Snowy days

Today was a wonderful snow day. We hung out, I cleaned, did lots of laundry and played board games. Jack used his cooking class skills and made some pretty decent double chocolate chip cookies. Mostly it was a nice day for thinking. Everyone was so aware that it was a bonus rest day. Snow days are like that. Meeting House rarely calls school off. In fact in the six years I have been there I do not remember ever having a snow day-so this day off was all the more special.

 For many years now I have tried not to "be judgemental". It has plagued me though, because I do judge people,situation and ideas. I do and then I feel like "one of those judgemental people", that I so dislike. While folding laundry today I was once again pondering how I jump to judgements and trying to sort out how not to do that when I had an ah-ha moment. To judge is a human instinct of sorts. We need to judge situations, and to some degree people. A judgement is really just an estimation...something you need to go on, to make the next decision. I then decided it is impossible to think that someday I will not "jump to a judgement" of a person or situation. I realized that what is wrong is not that original judgement but constraining your opinion to that original judgement. Make your judgement and then sit back and observe to see how valid it is, or ponder it a bit more and see how well it holds up. This is probably not really news to most, but it was a thought process I was proud of today. 

 In other news the kids stayed in all day until it was raining and starting to get dark when they decided it was the perfect time to go out and play. They had a blast. There is something to be said about going out when it doesn't make sense.

bad luck days

Lately Jack has been somewhat fixated on whether a day was a "good luck day" or a "bad luck day".  I try to be empathetic for his need to compartmentalize things but it honestly drives me crazy. I keep trying to talk to him about "good moments and bad moments", how it is unfair to label a whole day as good or bad. Then today hit and I was forced to truly think about my little life wisdom's I had been trying to pass down to my son. I had a "bad day". Allison woke up at 2:30 sick, so I have been up since then. Evelyn woke up around 5 with horrible croup and we had to keep sticking her head out in the cold air so she could breathe.  Joe and I had to do the "who is going to miss work" thing this morning. I was the one to go to work. My favorite travel coffee mug cracked, or something, and I poured  my coffee all over my lap while driving; some sort of accident cause my road  to be closed and re-routed but I didn't have the phone number to my school to call and say I would be late; I was 30 minutes late; I then had to tell my boss I wouldn't be in tomorrow and try and set up a class room in five minutes. A variety of other not so pleasant things continued to happen culminating in a massive migraine that is now fading thanks to Advil. So today when I picked up Jack and he asked me if I was having a "good luck day or bad luck day" I had to actually think before I gave my little speech about not labeling the whole day. In thinking I realized that I too could be reduced to declaring the whole day bad- but that really isn't fair to the good things that happened today. The good things were small but wonderful. I told Jack all this and for the first time he listened. He then said, " I was thinking I was having a bad luck day but now I see I get the whole car ride home with just you, so maybe it is a good luck day".....moments later he realized he was super hungry and without a snack and officially declared it a bad luck day. Just now going to bed he hugged me and said "I love you mommy".............and so I, somewhat sappily, declare it a "good luck day".

The Guinea Pig's Nails

So once a month or so I have to cut the guinea pig's nails. Apparently if she were out in the wild they would wear down but since she lives her posh cage life she needs manicures. To think I thought cutting a swirmy toddler's nails was difficult. It does not compare to Cutie. But it is done now for another 5 weeks. Thankgoodness I did not persue a career in vetrinarian medicine, like I once wanted. I do not think I was cut out for it. The combination of thinking I am going to hurt the critter and thinking the little critter is going to bite me is not something I feel comfortable with.

  On other more serious news there are many a sad things happen in my periphery. Fortunantly not too close but close enough that I feel this heavy sadness.  Truely we are lucky at each moment that nothing horrible is happening. So I will focus on how lucky I am that I have what I have today....even if what I have starts to annoy me.

Some nice photos I feel like sharing

This is my Christmas tree this year-note the "beautiful" garland, Jack and Evelyn with the newest Ryan member- Karina, and Charlie dressed up for Christmas.

The Best Snow Day ever

Today my kids had school....but I did not! My head of school decided the weather predictions were too "dire" (imagine how cute he sounded saying that with his British accent) and canceled school. I have not been alone, except a few car rides, in longer than I can remember. I came back to a quiet house. Ate breakfast infront of the tv! and then took a nap. It was just so wonderful I am still on a high from it. I did not utter a single word for almost three hours. 

  I am also very much enjoying at book called Yearnings: embracing the messiness of life....or something like that. It is written by a rabbi. It is one of, if not, the best "religious" books I have ever read. It is speaking to me in ways that I needed.

  Also I have been watching the series Dead Like Me. I am not sure the point of it, nor am I sure if I "like" it but I can't help waiting to see what is going to happen next. Plus it does remind me that life is fragile.