Baby, It's Cold Outside! (And Inside)

I woke up this morning to -14 degrees outside. Let's not even talk about windchill. -14 degrees real temperature is impressive enough for me.

Getting out of bed to set my feet on my cold bedroom floor took some convincing. 

The rest of the morning was spent trying to warm up the house. The thermostat wasn't moving past 62. I dug out two heaters from the attic and built a (my first) fire in the fire place.

 We are up to 69! Go me!! 

So I decided to spend the afternoon working on my latest portrait series. I have fabric, floss, pins and needles, and scissors laid out on my dining room table, close to a heater. Before I got going, I thought I'd show what- who- I was stitching up.

Appropriately enough, I will be spending the month of January working on the Brothers Grimm's version of Snow White & Rose Red. I am working on them simultaneously-ish. 

Miss Snow is first and this is a sketch of her.

Speaking of snowdays...

 

I don't know how much snow we got on Sunday. A lot. At least a foot. And now it's cold and windy and we're still supposed to get more snow. School was cancelled for today and, as of an hour ago, it has been cancelled for tomorrow. 

So here we sit, the boys and I, warm and safe in our house on the corner, rationing out our reserves of brotherly love for a little bit longer.

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Last night I watched the return of Downton Abbey. I was a bit distracted by the snow storm that I could see out my window but I hung in there and watched the full two hours. 

My thoughts on the episode?

 Well, it felt kinda long. 

I wish Mary had snapped out of her funk a little quicker. 

Lord G. was so frustrating. Even Lady G. was making want smack my hand against my forehead. Edith, oh Edith. Surely she has read Jane Eyre. 

Thomas needs to be dealt with. Made to disappear, if you know what I mean. 

The whole Nanny West thing had me in a quandary. Thomas didn't like her so that should mean that I would like her. But there was something off about her behavior. Now I know why. (Which redeemed Lady G. a wee bit.)

Overall, I realize this episode had to wrap up last season and set us up for the various story lines this season. I can't wait to see where it takes us!

It's Time!!!

Kids are in bed.

Popcorn is popped.

Tissue box is in reach.

Where Will You Be On Sunday Night At 9:00?

It's almost time for season four of Downton Abbey. 

I am so looking forward to it. I just hope there isn't quite so much emotional turmoil. 

New Year, New Planner

This year I decided to purchase a home planner instead of doing something on the cheap. I think that, because I spent money on it, I will be more faithful with my planning. Because, as much as I like to plan and make lists, I'm a bit inconsistent. 

So, I took a look on Pinterest and Etsy. I found a great holiday planner and purchased that to use for this past Christmas. I loved it and decided to see what else she had to offer. I settled on her Super Mom (ha) Family Organizer set and have spent the past couple of weeks setting up my binder.

It's an editable, digital planner so I can type in the dates and events that never change and use my marvelous pencils for the rest!

There's a great meal planning section. I'll be able to plan by the month and then get more specific week to week. There are even grocery lists and  coupon tracking. Love it!

 The day after Christmas we went shopping/returning. I bought pencils! 

I purchased this wonderful planner from HappyOrganizedLife on Etsy. She has lot's of great planners to choose from. If you like making lists and, more importantly, checking things off your list, you should check out her shop.

Roses & Resolutions

First for the roses. Congrats to the Michigan State University football team and their win against Stanford in the 100th Rose Bowl! 

I'm not a diehard football fan and I tend to only, truly watch the Superbowl. I'm glad I tuned in to this game though. It was a great game to watch. We made it our New Year's celebration with lots of finger foods and dinner around the T.V. The guys donned their MSU gear and we kept a close eye on our sofa. A great time was had by all!

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Now for the resolutions part of the post. I should say resolution, singular. One, big resolution.

At least, it's big for me. Ready?

I resolve to use pencil when writing in my planner, making schedules, and filling out to-do lists.

I have recently(ish) discovered that my to-do lists, my schedules and plans, my time organized by me alone, has become my idol. I have half-heartedly acknowledged to myself that this should not be and, as a result have been given the opportunity to see myself from an angle that is not very flattering.

I get upset, disturbed, frustrated when my plans, routine, vague-idea-how-the-day-will-go gets thrown off by... anything. A snow day, my husband deciding to take the day off, sickness, an invitation to lunch. You get the idea. 

So, I decided that I need to do something. And, since a new year, and therefore a new planner, was quickly approaching, I saw a tangible way to help myself make some necessary changes.

The biggest change...use a pencil! I always used a pen and could not stand it when my plans had to be altered. I would often tear out the page and start fresh. Repeatedly, if necessary. It took a while but I finally had an epiphany: use pencil.

Using a pencil is not, I realize, the only change I have to make. I also resolve to try and not fall to pieces when my day goes in a different direction. I resolve to apologize when I do fall apart. I resolve to be more realistic in my planning, giving priority to the must-do's only.

Order and routine are necessary and important. But so are the abilities to adjust and adapt. 

Snow days and surprise lunch dates deserve different reactions than stomach bugs and power outages. (Or so I've been told.)

2014

Happy New Year!

I've missed keeping track of events and pictures and everyday happenings. I'm going to revive this blog, this digital journal, and see where it takes me.

Here's to 2014!