Cabin Fever

With no dome to run around in still and temps often too cold to play outside, seriously scary cabin fever has set upon the Murphy home...and the kids aren't doing too well either! Luckily I have been able to take some solace in scrap therapy...unfortunately my scrap therapy makes Shawn crazy!! He was supposed to be winging to TX right about now but his boss canceled and is on his way to Germany instead...Hey Bill, if you are reading this, I think you should take Shawn, too. I figure if he goes to Germany for business, there is the possibility I can go one day, too. He could work all day while I sample, the, er, local customs ;0)

Tina is the only one who is really thriving in the snowy weather! She is a never-ending bundle of energy. She even wears Matthew out and I didn't think that was possible. I suppose it will serve her later in life if I permit her to make it to adulthood, ahhhhhhh. Nate and Mariah have been taking advantage of some down time to start taking practice tests for high school. Right now they are both looking at Scranton Prep...I am looking at soccer and basketball scholarships, sigh...

Digging Out

Though in PA, it seems impossible that we would still be digging out from a storm so far after the fact, this was an unusual one. The large amounts of water mixed in with the snow in the form of freezing rain made this snowfall very heavy. Everyone is worried about roof collapse. We have been there and done that ;0) so we felt immune (how many time can it happen to one family, right?) But everyone from a local library to our parish church had worries. Our local sports dome, the Playing Field was one of the businesses that did suffer roof collapse. It is one of the inflatable buildings...like a giant bubble. The children are there so much for soccer that it is like a home away from home. I was very proud of my family when they spent their Saturday with others from the community at a shovel party helping the family Dig Out! Even Tina got a shovel and lent a hand. We hope to get back to soccer practice very soon and our prayers go out to this family and any others who sustained damage in this very horrible winter storm.

The Great Valentines Storm of 2007

Barbie dined on my flowers...

But not us...not on Valentines day...Something about severe snow makes Shawn want to go for drives...or maybe it was the lack of appetizing choices for our Valentines dinner. Whatever it is, he piled the entire family into the dodge and we went four wheeling :0) I cannot believe I didn't bring my camera. I just didn't want to be cold and was pouting. What would be open...nothing obviously. The Chinese restaurant but it was take out only and we wanted ambiance (yeah with four kids in tow!) Not even a McDonald's, which I believe is against its contractual obligation to remain open all days except Christmas. I didn't even think we would be able to turn around anywhere. Finally, we spotted a neon light...Amore's; how appropriate. We piled in and hung out as far from the bar area as possible...and there we dined on a sumptuous feast of mozzarella sticks, chicken nuggets, breaded shrimp and fries...a repast for kings! Then it was back in the sled, er, truck to slide home again. A valentines day to remember for sure....thanks, honey...you are my hero :0)
I guess the only one who really dined in style was Barbie!

Its Beginning to Look A lot Like Christmas...

So I gave up and I am back here...my old new permanent home :0) We are just dying here in the cold…I thought we had some global warming going on? The kids have had two hour delays every day so far this week and I think THAT is the trend we will continue seeing for the future! I try to keep Tina in during this weather, but she doesn’t appreciate my efforts. Had to make a layout about the latest time she tromped on my warm and fuzzy mommy feelings! Hope you all are having a sunny day :0)