Return to Childhood!

This weekend was the height of any weather forecasters dreams. They love an approaching storm and make the most of it. As the hours went by their predictions escalated. Usually south Jersey gets the edge of the snow but this was to be a nor'easter and they were estimating 8-10 inches of snow. As I lay in bed last night I revisited those childhood memories of being excited at the thought of no school. Now as an adult the only change is the venue. The thought of no work had me still awake at 12:30 and up at 5:30. By 6:45 my hopes were squashed. I put on my boots, coat and started the task of snow removal . There was about eight to nine inches at that time so I shoveled the back and was doing the front of the house when my girlfriend called and said no work. Yeah! but a little to late to lay in bed. So I finished up and went in to warm up. (It was 23 degrees) Its 10:30 and work never called me. Thank God for friends. I have been back out twice clearing the paths I made. I still have yet to clean off my car. I wish I could grab a sled and find a good hill. I don't think you ever get too old for that. Building a snow fort is out of the question. The neighbors would assume I really lost it. But memories of those times are wonderful to think about. 

Forgive me as I digress.....

I remember when I was young (ugh!! now I sound like an old fart) we kids would all head out to play. Snowball fights, snowmen, and snow forts. Mom would put hot chocolate in my school thermos and we would snuggle down in our fort to drink it. Then our mothers would call us in as in our efforts to do all that we would not realize how cold it was and needed to warm up.

another good memory was when we would go sledding. Just not friends, but families. We would bundle up and head to the hill behind our neighbors house. This was a hill in the woods where you must navigate trees. Now I know some of the grand kids may have a hard time imagining Grandmom and Pop sledding, but they did. At one point, and forgive my failing memory, but grandmom flopped on Pop(or the other way around) and down the hill they went on top of each other and laughing all the way. 

Was my day good or bad?

This week at work was quite unbelievable. Working at an office of over 30,000 patients is usually like working at a three ring circus. Lots of demanding patients and limited staff usually keeps me on my toes. But Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday was a breeze. I awoke this morning thinking just two more days and then the weekend! Little did I realize that all the problems and general nut cases would decide to wait to call or come in until today.  That was the bad part of my day.

The good part was when a patient gave me a hundred dollar bill. Nice. At least one patient appreciates my hard work! After fleeing the office at 4:30 I arrived home to find a letter sent by certified mail from the attorney general. To my surprise it contained a check for seventy five dollars. Years ago Amy and I joined a gym which closed without notice a couple of months later. This was the settlement. Unexpected but nice.

I asked Ben to get me a lottery ticket at the local store since all my luck today  revolved around money. The local store had closed its doors. I took that as a sign that the lottery thing wouldn't have worked. Oh well. 

Spring is Coming

Each year as winter slowly creeps along I begin to look for the first signs of Spring. If you are a warm weather lover like me you can identify. Recently we had several days of above forty degree temps which is hopeful. My one signature sign of spring is when the robins come. They are like the ray of sunshine on a cloudy day. This week a whole flock appeared so it seems they are traveling back. In my mind I see the forsythia showing its bright yellow coat and green shoots of tulips and daffodils poking through the earth. Everything becomes new again, what a wonderful season.

Yesterday I attended my first Flyers hockey game. We had tickets 12 rows from the ice, which is quite a score, them being given to us. They normally sell for 96 bucks.  I had watched them on TV but found a real appreciation seeing it live. Those men are truly talented skaters and their hand-eye coordination is phenomenal. I got to see players fight and people in the stands fight. I got to see them score a goal when they were down one man. For a first game I believe I saw the whole spectrum. I get to go back again Wednesday night. I never go for 52 years of my life and now twice in one week. Go Flyers!

Catching up

Thought I would catch everyone up on the family news.

Amy and Craig:

They returned from their honeymoon of ten days in Jamaica. They had a small cottage right on the ocean in a resort called Jake's Beach. The photos are lovely and they had a wonderful time. They returned a day after we got eight inches of snow. They also added a new member of the family, named Lulu. She is a four month old Pit Bull found wandering the streets of Philly. I went to personally welcome her to the family and found her to be the sweetest dog. If you sit down, she is on your lap! Her face looks sad and she is not pretty but has a wonderful disposition.

Ben:

Graduated from Massage Therapy and got himself a job at Toppers in Philadelphia. Contemplating an apartment in the city when he makes enough for the expenses. In the meantime he spends his off time(which hasn't been much) out with friends.

Katie:

Moved back to California. She has partnered with two other lawyers and formed their own firm which seems to be doing well. She bought an infinity SUV and rented a two bedroom condo. Hope to visit her near summer if possible.

Me:

I am finally over the back pain and trying to put the house to rights. It sounds easy to write but believe me, its alot of work. As I get wedding photos I will scrapbook them. Tomorrow I start the search for an appropriate outfit to wear to the next event. Craig's parents are throwing a champagne brunch so all their family and friends who could not come to the wedding can attend this. I have been invited and will go as the family representative. I will try not to bring any embarrassment upon the clan!

Grandmom and Pop:

During the winter their consists of sleep, eat, TV and doctors appointments. Pop gets to cook. They did get a new mattress yesterday which grandmom loves and Pop woke up with back pain. We will see what the night brings.

I think that is the relevant news of the week. Stay Tuned for any developments.

Fantasy Date

Thought I would share what conspired at work today. I was sitting at my desk all morning. As people would come and go they would be chatting about what they were doing for Valentines Day. One girl had been talking about her date for the past two weeks. I heard about every restaurant and its menu. I heard about who was getting chocolates. Two girls had flowers delivered to the office. As the subject continued to be embellished, my mind formed a plan.

I cut a big pink heart out and tacked it to my bulletin board. Attached was a picture of the studly Brad Pitt, all buff for his scene as Achilles in the movie Troy. Written on the heart was: "my valentine and I will be dining on Chick-Fila. The girls gathered around and laughed but little did they know that is what was being delivered for lunch today. As we all lined up and filled our plates then sat to eat, there was Brad attached to the adjacent chair.

The lesson for them was: Fantasy can be much better than reality!!

white to gray

Snow has been falling all day. Just a light snow that has covered its white blanket and causes the outside noise to be muffled giving our ears respite. The sky has that nice look of dull metal and causes the tones of light to filter differently. Colors are muted and thngs look fresh. I am writing this tonight knowing that tomorrow will bring gray slush as cars make their way to work and the growing synphony of noise that comes with the day. Life goes on. May you know peace and contentment throughout the day my friends and family.