Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Snowlog and Potluck Stuff

While I was looking for pictures of the last snowstorm, I finally found the picture of our Christmas mantle that I thought I had never taken.

Everyone piled stuff there without any real pattern, sort of a designer's potluck. It has nothing to do with this post, but that's sort of the way February has been going around here.
Here are observations from my snowlog:

1. Cats really, really don't understand glass. Maybe buying a glass computer table to fit into the kitchen corner should have been thought through a little more.

Our cats are already nuts and now they are making themselves crazier than ever by trying to knock pens and papers off the glass. When we clear it, they try to bite each other's paws through the glass. Lots of giant skunk tails and long caterwauls that sound like: rrrrrrreeeeeeewwwwwwwoooooohhhhh. It's like living inside the soundtrack of nightmares.
2. Philip is going to church with me now. Yup, lapsed Catholics that we were. There is a much, much longer story to this, but suffice it to say, my tall boy is now listening to weekly homilies and gospel right next to his mom.

And isn't that every 16 year old boy's dream?

3. I am cleaning out my closet. Really cleaning, as in basement and attic scouring, so even the bagged up stuff that I paid a lot for and was going to fit into one day is getting washed and donated. Some of it I haven't worn since my early twenties, and that was more than a few years ago.

It's hard to imagine that I was once a size 5 with 32 inch hips. I tell myself that wider hips mean a larger heart and a size 10 is not such a bad way to end up. Besides, you can't wrangle with tweens and teens if you are frail. It takes strength to raise kids with any kind of care and vigilance. (See #2)

4. I really, really like Southern Gothic literature.

5. My new YA is finally taking shape. I have 16,000 words that I actually am happy with.

Okay, so I'm happy with maybe 10,000, but it's at that point where I am not changing the order around any more. Stuff is permanent.

And I'm working harder to write it - like closing the door and acting all moody when my kids come in and want a ride to Becky's house because she has gourmet popcorn and a vampire movie. I just watched how they acted when I asked them to do things like take out the garbage or pick up the wet towels. I give them the same looks when they interrupt me and now we are speaking the same unspoken language.

And it's the dull middle of February, nearly exactly, and I am buying potting soil tomorrow because I'm going to push spring. I saw daffodils in the supermarket on Sunday and had to buy them: they are just so hopeful.

February may be the shortest month, but since I don't really deal too much with mathematical realities, I think it's the longest. There are some nice days in March, but it's taking so long to get there with these freezing cold, windy days. Maybe we need days like this to do some planning and things like finding pictures and cleaning out our closets.

How are you keeping busy until spring?









10 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hey, Anne! Happy Birthday!!!!

I am so glad that you are in my life.

Love, Ellen

P.S. - It may not be today, but it's close, right?

Mary Witzl said...

I've been a little less forthcoming with my kids too. Yesterday, my eldest wanted me to wait over 20 minutes for her in a freezing station while she finished shopping, in Glasgow. I texted her directions to a cafe and went to do my waiting there instead, in heated comfort. And yes -- I used the same WTF? tone she's employed on me! It worked perfectly.

A glass table would confound my cats too. They don't understand going outside to use the toilet when there's such a nice, warm carpet to use instead. Sigh...

Anne Spollen said...

Awww, thanks, Ellen, that's really nice of you. I know you don't come online too often, so I appreciate you doing that.

BD is Saturday, so yes, you are very close :)

Anne Spollen said...

Right, Mary? My kids, who I have admittedly spoiled with attention, will say to me, "Well, who made me this way?"

Now I say to them, "I can unmake it, too then."

I'm sensing they don't like that so much.

Put cayenne pepper in little bowls of aluminum foil where the cats have decided to make their daily deposits. At least it worked for me on a rubber plant BabyCat deemed her latest potty.

Who says we can't outsmart kids and cats and their senses of entitlement?

Anonymous said...

Happy belated birthday!

I'm finishing my wip until the springtime.

I have a blog award for you.

Bish Denham said...

I didn't see this post when you first put it up...better late than never?

When I gave my mother that look she'd say, "Don't look at me with that tone of voice!" It nearly always made us both laugh.

Mary Witzl said...

I am definitely going to try that!

Mary Witzl said...

(And a belated Happy Birthday!)

Anne Spollen said...

Thanks, Medeia! I'll stalk on over and see the award next.

Bish, I totally get that "tone of voice" look - very funny. That's exactly what it's like though. Some things never change.

Thanks, Mary! And yes, the cayenne pepper trick really does work.

Marcia said...

Funny -- my husband uses the "You're looking at me with that tone of voice" line.

What am I doing till spring? Writing as much as I can while I still have the excuse of being snowed in!

Oh, and you might want to visit my blog. You want the 2/28 post in case you don't get there till tomorrow or later...