We screwed up last weekend. Connor was part of a brass ensemble that performed in last weekend’s solo and ensemble contest. However, we woke up on Saturday without a care in the world…until Connor remembered that he was supposed to play. Two hours after his scheduled performance time. Dammit! It was on the calendar, and we had been talking about it all week long. Somehow, the event completed slipped Jim’s, Connor’s, and my mind until it was much too late – something that just does not usually happen around here. I immediately sent a note to his teacher apologizing and taking responsibility alongside Connor. Thankfully, his teacher was very understanding and will be considering all of the practices that Connor did attend when calculating his grade for this particular assignment. Whew. It could have been SO much worse.
Jim was able to get away from another round of arctic temperatures this week with a business trip to southern California and Seattle. Lucky him. The rest of us huddled under blankets and muttered curses at Mother Nature. Seriously, Mother Nature is a supreme bitch, and Old Man Winter needs to die. We are all done with this subzero temperature crap. Spring cannot come fast enough at this point in time.
I think the weather would be tolerable if there weren’t signs of spring raising our hopes that we can put away the arctic weather gear. A few hearty birds are beginning to serenade us each morning. Our sun room is actually comfortable in the afternoons with just the sun warming it up regardless of the outside temperatures and lack of heating in the room. Connor had his first track meeting this week. Next week is standardized testing week for both of the kids – always a springtime ritual. So, there are signs that warmer temperatures should be on their way. Now, if only Mother Nature will listen and ease her icy grip on us.
I finally did it. I committed to a race, as in I paid money to run. Not just any race either. If I’m going to run in a race, it better be a fun one. So, I convinced Jim and Connor to run in the Big 10 10K with me in July. Why start small after all? I figure running with Bucky Badger and showing my school pride among thousands of other runners from other Big 10 schools would at least be worth it, right? I hope so. The race is in 20 weeks, so I have plenty of time to prepare. Thank goodness. I don’t do anything by halves, and I have to say I am slightly sick to my stomach at the thought that I committed to a 10K. Ah well. There is nothing like a deadline to motivate me!
Reviewed in recent weeks:
- The Daring Ladies of Lowell by Kate Alcott
- Me Since You by Laura Wiess
- The Museum of Extraordinary Things by Alice Hoffman
- The Troop by Nick Cutter – my March Bloggers Recommend selection
- Wake by Anna Hope
- We Are Here by Michael Marshall
- While Beauty Slept by Elizabeth Blackwell
- The Wife, the Maid, and the Mistress by Ariel Lawhon
Considering it is snowing again, I am too depressed to write any more. I think I’ll take a nap. Or read. Or do both, as goodness knows it is too miserable to do anything else. I hope everyone is enjoying a much warmer and nicer Sunday. Have a great week, everyone!
