Zen and the Art of Motherhood

No way!  I woke up this morning to six inches of snow on the ground.  How pretty.  How peaceful.  How Zen.

Not exactly.  Along with those delicate white flakes came the news I dread most.  A snow day.

IT"S ONLY OCTOBER.  This can't be happening. Not yet.

Then again, this is my life we're talking about. Why am I surprised?

At the moment I have two three four kids and one big dog on the bed with me watching the news. This is not a dream.  I repeat, this is not a dream.

You may think my reaction is a little extreme.  And you're probably right.

I usually LOVE snow days.  Everything comes to a screeching halt.  For just one day, we have to slow down and relax. We bake cookies, sip hot cocoa and head to the sledding hill. But did I mention its only October?  The time of year we jump in crunchy leaf piles, enjoy the changing colors and some wonderful Indian Summer.  Oh, what happened to my beautiful Indian Summer? 

I shouldn't be surprised.  After all, this is Colorado we're talking about.  I've lived here long enough to realize anything is possible.  Like white stuff all over the ground three days before Halloween.

The worst thing about it?  Today was my day.  You know, the day when not only the older kids were in school, but the Little Stinker had Lunch Bunch.  Its the day I look forward to all week long.

I had plans.  Grand plans.  Bills to pay, projects to be done.  And rest.  Wonderful, glorious rest.

Instead I'm looking at my entire clan confined within these four walls.  All day.  All night. I think I feel a panic attack coming on.

Ahh, the best laid plans.  Guess I'd better get the hot cocoa going and pull out the old cookie recipes. After I head down to the basement to dust off all that winter wear.  Ready or not, its time to get out there and enjoy the snow.