Snow Day, Kohls Addiction, Dean's Move, And Getting Along

Another Snow Day.
The yahoos' emotions vacillate between
relief and anxiety
because there are two built-in snow days
on the school calendar left,
and once those have been used up,
anymore snow days will have to be made-up
by adding school days to the calendar.


So while they're wrapped like burritos on the sofa,
watching the Disney Channel and Nickelodeon this morning
in their pj's,
all warm and lazy-like--
they don't wanna push their luck
and run outta snow days.


Because by the end of the school year,
it's near torture to have to go to school
when these Rocky Mountains finally thaw out
n' the warm sunshine is wasted by sitting inside.


***


Yesterday, I was off work so I did whatever I wanted...
kinda.
As a Momza, I never really do whatever I want,
being that I am a responsible parent and all that.
But
I did go and do
whatever I wanted within the "Mom Realm".
Went to one of my favorite places, Kohls.
They hold me hostage, it's true--
they're the only store that carries the line of dishes that I love so--
my Woodland Reds with the bears, canoes and pine trees

That's them right there.
Have you seen them at Kohl's?
I started with just the plates back in 2007--
when they were on clearance for .99 cents a piece.
I know, right?
But they're not on Clearance
in Colorado--
because we Coloradoans are all about the outdoors!
So I can only get them when they're On Sale--
which is why,
everytime I go to Kohl's
there is a cosmic force that pulls me to the housewares department,
specifically down the Woodland's row
where I must see for myself if there are new additions
to the collection
and if they're On Sale.
Confession here:
It was all I could do to walk away from the Woodland's Dining Utensils.
Yes, they even make silverware to go with--
but I had just bought some nice stuff last Fall,
and common sense told me not to buy it.
Even at 50% Off.
Common sense can be a thorn in the side sometimes,
yeah?
'Cause I so wish I'd gotten them--
nevermind that there's no common sense involved in that "wish".


So now you know why I am addicted to Kohl's.
At least partially.
Maybe they pump oxygen into the store
like Las Vegas does to their casinos?
I dunno.
****
Last night, at 8:22pm,
the phone rang and it was the best part of my whole day.
Dean's new caregiver, M. called to tell me that the move went very well
and Dean was a happy camper
in his new digs.
Seriously, I love this woman!
No other HHP has EVER called to say how Dean was doing
his first day, or second or any day after that.
It was a total act of compassion for M. to make the effort
for me.
It was a short call,
but oh my, it was a huge gift!
When I hung up,
my heart leaked out my eyeballs
pushed out by relief and gratitude.
No matter what else is going on,
in the back of my mind
is ALWAYS the concern for my special-needs Son.
And especially yesterday,
as I knew it was "Moving Day" for him.
With the weight of that concern removed,
I was able to exhale my worry away into a breath
of gratitude.
***


Yesterday at lunch,
Nana and I were talking about our family
and others that we know.
The topic of "happiness" came up alongside
"trials".
Nana observed,
"I think most people I know are just trying to get by, Mom."
We talked about that for a few minutes
just letting it soak in and appreciate it for what it is, ya know?


One of my most favorite American figures is Will Rogers--
he was just plain good.
One of my favorite quotes of his is:


“I never yet met a man that I dident like. When you meet people, no matter what opinion you might have formed about them beforehand, why, after you meet them and see their angle and their personality, why, you can see a lot of good in all of them."


Olive Garden bread sticks really bring out the philosopher in me.
Must be the seasoning, 
which I am fairly certain is made up of some addictive chemical 
that makes me crave it fortnightly.


Anyway,
I think Nana's right.
Most people I know are just trying to get along.


Last week was a rough one for me--
in particular, there was a day
a day
that I needed to pat myself on the back.
SO 
I took a pencil and paper
and wrote down
all I had accomplished that day,
in 5 minutes.
I had done alot
and I felt better just looking at it all
in black and white.


I don't know what made me think of that,
but it made a difference.
***


Okay, so I'm off to work.
Make it a good day!