Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
Phil 4:6-7



Sunday, January 26, 2014

a seat with a view














We had plenty of plans today. In fact, when I woke up this morning I wasn't sure which of the plans would be happening.

My mom desperately wanted to drive to Cincinnati to see her mom (my grandma), but the weather has been so bad that my uncle didn't want to drive and I was going to step in. But, with unknown conditions on roads between here and there, my mom decided it wasn't worth risking. She is very depressed about the situation for my grandma. I know she just sits and thinks about how alone she is, and confused. Purgatory on earth. For both of them.

So, then I was going to go, as regularly scheduled, to Mass and RCIA with Taylor, but just as I was walking out the door, the RCIA director called to tell me it had been cancelled. I then learned we had a level 2 snow emergency, which, at least in Ohio, means stay put unless you have a really good reason to be somewhere else. We probably could have made it to Mass, but I didn't want to end up in a ditch or plowing into another car when it wasn't crucial.

So, here I am.

I have done loads and loads (figuratively and literally) of laundry because I haven't been able to stay caught up lately.

 I have made quite a bit of headway on this balaclava for Joshua. With such an extremely cold winter this year, I hope I can finish it for him soon.

I am smelling Italian sausages, garlic and tomato sauce floating in from the kitchen -- gnocci, sausage, salad, and bread coming up for dinner.

And I have a good flick on Netflix -- Paradise Road -- which I have not seen, nor ever heard the story of before.

I can't think of a thing I need, even though the snow is blowing and drifting outside, and more cold and really cold temperatures are expected. I got a bonus day, so I am happy.




23 comments:

  1. It certainly sounds like the kind of day to sit tight and be cozy while looking out the window.
    We have been warned against travel here as well with both a Blizzard and Wind Chill advisory. The snow is blowing around and the house creaking and moaning. It certainly makes it feel rather frigid, but the ideal day to nestle in and enjoy family.

    Happy Sunday to you, Barbara!

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    Replies
    1. Sarah,
      I know your weather up there has been as extreme as ours. I think our temps in Ohio are to be colder tomorrow than yours. Highs in the negative numbers, which I know is not unusual for you but crazy for us. We're two hours from the Mason-Dixon Line! Hold onto your hat today!

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  2. We are in hunker-down weather, as well. Last week we were feeling the cabin fever pretty intensely, but the weekend has been calm. Sounds like you had a lovely, homey, productive Sunday. :)

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    1. Aimee,
      I love an excuse to stay indoors and have a homey, productive day! I'm sure you'd like the kids to run off some of their energy. Maybe they can takes turns sprinting on the treadmill!

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  3. Prayers for your grandmother. It was warm here today...but rain and freezing temps are predicted for the next few days...good thing for tea and knitting. :)

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    1. Cheryl,
      If only I could figure out how to hold my hot mug and knit at the same time! ;-)

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  4. Sounds like a wonderful day! Blizzard conditions here; the wind is blowing and howling. It is COLD. My kids' school just canceled class for tomorrow. Most schools have been canceled, I think. I was hoping we would be brave enough to go in, because this is the 4th cancellation this month—unprecedented! And with Christmas break, an extra day off and MLK Day, they've had 9 days off this month!! We haven't had a 5-day school week since before Christmas! I just want a routine again ... Anyway, I am hunkering down tonight with "Downton Abbey," and I don't have to set an alarm for the morning. That's a good thing, huh?!

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    Replies
    1. Sarah,
      I know you hardcore Minnesotans are not whims about the weather. In Ohio, we're not so tough! I think tomorrow will be a day off because the highs are to be negative numbers. They won't let the kids stand at bus stops in that.

      And thank you for the award. We'll see what the week brings. Doug is traveling some and I'm not practiced at juggling alone. :-)

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  5. The road to St. P was awful! Took us twice the time to get home from Mass and we were slipping and sliding all the way. Fortunately by that time the snow emergency has been announced so the roads were practically empty. Glad that you didn't have to navigate the roads today. Prayers for both your mom and grandma.

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    1. Ana Maria,
      I was glad not to have to try to get to campus. I can't imagine what their streets are like.
      Thank you for the prayers. My mom is traveling with my uncle today.

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  6. Seems so strange to hear all the reports from this perspective. Stay safe. I feel sad for your grandma. It's a blessing your mom is so tuned in and connected to her.

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    1. I know you used to be right in the thick of the weather here, Kim. Enjoy it from that side of "the pond."

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  7. I can understand the pain of your mother as we are so very far from our aging and sickly parents. Your day actually sounds cozy. Stat warm and safe!

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    1. Patty,
      It is hard enough to be apart from loved ones, and when they really need us, it's downright painful.

      I'd like to go back to the day when we all lived on the same land!

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  8. We had a nice day yesterday, before getting swamped by ridiculous cold again today. And, much as I hate to say it, it's kind of nice to have an excuse to skip Mass once in a while, isn't it?

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    1. Jennie,
      It was certainly nice not to have to drive in a snow storm. I'm still not sure how our roads are. Doug said the freeways are clean, but I fear since it got slightly above freezing yesterday and the temps are going sub zero today it might get really icy.

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  9. Hi Barbara! It's me again! I just wanted to let you know how much your blog has been a bright spot in my life over the years ... I'm having a little fun over at my blog this morning by nominating you for the Sunshine Award, which is passed on by bloggers to other bloggers who "positively and creatively inspire others in the blogospere." Check it out! You don't have to play, of course ... I just wanted you to know that I think you're great! Have a blessed day!!

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  10. I would move if we did not have family. seriously. Minnesota is not THAT nice. I love all the trees and lakes...but this cold and long long winters is crazy stuff. I would live by the ocean!

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  11. Aww, sometimes it is just better to stay at home. I call them "home days". I ran 7 errands today with the kids. Kinda crazy! But tomorrow we are doing a "home day", and I'll do much of the same: laundry, kitchen clean-up that we skipped today and maybe I will even look up a gnocci recipe. Your food sounds soooo good.

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  12. We are stuck home too. Going crazy with the kiddos. I've lived in Minnesota a really long time (with intervals of California) and this is the first year, I seriously want to move to Hawaii....or Corpus Christi, Texas....anything by water....warm water.

    It's another crazy windchill below zero day, we will have to do a workout video...the kids hate that! They will laugh and joke the whole time. Might be fun!!?!!

    Debating if I should go out and go to Mass today too...I want to.

    Prayers for your mother (and you) must be so hard to not be there.
    God is with your Grandma, and her Angel. And probably mother Mary, wrapping her mantle around her.

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  13. The weather is crazy cold lately!
    I read 'And I dance mine own child' (from The Little Bookroom) aloud to my kids today and thought of you all through it. Praying still for your grandmother, and her daughter. (hugs!)

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  14. Dear Barbara,
    Your blog is just as beautiful as ever. Thank you for being a lovely presence on the internet. I have nominated you for the Sunshine Blogging Award! If you would like to participate, follow this link back to my blog, and read about the nomination. God bless! Denise
    http://steasetonblog.blogspot.com/2014/01/ten-fascinating-facts-about-me.html

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I appreciate your comments -- sometimes I feel like I'm talking to myself!