Rumor has it that we are missing cold weather and some snow back in Missouri.  I got a sunburn yesterday, sipping wine in Napa Valley.  It was in the 70′s, sunny with a slight breeze.  I forgot to pack the thing that lets me download photos from the Smart Card to the  computer.  Sorry.

Our first flight was delayed because a gage wasn’t working…but we were able to fly safely without said gage.  Not sure why 2nd flight was delayed.  Paul was waiting for us in Sacramento.  Our checked bag arrived and off we went…to Lincoln CA.  We had sandwiches at California Beach Deli for a late lunch. Then for supper we ate at Old Town Pizza in Lincoln. It was very windy but we braved the weather and chill to walk around a bit after eating.  Saturday morning we ate at “Awful Annie’s”.  It was anything but awful.  I had the “Breakfast mess” which was potatoes, cheese, several veggies cooked in a skillet.  Delicious.  We went to Napa valley and sampled wines at what I think was Avesta Winery. It was amazing.  Up on a hill with a view of vineyards and the ocean in the distance.  Sunday (today) we went to Sacramento.  Went to Old Sacramento and toured the Train Museum, then did the “underground” tour.  It was interesting and entertaining.  I learned a lot about Sacramento history. We also toured (on our own) the Capitol.  We stopped at an Ikea store on the way back to Lincoln.  Wow.  Amazing stuff.

Slowly adjusting to California time. 

Dennis just got a phone call stating he won a free Carnival Cruise.  He hung up.

Today was the RMS Talent Show(s).  Each grade had an assembly.  The finale of each assembly was the teachers’ entry. Over a dozen of the teachers danced and lip-synced to a medley of rock & roll tunes, from The Village People to Lady Gaga.  It was hysterical…and impressive  Those teachers know their moves.  

The calendar may say that tomorrow is spring, but our weather still says WINTER.  More snow at the end of the week…hopefully not enough to keep our plane from taking of Friday morning.  Hopefully Spring really will arrive while we are gone.

Got my pedicure after school.  I felt weird to have “naked” feet after months of shoes and socks.  Took off my shoes in the car & wore flip flops into the business, wore them back to the car and drove home.  As soon as I got inside the house, back into socks and my house slippers. Did a pale frosted gold polish that should go with anything. I think it will look particularly good on a sandy beach. 

We’ve had a lot of rain lately…ducky weather I suppose.  

Mid-morning it hit me.  I need to get my ducks in a row.  Spring Break is around the corner and we are leaving on a jet plane…  Dennis got the suitcases up from the basement after work.  We are both taking a carry-on and checking ONE bag between the 2 of us.  Since I plan to wear sandals at least part of the time in L.A., I made an appointment to get a pedicure after work tomorrow.  Massage on Wednesday because rounding up all these ducks is putting some real kinks in my neck and shoulders.  The most annoying is the liquid restrictions on the planes…so lotion, deodorant, toothpaste, shampoo…all go into the checked bag.  What do you do if you only have a carry-on?  Buy all new upon arrival?  I’m living dangerously and taking my small knitting project (scarf).  It is on bamboo needles…small gage as well as short in length.  Will I be another grandma wrestled to the floor as a suspected terrorist as I go thru the security check???  Last year my carry-on was Hannah’s serger (sewing machine) and that caused quite a commotion.  In the end, the serger (mostly intact) and I managed to land safely in Los Angeles. It was used almost immediately upon arrival, to shorten and hem Hannah’s birthday dress, so it was worth the hassle.  

We had to find a fellow gardener to babysit our broccoli while we are gone. It has been too cold and wet to get it planted.  Our yard/garden is a swamp right now. 

Last year we packed a little too light…as in the weather was cooler than we expected.  This year I’m taking a nice pullover sweater and a zip front hoodie, as well as my denim jacket.  No shorts.  I suspect jeans, tennis shoes and light cottons shirts will be my basic attire most of the time.  One birthday dinner for Hannah at a nice restaurant.  

Whenever possible….chose adventure.

Matt, Sara & Jax should be back home about now.  It was fun to hang out with them this weekend.  

I have my taxes to the point I can meet with my tax person and get them filed.  After looking at the income vs expense columns of my business, I’m not doing a happy dance.  Business was down a bit this year, but expenses were not.  Debating on trying to sell the equipment and materials this summer.  My customers could go elsewhere, but it would be nice if someone in St. James would just take things over…  I’m taking a short break before heading to the basement to do the engraving that must be delivered tomorrow after school.  

There was a rain/snow mix going on when we got up this morning.  Fortunately the temperatures stayed around freezing and there was little accumulation (on grassy areas, tops of cars).  I’m glad I had no plans to attend any outdoors St. Pat’s festivities today.

Originally I planned enchiladas for supper tonight, but I think it’s turning into a soup evening.  We have some left-over biscuits from brunch.  I’m thinking minestrone with the hamburger left over from tacos.  (I don’t season my taco meat…that’s what the salsa is for). 

I think I’m going to bed early tonight.  Cold, dreary days exhaust me.

It was sunny and warm this morning…in the 50′s.  Then it got cloudy and the wind shifted…started blowing from the North.  Don’t know what the wind chill was, but the thermometer said 42…and it was not comfortable with just a light jacked (over sweatshirt and jeans).  Our outing to the elementary school playground didn’t last very long due to the weather.  

We had tacos, refried beans, blackbean & corn salad, & tacos for supper.  It was tasty and everyone (except Jax…he had his own food, which he enjoyed) seemed to enjoy it.  

Since we will just be back from California on Easter, we decided to celebrate early.  Jax liked his “boogie dog”…it walks and wiggles.  He also likes to climb stairs.  And he likes it when his mom & dad act goofy.  

I hear thunder rumbling to the west.  Rain is in the forecast, along with rumors of snow. A good night to stay inside and enjoy family.

Dennis put the broccoli out to “harden off” today.  We’ll bring it in when it gets dark. Even though it got up to 70+ today, it’s supposed to cool off dramatically tonight and only be in 40s with north wind tomorrow.  Rain and 40′s on Sunday.  40′s as highs all next week.

The Jonquils are looking good. 

Today was calmer at work.  It’s been a crazy week. Glad there are only 4 more days of school until Spring Break.  I think we ALL need a break.  Today 6th grade students who MET (not exceeded, did the minimum) their reading goals got to go bowling or skating this afternoon. This kind of reward always bothers me.  I DO like the idea of rewarding students who go above and beyond…like the students who are going to the Children’s Literature Festival on Monday—because they read at least 12 books that were Mark Twain Award nominees and blogged on them.  This all since the beginning of the school year. THAT was above and beyond their regular school work.  

It’s Friday night.  Dennis is off chaperoning the Kiwanis sponsored St. James Middle School Dance.  I’m staying home to do laundry and clean house.  Have to have things ready for Jax (and his parents) to visit us tomorrow. 

It started today.  In the 60′s.  There is still one small pile of snow on the northeast side of the house.  I’m sure it will be gone tomorrow.  It’s supposed to hit 70 degrees.  WOW.  Unfortunately cooler temperatures and rain are forecast for Saturday.

Minimal food shopping after work.  Getting ready to feed Matt, Sara & Jax on Saturday.  Needed milk and Honey Nut Cheerios for Dennis’ breakfast.  Kroger had their brand cheese on sale for $2.99 a pound, so I got sharp cheddar and some pepper jack. Got some lettuce and tomatoes for tacos Saturday night.  Also taco shells.  I have some salsa I put up this summer.  Debating on refried beans or Mexican rice.  Maybe some guacamole and chips.  Maybe some slightly sweetened peach tea to drink.  

At the very end of school, there was a report of 2 parents duking it out in the student pick up circle.  The principals all ran out.  I didn’t hear the end of the story…whether blows were exchanged or if it was all “Huff and Bluff”.  No wonder so many of the students don’t know how to behave.  I read more of Every Day is a Good Day during lunch.  I am impressed with the thoughts and wisdom of these native American women.  They speak often of people not being able to  tell the difference between Need and Greed.  For quite I while I’ve blamed greed for the problems we are facing today–national deficit, welfare, lack of decent health care, especially dental care, at a reasonable price, and even the dumbing down of our education system. UGH.

I watched Project Runway tonight.  What a train wreck.

I’m not Catholic but am glad a new Pope has been chosen.  I like the idea of a Pope who chose St. Francis as his namesake.  Years ago, a friend gave me a St. Francis “saint card” (She was Catholic) and I still have it.  On one side is an artist’s rendition of the saint, with his arms held upwards and birsds surrounding him and even landing on one hand and a shoulder.  On the other side is a prayer for Peace.

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.

Where there is hatred, let me sow love.

Where there is injury, pardon,

where there is doubt, faith,

where there is despair, hope.

Where there is darknes, light,

and where there is sadness, joy.

Good words to live by.

There was a glaze of ice on the remaining water puddles this morning, but the sun was shining.  I think it made it to 40 degrees.  

Wop Wednesday.  Not only did I have pizza for lunch (it was a fund raiser for the RMS Relay for Life team), I made a pesto & bean soup for supper.  With some store bought breadsticks.  

Fortunately today was less busy than Monday & Tuesday.  I had a few errands to run after work.  I made the soup and still managed to get the absolutely had to be done engraving finished tonight.  Now I can focus on the weekend and visit by Matt, Sara & Jax.   Definitely making tacos for Saturday supper…but more details need to be worked out.

there was frost on everything this morning…the steps were a bit slick.  At some point it did indeed get up to 40 degrees.  Tonight back into the lower 20′s.  The almanac was kind of hit/miss.  It said March 7-12 “rainy periods; warm.  Ok there was some rain and some warm, but there was also COLD and FROST and FREEZING drizzle.   I’m losing faith in the Old Farmer’s Almanac.

Another busy day at work.  No rest for the wicked. Not getting a lot accomplished at home either.  Procrastination reigns. 

I woke up to winter. There was a freezing mist.  I had to scrape  the windshield of the VW before I headed to work…in the dark.  I had to stop and scrape the windshield twice before the windshield (defrosters) got warm enough to keep the ice off the windshield.  It was dreary and cold all day.  Cold tonight.  It’s supposed to warm up tomorrow afternoon. 

Lots of sick students today.  At least I was busy and the time went by quickly.  I have to go in a bit early tomorrow and get the first aid bag ready for a field trip.  

Dennis donated blood after work and they fed him well.  So I didn’t bother cooking.  I had a sandwich.  

Since there were no programs I wanted to watch on TV, I watched “Miss Firecracker”.  Wonderful cast with Mary Steenbergen as Elaine, the older cousin of Carnelle (Holly Hunter) and sister of Dermount (Tim Robbins).  The first time I watched it, back in the 80′s, I was so engrossed in the story of Carnelle and Elain, I didn’t appreciate the secondary story of Dermount and Popeye (Alfre Woodard).  In the end, we are all just looking for love, or as Mac Sam (Scott Glenn) put it  ”eternal Grace”.  It wasn’t exactly as I remembered, but worth seeing…more than once.