Snow Day! The only downside is that we have to make it up at the end of the year...but we already go well into June, so what's one more day?

The snow is PERFECT for sledding, snowmen, and snowball fights, and it's supposed to keep coming. I hope my kids have a great day off. I am going to take full advantage of it by staying in my pjs, drinking coffee and reading books.

No morning commute today!

"Uh, I'm not sure I want to go out there..."

A little romp in the snow to start the day off right.

"Okay, that was fun!"

I'm blogging from the office which has become my favorite room in the house. I like being able to look out and see the neighborhood and the people walking by - although, that's one aspect of NW living I can't embrace, walking in the cold/rain/sleet/snow. Yesterday we had brutal weather...what started as sleet turned to big, fluffy snow for all of 15 minutes before turning to pouring rain. It alternated between sleet and rain all day, but tapered off overnight. In the midst of the worst weather, I had to run to Lowe's to pick up some stuff for the pipe repair, and wouldn't you know there were people out walking. I usually feel sorry for the people I see walking in the rain/sleet because a lot of them are walking to the bus stop (public transportation is utilized heavily up here), not for pleasure. And most stops don't even have an awning to stand under. Brr. But these people power walked right on by the bust stop. They were out in that weather on purpose. For exercise. At least they were bundled up. I'm all for being outdoors and walking, especially with the dogs, but not in inclement weather. I prefer to stay as dry as possible, which is why I'm inside blogging....in my clean office which has gotten more use in the last week than in the previous 18 months we have lived here.

The dogs like the office, too. Usually Dixie is right by my side or underfoot. Maddie likes to guard the door.
And sometimes Dixie likes to copycat Maddie and be a guard dog , too. They look mighty fierce, don't they?

"Don't bother Mom while she's blogging. Or. Else."

You wanna know the sunny side of having a pipe burst and having to have your water shut off until someone can fix it?

You can't mop the floors with no water and you can't clean the shower with no water, at least not the way I clean them. Darn. Guess those chores have to wait.

I'd like everyone to send up prayers of thanksgiving for my friends/neighbors who helped me today, and who are going to fix the pipe tomorrow...For the neighbors around the corner who spotted the water gushing from the front of the house (while I was conveniently 25 miles away, on base at the doctor) and for the neighbors who that couple contacted because they knew they'd be able to find me. It is truly divine intervention that we live here...and the funny thing is that my sweet friend (who lives two houses down) and I just had this conversation last night, remarking how God put us by each other for so many reasons - and then His grace was confirmed (as always) when they swooped in to save the day today. So, THANKS neighbors and God. Why these things happen when I am alone makes me wonder what I am being groomed for, what I may endure one day, but for now I'm so grateful for the help of friends. I'll take it as it comes. And next time I'll know how to cut out the drywall, fix the pipes, and patch the drywall all by myself...which sounds like a nightmare, so here's to hoping there isn't a next time!!!

Have a great, dry weekend.

Well, it's been a long weekend...a really long weekend. I've gotten a lot done, and it feels good. My body, however, it tired. I slept fine, but my projects have been nagging at my mind. Today I wrapped up my part of the office and garage cleaning - Will has some things he needs to go through and throw out. I filled the garbage twice over (which isn't hard because it's tiny) and the recycling bin is stuffed (which is pretty impressive because it's large). The garage still needs a lot of work, but I can park inside and not worry about hitting the doors on any junk when I get out of the car. I also was able to keep the treadmill down (it has been folded up ever since it was donated to me by my sweet neighbor) - I need to get an extension cord tomorrow and it will be ready to use! There is still a lot of trash and cardboard to be recycled, but both bins are full for the week, so it's staying for now.

The office is so, so near to being done. So near that only I know it's not done. There are several piles of mail and mementos that Will needs to sort out, but they are inconspicuously in some cute baskets, so it almost looks like they belong. Other than that, there are some random cords (to what, I have no idea) and a pile of books to be moved to the bookshelf that is waiting to be built. Once I have help to put it together, it will go in the living room, and the rest of our books will have a home. And once those books are put up, I will have room for the magazine files that are still sitting on the floor. Oh, and the (deer?) skull/horns needs to be hung...nice touch, don't you think? It's no Martha Stewart office, but it's functional, clean, and will finally be used. This is the one room that has been forgotten, shut off, and filled with random junk since we moved here. It has never been finished until now, which is sad because we bought IKEA furniture for it right after we moved in and almost killed our marriage putting it together. It was a relationship builder to say the least, putting that stuff together, so now we can enjoy the fruits of our labor and you know, use the printer. It's the little stuff that makes me happy.

So here it is...only those of you who have seen it in all its cluttered glory will really know the magnificence of its new state.


And now I really need another day off to enjoy the work - at least I will come home to a clean house...or to be honest, a clean downstairs...depending on your definition of clean.

Now, don't fall out of your seat when you hear this, but --drum roll-- we've had sun two out of the last three days! I feel renewed. The dogs had good, long walks on Sunday afternoon and yesterday evening when I got home from work. It poured buckets on Monday, but I'm focusing on the here and now. We're supposed to have another day of sun today. It has been bitter cold, but there's nothing like seeing Rainier on my way to work. I'll take a clear, freezing cold day over rain.

There is never an end to keeping the house organized and clean, but I've given myself a deadline (February 15th) to get the office cleaned out, organized, and functional, and to get the garage back to organized - after the camping this summer, hunting this fall, and Christmas decorations, it's gotten out of control. I can barely get the car in to park - which is a must for me because I don't want to have to scrape ice off or go out early to warm it up in the morning. I have a long weekend coming up, plus another the first weekend in February (we can work from home on the 1st, which is a semester prep day). So, there it is. I can get it done with a little hard work and purging. It's much easier to get rid of stuff when Will is not around to pack rat it all! Don't worry - I won't throw out anything that is important to him (I'll stash all knickknacks just in case, Charla!). I'll keep you updated on my progress!

Snow, ice, brrr....2 hour school delay. It's a delicious morning where I am. I think Starbucks is in order. I wonder if they still have the pumpkin scones? I'll let you know.

Well, Christmas decorations have been put away, the house has been rearranged and is somewhat clean, and I feel ready to start the week. Starting back to school last Wednesday was tough - I was tired, my house was a disaster, and my suitcases were still packed (okay, well, maybe that last part is still true). After a weekend at home getting things done, I feel much better about heading into work this morning. Hopefully, when I get home I'll find my camera and dock and download some pictures from our holidays. Happy Monday!

Hello darkness, my old friend...


After two weeks spent under the sun in the south, we're back to the dreary skies of Washington. Thankfully, it was a short work week. My body clock is still tuned to a different time zone, so this weekend couldn't have come fast enough. Today will be spent putting away Christmas decorations, and maybe catching a movie. We've been on the go long enough.

I've got scones in the oven that are just about ready, two lazy dogs by my side, a sleeping husband, and a house full of things needing to be done. I think I'll enjoy my coffee a bit longer before tackling any chores.

I hope you all had a very merry Christmas, and I wish you an abundance of blessings in 2008.