"Spring" cleaning

Did you see that? Did you see how I put the word "Spring" in quotes?

That is because although, technically, chronologically, it is seven days past the first day of spring,  here I sit, staring out the window at the carnage wrought (aka, fallen snow) by the blizzard we had day before yesterday.


Yes. You read that right.

A blizzard.

In March.

You (and I) can thank the lovely people who are actually hoping Flint breaks some kind of snowfall record.

Thanks a lot, sickos.

I know, I know, "It's only March," you say, "in Michigan".

Marvelous, Mecurial, Michigan March.

"March comes in like a lion," you say.

But might I remind you that there is a "part two" to that adage you are flinging at me?


 "and out like a LAMB."

Like a LAMB.

Cute, cuddly, frolick-y and SPRING-Y!

image courtesy of freefoto.com

(Don't you dare remind me that lambs have fleece as white as snow.)

Anyhow.

This blog post is about my "Spring" Cleaning escapades so far.

Yes, I have been "Spring" Cleaning.

I need to pause here so that my fainted readership can regain senses.
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I have come to this place, this new, unchartered (by me) Land of "Spring" Cleaning via the route of Leadership and was transported by a completely unexpected vehicle - Difficult Circumstances.

How, you ask, have Difficulties driven me to "Spring" Cleaning?

Easily.

You see, I have discovered something. It might come as a suprise to you. Surely, it is a suprise to me. here it is:

 I can not control everything.

"What!?" you exclaim.

"That's right," I reply, "I cannot!"

What I can control:

• The amount of soap scum on my shower door. 
• The organization of my pantry cupboard
• The amount of dust on my bookshelves

So, today, I give thanks for all the  Difficult Circumstances in my life, as they are teaching me to appreciate the Serenity Prayer and to embrace "Spring" Cleaing, which will, ultimately, give me a better sense of well-being (and a happier family).

(Note to the Man Upstairs: this is not a request for more life difficulty.)

Today I will clear dust, flip mattresses, and wipe walls, thankful for the satisfaction I will get from simply seeing something come out just as I would have it.

I will ride my difficulties through the Land of "Spring" Cleaning, smiling all the way, and I will actually be able to see the reflection of that smile in my newly polished mirrors.

I'm not sure I'm ever going to make it to the neighboring land of "Clean Freak", but you never know...

No snow day for us.

We are getting about 4 to six inches of snow today. Kids are still doing school. However,  new snow means the potential for another day of sledding this year. We shall see.

I am a Lazy Blogger

I had a few ideas to blog about today.

Everything required lots of thought and lots of editing.

So, instead, you are getting this post.

I guess it is good that I am at least thinking about my blog, and actually doing the work of blogging more.

I guess it is good that I now intend to post those longer, more complicated topics in the near future.

Right?

Okay, since I feel you, the reader, deserves something more than the above, I am going to resist the urge to publish the page as is and am, instead, going to jot a list here of topics I wish to cover in the future.

* More than Boy Crazy - my intentional efforts to give my girls "something to do" in life besides talking about boys.

* Common What? My confusion and ignorance about Common Core and how that is slowly changing, for better or for worse.

* Conference Talk - Exploring conference sessions I may be qualified to speak on (inspired by the conference talks I have seen recently)

*Slow and not-so-steady - How the book I am editing has taken over ten years to get from first draft to final-edit-in-progress.

* SPRING IS HERE - a mythical romp through an imaginary Michigan that is covered with green grass and spring flowers.

Stay tuned. Perhaps I can find some ambition in the bottom of this morning's coffee cup.

Conference weekend

I  co-hosted a conference this weekend with my Co-Op Co-Coordinator.

Everything went well.

My Co-Op is HEARTH.

Did you know people do not know how to pronounce the word, "hearth"?  This is interesting to me. My Co-Coordinator and I picked this name because we liked the comfy-cozy feeling the word invoked in each of us. The idea of Mom, Dad, and kiddos hanging around the fireplace, just being snuggly and together, just seemed like the right "feeling" for our Co-Op name.

We never had any idea it would cause people consternation.

Anyhow, if you are a homeschooler in the Genesee County, MI area or surrounding, look us up. We have all kinds of field trip opportunities along with our Co-Op.

Missed Yesterday

I'm supposed to blog each day for seven days. I  forgot all about this yesterday. Oops.

I am going to blame it on Carcassonne.

No, not the famous walled city in France.

The addicting board game.

I was introduced to it this past weekend at winter camp.  It is easy to learn, easy to play, fun, and different every time.

Who could ask for anything more?

I bought my own copy via Amazon. It arrived yesterday.

Therefore, I completely did not think about blogging. At all.

J-Bird really likes the game. I see us spending many happy hours playing together. Meanwhile, Z-man is learning all about counting by two's through playing. Trincy seems relatively un-interested.

I think I will get an expansion pack, soon.

EDIT:

Well, I'll be. Apparently, I have missed TWO days of the seven day challenge I had for myself. I don't even know what to make of that.

I suppose I will consider it a successful challenge if it gets me to update my blog more frequently.

Worst. Winter. Ever.

It's been a while since I wrote. My friend over at Teach A Fish knows I struggle with maintaining my blog. She challenged me to post 7 blog entries in 7 days. Here's where she got the idea.

So, I wondered what I should write about.

I started with updating my Profile information. I have discovered that I may be less ENFP and More ENFJ, or that I vacillate between the two, or something, So, I changed that part. Then I realized that ALL THREE of my kids have had birthdays since I last posted (for SHAME!), so I changed that part.

Then it was the moment of truth - time to actually update this blog.

I thought I might sit here and rant about any number of trials and interesting-to-me-only challenges I am facing lately, but then decided that a general rant about something everyone could get behind was in order.

So, I am picking on the weather.

Let me tell you, I am the biggest "cooler weather" fanatic around. By the end of summer, I am ready to embrace the crisp, fall air and break out the turtlenecks and textured sweaters. Typically, Michigan winters barely phase me. I take a coat with me when I go places, sure, but I am very likely to leave it in the car or leave it behind wherever I go, since I hardly feel the need to wear it.

Not this year.

This year, I have realized that I really, REALLY like 30 Degree Winter, I desperately, VEHEMENTLY dispise 17 Degree With A Windchill Of -25 Winter.

Husband has always talked of an eventual move to FLA. In the past, realizing I'd be missing 30 Degree Winter should we make such a move, I have poo-poo'd his suggestions that we become snow birds.

This year, when he offhandedly mentioned a "someday" move to Arizona, I started sending him Tuscon's promising  ZIllow listings.

You know it's bad when I want out, folks.

Okay. So, I've complained about the weather. Now I feel guilty for introducing negativity into your day. So, I guess I'll try to end this update with something positive.

ON A POSITIVE NOTE: One day (and only one), last week, it was 40 degrees. I threw my jacket on the ground, opened the sunroof, and turned the Satellite radio to the 80's station. It was simply glorious. Of course, I closed the sunroof right away. However, it was still REALLY SUNNY inside the Tahoe and I was in a GREAT mood.

It felt so good to have my "normal" MI winter back.

Normal Michigan Winter, I want you back for good!!

Monopoly House Party!

I was selected to host a Monopoly House Party. We had a great time playing the game with the new cat game token And posing with Mr. Monopoly-style mustaches!