I'm confused... is it Winter or not?

Ok, so we got some snow for Christmas. A lot of snow! Then, it warmed up for January. Our Spring-like weather turned to rain and cold over the last weekend and today, it's quite warm again. Although I love the warm temperatures, we really need the snow. The Almond growers in the valley are getting very nervous as am I. I always put my sweet pea seeds in the ground in October and await thier arrival in April. They're already up and most are over 5 inches tall. This will be sad when we finally get the snow which usually happens in February. We'll juat have to wait and see.
The weather today was gorgeous with temps hovering at 70 degrees here. I moved Amelia's house (a hot water heater box) onto the deck and we got out her paints and decorated for a while.
Right now, Joel and Amelia are jamming on their harmonicas. We went to the used book store yesterday and Joel got a new book about playing the harmonica to add to his collection. I've been with this man for over 13 years now and have only ever heard him play Oh Susannah.

A great team.

Joel and I are such a great team. We're not a "perfect" couple but I think we're close. Even though he makes me madder than anyone else on the entire planet, he also makes me laugh the most. Last night, after putting Amelia to bed, I sat down to watch American Idol - I know it's horrible but it's an evil indulgence and... it was the only thing on. Joel sat with me and we not only picked apart each contestant but every commercial that came on as well. We had each other rolling with laughter, I even cried a little but, thankfully, we didn't wake up the girl. At one point, a doorbell rang on the TV and Honey went nuts running for the front door that we never use and barking. Keep in mind that as long as we've had this dog, we've never had a doorbell. So, that made us laugh even harder! I don't know if it was the cold medicine that we're both taking or if it was just that funny of an evening but it was nice!

Honey Bunny

My dog is beginning to really show her age. We recently celebrated her 10th birthday and for a Great Dane, that is a serious Senior Citizen. Like any good old dog, her manners aren't what they used to be. In the past week, she's started getting on the furniture when we're not in the room and then getting off when she hears us coming back as if we won't notice that the corner of the couch is now covered in hair and the cusions are on the floor - sneaky. Thismorning was the worst... she accidentally pooped on the floor when she stood up out of her bed. We were mortified. We finally get the girl out of diapers and now the dog needs 'em. Honey has cateracts that are getting bigger - everyone comments on them and asks whether or not she can see. Yes, she can but I'm not so sure her hearing is that good. She barks all the time now but, not when you'd actually expect her to like when someone is at the door. She just barks her big bark for no real reason.

She has lost a bit of weight in the last couple of months and it's harder to get her to eat. The best days for her are the ones that Joel takes her to work with him. She gets to be with him all day which is all she really wants and when they get home, she eats without me having to put eggs or beef broth on her food and is generally very well behaved. I guess he'll just have to take her with him more often.

And now... back to Winter

So it's finally snowing a bit. The temp plumeted last night and we've been feeding the fire all day. I opted for the Jamesons the other night and it really did help.

Friday or Monday?

For a Friday, today sure feeld like a Monday in that IT SUCKS! First... it's raining a lot, everything is muddy and wet. Second... preschool didn't go so well thismorning. My last minute craft went fine, we made a picture of a rainy day, using 1/2 cupcake wrappers for umbrellas, very cute. Then, we all went to the Tuolumne City Library for story time. Amelia would not sit and listen to the librarian lady read and was really starting to get on my nerves. Then, my phone rang, nice. My mother-in-law doesn't always get the hint when I say, very clearly, "I'm quite busy right now and will call you back in a few minutes." By the time I hung up, Amelia decided to kick her rain boots off and one of them hit another kid in the head. William starts crying and Amelia is now in trouble so she starts crying and then... my phone rings again. This time it was Joel and he could pretty much tell by my voice that this would have to wait. So, putting a kicking and crying Amelia in the car kinda hurt my back and we headed for home an hour early. But, now it's quiet as I have taken the brat to my neighbors' house to have her nap and watch cartoons while I go finish cleaning a rental house, yeah. Well, since it really IS Friday, I'll be coming back home soon and delving into that bottle of Jamesons in the back of the cabinet or finishing of the bottle of Milliare's Simply Red that's sitting on the kitchen counter. Either way, it'll mellow me out.