Saturday, February 25, 2012

February Blues

Did I mention that Meredith loves to swim? (I know I talk a lot about Meredith in my blogs. Its because everything is new with her. I am discovering her personality. I already know my other 3 are smart and good looking.=)) I actually was amazed at how much she liked it. The pool at the hotel was on the cool side. But she loved us holding her under her arms and swimming her around on her belly. Her little legs just kicked and kicked. She has been a kicker since she started moving in my belly. I have high hopes that she might share her mama's love of swimming.
And we went to a Griffin's game on Wednesday night. (Meredith's first) It was a great game! I love watching hockey. It is a much faster pace than baseball. Though I like major league baseball games too. I am NOT into the minor leagues at all. Our local farm team does more promotions than ball playing. The Griffins won! But the Hamilton Bulldogs played well. Their goalie was amazing. He kept catching the puck over and over again. I was impressed. We go to a hockey game once a year. The kids earn free tickets through the summer reading program, and we all get to go for the price of parking. Elsie danced to the music spots they played throughout the game. She has got some moves! Ah, the inhibitions (or lack of) of a four year old! The boys are thrilled with the game. Ethan always hopes for a fight, but there weren't any this time. It was a great time. And Meredith's little legs were kicking the whole time there too. I think she also thought it great fun to holler when everyone else was.=)
This week I lost my running motivation. I ran well on Tuesday, but just felt laxidasical on Thursday. Today we were supposed to run nine, but only did four. But, at least we did four. I almost quit at one. I think we are going to squeeze in two fours-tomorrow and Monday. Then get back on our regular schedule on Tuesday. My first race of the year is in just three weeks. I am getting excited. That will keep me motivated. And then we are going to get new shoes after that. Break them in well before our 25k.
Today is vacation aftermath. You know what I mean? It's the day you have to do the trip's laundry, plus the laundry you would have done had you been home. And I made bread-also something that was going to happen yesterday. I am wishing for a date with Brian. We have had great family time, but not much couple time. But, we also have a date lined up for next Saturday, so we will probably just soldier on with a home date.
Well, here's some poetry to suit my mood...


The marsh is frozen,

The river dead.
Through clouds like ashes
The red sun flashes
On village windows
That glimmer red.

The snow recommences;
The buried fences
Mark no longer
The road o'er the plain;


- Henry Wadsworth Longfellow



"Winter is the time for comfort, for good food and warmth, for the touch of a friendly hand and for a talk beside the fire:  it is the time for home."
-  Edith Sitwell


"Announced by all the trumpets of the sky,
Arrives the snow, and, driving o'er the fields,
Seems nowhere to alight: the withered air
Hides hills and woods, the river, and the heaven,
And veils the farm-house at the garden's end.
The sled and traveler stopped, the courier's feet
Delayed, all friends shut out, and housemates sit
Around the radiant fireplace, enclosed
In a tumultuous privacy of storm."
-  Ralph Waldo Emerson



"The flowers of late winter and early spring occupy places in our hearts well out of proportion to their size."
-  Gertrude S. Wister


Winter has returned to Michigan...but its days are numbered. Yes!