Our First and Last Winter Adventure

This year's winter cycle was a little unpredictable--snow one day then rain the next.  The constant mild temperatures in between the "snow storms" kept us from being able to go outside to sled, make snow angels, etc. etc .

Finally, just before February vacation, we were hit with about 13 inches of snow that actually lasted for a few days.  We had to act fast because 60 degree temperatures were slated for the weekend.  I took Lewie sledding on a Saturday morning (at our usual spot) before the snow went into a major melt-down.  Then, on Monday, we drove an hour an a half to a ski resort where they make their own snow, so we could get one day in of snow tubing.  It was both our first and our last day to enjoy the winter.

After a day of sledding on Saturday at our "usual" place, we all decided to go snow tubing at a real ski resort on Monday. Thank goodness they were still making snow!  The snow tubing was a little icy in some areas since temperatures were well into the 50's....

Snow Tubing at Ski Butternut in Great Barrington, MA

Can you see the "icy" look to the snow?  The snow tubing was FAST!

We had a lot of time to take pictures since it seemed that everyone chose to go snow tubing
during the long holiday weekend.

Ready, set, go!!!

Having a bite to eat and a bathroom break before heading home....

I am so glad we were able to get some snow tubing in during Lewie's shortened February vacation.  It was our first time traveling to Ski Butternut in Great Barrington, MA,, and the ride was absolutely gorgeous--no traffic, just miles and miles of beautiful woods and farmland.  We had so much fun, we made a promise to ourselves to go every year.

Now, only a week later, (with 70 degree temperatures) there is no snow left in sight.  It appears that spring is just around the corner.

A Mild Winter?

In just one more day, it will be Groundhog Day--time to see if we're having an early spring or another six weeks of winter.  Last year, Connecticut's groundhog, Chuckles, predicted six more weeks of winter, and he couldn't have been more accurate.  February and even some of March were a snowy abyss.  We were buried in feet of snow, and it felt as if we had a 'snow day' from school and work every other day.

This year, the tide may have turned.  December was rather warm with some 40, 50, and even 60 degree days.  January has been equally warmer than usual.  We had a snowstorm, part of the January 2016 Blizzard, which crippled many Southern states including South Carolina, Arkansas, Delaware, Maryland, etc.  However, amazingly, our little state was spared.  In comparison to last year's feet of snow, getting seven inches last weekend felt like nothing. 

In all honesty, it was my kind of snowstorm.  The snow started on a Saturday (allowing us to stay indoors all day without having to drive anywhere), and it ended on Saturday evening.  On Sunday, we woke up to a beautiful batch of pure white fluffy snow, glistening under a warm sun.  Shoveling snow was easy, and then we were off to some good old fashioned sledding, again having the joy of feeling tingly and warm from the sun.

Lewie helping us shovel!  He was quite the helper this year!

Our street after the snow storm.

Looking down on our house from the street. (My mom lives on one side, and we live on the other.)

Lewie trying out his new snow tube from Santa.

Today, I'm beginning the month of February wondering what other snow adventures (or non-snow adventures) we have ahead.  I'm planning on taking some days off to be with my little boy, so we can get ready for Valentine's Day and plan our little surprises for RAK (Random Acts of Kindness) Week.  There will be lots of yummy baking in our future.  Can't wait!

Happy February!

Life Happens...

I rarely like to miss a week blogging but as we all know, life can sometimes get overwhelming.  Two weeks ago, in the midst of my "Random Acts of Kindness" deliveries, I received a phone call from my husband who said he got injured at work.  He wouldn't give me anymore details until I came home.

As I entered the house with little guy, I saw my husband hobbling on one foot; apparently, he slipped on ice while trying to get into his car and his knee made a popping sound--his bad knee that is...

You see, my husband has had two knee surgeries in the past (both on the same knee).  One surgery was done while we were dating, and the other surgery happened just last February after a sledding accident.  When we went sledding just a few weeks ago, you could imagine my fear.  I was playing referee the entire time trying to make sure that we didn't have a repeat occurrence from last year.  I sounded like this:

"Lew, please keep your sled away from Little Lewie.  I'm afraid you're going to collide, and you'll hurt your knee again."

"Lew, can you move just another 10 feet in that direction?"

"Lew, don't go yet!!  It looks like those kids over on that end are going first."

Yes, my husband calls me "Nagarella" and the "Fun Police" with good reason.  After becoming a mom, I seem to "worry" all the time.  Sometimes for good reason, but sometimes just because worrying has taken over my blood..."

Last week, however, God and the universe taught me a very important lesson.  Worrying gets you nowhere; worrying is unproductive; and finally, trade worry with faith.

It appears that no matter how much I worried during the last time we went sledding, my husband was going to injure his knee regardless, and there wasn't a single thing I could do about it.  There wasn't anything he could have done differently either.  He slipped on ice and voila!   He went to his "knee doctor" the very next day, spent the week icing his injury, and had an MRI done last Sat.  We knew nothing...was it a torn meniscus, an ACL injury, what?

This is where the faith comes in...  Last Thursday, Lew got the good news from his knee doctor that he wouldn't need another surgery after all.  While he did "stretch" his ACL and it appears as if he has a painful bone injury, the doctor assured us that, in time, he would make a full recovery.  His knee would start to hurt less, and he probably wouldn't need any physical therapy either...

As you can imagine, we've been taking it easy this past week -- no sledding, no roller skating, no skiing or any type of sport, and that's okay.  Sometimes I need to take a deep breath and stop all the worrying.  In fact, I need to trade worry for faith.  Faith is what will assure me that everything is going to be all right, and faith is what will allow me to enjoy those days of sledding again instead of acting like the Police Patrol.  I'm sorry I ever had any doubts...

My two boys gearing up for their first time down the hill.

The hole of this snow tube was a little too big for him, but oh well, we tried!

Laughing!

My husband teasing me after I nagged him about being careful not to get injured.

Rare footage of me with my little boy.  (Not really, but there are way more daddy-son pictures than mommy-son pics!)