Reality

My alarm went off at 6:30a. I was ready for it. I did my usual - lie in bed, listen to the news and then hit snooze. I dozed off for 10/15 minutes and the alarm popped back on.. and again, I listened to the news/weather and dh came in to tell me how cold it was outside.

The kids got out of bed hostile, all except my 3 year old - bless her heart. That smile on her face when she wakes up, makes those around her smile. I feel for her though. Being forced to wake up because her older sibs have to go to school. Luckily for her - she just needs to eat her breakfast and then she spends the next 20 or so minutes, occupying the heat vent -- feeling it's warmth. It's her favorite spot in the house. Between her and my 9 year old, it's the most sought after spot in the house -- the kitchen vent.

I managed to put together a lunch for the kids. Ground one child once, threatened to send another kid to bed by 6p.m. if her attitude didn't improve. All in all, it was a pretty normal morning for us. Although changes will need to be made for 6 year old's routine. From now on, she's picking out her clothing the night before!!! I used to do this with the boys when they were younger, and eventually they just moved to their own pace and were able to choose their clothing -- o.k. o.k... it helped that they were in uniforms for the last 4 years... they had no choice. But my 6 yo is not in private school and no longer in uniforms. She has choices and those choice are made by how her mood is. God forbid she wears grey pants on a Monday. Yeah.. it's back to picking out your clothing the night before.

The walk to the van was somber. It was cold, bitterly cold. And dd (6) was crying because of her pants - but we didn't really have any time to rectify that.

As I stepped onto the drive, my heart stopped. There it all was. Just sitting there. That blasted snow we got on Saturday. The snow I forced myself NOT to shovel yesterday. I loaded the kids, unstuck a frozen door and off we drove to school. The city of Winnipeg will plow their streets. But, you never see pavement. They will also only sand a few feet before a stop sign. Yes, you read that right... it's crazy. At least cars will be able to stop at signs -- barely. I mean, it's a squirt of sand... not a good sprinkle whatsoever.

I got back home, saw my 9 year old off to school and then the shovel sat there.. staring at me. Calling me. Taunting me.

So, yes.. I did go and shovel. I didn't do a good job... but I did it. As soon as I move my van, I can get that side of the drive.. but for the most part, it's done back there. Then I shoveled out the street access to my insanely wide path. The plows were gentle and didn't pile up too high. Thank you plow guys/gal!!!!

Now, to focus my neurotic OCD onto my home. It won't snow for a few days, so hopefully I can switch gears!!!!