Murphy's Law in Full Force

If anything can go wrong, it will. That's what it's been like the last few days.

First, Tristan received his retainer on Friday the 13th. On Sunday, I closed the kitchen and packed up the dishes. We went to lunch at a restaurant where he left his retainer wrapped in a napkin and it was promptly swept out with the trash. On Monday, we were fortunate enough to get an emergency retainer made, the replacement charge was $200!

Just before Dave left, water began dripping in through an electrical outlet in the loft. It had never occurred before, and the wind was unusual. We thought the wind may have pushed the rain into nearby roof vents and it found it's way down the wiring. With 4 days to go, another storm caused water to come through the same outlet. I called a roofer, who arrived on moving day. He'll replace the roof vents later this week.

The movers arrived 1 hour early. Not a bad thing - but it meant we weren't as prepared as we might have been. I directed which items were being donated and which to be brought to the storage unit. When we arrived at the storage unit, they informed me that not everything will fit. After stuffing it full, we brought back a dresser, the tall cabinet, Clara's locker, and a few smaller items for donation.

The rental car wasn't very "full size". The interior not very roomy, and the trunk space somewhat small. We had asked several times for a replacement and were even came at an appointed time to swap it out, but the replacement vehicle didn't appear. As a result, it took 2 trips to get all the luggage and people to the hotel.

As I was locking the door to the house for the final time, I pulled it shut, but something seemed not right. The lock seemed too rigid. As soon as the door was pulled closed, I tried opening it again with the key. It would not open. I unlocked the back door and tried opening from the inside - it would not open or unlock. Finally, the handle would turn, but it still would not unbolt. So there will be another charge to get a replacement lock/door knob.

Having said and done all that, we are finally on our way! It's great to be free of the packing and moving bit!

We've had some great times with friends and family these last few weeks. We'll miss everyone. Thanks so much - keep in touch. Goodbye Madison!

Wisconsin Winter Blahs

Snow folk built earlier in the season, feeling the effects of winter sun melt

Late January, all of February, and March are the parts of Wisconsin winter that push me over the edge. Allow me to paint the picture. The outside temps are in the single digits over night and reach into the 20s during the day. Too cold to be out much! There are winter hats, mittens, snow boots, snow pants and winter coats strewn in the front hallway. Whenever you get ready to go outside, you need at least hat, mittens/gloves, winter coat and probably winter boots. The snow is tracked into the house making it constantly dirty with wet spots through out. The days are short. Clara leaves the house in the dark (6:45am) and Dave arrives home in the dark (4 - 4:30). The outdoor Christmas lights are mostly taken down, making it seem especially dark. This week (2nd week of February) the meterologist said we have gained 1-1/2 hours of daylight and I noticed that Clara is not walking out the door into the dark.

Industrial sized snow creature - notice the dirty, grey snow along the road and driveway, Yuck

The snow is piled up in the yard and along the sidewalks and roads. The piles of snow can be large, making it difficult to see around when driving, difficult to drive on the streets. There are many residential streets in Madison where two cars cannot pass each other. One driver has to find a driveway to pull into to wait until the other vehicle passes.

The children are done with the snow activities since there's been snow since mid-November. The sledding, snow forts, snow folk, and snow angels have all been done. Some sledding still goes one, but creating is out of the question unless there's a new snowfall. This is because the beautiful sunny days, the only saving grace, cause the snow to melt a little during the day - only to refreeze as ice overnight. With the children cooped up in the house, and the house closed up tight, it feels especially small.


Neo wearing his winter coat, winter hat in the cup holder on his seat.
We thought this was funny because he's falling asleep with his Leapster for a pillow.

I generally try to plan to go to events and activities with the children. We have a membership at the YMCA and we go swimming sometimes and Neo loves to go to the Family Night on Friday nights. But when kids are sick, all events are cancelled - and then I really get Cabin Fever. We just had 2 weeks of kids - Tristan, Zoe and Neo sick and home from school. It was Catholic Schools week with special presentations and a luncheon at Zoe's school. I had planned to attend, but Tristan was home sick, so we couldn't go. That really punctuates the Winter Blahs.


Amaryllis blooming on the dining room table

Thoughts turn to spring, especially on Groundhog's day - February 2nd. The longing for spring is palatable, but it's a long way off....at least 6 weeks. I grow Amaryllis, Paper Whites, and Tulips indoors at this time of year, to give some green and growing things and Hope for spring.

Christmas Eve Ice

It snowed yesterday and overnight. The rain began this morning. It was freezing rain at first, then changing over to rain as the temperatures rose. The forecast is for more rain into the night then changing back to snow as the temperatures fall below freezing again. What a mess things will be on Christmas day!

Our neighbor was on his roof removing snow!



Neo and Tristan used the new snow to build snow folk.


I must be distracted by the ice and snow this year because I forgot about my appointment for one of my favorite events of the year: the Christmas Eve American red Cross blood drive at the Alliant Energy center. There is music, Santa, a festive atmosphere. Really a wonderful event - and I missed it.

While Neo was outside in the morning, he was waving a stick around. A piece of ice and the stick caught him in the eye. After Christmas Eve church service at Blackhawk church, I took him to the Urgent Care. He explained to the doctor what happened. He was very brave while they looked for any foreign matter. But he began to cry about 1/2 way through the eye irrigation procedure. What a way to spend Christmas Eve.

I think I hear Santa arrive about 11pm. Norad Santa watch confirms that.

Thanksgiving Visitor

Dave's mom, Grandma Stallman, came for a visit on Tuesday 24 November. She had some difficulties with unreliable aircraft on the way out, so her flights were changed and delayed....and her bag was lost. Her bag was delivered Tuesday night.

We enjoyed grocery shopping in preparation for Thanksgiving meal on Thursday 26 November. On turkey day, we worked together to create the Thanksgiving feast - including a turkey and a tofurky. Everything was delicious!

On Black Friday, I got up early to score a good deal on a new digital camera and other gifts. Clara came with me. The lines were incredibly long just to enter the Target store at 5:15 am - and the store had been open for 15 minutes already. Grandma gave each of the children money for Christmas and they spent it before the day was through. Grandma got to see the gifts they chose for themselves.

We went to Olbrich gardens as a family. It's a beautiful place and was a nice outing.

Grandma left for home early Saturday morning. She didn't have any trouble on the way back.