to go skiing.  It's just if I can't snow ski--then I don't need any more snow this winter.  Bring on the sunshine!  Bring on the flip flops!

Let's hope these little gems work!

Snow Days and Snow Dogs

The general consensus is that we might as well enjoy our snow days, even if we are going to have to make them up.  So... I did.

I've been reading some old, old favorites.  (I left my current reads on my desk at school.)  I haven't read Heidi for years.  It was a childhood favorite.  I also started I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings.  I was fortunate enough to hear Maya Angelou speak.  It was a long time ago.  Before she became a staple on "Oprah" or read her poem for President Clinton's inauguration. 

Yesterday the sun came out.  It was beautiful.  In fact, as I was scooping snow and later on my walk with Baxter--all I could think about was skiing.  I could have been on slope and ready to ride the lift.  It was the combination of snow, cold, sun, and the smell of the air. 

Baxter and I walked to K's house.  We took the long way around.  And how Baxter loves the snow!

He jumps in--up to his chin.

He puts his nose down under and runs like a snow plow.

When we got to K's house, I scooped part of her driveway.  Khalie came out for a romp with Baxter, which made Bax go completely nuts.  He jumped.  He rolled.  He drove Khalie nuts! (Thankfully, K kept Baxter on his leash.) 

Walking back home, Mr. B pretty much rattled when he walked.  He had so many ice balls attached to his fur that he probably weighed an extra 5 pounds. 

I had no idea how to get the ice off of him.  I tried brushing.  Nope.  I tried drying him with a towel.  No dice.  I knew if I just let him "melt" that I was going to have a gallon or two of water in my house.  I finally filled the tub with lukewarm water and gave him a bath.  I had to keep adding warm water because the ice on Baxter cooled the water rather quickly.  He didn't like it, but it worked. 

He spent the late afternoon dozing, and I have to confess to taking a short nap, too.

Today, I am headed back to school.  And I can be really glad that I'm not going back to this:

This is what my old deck looked like yesterday.  Of course, no one scoops or blades by the old trailers.  And every time I walk by them, I am just soooooo thankful to be in the new building!

The sun is supposed to be out all day today.  I wonder if it will melt the snow off of our roof on Easy Street?

I imagine we could have some pretty good icicles.  I'll keep you posted. 

And back to school we go.

Snow Days Again

Yesterday was a snow day.  The snow came down all day.  The wind was whipping it around and with the cold temperatures, added a nice wind chill.  I couldn't get a single picture.  Mainly, they all looked like a white out!

Today is a snow day again.  We have 9 inches or so on the ground.  The difference is that the sun came out.  It is beautiful!!

I've already been out scooping today.  The snowplow has been by.  And somebody on Easy Street loves the snow.  That would be Baxter.  He thinks snow is the greatest:  runs like an idiot, dives into drifts, and puts his nose down and goes like a snowplow. 

Baxter and I are headed out for a long walk this afternoon.  I'll bundle up good and take the camera.

It might be cold, but it is too pretty outside to miss a day like this.

Finally--Back To School

After three snow days, we are headed back today.  I'm bundled up and ready to go. 

Quite scary that I am actually planning to review a bit.  Now...where did we leave off?  OK, maybe that review is as much for me as for the students.  Note to self:  all lesson plans should be written in pencil from now on.

I have enjoyed the time to catch up on sleep and shake this cold.  I've done quite a few things that I wanted to do, but almost nothing that I should have done.  I guess once in awhile that is OK, too. 

There has been a lot of facebook whining from parents and students.  Parents are ready to get their kids out from under foot.  Kids are bored.  It is too cold to do much outside.  Poor little things.  Who knew teens could actually miss school? 

How long do you think it will take for the students to wish they were at home again?  I'm giving them until 2nd hour.  Maybe sooner.

Snow Day #3

No school again today.  I have no idea how much snow we have.  It has blown around so much that it is tough to tell.  My guess is somewhere between 4 and 7 inches.  A sheet of ice is under the drifts.  The windchill in Tiny Town yesterday was minus 33.  So...

This was Easy Street.

Bax brought in the paper before it got too deep. 

Without his two walks a day (we can't stand up), Baxter has been a bit hyper in the evening.  And then we can't stand him! Yesterday, he had a fun surprise.

Like his waiting place?

He knew he heard something.

He's a patient little thing.

And then he spies the door opening...

The Mr. brought K and Khalie across town to spend the afternoon.  There was a lot of yipping and sniffing when the two old friends saw each other.   Khalie ate Baxter's food.  Baxter teased Khalie with rawhide chews.  Khalie managed to drag out of all of Baxter's "toys." 

They ran and chased and played.  Khalie kept batting Bax down when he was a little too rambunctious.  Baxter kept jumping up on the couch so he could look Khalie in the eye or paw her on the face.  Bax also liked to squeeze behind furniture where Khalie couldn't get to him.  (It pays to be little!) He'd taunt her from back there.  *sigh*

They are an unlikely duo.  Khalie surely gets annoyed, but tolerates the little runt.  Both dogs were pooped at the end of the day.  After supper, the Mr. took K and Khalie home.  K called later to say Khalie was sleeping soundly.  And Baxter was a much calmer dog, dozing on the floor most of the evening. 

Mission accomplished!

I'm really not sure what I am doing today.  There are several jobs I need to get done, but somehow snow days seem meant for fun and laziness.  If the wind would die down a bit, I'd be tempted to venture a little further from the house with my camera. 

We'll see what the day brings.

Welcome to February 2011

Snow Day #2 this week: 

Ice.  Snow.  25 mph winds.  More snow on the way.  A good day for a book, a movie, a cup of tea, and maybe I can squeeze a nap in there. 

Oh, and I might muster up the energy to run in the new Tiny Town High tonight.  Seven laps make a mile.  I hate running inside, but I could use the energy boost.

Or not...

You Know It's Spring

Yep.  This says spring in this crazy State:

This was the look Friday night.  Notice the spring flag.  Friday morning was 60 degrees and sunny.  Midday the wind took a turn and the temperatures dropped drastically.  By 6:00 the snow was falling. 

Baxter thought the snow was great fun.  He might have been the only one.  He is getting good at making snowballs with his nose; however, going to the bathroom was the last thing on his mind!

I'm thinking a pedicure today just might convince Mother Nature that it is time for some sunshine and warmer temperatures.  After all, it is the last day of spring break.  Back to school tomorrow for eight more weeks. I'm pretty sure the countdown has begun!

Who Knew?

Who knew that glitter could fall from the sky?  This morning it happened.  At least it looked like glitter.  And I drove through a glittery, sparkly world.  I've never seen snow fall this way before.  Pretty cool.  (OK.  Maybe cold!)  And I didn't get a single picture.  Sometimes memory has to do.

Cabin Fever

For two days, this has been my window on the world.

 

Cold wind chill has kept me house bound.  It took me a few years to figure it out, but I need to be outside daily.  Yesterday, I went out long enough to scoop some snow and take a few pictures. Besides frigid temperatures, I found snow edging its way off our roof and a beautiful blue sky.

The neighbor's heat was giving off some steam, and I had to admire these leaves still holding on in the wind and cold.

There were tracks in the snow. A wild turkey?  I'm not sure, but this creature had ventured out.

And today, that's what I am planning to do, too. 

Easy Street has been cleared, so surely I can skate out of here and find something to do.  And speaking of skating (outdoor sports!), I'm thinking Easy Street looks like it might be great for sledding!  It has been quite awhile since there have been kids to sled down that hill.  Hmm... maybe I'll dig out the sled and give it a go.  

Friday Favorites

Coming off vacation, school got off to a rough start. I think this teacher underestimated how much my students had missed each other over break and how much talking they had to get out of their systems. By Wednesday, school life was returning to normal. (And then we take a 4 day weekend.  I'm guessing there is a repeat in my future!)

Here are some of the top moments of my week. 

1.  The cold weather accessories are always fun!

I loved these colorful gloves and the Kitty Kat stocking cap.

Furry hoods and hats were worn by both girls and guys.

Yeah, my students are pretty good sports to let me focus my camera their way.

2.  And here is my student with the cheery mohawk:

He is so creative, and I have no idea how he gets it to stand up like that! Besides having hair that always delights, he is just one sweet soul.  He always has a smile and a kind word.  

3.  When the snow started Wednesday afternoon, we had an announcement that we would be out of school on Thursday and Friday due to the cold.  The kids were more relieved than excited.  They knew it was going to be miserable, if not downright dangerous, walking our "hallways." 

This was the view from the front door when I got home:  still snowing and the wind was picking up.

4.  Soups!  This week we have made chili, turkey rice vegetable, and Calico Bean soup.  I could eat soup for every meal; the Mr., not so much.  However, we knew he was going to be working the RV show and wouldn't be home for many meals, so meal preparation is now easy for me:  heat up a bowl of soup.  I've got a feeling that next week will be all about the meat and potatoes!

5.  The new blog project for 2010 kicked off.  Alicia of NYC and I are posting joint pictures of our distinct locales every Monday.  Our first post theme was New Year's Eve.  You'll have to wait until Monday to see what our next theme is.  I've had my camera fairly busy the last few days trying to get the perfect shot for Monday's post.  (I have to show off my Midwest!)  

We're ending the week with bitter cold and snow drifts on Easy Street, but home is pretty comfy and warm.  There really is no place like home, but I better be able to get out and around before the cabin fever sets in!

4 Day Weekend

Tiny Town is enjoying (?) more snow, and due to ridiculously cold temperatures and wind chill-- Trailer Schools are having a 4 day weekend.   The kids were thrilled when they made the announcement.  They were dreading the walks in the cold.  The teachers weren't too upset either.

Unfortunately, the Mr. is working the RV show a couple of hours away.  AND they are driving back and forth.  Last night wasn't an easy trip home.  The blowing snow made for zero visibility and eventually some two or three foot drifts to break through.    

So now, I am figuring out what I would like to do with some extra time.   I mean, besides scooping snow!  (And that isn't happening until the wind dies down.  The wind chill is -15.)

Two full days stretching before me with nothing to do:  heaven! 

A Christmas To Remember

This has been a different Christmas than we anticipated. The snow kept us home from our trip.

L was sick. In fact, she didn't get to feeling better until yesterday. To top it off, on the day after Christmas she got the news that a colleague had died unexpectedly from unknown causes. He was a year younger than L, fairly recently married, and taught 2nd grade. L was in shock and so sad for his wife, his parents, and his students. I can't imagine going back to school after break and having to help the kids and staff deal with the death of a beloved teacher.

In spite of everything, our family had a good time just being together. The kids did most of the cooking: breakfast pizza, sloppy joes, shrimp, and chicken fried steak. (Sometimes it felt like all I did was eat!) We played a lot of games, watched movies, and walked the dog. The Mr. and I had a chance to get to know the boys better. Unfortunately, the boys had to put up with this crazy crowd, too.

When L was so sick, I was glad we couldn't make it to our vacation destination. She would have been miserable. Sometimes things just work out the way they are supposed to. I need to remember that.

What will I remember about this Christmas?

*snow drifts
*not getting to take our trip
*the phone call saying they'd refund our deposit
*shoveling snow
*being so glad when the kids arrived safely on Christmas Day
*Skipbo games- and the girls finally beating the guys-twice!
*the dog's penchant for a little stuffed bear from under the tree
*Rum slush and breakfast pizza- not necessarily together!
*being walked by the dog
*using the hand paraffin spa
*icicles
*CT snoring and CG using the dog to poke him
*call for your partner pitch--when L was too sick to play
*habanero hot sauce--CG and CT put it on everything--even pringles!
*Bejeweled and Cube Crusher games on 3 laptops at the same time

I could do Christmas this way every year!

Holidays at Home

The snow certainly created a little havoc with our Christmas trip plans. We had a white Christmas, but the wind and drifting meant no Christmas trip this year. When the kids managed to arrive at noon, Santa had tucked some of the trip money into K and L's stockings.
Rum slush, poinsettias, appetizers (made by the girls), games, naps, and movies made for a relaxing Christmas Day. The Mr. and L are still feeling a little under the weather, so I'm thinking neither would have enjoyed a trip too much anyway. Right now, I just want them to get well!

K and I went for an afternoon walk and worked at avoiding the drifts. A walk made a little more challenging because we were being walked by the dog.

It was still snowing when we walked. In fact, it is still snowing this morning. Good decision to celebrate Christmas at home.

K and CT enjoying the movie--not!

Khallie (the black lab) only had to poke CT once in awhile when he was snoring. (She might have had help!)

CG giving the evil eye to Ms. Smarty Britches.

Wondering who Ms. Smarty Britches is? Actually, L was sick enough that she was pretty laid back. Hope she gets to feeling better soon, and that her medicine kicks in. I kind of miss the sass!

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Today, the guys are off to breakfast at the local cafe. L is still fast asleep, and K and I are headed out to take Khallie for a walk. (Or the other way around!) We're hoping to catch a movie in J town this afternoon and that CG's sister and niece might be able to join us.

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Not quite the Christmas trip we had imagined, but it is just nice to have everyone together. Not having to worry about travel in this mess is just an added bonus!

Snowed In

We woke up to this:

We are snowed in for Christmas. We didn't get a ton of snow, but the 50 mph winds have created whiteouts and some good sized drifts. It was scary coming home from Christmas with the Mr.'s family last night.

We're operating on the better safe than sorry theory. This year's Christmas trip is going to be to Tiny Town, USA. That is, it will be if K and L can make it here! And we're discouraging their travel until it is safe.

Tiny Town doesn't really have any exciting shows or activities to take in, unless you count games of pitch or seeing Alvin and the Chipmunks: the Squeakquel in J town's only theater. Yep, pretty exciting stuff! Actually at this point, we will be lucky just to get everyone here.

So Merry Christmas from a White Winter Wonderland! It is beautiful out there!

The Snows of Childhood

For Monday Memories at Planet M

The snow last week reminded me of the snows we had when I was a kid. I remember it snowing a lot. I'm not sure if it really did, or if that is just my memory playing tricks on me.

I remember wearing a long stocking hat pretty much like Schwartz's in A Christmas Story. I also remember the rubber boots--red or white--that slipped over your shoes. They were hard to get on and nearly impossible to get off. When you finally got them off, your shoes were usually still wedged inside and had to be pried out.

We used to play Fox and Geese on snowy days. Mom taught us to stamp a big circle in the snow and then stamp the wedges like a pie. The rest of the game was like tag. One person was the fox or "it," and the rest were geese. You had to stay on the paths while you were chased; if you stepped off, you were out. In the very center was the home base where you had to stand after being caught. Other geese could free you, if they could touch you without being caught. The four of us could make a pretty good game out of it, though my sister and I tried to play it without the brothers sometimes. Definitely not a fun game for just two.

We also used to have Youth Fellowship skating parties at the pond. These were always an impromptu affair, dependent on the weather. Once Dad was sure the pond was frozen solid, the calls would go out. He would build a bonfire at the pond's edge for the grown ups and for warming up, and all the kids would gather for a night of skating. Some would run down the pond's dam and jump on sleds to slide as far as they could. Others skated. We played crack the whip. I spent most of my time "sliding" in my boots. (Weak ankles and ice skates are not a great combination.) Frozen, we would finish the evening back at the house to warm up and drink hot chocolate.

There must have been more snow back then. I remember a couple of Christmas mornings when someone got ice skates from Santa. There was also the year that Santa left an orange aluminum disc toboggan. I can remember at least one winter that Dad kept the sled and toboggan tied on the back of the feed truck. Any time he went out to feed the cows, my sister and I got to go sledding behind him.

We used to play outside a lot when it snowed. I'm guessing that was because, no matter how cold it was, we had a wood stove where we could warm ourselves when we came in from the cold. You could stand close to get warm quickly. Now, we can only warm up gradually. I miss wood heat. It is hard to curl up to a floor register!

Second Week of December

Small celebrations for the second week of December:

1. Snow!! Lots and lots of snow.

2. Three snow days: time to play and watch movies.

3. Christmas music on the Ipod, on my new Sarah McLachlan CD, and on the Sirius Channel on TV. Ding Donging Merrily On High!

4. Concert tickets for a group we discovered and loved last Christmas. We're making it a family affair!

5. Six days of school and then Christmas break begins.

Happy Friday! Happy Holidays!

Snow Day #3 Tomorrow

At 5:30 today, they made the decision to call off school again for tomorrow. The country roads are still drifting, and some weren't cleared. The temperatures are a concern for the students in Trailer School.
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Scrambling to rearrange lesson plans and the days before finals is a primary concern. I'm not complaining, though. In fact, for the people who are complaining about us being out of school again, I'd say that they should come walk the "hallways" with our students every hour. I have a feeling they would be changing their tune.
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I'm grateful we have an administration that is concerned about the safety of our students, even if it does screw up my lesson planning for this semester!

C-C-C-Cold!!

I woke up this morning to frosted window panes! (Kinda makes you feel like singing, doesn't it?) The sun was also shining. So I open the door and wowsa!! We have 5 degrees and a windchill of -12. It is cold!I had the front walk and steps cleaned off last night. We got at least two more inches of snow overnight. My guess is that we have about 10 or 11 inches on the ground. With the wind stirring it around, we also have drifts.

I looked out the back door and saw a bunch of little birds all gathered in one mass of trees. If you click on the picture below to enlarge it, you will see several little friends looking for a wind break, I guess.

I may be out of school for another day, but the Mr. had to be at work. You can see his tracks in the snow. Seems that getting the truck out was about as challenging as getting it up the hill last night, though it only took one try.

He called from work and said Interstate was snow and ice packed. He was wondering how we could possibly have school tomorrow with an expected high of 12 today and more wind and drifting expected. When the major highways aren't cleared off, you can imagine what the country roads are like!

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So another snow day here in Tiny Town. I'm sure the Trailer High students are terrible depressed about that. Yeah right!