We here at Kittywampus have a long tradition of kvelling about snow days. Foolishly, we thought that when our offspring entered public school, we would be able to pursue our paid work from 9 to 3:30 with only the occasional blip for ridiculous holidays like Columbus Day (the kids get it off, the uni doesn’t).
But I soon learned that our school district regards a quarter-inch of snow as an emergency. And thus we’ve been out of school since Tuesday. Add on the Bear’s sick day on Monday, and we’ve been out of school since December 18.
Verily, we’ve done something to anger the Ceiling Cat. He hath smote us with a plague of snow.
From ICHC, captioned by me, Sungold!
I’ve been trying to teach my classes at the college while our dear neighbor girl watches the kids whenever I can’t weasel out of a commitment. She’s wonderful – smart, responsible, and very kind to my kids – but she’s just 12. I keep feeling a little as though I’m stepping out of a 21st century Dickensian tableau whenever I slink off to work.
As soon our dear sitter leaves, my kids start climbing the walls. (Maybe ask Santa for crampons, next year?)
This scene is being played out, theme with variations, through Southeast Ohio. I advise you to buy stock in Celestial Seasonings (producer of Tension Tamer tea). If you’re living in SE Ohio, you might as well invest directly in the tea. I tried funnelling it into the Bear today, who said he was stressed. “It tastes yucky, Mama. Bitter.” I’d added honey, but I wasn’t about to argue. I happily guzzled the rest of his mug.
I think it’s a good thing that laudanum has gone out of fashion as a liquid chill-pill for kids.
Patron cat of Kittywampus (1985-2001)
We have been holed-up out to the West. May make our way into the city today for provisions(/hockey). Despite the cold, all has been remarkably calm – I just have had issues concentrating on documents I need to be writing/editing (too many distractions). Despite the dark, cold and snow, the Buff Orpington’s are now averaging 4 eggs a day!
Those hens are definitely a lot hardier than I am!
“Better Parenting Through Chemistry.”
I don’t think Cambodia will freeze over until Hell does, but the children here seem amazingly chill-sensitive to westerners. Temperatures have dropped just below thirty in this the winter season, and a couple of the young kids have come to morning classes in parkas.
Oh, I think I’m the one who needs the chemistry!
The Cambodian kids and I would get along just fine. I lived in North Dakota until I was 16. Nonetheless, I’ve been known to wear my winter coat once temps dip into the 50s.
Heh. Yeah, my English-teacher friends know every happy hour in town.
I used to be warm-blooded, but I doubt I’d survive winter in California as I am now.
The kids here talk about exotic, wondrous snow all the time, since they have sponsors in Chicago.