grey skies

This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in
it!

# 2

Round 2. My snow covered driveway. Again. I should just name this blog
the snow blog!

Again? Seriously?!

This is what it looks like tonight out my front door. Tired of snow pictures?


Again, I am blessed with forced seclusion as the roads are impassable, and it JUST stopped snowing. Again. We have like, 23-25 inches on the back deck (again), and the snow is piled up on the driveway, the sidewalk, and my trees and bushes. A few (big) branches have fallen off the pine trees in the back yard, and I think the bushes out front may be permanently deformed. I am, however, safe at home. I have heat and electricity. I have milk and toilet paper. All is good.


(you can see the branches on the ground)

(the snow covers our air unit)

I learned this afternoon NOT to attempt to make bread (even in a bread machine) without appropriately dated bakers yeast. It does not work. Honestly, it is comical the way food turns out when I am thrown into the mix!

It has been a busy week. School went well but the kids are a little put out. They don't like having to do school when they know the county has cancelled public school. Even when I point out that they have less days in school, and less hours, it doesn't seem to help. I guess that is what you would call character training. Hopefully, it will all pay off. I keep on praying about it... that it all works out well.

We've had a few precious moments this week. I allowed my 12 year old to stay home by himself one night for a few hours. He assured me he wouldn't answer the door, plus, " I have ninja skills, mom!" My middle, sweet daughter made strides toward forging a friendship with a girl she has admired and looked up to for some time. She invited the child over, they played and talked. Danielle hurts so much for her best friend that lives over 3000 miles away (much like me), so I realize how hard it must be to reach out again. So, this was a really good thing. Katie has just been a love bug, and a snuggle bug. She always has been cuddly, and funny. She makes us all laugh. She has been so sweet this week (especially, so).

I'm praying for my husband. Once again, in the midst of severe weather, and crisis-level staffing in the county, he has risen to the occasion, and reported for duty. Power is out all over NoVa, the roads are terrible, but he's out serving the public. WE love you, Mark!

Finally a Seattle visit

Fay Bainbridge Park

I haven't exactly been in the best of places lately. I've been a little down, and missing friends (especially west coast friends).

I've even found myself in the angry category. .. Angry at many people for a variety of reasons.

Last week, Wednesday, the tide started to turn. I was detained in Borders with a cup of coffee bought by my caring husband; and my children were sequestered in the children's section to pour over some books at their speed, salivating the whole time. Also there were no phones ringing, no knocks on the door. Some items were discussed. Some feelings were explored. I feel like I'm in a better place.

I did make a HUGE trip to Seattle, by myself. God bless the spouse and the parents who made it all possible! And, God bless the friends who supported and prayed for me. I know I am loved. I know I need to stop the guilty feeling when I step into doing something for myself. Thank goodness for prayer, and good old fashioned therapy. It really does help!

(image from graphics fairy)

"Be a lamp, a ladder or a lifeboat."

I saw this written on one of my calenders last year and kept the saying taped above the kitchen sink to remind me to behave well, and to live by example. It's hard, and easy to forget in the day-to-day. The bed-wetter wet the bed, again. Very difficult to be patient with this, as my bed-wetter is 12 years old. 'AI' says a, just like a- consonant- e says a. We've been over this! You multiply the ones, then the tens... all of the ones, then all of the tens! I made my daughter cry! Wipe your hands on a ,napkin, not your shirt, use a sponge to clean up spilled water, not your sleeve, take the dry clothes out of the dryer before you put in the wet clothes... it can go on and on (and on...)

So. I need to remind myself:

be a lamp: show how, show the way, be patient

be a ladder: help, demonstrate, guide the way

be a lifeboat: don't cry, we will do it together. Come to me and feel safe.

I can aspire to live by example. I'll look to the Lord, though, for my example. He is the lamp, the ladder, and the lifeboat!

"The eyes of the Lord search the whole earth in order to strengthen those who are committed to Him" 2 Chronicles 16:9

My twilight plate!

To compliment the plate I painted for New Moon, I decided to attempt
the Twilight apple...

Quiet Winter

Well, the Epiphany has passed, and the official twelve days of Christmas are over. I took the candle-lights out of the windows today. Our house, I'm afraid, will look quite bleak; especially at night, when it is so dark (so early). January and February just tend to be those type of ho-hum months. The house seems a bit less festive, after all the decorating for the holidays coming down, and packed away. I'll have to put some hearts around the house for Valentines day, for sure, just to brighten things up a bit, and we HAVE to celebrate Groundhogs Day... it is the best day of the year according to my son (so random... just a part of the autism spectrum, I guess). I'm not sure how to decorate for that one... And.... ta-dummm: my birthday is at the end of January. I'll be a year older (and hopefully a little wiser)! I know that the ho-hum months are just that: ho-hum, BUT, I guess they are a bit busy.

Returning to the pre-holiday pace this week has been tiring. The girls have colds, and Tommy just wants to hide under a blanket until Groundhogs Day (I actually get that!). However, we all have things that are going on, and activities that have resumed. Dance is great. Occupational Therapy is always good, and Katie started it this week and can't wait to go back. School has been fine for Tommy, as well. And getting a little more organized has been, well, refreshing. I think, though, we are all just wanting one more week... (or ten, or so), to sleep, read, not go anywhere... not have obligations... (hide under our blankets until Groundhogs Day); Especially Mark, who has worked 6 days straight... 6 24 hour shifts straight... I think he does deserve to hide under a blanket, but his short stretch at home has been busy with getting organized for next semester.

I guess we are moving a bit slow because of the cold (weather) and the colds (virus). Maybe that is actually a gift of sorts, or at least the silver lining. We can't rush around all over the place because we simply don't feel too well. Staying home has its benefits! The organization continues; plus we're all hanging out and checking on each other, and I get compliments from Tom-Tom like, "Mom, you are prettier than Rahab." Thanks, I think!

The weather has been very sunny this week (hello, vitamin D)! I've been trying to expose myself to the sun as much as possible because I am such the compliant patient; however, 20 degree weather just isn't conducive to long term sun exposure. At least I'm trying!

So-- Obviously, we need to put some smiles in our hearts and embrace the season! We may move a bit slower, but we need to move. Forward, always. Have faith, my friends! I'll be thinking of all of you, and praying always. It's the least I can do!