Unplanned Winter Vacation

ICE and snow covered the entire Dallas/Ft. Worth metroplex last week and then repeated again this week.  The kids have only gone to school 5 days in the last 10.  With sub-freezing temperatures and rolling power outages, we enjoyed snuggling up to the fireplace and drinking Rachel's homemade hot chocolate.  I was able to work from home and be with the kids on the days school was cancelled; Dave had to brave the bad roads each day for work.

We've learned that 1) laundry baskets make great sleds for the neighbor's steep yard, 2) we are not good at entertaining ourselves for long periods of time without getting on each other's nerves, 3) Texas retailers do not carry ice melt or snow shovels in the winter, and 4) my pantry and food storage preparations need improvement - though we survived.  We are looking forward to 60-70 degree temperatures this weekend - what a strange winter!

Here's some fun pictures from the kids...

Dave's job status?  Effective last Monday, he returned to retirement.  Long story short, his boss did not follow through on his commitments for work schedule.  He seems much happier now at home, but he has less spending money.  I have to admit, things ran a lot smoother this week with him at home; I guess I just took all his help for granted before he had returned to work.  He has applications in to a couple other places for part time work but he is not holding his breath.