The Wheels Are Turning...

But they seem to just be spinning and spinning, and I feel like I'm not getting anywhere. This isn't an anecdote for my fiber spinning either, because that certainly isn't happening. There are so many things going on in my mind, so many things I want to be doing, that I want done and I can't do a single one of them. I'm pulled in a hundred different directions and when I do get a few minutes to sit and relax, a few minutes when I could do the things I want to do, I'm too mentally exhausted. I'm frustrated about it too, and when I get like this I pull back from doing anything-things I want to do and things I need to do- and everything goes to pieces.

In January we were being very careful about spending, I was saving between $40-50 each grocery shopping trip, not spending frivolously and not eating out. We didn't use credit cards and I had to sign the girls up again for gymnastics and buy a new camera. I was very proud! I was feeling great about where we were and the direction we were taking. But now? I'm just run down. I feel like everything I do is undone every day.

Remember that great home management binder I started? I wash the sink and 2 hours later there is either liquid soap dripped all over or toothpaste globbed up. There's always mess on the mirrors - I don't even want to wash those. What's the point? I haven't vacuumed in a week because I can't keep the floor picked up long enough to vacuum. Even with the girls helping, they pick up their things, then we have to run out. We get home, I have to start cooking some meal and they play in the meantime...I didn't get time to get the vacuum out. It's making me crazy.

So today Peanut has a cough. Nice, wet congested cough. No idea where it came from as she didn't have it as of noon yesterday. She's tired, and cranky and easily crying. Time for a nap. Both girls lay down, I dictate an hour. Who falls asleep? Goosie. Peanut is up there goofing around. It's been 2 hours now, and what have I done with all this wonderful "free time"? Craft? Clean? Nope. Sat here on my behind reading blogs. I'm so frustrated by this!

I have to break this cycle. I have to find a way to manage what has to be done at home with the outside the house schedule with free time for me and engaging the girls with activity and nurturing. Maybe it's the mid-winter doldrums kicking in, which is never good, but I just want to hole up in my own pretty world. But right now my world is all cluttery, and even my imaginary escape is just full of one great big to-do list.

I guess I'll just get it all out there, make one giant to-do list for February and start chipping away. Maybe I'll clear the list up before the end of the month and I can chill out on the 28th. Pffft! I'll put "eat chocolate" first one the list. At least I'll feel accomplished with one thing.

Snow Day!

I know, everyone is talking about the weather, but bear with me. I happen to love it. It's about time Michigan look like it's supposed to look in the winter time! We had the day off school of course and I waited for the plow guy to come do our driveway before we went out.

He plowed the snow onto the sides of our driveway providing for excellent sledding and climbing hills for the girls! Thanks plow guy!

I shoveled then and only had to do the sidewalk and the walk to the front door (and find the porch).

It's much easier to shovel when the snow is just below your waist. Luckily the snow was fluffy. It still took an hour. We definitely got a lot of snow.

Unfortunately I realized that our trash can is trapped on the one side of the house too. It's too heavy to move and the snow is almost to my knees over there. We have some great drifts! If all else fails, we'll just put bags by the roadside on trash day and forego the can. Geesh!

After playing and shoveling, we came in to dry off. The girls immediately got into pajamas instead of clothes. Silly girls. I grabbed the special ingredients for our after-playing-in-the-snow treat. Are you thinking "hot chocolate"? Ha! Hot chocolate (I say with a smirk), we eat hot chocolate for breakfast around here! (Really, we did have it for breakfast today). Today, we get to have "Blizzard Ice Cream"! That's right. You know what they say, "When life hands you snow, make ice cream!" Or something like that.

So, get a big bowl of fresh, top layer, fluffy *white* snow. Here, "big" = 4 quart bowl.

Top with a can of sweetened condensed milk and 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract.

Mix.

Really fast.

Eat. Listen to your children say "This is better than the store bought ice cream!" Sit back full of satisfaction and smile. What a great snow day!

Also, I think it's time this came down now :)

Disclaimer: Derek checked online and read somewhere (probably his website that he claims has all the correct facts ;P) that you shouldn't eat more than a cup of snow per year because of toxins. Well, I'm thinking that after a blizzard, the air is pretty well scrubbed. Plus, if you only make this after a blizzard, hopefully you only eat this once a year! Enjoy!