Valentine's Day

This week saw a change in the weather of about 100 degrees.  From a low of 20 degrees below zero at my house last week to a high of 78 degrees this week, the Oklahoma weather aims to please everyone.

This week also included Valentine’s Day.  After being out of school for two weeks, the kids returned to school on Valentine’s Day totally unprepared for parties.  They had to be put off for two days so lists of names could be gathered, small cards could be labeled for each child, and treats could be bought.  It is no small thing for a little girl to determine who gets the card that says “You have my heart” or “Be Mine” verses just a simple “Have a great Valentine’s Day”.  Cards in the wrong hands could produce teasing for weeks to come and therapy much later. 

I sat down with my daughter to carefully plan the process, only to discover that we had bought 24 cards and there are 29 students in her fourth grade class.  (29 fourth-graders in one small room!  God bless her teacher.)  So we scrambled back to the store for more cards, which of course, are only sold by the dozen.

Homeroom moms were also scrambling to get money for food, decorations and party favors.  I was a homeroom mom once, but found out I was extremely under-qualified.   To plan a party that can be pulled off in thirty minutes that not only keeps the children fed and wildly entertained, but also keeps them relatively quiet and the classroom intact requires a degree in Event Planning and Management.  (Yes, there are such degrees – I looked.)

I told my husband not to send flowers to the girls this year because it meant they cannot ride home on the bus and I have to navigate two carpool lanes.  But I waited until the morning of Valentine’s Day to tell him and he replied, “Too late!”  Really?  He actually planned ahead and ordered flowers.  I was impressed until I realized they got flowers, but I didn’t!

My oldest son sold his PSP on craigslist and used the paypal credit to buy his girlfriend an ipod on ebay.  Back in our day, none of those things I just mentioned even existed. 

And what did I get for Valentine’s Day?  I bought tickets to a couple’s dinner at the church.  Our children were recruited to wait on our tables.  My youngest volunteered.  The other three had too many video games to beat and friends to text to commit to a night of serving.  The food was good and we met some new people.  One of the couples at our table had been married 49 years and still appeared to be in love and having a great time.  Ahhhh – that must be what Valentine’s Day is all about! 

Snowed In

Nothing like two feet of snow outside to get me to try something new.  Mom has been after me for months to start a blog, but I never felt I had enough time or anything interesting enough to share.  Today I have the time, and though it may not capture anyone's interest, most can relate to a grown child still wanting to make her momma proud.

Two feet is not much in many states, but it shuts down northeast Oklahoma.  Lucky for me (or maybe unlucky?), our quest to become a paperless office at work has allowed me to work from home.  If I ever thought being a CPA could be a tiny bit boring in the office, it is nothing compared to sitting alone in a corner at home and working.  It is also making me appreciate my office's little perks like a cushy chair, unlimited office supplies, and someone else making the coffee.

Though I do have some interruptions of "Mom, look at this", "Mom, can you help me for just a minute", and (my least favorite), "Mom, I'm hungry", it beats having the someone on the phone every five minutes saying "I just have a quick question about my taxes..."  (By the way, there really are no "quick" answers related to taxes.)

I have been surprised to be able to get as much done as I have.  Since my husband teaches school and all the schools are closed, he is home and able to help.  Sometimes he helps by doing something useful like cooking dinner.  He fried fish last night with minimal mess and tonight he is making his famous deer chili.  (Famously spicy chili - hopefully the kids will eat it.)  He doesn't like me to call it "deer chili", he actually prefers "venison chili".  He is afraid "people might think we're hillbillies or somethin'."  Of course, you only need to meet us to know the truth. 

Mostly, like all good husbands, he helps by playing with the kids outside and keeping the piles of coats and boots dripping in a heap on the tile instead of the hardwoods.  He called a meeting of the kids last night to lecture them on their need to pick up after themselves.  He said he wanted "no-trace children" (a leftover term from his cub scout days that means after you are gone, there should be no trace that you were there).  Bless his heart, he meant well.  So far this morning, I have picked up three plates, some cups, three pairs of boots, two hair rubberbands and a dog leash.   Not bad for the no-trace children.  Speaking of, they are calling....
Brenda