Snow, Snow and More Snow

Wow! Did we ever get snow! Record setting amounts, according to the local weathermen. I believe it. More snow than I've seen since moving to Texas. It started in the wee hours Thursday morning. It did not stop until the wee hours of Friday morning. I've heard reports of over 12". This is not a big deal for those places used to seeing snow, but in TEXAS! Wow. It is a big deal. The kids were delighted. We didn't get anything done. They spent most of Thursday outside. Kermit even went outside for a snowball fight. The big kids rolled snowballs, but Joe was the only one who managed to make a snowman. Snickelfritz the cat was fun to watch. He was making snowballs and chasing them. Annie went outside to bark at the snow. She wasn't too thrilled with the snow and chose to spend most of the time inside.

Friday was not quite as fun. I woke up to find that we had no electricity. Everything in my house runs on electricity. We were not alone. Power outages everywhere. In our immediate area 35,000 were without power. I heard over 200,000 in Dallas were without power. We didn't get ours back until Saturday afternoon. It was illuminating. That is to say, we were terribly unprepared for an emergency of this sort. It puts a new urgency on our plans to become more energy independent.

Snow

It's snowing in Texas. There isn't more than an inch on the ground with a few more flurries falling down. Snow happens so infrequently here, that each occurence is remarkable. What makes it even more notable is the fact that this is not the only snow we've had. The weather has gone crazy.

I thought about waking the kids to see the snow. It was a brief thought. They would be grumpy. Besides, I'm enjoying the quiet. This is my favorite time of day. Everything is still. Except for the cats that want to be fed and the chickens that want to be let out of the coop. But they can wait and I can sit. I can sit with my cup of chamomile and watch the day gradually grow brighter (no sunrise today with all the clouds). I can sit and read or think. When I get my quiet early mornings, I know the day is going to be good.

Today is going to be very good.

Resolutions

One New Year resolution realized. One broken before I even had time to pick up the confetti.

Today, for the first time since church moved to 9:00 am, we were on time. We were even early. It only almost counts. We had two boys sick and Kermit stayed home with them. So, we weren't all there. But I'll take it. I'd resolved to be on time at least once. Now, the goal is to be on time with all of us there.

On New Year's Day, actually before, I decided that I would be more consistent with my blog. I was so certain that I could sit down at least once a week and write. I really would like to write everyday. I'm not sure that what happens everyday would be blog-worthy, but it would be a good habit and needed practice. Obviously, everyday is an overly ambitious goal. I'll stick to once a week. I am determined to not focus what I have failed to accomplish. This week will be better.

I'd like to be more diligent studying scripture. I think I can accomplish that. I'd love to have a clean house, but I don't have much faith in that happening. I simply do not have the fortitude to fight the 6 tornadoes that live in this house.

Sunshine. Where Did You Go?

This day started out with so much promise. The sun was spectacular. It seemed to radiate joy. It was impossible to not be happy on such a glorious, rain-free day. But now, the clouds have moved back in and it is dreary and cold. Sunshine, please come back. I am so tired of the rain. No, that's not accurate. I have no quarrel with the rain. However, I am somewhat displeased with the mud. The mud is everywhere. The ground is so soft I can't even take a decent walk around the property. I like to send the kids out everyday, but then I remember the mud. A little bit of mud is OK. It can even be fun. Too much mud is not fun. Mud everyday for weeks and weeks is not fun. We have too much mud.

On the lighter side, this was posted on my daughter's bedroom door:

"H's Rules"
1. No screaming.
2. Do whatever H says.
3. Help me with school.
4. Be nice.
5. Be entertaining.
6. Be mean to D.
7. Don't ask stupid questions.
8. Always color.
9. Go to church.
10. Eat lots of Girl Scout cookies.


On seperate bits of paper:

"Never do what D says."

"If you trip over stuff, that's your fault."