February Blues

I am tired of winter.  I have been trying to ski my way out of the winter blues but its not working. And I know it is silly to complain because the weather this week has been phenomenal!!

BUT for the first time in 10 years . . . . it appears we will not be taking a winter vacation.  I blame Boyd and his ability to get suckered into common core training over spring break. *sigh*

Something about needing to get a teaching job . . . . 

Although lovely - NOT how I want to spend spring break.

I have started taking sewing lessons.  I have warned my teacher friend that I have to go very very slowly or I will get overwhelmed and start throwing things.  It was going great and then I tried sewing at home and BAM!  Machine broken.  

I was transported back to 8th grade home-ec class where my teacher would tsk tsk and say "Again!?  How is your machine broken AGAIN?!"

  

I wish I knew.  I am not an engineer.

After days of the machine sitting in the middle of the dining table . . . Boyd finally decided to try and fix it EVEN THOUGH I told him dramatically: "THERE IS NO POINT!! It is impossible!!!"

He proved me wrong.  Which is great . . . but I hate being wrong.   

But then again . . he IS an engineer so really he SHOULD be able to fix it.

And I know an instruction manual would be a great way for me to "exercise my brain" but I refuse.  Absolutely refuse.  

Those tiny little pictures and diagrams give me the heebie jeebies.

Even Lucy began to think of the machine as permanently part of the table.

Hamlin basketball is winding down.  

I'm not going to lie . . . . . sort of looking forward to it. :)

I tend to be a little tense at games.  

Shocking, I know.

*******

My odd jobs are going pretty well.  The other day I went in to substitute teach and all of the sudden I realized . . . . I was not panicking!  I was not afraid of the children!  I knew the lunchroom drill! 

But then somehow I ended up subbing for a classroom full of hyenas.  

What happened to the adoring children?!

And EVERY time I sub . . . . I get asked how old I am.  I have never felt weird about my age . . . after all 33 is pretty "middle of the road" but when they look at you like you are going to keel over and die once they know how old you are . . . . well . . . I'm now a little self-conscious.

Darn kids.

Matilda Jane is going great.  

Succumb to the pressure and buy darling clothing.

I double dog dare you.

I have also been working on Lucky Day stuff.  I finally have some furniture pieces that I can work on so I am very excited.  Spring Sale will be held in April.   YES!  

There will also be a mini-sale in Sioux Falls in March.  

Stay tuned.

******

Valentine's Day was this month.  Boyd informed me that he had a really great idea for it but that it will take too long to execute so that translated into: "I am not doing anything for the holiday."

I'm not sure why he switched from his usual tactic of: "That is today?!"

After all, this method has worked for the past 13 years.

But to give him credit:  I was apologizing for not being the best-of-the-best in domesticity and he said:  "Life is Short. Don't waste your time making the bed."

Which after I thought about it . . . . 

he certainly has NEVER ONCE wasted any time on making the bed.  

A wise man.

******

Brother1 and Sister2 and their families were around this past weekend.  So.Much.Energy. :)  Coop demanded some "steamroller" and "spooks and creeps" - Both are games that Dad made up.  

Cate and Ellie delighted everyone by dancing whenever they heard music.

Caters felt pretty special with a headlamp

Ellie kept laughing and laughing.  Boyd had the best audience ever.

We recently had book club which is always lovely. 

And I was reminded that I have not done a "Nerd Alert" in a REALLY long time. 

So . . here is a quick list of some good reads.

 (Warning:  MOST of these books are kind of dark or heavy unless otherwise noted)

Reconstructing Amelia

Defending Jacob

Labor Day

A Room with A View (a classic - not dark or heavy)

The Dead Ex (sounds dark but was kind of funny - you know . . because dead ex's are funny?!)

Gone Girl

Divergent Series 

Kitchen House

It Takes a Village Idiot (so funny)

Wonder (So good - I may have even shed a tear or two)

Carry on Warrior (girl power!)

Takedown Twenty (Stephanie Plum book - love these)

Looking for Alaska

In the Kingdom of Men

Love Does (I just ordered this again because I lost my first copy)

The Silver Linings Playbook (great)

Next Up: This is Where I Leave You. (It looks funny. I hope it is - I could use a funny book)

At the moment I am re-reading Island of the Blue Dolphins for the 12th time because I am around elementary children way too much and they are all reading it and it made me think back on how that was my FAVORITE BOOK OF ALL TIME and I must read it Right.Now.

******
My sewing machine just broke again.

Good night.

Kona is the only one in the fam who adores winter.
And Boyd.

****  Boyd just corrected me and and said that Dad did not come up with "steam roller".  Apparently it was on Wayne's World?!  I have no idea . . . .