Snow Day

Jared is in MD through the end of January, for training. We both agree it's redundant, but then, a lot of military things are. It's why they are so great at training soldiers, and totally suck at saving money LOL. Anyway, he's enjoying [? or not] the warmer weather out there, and we're enjoying [completely and totally] the snowy winter wonderland that is our yard.

A few nights ago, I finally realized that getting to the gym just isn't happening during the day for me. I could take my kids w/me, but since the daycare has an age limit of 8, I'd still need to find something for my oldest 2 to do. And letting them loose, unsupervised, just scares me [besides being against the gym policy of having to supervise children up to age 12]. I cannot even tell you how many things I can see them getting into, or destroying LOL, all in the name of 'discovering.' Not to mention the occasional creepy person I see walking around the gym area. So, again, not happening right now.

I came up with a solution, however. I desperately need to exercise, to keep up on the frequent family hikes we take during the warmer months of the year. It finally occurred to me that I could go after the kids are in bed- just put the dogs in the house and do a few laps around the block- and get the exercise I want to. Ah-hah!! ** We're also visiting places like Red Butte Gardens, which is a gorgeous place to walk in the summer and winter both. Today we actually took a class about winter, and how plants and animals prepare for winter, and how we prepare for winter. Then we walked around the garden [hooray, more walking LOL] and looked for plants and animals that were prepared for winter. **

Back to walking around the neighborhood: my Wednesday night walk was gorgeous. It was snowing those fat, fluffy snowflakes, and everything was hushed. Oh, :) and I came back wet and happy. For now, this seems to be the best solution. It has the added bonus of getting me out of the house by myself, which I need more now that I'm homeschooling and seem to spend every waking minute with at least one child talking to me. Aaah, the perfect quiet of a solitary walk! Although last night I spent almost an hour talking to Jared while I was walking, so it wasn't really very quiet.

Gratitude List:
* My kids are cooperating again. Wow- twice in one week!
* Walker shoveled the driveway and cleared off most of the snow.
* I made bread, and it was yummy!
* My kids are old enough to share popcorn without fighting [mostly].
* I have 4-wheel-drive :)
* Gas is still under $2/gallon
* The hot water heater works
* hot chocolate in the mornings
* friends and family
* God
* my husband, whether he's home or away.
* 13 years married, today!
* no car payments and money in the bank.