Winter magic

I have believed for most of my life that I wanted to be Laura Ingalls Wilder.  I wanted to live the pioneer life. One of the losses I mourned with the feeding tube wasn't just eating, but the ability to be self sustaining. There was no blender on the prairie.  However, after six straight days more or less stuck at home due to the snow I can say there is no way I would have survived "The Long Winter," or, honestly, any of the other winters she writes about.  Trapped in a tiny little house with several people, one book, and a corncob doll. No.  Going out to the outhouse when it was below zero.  No.  Waking up covered in snow. No.  Another childhood dream dashed.

We escaped to Jen's house today for a sanity break.  Karissa, Evan and Erin can play with very little chaperoning or intervention.  I don't generally have to worry about what terrible idea they are going to come up with that is either unsafe, stupid, or just mean.  Jen and I got to visit, which is also better than me playing way too much Candy Crush trying to drown out the caterwauling.  Yay!

Last night Kelly got to put another notch in his long suffering spouse belt.  During our marriage, he has taken me to several concerts, at my request. The Dixie Chicks, Mary Chapin Carpenter (where we were possibly the only heterosexual couple), The Kingston Trio/The Brothers Four (where we were definitely the only people under 65), and Willie Nelson (at the Cuthbert. Outside.  In the rain.)  So last night was the Oak Ridge Boys 40th Anniversary Tour/Christmas Concert.  This might well have been more redneck than any of the others.  I also forget that they started out as a gospel group, so there were bits of it that were more religion heavy than you might expect at a concert.  The first half was all their music and the second half was all Christmas.  Interestingly, the couple seated next to us left after intermission. Expensive tickets to only stay for half.  To Kelly's credit he only gave me the raised eyebrow when they were singing "Peterbuilt Sleigh."  A classic, I know, right?

A little Oak Ridge Boys trivia:  The song Elvira (the only one of theirs that Kelly knew) came out in 1981, the year Kelly and I met, "One summer at band camp..."

Before joining the Oak Ridge Boys in 1973, the bass singer did a three year stint with Elvis touring.  There is a big switch.

They touted the importance of the traditional Christmas Carols, but I don't remember there being an electric guitar solo in Joy to the World.

I hope when I am in my 60's I can jump around like these guys were.  Actually, I wish I could jump around like that now!

I know you are wondering what Kelly has subjected me to in exchange.  He has only taken me to one concert of his choice.  Billy Joel and Elton John.  I think I only knew one song.  Don't judge me!

Karissa subjected Rose to her own personally choreographed version of the Nutcracker last night.  The entire Nutcracker.  I'm sure it was nice for her to have a fresh audience.  After this many straight days of the Karissa Show, I'm not as enthusiastic as I should be.

Angie took Karissa tonight to fit twirly skirts, some snow play, and dinner.  Thank you Angie and Ed for also taking a turn with the Karissa Show.  She loves you guys!

Anxiously awaiting the district's decision on if we will have school tomorrow or not.  We got up to at least 35 today, but all that means is everything melted some and will freeze into a solid sheet of ice tonight. The forecast for tomorrow night: freezing rain.  Nice.

Karina decided to take the B+ and come home before Friday.  To be fair, it is likely what I would have done unless I was really sure I could get the A and I was never that sure about Biology.  She has her Health final from 8-9:45 tonight.  It will be interesting to see where it ends up being as OSU has had broken pipes all over campus and has been scrambling to move finals, reschedule finals, etc.  Ah... the joys of winter.

On the health front, most things seem to be settling down nicely.  Swelling doesn't change much, but movement is getting better.  My facial muscles seem to be getting a little more cooperative-- I can almost pucker my lips.  A few nerves are waking up in my neck and they aren't terribly happy, but nothing I haven't dealt with before.  At least they aren't being cooked, too.

Until tomorrow, stay warm!