It creaks at the back of my brain, that nagging tug that begs the question: what if this lasts for days? What if the snow climbs and climbs and the door won't open and the car is buried beyond finding and we finally live up to the stereotypical name of Canadian?
But that won't happen...
Right?
I know many people would find themselves burdened - annoyed by the kids, worried about work, cabin-fevered to the point of standing outside in their bare feet just to convince themselves that they really can't go anywhere...Not me. I love it. I love being home. I was made for home. This is where my heart blooms.
It's all so pretty and wild and white and my house is so warm and messy and busy...
There are ways to survive. I may have been blessed with a positive constitution but that's not the only thing helping me through these snowy days and nights.


2. BE WARM!
There's nothing like a crackling fire to scare away the stuck-at-home blues. Sure, it dries out your skin like a month in the desert and it statics your hair like a science experiment but there is no better warmth than the heat of the burning wood you sweat your butt off piling in the fall.
(Don't have the blessing of a wood stove? Crank the furnace just a touch and light some candles.)
Or...

3. IMAGINE BEING WARMER! - You're the idiot who decided Canada was a wise place for the old homestead...
Can't look out the window without shivering? Close your eyes and imagine yourself in a warmer climate. A winter storm is the perfect opportunity for daydreams.
4. LISTEN TO GREAT MUSIC!
Music feeds the soul. What better way to pull yourself out of the proverbial snowbank of suckiness than by sticking some vinyl on the record player and letting those tunes scratch themselves through every room of your house. Of course, you can do this with other 'listening devices' but you and I both know they're not nearly as awesome!
Also, plan to burst into operatic serenades of both 'Let It Snow' & 'Baby, It's Cold Outside' at various points throughout your day because, well...why wouldn't you???
5. MAKE YOUR OWN FUN!
Play games. Read books. Draw pictures. Bake. Bang the drums. Feed each other playdoh muffins. Make banana splits. Baptize the cat.
6. PRACTICE A NEW SKILL!
Think of the storm as a gift - a wide-open day to practice those new stitches the nice church lady taught you (thanks Susan)!
7. DRINK TEA!
Because tea is natures 'everything is gonna be alright'.
And yum.
8. VIDEO GAMES ARE NOT THE DEVIL!
Well...they are, just not during a storm.
This is not the day to declare your boycott on all electronics.
This is not the day to preach on melting brains or the faults of a dumbed-down generation.
No, today is the day for Minecraft and Super Smash Bros Brawl and NHL 2009 and Tony Hawk Pro Skater and if they're busy and they're happy than why in the world would you rain on their parade???
9. COOK A DINNER YOUR MOM WOULD COOK!
Because the smells of a mom's kitchen are like a hug made of a quilt wrapped in a cloud gilded with rainbows.
10. RELAX! (again)
Sleep. Rest. Nap. Put your feet up.
Because...WHY NOT?
You can't control the weather. You can't open the roads.
You can and should push snooze, doze on the couch, fall asleep with a book on your chest, close your eyes in a bubble bath - you can't do laundry anyway, remember? (see #1)
Wherever you are...be safe, stay warm, seek joy!
This is great, Alanna! :)
ReplyDelete-Lisa
Glad you enjoyed it! Hope you're keeping warm
DeleteMy plan for tomorrow if it's another snow day is to fill the big bath tub and let Paige "swim".
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed this Alanna! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteYes! I too have fully enjoyed the snow days at home.
ReplyDelete