Since our return from vacationland, Bob had a couple of days to recoup from the trip before turning back out the door to fly halfway across the country for business meetings.  These absences usually provide for slow days.  Today was not one of them, however.

This morning it poured rain.  It poured so much that a small amount of this water found its way into some crack in the roof, traveled down a roof truss, found a wire to slide down, and leaked out of a light fixture.  That’s nice.  Note to self – put tape over the light switch until this storm is over so things can be investigated.

The kids and I are having a swell time, but this week turned out to be “screen-free week”, sponsored by the school and co-operative extension.  As you might have guessed, it’s a program to get families to tune out for 5 days.  This means no television, video games or screen time of any sort.  I have disqualified myself as I must sit at the computer, yesterday was Super Tuesday and I am a news junkie, and I must also obsess over the weather and flight departure and arrival times for Bob’s return.

The house is very quiet during school hours.  I have accomplished great things.  Putting all the tax information together for our accountant makes me feel giddy that it is accomplished.  But at 2:30, I pick up the kids and with no “screens”, the pastime of choice has been teasing, screeching, and annoying one another (and me in the process).  What fun!  Were it not that Bob was traveling, this adventure could be more enjoyable.  I would direct more activities – crafts, games, what have you.  As it is, I have already played an evening of Monopoly, and have been utterly confused by a card game that I thought was real, but turns out that Alex was just making up as he went along, using the Star Wars deck and all of its characters to create some elaborate battle plan.  I was clueless.  Things ended when I suggested it was time for some ice cream.

The weather has turned ugly and there is the threat that there will be a school delay or (horrors!) a snow day tomorrow.  At present, it is raining like crazy and said rain is freezing into a lovely, slippery rink right outside my door.  The dog, who much needed to “go outside” was not at all thrilled with the prospect of sliding off the deck to reach the ground.  As I had to check our wood boiler which resides in the garage, I accompanied her.  While she investigated the ice, I put wood in the boiler. 

There was a brief moment of panic when I saw an ember drift down out of the chimney and land on top of the insulation  After standing there for 5 minutes to make sure there were no other embers floating about, I decided it was safe to go inside.

Another moment of panic as I am met at the door by Alex who alerts me that “there was a bunch of smoke and sparks flying out of the chimney!!”. 

When did you see this? 

When you first went out. 

Good.  Did you see anything after that? 

No.    

Good. 

There is so much water outside that any spark wouldn’t stand a chance at survival.  But I’ll keep checking out the window because “paranoia is awareness”. 

The “lights out” signal is usually met with much additional dawdling, trips to the bathroom, etc.  Tonight was no exception.

Soon I will sit down and knit for a brief while before my eyes get too tired.  I think it is also time for an adult beverage. 

Keep your fingers crossed that the storm isn’t as nasty as they think it might be and school will carry on as usual. 

If there is a snow day, I will be drinking Irish coffee for breakfast.

Peace & Love,

Liz