Yesterday we lost power due to the "Auntie Em! Auntie Em!" like storm we had here. We have never lost power since we have lived here. We lost it about 3pm when it was still light. But Mike had a friend here and they were happily playing Lego Star Wars on the Wii and bam! Nothing.

I got a little panicked for a moment thinking "what am I supposed to do with these two now?" We couldn't go outside or anywhere for that matter it was that bad out. But much to my surprise and delight they didn't skip a beat. I suggested coloring before it got dark, to which I was given 20 reasons why they aren't babies anymore. (really? coloring is babyish? I still love to color) They were off down in the pitch dark basement to play Star Wars laser swords. They were having quite a ball at it I must say. Then they just went from one thing to another not really caring that they couldn't be parked in front of a screen. That made me happy. I always wonder if they can exist without the electronics and video games.

I gathered candles and flashlights as it started to get darker. I figured we would have family game night by candlelight, that would be fun. I remember when the power went out when I was a kid and we got to walk around with candles in the dark. I thought that was fun. My plans for dinner were not happening since my oven and stove are electric. Hubby called and said he would bring home Chinese on the way home from work.

But then just as I was in full plan mode for a night in the dark...the power came back on. Now, I know it's a HUGE pain for the power to be out for a long time. I didn't want that. But I must admit I was looking forward to it being off that night. We would have found a way to keep ourselves occupied together and Mike would have gotten to walk around with a candle. But the lights came back on, the clocks came back to life and the Wii fired up. And little boys were once again glued to the screen, back to fighting the Evil Empire.

It was a little exciting for them that the power went out. They did think it was fun and a little scary to play in the dark in the basement for awhile. It just wasn't as much fun for me...oh well at least I got out of cooking right?

I know it's not spring exactly yet...but yesterday sure was a good taste of it. Already I feel my winter blues melting away. Today promises to be just as nice so it's back to walking in the mornings with the girls. I feel so much better when we walk. Some mornings I am not in the mood but I am always glad I did it.

My daffodils are starting to poke through the ground in the front yard. The men of the house were out yesterday afternoon doing a little outside spring cleaning and then went off to play some golf. I bought new sheers for my front window to let the light in. It's amazing what a little sunshine and 50something degree weather can do for your soul!

Inside spring cleaning is underway. I have been repainting furniture. Making something old into new, I am finding is as much fun as buying it! I am taking down all my snowmen that are scattered throughout the house. There will be no more cute winter reminders around here by the end of the week. Winter stopped being cute about 5 weeks ago!

So here's to crocus blooming in random places, sunshine on your face and a spring in your step!!


And most important...HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY DIVA! It's been 17 years of nonstop Diva and I wouldn't have it any other way!! xoxoxo

Jenn's Two Cents: A Very Happy Birthday to my favorite Diva! I am so happy to hear Cara is putting her snowmen away - I was complaining about them last week - I am so done with winter - and I know those March winds will send a little reminder every now and then - but I will take these sunshine, spring-filled days whenever we get them.

I woke up yesterday morning and realized it was just a little too cold in my house. Granted, I am one of "those" people who keep my thermostat low because it is a big house and really, I have been seeing the oil man just a little too much lately. Like my mother, and probably yours, I tell my kids to put on a sweatshirt when they complain they are cold. I keep the thermostat at 68 during the day and 64 at night. This morning however, was different all together. I swear I could see my breath and the dogs were spooning on me. When I finally had the courage to get out from under the covers and the look at the thermostat, it was 51 friggin' degrees in my house! So I pull on my boots, coat, gloves, grab the flashlight and head outside to go to the basement. That is one of the things about old houses - you can't get to the basement from inside. I pull open the bilco door that weighs a ton - I go down the dark, creepy stairs into the dark creepy basement and head to the burner which is not on. I push the reset button and thank you lord it fires up and springs back to life! An hour later, it is only 54 degrees on the first floor. It is freezing but the radiators are on, it just takes a long time to get the heat everywhere.

I am lucky. My burner came back on though I will call the oil guy and have it checked. I know there are many people out there who aren't lucky - whose burner didn't come back on or who don't have the money to spend on oil or the burner man. Who maybe don't have a home to heat. So as I sat freezing yesterday morning in my beautiful house and listened to my kids complain about how cold it is - I reminded them of those who don't have and said be grateful for what you do have. Then I started to feel like my mother all over again - but I decided to say nothing about the starving children in Africa...

Hope you are all staying warm this weekend!

Okay - so we broke a few records- does that mean school has to be cancelled? Don't these administrators know it's Christmas week and I have stuff to do? If I can spend 5 hours digging out my car than so can the bus drivers dammit! The last time we had a blizzard of such monumental proportions according to the weather men was in '78 - I remember it vividly - we were off for a week - my parents made me crawl out the milk door and dig the side door open cause we couldn't get out otherwise. I think our plows and snow blowers have come a long way since then so I am hoping for only one day off of school - cause Santa has a lot of wrapping to do, if you know what I mean!