Yes, We Have Snow

There has been an abundance of snow here in Western Oregon. And that has lead to five snow days in a row. That is almost unheard of in this area. Four inches of snow... and counting...

I finally realized that snow to Oregonians is a lot like rain to Southern Californians. (I can say this because I lived in Southern California for 30 years.) When it rains in Southern California, the natives go nuts. They drive too slow, they constantly discuss the weather, and they try to avoid driving or even going outdoors. Oh, and the weatherman on TV is having a field day. He'll call it "Storm Watch 'o8," and then send a countless number of poor news people to report in different parts of the southland to interview passersby (the few there are) with questions like, "So... how is the weather affecting you today?" or "Wet out, isn't it?" Then he'll enthusiastically show you numerous maps and charts to explain how much rainfall there is, in inches, along with pictures of soaking wet pedestrians with umbrellas, schlepping through the rain just to walk to the local Starbucks.

This is because it hardly ever rains in Southern California, so a weatherman gets tired of the redundant "Sunny, with warm temperatures" forecast. The rain makes his job exciting. On the other hand, the natives are inconvenienced, confused, and wet -- and they hate that.

Oregon, on the other hand, is used to the rain. That is our redundancy, and our weather watchers get tired of the "Cloudy, with a 70% chance of rain" forecast. The natives drive the same whether it's sunny or rainy, because they are used to it. It's all part of life here in the Northwest. We go about our lives as usual, running errands, driving to work, even walking to school in the rain because that's life. That's the usual.

But then a snowstorm hits, and it becomes crazy here. The natives try to avoid driving at all costs -- even closing schools and several businesses due to the weather. The streets and stores are empty, even on the busiest shopping season of the year. Oh, and the weatherman is having a field day. She'll call it "Snow Watch '08," and then send a countless number of poor news people to report in different parts of the area to interview passersby (the few there are) with questions like "So... how is the weather affecting you today?" and "Cold out there, isn't it?" Then she'll enthusiastically show you numerous maps and charts to explain how many inches of snow we're getting, along with pictures of people schlepping through the snow just to get to their local Starbucks.

It made me wonder if the people living in Minnesota or North Dakota are laughing at us: "You call this SNOW?!" It's all relative.

Me ... I'm enjoying it. I think it's absolutely beautiful, and I use every opportunity I can to go outside and enjoy it. Hubby, the kids, and I have built a snowman, had a bunch of snowball fights, and eaten snowflakes off our tongues as they fall. We laughed as the cat tried to catch the flakes as they fall, and the dog runs around frantically with excitement. And when it's gotten too cold, we snuggle under blankets with hot chocolate (and me with hot coffee) while we watch a movie. The Wii has never been used as much, but we've also played board games, baked cookies, and done a lot of crafts. It's been fun, and we're using it as a time to spend together as a family. What could be better than that?

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Mommy Quote of the Week

"When my kids become wild and unruly, I use a nice safe playpen. When they're finished, I climb out."
-- Erma Bombeck

David Ferrell's Childhood

David Ferrell's commedy is absolutely clean and absolutely funny. He makes me realize how much times have changed from when we were kids. Ahhh... the good ol' days...

Mommy Quote of the Week

"Anyone who uses the phrase 'easy as taking candy from a baby' has never tried taking candy from a baby."

-- Unknown

Mommy Quote of the Week

"Sometimes the laughter in mothering is the recognition of the ironies and absurdities. Sometime, though, it's just pure, unthinking delight."
-- Barbara Schapiro

Mommy Quote of the Week

"The world is full of women blindsided by the unceasing demands of motherhood, still flabbergasted by how a job can be terrific and torturous."
-- Anna Quindlen

Stay at Home, Mom!

Caution: Contains some "adult" language!

Mommy Quote of the Week

"One is one, and two is 10. That's all I know."
-- Gavin Rossdale (pictured here with wife Gwen Stefani), on what it means to have a second child.

Sleepless in Portland

Is it bad to say I kind of enjoy it when my kids are sick? A small part of me thrives on the maternal instincts kicking in, the desire my children suddenly have to cuddle and snuggle, the urgent need they have for me when for the past 6 months they've been struggling to find their independence. It reminds me of when they were infants, totally reliant on me to feed and care for them. When my kids are sick, they need me like that again.

Recently Volcano had the croup -- that terrible, barking seal-like cough that hits in the middle of the night. He's gotten it before, so Hubby and I knew what to do: a little Tylenol to lower the fever, lots of fluids, a humidifier in the room, and an open window to the cold, moist air that is thankfully plentiful in Oregon. "Anything else that would make you feel better?" I asked him, tucking him into bed.

"I want to snuggle with Mommy," he answered, and I swear I heard angels singing. Since Volcano has started kindergarten, he has become too "cool" to hug me in front of his friends. He even asked me to stop at the front door when I drop him off, so I wouldn't follow him down the hall into his classroom. So, this... this was a major privilege.

And, of course, as soon as Volcano is feeling better, Monkey gets the croup. This was her first time with it, so I was a little worried. But I reveled in the roll of the caregiver, feeling like a true mother. In the evening, I fed her some albondigas (the Mexican version of chicken soup, that my mother used to give me). But Monkey's not a fan of any kind of soup, and she was struggling.
"Finish your soup," Hubby said, adding, as an incentive, "And we can finish the movie we were watching."

"Can I sit next to Mommy?" Monkey asked. "And can I snuggle with her under the blanket?" It was as if she were negotiating the terms of a contract, and I was thrilled. Recently Monkey has been arguing with me the fact that I don't need to hold her hand, because she's a "big girl." So this, too, made me feel necessary. And I loved it.

But that night was the true triumph. The doctor suggested that either Hubby or I sleep with Monkey that night, to better monitor her breathing. I volunteered so Hubby could get up earlier for work. When I crawled into bed with Monkey that night, I felt a little hand reach for mine. And she held my hand tight the rest of the night, sometimes even throwing her other arm around me for comfort.

I'll admit I didn't sleep too well that night. But I wouldn't have traded it for anything.