Day 6 of being Snowed in and Loving it.

Book taste, like music-- is a very personal thing.
I read John Grogan's memoir,

'The Longest Trip Home' last summer.

John is the author of 'Marley and Me.'
I chanced upon it at the house we rent at Key West.

Yes I pilfered it.
(In exchange I gave the house my copy of 100 Years of Solitude)
There was something about 'The Longest Trip Home'
perhaps the timing of when I read it:
-after the death of my dad and everything related to that occasion--nailed it's landing in my brain.
Books are such a personal experience (like music) and it is a way for people to get to know each other better or at the very least understand how the other person's mind works.

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Major snow has kept the girls home from school ALL WEEK.

Steve asked me if I was going stir-crazy and I said absolutely NOT.

I love having the excuse to stay HOME, in my pajamas, with hot caffeine and books.

Snow is a beautiful thing.

I wonder how other anal retentive parents deal

With the wet snow paraphernalia that must be addressed after snow play?
And what of the ice, snow and wetness that is deposited upon entry
into one's abode?
And the children's desire to play AGAIN outside but refusal (and rightly so) to
don previously worn still wet paraphernalia which necessitates wetting
MORE paraphernalia?
Do you:
a) look the other way
b) direct them with stringent rules as to the proper ditching and
don-ing of snow paraphernalia.
c) go fetal and suck your thumb
or
d) all of the above.

School cancelled for today on account of SNOW.
Children are ecstatic.
I am too.
Happy Monday.

The Birthday Storm

Steve had one birthday wish: a huge snow storm.

As the snow started coming down on the eve of his birthday,

his mood decidedly started picking up.

So picked up that, well we snuggled.

The two feet of snow that we woke up to suddenly converted Steve into a morning person.

He excitedly drove to work.

He dug, plowed through fallen trees and barely avoided landing in a ditch -- but made it safely to the hospital 25 miles away to make rounds.
Minor scratches to vehicle. The type that dirt would disguise nicely.
He was in such a great mood-- that he kept calling and waking me from
my slumber during his 6 AM commute with phrases like: "I ran into a tree!"

When he returned home, things were looking good for an afternoon delight when suddenly our furnace quit working.

The repair guy will not be in until tomorrow due to the city being in a 'state of emergency.'

Well, no state of emergency is going to stop us from steve's snow dance so tonight we will huddle with some friends with nothing but the comfort of alcohol to keep us warm.

Happy Birthday, Steve and since I know that nothing can top this birthday storm--

as an added bonus, I will leave you to enjoy your weather porn in peace.

Just Pondering

If you had the choice of a day: Would you rather choose a day 10 years ago or a day 10 years from now?

Headline: Nepalese Man Beats Filipino Woman in Salmonella Eating Contest

I've always said that I hate driving.

I just realized that that is not the case anymore.

The other day I drove OVER 700 miles in less than 24 hours to meet my new godchild.

Meet Benicio Niranjan.


I began my journey after 9 in the morning last saturday.

I was just settling into the "flow" of my drive, deep in thought--when it occurred to me to switch on my navigational system.

The GPS voice practically screeched at me: "You fool! you are going the wrong way!!!!"

Instead of heading WEST,

I was heading NORTH towards my parents' home. (now home to just mom)

Apparently my father, God rest his soul, was sending me a message.

He knows I have been experiencing major approach avoidance about Rochester, NY.

Mom, if you are reading this, I will visit soon.

But I digress.

After the near 40 minute detour, I was finally on my way to Benicio.

It took me over 8 hours to get there because I kept stopping for coffee

and I took a few phone calls to manage the life I left behind.

Julie, having just been released from the hospital after a DRUG FREE delivery--was plowing along as if nothing happened.

I told her she was like a cave woman, resilient and tough. I aim to be like this woman.

Lax, made my favorite curry dish.

He would not serve me Lentils this time as he remembered that during my last visit, I got diarrhea.

I fed and held Benicio but the true bonding during my brief stay there was with 5 yr old Jamie.

The boys parents, Julie and Lax Vaidya--are just such proud parents.

They lead simple, happy and uncomplicated lives as they just take each day as it comes.

Before I left, Lax packed up some curry for me to take home.

He asked me, "Chesca, will you be okay to eat this after your long car ride home? I do not have it packed in ice."

I said: "Please. I am from Manila--I have a strong stomach."

Lax nodded, he said: "I can eat things after three days!"

I said: "Okay--I can only do TWO days. Then I die of salmonella."

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I woke up today realizing that I don't hate driving anymore.

And that although you might think it was really nice of me to make such a long drive to spend some time with the Vaidyas, that was not me being nice.

I got so much from this trip.

Plus, the curry was not bad either.

Why Hello Midlife, Fancy Meeting You Here

~Deepak Chopra:

*That nothing is random--life is full of signs and symbols.

*Our inner awareness is always evolving.

*Events in our life reflect who we are.

*People we allow into our life reflect aspects of ourselves.

*Whatever we pay attention to will grow.