The Browns Happen

Yesterday and the night before were an icy mess.  There were accidents all over the place and Loralai’s school was closed yesterday.  I’m glad we don’t have icy days too much.  I remember when I lived in KC we had ice day and we lent the few guys in our apartment building ice scrapers after seeing them try and scrape their cars with z credit cards and spatulas.   In college we hung out with a few people from St. Kitts which is near Jamaica.  Living in a tropical area for most of their lives they had never seen snow or icy conditions.  I was driving one gentleman to the post office and my car was covered with a thin layer of ice, he tried to jab his keys into my car to get it off.  I did my best to keep my cool while telling him to stop.  While at the post office it started to snow and he completely freaked out and refused to get out of my car for fear that he would be cut by the falling ice.  Pictire this, a very tall muscular track and field...

Today we awoke to a winter wonderland.  The snow was heavy and stuck to everything which was beautiful to look at.  Loralai’s school called out last night and my work had only a few people come in.   Lee and I recently talked about how we as a society celebrate birthdays incorrectly.  We say we celebrate that we are starting our “whatever” year when in reality we are completing our “whatever”year.  This week this idea really struck a cord with me as I reflected on my life this past year.  I’ll be turning 42 this April and as any fan of SciFi knows, 42 is the answer to everything.  For me, this has really been a year of figuring out what makes me happy and making it happen.  This year I married my amazing husband in May.  I never knew that someone could match my weirdness so much and make me so happy all at the same time.  I am truly a better version of myself because of the relationship we have together. Shortly after the wedding we spen...

This morning started out with freezing fog which caused accidents on both of the bridges leaving St. Charles which added a good 30 minutes to my drive. Those 30 minutes were spent rocking out to music and making it weird for others around me.  The frost covered world around me was a beautiful background for my nonsense.    Work was really busy and I had to force myself to push past the knee pain more than usual.  It seemed like I was running the entire day and managed to hit just under 4 miles and 8,500 steps but still didn’t get everything done.  Tomorrow is another busy day but I got this.    Loralai and I have decided that we are going to do a girls night every couple of weeks. We’re going to get  all dressed up and hit the town for dinner.  I’m between we are going to do more baking and crafting together.  I’m looking forward to spending more time together and getting her out of her room more. 

Today we slept way to late and didn’t do much of anything.  Around 4pm Lee and I got in a very cold golf cart and drove to BobaQue.  On our way back it started to graubel.  Graubel are snowflakes collected on the surface of super cooled water drops.  It was so freaking cold and I can’t wait for spring! Today we’ve been doing a binge of New Girl.  I don’t think Lee actually likes it but it’s sweet that he’s humoring me.  

I lay here, awake and in pain from the amazing Indian food I consumed too much of tonight.  Every once in a blue moon, Lee and Indecide to do and international night here at the Brown house.  This usually means that he wants Mexican food, which I will not eat or I want Indian food, which he will not eat.  Tonight tonwas the former.  I wasn’t nessassarily craving Indian food but I knew I was happy with our decision as soon as we pulled up the the restaurant.  I was not disappointed.  My only problem with Indian food is even though I ask for mild, it is always too spicy for me.  So I drink way too much milk and eat way too many pieces of naan making me super full.  So now, many hours later, I lay here in pain and I think to myself…….worth it

 Finished reading Where the Crawdads Sing yesterday and really enjoyed the book.  At first the   flowery writing was annoying but the book really picked up the pace while still painting a beautiful picture.  It was a pretty quick read and took me about three days of reading to complete. I really need to find another book to read.  I picked a random book to read in the meantime.

 This new year brought new goals.  I have committed to the following: Have people over at least 5 times this year Read at least 10 books, (one down) Take Loralai to the Air Force recruitment office Spend less than $200 a month on Amazon Sell the other house Participate in at least 5 craft/farmers market Two weekend trips Drink water while at work  I’m pretty happy with my progress so far with finishing my first book and drinking water each day this week.   I’m getting a lot more responsibility at work which is nice.  It’s nice to be busy but not crazed!  I’ve been given the opportunity to do STEM outreach as well.   Loralai has been sick since Christmas.  She keeps getting worse and then better than worse again.  I’m not sure exactly what’s going on but the Teladoc didn’t seem to think it was anything major and kind of dismissed my concerns which is annoying.  

 Today was my first day back at work this year.  I absolutely loved the break; which gave Lee and I some much needed time to do adult things like laundry, rearrange the living room and pay taxes.  Unfortunately, Loralai was sick pretty much the entire time after Christmas but is feeling better now.  This was the first time that she hasn’t needed or wanted me when she was sick.  It’s hard when I realize that she is growing up.  Next school year she will be in high school and then four short years after that she plans on joining the Air Force.  Where did the time go?  I’m so proud of the person she has grown to be.  She even decided to jump out of her comfort zone and participate in the polar plunge here in New Town.   There was a layer of slush on top of the lake! Because of the sickness which spread to Lee as well, this was one of the first times in recent history that we stayed home for New Years Eve.  While it was great to have so...