Winter doldrums

is the best way to explain the ongoing blah. I wish I had something funny to write just to amuse myself... But, lacking that, here's what we've been doing to keep somewhat busy:

Today, BB and I went up to Dry Hill for a couple of hours of skiing/snowboarding with some friends. I haven't been on skis for about 8 years (I really sound old when I say it's been 8 years since I've done something!) and did pretty well despite the ice-y conditions. BB is really improving on the lessons he took this winter but 2 hours was enough for him. BG opted not to go partly because she doesn't like being cold and partly because she really likes the babysitter and is now throwing a major fit because she wanted her to stay longer. I've noticed the biggest difference in her behavior since we started changing our diets in January and today is a perfect example of why I've cut out most of the artificial colorings and flavorings. After a lunch of chicken McNuggets, apples and fake caramel, and rootbeer, she's having a hard time controlling her emotional outbursts. Yeah, some amount of drama is normal for her, but this is way beyond the normal. LB also seems to be effected somewhat with more biting and pinching behavior when he's had a lot of candy or artificial food. Valentine's day was bad... I think he bit BB through his pants and left a bruise for no apparant reason!

This past week we also had a bunch of Dr's appointments, two of which were cancelled for the kids and I didn't know until I showed up for the appointments. Just a bit peeved, but since they were routine physicals, not that big of a deal. I also had my checkup w/ my endocrinologist and she took me off the Synthroid in preparation for my next body scan in 4-6 weeks. So far, not feeling too bad and actually made it to the gym a couple of times last week! I also had a five fillings replaced on Thursday and have to go back for a couple of more soon. Another reason to feel old, as they had to be replaced because they were old and falling apart. How is it possible that I've had fillings for 25 years? Oh, yeah, 'cause I got them when I was 9! Anyway the dentist didn't get them filed right so I've got to go back for that also!

I had a great time playing bunco on Fat Tuesday with a fun group of ladies and at the OSC luncheon with the evolution of The Little Black Dress. Fun dressing up a little even if just for lunch...

Anyway, I'm so over this winter already. We had a warm couple of days with a lot of snow melt and now it's 8 degrees again. 45 yesterday and 8 today! Craziness. It needs to warm up so we can put our worm bin outside... Oh, yeah, we started a worm compost (vermicompost) bin for our kitchen scraps! I've been wanting to do it for a while and this seemed like a good time so BB can also use it for his science fair project. He was excited about using the drill to make some ventilation holes and also about the approximately 1000 worms we got in the mail! So right now the worms are in the closet until it gets above 45 degrees or so... Hope it happens sooner rather than later...

I'll leave on a positive note that we're under the 90 day mark for J coming home!

The time is dragging

by so slowly this last week or so since J left to go back to Iraq for the completion of his tour... Been kind of mopey, so I haven't felt much like writing plus kids have been tag teaming with a stomach bug of some sort for the last three weeks and I finally succumbed this morning. Enough already!

But we did have a great time when J was home for 18 wonderful days! The kids showed no hesitation about being with daddy again, well except a little bit from LG of all people... I think she was mad at him! LB was all over him and wouldn't let him out of his sight without yelling 'Daddy, where are you?' Kind of funny in the PX, but sad at the same time. We spent a couple of days in the Lake George, NY area at the Great Escape Lodge there. They have a nice indoor waterpark and a Johnny Rockets in the hotel so it was an easy vacation with all four of them. A little break where we could pretend it was warm for a little while! Then we came back and just relaxed and didn't have to do much of anything for the rest of the time. J helped with some organizing and got his new computer set up and did a few 'electronic' chores for me. I cooked several of his favorite meals and we went to a couple of our favorite restuarants and then he got sick just before he had to go back! I was a bit worried about him flying not feeling very well, but he made it back OK and we're trying to get back to our routine here. LB points to airplanes now and says 'Daddy's airplane' since we watched him get on the plane this time.

The kids are off from school all next week. Mid-winter break. Yay. That's where if you can't go someplace warm, you are stuck in the cold with all your children in the house. I contemplated getting out of here, but just don't want to spend the money to travel and not up to doing it by myself. Maybe by Spring Break I'll be desperate enough to get out of Dodge... At least a lot of the snow has melted this last week so I can see our patio again and we actually used the firebowl yesterday when the kids were out playing in the backyard.