It's a love-hate thing

This weekend, it felt like spring. The sun was out and you could feel the heat going through your skin, warming your bones.

That's what I love about March; the promise of spring and warmer days ahead. What I hate about March is the tease.

“Hey there, spring is almost here. The crocuses are peaking their heads out, the robins are back from their winter vacation and singing in the trees, the sun is getting stronger but just so you don't forget about me, tomorrow is going to be cold. With flurries.”

I love your beauty, March, but not your flightiness.

It’s Mittens Time

My little guy hates bundling up for the snow. I don’t say I blame him.

Last year he was moving much better than the year before but it’s hard to walk, never mind play, when you have bulky snowpants and jacket, boots and mittens that never stay on.

Summer is much easier.

As the temperature has dropped this fall, my guy refused to put on his mittens despite cold hands and fingers.

He told me he wasn’t going to wear mittens until there was snow.

Well little guy, it snowed last night. Welcome back mittens.

Sick of Winter

Is it bad that I am already sick of winter?

Well I am. Let's keep the falling and blowing snow and freezing temperatures until Jan. 1. Then let it melt away and be zero for the rest of the winter.

Come on spring.

It’s Tuesday

How often are you excited about a Tuesday?

It’s not Wednesday, hump day, the mid-week point. It’s not Friday, the end of the long week. It’s Tuesday.

But it’s sunny outside. It’s warm. And the snow is melting.

Yah, Tuesday.

Friday Rambles

• It took me just more than two hours to get to work this morning. It wasn’t the snow that was falling that was the problem, rather the snow that was already on the ground making it impossible to see what side of the road you are on.
Someone needs to invent a heated middle line so you know you where you are.

• At about 7 a.m. this morning, someone from the City of Toronto came on the radio to tell us that in a few hours the snowploughs should be starting their routes. What! Shouldn’t they already be out? What are they waiting for?

• I followed an older man driving a newer model Mercedes Benz the other morning and his license plate was RICH IQ.
What does that mean? Is he suggesting because he is rich he has a higher IQ? Perhaps it isn’t right for me to be annoyed but arrogance is a trait that really annoys me.

• Friday is here. Happy weekend everyone.

Thursday Confessions

I am now scared of driving.

There, I said it.

It is actually quite silly of me.

My recent accident, where a teenager on a cellphone hit my Sunfire head-on, occurred on my street, literally about a minute from home.

While snow-covered, the roads weren’t terrible and the visibility was fine.
But now when it snows, my stress level goes through the roof.

I am a ball of nerves on my street, my body untensing the moment I turn on to the main road.

However, I am still anxious about driving in snow, including the inch or so of white stuff that fell during the morning rush.

I have become one of THOSE drivers.

You know the ones. Those drivers who go the speed limit or under when a flake or two falls; who gripes the steering wheel hard; and who is looking around and talking to those around her – ‘Where are you going? Stay in your lane. If you hit me, I will be really upset.’

I am sure it will get better but in the meantime, my apologizes to those who want to go to fast.

Merry Christmas to All

Merry Christmas.

I hope your day is white, fun-filled and sounded by the people you love.

Lisa

Everything is New Again

What’s really neat about babies, and toddlers, is that everything is new.

While my son experienced his first snowfall last year, he was wrapped in a snowsuit, in a blanket and then in his carriage. It’s not quite the same thing.

This year, he is really experiencing snow for the first time. After our first snowfall, and before we left for the day, I brought in a handful of snow and gave it to him.

He touched it. Squished it. And of course ate it, offering me his ‘Ew, gross’ face. He then put it down. Picked it up. Squished it again.

Yesterday, I loved watching his face as he pointed out the big, fluffy flakes that were falling from the sky, not only in the window in front of him, but also the window to the right of him.

And while he also experienced Christmas last year, this year will also be tons of fun as experiences the sights, sounds and tastes of the season.

Bring on Miami’s Socks

We call them Jo’s socks.

My friend Jo A.’s mother bought these thick, white sports socks in Miami. As in Florida. As in no winter. As in no snow. As in hot. As in sticky. As in muggy. Miami.

These socks are at least five years old and both my husband and I go directly to Jo’s socks when we are doing any outdoor winter activities such as ice fishing, hiking or snowshoeing.

Miami socks. Great for Canada’s winter.

Hello Tree

It’s starting to look like Christmas at our house.

We went Christmas tree hunting today. Sadly there was no snow this year, which made it less festive but easier to cut the tree and lug it back to the car.

We went to a different tree farm this year. The farm was a little closer to home and it offered complimentary hot cider AND hot chocolate. However, the wagon ride didn’t start until after we walked the majority of the farm and we had a hard time finding the perfect tree so we’ll return to the usual spot next year.

We walked for a while, up hills, over rope, down hills, across field until finally my son and I played, while Daddy scouted out some trees further back.
He found one, which we all liked and now it’s in our living room, awaiting lights and decorations.

I love decorating the Christmas tree.

I love pulling out the ornaments I have had since I was our son’s age, looking at them again and placing them in key tree spots.

While a number of my friends like the look of a store-decorated tree, where ornaments match and are placed strategically in specific spots, I like the I-can-tell-it-was-decorated-by-non-professionals tree - ornaments that were bought with love and placed on the tree the same way.

Hello to the continuation of Christmas.