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The Hot Register
The first child up in the morning, (this varies by day) pulls the blanket off his bed, and drags it through the hallway and down the stairs to sit on the hottest spot in the house — the hot register. This black grate sits at the bottom of the stairs, just inside the front door. The blanket on top ensures no heat will escape, and all that warm toasty air will stay wrapped around legs, feet, and a chest that is not quite ready to take on the world. The second child up makes his way, with his blanket, to the second hottest spot in the house — the hot…
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When the Snowmen Melt
Update: My son’s preschool teacher sent me these pictures — her daughter proudly made this dragon out of snow, using green food coloring to make the stand out. (She said it was OK to publish these photos.) Puff is nothing but delightful. I hope she sends me an email to explain how she got that neck to stand up so tall! A snowman in the front yard is a testament to the mother inside (and you can bet she’s savoring a moment of peace over a cup of tea) who has successfully managed to instill in her children the inspiration to make something out of the white powder that the…
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Bigger Than Life
The package arrived just as we were leaving to go back to school after his afternoon lunch break. There was no time to sit down with the box and open it, and bless his heart; he didn’t even ask if he could. He simply said, “Can I tear off the packing label and bring it to school for show and tell?” “Of course,” I said. He had to sit at school for another three hours and wait, knowing the package was waiting for him at home. Toa Mata Nui is quite large, and he has a special place in our home, along with the box — up high. This is…
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Q-Tips of Love
Four 10-second swabs was all it took to see if I’m a potential Bone Marrow donor for my friend Seth. The lobby was filled with people filling out forms of their own medical history, a table laden with a big iced-chocolate cake stood by, and stacks of sterilized swabs sat waiting in their envelopes. Over 350 showed up for the event, a visible outpouring of love. The nurses are shipping the packets out Monday, and then, there is the 10-day waiting period to find a match. If we aren’t able to help Seth, we’re all in the BeTheMatchRegistry to help someone else. Just knowing that fact gives me a marvelous…
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On Getting Flustered at the Post Office
As I grow older, I notice that my body is beginning to react to stressful situations in uncomfortable ways. There is the tightness in my stomach, the heavy pounding of my heart – I don’t think my heart race increases, it just beats harder. My fingers suffer from lack of circulation, my arms and legs feel weak, as if they are devoid of blood. There is heat, and an inability to speak. The stomach fluttering is the worst part. It overrides the mind, and I am unable to think — or decide things. Case in point. Today, I walked into the post office to file a claim for my son’s…
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Chocolate Peanut Butter Pudding Cake
I’ve been relying on the slow cooker to create true comfort during these snow days. Instead of main dishes — I’ve been making desserts. The pudding cake is made right in the slow cooker — which translates into very little mess. The pudding settles on the bottom of the crock, so that when you scoop out the cake, the pudding appears and you drizzle it on top of your plate. Yum. Ingredients 1 cup all-purpose flour 1/2 cup granulated sugar 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder 1/2 cup milk 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 1 teaspoon vanilla (homemade!) 3/4 cup peanut butter pieces (optional) 3/4 cup sugar 1/4…
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Built on the Ceiling
The snow brought another day off school. So, the boys built a fort. that started on the ceiling.
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The snow comes in waves
This is the view from my third story window, just outside of my bedroom. The snow is falling heavy and thick, like rain. The snowstorms (I’ve lost count) have been coming in like waves across the ocean. Six to nine more inches are currently on their way to cover the thick blanket of snow that already covers the ground. These inches bring so many questions: Will the kids have school? Will I meet my deadlines, or will I be playing checkers and Uno with the kids? How will this new snow affect the icy-covered speed bumps we created on the sledding hill yesterday afternoon? Is there enough milk to get…
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Not Addressed to Me
The Valentine said, “I love you this much…” It was addressed to his brother. This is my favorite Valentine.
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