Sunny Days #SOLC19

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The sun is shining in the windows today.

We need no coat.

I actually have neighbors,

sitting or walking and waving hello.

Errands aren't as bad

as I drive around,

windows down

and sunglasses on my face.

Sunny days help my brain

feel more in charge and productive.

Let's clean the car,

pick up pinecones and sticks.

How I love a sunny day

even if's it's cold.

Sunny days are hopeful

and make me smile.

C'mon spring #SOLC19

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The mountains of ice remain.

High of 39 degrees today, with some sunshine.

The wind blows across the yard, shaking the tree boughs.

Our trees are growing tiny stems for future leaves.

The grass is a dull shade of brown.

In March it's hard to be patient,

The warmth doesn't come soon enough.

C'mon spring!

Sunshine #SOL18

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Sunshine

Essential and bright energy source

warming the Earth

coaxing the plants from their winter slumber.

Center of our universe

encourages outdoor activity

even when temperatures are frigid.

Largely motivating,

ever present behind the clouds,

a force to reckon with.

Sunshine

Sunshine intervention #SOLC17

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Write every day in March.
Write to make your own sunshine.
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We had sunshine on Friday.  Clouds on Saturday, Sunday, Monday.  This week calls for nothing but 

gloomy

cloudy

rainy

cold

days.

Hmpf.

I left my "happy light" at school.

Double hmpf.

Since I can't force the sun to come out, I am trying to create my own "sunshine" and setting myself up for a "sunny" day.  My steps:

• Streaming music (loudly!) from Pandora - trying some new genres
• Dancing around to the music (it's not pretty)
• Typing my slice to set my intentions for the day
• Planning a trip to the library, lunch out with Allison and errands
• Turning on every light in the kitchen
• Drinking another cup of coffee
• Adding books recommended by my Twitter peeps to GoodReads
• Celebrating that today is a gift, no matter what the weather.

Wishing you a SUNNY day!

Soggy Spring #SOLC17

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Write every day in March.
It's the final week!
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The rain has made the ground squishy and soggy.

The birds are excited to pull juicy worms from the dirt.

The green sprigs of daffodils and snowdrops peek up, some flowering.

The trees are covered with moss, their leaves beginning to bud.

The water in the stream gushes, splashes and flows over rocks.

The air is sticky and fragrant and gentle.

The rain brings new life to the earth.

Spring? SOLC #26

 I went for a walk this morning.

It sounded like spring.
Birds were chirping
and flying between trees.
Dogs were barking
at all the people out walking.
Squirrels chattered and
shook tree branches
as they climbed.


It looked like spring.
Leaf buds were popping
out of tree branches.
Green blades of grass
outnumbered
the dried, brown clumps.
Clear running water
flowed through the creek bed.




It felt like winter.
The "real feel" temperature
was 26 degrees.
The wind was
out of the north.
The snow piles remained
from Monday's surprise storm.

The weather forecaster
promises
warmer weather
next week.

Here's hoping for
true spring
to arrive
SOON! 

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Surprise! It snowed...again! SOLC #6

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Write every day in March!
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When my alarm went off on Wednesday morning, I was already awake.  My body knows when the earth has changed its tilt, so I'm always ahead of the time changes.

The traffic guy called out from the radio, "We have a winter weather advisory in place.  I recommend getting out of the house early!"

I decided to get out of bed and start the day instead of pressing the snooze bar.  Oldest daugter was already up.  I shook my youngest daughter awake and told her to watch the clock.  I went outside to push 3" of snow off the cars and start the big truck. 

The snow was coming down in tiny pellets.  As soon as I shoveled a path around the cars, they started filling up again.

When I finally headed for school, I thought I was getting an early start at 8:00, but the cars were lined up on the main road in front of my house.  I tried heading the opposite direction, but I couldn't even turn on a side street.  I drove 30 minutes out of my way and then 20 minutes the right way.

There is nothing worse than suburban Chicago traffic when it snows.

We should know how to handle driving in this weather, but I think this morning took us by surprise.  I know I have stopped watching the weather reports.  They are too disheartening.  We usually don't have warm temperatures in March, but our season snow total is insane.  Even the snow-lovers like me are rebelling!

Here's some hope for temperatures above freezing, snow-free days, and a lot more sunshine.  (I'm thankful that we've had a pretty sunny winter!)  C'mon spring!

Blue Skies

The thermometer read 10 degrees this morning.  The driveway was covered with a dusting of snow.  Sunshine cascaded through the windows, and the sky sparkled a beautiful blue.

I bundled up and headed out to brush off the cars, push snow off the drive, and soak up the sunshine.  My nose stung from the cold, but the fresh air and sun inspired me.

This year has been filled with small and big challenges for our family.  We've laughed, cried, pouted and smiled.  We keep saying that we are finished with 2013, but some of the hardest times were the ones that made us stronger.  Some of the smallest events made us the happiest.  We look forward to a new, fresh year.

May your 2014 be filled with health, happiness and love.  Be grateful for every moment, small and big.

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A helpful winter tool SOLC #6

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It's a handy little tool
Much smaller than the rest
It helps you in the winter
It really is the best

What is this handy tool
That helps with all the snow?
It's my baby snowblower
And man, can that thing throw!

It's powered by electricity
There's not a cord around
Long enough to reach the end
Of the driveway...that I've found

When the neighbors see me,
They smirk and they laugh
To see me out there with this tiny tool
and the big drifts that I attack

Oh baby snowblower you are little,
But you really help me out
Better than a shovel or a plow
Without you, I would pout!

Happy snow day recovery to my midwest friends... may the snow fall not as deep in the east today!

Heat Wave - SOLC #19

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I had a terrible time sleeping last night.  It was 80 degrees here in Illinois.  I really hate to turn on the AC when the air outside starts to cool, so I had the whole house fan going instead.  I tried desperately to find ways to bring the cooler air into our house, but I had no luck.

My husband tried to explain that the best way to get the air into the house was to create a vacuum - only open the windows a tiny bit in a few rooms.  I couldn't believe this would work, so of course I had a few windows wide open and even opened a few doors.

The house was still hot.

"Give up.  Turn on the AC," he said.
"It's March,"  I replied.  "Besides, it's cool outside.  It will cool off inside soon!"

It never did.

2:34 a.m.
I'm lying on top of the sheets, blankets thrown off.  I'm really crabby when I'm hot.  I opened the door to the backyard.  Cool air outside, but nothing coming in.  I still don't turn the AC on.  I think about sleeping outside, but I roll over and manage to fall asleep.

6:30 a.m.
I crawl out of bed.  The air is thick with humidity.

"Turn on the AC,"  my husband says.  (I'm surprised he doesn't add, "I told you so!")

I switch the AC on.  The condenser roars to life.  The house starts to cool.  Maybe I'll sleep tonight!

Outside! SOLC #4

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It's still winter here in northern Illinois, but yesterday I had to get outside for a walk.  We have a moderately hilly neighborhood and a walking path through a nature area, so I can vary my route each time I walk.

As I trudged up the first hill, against the 22 degree, 10 mph winds, I tried to figure out why I didn't take more walks this winter. (Yes, I was being a bit sarcastic with myself!)

We didn't have much snowfall, so the sidewalks were clear.
The temperature rarely got below 20.
I have lots of cold-weather wear:  scarves, hats, mittens.
It's winter. I decided to stay inside.  It was easier!

AHA!  I caught myself!

Today I'm hoping to get outside for another walk, even though it's windy, snowing, and the sky is really gray.  After my quick (it was COLD!) walk yesterday I realized that I like being outside.  I need to get outside.

Now that we are in March, and the First Day of Spring is actually listed on the calendar, I can't wait to get outside and enjoy a walk!