Another day in the life of a (pseudo) cat lady...

It's been four years since I started putting my jumbled thoughts down on paper on this blog.  My original post outlined my general mental state and it's been a mish-mash of demented thoughts ever since.  I've taken advantage of several sites which offer writing prompts and Tess Kincaid's Magpie Tales has become my favorite.

Nonetheless, you'd think after four years I'd have run out of things about which to write.  Many days, I do say to myself, "I've got nothing..."

And then I have a day like today...

I'd just settled in for a long winter's nap, when a sound awakened me.  It was dulcet tones of my cell phone.  Since the caller I.D. said it was my child, I felt it would be a nice gesture if I answered.

"Hey, Vlad!  What's up?" 

"Hi, Mom.  Say, can you come outside?  I got my car stuck in the snow and need help."  

*looks at clock... notices the time... 1:00 a.m.*

"Sure, no problem... I'll be right out."

*looks around for something to put on over warm, comfy jammies*

An hour later, Vlad's car is in the driveway and I'm wide awake, looking forward to my alarm going off at 5:30 so I can get up, shower, shovel some more and get to work by 7:00 a.m.

Which is exactly what happens... I get up at 5:30, shower, make the requisite Eolist Petite blend coffee, check the "closings" list on the news and don't see the Center for Wayward Wee Ones listed, shovel out a small patch in the back yard so the puny dog has somewhere to take care of business, and head into work.

Now my car gets stuck twice on the way to work, necessitating getting out of the car and shoveling the freakin' street so that I can get to work.  (No sense returning the favor by calling Vlad to ask for help since I'm about two miles from home and in these conditions he'd probably get stuck as well and then where would we be?)

Once I make it to work I discover there there is no place to park on the street because the snow plow has left huge mounds of snow next to where one might be able to park one's motor vehicle.  So, it's time to get out the shovel, (yet again,) and dig through the mound of plowed snow, (which is always iced up and ten times heavier than regular snow.)

Where's a good horse when you need one?

So, I park the car, get out and walk halfway down the block to work and notice there are no lights on at my long-awaited destination.  *sick feeling develops rapidly in pit of stomach*

Sure enough, when I pull out my handy cell phone there's a text and a voice mail, saying that the Center for Wayward Wee Ones is closed.  WTF?  Where did those come from?

*sigh*

Figures... pretty par for the course, when it comes to me.

I think I'll just go back to bed now.   I've had enough excitement for one day.

Of Snowflakes and Rosebuds: Magpie #44

When does childhood end and adulthood commence?  Perhaps it's when snow days become a source of angst instead of sheer joy.

In childhood a snow day means freedom!  Freedom to stay in your pajamas until late in the morning. Then it's into snowsuits and caps and mittens and boots to explore the world of wonder created by freshly fallen snow.  It's building snow caves and sliding down hills.  It's making snow angels and snowmen and catching snowflakes on your tongue.  It's shrieks of laughter as compact orbs of snow fly back and forth through the air.  It's the steaming hot cocoa with marshmallows that awaits you when you return to the warmth of your house.  A snow day is magical!

The magic begins to fade when snow days mean having to get up early and shovel so you can get to work in time.  Back breaking labor takes all the fun out of watching the snow fall.  It means brushing off the car and hoping the locks aren't frozen.  Turning the key in the ignition, praying the car actually starts.  And then edging the car through the snow covered streets, hoping you don't get stuck or slide into another intrepid traveler before you reach your destination.  It takes a special person to actually enjoy this kind of activity. 

But every once in awhile, a funny thing happens.  The planets align so that a snow day happens on a day off.  You have a chance to enjoy the beauty of the snowflakes from the comfort of your easy chair while enjoying that first cup of coffee of the day.  The world once again looks magical and it brings back memories of days gone by.... of sleds named Rosebud and the joy of childhood.  And life is good.

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Willow over at Life at Willow Manor  has been providing inspiration for bloggers with her photo prompts on a site called Magpie Tales.  Be sure to check out the other fabulous writers participating in Magpie Tales this week.  You'll be glad you did!