I really like a good snowstorm, under the right conditions.
But this snow storm? The timing wasn't exactly to my liking.
...but Junior Goo Shoes was ecstatic. He had something to put in the Happy Jar, since the official "School will be closed tomorrow" phone call came early last night.
You'd have thought they were predicting the biggest blizzard of the century, the way the news stations carried on all day yesterday.
"The tri-state area is bracing for a major snowstorm...6-10 inches expected."
Oh, puh-leeze.
It started out as a light snow...
We only got about 8 inches...
...it was bitterly cold --
And, really windy, creating "blizzard-like conditions."
But it surely wasn't the snow storm of the century, for heaven's sake.
Even still, it was bad enough to close the schools. I just wish it could have waited another week or two. I mean, one day back at school, and now they're off for a 3-day weekend?
I don't mean to complain...OK, actually, I do mean to complain...
I was ready to get back to the academic variety of worrying, like did he do his homework? Study enough for his tests? Remember his gym clothes? But, Mother Nature had other plans for Mother Goo Shoes.
And, on top of everything, Mr. Goo Shoes was feeling a bit under the weather.
Of course, I felt bad for him. I gave him lots tea and sympathy, but there was no amount of chicken soup that was going to cure him in time to plow the driveway.
I wore my sulking face, but Junior GS, on the other hand, had dollar signs in his eyeballs.
He was...
Shoveling For Sneakers.
Yes, he was on a mission to save up money to buy some expensive pair of sneakers.
Now, I don't mind paying him to shovel the driveway (not for his usual chores, though) but last night he went out for five minutes; came back in and told us we owed him $5...then went out again for another 10 minutes, and said now we owed him another $10.
Uh, hello? A dollar a minute? No way that is happening.
I am sure JGS had this all figured out:
Cost of Very Expensive Sneakers
Divided by cost per minute
Equals exact number of shoveling minutes JGS planned to do.
I could have hired someone to plow for less than that.
The shoveling was exhausting. I'm sure I'll be sore tomorrow.
So here I am, bone-tired. I have finally plopped myself down on the couch, to enjoy some hot chocolate.
Mr. Goo Shoes doesn't feel like eating...
Junior GS is at a friend's...
I can have cheese and crackers for dinner if I feel like it...watch whatever I want to on TV...and I am going to treat myself to the last of the Chocolate Lava Cakes (yes, they can be re-heated in the microwave for 30-45 seconds)
Oh, wait...I just heard the door...
It's Junior GS -- he brought enough friends to fill Yankee Stadium.
And this just happened to my Mud Room...
Is it Monday yet?
LINKING WITH:
Weekend Bloggy Reading
Mosaic Monday
Oh you poor thing, I can't believe your mudroom!! The story was entertaining. I can picture your son with dollar signs flashing in his eyes. I can also imagine wanting a break after 12 days. My husband and I have a fantastic marriage and he is a workaholic. He rarely takes multiple days off. With staying with friends while our home gets finished, I have no privacy really not that I don't appreciate what my friend is doing for us. I'm ready for hubby to go back to work. It's throwing the routine off and I want the time with hubby snippets at a time, LOL
ReplyDeleteCynthia
I've been following your story, Cynthia, with your new house project. I hear you about the hubby, LOL! Happy New Year!
DeleteBless your heart. We don't go back to school until next Tuesday down here. What beautiful pictures but shoveling snow? That doesn't look like fun and your mud room? Yikes.
ReplyDeleteWow, that is a long break you have! Nice for you, though! Shoveling snow Stinks! We have a snow blower, but Hubby didn't want us to use it. That thing scares me, anyway! But, boy am I sore! And the mud room? Yes, that's the "real life" look - not the all-cleaned-up for a photo shoot look!
DeleteLOL- I SO remember those days. Three of my four kids were teenagers at the same time so there was always SOMETHING going on..and no time for self at all. And then...poof-they were gone. You can do this, Amy! And then grandkids come to mess up your life even more and you mind it even less. xo Diana
ReplyDeleteKeep telling me I can do it, Diana! There are days when I really wonder! And I only have one!!!
DeleteYes, you can! :-)
DeleteHugs from another mom-of-four.
I totally enjoyed your narrative and the beautiful pictures (although I had a preview of the story earlier today). Yes, life with a teenager is a challenge, but from what I've heard it would be worse if your child was a GIRL!!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing.
Thanks, Phyllis! I hear girls are tough in different ways! Thanks for commenting.
DeleteOh my goodness when i see this i remember the times that i had four of those but believe me it is better to have them in the Home with their friends than to worry where they Are now again. LOLhave a Nice weekend.
ReplyDeleteYes, I totally agree, Riet, better to have them home. I just need to have tons of food on hand for them! Hope your weather is not as brutal as ours is here in the states.
DeleteHaha! Loved this one! My kids are still on holiday break from school, so the storm didn't effect us in that way, but I totally get where you are coming from. Loved your photos! So beautiful.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Alyson...I am thinking we might get a call about school closing tomorrow - not because of the cold, but perhaps if it is too icy. I sure hope not!!! Thank you for visiting!
DeleteOh, I'm sorry to say I laughed out loud at all your miseries... It's not that I mean: I blame the clever way you write! Only two more days to go!
ReplyDeleteThat's ok, Magali, I'm glad someone is laughing!!! (I am, too, actually!)
DeleteWoah, you really have had some snow! In England we're having The Storm of the Century right now. My partner's office flooded on Christmas Day! Three feet of water through the building! Your son is so sweet shovelling the snow…even if he did have a reason for his helpfulness ;) Hope the snow doesn't stick around too long for you guys!
ReplyDeleteI hadn't heard about the storm in England. Hope you got through it ok, and sorry to hear about your partner's office - that's particularly hard to take on Christmas day! The snow is now gone, due to an unusually warm day, but it is dropping 50 degrees tonight down to frigid temps! Thanks for visiting, Rosie!
DeleteUgh, I am right there with you! Although we only got 5 inches, we had high temperatures at around 0 degrees, so playing outside wasn't an option. Now that the worst is over, my mud room is muddy and messy and my fridge and back up treat stash is emptied. Pray for school on Monday!!
ReplyDeleteI'm thinking there's a chance of no school tomorrow -- not so much because of the cold, but there may be a lot of icy roads due to all the snow melting today, and now freezing. I am listening to the wind howl as I write!
DeleteSame boat here. Their first day back we had a half day because of the impending storm and then they cancelled for Friday. My husband and I ended up taking 9 kids skiing. They got 15 inches in Vermont! The roads are terrible here and it is so cold! But the kids don't seem to care...they just came in and out all day. I have one of those Black Dog mugs too...love Martha's Vineyard!
ReplyDeleteNine kids skiing! You are brave, Michelle! It's amazing how the cold doesn't faze the kids. And now we are in for more frigid weather tomorrow. Hope school doesn't close because of icy roads! I love MV, also!
DeleteLOL LOL LOL THIS was my world years ago / LOVED this post :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Deb - glad you can relate! I'll look forward to laughing about it someday :)
DeleteThis is such a fun story!! The weather has been causing havoc in my world too - huge ice storms, power outages for days, brown outs blowing fridge mother boards, etc. The best part is when the kids are home safe and sound, winter coats and boots all over the mudroom and a wood stove to keep the house warm. We are blessed!
ReplyDeleteUgh, power outages?? That's terrible. I hope that you are not suffering in all of this, Rosella! I am worrying about our power -- it is very windy tonight and it is going to be very cold tomorrow. Stay warm!
DeleteYou poor dear, that really sounds like "wake me when it's all over". ;-)
ReplyDeleteWhen we moved to Vienna, that first winter, daughter L would marvel at the fact that school never closed, and power never went out, no matter how hard it was snowing. Her school bus had to cross part of the Vienna Woods, no matter, the streets were plowed (I don't much believe they plow the snow off the streets, I like to think they have enough manpower out there to pocket every single snowflake before it has a chance to land on the asphalt).
Regarding your sons whereabouts: I have read there's now an app that parents use to keep track of their children's exact location, any moment of the day, nights, too. Must be horribly tiring. ;-)
P.S.:
DeleteJust to make it clear: I was writing "marvel at" in the sense of feeling bewilderment about the weather never being a reason for school closings. She's a great student, but had to get used to no-snow-days. ;-)
Corr.: no snow-days
Delete(Quietly heading to the kitchen to get some coffee!)
My son would be the same if he had to get used to no snow days! I hope the schools don't close tomorrow because of icy roads - it's turning bitter cold overnight. About that ap - I have it! It's called Find My Phone, and I use it constantly. He knows -- we haven't made it a secret!
DeleteDear Amy, I do agree! The radio had it sounding like we would be snowed in for weeks!! Well, it was COLD but the snow was minimal at best.
ReplyDeleteToday, I am afraid will bring the worst part, the ice from the bit of rain and the temps dipping again. That is what I am afraid of, I always seem to find a way to slip and fall.
Well, I hope you enjoyed that nice reward of hot chocolate after a day of cold and shoveling, and the hope Mr. GS is feeling better.
Blessings my dear. Catherine xo
I know, Catherine, I am worrying about the ice tomorrow, too. The weather sure has been bizzare. Fog this morning, mild; now windy and bitter! Mr. GS is feeling much better -- and now I'm getting what he had :( Although I must say I am a much better patient.
DeleteFunny post, your son sounds a wee bit like mine when he was younger. It has been snowing all day here, and I have not ventured out yet, will do the shoveling tomorrow. My son has been home for almost a month from University and I have loved every minute of it. These days we are going shopping for him to bring back to his dorm and now my kitchen is loaded with food, I can barely move around - he is a young man and they do eat a lot! Happy New Year my friend, Diane
ReplyDeleteGlad you have a good length of time to enjoy your son at home. Yes, boys needs LOTS of food! My son eats constantly from dinner to bedtime!
DeleteI really can't imagine such weather on any kind of regular basis, but it sure is pretty from here in Southeast Texas. :)
ReplyDeleteNew Year blessings to you. I found you over at Mary's Little Red House, where we are almost neighbors.
It's pretty terrible, this weather. You are lucky that you don't have to deal with it! Happy New Year to you! I'm going to hop on over to your blog after this!
DeleteThe weather does seem to get in the way and ruin good plans..Your photos and winter scenes are lovely. You do have a pretty view out your windows.. I would think sometimes it would be nice to have a house full of teenagers.. Stay safe and warm..have a happy week!
ReplyDeleteI do like having a house full of kids -- it's a happy mess! I have had enough of this wacky weather. But, it's only early January. Lots more to come, I'm afraid.
DeleteOur girls are long gone and married so I don't get a mess like that at the front door any more - thank heavens! Our yard looks like yours, lots of snow here in southern Ontario and it just keeps coming down.
ReplyDeleteI'd say you earned your hot chocolate and a lava cake - shovelling is hard work.
Stay warm and I hope the young man gets his sneakers, one way or another.
Thanks, Judith. The snow has stopped and it's practically gone after a warm day today. But tonight the temperature drops dramatically, so it will be icy tomorrow. I did enjoy that hot chocolate and cake -- hoping not to have to shovel for awhile. My son has a lot more saving to do before he gets those sneakers!
DeleteWell that looks like a lot of snow to me! School is closed here tomorrow because of the cold weather. We don't have any snow though. We rarely get snow. I think that may be a good thing though since shoveling and getting around in it doesn't sound like too much fun. I'll be glad when the weather warms back up to 60 degrees this weekend!
ReplyDeleteI heard that schools were closing down by you. I am thinking it is possible for ours to close, too, not so much because of the cold, but because all of the snow melted today, and will turn to black ice. I sure hope not! You are lucky to be looking forward to 60 degrees! I"m looking forward to the 40's!
DeleteHappy New Year, Amy!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous winter wonderland outside your door! Your surroundings, both inside and out, sound a lot like my sister's house in Toronto! My two nephews, especially over the holidays, had friends over almost every day. They came in herds, and she was on constant duty, each shift consisting of: organizing wet boots, scarves and jackets, frequent runs to the corner store to replenish the stashes of junk food, and thoroughly hydrating her vocal cords from all the hollering of ''Keep it down, please!", when the decibels from computer game competitions got rowdy and she couldn't hear herself speak!
I hope you've managed to get some peace and quiet and cocoa and cocooning time!
xo
Poppy
It's nice to know that someone was going through exactly what I was...herds, noise, junk food. Our winter wonderland has totally melted. We had one warm day (55F), and now bitter cold. I just read that you had a day in the 80's! I could use one of those right now!
Delete