Oh hi, it's me again. Just checking in to say, we've been dug out and fairly functional since Monday. Now, they canceled school and the roads were still dicey, but Metro was operating and Soup Husband Curt stayed home so I could get back to work. He did all kinds of fun, dadlike things with them, consisting mostly of grazing for food and sledding, then sledding some more, in between running loads of laundry, so that was good.
Then guess what? They canceled school for Tuesday (today), stating the roads and sidewalks were still hazardous. Well, I can attest that the roads are pretty much fine, but the sidewalks are pretty much nonexistent treacherous.So, Bubta and The Boss stayed home for a while today while I ventured into DC and daddy returned to work. Peezer returned to daycare. I left work early to come home and be with the boys, but Bubta left to go sledding with friends and The Boss went to a friend's house, so.... IT IS SUPER-QUIET HERE NOW. I should be wrapping presents, or trying to buy stamps (they were out at the grocery store and I've no desire to venture to the post office) but I keep spinning around in circles, not knowing quite what to do with myself.
(Well, it would be super-quiet, except that Chuckie the Cat is YELLING at me from the top of the stairs to PLEASE COME FEED ME HAVE YOU LOST ALL TRACK OF TIME, WOMAN? I'M STARVING UP HERE!)
And THEN guess what? Mid-morning today, the county school system said, ah, what the hell, give 'em the rest of the week off! That's right, people. Winter break officially begins on Thursday, but with the schools closed Monday and Tuesday, I guess they decided not to bother the children with continuing their education for one silly ole' day this week. And if you're employed by the county schools, you're all, woohoo! But if you're employed elsewhere, and have kids in school, you're all, shit. Because now, I've gotta leave the kids again so I can go work, or call in and work from home (which I did twice last week because one of 'em was sick), or take a full day off (there goes my billability!). Curt took off one day already this week from his brand-new job (did I tell you he got a new job?), so it would not be ideal for him to double-dip.
Now, you know my boys are positively beside themselves with unbridled joy over an extra week of winter vacation. And I know at their age, I would have been super-excited, too. And I want to be excited for them now, but as the card-carrying grown-up here, I'm feeling more than a little bit bah-humbug about these extra no-school days. Because you know what'll happen is, by the end of next week, they'll be tired of being home and all I'm bored and STOP TOUCHING ME and MOOOOO-OOOM HE PINCHED ME and GAAAH would someone please pass me the Merlot?
Speaking of bah-humbug, I have this awesome collection of Santa figurines that I haven't yet pulled out of the box and placed for display and you know what? I'm thinking I won't do it this year. Because I think I'm the only one who really enjoys it, I'm the one who'll be packing it away again in less than two weeks, and why take 'em out of the box if I'm gonna just have to put 'em away? And yes, I realize that's exactly the kind of thinking that would lead me to never make my bed (why bother? We'll just sleep in it again tonight) or wash my car (it's dirty the minute you leave the carwash), but that is the thinking that I think I'm going to succumb to here very soon.
Furthermore, I realize that these are not really problems. This is just me whining and bitching. I don't know from problems. I get that. But don't be fooled; I'm actually feeling an extra-value portion of holiday spirit this year. I've been consciously trying to not drive myself crazy. And in some ways, the break in routine this week has been good for that (canceled parties and rehearsals, and no pressure to shop if your car's submerged under almost two feet of snow in your driveway!). I'm very much looking forward to a long, quiet holiday weekend, of sharing the moments with our family and friends. Of a glowing fire in the fireplace, some glowing football players on TV, some glowing wine in my glass.
I just have to get through tomorrow.
Now if you'll excuse me, I gotta go feed the cat.
